The Transit of Venus - a look at the lookers

While I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get a Transit of Venus shot myself, I did take photographs telling some of the story of this historical event.  I love gatherings of many people looking at the sky, wondering over celestial mysteries.  It must be the space geek in me, and it's lots of fun to witness and participate.  This time I DID get people's names, nearly all of them, just in case I wanted to share a couple images with The Advocate.  The unknown man in the pinhole box from the partial solar eclipse stays with me.  ;)  I handed out my business card again, too, hoping that those photographed will visit.

Ashley Rodrigue from Channel 2 News

A patient observer waits for the sun

John LeBlanc, Director of Stargazers Camp, Highland Road Park Observatory

My daughter and friend were interviewed by a local news TV station. 

The waiting

The sun's near emergence over the top of the observatory's dome

Allen Hall with granddaughters, Bailey and Neily Hall

iPhone solar viewer filter

Three-and-a-half year old Madison Clement being lifted by her father, Steve Clement for a look.

From left to right Holiday Durham, Celia Escudero, Forum Shah, Jeff Covington, Bhavani Jayaram, and Sudip Bajpeyi

This group of friends were very enthusiastic and lots of fun.  I wish the image was of better quality, but I'm guessing that their iPhone grabbed a great capture.

THE shot, real time.  This viewer was attached to the side of the telescope by John LeBlanc, Director of the Stargazers Camp, of the Highland Road Park Observatory.  What a great idea!

Clarity

Asawari Korde

If you'd like to see and share the photos in album view. I appreciate you giving me credit as photographer is these are shared off of this site. Enjoy, and thank you! :)  

Partial lunar eclipse

6.06.12: 
My dog woke me at 4:30 AM as if she knew that I wanted to head out to the levee to try to see the partial lunar eclipse.  I took her out into our backyard and saw a light in the sky and knew I had to make it.  By the time I arrived, the light was just a smear and disappeared because of the clouds.  I set up anyway hoping for a brief peek out and waited.  Luckily, the moon found a clearing, and in the hazy, humid air I got to see it with Earth's shadow.  There was a soft glow to it, and when looking back at the image, I get a sense of the feeling it carried. 

the orb keeper

the orb keeper

keeper of the glowing light
in the darkness of your reach
knowing my deepest sorrows
and what heals my soul
you revealed a secret
in that timeless moment

I have it with me.

The people I meet

July 25, 2013:  I owe it to these guys to share their photos publicly as it was over a year ago I crossed paths with each of them in New Orleans.  After completing a photo assignment, I had given myself some time walk and enjoy the city.  There's usually themes that emerge while I'm there, and on this given day it was the people I met and the time they shared with me no matter how brief.

It wouldn't be a visit to New Orleans without my spicy Bloody Mary and half-dozen raw oysters.  I stopped into Royal Street for my treat, and really enjoyed my time with the bartender/server and fellow bar stool mates.  One woman was celebrating her birthday with a small bottle of champagne and she insisted on sharing with me.  The Bloody Mary/Champagne/Oyster combo was perfect!

"Look me up!  I'm famous!"
Sidewalk Saint Tim, New Orleans Street Performer

Following a photo assignment in New Orleans, I stopped to watch a street performer painted in gold doing tricks with his golden basketball.  He came up to me, held my hand, introduced himself as Tim, then said, "Look me up!  I'm famous!"  I was very taken by his close contact and spirit, and took his photo before he returned to work.  Sure enough, he's one of New Orleans' 'Sidewalk Saints', performers known for their artistry on the streets of the city.  Famous or not, the pleasure was all mine!

Wesley, creator of his own Mardi Gras Indian costume

 Byron

Golden dancer

Julia, rose vendor

Jackson Square sitter

I don't usually take pictures like this, and after I did, this man jumped up and at me, putting his face near the middle of my legs, and screamed something obscene.  I had been squatting to grab the shot, wearing a skirt, no less. Needless to say, he taught me a valuable lesson about appropriate clothes and positioning when heading into the city with my camera.  No more crotch shots!!

Dream Tree, come with me

5.28.12:  This tree sits on the property of good friends who are moving out of town.  I took the picture on Sunday night during their farewell gathering of friends and neighbors.  I stopped by the house today to pick up a beautiful bowl she's leaving with me, and when I arrived the orange of the setting sun filled their living room like I've never noticed before.  When I mentioned it she pulled me into the 'sun room' to look out at the tree and the lake not knowing that I had taken the picture the night before.  She cleared the desk and window so we could see, stopped and took a deep breath.  This scene and place she'll always remember and appreciate, and in that moment I think that she placed it in her heart and mind to take with her. 

