Cloudy Vision

The experts say the first step in overcoming a problem is admitting it.  I feel it's time I admit that I am completely obsessed with clouds.  

We've been having another hot and humid weather system, and I've not been up to battling the heat or headaches to get out and take pictures.  I hate that.  But, as I drove hither and yon, here to there and back again, I noticed that for the last week or so, we've had a LOT more clouds than normal, and they've been awfully pretty.

I had planned to go out a little earlier to visit Mom today since I knew it was going to be another scorcher, so on the off chance the weather wasn't too oppressive when I left her place, I put the camera in the trunk and off I drove.

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I missed my turn to the street Mom lives on because I was checking out the clouds and didn't realize I was there already.  I may need an intervention.

All of the photos above were taken from the very posh and elegant location known to the locals as the Friendship Village parking lot.  The remaining photos were all taken from the very posh and elegant location known to the locals as the Huber Heights Target parking lot.  Maybe I need a parking lot intervention, too . . .

One of my "issues" in taking pictures of the clouds is that I usually see shots I want while I'm driving.  Part of that is because there are fewer wires ruining the view, but also because there's a larger panorama to view.  Stopping in a parking lot sometimes allows for the larger view point as well as the lack of phone/cable/electrical wires.  In my case, the locations were also relatively close to the highway, and more likely to afford the views I'd been watching while driving.

I don't know if any of the Target shoppers noticed me in the back corner of the parking lot, but I hope not.  I'm sure if they did they thought I was bonkers - what the heck could I be taking pictures of?  There's nothing interesting out there; it's a parking lot, for Pete's sake!  I prefer to believe they were so focused on getting out of the heat (either into the store or getting the car started so the A/C would work) that they never knew I was there.

But what's so spectacular about the clouds that I'm constantly checking them out?  Part of it is the contrast between the white of the clouds and the blue of the sky; other times it's the contrast of light and shadow on the same cloud.

Sometimes it's a dark cloud next to a cloud so brightly white it seems to glow that captivates me.  Other times, it's a whole palette of subtle shades and colors blending and merging together as the cloud dances past.

Sometimes it looks like an artist has been trying to carve the clouds, but finds them difficult to work with and puts it aside for the time being.

Sometimes I just look up in awe at the expanse of the sky and the ethereal beauty before me, completely at a loss for words.

Crafty Nature?

I don't think many people who know me would ever accuse me of thinking inside the box.  Today has proven no exception!

I started the day finishing off one craft project, and trying another (no photo of it yet, that's another post!).  I made three of the "Awards" pictured for the nurses who participated in the skits during the Alzheimer's Association presentation.

That's a little plastic pink pig I spray painted gold, a small wooden plaque I spray painted the stone finish, and a small craft stick I used my label maker to cover.  How easy it was (once I found the right plaque and craft stick) to do this!  The surprise will be when the nurses get them; I'm trying to see if I can get the Executive Director to present them in a staff meeting.  And yes, these are the highly coveted Hammy Awards.


While I was waiting for some of the sealant and/or glue to dry, I lounged outside enjoying the backyard atmosphere again.  I waffled for several hours about where I'd go today to get some more nature shots, but finally went with a friend's suggestion.  I went back to Wegerzyn Gardens.

But, once I got there, I didn't take my previous path; nope, I took a LONG and meandering path.  I don't know what the plant above is, but I thought it was interesting, and I liked how the background washed of colors complement the colors of the buds.  Crafty nature.

Love how there's something growing on the roof of this building.  I'm not sure if it's grass or what, but it's certainly interesting.  Crafty Nature.

I know some of you will laugh when I admit I didn't know chipmunks made chirping noises.  I thought I was hearing a bird when I ran across this little guy.  Loved how he froze when I got "close enough" and then turned around, ready to run when I took another step.  Crafty Nature.

Loved the sun shining so the railing made a nice pattern on the "boardwalk".  Crafty Nature.

I think the sun was the main reason for most of my interesting shots today, especially this fern.  From another angle, with the light hitting it differently, it looked rather boring.  I found this kind of mesmerizing with the symmetry and contrast of the dark dots with the lighter frond.  Crafty Nature.

