I visited here with my grandson on the way to Pittsburgh for the Vintage Gran Prix a few years ago. We did not know the route we chose took us right past this memorial. The cranes in one photo are where the visitor center is today. A sobering place.
People placed lots of remembrances along the wall.
I try often to learn something new each year. It does not always go well. My pie baking ended with one pie. Other initiatives fell apart for lots of reasons. But some projects stick. Usually I do variations of what I already like, for example, I want to learn portraits next year. One of this year’s projects was to try and carve something. They are taking over even after I have given half of them away. Or perhaps forced them on people too kind to refuse:) And I find I enjoy this, no screen and working on projects that are completed in a couple of days. So, I am striving for improvements and better painting. But it has been fun. All of these are 1” by 1” by 3“ basswood to start. Several I have had to adjust as the instructor on YouTube might be using a different size but I don’t have a saw and did not want to invest in one if the carving turned out like the pie baking. So with more than 32 projects complete, I am striving for one new one each week until January. Then I might buy a saw.
This is yet another view of the magnificent Mount Denali. We were quite fortunate to see it unclouded three different times - this is about as close as we came about 38 miles away. It still dominated the view.
An Amish family buggy emerges from the morning fog.
I went off to a pond to try and photograph some birds but they were all smarter than me and stayed resting in the shade while I stood on the hot boardwalk waiting for them to fly around. So, no birds but I did shoot the flower in the marsh. I like the simplicity of the photo. It was 20 or thirty yards away.
While we celebrate the labor that makes this country work, we do so with a day off. But not likely if you are a hard working farmer. Their days are set by the most critical time for planting and harvesting. Along with the important tasks that must be done - the cows don’t take a day off from being milked and the weeds don’t decide not to grow. So on Labor Day let’s be grateful for the people who are really responsible for the food we enjoy at the last picnic of the summer season.
This bull moose was photographed along the Savage River in Alaska. I watched him systematically make his way across the stream while feeding most of the way but always alert.
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NLT
These shots were taken on Beale Street in Memphis. Music was heard from several bars and restaurants and more than one street corner.
Sitting in our friend’s yard having a socially distanced carry in lunch I was struck by the convergence of lines and colors and angles.
September is here even if today is supposed to be blisteringly hot, it still is a promise of cooler weather soon. This is one of many Amish school houses that dot the countryside in Lancaster, PA. The schools serve a very small number of local children who bike, walk or scooter to the building in all sorts of weather. The structures are very similar and all have a fence enclosing the property since the tragic shooting of school children a few years ago. I noted that most of them were also painted the same shade of yellow/brown. That was not always the case. You can see the outhouses on each property and usually a well. Also note the terribly dangerous playground equipment - those risk-taking daring Amish.
This is a second shot of General Warren’s statue on Little Round Top in Gettysburg. If you follow the site a few days ago I showed a photo that where I tried to emulate the cover of an old book with a different view of General Warren. I could not resist this one even though it was not my original idea. Here we see the moon just over Warren’s field glasses. It was a very pleasant night on the hill.
Last Tuesday it was hot, as in slightly below the melting temperature of steel. And it was humid, scuba gear was required to cross a street. I was in Roanoke Rapids, 90 miles from Raleigh to meet Dennis Mook and to photograph what we could find. On this day we did not find much. It was not a great day for photography, light was bright, the bugs were bitting and I think I mentioned the heat. Neither of us got a super photograph, or all least Dennis said he did not. I am not disparaging his craft he may go one to win accolades with his shots. I can say for sure mine were not compelling yet I am still posting them. Because the day was still fun. It was great to get out, it being 2020 and all. I aways learn a bit from Dennis and this day was not exception. And we took photos, always fun and the challenge on that day was to take something. Also, I learned post shooting a lot about the neat railroad history of the tiny town of Weldon were we shot most of the photos. So, even if you don’t capture the best image of your year, even if it is not the best conditions, get out and enjoy the hobby, avocation, craft or whatever level of taking pictures describes your efforts. Enjoy today.
This fisherwoman liked red, I think. Her chair, her cooler, the ribbon on her hat and even the bobber at the end of her second line, were all red.
Top detail of an old overgrown mill
Home to five railroads at one time, Weldon was the South’s first rail hub city. This station built in 1912 served two railroads and the upper track had a stairway and separate covered waiting area.
I think that was a Beetle’s song. Or sort of. Each year the North Carolina Museum of Art plants an extensive flower field on their grounds. It is used by scores of photographers doing wedding, baby, engagement, senior photos and, I am sure, many more. And just for taking nice pictures. By a week or two into the “season” there are several trails trampled into the field and at a month or so it starts to look a bit sketchy. I love that they do this and it brings so many people out to view it that I am sure it raises the profile of the museum. In this shot you can see parts of four outdoor sculptures as well. One in pretty well hidden, so good luck with finding all four.
These four crosses are found atop the c1900 Russian Orthodox Church in the village of Ninichik, Alaska. It is a small place but the church is fascinating. I spent a long time trying to get a shot of the four steeples. i edited the photo to apprear a bit painterly. I may have made that word up? The crosses are typical of the Russian Church, the top bar represents the sign over Jesus’ head, the center, the bar on which he hung and the bottom, the foot rest. In the oldest of these crosses the bottom piece was usually straight, but for several centuries it was at an angle.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21 NLT
I think I was inspired by the lady who was painting the church to finish the steeples as I did.
This is at the parking area of the public library in Intercourse, PA.
Whatever you do you should strive to be outstanding in your field. It may not be that you are the best at something but you can do what you do consistently and, at your level of learning, demonstrate excellence. You can show up on time, work hard, support your peers and produce results. Those factors alone will often lead to outstanding success. All this wisdom from a neat. imperfect sunflower at the North Carloina Museum of Art.
Dad swam over to join the rest of the family for their portrait. Could not get his feet under control so this is the best they can have for their scrapbook.
The baby otter alternated from climbing on mom and simply floating like a small log. Occasionally mom would dive and return with a morsel of food. Dad joined the group just as the boat we were on moved on but I snagged a shot of the family that I’ll run tomorrow. This is my favorite of these otters with the baby looking right at the camera. This happened while the boat was idle waiting for a humpback whale to resurface. I was looking the opposite way watching this little tableau unfold.
The Devil’s Tower in Eastern Wyoming was far more interesting than I expected it would be and the two days we spent there allowed a little time to explore several trails. On this day I spotted the tree groving on the ledge of the massive tubes that comprise the tower and thought how adaptable is nature.
Hope all your plans and activities unflold well this week and that you get the things done you need to acomplish. This young man was riding bareback and quite fast as I captured him at the turn at the end of the field.
