Tulsa’s Swan Lake
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I have photos today that I took while walking around Tulsa’s Swan Lake last week. It’s one of my favorite places to drive to and take pictures.
It is bright and sunny today, in stark contrast to the past two days.
Ivy is over in the corner doing something. Sometimes I don’t even want to know what she’s into. Charlie is next to me, snoozing.
Yesterday, Ivy was scooting something along the floor. It was a dead bug on its back.
Not only does she kill them, but in the end, they suffer the indignity of ending up on their backs while Ivy plays with them. I got a tissue and disposed of it.
Maybe I should put up a sign warning all bugs that if they enter this apartment, there is a lethal weapon on the other side. And her name is Ivy Lou.
Swan Lake
I walked around Swan Lake, taking photos of ducks, trees, water, and rocks. And quite a few weeds! Weeds can sometimes appear photogenic, too.
I take a fancy to all kinds of things when I’m in photography mode, surrounded by the exquisite backdrop of nature.
When I was first learning photography, I would simply stand and take photos of objects square in the middle. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
However, over the years, I’ve come to realize that I want to incorporate frames. And I like some of the photos to be partly focused and perhaps another part to be unfocused. I also appreciate being aware of various textures. These things make photos more interesting.
Swan Lake is one of my favorite places to visit with my camera in Tulsa.
Sometimes I want to look at my target through a stand of weeds or at the edge of a tree. This brings contrast into my photo.
How I Choose What To Photograph:
How I choose what to photograph depends on many things. What is framing the shot, whether the target is moving, and if I can focus on the main subject.
See what a difference it makes to take the photo at the edge of what I call “an overhang.” This means I have something overhead framing part or all of the photo.
I probably would have been satisfied with a photo of just the ducks in the water. However, I chose to bend down and include part of the weeds in the photo for emphasis. In a way, it seems to ground the image.
In the stand of weeds above, there is nothing all that interesting about them per se. But look at the touches of silver where the sun lights them up. That caught my attention.
And I also liked the color of these particular weeds. They’re a reddish-brown color.
I have a feeling I know who provided the artwork in the photo above.
I’d commissioned the Garden Deva to make metal artwork pieces for me when I lived in Texas. Her work is very distinct. I keep saying I’m going to pay her shop a visit. I need to do that.
Here is her website if you’re looking for metal art for your garden. This woman is incredibly talented.
This lush clump of weeds, along with the ones in the background, caught my attention as I was walking along.
Photography:
Maybe you weren’t looking for my photo tips. But a lot goes into photography. Where once I stood and took a photo centered, now I want it from all angles. Bending, leaning, looking up; I do all these things when I’m taking pictures.
It may not make much of a difference to anyone but me. But in doing all this, it is more interesting for me than merely taking photos straight on.
A Photo Of Charlie & Ivy:
Charlie is focused on something. He appears to be quite alert. He’s probably watching Ivy doing something he finds interesting.
Ivy is always doing something interesting. She is always entertaining Charlie and me, and getting into mischief.
Those two are my favorite subjects to photograph.
Love the photos Brenda! I laughed at Ivy being a lethal weapon…but that is exactly what she is to bugs!! LOL Love and hugs!
Such a beautiful park. Your pictures are so beautiful. I love all of them.
Charlie and Ivy are so adorable. Sorry Charlie is not feeling well, hope he is better soon.
I look forward to reading your Blog every day.
Thank you so much for making my day a little better.
Marilynn and Hayley
Beautiful pictures, Brenda. We have a park just like this in our area. It’s amazing, such different parts of the country, yet it looks exactly the same…right down the willow tree!
Thk you so much Brenda for this lesson in photography, your pictures are beautiful and very interesting. I will certainly remember this when I take photos next.
Oh Charlie is like my little Sophie (Westie) with the tongue hanging out on the side! The cutest thing! I enjoyed your photos so much! Have a wonderful weekend Brenda.
Hi, Brenda. I completed two of the three years of the photography course at our local community college some years ago and I think the tips you give in this post for getting interesting and artful photos are very good. You have a natural artistic talent for composing your shots and using creative focussing. Many people who are paid photographers aren’t able to do that as well as you do. I love seeing the nature shots you took at Swan Lake. It looks like a lovely place to visit. Those black swans are so gorgeous.
