Spectacular Eruption

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks"

-John Muir

"Beehive Erupts", 2012
Beehive Geyser
Yellowstone National Park, WY

Beehive Geyser erupts once a day during the summer months.  Its eruption is spectacular with sprays of 200 feet high.  These eruptions are actually longer and higher than that of Ole Faithful, the famous geyser that is located feet away from Beehive.

On our private guided tour of Yellowstone, we happened to drive up to the location of Beehive about 5 minutes prior to the eruption for the day.  Our tour guide was ecstatic because he recognized the indicator of the eruption activating upon our arrival.  It gave us just the right amount of time to get situated and experience the amazing eruption of this mysterious natural event.  The eruption lasted over five minutes and I captured many photos. 

I have always been moved by the drama of black and white photographs so I chose to photograph much of my experience at Yellowstone in black and white.  "Beehive Erupts"captures the crowd witnessing the eruption, the drama of the spray, and the beautiful clouds in the sky in black and white.  

When looking at this image I find myself thinking back to the early explorers who discovered Yellowstone ... I can't imagine their thoughts about the erupting earth, bubbling waters, and mysterious activity throughout the land. 

Glory and Beauty Unite

"The glories and beauties of form, color, and sound unite in the Grand Canyon"
-John Wesley Powell, 1909

The Grand Canyon...what an awesome sight to be seen!  One can not explain the beauty in this unbelievable natural monument.  

It was 2008 when my husband and I had the opportunity to travel to the Grand Canyon while on a trip to Arizona.  It was in January when we made the trip.  The afternoon we arrived the weather was crisp and clear.   This quickly changed when snow moved into the canyon.

"Canyon through the Snow", 2008
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Grand Canyon in the Clouds, 2008
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

We wanted to know where the best place was to see the sun rise over the canyon.  We were told to go up to Desert View, the farthest eastern point on the South Rim of the Canyon.  We woke up early and traveled the distance through ice and snow and arrived just in time to witness the sun peak over the top of the canyon walls.  What a spectacular event.  

"Sun Breaking over Desert View", 2008
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Words and photos cannot begin to capture the absolute beauty and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon but it is clearly a photographers wonderland.  

Something Marvelous

"In all things of nature, there is something marvelous"

-Aristotle

"Rebirth", 2012
Yellowstone National Park, WY

Who would think that a photograph of fallen trees would become one of my favorite compositions?  This image has grown on me over the months after I took it.  There is something about the rebirth of grass coming out among the fallen tree trunks that appeals to me.  The colors are vibrant and full of life and the symmetry of the tree trunks adds composition. 

While in Yellowstone, our family was treated to a personal guided tour of the park.  This was an all day event and we only had a chance to tour half of the park.  We learned so much about the history of Yellowstone as well as the many intriguing facts of the terrain, nature, and wildlife that makes it such a unique place to visit.  I found it very interesting to learn about the life cycle of nature and the importance of wildfires to the growth.  It is a common site to find dead trees charred from a wildfire in the middle of a beautiful meadow of green grass.  This is what is captured in "Rebirth".  The image defines the marvelous cycle of life.

Beautiful Imperfections

"If you look closely at a tree you'll notice it's knots and dead branches, just like our bodies.  What we learn is that beauty and imperfection go together wonderfully"

-Matthew Fox

"Gnarled Roots", 2012
Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park is a photographer's dream come true.  The colors are vivid, the scenery amazing, and everything just seems to scream to be photographed.  During our RV trip out west we spent quite a bit of time exploring Yellowstone.   I was amazed by the beauty of everything.  The colors were spectacular and there was such a variety.  I was particularly impressed by the combination of new and old growth throughout the Park.  In 1988, Yellowstone National Park experienced its largest wildfire in history - over 793,880 acres or 36% of the Park was burned.  Still today visitors to the Park can see the remains of this fire throughout its scenery.  It is very common to see a tree that has fallen due to fire or other means amidst the rebirth of grass.  In "Gnarled Roots" the beauty and shape of the roots of a dead tree is captured among the green of the new grass.  The image reveals the dead branches, knots in the trunk, and the variation in the roots.  It is the imperfection of all these that makes this dead tree a beautiful combination of shapes and colors.

