Sinus/Allergy Fog

Once again I've succumbed to that affliction known to many in the Miami Valley of SW Ohio - the sinus/allergy fog.  No, it's not a fog you see in the weather, but the fog you feel when you have a sinus headache brought on by allergies and/or changes in weather fronts.  The fog is that slightly out of it feeling when you can't fully concentrate on much and just want to close your eyes and do nothing more than breathe.

I woke up with a pretty bad headache this morning and stayed in bed after taking 3 Extra Strength Exedrins.  That was followed by 2 Benadryl when I finally got up.  Now I need to take another dose of the sinus "cocktail" that works for me.  I have a lot of tasks to get out of the way, and have no desire to do any of them; unfortunately I can't procrastinate much longer.  So, before I HAVE to start, I'm going to use some of my photos to at least improve my mood.

How can you see a hummingbird and not be amazed, or smile?

These plants were HUGE.  When the sun was shining directly on them, they were pretty darn bright, too.

I liked the shadow from the pergola nearby.

Just thought it was interesting - different textures and shapes.

If the sun hadn't been so bright, I might have missed the moth . . .

I don't know what this is, but I liked the sun and shadow, as well as the spikey-ness.

Some of my favorite of the wedding the Other Joy and I shot a few weeks ago!  Finally sharing them with the public.

Guess who he just got a look at in her wedding gown?

Beautiful bride; beautiful dress.

Happy Dance!  Love the pastor's enjoyment of her joyful expression.

The newlyweds.

And the wedding party having some fun w/ the photographers.

Well, the mood IS a little better now, and I believe dinner is ready.  Then it's off to finish up some laundry.  I'm hoping the sinus stuff clears up for tomorrow; otherwise it's going to be a long and tiresome day it WILL be a better day and it will be FUN.

Captured in Time

Way back twenty-some days ago when I started blogging, I featured a picture taken when friends were having a pole barn raising for their alpaca farm.  I'd forgotten how many pictures I took to chronicle the event for them (I ended up keeping about 400 of the shots I took). 

It was a fun day, and a wonderful opportunity for me to do a little experimenting.  I'm in no way, shape, or form a morning person, but since they were beginning the day early to get as much work in as possible, I grumbled my way to their house until I saw what I've come to think of as the canvas before me.  I was quickly excited by all of the possibilities for many different kinds of pictures (artistic, geometric, action, setting, etc.).  It lasted pretty much all day.

The fog was pretty heavy when I arrived . . . it took several
hours to clear up and start warming up.

I liked the lines created by the braces, as well as the pointy pieces
(no, I do not think that is the technical term!).

Posts in place in their holes, getting things ready to start the real work.

Sharp.  Amazing tool.  I best keep my distance.

This is to hopefully prevent one of my pet peeves.  Concrete  was
used in the post holes, NOT cement.  Cement is an ingredient
in concrete.   That's a lot of concrete, too.

I liked the almost silhouette look.

Then, I turned around for some reason,
and saw this.  I must have taken about
10 shots, but this is the best.  I loved the way
the beams of light broke through the fog
and trees. 

It's kind of silly how excited I was to capture the "action" of the
wood falling here.  I'm still very glad I caught it!

There were plenty of angles and geometric shapes to catch.

But I couldn't forget the setting around us!

Every time I found myself starting to think I was getting the "same old pictures," I would turn slightly or catch a movement, and I'd notice a more intriguing angle, or a beam of light that I'd swear wasn't there before.  Or, I'd yawn (I told you, I'm not a morning person!), and then I'd notice more of the nature around the work being done . . . a few minutes photographing it, and my eyes were ready to "see more creatively."

This was a long day for everyone, but it was also fun, and it helped to stretch my creativity.  There were several "God moments" throughout the day that had me unable to do more than soak in the wonder of His creation (man, nature, animals).  It was a challenge to chronicle the day in a way that showed the totality of the experience.  Not only was this the physical construction of a pole barn, but it was also the expression of friendship and love by all who participated.

A photograph captures a moment in time.  I go for the pictures that capture the mood of that moment in time as well.  Sometimes that happens in a single picture; those are the pictures I cherish.  That's why the following picture is my favorite shot of the entire day (and why I'm sharing it again).