307: Isabelle

This afternoon I headed out to the last place the homeless guys were camped that I knew of.  I was sort of disappointed seeing the abandoned camp site..  But as I walked out of the woods I saw the picture of the day.

 Lady In the Wild Flowers..

(Click for larger image )

 I asked if I could take a picture and she said yes... Two things to note, I seldom take images containing people and when I do I normally don't ask.. Not only that I took pictures and more pictures..  She was a lovely model and I gave and she needed no instructions..  Not only that she stayed longer than she planned so I could shoot.. Young Lady -- Thank You..

But from that image you cannot tell just how lovely she really is  So folks today you get two for the price of one...

 Isabelle

 I really hope I spelled her name correctly..

306 Loneliness  
      

The Door and The Lamp

Well I decided to go stepping out this evening to find an image..As I wandered around town looking, this is the one I kept coming back too. I guess the old adage is true that an image most often reflects the attitude of the photographer.  And tonight I was feeling sort of alone, so the lonely feeling fits the bill for the evening..

305: A Little Rain

Purple Iris In The Rain.

In the past I have captured many images that I thought were nice and at a much later date took on a special meaning.. This is just such an image taken in 2008 now in 2012 it has gained a very special meaning and message.

 We have all heard the expression that into each life a little rain must fall.  Over the years I have met several people that within the last year have become very special people to me.  The sad part is some of the closest are currently in the midst of a sever storms.  The storms may be sudden and violent,  long term, seemingly without end or a flash flood following a previous storm: but a storm never the less.

Likewise we have also heard the expression April showers bring May flowers.  These people are beautiful flowers already (one is more of a thistle, but beautiful in its own right); so why the storm?.  This image offers an answer.

This Iris was located close to a road.. The storm came and washed away the grime and tarnish of life, restoring it to its original splendor.. The rain also provided rejuvenating nourishment filling it with new life, and also added additional sparkle to its natural grandeur.

And then, as this image indicates the storm dissipates and the sunshine returns and what beauty abounds.

304: Where is Church?

Of Little Artist Value

This morning when a friend and I were discussing our prayer concerns, the subject of churches came up.  Later this same friend sent me a link to a news paper article entitled "Where is Church?", regarding a book by the same name.  A short time later while waiting on another friend I noticed a section of natural forest containing various types of trees, bushes, vines, weed, grass and other stuff. This was the environment God created for His creatures to thrive and grow.  As the afternoon grew on I kept reflecting on the article and the natural forest and suddenly I recalled couple of images I had done based on a tree farm all one type of trees and nothing else.  I set out to capture the image above which, in my mind, possibly represents the modern "church."

I may be a little harsh, but after visiting over a hundred churches over the past couple of years it is my impression of most modern church congregations.    Only one type of tree is permitted even though other types might be of equal or greater value.  The only other thing present are a few straggly bushes and they will be removed every so often, usually by fire. So I pose the question: have our churches become like the artificially generated tree farm where only the select are allowed.  And should they not be more like the natural forest where all things can grow and thrive.

{Just thinking}

303: Nature's Bird House

Over the past years I have intended to put up some Blue Bird houses and never have. A day or two ago, while sitting on the porch I noticed some activity around the old snag in my yard. The same snag where I photographed the hawk a while back. The activity was a blue bird nest in the old snag. I grabbed a quick shot.

Nature's Bird House

It was my intention to get a better image when the light was better. Now the story goes astray. The people who are installing my roof, while unloading some stuff, hit the snag and knocked it down. No birdhouse or decent image, so sad. The moral when the image is there go get it.

Oh by the way, I am going to get a couple of Blue Bird Houses today. I hope they will come back! Maybe next year?

302: Zoom Browser

A friend asked me if Canon did not supply an editor with their camera. I had never checked. Today I snapped a quick image and processed it in the editor functions in Canon's Zoom Browser. It work but is a little difficult to get acquainted with.

Buzzard in Zoom Browser

301: Fireman and Kids

Seem the year will end with some excitement in the neighborhood. The lady across the street from us smelled gas and called the fire department. Well this event attracted a crowd. After everything was resolved one of the fireman walked across the street to a young lad and asked if he might like to have his picture taken in the firetruck. As the family photographer ran home to grab a camera, I did like wise.

Future Fireman?

What happened next I have see countless times before. It seems to me an unspoken requirement to be a good fireman is to love kids. This fireman was no exception he spent several minutes making the youngster's experience a delight. The fireman also paid careful attention not only in meeting the child's needs, he (by his actions) suggested the best photo ops.

Great Job, MR Fireman, Thanks!!!

In closing I need to point out this is a male specific comments. Some of the nicest firemen I have ever met were ladies and I mean real ladies, the kind I have the utmost respect for.