Swaying in the Wind

"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven"

-Rabindranath Tagore

"Through the Trees", 2012
Yellowstone National Park, WY

I have always been fascinated with trees.  I love everything about them ... their shade, strength, flexibility, and color.  They provide us with so much.  

Several years ago (probably too many to count) I had to provide a devotion to a group of seniors.  I didn't have anything prepared and was sitting on my front porch looking out at the many trees that filled my yard.  The wind was blowing briskly and I watched as the trees swayed back and forth.  Right then and there I realized I may not have a written devotion to share with the group but a lesson was being provided to me right in front of my eyes.  I quickly grabbed my notebook and started writing down my thoughts.... 

Trees tell us a lot about our relationship with God.  If you watch a tree sway in the wind you see that as long as the tree is grounded with a strong set of roots and a strong trunk, it can handle the wind by swaying back and forth.  This parallels with life itself.... As long as we are grounded with a strong relationship with God, we can get through anything life blows our way.  We can sway back and forth in order to keep from breaking because we are grounded with God.   Now, many years later, I still think about these thoughts when I am looking at trees.  It's a good way to keep grounded in my relationship with God.

I am drawn to trees.  I love looking at the shapes of their branches, the colors of their leaves, and how they define their surroundings.  In "Through the Trees" I love the contrast between the branches of this pine tree and the sky.  The patterns of the branches are beautiful and to see the clouds in the sky against them makes it even more beautiful.  If I look closer at the photograph, I can hear the wind blow and see the branches move while the tree sways back and forth.  It is a strong tree with its roots grounded.

Comforting Water

"Water is the driving force in nature" 

- Leonardo de Vinci

"Babbling Brook", 2012
Glacier National Park, MT

Water...it is a necessity to life.  We all need water to survive but have we looked deeper into that statement?  Yes, water is necessary for our bodies to survive physically but what about how important water is for the survival of our mental and emotional lives?  Water acts as a relaxant to many.  I know it is a relaxing factor in my life.  I remember as a child traveling to the beach with friends and sleeping with our windows open.  The sound of the waves crashing onto the beach provided me with a sense of peace.  Still to this day, the sound of water - may it be a beach with crashing waves, a mountain stream or a babbling brook - calms me.

In the photograph "Babbling Brook" the movement of the water is captured and the sound can almost be heard while looking at the image.  One can imagine the sound of the water flowing downstream, see the bubbles coming to the top of the water and feel the wetness of the stream.  "Babbling Brook" provides that sense of comfort without being right next to a water source.  I wanted to capture this comforting feeling of water in this photograph.

The Symphony of Queen Anne's Lace

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony."

- William Henry Channing

"Queen Lace", 2012
Glacier National Park, MT

Queen Anne's Lace - weed or wildflower?  I love how Queen Anne's Lace covers the ground and provides a softness as well as show the delicacy of the pedals in "Queen Lace".

Legend says that Queen Anne, the wife of King James I was challenged by her friends to create lace as beautiful as a flower.  While making the lace, she pricked her finger, and it is said that the purple red flower in the center of Queen Anne's Lace represents a droplet of her blood.  Also called Wild Carrot (since Queen Anne's Lace is the wild progenitor of today's carrot), Bishop's Lace, or Bird's Nest(for the nest like appearance of the bright white and rounded flower in full bloom), in the language of flowers, Queen Anne's Lace represents sanctuary (The Meaning & Symbolism of Queen Anne's Lace, Teleflora).

The Poetry of Nature

"The poetry of the earth is never dead" 

- John Keats

"Serenity in the Woods", 2012
Glacier National Park, MT

During the summer of 2012 my family took a trip of a lifetime.  My husband, Al, always wanted to take a RV trip out west so we planned a two week trip through Montana and Wyoming.  Many months went into the planning of this trip but nothing could prepare us for the absolute beauty we were to experience.  

Glacier National Park was our first major destination on our RV trip.  Wow is all I can say!  We could have spent a month at this destination and still not seen everything it had to offer.  Sitting at the edge of Canada and the United States, Glacier National Park stretches over 1,000,000 acres and includes parts of two mountain ranges, over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals.  

