Nov 24, 2009

Sounds of the woods


After our upcoming family celebration of God's sustenance in our lives during the Thanksgiving holiday, I am planning once again to head north to enter the woods.

This annual time when I spend a day hunting whitetail deer is an important refuge for me. A day most quiet, where I am all alone and all the sounds that reach my ears are brought in an environment functioning as if I wasn't even there. The wind, the creaking of swaying trees, a babbling brook or maybe snow softly falling on crunchy leaves all add a great depth to this experience. The beauty and peace that I enjoy in God's kingdom, even if it is for just this one day a year, is refreshing to me. Being a silent observer of nature in this little spot in the world brings joy to my soul.

Whether I leave the woods with a wild bounty for our table or not, I know that the time spent in respite, reflection and refuge from worldly pressures will be fruitful for me.

This photo of a quiet mountain stream, taken a year ago along the route to these woods, is a timely reminder of what awaits me there.

Nov 23, 2009

Tasks not finished



Today, I have a double photo post, following a few days without any as we were traveling in our Nation's Capital, Washington D.C. Our trip was two fold, the primary purpose being to assist in ministering to a needy population there and second to spend a family day visiting the National mall. This first photo, taken inside the Lincoln Memorial, is one in which I wanted to convey the majesty and solemness of this structure overlooking the great expanse that stretches to the Capital Building at the other end. Within this exposure, I purposefully set the shot low as I wanted to create a visual 'path', so to speak, using the columns to lead to and frame the statue.

As you climb the steps of this historic Doric Temple and first see this larger than life figure seated in marble upon his throne, what strikes me most is the casual, unpretentious pose Lincoln exhibits, as if reflective and weary, still wearing his heavy coat. The steps on which he resides, lift him up as unapproachable with the massive columns flanking him on either side, separating him from his most famous of speeches. This president, long viewed as one of our most honored is widely credited with abolishing slavery while within the effort of saving the union of our country and it is an emotional experience to stand before this place memorializing him. His efforts along with others has helped to bring our county to a place where we all can enjoy the freedom and equality offered us in our great nation.

The second photo, taken the next day not very far from the walls and columns of stone decorating with pride our nations history, very sadly shows that some of us are still more equal than others. These people, who suffer daily along sidewalks and under bridges, hidden right in plain view from the blindness of our busy, involved lives are still in their own form of bondage and slavery. Whether it be physical, mental, economic or of a substance dependency, many are trapped into a cycle they cannot substantially break on their own. This photo represents the second and most important part of our journey as we as a family were privileged to reach out to care for, love and respect these forgotten and neglected members of our great society. In following our Lord's commands and doing something so small, even to the least of us, the kindness and true appreciation we received back from them was worth far more of lasting value to us than any of our steps though the cold marble monuments to great men. In retrospect, these actions are ones that Lincoln would probably approve of.

Nov 19, 2009

A small smile under the Bear



Whenever I have had to travel for a business shoot, say to cover a meeting or do a special portrait about someone, I would try and take time to get about if possible a make some local photographs and in that 'tourist' mode, would naturally try and get to well establish sights.

On this particular day, I was at Buckingham Palace in London, England. Since 1813 the palace and the Royal Family inside have been protected 24/7 by the 'Queen's Guards' and in this case, a Foot Guard. These fellows are legendary to stand absolutely still, staring straight ahead, stoically without a word and their scarlet tunics and Black bear fur hats are known the world over.

I am sure there are literally millions of photos of these silent sentries and usually when confronted with such a public icon, I always have tried to find an angle or way to capture it in a way that I have not seen before. Being as a I am in this situation, a tourist, I hold no special access to anywhere that anyone else does not, but I have found that my camera equipment, a friendly and courteous professional attitude along with a smile goes a great way toward getting into spots others might be denied.

In this case I started shooting from some distance and worked my way up closer with small breaks to stop and assess what to do next. After a bit of this, I respectfully approached him and then asked him if he would mind that I got behind him for a shot or two, a normally very out-of-bounds position (He is after all, carrying a fully automatic weapon and is a guard). His eyes darted over at me (up until now, there was no acknowledgment of my presence) and he gave an ever so slight but solid nod. Accepting his affirmation, I slowly and carefully moved to a spot where I might get a more unique image. I was pleased with myself being just a couple of feet away and after making quite a few exposures, I saw that there was no one else nearby anymore. I began to ask him questions like "How long have you been doing this?" or "Have you ever met the Queen?" and other ice breaking chit chat stuff and even though he never moved his head or eyes, we did engage in a quiet conversation together.

