I have decided that life is like tubing on the river. The scenery always changes and everything beyond the bank is what we have no control over. On the water if the water is deep I float along and enjoy the ride while Friends, family and strangers float with me or past me. The water can be swift and hard to see through or so calm I can see to the bottom. There is the occasional snake or alligator which can be a bit scary, but not always bad. Sometimes the water is shallow enough that I can touch the bottom with my toe or foot and I can change my speed or direction. Then there are those times when my bottom begins to drag and that can mean only one thing. Sandbar. The only thing to do in that situation is to stand up, pick up the inner tube and wade to the other side of the sandbar, throw down the inner tube, get in and start again. Start floating down river surrounded by beauty, family, friends and those who aren’t yet known as family or friend. Floating while remembering what has passed, enjoying the moment and looking forward to the future.
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Tubing On The River
Thursday, April 11th, 2013How To Photograph A Frog
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
A tree frog on satsumas
I went out to the satsuma trees this afternoon to pick some fruit for a snack. I always look at the tree before picking because I am sometimes surprised by what is there other than satsumas. I have found a small bird’s nest minus eggs and I have seen a garter snake twined around the limbs. There are also many different insects that seem to enjoy being among the leaves and fruit of the satsuma trees.
Today while I was looking and deciding which satsumas to pick I happened to see a green tree frog asleep on a cluster of fruit. The frog is on fruit on the sunny side of the tree so the lighting was perfect for my shot. I used my Sony phone camera set on macro.
I shot this picture with the late afternoon sun to my left and I held the camera slightly below the frog. I did that because I was trying to avoid casting a shadow on the frog. My first shot was not as close as I wanted so I moved in again, but closer. I always try to hold my breath and stand steady when I press the button.
I did pick satsumas after photographing the frog. I picked them from the other side of the tree.
Autumn, A Time For Adventure
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010Autumn, Fall, the end of summer, my favorite season.
Many people see fall as a time when things begin to die before winter. I have always felt fall is a time of hope and awakening. The oppressive heat and humidity of our South Louisiana summer is beginning to fade, first in cool mornings, then mornings and evenings and eventually gone.
Don’t get me wrong, I love where I am in life right now. I have a cozy place to live, I am surrounded by love of family and friends. But, there is something about cooler weather that awakens a wander lust in me. I am ready to hit the open road and drive 12 or 14 hours in any direction looking for adventure. Maybe I will go west to the mountains for a panoramic view or maybe another balloon fiesta where we are up before dawn to watch balloons rise with the sun.
Perhaps I will go east for a slow walk on the beach where the sand is cool to my bare feet and the cool breeze makes the sun seem even brighter. Or maybe I will go north for what used to be a run through the woods, that over the years has changed to a brisk romp or fast walk. I occasionally stop to listen to the wind and to listen for animal footfalls, wings that slice the crisp air and whistles and voices that call from high. I love the fall.
There is a field next to home that has a pear tree in the middle. One day my father mentioned that there were deer tracks around the pear tree and that the fallen pears had bites out of them. Aha, my wander lust voice said to me “go to the field this afternoon to see if you can see the deer.” So, late afternoon I took my camera and went to the field. As I left the edge of our wooded lot and stepped into the open I quietly approached a fallen tree surrounded by shrub and brush. A few more steps down the side of the fallen tree to what used to be its base. As I am walking I have my little point and shoot camera about chest high so I can see where I am going and also be ready to capture a picture.
Hahaha, yea. The wind is in my face and as I lean forward from my cover the deer is in the field to my left. I keep my camera at chest level and stand as still as I can. The deer notices me and begins a slow walk in my direction. A few steps then a flick of the ears, a few more slow cautious steps and a wag of the tail. Some of the steps are frisky and playful as the deer continues to approach me. The deer is curious about me and my inner voice keeps saying “body be still” and “deer I am no threat. I think you are beautiful.”
The wind is in my face, I am still and the deer gets closer, about 100 feet. We stand there in the field not far from the pear tree starring at each other, both of us curious. I trying not to move and trying to operate a camera at chest height and arms length and the deer moving head, ears, tail then finally a snort and a full out run and jump through the cool air like I used to run as a child in the cool fall weather.
The video is shaky and the still pictures are not great but upon viewing them I still get that feeling of excitement knowing that my fall adventure has begun.