Forgotten Autumn

I looked back in my online photo albums and realized I had never blogged about this!  I've used several of the photos in various posts, and some even ended up getting some published in the local section of the Chicago Tribune!  Woo-hoo!  So here's the story as I look back at this autumn walk...

After I came back home from Lake Bonaparte, I longed for nature and the outdoors.  I love autumn with all its colors, the crisp air, the oh-so-blue sky.  One busy Monday, I was able to snag about an hour and head out to explore this little section of woods for the first time.

Just a couple miles from home, the woods beckoned me to come and walk.

A brand new footbridge spans a little ravine.

Of course I brought along my macro lens, just in case.  Good thing.

Interesting tree shapes.

I had my back to the trail ahead while I took some shots.  When I turned, this young buck was standing there, still as a statue.  I thought he was fake (really!) until I saw his ear twitch.  He even let me stoop down to change lenses so I could get some better shots!

At one point, he looked off into the distance.  I also turned, and spotted his "girlfriend" on the other side of the bushes.

See the nubs that will be antlers some day?

Bye, buck!

Deer prints on the trail

Back on the trail, I used my macro to shoot various weeds.

Looking back along the little trail.

It's amazing that one hour spent in God's creation can restore a soul!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 3

Project 2012

Week 3 -- January 15-21

1.  Take pictures
2.  Share at least one--and up to seven!
(Click on the graphic if you're interested in joining us!)

My favorite photos

I was a little desperate to use my camera the beginning of this past week!  I walked around the house taking pictures of everyday household items.  I ended up in front of my flute music stand, experimenting with music, notes, angles, aperture...  In post edit, I tried for an antique look, and added some grain to the photo to achieve a look I was satisfied with.

[15] Favorite music

I guess I'm a true Northerner; I sat on my front porch without a coat and with slippers on while I took some shots of my flowers trying to survive winter.

[16] Coral bells in snow

Then it was back inside, and I ended up in the kitchen.  These fortune cookies were bright and cheerful to photograph.

 [17] Fortune cookie

I drove out to a little trail in the woods near my home for a short, snowy nature walk.  I took my kit lens along, which I used to take this shot.  I wasn't awed with the image when I saw it in the camera viewfinder, but after downloading it and really studying it, I fell in love with it--the way the sun is shining on the leaf, the angle of the sun so low to the right, the sparkles and shadows in the snow, the brightness of the leaf.  I just really like it.

[18] Leaf on snow

I love shooting the sun through the trees.  I'm not so great at sun flare, but I do like to try.

 [19] Winter sun

I found a great perspective leaning against a tree, looking up into the sky.  I love the contrast in color, and in the shadow and the sky.

[20] Up through winter trees

As the sun descended, I hung around the capture the sunset, always a calm and peaceful time.

[21] Winter woods sunset

I'll post the whole of my little snowy nature walk soon!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Tooley Pond Road

I love the Midwest!  People are generally straightforward, honest, and hardworking.  I love the change in seasons (praise the Lord for both a/c and heat!).  I do miss the ocean, however.  I grew up in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey just a few miles from the Atlantic.  I haven't been there since I was about 15.  I lived in Norfolk, Virginia for a year when Fernando and I were first married, so I saw the ocean a time or two.  But it has now been 22 years since I've physically been standing at the edge of the Atlantic.  I'll go back pretty soon, I hope.

One thing I don't get much of in the Prairie State is waterfalls.  So our family determined to take the opportunity to search a few out in the Adirondacks.

Tooley Pond Road is about an hour from Lake Bonaparte, just west of Cranberry Lake.  Once we figured out that the trailhead to each waterfall was clearly marked, we took off through the forests in search of some roaring water.

The first waterfalls--Rainbow Falls--were the prettiest to photograph.

A quick snapshot.

With tripod set up and smallest aperture possible.

Same set-up a little farther downriver.  I like this photo best.

OK, a shot from Danny that proves I hiked over rocks in a skirt.  :)

I'm showing you the next photo because it is funny.

It may not look funny.  Several of my "family photos" were taken with the help of a plug-in remote, a ten-second timer, and a 17-year-old who can clamber over boulders and make it back into his spot just in time.  However, when the sun is shining in your eyes, everyone is counting down, Fernando asks, "Is it ready?" and Thomas sneezes moments before the shutter clicks, it is funny.  I don't think I'll choose this one for our Christmas photo.

Living life.
Capturing life.

Christine

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