Fishing upon Alligator Lake

This brother and sister duo were with their father today at Alligator Lake. The father had his hands full. One he said, was manageable, but together, a different story. They were fishing at the sink behind the Tiger stadium. I broke the cardinal rule of photojournalism and failed to get their names. It is hoped we will cross paths again, and I shall get their names. They were, even without names, quite the cute pair.

Anhinga Hideout

Beyond the vegatation growing thicker and thicker is an anhinga. The Alligator Lake Park series of dikes are an excellent means of exercise and wildlife observation, especially the large waterfowl, like heron, coots, pelicans and various other migratory birds. As the vegetation grows to maturity, the views are being obscured. Efforts are being made we see to keep the vegetation in check, though a continual effort is needed.

A dry lake

This is a view of the sinkhole in Alligator Lake that recently opened and drained the water from the lake. The only water remaining are on the south end, which is quite low, and the Alligator Lake Park basin which retains water due to two dams. Sometime in the near future, the Game Commission plans to dredge the deeper canals near the dikes in the lake, throwing the dirt on the dikes and making them more of a gentle slope. After that, they plan on mulching the bottom, riding it of aquatic vegetation which is evasive when the water levels are low.
They hope to try and maintain a fish population, which in low water times, is decimated by the cormorants, anhingas and now the wintering White Pelicans and myriad of other water fowl.

A study in Clover and Cypress

Mexican Clover

There is a patch of Mexican clover in the shade of the cypress trees at the Alligator Lake Park behind the Department of Transportation headquarters. I have gone here the last few days at varying times, weather conditions, attempting to photograph these little pink flowers with the large clover leafs. The challenge is to expose the background cypress trees at the edge of the lake, and keep the small flowers in the shade exposed properly and in focus. This calls for flash on a low setting, a small f-stop and a low angle. I have yet to get all the elements as I want. In some, the background looks good. In most, the flowers are not in good focus, or the flash too strong. Then, when the elements both seemed to work, I notice in the background, on one of the cypress trees, a sign.
I will continue to photograph these Mexican clovers until I feel I have gotten it right. That is what usually keeps me coming to an area over and over, never tiring of the location. There is always plenty of subject matter, lighting conditions and improving upon past efforts to keep one going for a long time.
This particular photograph is not representative of what I am trying to attempt. This was taken with little of the trees in the background, allowing for an easier exposure. The white spot in the left corner is the result of this, and what happens when you attempt to meter the close up clovers or the cypress.

Gadarene

Must I place the posts as close as those at the zoo,
in order to keep my Gadarene in,
or do I place a single post for you to run a cabled circle?
What color shock collar should I choose for you?
And the muzzled bite bit?
And where shall I find the raw hindquarters you prefer?
Or do I simply have mercy and take you back to the tombs?
It was not a good time to take on possessed things
But still we scheme
And try to convince the neighbors we must have
balanced natures
That too many cats and dogs roam
That too many predators leer upon our little ones
That too many Witnesses, politicians and
Latter-Some day Saints knock continually
Swine herds procreate on our lawns
That we need peace
Quiet
Help natural selection along
It was a noble thought
A Gadarene in every neighborhood.

Falling Log

On the recent visit to Falling Creek, a large log has lodged itself next to the falls. I walked to the edge and tried to move it, but it was too inbedded in the creek bottom. It will take a rope and several strong pulls from the bank below, or a strong waterflow to possibly dislodge it. It does not lend to the composition. I was there to experiment further with taking HDR, High Dynamic Range photographs, three photo's on a tripod with one under, one on, one over exposed. You then combine the three in the computer for a photo with highlights and shadows. This was one of the middle photographs of three.

The Old Man and the Manoa

This one I like. It has a good expression on Nathaniels mug and I am in my usual stern stare. I like the single flash and the high contrast.
Will try this more often.

Say Holy Maloey!

Letting Nathaniel go through the camera bag. He grabbed the flash and held it up like he sees me doing so often. Teaching him young.

Verdi interesting

When we saw this episode 13 recently, Melanie asked, who is the portrait of behind Andy in the Mayor's office? I figured it to be one of the Presidents, then possibly one of Andy's relatives, Robert E Lee or Jefferson Davis. I went online to the Andy Griffith Rerun Watchers Club, of which I have been a member(Stokes County Chapter) for a long time and asked the question in the forum. I then went to good ole wickapedia and found the answer. It is a portrait of Guiseppe Verdi, the opera composer, and one of my favorites.
I suppose he was hanging in the Mayors office, for in this episode, Hollywood comes to Mayberry, Mayor Pike's daughter, known for her singing(badly), serenades the Hollywood producer come to Mayberry to film.

Nathaniel turns One

My first(only)grandchild Nathaniel Manoa Stokes, born to my first son Landon and Amber, was born January 5th, 2011. We had his birthday party this past Saturday at Alligator Park. This was a single flash photo, with the flash to our side and resting on the couch.
He was looking at me holding the Nikon D5000 up with one hand. Melanie and I had our 24th anniversary the 8th, her birthday is the 13th, Jordon's the 25th, mine the 30th. A month of many candles.

While you prayed

by john clare

While you prayed I numbered your hairs
Spread some seed for your sparrows
Covered the shivering lilies beside you lying,
Poured some water for you from the wine.

Is that not what the lover should do?
Answer your prayers for you?
When I stilled your sea and opened your eyes
Did you not first see my stars dancing in the skies?

I heard your every plea to let you see
But know I had to love you secretly
For had you but glimpsed the one who counts hairs
The bride would have stopped her continual prayers

And into this Kingdom you would never have come
So sleep peacefully my love, your lilies shall blossom.