Inspiration & Interpretation
Having been inspired by some of the photographers I have been following (TXS Cee, Patti, Tina!), I decided to get back into things a bit more creatively, with my own yard as my palette. I put down my iPhone, popped my macro lens back on my Nikon, and headed into my yard with its never-ending weeds and deer devastation.
I had forgotten how much fun it is to look beyond the garden work I should be doing and just experiment with my camera. I generally favor more of a photo-journalist, grab it quick, style. This day I was going for an artistic look versus a fast snap or see-every detail scientific view. I played until the thunder was pounding, so will pick it up again another day. Here are a few results.
Daylily.
Honeysuckle.
Hosta the deer missed.
Daisy.
Who Says Model Trains Aren’t Popular These Days?
I simply cannot pass up an opportunity to do a train-related post. The trouble comes in with trying to decide in which direction to go. Trains we saw, great train journeys, or train museums?
I thought it would be the most fun to revisit our trip to Hamburg to see Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s most amazing, incredible, elaborate, detailed model train display (also with cars, trucks, boats, and planes). It has now reopened with limited visitors allowed. For details about our visit several years ago, you can read my original Hamburg blog post. They are always adding new countries and scenes so there is sure to be even more to see every year. Not just for kids, adults with a discerning eye will find dozens of hidden surprises, like the one in the field of sunflowers shown here.
Since you allow artificial flowers – I had to post this one. My good friend has an artificial arrangement on a wall, pretty high, near her front door. That didn’t stop mama and papa Junco from building a nest for their latest brood. The first photo is from a week ago, the other from last night. I think they will fledge soon. Hard to focus when I’m on tip-toe holding my phone over the nest, but you get the idea.
My first winter in college, away from my coastal upbringing was an eye-opener. Living in the cold, monochromatic climate brought home the words of Thomas Wolfe in Look Homeward Angel when he described the “bleak bare prison of the hills.” Well that was then and this is now and I’ve developed a whole new perspective.
I’m always excited by the sight of snow in any amount, even flurries are a thrill. And, of course, winter means the Christmas holidays, which I absolutely love. Here are a few of my favorite things. Hover on each pic for a description.