The day I took "Serenity in the Woods", we took a hike leading to Grinnell Lake.  As we hiked the mile and a half we were entertained with the simple beauty and serenity of nature.  "Serenity in the Woods" captures a simple creek cutting its way through the woods filled with trees, branches, and ferns.  The sunlight breaks through the trees and casts a warming glow.  When I look at this photograph I can't help but think about the serenity found in nature.  It is like a poem...it flows with such grace and beauty.   I am so glad my family had the opportunity to witness the poetry of nature throughout our two week trip...it was truly a trip of a lifetime that all of us will never forget.  

A New Understanding

"Look deep into nature,  and then you will understand everything better." 

- Albert Einstein

"Lakeside Buds", 2012
Tuckertown Lake, NC

So much of nature goes unnoticed.  As we walk alongside the shore of a lake or river it is so easy to simply look at the water and ignore the nature that lies at the edge of the bank.  In the photograph, "Lakeside Buds", I converted the image to a black and white to emphasize the simplicity as well as the symmetry of the wildflowers found next to the lake.  Looking closer at the image, you can see the coloring found on the outside of the buds...many look the same but many look different.  Some are just beginning the process of blooming where others are already open and showing their complexity.  Kind of reminds me that we as humans may have similar bodies but are all at different stages in the development of becoming beautiful and complex individuals that adorn the shores of life.  

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

"He built a small house, called a cocoon around himself.  He stayed inside for more than two weeks.  Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out, and he was a beautiful butterfly!"

-Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Catepillar

"Butterfly Kisses", 2012
Rowan County,  NC

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of my very favorite children's stories.  I can remember my mother reading the story to me as a child.  I loved how the caterpillar ate everything he could find throughout the week.  When I was pregnant with my first child, Kendall, I worked in a preschool and The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the favorite book for me to read out loud with the children.  They loved reading along with me.  It was our very special time together.  So of course, when my children were born and were old enough to sit down and read with me - The Hungry Caterpillar was a book of choice.  Still today, this book remains on my youngest child's book shelf and every once in a while I will find myself picking it up and reading it to myself.

I love butterflies - the delicacy of their wings and the beauty of their coloring is phenomenal.  Just to think a furry little caterpillar changes into such a beautiful creature that seem to float through the air is pretty amazing.  During my Saturday afternoon photo trek across Rowan and Davidson County, I pulled into a driveway to turn around and head in another direction.  As I turned my head to check for oncoming traffic, I saw this butterfly flying from flower to flower and enjoying the day.  I had to see if I could capture the beauty of the creature's wings along with the beauty of the wild flowers below.  So, I grabbed my camera on the front seat, left the car running, and jumped out to see what I could capture through the lens.  

As I look at this photo, "Butterfly Kisses", I can't help to shake my head in amazement at God's creation - just look at the beauty in the patterns on the wings of the butterfly amidst the white wildflowers.  The dots and lines are artistic masterpieces within themselves.  I am just pleased that I am able to capture God's creation and know that He is the true artist in this world and I am just his instrument to share his beauty with others.

Reflections

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water" 

-Loren Eiseley

"Afternoon Reflections", 2012

Tuckertown Lake, NC

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and I dropped my son, Braden at a friend's house in Denton, NC.  On my way out, I grabbed my camera with the thought that I could spend the afternoon exploring the countryside and possibly capturing some good photos in the process.  

I am a cyclist and one of my favorite rides is through the countryside of Rowan and Davidson County.  The ride crosses Tuckertown Lake just below High Rock Lake Dam.  I knew I would be close to this area after dropping Braden off so right after I dropped him off I went on an adventure in search for some subject matter to photograph.  I found myself at the water access point just below the dam.  There were several groups of people fishing and enjoying the day.  I hiked up the shoreline and began snapping photos.  I climbed under the branches of an overhanging tree and snapped a few more shots to get "Afternoon Reflections."  

The serenity found in this composition calms me.  There is a sense of peace in the reflection of light seen in the ripples of water.  The flowers show strength, beauty, and energy while the overhanging tree leaves a reflection in the water of its protection.  

