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Gap Creek Reflection

What is it about the reflection of landscape in water that's appealing? My theory is we're attracted to things that remind us of ourselves and reflections or what they represent must somehow be a part of our makeup. Be that what it may, I found this scene behind a baseball diamond the other day in my never-ending quest for new locations. It’s a little creek that empties into a river here in Bradenton. The sky, the grass and trees are pleasant elements, but I think the water and reflection combines them all together in a way that that adds up to more than the sum of the parts. And should I take the time to reflect, there might just me a lesson in there somewhere.

What is it about the reflection of landscape in water that’s appealing? My theory is we’re attracted to things that remind us of ourselves and reflections or what they represent must somehow be a part of our makeup. Be that what it may, I found this scene behind a baseball diamond the other day in my never-ending quest for new locations. It’s a little creek that empties into a river here in Bradenton. The sky, the grass and trees are pleasant elements, but I think the water and reflection combines them all together in a way that that adds up to more than the sum of the parts. And should I take the time to reflect, there might just me a lesson in there somewhere.

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Fisher Meadows Pond

This is the pond at Fisher Meadow in Avon Connecticut. I walked around this one morning to capture the still waters one winter morning. To get this perspective I placed my camera inches from the water since stillness is what I was trying to capture. In any case, I just returned from Arizona which has quite a lot of arid dry land and few, if any, ponds to speak of. I decided to post this picture to restore a sense of landscape equalibrium and a little water to my thirsty eyes. ;-)

This is the pond at Fisher Meadow in Avon Connecticut. I walked around this one morning to capture the still waters one winter morning. To get this perspective I placed my camera inches from the water since stillness is what I was trying to capture. In any case, I just returned from Arizona which has quite a lot of arid dry land and few, if any, ponds to speak of. I decided to post this picture to restore a sense of landscape equilibrium and a little water to my thirsty eyes. 😉

Click on photo to enlarge

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Alone In Thought

I like going to the beach at or after sundown because of the quality of light and perhaps, a different type of experience. Right after sunset the remaining stragglers begin to file away, like moviegoers leaving a theater after watching every last credit. And even then there are a few souls who remain a while longer to commune alone at the edge of the sea. And here in this solitude can we walk with our thoughts, without distraction, in total silence save for the sound of the gentle waves upon the shore.

I like going to the beach at or after sundown because of the quality of light and perhaps, a different type of experience. Right after sunset the remaining stragglers begin to file away, like moviegoers leaving a theater after watching every last credit. And even then there are a few souls who remain a while longer to commune alone at the edge of the sea. And here in this solitude can we walk with our thoughts, without distraction, in total silence save for the sound of the gentle waves upon the shore.

Click on photo to enlarge or order prints

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Sedona

I arrived in Sedona this afternoon and went for a short walk along the bell tower trail. The red rocks were accentuated at dusk to the point that it looked almost too red, almost surreal. The colors, weather and landscape of this place are truly amazing. I once heard that there is suppose some kind of good energy from the earth here. Maybe I said that wrong, but I can certainly feel something special about this place. After a few cold days it's warming up and now people seem to be out hiking and enjoying the scenery. Beauty and good energy at every turn, what's not to like?

I arrived in Sedona this afternoon and went for a short walk along the bell tower trail. The red rocks were accentuated at dusk to the point that it looked almost too red, almost surreal. The colors, weather and landscape of this place are truly amazing. I once heard that there is suppose some kind of good energy from the earth here. Maybe I said that wrong, but I can certainly feel something special about this place. After a few cold days it’s warming up and now people seem to be out hiking and enjoying the scenery. Beauty and good energy at every turn, what’s not to like?

Click on photo to enlarge

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Egret on a Branch

Robinson Preserve is a place I go to to get away. There are mangroves and wildlife within and it seemed fitting to end 2014 with a walk amung nature and it's reflections. If I can do a little more of that in 2015 then it will be a good year indeed.