After a while, in the distance I saw something that I made an observational joke about and as I shared it with him, he burst from his stiffness with a stifled laugh/snort and then just as quickly returned to the seriousness that was required of him. Sensing it was time to go, I then apologized for prompting him to break formation, thanked him for his time and as I was leaving, he once again turned his eyes my way, looked me in the eye and smiled.

Nov 18, 2009

Life in Stone



Pere Lachaise, established By Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 is the largest cemetery in Paris, France. 'Home' to over 300,000 remains, it's confines hold the earthy remnants of many noted people of history including Oscar Wilde, Molliere and Frederic Chopin among others. One I have seen however stands out from the rows and rows of ordinary tombstones and crypts.

While there on a holiday trip in the early 1980s, I took a walk through the more than 118 acres in search of this one spot. It was quite easy to find as throughout the city there were indicators pointing in it's direction in the form of spray painted arrows on the side of a building or on a park bench, or tree simply marked with the word JIM. They were all guideposts serving as a casual compass towards JIm Morrison's grave. Heading there that day not being a Morrison or even Doors fan, the draw for me wasn't some sort of celebrity pilgrimage but more of curiosity, being in this city and seeing these impromptu 'signs'.

Once I arrived I was quite surprised not to see a large, secure crypt with iron bars such as I saw on many other plots on the way in or even a large headstone honoring his short, but culturally celebrated rock and roll life. Instead what I found was a morbid party scene of people drinking and hanging out by a handmade 'headstone' covered with graffiti that was spilling onto other nearby graves. Cigarette butts, empty bottles, and trash littered the area. Clearly, entering this scene many years after his passing, I could see that his turbulent life and sad death had made an impact upon the world, but I wondered what kind? The irreverence and rebellion that was a public part of his life, also now marked his final resting place. Maybe that's the way he would have wanted it, I don't know.

I wondered then what people would say about me someday after I have left this place? What would my 'grave' be like and as I think more about it now, I ask more what will my 'memorial' or 'remembrance' be like? Would my life's story be marked with words like indifferent, self centered and rebellious or by words such as loyal, loving husband, great dad, friend......servant?

At that point certainly in time I will have little influence in what people might say or think about 'Ken', but I can have an impact on it now and I hope that at my own end....... my life and those I leave behind would have been filled with things that are uplifting and good and that at that end I would hear "well done good and faithful servant"!

Nov 17, 2009

The least of These


Seeing this photo of this fellow standing casually here in the doorway, brings me back to an important moment within me. He was a waiter I encountered while on a trip to Brazil many years ago. He was a very pleasant man, quiet in demeanor and attentive as a good waiter should be. I was dining with a friend and had enjoyed an delicious, but inexpensive, filling meal with a open pit roasted suckling pig as the main course. I remember it was a typical beautiful day in Rio De Janeiro and this leisurely and fine meal topped it off. After seeing and confirming that I was indeed finished, our waiter cleared our plates from our table and I thought was heading back to the kitchen. Instead he walked with my mostly eaten meal in hand over to a low wall that was bordering this outside establishment and to my surprise handed it directly to a hungry family that had been apparently waiting for us to finish so they could consume what was left behind.

I have over the years been to many parts of the world where poverty and hunger was pretty evident, but had never encountered anything like this direct connection and contrast to my own comparative wealth and ease. This waiter was the vessel that day that opened my eyes to another world, where daily sustenance is not taken for granted and even a picked through plate of food was a much welcomed gift. I would like to have ended this story with how I then approached this very needy family and then went on to significantly change their lives, but that would not be true. In spite of the evidence, the shock and conviction before me, I didn't want to 'embarrass" them in their poverty and we moved on with our lives and travel. My decision weighed heavily upon my heart though as I came to realize that it was perhaps me that was really embarrassed.

