Squawk all you want...

The morning from eight until ten was spent on the dike at Alligator Lake Park. It was cold enough for gloves, of which I had, even though I was in shorts and a sweatshirt. I took the D40 today with the old manual 180mm 2.8 lens with the TC-201 tele-converter attached. I had the Gitzo monopod along for stability. I set all the shots to f8 at 200 with manual focus. After 129 exposures, perhaps one was acceptable. On the Canon S100 I had along for the wide-angle shots, zero were accepable out of the thirty or so. I had hoped to see the white pelicans, but only two flew overhead. The eagle and osprey came relatively close, but my focus was off on them all. Deleted.
So, every day is certainly not a winning day. Just like last evening, more often than winning, we lose. Its the getting back up and getting out I suppose that counts. Sit home and stew, or get out and try again, and again. I was thinking, possibly by the end of this life I shall attain that day where all the shots are keepers. I highly doubt it, but it keeps me keeping on.

Mizpah

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus.

"If you would be miserable, look within. If you would be distracted, look around. If you would be happy, look up."

From the 1882 Devotional book by Charles Cullis.

Today I am going to attempt to resume the daily re-posting of this gem of a devotional, with quotes from Saints of old, some we know, many not. Mizpah or Golden Days, harkens to Genesis 31:49.
"Mizpah, for he said,the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent from another."

Last evening at the Art League show, again my entries went without award. From the disappointment of not garnering the praise of men, it led to further introspection. It was not a pretty picture to see the darkness of the heart, the heart that continues to crave praise from men.
To come to the point of being joyful in others success, to not attempt always to heap the praise our way, to attain a heart for others.
Not there yet, but the Holy Spirit continues to chip away.

Art League Show

I had entered two photographs into the annual North Florida Art League Membership show. One was taken just last week on Triple Run, a photograph of cows in a field. The other was of Nathaniel at the beach with three gulls. I printed them myself 8x10 with a simple 11x14 black frame and white single bevel mat. I had to rush to get the entries to the college after my route on Wednesday. The show was tonight. On entering, Jeanne VanArsdale, the President said, I am glad you came, I almost called to be sure you came. That meant usually that I was one of the prize winners. Amber,Jordon and Nathaniel were along, so we anxiously waited. As the awards in photography were called, they got down to about the third honorable mention and my name was never called. On the way out, Jeanne said congratulations, I said, I didn't win, you must have mixed me up for the first place winner, which she had. I suppose we all look alike.
It was another disappointment, but again, bearing witness to the need for presentation and flair.
The winning photograph was painterly, printed on canvas. It was large. It looked artsy.
As I am now pondering the need to improve upon technique, quality and presentation, I am likewise pondering going into another medium, say printmaking, that no one is doing.
That way, I could relegate photography to the enjoyable realm, not having to keep up with the latest. With printmaking, once I get the press and the papers, ect. I am set. The medium and the equipment are the same as Rembrandt used. Timeless.

Round and Round

 

First Rainbow of thirteen

It had been raining lightly for over an hour, overcast for most of the day. We had just returned from getting Rocky the dog from the groomers, Pet Spot and then to Ken's for BBQ with Jordon. I had just completed eating the chicken and beef when the sun came out. I knew there would be a rainbow. I grabbed the Canon 100 and made it to the roof in time to capture the first rainbow of 2013.
I was likewise able to film the rainbow in a 360 degree sweep from the roof. I came back in and showed Melanie and Meme the shot on the camera. They exclaimed, WOW, where was that? Uhhh, just behind you outside the window. HA.

AN

AN here's your sign.

Round and Round

All was quiet upon the playground today at Five Points Elementary. Usually, the yard is loud with laughter. I suppose in light of school shootings, things are subdued. Even the front gate was locked, causing me to have to find another way in.
The round about with the tricycles reminded me of the time in Monticello third grade PE. The coach said we were going to play ring around the rosey, pocket full of posey, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.
The only problem was, the last person down would have to tell the name of his girlfriend or boyfriend.
I was terrified at the thought. I made certain I was not the one to fall last, for I did not dare tell of my secret liking of Deborah Daniels, and it never occurred to me that I simply did not have to tell, or say, I have no girlfriend, which I didn't, only the shy thought of one.

I am Eighty

The fellow at Five Points was in the wheelchair coming across his yard pulling himself with crutches. It was a laborious effort as he skied my way. We talked awhile of the state of things, of the general discontent with this land. Told him I liked his rebel flag on the porch, but he said he lived in the trailer in the back yard. He had his little refrigerator and burner. I can only hope for as much when I am eighty and wondering how quickly I got across that yard.

Upon Triple Run

 

One of two entries in the upcoming Member's Show of the North Florida Art League. This was taken last week on Triple Run Road. The camera used was the Canon S100.

Hidden One

I am certain that the same forlorn look upon Nathaniel's face is upon mine as well. As the days turn to weeks, we can only wait patiently for the day when he visits again.

Wrought in Cedar

 

The Ring of Life

Long after the branch is gone
Smooth worn the chiseled stone
Under a tree of life a song
Ringing round that heavenly throne

One of my favorite "haunts" is old cemeteries. The contrast with the granite and grass. The old cedars that cut into the wrought iron fences. The ornate and overdone stones of the forgotten wealthy. The humbly simple stones of the remembered meek.
When I was young, it was a place of fear, a place of spooks, to be avoided. The older I grow, it seems more a welcoming place, like old friends, many of whom reside there.
I stroll from stone to stone and ponder the lives lying beneath me. I often wish that we could chisel more of our lives upon the stones, something of who we were, what we held dear, how we died, how we lived.
But 'tis all a mystery, like death itself. We all know that one day we shall come to this place, yet
like little children, we feign dwelling with the spooks.