Tag: nature

More Inspiration – Addendum

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winterblackeye
Winter flower. Black-eyed Susan taken Sunday at the arboretum.

I finished The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck and the last paragraphs were so beautiful I feel obligated to share. Plus if I document it here I will have it forever. I hope it’s OK to copy this. He wrote:

“This life is my windfall! That it happens to be a human life is the one chance in a trillion to be able to realize That Which Really Matters.

In seeing/drawing, that which matters can be perceived through the senses, not denied but maximally affirmed.

While seeing/drawing I glimpse into Nature, I taste Nature, The Nature of Reality. THE WAY OF SEEING IS A WAY OF KNOWING!”  -Frederick Franck

I would ask – What is your seeing/drawing?

More Inspiration

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srise
Sunrise at Orlando Wetlands Park. November 2014.

I have begun reading The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck. What an unbelievable book, much like Freeman Patterson I will now seek out all his publications. This book is handwritten rather than type set and includes numerous sketches by the author. Here’s a link to his website http://www.frederickfranck.org/ for more info.

Although the book is geared towards drawing, it easily transfers to photography. His main premise is something he calls see/draw (substitute see/photograph). He speaks of observing a scene as it exists, without labels, judgments, thoughts of a prize winning picture, etc. Everything stands on its own the merits simply because it exists. I’ve probably muddled the message somewhat but that’s what I got out of it.

He also speaks of drawing the “ten thousand things” which is, a Buddhist idea pertaining to the makeup of the universe. I a going to pursue this idea a bit over time.

Recent Weekend

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bird

Last weekend I stayed close to home and checked out the arboretum. Good news, the robins are around in force – a sign of spring? Several flowers are starting to bloom too. Although the bird in the picture is not a robin, in fact I was unable to id it.

I am starting to learn how to slow down. Typically picture taking has been like ‘wow that’s cool — snap, snap, snap’. Reading Freeman Patterson, among others I am trying to stop, look, assess, plan, compose, and shoot. This has proved difficult but I continue to try.  I get so distracted by spontaneous displays of beauty – look a bird, a flower, great lighting over there – need I go on?

Acres of Diamonds

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lbheron babywpecker

Once again the Russell Conwell speech proved true. http://www.temple.edu/about/history/acres-diamonds . You don’t need to roam the world in search of fortune because acres of diamonds are in your own backyard. In December I had the good fortune to get out before dawn on at least a dozen occasions, I probably traveled 1500+ miles in total and took that many pictures too. Captured some great shots and enjoyed some fabulous sunrises, birds singing, and landscapes, but the 2 pictures I consider my best were both from within 2 miles of my house.

The pictures are of a lesser blue heron and a baby woodpecker. I stalked the heron for about 50 yards along the lake before getting this shot. The woodpecker baffled me for a while as he mined a palm frond for bugs. Large palm fronds are hollow and make great amplifiers, so I couldn’t determine what was making the loud noise. I never expected him to be as tiny as he was.

While this “lesson” won’t dampen my wandering spirit, it does cause one to think a bit.

Positively Brilliant Illustrations

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I just came across a book – thanks to Brain Pickings on Facebook, The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau written by Michelle Markel and illustrated by Amanda Hall. A children’s book.

The drawings in this book are wonderful. They are mostly comprised of Rousseau paintings, with Henri R. inserted as the main theme. There are also several different Rousseau style pictures as well. The story is a a simplified biography of Henri Rousseau but inspirational none the less. If you don’t know his story to capsulize he started painting at 40 and persevered for 20+ years before being discovered by Picasso.

Here’s a link to the post on Brain Pickings. http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/09/the-fantastic-jungles-of-henri-rousseau/

Back To It.

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pelican

I’ve been out every morning for the past week and a half. All the usual spots. Raining today so I get a chance to review and post.

Here’s a shot of a pelican sitting on the Cocoa Beach pier. It’s a bit blown out, but I was having difficulty capturing the dark feathers and the white head, I think the look on his face is worth a post. I plan on getting back there once or twice in the next few days.

I’ve begun my second Freeman Patterson book, Photography of Natural Things and as usual he has some thought provoking ideas that make me want to be out on the trail observing and photographing.

Planning to go to Blanchard Park this afternoon, haven’t been there in a while and got some great ibis shots and a bittern eating the last time I was there.

ibis bittern

Weekend at Mullet Lake

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palmtree
Tranquil scene.
Thousands of Ducks Overhead
Thousands of Ducks Overhead

Got there early Saturday morning, and again had the park to myself. Got a couple of sunrise shots, spotted a wood stork and my hawk’s companion showed up. I was so excited to see both hawks on the same tree I almost forgot to take pictures.

My goal was to nab a couple of sunrise shots for the booklet (see above). Both pictures taken with my wide angle zoom. The ducks were amazing. There was a constant stream of them for at least 5 minutes. Not sure where they were headed other than north.

This park is so beautiful it will be difficult for me to find the next spot for the book. On Monday I hiked Geneva Wilderness Area loop and I’m not sure if it’s the right time of year for it. It is mostly uplands and while I spotted several birds, the area was not appealing to me. I will have to return later in the winter and see if the atmosphere changes. I was so uninspired that I haven’t even downloaded the pics.

Sunday I spent at UCF arboretum – that will be the subject of another post.

First Post

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Welcome to mid-December. I’m going to use this blog to chronicle my photographic journey. Current interests include nature and specifically bird photos. This has rekindled my interest in learning about nature and it’s many nuances.

I am currently reading Photography and the Art of Seeing, by Freeman Patterson – http://www.freemanpatterson.com/book2.htm . I started reading this book electronically several times and failed, now I have a hard copy and it’s going much better. Lots of great insight into the process of seeing.

My plans for this weekend include spending some time at Mullet Lake Park in Geneva, FL. I discovered it last week and it is a wonderful spot for nature study. It is located just off the St Johns river and rich with water and terrestrial birds. As part of the exercises suggested in Photography and the Art of Seeing, I plan to set up my camera at the water’s edge and sit and observe. Also, I will try some random close up work.