After wards, coming back into and living in a rich man's world by global standards, I like many do after traveling, mostly forgot about the other, less fortunate people that number more than we can imagine on this small planet. In the years since, sometimes I have taken the time and money to help others and have occasionally even sought out opportunities to help the 'Least of these' as commanded in Matthew 25:31-46, but sometimes I still forget myself in my selfishness also.

This weekend, I am once again blessed that my family has an opportunity to practice our faith onto others as we travel to Washington D.C. to assist in efforts there lead by a sister church. Perhaps this time, I can keep an eye out for a small but truly significant need that might normally escape my line of vision, like this one along time ago.

In thinking about it all, I feel sometimes we all need to take a step back, look around ourselves and then choose to see those who might be less visible, perhaps behind that wall, waiting for a blessing. I promise, you will be the one who is rewarded.

Nov 16, 2009

Stars and Stuff



Tonight is reported to be a good night to view this year's Leonid Meteor showers, a very cool, occasional event for us to see as the earth passes through the trail of dust and rock left behind the Temple-Tuttle comet. A few years ago, my wife and I took the time in the cold of mid winter to view this night adventure, laid out some sleeping bags and blankets, then rose in the middle of the night (it always is best at around 1-2 in the morning) and enjoyed the spectacle in the sky. There were hundreds of 'shooting stars' and we were impressed once again with God's creation around us. Tonight, we will plan to do the same and although the weather will be milder, we are looking forward to seeing it again.

These photos are from a few months ago when I stepped outside and saw these really cool 'sheep clouds'(my mother in law's description) and then went back inside to get my camera for a few photos. I made several shots of the moon and clouds, enjoying the way the clouds and tree's silhouettes framed the moon and the planet Jupiter, which was also present. After wards, I turned my camera around towards our pond, keeping the shutter open long enough so that the moonlight illuminating the landscape almost resembled daylight, but not quite. The results were exposures with an almost luminescent glow that I really enjoyed.

As we live in a rural area that offers excellent clear night viewing, we have always happened to catch some cool thing or another going on by chance, but since then I have kept a keener eye on night sky events and am more attentive to the stars for things we normally would miss in our daytime oriented lives.

Nov 13, 2009

Balance


Nothing particularly special about today's post nor any pontificating on anything, but just a reminder to me of warmer days and sunnier places. As it has been a fairly wet summer here and the weather has continued this trend into the fall, I just wanted to post something to remind me of sunshine on my face and gently breezes. This was just a quick photo taken in the parking lot of a good friend's place in West Palm Beach, Florida on the way out the door to somewhere. I have always liked palm trees and how the long trunks and relatively shallow roots manage to hold up the bush of fronds at the top in a balancing act. We all need balance and today I am wishing I had some warm sun to balance the cold damp we have instead.

Nov 12, 2009

New Beginnings


Last week I noticed that the two white pine trees that shoulder our drive were in the process of renewing their coats. Unlike deciduous trees that grow new leaves in the spring, the pines shed and sprout new needles in the fall. Like any individual, one was further along, or perhaps healthier than the other and had more growth but both were going the process in their own way.

Like these trees, I also need renewing on a regular basis. Sometimes a little pruning is needed to spur new growth, at other times, a major cut and patch is necessary to do the trick. Either way it is clearing out the old, removing the disease to strengthen and add to ones self, perhaps making room for the new. Whether it be physical, mental or spiritual, renewal is good for us, just like it is for the health of this tree. Today I am glad that I have a God that takes the time to know me intimately and makes the needed, even if sometimes unwanted renewal in my life.

Nov 11, 2009

Long Held Sorrow

Today, Veterans day, is one for which I have been waiting to post this photo.

For me personally, it is a day of pride and honor to be counted among those who have served in the U.S. Military, but it is also a day of deep sorrow for all of us in honoring those who have lost theirs lives in service to others.

This photo, taken at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along the Mall in Washington D.C. is a stark representation of that sacrifice for me. As I was there photographing this austere monument filled with the names of those whom died in that war long ago, a fellow came up and spent some time quietly and solemnly looking at, then making a paper and pencil rubbing of one particular name etched into the cold, black granite. Perhaps it was his child's name or maybe a comrade in battle who life was cut short, but after a long, long while and some held back tears, he placed these long kept, well worn boots and hat at the base of the slab and walked slowly away.

