In nature, I found my love affair with life. I was never good at loving men; I failed each time at relationships. Solitary life is more my style.
“Photography is a love affair with life.” – Burk Uzzle
And now I know that my heart is not in a relationship made up of two people.
It is walking around with a camera in a quiet place, twigs and leaves crackling beneath my feet. It is the relationship I have with my camera.
When I left earlier, as I put my car in reverse to back out, I noticed Ivy staring at me from the living room window.
There was Ivy, stretched out on her back legs. She was staring at me and both front paws were placed on either side of her head.
I had to laugh. It was like she was saying: “Mama, where are you going?”
Photographing Nature:
It is a rainy misty day. I grab my camera and head out to Woodward Park. I knew there wouldn’t be much in the way of plant growth. But flowers and plants are not the only reason I go there to take photos.
Photography is more than merely a hobby to me. It is something I feel compelled to do.
So I pause to photograph the bare tree branches and empty swings. You see, they all evoke a feeling, a story I want to tell.
At The Park:
I love the solitude at the park. Not many people go to parks when it’s rainy and wet. So that’s the time I want to go.
I like to walk and think and reflect and take photos.
It is in natural settings like this that I feel most at peace.
As I walk in the empty park, there are no sounds of people or cell phones or traffic. The city is just outside the gate, but the sounds of it are muted.
“Photography is the art of frozen time… the ability to store emotion and feelings within a frame.” – Unknown
I enjoy the sound of surging water rushing over rocks and boulders at the pond.
The rocks are discolored and shaped by water that rushes over them year after year. Lichen is growing over some of them like a road map.
The Bare Trees In Winter:
The trees are bare against the sky and the birds are quiet. We never really notice the shapes of tree branches until they’re bare, I suppose.
But the shapes of the trees in winter are interesting. They tell their own historical story in the thickness of their trunks.
I shield my camera from the misting rain and look for shapes and angles that interest me.
The Koi swim up to the edge of the pond to greet me. They flop over one another in their eagerness, causing ripples in the water.
“Photography is the story I fail to put into words.” – Destin Spar
I am looking for rain drops hovering on plants; tree branches reflected in the water.
I’m looking for shadows; the way one one shadow might play and frolic with another.
Finally I reluctantly leave the solitude of the park and drive back home. I head back into traffic and stoplights. Cars rushing to and fro.
Back to everyday life in the city.
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.” – Unknown
Beautiful photos!!! May I ask what kind of camera you use??? I’m in the market for a new one…
Brenda, your photos are so pretty. There is such solace in photography…just you and the camera and your view of the world! There is nothing better. I know when I’m out and about shooting, I lose all track of time and just enjoy getting lost in what I see through the lens…a totally different perspective of the world! Love and hugs!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures! You have a good eye for photos,capturing moments some would pass right by.
Lovely photos, Brenda…it was fun to share your outdoors day!
Lovely post, Brenda. Both text and photos. I love the quotations, especially the top photo of the stream and rocks and the quote about photography being frozen time.
Sounds like you had a lovely afternoon. You inspire me to do more photography. I haven’t in recent years as I don’t have a camera that I love to work with anymore. My old Olympus SLR was my most loved camera and I loved exposing film. It’s been difficult for me to change over to digital. And I haven’t been able to invest in a really good digital camera. But, I do have one, not of my choosing, a gift from my daughter, so I think I’ll try to use it more now with better weather coming on. I do like to take pictures of nature, especially flowers but I also have always loved doing portraiture. I have a studio set-up and lights and all, but haven’t used them in years. Probably should sell them. De-clutter, as it were!
What a sad image of Miss Ivy Lou in the window. Poor baby, with her Mama leaving her behind. I wonder if she’s never been as aware of you leaving before. Could she have been trying to guilt-trip you?? I don’t know if cats could really understand or act on that concept. However, despite her pitiful look in the window I wouldn’t feel too guilty. She has you at her disposal more than most cats for sure!
Glad you had a peaceful and pleasant afternoon with your camera. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Everything…Beautiful.
Beautiful photos! A love affair with nature is a very good thing!