Perfect Timing

Sometimes we are in the right place at the right time and sometimes we are just plain lucky!

"Morning Perch", 2012
Lake Tillery, NC

I just love living on the lake.  Each day I have the opportunity to soak up the beauty of Lake Tillery while I go about my morning routines.  I realize how lucky I am to be able to look out my window and see ducks, herons, and even eagles in their natural habitat.  Witnessing God's creatures flying, diving for fish, and swimming across the water is one of my very favorite things about living on the lake.

My house faces north so I don't have a great opportunity to view the sun rise directly from my windows but if I walk down to my dock and look east I can see some great and powerful sunrises.  The day I took this picture the fog was rising from the lake.  The day was cool and the sunlight had a golden hue to itself.  I walked down to the dock to see if I could capture a few pictures of the fog rising off of the water and was moved by the beautiful combination of golden sunshine and fog and started snapping some shots.  As I was taking several pictures, "Ellie", the resident Blue Heron that lives directly across from our house landed on the dock at the corner of our cove and perched herself on the edge.  What perfect timing, I thought and snapped a few more shots.  "Morning Perch" is one of my favorite photos because it captures the stunning beauty of Lake Tillery and "Ellie", our long legged beautiful Blue Heron we call our friend.

In Our Own Backyard

Sometimes we think we have to travel great distances to witness the beauty of God's wonderful creation on earth but really there is beauty right in our backyard.  

"Sunrise Over Tillery", 2012
Lake Tillery, NC

Daily routines - we all go through them every day.  My early morning routine consists of rolling out of bed, heading downstairs to begin the very difficult job of waking the children up to go to school, and heading out to the back porch to feed my sweet dog, Tilley.   It was a very early morning when I was completing this task and looked up to view one of the most beautiful sunrises I have seen right in my backyard.  I rushed to my office,  grabbed my camera, ran out the back door, and captured this absolute beautiful scene of morning on the lake.

Personally, I love the whole composition of this photograph.  I did not manipulate the colors of this image - it is truly the colors I experienced that early morning as the sun broke through the darkness and the fog began to rise.  I love the simple reflections seen in the water and the tranquility experienced.  

The Simple Beauty

Have you ever taken a moment to look around and experience the simple beauty of the world?  There is so much beauty in this world that goes unnoticed and ignored.   I strive to see this beauty and attempt to capture it through my photography.

 I am not a professional photographer by any words; I have never taken a class or received any training in the art but I do have a love and a passion for it.  Over the past few weeks, I have had a tugging at my heart to show my photographs somewhere others can see and enjoy my view of the world through a camera lens.  I have attempted to display photographs in local art shows and now created a blog using some of my favorite photos taken over the years.  This blog is meant to provide an opportunity for others to look around, take a moment, and enjoy the "simple beauty" of the world around us.

"The Simple Beauty", 2012
Montana

This photograph, "The Simple Beauty" was taken on a recent family trip out west.  We were traveling out of Yellowstone National Park on our way to the Beartooth Pass and stopped for a roadside picnic.  Upon stopping at a random pull off on the highway, we gathered together our lunches and ventured outdoors to eat, fish in a nearby river, and enjoy the wonderful fresh air of the countryside.   As my family settled into the outdoor activities, I grabbed my camera to see what photos I could capture.  "The Simple Beauty" is one of several pieces I captured during our stop.  I was drawn to the beauty and contrast seen between the rocks and flowers along side the river bed.  The differences in colors and the way the purple stood out against the canvas of the rocks behind led me to snap a few photos of this composition.  This photo has become one of my favorite pieces.   I love the symmetry of the cow tails and grass as well as the harmony between the hard and the soft - it just works. 

This simple beauty may have gone unnoticed by a passerby on the highway.  It could have been unnoticed by the fishermen eager to catch that peaceful time of connecting with the water and the surroundings.  All it took, was someone looking beyond the "obvious beauty" and searching for the "simple beauty" in life.  

I encourage each of you to take that little extra time to seek out the "simple beauty" that surrounds us all.