Found plenty of evidence on this tree of woodpeckers in the area!  Crafty Nature.

I thought this was a beautiful addition - the quote says "The energy of the mind is the essence of life."  Crafty.  Nature.

I have some of these pop up in the middle of the back yard!  Volunteer strawberry plants.  Crafty Nature.

I have no idea what this plant is, but it certainly stopped me in my tracks and almost demanded I take it's picture.  Crafty Nature.

I don't know if I can describe this tree adequately.  I was in the middle of the path and I leaned my head back to look up.  This is what I saw directly above me . . . the branches arching over the pathway (it seemed they were about a gazillion feet above me, too).  Crafty Nature.

Yes, even Mother Nature re-purposes!  Plants growing out of a fallen branch or log.  Crafty Nature.

I wasn't sure how the photo above would turn out.  I really like it though.  The sun was shining SO brightly that while my view showed a lot of leaves in varying shades of green, the result was an almost complete black.  I need to clean the camera lens because I can see the "flare" spots from dust or spots on the lens.  I like them here though . . . maybe I'll hold off on that cleaning!  Crafty. Nature.

This is called a "gall" - where a fungus or parasite infested the tree, and the tree responded.  Crafty Nature.

 I'm guessing this is the red-headed step child of the moss family.  Crafty Nature.

Does anybody else think "The Scream" by Edvard Munch??  Crafty Nature!!

A couple of topiary dogs "guarding" an entrance to the Children's Discovery Garden.  Crafty.  Nature.


Not only was it a day of crafts and nature, some of the crafting was to benefit nature, and some of nature was definitely crafty (in almost every aspect of the word).  adjective cunning, scheming, sly, devious, knowing, designing, sharp, calculating, subtle, tricky, shrewd, astute, fraudulent, canny, wily,insidious, artful, foxy, deceitful, duplicitous, tricksy, guileful 
open, simple, frank, innocent, ethical, naive, honest, candid, ingenuous, wet behind the ears


I'm liking the idea of crafty nature; it certainly keeps me on my toes and keeps me looking for new and interesting.

Turtles

Yesterday was, weather wise, a pretty depressing day.  I had hoped to make it to another metro park for photos, but before I could get to one, we had tornado watches, thunderstorm watches, and a whole lot-o rain. Bummer.


Today is making up for that nasty weather quite nicely though.  80 degree temps (it was still 85 when I mowed the front lawn at 6 p.m.!) and a lot of sun and beautiful skies.  All of that topped off what I think was a good job interview and a haircut (wait . . . I KNOW I had a haircut, I think the interview went well; punctuation does matter!).  So, feeling all spunky and a little full of myself with the shorter "do," I decided to head out to Carriage Hill Metro Park for a quick photo session.  Y'all are gettin' off light with only 8 pics today!

Loved the look of the algae and the reflection and thought the "hole" in the middle looks like a heart.

Spring in Ohio around bodies of water mean turtles will be out sunning themselves.  I took a LOT more than I'm sharing, but for some reason, I love to watch them out on the logs.

It's hard to tell from this photo, but this turtle was pretty small.  I zoomed in as close as I could get, and then I copped the photo twice once I uploaded it.  He was barely visible from where I was standing.

I'm fascinated by the fungi that grows on trees.  Don't know why, but I think it's really cool looking.

Two of the shots I waited around for about 20 minutes, hoping to catch (above and below).  I'd seen quite a few dragonflies buzzing around, but never slowing down or lighting on a branch or anything.  So, I finally just leaned against the rail of the boardwalk and waited, and waited, and waited.  It was SO worth it.

Even as I pat myself on the back for the dragonfly pictures, I keep thinking back to those turtles.  I never had one as a pet (at least not that I remember), and yet I believe I too often act like one of these guys.  I get worked up over something and the next thing I know I've put up that hard defensive shell and pulled into it so nobody can get at me.  If they continue to poke and prod, I just might stick my head out and snap at them (I might do that anyway).  And the longer they poke and prod, the longer I pull into the shell and turn that hard side toward them.  Can't say that's behavior I'm always proud to exhibit.  I'm thinking it would be better to be more like turtles in soaking up the Son . . . 

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).