The view from 47

The glowing, early morning orange and pink sky filled the room where I sat reading from the computer.  It pulled me outside in wonder of the bright colors and gift of the day.  Stop to think that after 47 years of sunrises, they'll still amaze in their uniqueness and beauty.


Inspired, I prepped for an early bike ride, and was excited to kick off my birthday outside.  Once out there, my egret friend greeted me from its spot on the pine, then I finally made myself stop to take pictures of the tree hanging over the lake.  Each were uplifting, with newness in their familiarity.

 

Ridin' it home

Inspired by two friends racing the NYC Triathlon on Sunday morning, I woke up early and went out for a biking trek.  It was the first time I cycled for the purpose of exercise versus transport to work.  I decided to ride across the Ford Property and head towards the Pennington Research Center instead of towards the lake, and I really appreciated the route change.  Similar visual goodies with the added bonus of a couple low slope hills made it all work for me.  When entering the field, both going and returning, I stopped to soak it all in and smile at the thought of my many past walks with camera in hand.  I can now add myself to the many cyclists who frequent and value the passage.  Now to just get myself back out there and continue being inspired by my active friends.  :))

Ford Property entrance via Sweetbriar

Morning egret

I finally strapped on the camera today for my ride into work with the intention of taking pics of the students.  Upward Bound's summer session ends on Monday, so its appearance was way overdue.   I got to use it way before seeing the kids as my morning egret friend was sitting it the pine catching the rising sun.  It had made the same appearance once or twice before, and each time it had been such a treat to catch it sitting high.  Seeing it again while toting my camera was a sweet surprise, and without hesitation I jumped off to grab some shots.  Despite doing my best with my sleuth photo stalking skills, it sensed me and flew away after a few minutes or so.  I did have enough time, though, to appreciate the show of subtle light in the curve of its neck.  Ooh, I so enjoyed it, along with the long, wispy feathers gently sitting on the ends of its wings.

Let us see if it will be there again "knowing" that I'll have my camera with me while keeping out a watchful eye.

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.

Morning blue

From inside the fallen tree in the farm field, I sat on the limbs to watch sunrise.  Just last January the same beautiful tree stood tall and inspired 'The Gift' and in March 'Glory'.  How surreal to be with its remains left behind by the developers as if there was still something to be shared and shown.  Being on my own out there allowed me to really settle in, be still, and look.  From going in close to the the droplets and pulling out to seeing the whole, each image is part of the story that morning and a reminder of what was.

 

Will I see you again tomorrow?

This was my favorite find during a return walk in the back field.  It was SO humid out, and the webs were weighted with dew drops that seemed burdened themselves.  I remember the spectrum effect of past web shots with the sun, and am happy to see that the magic traveled home with me again.

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

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. 

To the tree

 I almost didn't return today, but thanks to my husband, I got to run out, literally, for another quick visit.  I was Sparkle free, so I was able to set my visions on the Spanish Moss covered tree that sits deeper and further back in the property.  Once again, I stepped into a magical world of mist and shadowy hay bundles as I quickly head back towards the tree.  It was just me out there navigating my now well known path and stopping to take a few photographs on my way.

Upon arrival to the tree, I stepped back to take in the scene of the mist covered field in the background just beginning to reveal the hay bundles.  More than a few frames were spent on that scene, but I wasn't satisfied because I couldn't capture what I wanted without a wide angle lens.  I did my best at 35mm then moved into and under the tree's canopy to take a look from within its limbs.  I loved the scene and feel with the Spanish Moss surrounding me and framing the view.  

 

As I started to leave, I stopped once again to take in the moment and the experience.  A final shot before running out of this back field.  Who knows how much longer we'll get to appreciate this scene?  I'll be weepy without my morning escape into something other, and it'll be hard to see this field disappear to development.

Morning Walk

 

 

 

I made it out to the Ford property before 7 this morning with Sparkle to check out the colors. Despite being close to busy roads and constuction, the cool air and morning quiet made me feel so far away. I'd like to return with just me.

Morning Dew