Not alone

The fog drew me out to the field for a session with the trees on the leading edge of the field.

It was very quiet, with just the distant highway 10 rumble, hanging in the background.

Then a little, sweet song, volume high, permeated the space and trees.  So lovely a reminder that you're not alone.  As I enjoyed the beauty and calm of the scene, the little bird was there, too, appreciating his high perch and position to send out a message.

On my way home, these fuscia Japanese magnolia blooms slowed me down for a pretty look.  How thrilled I was by the background in green and the lens effects with the wet green.

Good medicine

As seen this morning after dropping off my daughter at school.  I took a quick shot from my car window after slowing down for a healthy dose of these Live Oaks.

The collection of photos below were taken during a walk through the Ford property before arriving home.  So fortunate.  :))

Morning delight

Our mornings have been cool, bright and beautiful with stunning blues and dashes of budding greens in the trees.  I usually step outside for nanoseconds to breathe it in, then jump back inside of our busy morning routine getting ready for school and work.  Today I just had to run outside after I saw a surprise fog suddenly appear on our street outside of the kitchen window.  I ran to the front door to see if it was in fact Mother Nature treating us to a late morning fog, which I so love.  It was indeed, so while running to grab my camera I scooted the girls to take a look, too.  It really was lovely, with the misted air picking up the filtered sunlight through the trees.  I love the magic, and it becomes a source of beauty to power the day.

Self-proclaimed fog holidays

I hereby proclaim that on foggy mornings I be released of all mothering and work duties to play outside as my spirit wills.

Gah, all I wanted to do today was wake up and run outside through the darkness and fog.  It was thick and so tempting, and the magic that happened once the sun rose to illuminate the moisture didn't make it any easier.  I did step out for some fun under the trees in our backyard.  The colors and air were so lovely and embracing.  I completely loved it!

Redeeming late fog

This week we had a couple mornings of fog.  Cool nights and very warm days.  While walking through it on Thursday morning I realized that I had never taken a silo shot in the fog.  With another warm day ahead of us, I hoped for the cold air needed to create the magic light filter I love so much.  I even told one of the teachers I work with that I would arrive late since usual student work wouldn't begin until after a rescheduled class.

Well, the air didn't cool down enough and while the mosquitoes celebrated the warm, wet air I knew that a morning fog wouldn't come.  When I woke, the sky was clear and all trees visible.  I could see the stars as I walked out to the field with Sparkle looking for something else to celebrate.  The sun look very muted behind a set of clouds and I did run through the field to get a better look and photo.  I didn't think anything of it though as I head back home.  Reported in to my husband with the no fog report and went on with the morning preparations.

Soon after he dropped off one of our girls at school, he had me look outside.  "Look, that's fog!"  I looked and just could not believe it.  There it was it the bright light of the risen sun glowing white and green inviting me to join in.  Still surprised I scampered to get my photo equipment and get my youngest to school.  I still couldn't believe it as I drove in through the fog settled in all around us.  I dropped her off and instead of my usual parking for work, I looped right out of that driveway and curved right into the farm field drive. 

As soon as I parked the car I nearly ran to grab the silo perspective.  There was still some fog remnants filtering golden light throughout the field.  There was just enough to make the scene look different than the usual.  Just enough to lift my spirits, wet the thick grass, and dampen my jeans.   The experience carried me into work with a smile, and the photos a reminder of the gifts in unexpected surprises. 

Sunrise two hours earlier

The Gift

 This morning I planned to go to the local lake to see the visiting pelicans.  A friend had let me borrow his 

f 2.8 70-200mm lens, and I wanted to try some captures with the birds in motion.  Of course I peeked down the street and into the farm fields to gauge what was happening with the sun.  The day before there had been tremendous, and like a magnet, the potential with the fog and rising sun to create something fantastic was there.  I drove by in my car, and sat looking in from the new streets of the development.  Once the sun started breaking through, and this time in full force, the field became a glowing orb of orange gold.  The surrounding trees stayed blue and ready, but within the area came alive with color.

I have images with just the large tree and the sun, but it is this one giving a sense of the expansion that says more.

Worship

I ran back to the tree line with the moss when I saw the splinter of orange light coming through the clouds and fog.  I moved back and forth to prepare, to look, and absorb the look of the Spanish moss in the tree limbs.  I was preparing for something, knew to look and go towards it. When the sun burst through I was spellbound by the light being held by the air, and as it became brighter I put my arms out wide like the trees and breathed.  I heard one of my father's favorite sayings, "I'm high on life!", that he exclaimed during special moments.  Actually I should say I felt the words as the sun continued to light up the sky and everything amped up the beauty around me.  I cried, too, because the feelings were so strong and the scene so powerful.

Somehow in a state of awe I photographed a collection of images I call "Worship".  The trees limbs reach up like arms to the sky as if celebrating.  I didn't see the effects of placing the sun behind the center trunk until viewing them at home with the center tree trunk in the darkest shadow and the limbs in the light.  The first image is shared because it is the burst of light that first illuminated the space.  I selected the second because the sky and intricacies of the trees are visible, as well as a feeling of the fog in the air.  I have others that I'm still brewing on, and these could all possibly switch around.  Right now, these two represent the moment with the sun.

On the farm's edge

 

2.04.12:

I had been looking for this image in my files, and was surprised to find it tonight in with the "Worship" image.  Looking back through what I saw that morning, I had to cover my mouth in shock.  Really, all in one morning I was surrounded by so many incredible scenes?  I'm more than fortunate, and I tell ya, if I'm ever feeling blue, I can just pull up the photos from January 7 to be reminded of the good things I've experienced in life.  Let's hope that they're internalized to the point that I'm already giving it back somehow.

This little shed sits along the back edge of the farm property, and belongs to the home which corners into the field.  I always smile when I see it imagining what it would be like to wake to such a beautiful scene every morning.  The owners must be cherishing the days before the construction expands into this part of the farm.  I wish that it didn't have to be. 

The beginning

It was a work day for me, and I was up early with some "extra" time.  Sparkle wanted to walk, and I usually need to delay taking her out on one until my return home.  This day we head out, and when I looked down the street to see fog mixed with purple and pinks, I worried about getting back in time for my day.  We trekked in for a bit, and approached very slowly as to soak in what was happening in front of us.  The colors were brilliant and beautiful, and the feeling sacred.


Unfortunately my kit lens had totally become dysfunctional while away during the holidays, but I had figured out how to use the full range of wide angle by putting the camera into video mode.  Sure, focusing was hit or miss through the backing screen, but it was good to be able to use something to record the image.  I found it very frustrating, but reminded myself that it was good to have something.


On this day the construction workers were arriving as I exited through the area being developed, and I stopped one more time to turn around and look at the scene.  The sun still hadn't broken through, but it showed glimmers of itself through the clouds and fog.  I was so excited about this that I must have been making a fool of myself.  They watched me probably wondering what the heck I was doing, so I held out my arms to the scene and shared my excitement.  One of these days I'll be brave enough to go over to them to take a few pictures because they're part of this story, too.