Taken they'll only be an hour and a half away in New Orleans, and it is their official return to their home city following the federal levee failures after Katrina.  Their home there is so beautiful and it also has a stunning Live Oak tree across the street in a park.  Family and friends are there to welcome them and a renewed lifestyle is ready for their participation.  They'll be missed, and we'll always feel fortunate that they entered our lives seven years ago.  I guess part of this Dream Tree will stay, too, so that we'll always remember and cherish.  :) xo

Her curves take me where I want to go

Another return to the back field today since the machinery in my usual morning spot with Sparkle was very active.  I actually had to go back on my own because she didn't want to make the trek probably because of the humidity.  Once I went through the gate, I stopped to soak in the tree covered with Spanish moss and greeted the gentleman who visits and trains his dog in the space.  I was going to search for wild orchids for a friend, but grabbed a perspective from under the tree instead.  It got me out of the morning sun, and I ended up not leaving the spot until my return home.

I want to say something eloquent about Spanish moss but am not pulling it together the way I'd like to.  There's a feel to the plant, an emotional feel, and I want my words to deliver that feeling. Maybe the best word is 'romantic'.  When I surround myself and go within it, I'm transported to another place, a good feeling place, where I wonder and let myself get absorbed.  :)

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.

Photo provided by Irene Kato :D

It made it!!  Page 2b in today's Advocate!  :)

Many thanks to The Advocate's Photo Chief John Ballance.  I appreciate his calls and attention to my set of  eclipse photos.  As of last night none of the images made the cut, but I was informed otherwise this morning by a friend.  I'll never forget my lesson about getting everyone's names that appear in my photos.  The 'man with the pinhole solar eclipse' viewer goes down in history.  That photo was the one most likely to be selected, but because I didn't have the man's name it couldn't.  I was crushed then embarrassed that I'd take the editor's time by submitting an image that had a risk of not qualifying.  Lesson learned and learned well.  Nice to have this appear as a follow-up lesson about going for it.

Either way my feelings told me that I care about this hobby and like seeing it go somewhere.  Time to be more conscious and committed with my actions.  My friends and family keep cheering me on, now I have to listen to myself and believe in cheering, too.  :)

5.28.12

A special thanks to friend, Marla Elsea, and her husband, Tim.  I now have a photo print of page 2B in my hands and I'm always appreciative of their support.  :)

Solar Eclipse - Baton Rouge

I drove out to the levee on my own tonight to catch some of the solar eclipse.  Upon arrival I was more than happy to see a small crowd of about twenty people finding the right spot to view with or without their devices.  I especially chuckled over the young man nearly putting his head into his box to check out what was happening.  The man and the woman watching through their iPad sparked my curiosity, too.  With a smile on my face I strolled through the people to stake out a location where I thought I'd avoid the tree line on the Mississippi.  I knew that we wouldn't make it to complete eclipse since the sun was already on its way to set, but I was still very excited when I saw the first little space of the sun covered.  I took a few shots hand held then realized that I wouldn't see much more where I was standing because of the sun's drop into the trees.  Scooting over a bit helped that, and I set the camera on the tripod in back display mode where I could see what was happening very nicely.  I had a good show with the gorgeous sunset colors and a few wispy clouds overhead.  Even with its quick departure, the little that I saw amazed me.  Sure it was a tease because I wanted more, but I was happy and satisfied to have been there.

I did get to meet a few folks who were nearby at the conclusion, a couple of them being the people with the iPad.  It was a nice exchange of images - mine on the camera and theirs on the iPad in real time.  It ends up that the iPad application, 'Star Track' I think it's called, gives you access to a calendar of planetary events, info about each of them, and a way to track and name what's happening in the skies in real time.  So thank you Jay, Adria, Marc and Betsy Fraiolis for sharing in the excitement and giving me a look into your media view of the event.  :)  On the way out I also met a nice group of folks who sat on the levee incline throughout.  I have a silhouette shot of them in the set - Corey, Heidi, Lauren and Laura.  I hope that they all peek in to take a look.  :)

Here's a small album with a few more images of the scene.  :)

I speak for the trees

 I walked out on my own tonight to finally inspect which trees came down over the past couple of days.  It was dark, but I was able to see that the few trees that sat near the 'entry' into the back field are gone with the grass now with dirt in its place.  It's shocking to see, and will be even harder to look at in the morning.  I'd like to return to listen for the song birds that usually sat in the trees that were knocked down.  Where did they go?  Did they escape harms way? 

