Dec 22, 2009

Stretch for your meal


Another photo of a tree, or in this case, the woods.

This one was taken this past spring after a family outing to Lake Galena just outside of Doylestown, Pa. Although the main subject here is this cool felled tree and the branch that is reaching out to grab me, what first caught my attention and caused us to stop to make a photograph was the browse line on the trees. They all had been nibbled by deer and the spring foliage height was an amazingly abrupt horizontal line right at the upper reach of a standing deer's head. It was only after I got out of the car and entered the woods that I saw this tree and worked with it for an interesting photograph. I really liked the bright green color contrasting with the brown fallen leaves.

Dec 21, 2009

Ant's view


The simple photo today was taken while resting on the ground during a boy scout event this past fall. As I was laying there, striking clouds were moving quickly across the sky on this blustery day and the outline of this tree captured my attention as they often do. For this exposure, I waited until I felt they were in place and took it.

Another parent standing nearby asked what I was taking a picture of as the action in her mind was the kids playing nearby. As I explained what I saw, she went 'hump' and said "you must see something that I don't down there on the ground". As I continued to recline and look through the camera, I replied "sometimes you just need the view of an ant to see the world in a different way". She walked away without further comment. I surmised that sometimes people just aren't willing to move to see things in a different way.

Dec 18, 2009

Like a bird




Years ago, as a youth while visiting a small local airport with a friend and his father, I had the opportunity to go flying with a leather helmeted old timer like this fellow in a fabric covered plane. He had landed there unannounced and asked if anyone wanted to go for a ride. I jumped at the chance and afterwards my friend did as well.

I remember the excitement of being in the open cockpit and as we got it fired up and going, the engine and wind noise was significant, but it was all but blotted out within the experience of actually getting into the air in one of these old birds. I have not ridden in one of these historic aircraft since, but have always wanted to. Aircraft and aviation in general have always held a special interest to me, as my grandfather was a pilot/aircraft mechanic and had shared his enthusiasm and stories with me as I have with my son. Even in this modern world of easy intercontinental travel and with all the time I have logged in a airliner seat, there is something still very cool about leaving the sod behind in a plane to me.

Last year, my dad, father in law, son and I took a day trip up to the Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York State http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/. It is an amazing museum and summertime airshow that is unparalleled with it's static and flying display of WWI and vintage aircraft. I believe they have the oldest still-flying aircraft in the world there.

Viewing this acrobatic performance is like stepping back in time to the old barnstorming displays of yesteryear with the sput-sput of the oily engines and the vintage clothing on display. After watching their airborne spectacle, we were able to tour the grounds and ran into this fellow, one of the 'aviators' who had just finished his flight. He was a very interesting and informative 80+ year old chap, who graciously took my then 8 year old son 'over the fence' for a personal first hand experience including putting him into the cockpit. Thanks to his kindness and generosity, there were smiles all around that day and special memories to be cherished just like my own all those years ago. I never got to know this guys name, but this photo, tinted to evoke that old time feeling, is a tribute to him and for his willingness to make our little guy smile from the heart.

Dec 17, 2009

"You'll lose you're hand"


Today I was thinking about how we as humans treat each other and in many respects, we are kind of like alligators..... often (but not always) out for ourselves and biting the hand that feeds us.

The photo today was taken on a 'Bayou' tour outside of New Orleans this past spring. During the tour, the boat operator did his best to get us up close and personal to these most wild of beasts and in many cases we were right along side of them as they moved slowly, swaying their muscled tails from side to side as they moved silently through the muddy water. Although fascinated by being so close, I was at the same time intimidated by them as I have a long standing respect for and fear of them. While in India a few years ago, we had waded through crocodile waters and I remember thinking how horrible a death would be in their grasp.

In looking to get the shot that was 'in my mind' this time, I wanted to be right on top of the animal to give a really intimate view. After a few attempts and leaning out over the boat side to do so, the guide strongly extorted me with his southern draw to please keep my body in the boat. He then took some time to demonstrate their hidden ability to explode out of the water and grasp with a loud snap a potential food source in an instant, even several feet above the water line. As my head and torso were previously within a couple of feet of theirs as I was angling for the shot and given his immediate display of that bone crushing bite, his point was well taken. I still got the shot though.

Many times in society, we also provoke, intimidate and just treat others in ways that would be familiar to this most ancient of reptiles and reminds me of what a sad state of affairs we are often in. It also reminds me though of how thankful I am for the immense grace that is offered to me and hope even in a small respect to be graceful to others in turn, shedding my bony 'scales' in the process.

Dec 11, 2009

Long left turn


It has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I guess I haven't had much to say or share, but today I thought I must get something on. Sorry for the absence.
The title today sounds like it might elude to something about a Nascar race, but in fact is something completely different. As today is the 1st of many to come bitter cold, single digit days here, this one photo stood out as one I felt appropriate.

It was taken on another freeze-your-nostrils type of cold day in Davos, Switzerland while on a skiing holiday several years ago. This beautiful view was from the hotel balcony early in the morning and I distinctly remember how cold it was as everything was covered with a frozen mist and snow.

Davos, I think is one of the great European skiing experiences to be had and comes complete with a small charming Swiss town, awesome mountains, usually excellent snow and one of, if not the longest run in Europe is available there. We had taken this well known trail and in skiing it I remember we had taken a series of lifts towards the top of the highest mountain and then skied all day until sunset without taking another. Along the long, long, left turning winding route, we stopped mid day for an extended warm lunch of excellent Goulash soup, crispy rolls and several glasses of Pilsner. Continuing on in our warm glow, we skied across the mountains a few more hours until the day ended with exhausted, but restful a train ride back into Davos.