Nobody else in the large crowd that day seemed to even notice his small gift in memorial to the life represented by that etching and this simple attire, but to me it was a very real marker of love, respect and connection to just one of the 58,261 PEOPLE who's names are there. Real people, real lives, lost. Families, spouses, friends changed forever.

How I wish for a day that wars would cease and we could just love and care for each other like this man did that day.

Nov 10, 2009

Red Fun


As the last of the leaves have now fallen here, I wanted to post a shot from a few week ago of the Japanese Red Maple on our side yard in full fall color. This is the same tree who's new seeds were featured in one of my very first posts.

This tree, transplanted from my dad's yard years ago as a small seedling, has provided much enjoyment to us in our little spot in the world. From it's new life each spring to the beauty it provides our yard into the summer and through the fall and even now..... as the kids have gathered up it's leaves for a jump pile, it is a blessing to us. The kids raked and saved these leaves off to the side to later crown the lesser trees leaves with these special ones.

Thanks Dad.

Nov 9, 2009

Hidden Rebel


On a walk through the Redwood National Forest, it is easy to get 'lost' in looking upwards with the massive trees that are found in this misty Californian coastal treasure. Their impressive height and massive girth, the density and thickness of the bark and their millennial long lives are all marvels that confront your senses when walking among this beautiful forest. Just as cool though is the undergrowth of ferns and huckleberry bushes, rooted and nurtured in the bed of soft needles that more immediately surrounds you. Here is one that I stopped to photograph and was surprised that within itself it was also harboring another small community of clover, including a little rebel.

Nov 6, 2009

Wooden Beauty


I love branches. They serve in purpose as the arms and veins of the trees as they carry the nutrients and water up and down the plant. I am always drawn to their twisting and reaching and the interweave of the leaves that conceal them and am often trying to get a 'new' shot of them.

The variety found in nature is just incredible......some are smooth, some straight, some craggy and some rough, some wide and hanging low, others short and tall on the trunk, but all beautiful to me. Once a friend had told me that they really liked Cedars as they reminded them of muscular arms, all sinewy and flexed. Now I see them that way too..... as muscles holding up the dense canopy.

Here is a grouping photographed in Arizona a while ago. I have always liked this image and it's soft hues of color and focus. I hope you do as well.

Nov 5, 2009

Savanna Eyes


As it is now hunting season here in Pa, we are a little more aware of and looking out for the deer that regularly move and live around our property and just this morning we were treated with a view of some does with a nice buck which appeared in our back field.

These deer were photographed in a valley in Virginia, late on a summer afternoon. With the brown grasses, twisted trees and misty mountainside, it has always reminded me of scene from the African Plains.

Nov 4, 2009

Upside Down Egret

I photographed this Egret down in the Everglades of South Florida several times without resulting in any thing I was happy with until it finally came to rest on this dead branch above some Mangroves.

What I like best about this shot is that as it is a silhouette, the bird and tree become one and that the dead branch hanging below the bird seems to become a mirror image of the life above.

Nov 3, 2009

Fighting Windmills

This grouping of old windmills, literally popped up on the horizon in front of me while on a drive alone through Spain several years ago. I immediately stopped and made quite a few photographs, exploring them with no one in sight to be found. They were in excellent condition, slowly turning away, silently harvesting the wind. It was such a surprise to me to see them and I surmised I had to be in La Mancha, a place made famous in Don Quixote, a novel written by Miguel de Cevantes in 1605. I vaguely remembered this book that I think was required reading in High School and was suddenly intrigued to actually be there. As there weren't allot of route options on my journey, I pretty much wandered wherever the roads took me as I traveled from Marbella on the Costa Del Sol to Segovia, North of Madrid.

Nov 2, 2009

Bright spots


Here in the S.E. of Pennsylvania after what seems like weeks of gray skys as we are heading into winter and the browns and blacks it will bring, I wanted to post today something a little brighter.

These bluebonnets were photographed in a field nearby where we lived in Texas back in the mid 1990's. The spectacle when they were in bloom was nothing short of wonderful and was a feast to the eyes in the mostly monochromatic landscape. Although they are a native plant, we can thank Ladybird Johnson for making this annual show even more widespread as she as First Lady, convinced the State of Texas to seed this pretty flower along highways, fields and public areas throughout the state.