I continue to hear "The Lorax" quotes in my head as I go along.  This one brings together my concern for the wildlife that lived there:

The Lorax: Yes, I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees, which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I'm also in charge of the brown Bar-ba-loots, who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived eating truffula fruits. Now, thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground, there's not enough truffula fruit to go 'round!
The Once-ler: I see your point. Yes, I do see your point.
The Lorax: They loved living here. But I can't let them stay. They'll have to find food, and I hope that they may. Good luck, boys! Good luck!

Trombone Shorty and Charlie Gabriel - Jazz Fest

The best concert moments don't have to be when the musicians are singing or playing their instruments. Here are two New Orleans greats on stage for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's 50th Anniversary Set at Jazz Fest 2012. Brass player Trombone Shorty, 26 years old, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band's clarinetist Charlie Gabriel, 80 years old, shared some good times together during the performance. For me their pure joy and cross generational connection was tops. :)

Happy Girl II - Jazz Fest

Photo taken by Andrew Whitehead
Jazz Fest, April 29, 2012

This is my happiness.  Being in New Orleans, attending Jazz Fest, and special times with good friends.  There was a huge crowd for the Acura Stage - Johnny Sansone with Anders Osborne, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Dr. John, and Bruce Springsteen.  We didn't move from there except for a bathroom visit and drink run, and it was all good.  Loved it all!!

Here's my set of images from the day. In it are the people and times, as well as my growing wish to one day attend Fest with a press pass hanging around my neck. Either that or a beautiful Grand Marshal pass to give you access front and center to the stages. :)

Remember A Dose of Happy with the Rebirth Brass Band here in town?

Fest4Kidz - the great Jazz Fest ticket giveaway for young NOLA musicians!

I just returned from an evening with the Silence is Violence music clinic teachers, children and parents. Tonight was the night that the Threadheads, the greatest and most giving of New Orleans Jazz Fest fans, distributed t-shirts, spending money, and Jazz Fest tickets to all clinic participants. It really was a wonderful and moving experience. More exciting is the fact that a large group of the kids will be performing on the Gentilly Stage this Saturday at Jazz Fest! Wow. I got to hear a preview of what they will play and they sounded fantastic. I really couldn't listen without tears in my eyes. It's so powerful to see how far these children have come with effort, caring instructors, involved families, and this growing program. Visit silenceisviolence.org for more information about the program and how to support their efforts. If you're someone out there that is already involved, please know that you're making a big difference in the lives of these children and the community. Thank you.

Two girls and a cloud

Another great night of gorgeous weather got the whole family out.   We went to the levee path with our favorite gear - my  husband with his bike and Sparkle, my older daughter with her roller blades, and my youngest with her bike.  Me, of course, carried my camera and of course found myself walking down the incline of the levee towards the grasses and Mississippi to see different perspectives of the sunset.  My girls were calling for me, but before heading back up towards them I took this shot.  I first asked for a pose which didn't work out right.  They must have seen my husband in the distance and both turned at this moment.  The spontaneity worked out great, and that little cloud in the distance was a great plus, too.

I have a thing for my eggs

lol.

I love this egg shot and its processing.  Not sure what it is about it exactly, but I like it.  The muted colors...the textures....the little folded paper strips in between.

Long shadows and happy kids

In elegance

Standing tall, strong and beautiful
In the elegance of light and love

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

Take my hand - for my girl

5.28.12
This one is for my nine year old.  She had enjoyed this 'Mommy-Daughter' time so much as we walked on LSU campus, just the two of us. "Let's do this again, Mommy!"

I pulled it up because she's been showing signs of wanting more attention from me, and I think these signs have been happening for months and I just didn't see them.  Now that we're in summer vacation, I haven't found a job yet, and we're home all day together - me with the two girls and Sparkle - it's time to change my routine and habits.  Computer time and editing photos will just have to wait until late night or very early morning.  It's important for our relationship, for her as an individual, and it's needed for me to listen to my heart and battle my tendencies to want to do my own thing.

I love her so very much, and our time together only comes around once. Embrace it.  Embrace her.  BE with the both of them, my beautiful girls.  xo

Glory

What glory to arrive at the farm field during my morning walks and see such a scene.  I took this during a quick visit with Sparkle, just before work.  I knew that I was running short of time and nearly turned back, but just couldn't do it.  The mix of wet gold and greens in the presence of the tree took me in to be with the rising sun.