I’m sorry to hear about Charlie’s health issues. Does the vet say what causes the heart to be enlarged? I hope he gets along well on the diuretic. He’s such a handsome guy. You couldn’t say that about just any guy with his tongue hanging out! On him it looks cute.
No rainfall here today and not too cold so I got out and planted the new peony that I bought. Also worked on weeding and digging up some more of the bed I’m going to be moving my rose bushes to in the Spring. Also weeded around the iris I’ve been neglecting. I just can’t wait for Spring! In know that’s probably counter-productive as it’s going to be a long wait! But I do have my indoor plants to play with so that helps.
Ivy cracks me up. Any moving thing or even non-moving things is fair game for her to play with it seems. Exploring her environment is just about her main endeavor in life at her age. The best thing about it is that it provides such great entertainment!
Must close. Have a just-the-way-you-like-it weekend!
Your pictures are great, Brenda. You have a natural eye for photography and it shines through on your blog.
I love that Ivy Lou—nothing like a bit of a sassy cat. She is just adorable and must be a riot to watch.
Have a lovely weekend- xo Diana
I won’t ever take beautiful photos, but I like the way you help me to appreciate them by explaining them. I enjoyed them very much! I absolutely love the one of Ivy’s face, she is a wonderful cat. It’s nice to know she’s on top of things that might be crawling, flying, or slithering near you.
You always take such beautiful photos & I enjoy that you share them.
I am so in love with Ivy, what a character. Charlie’s expressions are priceless. So glad you are enjoying your little family.
I truly am enjoying my little family.
I’m loving all the pictures of Swam Lake Brenda! Thanks for the tips in photography too! It’s something I have been interested in doing for along time, but the kids came first, then the grands when they were smaller.
Now it’s somewhat me time. I help my parents by cleaning their house, and bake their favs things. Make sure they eat healthy too.
I need to ck out that website cuz I love iron work.
I’m taking down my Halloween decorations and starting to put up Christmas ones. I put them up early to enjoy them cuz 1 month isn’t enough.
I also put up my parents Christmas tree and decorations and bring a few of mine over…something more to look at for them.
Other family members haven’t felt that great, so I’ll prob help them too. I love decorating esp for Christmas I go all out!
Hope you’re having a great day with your pet babies! ?
What a helpful person you are! With this iron art, you know it will never break.
I just looked at her artwork – love the mermaids! Might order one for Stella.
I have various things out on my patio that I got from her. She will also custom design for you, which I’ve had her do.
I love the absolutely beautiful pictures. I always look forward to your daily posts, but the scenery is superb! Thank you for giving all of us a beautiful day.
The pleasure was all mine.
What a beautiful park and the pictures are very pretty. Ivy is ferocious and really seems to enjoy toying with her prey. Charlie is adorable with that little tongue sticking out. Enjoy your weekend!
Carol and Molly
xoxoxo
Charlie and I got back from the vet a bit ago. I knew he wasn’t feeling well and was snapping at Ivy a lot. He has an enlarged heart and fluid on the lungs. So a diuretic. Joy, joy.
What a wonderful tour of the park; felt like I was right there with you because the photos were just awesome. No wonder you enjoy that camera so much; you have quite a way with capturing light, texture, plants, animals, etc.
Charlie’s tongue is too cute and Ivy’s eyes are beautiful.
Have a great Friday.
Oh, I had fun. I always do when I’m out photographing.
Thank you, Brenda, for the many photo-taking tips you have given me here. I take lots of photos but they come out mostly generic and these tips will help immensely! It goes without saying that these photos you have posted today are JUST FABULOUS and you could easily sell them to nature magazines!
Another thing I ALWAYS do. I resize them so they load faster. I size my photos to 500 px. I also crop. Sometime I can get 3 photos out of 1 by cropping with Picmonkey.
I love your photos, and you really have a knack for making them interesting. My brother is much like you when he takes pictures. He has different cameras, but he mostly takes photos with a 3D camera, and like your photos, there is usually an item that is front left or right, to give more of the 3D look. But you do need the special viewer to see the dimension. He has many cool photos of trips he has taken, makes you feel like you are there in the photo, when you are looking at them.
I’ve never heard of a 3D camera. Sounds interesting.
The pictures are absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful way to spend the day.
Thank you! I enjoyed myself.
Wonderful pix!! And that little bit of tongue just slays me!!!
I know. It sets Charlie apart from other dogs: that tongue of his.