Photography at 60mph

I don't know about you, but I hate it when a fleeting moment presents itself that I want to capture so I can freeze it and keep it from being fleeting only.

Unfortunately those moments sometimes occur when I'm behind the wheel. Fortunately, sometimes I have the camera right there beside me.

Now you also have to understand that I don't have a death wish, either for myself or those I'm sharing the road with. So I do exercise caution under these circumstances.

But I also enjoy reliving the moments at a later time - moments that otherwise would have been lost.

Have you ever indulged ?

The Trees of the Field ...

"You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands."
(Isaiah 55:12)

Well, metaphorically speaking, the trees were doing just that when I stepped out into the creation early one morning a few weeks ago. I was up before the dawn to capture a sunrise in one of my favourite places. Since I hadn't calculated the time of the sun's appearance very well, I arrived in almost pitch darkness. 'Sunrise' was a bad news/good news story - the early morning mist was so thick that the sun was unable to break through for several hours. However, it was easy to experience the peace Isaiah wrote about (above) as I wandered about in silence.

I'm only now coming back to processing my raw photos of that morning (I will post some misty scenes at another time). It was not by happenstance that I 'discovered' another area on my way home, although a road closure forced me there. I happily scrambled through brush and over rocks with Keera (see Jan. post) to see scenes like this:

And only a few days before, we experienced the joy of grandchildren (another gift of God) as they experienced the joy of riding in the rumble seat of a car from a bygone era:

If you're not familiar with Isaiah 55, take 3 minutes to read it here - it's an open invitation to peace and joy for all.

Autumn Road Trip

The forecast looked dreary - the next 4-5 days would bring clouds laden with rain and gusty winds. And autumn colours don't wait for the perfect weather forecast. Not only would the light be dreary, the wind would hasten the undressing of the trees.

I've learned through the years that in photography 'carpe diem' is a motto to live by. So, equipment in car and off on a road trip to see what effect autumn had had on areas I'd made mental notes to re-visit when I saw them in summer. I wasn't disappointed - here's a small sample of the hundred and some-odd scenes I captured.

(For some music to put you in that autumn mood, click on the link below).

Fallen Leaves

Why should I be the first to fall
Of all the leaves on this old tree?
Though sadly soon I know that all
Will lose their hold and follow me.
While my birth-brothers bravely blow,
Why should I be first to go?

Why should I be the last to cling
Of all the leaves on this bleak bough?
I've fluttered since the fire of Spring
And I am worn and withered now.
I would escape the Winter gale
And sleep soft-silvered by a snail.

When swoop the legions of the snow
To pitch their tents in roaring weather
We fallen leaves will lie below
And rot rejoicingly together;
And from our rich and dark decay
Will laugh our brothers of the May.

[Robert William Service 1874 - 1958]

A return to déjà vu

I've been keeping an eye on this spot. I've driven by it many times over the years and this year I wanted to make sure I captured it before it faded away into the barrenness of winter. I captured this scene about 5 years ago and was fortunate to have it featured on Scott Law's blog (if you haven't seen his work you should).

I'm completely in agreement with Lee Maynard: "I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." [Lee Maynard]

And to describe this season I find it best to leave it up to the poets:
No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face. [John Donne]

Still in a fog

I've been on a bit of a hiatus lately. The return of an old friend prompted me to raise my head momentarily. If you can take it, I have some more to share from last month's photo shoots. I hope to be back on a more regular basis in a couple of weeks. Until then I shall visit as I can, and wish you happy shooting.

An autumn evening

I couldn't conjure up appropriate words for this evening's display, so I turned to the muse.


An Autumn Evening

Dark hills against a hollow crocus sky
Scarfed with its crimson pennons, and below
The dome of sunset long, hushed valleys lie
Cradling the twilight, where the lone winds blow
And wake among the harps of leafless trees
Fantastic runes and mournful melodies.

The chilly purple air is threaded through
With silver from the rising moon afar,
And from a gulf of clear, unfathomed blue
In the southwest glimmers a great gold star
Above the darkening druid glens of fir
Where beckoning boughs and elfin voices stir.

And so I wander through the shadows still,
And look and listen with a rapt delight,
Pausing again and yet again at will
To drink the elusive beauty of the night,
Until my soul is filled, as some deep cup,
That with divine enchantment is brimmed up.

[Lucy Maud Montgomery  1874 - 1942  author of Anne of Green Gables]

Reflecting on autumn

"I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." [Lee Maynard]

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.” [John Donne]

“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.”  [Joe L. Wheeler]

“Time remorselessly rambles down the corridors and streets of our lives, but it is not until autumn that most of us become aware that our tickets are stamped with a terminal destination.” [Joe L. Wheeler]

Open up your heart - let the Son shine in

When the cares of the world weigh you down, it's hard to be optimistic. But listen to the song in the link below the last photo - it's a little video I put together - and imagine the 5th Dimension singing about the Son (as found in Revelation 7:9-17, and especially v.15-17). And join me on my stroll continued from last week through a little part of creation, when the sun came out.

Have a blessed Sunday.

How can I keep from singing

It's that time of year again here up north when the creation starts bedecking itself with a multicoloured coat. Like so many opportunities that come by in life, you need to grab hold of it before it disappears.

We were having a typical fall day of blustery winds pushing along threatening clouds alternating  with momentary flashes of bright sunshine and blue skies. I set out for what I promised would be a quick trip to a favourite nearby spot to check how fall colours were coming along. I pulled myself away after 'only' two hours, knowing there'd be more opportunities. soon.

It's amazing how such peaceful beauty can be found so close to home. Reminded me of a song from another of my favourite artists (yes, I have many), Eva Cassidy - click the link below the photos and sing along while you enjoy the good creation given to us by our faithful Father:

you might recognize this road if you've visited my blog before

we've had an abundance of rain this summer/fall and the wetlands were, well, wet ...

 as you can see from the first photo, there's still a lot of green, however, there's also lots of fall colour

 while leaves are starting to fall, the grass is still green

 looks like Monsieur Monet also stopped by

Drive-by shooting

Shot on our way down south ...

Yes, How Indeed

This song came to mind as I went out recently to revel in how our Creator has clothed his creation. (if you'd like to hear it too, just click on the link below the photos)

Mmm...

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

Above the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

Oh though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
Oh though the darkness 'round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble with fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
How can I keep from singing?

Lord, how can I keep from singing?
Oh, how can I keep from singing?

From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what He made. As a result, people have no excuse. (Romans 1:20)

October's Party

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band."
 
     [George Cooper, October's Party]

I trust you're not tired of autumn quite yet. Why not take a moment out of your day (since you're here anyway) and listen to one of my favourite singers (click on the link below the photos). Then walk along these country roads with me and marvel at the Creator's handiwork.