Sitting with a hurricane, seeking out the sun

Our weather has been absolutely gorgeous allowing me to work in the yard and be out back with our dog without humidity and insects attacking me. This morning while outside, a few hurricane flowers attracted me to get down to their level and observe. I had my camera with me, took the 50mm off, and held it against the camera body with the mount pointing out creating a 'macro' lens. Immersing myself into and around the hurricane, I enjoyed the light and color effects through the lens.  The sun had not yet hit them, but I still moved around to grab whatever rays came through.

Viewing in the camera, then after downloading for processing, my heart swelled.  My tenderness somehow sought the company of the hurricanes during this session.  The images carry that heart watermark of sorts, and really open up possibilities and invitations.

Note:  Font exploration today for the 'IKATO' sometimes appearing in my photos.  I went vertical and 'Microsoft Yi Baiti'.  I like it because I'm looking for simple in representing myself for contact.



#hurricane, #flowers, #seek, #sun, #macro #lightforafriend

With you

With you
with one another
in understanding
in truth.


There's a point when you just have to let it all go to feel yourself and others around you.  To be able to see and feel the world with clarity and openness.  That's how I felt yesterday while spending time photographing horses for a friend who is starting her own equine therapy business.  There was something so freeing and honest in sharing space with the horses, and my friend, too, that I walked away a better person.  I am so very grateful.

#LOVE 

Rare visitor

I saw it as I pulled in the driveway after picking up my little one.  The Praying Mantis was making its way up the extension cord right by our side door.  It was the first time my daughter had seen one, and she was amazed by it's color and size of about 4 - 5 inches (bigger than our cockroaches).  We observed it slowly moving along and I ran it to get my camera.  It was harder to photograph than expected with my 18 - 55 mm (which is actually a 24 mm because it doesn't function at any shorter focal length), so I popped on my close-up +1, +2 and +4 lenses.  I was able to get this shot before it slipped and slammed into the brick steps.  It recovered quickly into the nearby plant, and began its climb again.  It stopped to "pray" and I attempted some more shots, but I just couldn't grab a decent one.  I ran inside to prep a quick lunch for my daughter. It couldn't have been more than 5 minutes, and by the time I returned it was gone.  I was truly surprised that it was able to move that quickly and avoid an extended photo shoot.  Actually a bit disappointed, too, that I didn't get to spend more time with it.  Never underestimate your time with a Praying Mantis.

 

Close-up experimental

AKA "Flowers, Feet and Bubbles".  This was a fun session with my older daughter who was 4 at the time.  I stacked on my favorite Bower +1, +2, and +4 glass and played around with varying distances to my subject.