Robinson Preserve is a place I go to get away for an hour or two. There are mangroves and wildlife within and it seemed fitting to end 2014 with a walk among nature and it’s reflections. If I can do a little more of that in 2015 then it will be a good year indeed.

Click on photo to enlarge

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Tatum House at Crowley

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs in the car and drove out to the country for some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 - 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I'll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs and drove to the country from some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 – 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I’ll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

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Alps of Middle Earth

Over the weekend I went to see the final installment of the Hobbit movie. Having been to New Zealand this year I was interested in looking close at the scenery and indeed I did recognize a couple of shots. Of course much in the movie was rendered to look like no place on earth, but this shot I took hanging out of a helicopter comes close. I think I may have a Lord of the Rings Marathon this coming holiday week so that I can see more of the landscape of Middle Earth, otherwise known as New Zealand.

Over the weekend I went to see the final installment of the Hobbit movie. Having been to New Zealand this year I was interested in looking close at the scenery and indeed I did recognize a couple of shots. Of course much in the movie was rendered to look like no place on earth, but this shot I took hanging out of a helicopter comes close. I think I may have a Lord of the Rings Marathon this coming holiday week so that I can see more of the landscape of Middle Earth, otherwise known as New Zealand.

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Jensen Beach

Seems I'm on a lifeguard stand theme. Whenever I show up they're deserted, don't suppose there's much need for lifeguards to be around at sunrise and sunset. This was at Jensen Beach on Florida's east coast. As I recall, I got up pretty early and it was only me and a few of those guys with metal detectors. I'm not sure why they are so dedicated to get out as early as they do. Do they really find enough to make it worth their while? I don't know, I'm just not feeling it.

Seems I’m on a lifeguard stand theme. Whenever I show up they’re deserted, don’t suppose there’s much need for lifeguards to be around at sunrise and sunset. This was at Jensen Beach on Florida’s east coast. As I recall, I got up pretty early and it was only me and a few of those guys with metal detectors. I’m not sure why they are so dedicated to get out as early as they do. Do they really find enough to make it worth their while? I don’t know, I’m just not feeling it.

Click on photo to enlarge

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Path to the Beach

Here's a lifeguard stand on Anna Maria Island in the town of Bradenton Beach. It was only a few months ago that I took this and my how time flies, it's now the holiday season. I think when I took this I didn't give it much thought, ho hum, another beach shot. As I write this I'm up north in the cold and now it looks really good, as in I can't wait to get home. That inside joke about white sand up here, I get it. Time to trade my boots for a pair of sandals and reacquaint my feet with the real thing.

Here’s a lifeguard stand on Anna Maria Island in the town of Bradenton Beach. It was only a few months ago that I took this and my how time flies, it’s now the holiday season. I think when I took this I didn’t give it much thought, ho hum, another beach shot. As I write this I’m up north in the cold and now it looks really good, as in I can’t wait to get home. That inside joke about white sand up here, I get it. Time to trade my boots for a pair of sandals and reacquaint my feet with the real thing.

Click on photo to enlarge

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River Valley, North Carolina

This is near Gorges State Park not far from Asheville. There was so much scenery I wanted to stop at every bend in the road and, left to my own whims, I'd probably still be there. The whole region is full of beauty and so collects a lot of artists as places like this do. You can't go more than a mile in any direction without passing some art gallery or artisan's studio. One day I will just have to spend a good amount of time amongst the hills and valleys like this. Then before you know it I'll be sporting a goatee and a French beret and talking like a real artist. In the meantime you'll find me at the local coffee shop, that's the best I can do for now.

This is near Gorges State Park not far from Asheville. There was so much scenery I wanted to stop at every bend in the road and, left to my own whims, I’d probably still be there. The whole region is full of beauty and so collects a lot of artists as places like this do. You can’t go more than a mile in any direction without passing some art gallery or artisan’s studio. One day I will just have to spend a good amount of time amongst the hills and valleys like this. Then before you know it I’ll be sporting a goatee and a French beret and talking like a real artist. In the meantime you’ll find me at the local coffee shop, that’s the best I can do for now.

Click on photo to enlarge