We’re surrounded by a wonderful park system. I go all winter. It’s actually my favorite season walking in parks. I go all year but winter and early spring are delightful. It’s funny because there are so many people here that go all year too. Many bring their dogs. I have to say our parks are well attended and they also offer such interesting talks for free in different locations. It probably sounds strange but I prefer photos of nature when it’s dormant. I call it my therapy and natural sedative.
On a different subject. You might want to check on one of your advertisers. They have a reputation for being scammers…just fashion. I don’t know if it true or how any of that works but you might want to do a little research just in case so your loyal followers don’t get ripped off.
I love going on nature walks by myself and taking photos, too. I had to laugh at your description of Ivy looking for you…my fur babies stare at me when I’m leaving the house and then I feel guilty! I always tell them that I’ll be back soon and that I love them. 🙂
Wonderful quotes! Thank you! I’m sharing them on my Facebook.
I’m glad you had a nature day. It is my happy place too. Camera in hand!
Beautiful post. I enjoy your blog more than any other. Did you take photography classes or teach yourself? I feel the same way about nature and love to take photos but mine look nothing like yours. You have a gift.
Thank you for the lovely photographs. I enjoy being outside in the cooler months, and here in central Kentucky, that means it’s likely to be rainy. We drove to Georgia this past weekend for a family gathering and got to see plants in bloom there that are six weeks or so ahead of what is happening in our area. We saw a lot of daffodils nodding their heads, and dogwoods and azaleas were starting to bloom. The air had a nice spring warmth to it. But, it will get hot in Georgia soon, so it was good to come back north where it will be fairly cool until early to mid-May.
The photo of the tree and grasses and their reflection in the water was exquisite.
I love your explanation of spirituality. I love to hear the wind in the pines and water tricking. Calms my soul.
I’ve not commented lately either feeling a bit out of it. So catching up. Really like the new table. It gives you so much more space. Can’t wait to see what you are up to next.
Our Norah is slowing down a bit. Same age as Ivy but still quite the terror. Lucky us!!
Brenda, your photos are beautiful! I love the serenity of being in nature alone, with now noise but the melodic sound of the birds chirping, and the squirrels chasing one another, the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet. Or walking along the ocean with the sand between my toes watching the bird run to and fro in the waves lapping at the shore. It is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the solitude.
So wonderful you could find this time to go and find peace and beautiful pictures. What a smart idea to go when it was raining to have the place almost all to yourself. I can just imagine the pic you describe of Ivy not wanting you to leave her and Charlie.
Kris
Beautiful post and pix ~ I can feel the serenity.
Thanks for sharing ~
Lovely post and beautiful photos!
I visited Woodward Park once many years ago. The tulips and Spring blooms were a riot of color. I was in awe the entire time. It is a magical place.
I love photographs, too. The trend to do so much video and keeping digital files isn’t as satisfying to me as printed photos I can hold. When I am in nature, I am so thankful for a God that loves us so much He has given us these brief glimpses of His absolute beauty. Like you’ve mentioned before, photos are such a wonderful record of beauty, but never really captures it’s absolute true scope. That’s the way I feel, too. It is fleeting, and we have to hold it in our heads as the many memories we collect, both good and bad. Thank Him for the good that can soften the bad if not remove them.
Thank you, Brenda, for your wonderful eye and sharing His workmanship with us every day.
I always cherish my peaceful time alone in nature, with only the sound of birdsong and the wind in the trees. Lovely photos, yes, too bad you didn’t capture Ivy at the window!
Beautiful. Everything.
And don’t worry, Ivy’s little face will be peering out at you leaving every time from now on! We’ll be waiting patiently for the pictures!
Thank you for a wonderful post and fantastic photos; I could almost imagine the quietness of that beautiful landscape. It seems that the park was your chapel yesterday. This post prompted me to schedule a visit to Washington Oaks Park; on the calendar for next Tuesday! This park is not the traditional “family” park — more of a nature park with lots of walking trails, flower and rose gardens, native plants, huge oak trees, water features, and thoughtfully placed benches for sitting and appreciating the beauty of nature.
Enjoy your day and thanks again for this post.
beautiful. every word. every image. even the unseen one of precious little Ivy.
I’ve had a long bout with pneumonia so haven’t commented. but I always read every post. thank you for them. and for being you. will continue to always read your posts!