Teaching an old dog new tricks and all that

Patience is man's best virtue.  Yeah? Well, thank God I'm a woman. I'm not a very patient woman either. It irks me that things just aren't coming to me as quickly as I want them to.

What am I talking about?  This new camera, of course. I've taken a few really nice photos with it, by my average of good photos to bad photos is ...not so good.  It's an uphill battle on a bumpy path. 

Fleeting Flower Photos

Speaking of expectations…

I find this time of year a bit difficult. It seems like the color is just washed away and everything is left a sad, drooping gray. My mood droops along with it.

There’s an unexpected plus, getting into photography. Looking around constantly, my mind’s eye searches for anything that might be remotely interesting within the lens frame. It’s like everything is frozen for an instant for a longer look at what’s really there instead of my eyes impatiently scanning it all in the search for color.

Rainy Sunday

On Flikr, the most often used camera is the iPhone.

After showing you all the photos of Heber Springs taken with my iPhone4 – and becoming used to seeing that quality of photo – I decided to dig my ‘real’ camera out for a few shots this morning.

The difference is astounding, even on the crappy laptop I have. There is much more color capacity, which gives a great sense of depth to the photos.

Creaking, crackling adventure

Can’t have a day off without some sense of adventure, and lately, that’s been anything, anything at all, that is even remotely out of the ordinary. The sun was shining through the window perfectly, and as it filtered through the leaves of the philodendron, it warmed the room. It’s hot outside, but cool in, and completely enjoyable. It’s all a matter of angles, so the adventure came when I decided to climb up on a chair to shoot down. For me, that is an adventure and a whole new way of viewing things since I’m pretty short.

Arkansas, Buried in Snow!

As usual, I woke up this morning. Yep, I did. What wasn’t usual is that I could see my truck out the window before I turned the kitchen light on, and it was piled high with snow. Rain was forecast, not snow! A big, massive snow creature peeked in through the back door, and when I flicked on the outside light, there was Odin with his own pile of snow covering him. One good head shake, and the snow flew everywhere.

I went through my morning routine, got ready for work as usual, and waited for the sun to come up so that I could see what all was out there. To my surprise, there was already close to a half foot of snow, and it was still falling from the sky. I looked out at Odin and his winter coat was doing its job funneling the water off of him, but he looked drenched to the skin. I bundled up, threw his blanket over my arm, and as soon as he saw me, he came right up to me and stood still for me to put the thing on him. I knew it was bad then. Odin hates wearing his blanket!

The state went on its inclement weather policy, and I had the day off. I’ve watched the snow fall all day, and it’s still falling.

Oh, the Pretty Pictures

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Standing at the top of a staircase looking down is a disconnected experience. Out of view is the first few steps necessary before reaching the bottom, the solid ground. Disoriented, a hand or two might grasp for something, anything to steady the mind’s eye. What is forgotten in the moment is the sensations traveling the length of the body from the feet; the pressure on the soles from the body’s weight. One end doesn’t know what the other end is doing.

(Yeah, I know. But this isn’t Politics 101.)

Taking this photo was a challenge for me. In order for me to orient my brain enough to feel solidly grounded, I planted my feet wide and took more than a few deep breaths before I could raise my camera up to take the shot. Yes, this is exactly what I saw at that moment in time, and looking at the photo now still threatens to disorient my sense of balance.

A Slow Sunday at Home

After too many weeks of my camera wrapped up snug as a bug in its case, I took it out and dusted it off today. Ah, its weight is comforting in the hand.

As usual, I wandered around, looking around for visual excitement and interest, not paying much mind to anything else. It’s so relaxing and invigorating at the same time.

What always stops me in my tracks and takes my breath away is Odin. I marvel at his beauty, his strength and his presence. It’s always a thrill to catch a good photo of him.

I took 80 shots today, and there’s quite a few good ones. It will take me awhile to get them prepped for Out in the Back Yard, though I expect to have quite a few new entries there in a few days. I’ll have a few more of Odin, and I grabbed some decent shots of Saki, Hiro and Jake too. Of course I took a lot of what’s left of the wild flowers. It’s sad to see them giving up for the year. Still, there’s some good photos to hold me over until spring.

It’s a good way to end the weekend. No thoughts, no worries, just tucked in warm with Hiro and Saki at my feet, Jake by my side and a good book to read. I hear Odin right outside my window thumping a foot now and then, breaking through Chloe’s snores coming from the foot of the bed.

I’m tired, I’m warm, and I’m home. I couldn’t ask for more.

Saturday Morning

After falling out of bed and stumbling to the bathroom this morning, very content that it wasn’t the irritating alarm clock that woke me up, I glanced out the window and saw the most amazing sunrise. With only one eye halfway open, I grabbed my camera, slipped into Crocs and headed out to capture the rapture.

As the sun came up, everything was quiet. The ground began to glitter as the new sun caught in the dew on the grass and the leaves of the trees.

Just as quietly, as if to savor the dawn as much as I was, a flock of geese flew overhead without the usual honks and squawks, and their formation as loose and relaxed as I felt. Mother Nature’s protective blanket was soft and warm.

Glittering and glowing, Saturday began. The dogs followed me as I wandered from sight to sight, snapping shot after shot. Odin flipped his head up in annoyance at a horse fly that landed on his rump, swished his tail furiously to chase it away, then went back to grazing.

I love sunrises, and love them even more after this morning. 50 photos later, the day brightening and waking up, I realized my hair wasn’t brushed, I was walking around outside in what I slept in, and I hadn’t had coffee yet. Both eyes now open, I headed inside to set the coffee brewing.

Before I could pour the water into the coffee maker, Odin came up to the back door and ran his nose across the glass. There he was standing with a branch caught in his mane, threatening to poke an eye. Safely removed, he stuck his head in the house to keep me company while I finished making the coffee. I had to pause once more to stop him when he half climbed up the stairs to come in the house.

The weekend began without the bustle or drama that greeted the weekdays. With relief, I know that the quiet peace of life will hold until Monday.

Odin’s Moments

Out of all the things in life, it’s being with Odin that brings me the most peace.

This evening, I set out with my camera to walk around and snap photos of just about anything that caught my eye. It rained earlier, and the ground was still too wet to ride. Odin didn’t quite know what to think about that. I’ve been going out every evening and catching him to either ride or just brush him out. For awhile, he just watched what I was doing from across the pasture.

It wasn’t long before curiosity got the best of him and he caught up with me as I wandered around. I’d stop to take photos, then walk away to the next thing that caught my attention. Odin would graze when I stopped, and when I walked away, he’d catch up and graze again. A few times, I got too far away and he’d give a few bucks as he ran to catch up again.

Every now and then, Odin would very gently and carefully come to stand up against me. I snapped this photo when something in the distance caught his attention while he was standing up close to me. Most of the time, he’d ask for an itch on his back or shoulder, then I’d walk away again. The pattern continued until the sun set and it was time for his supper.

The evenings belong to Odin. After he eats and drinks, he’ll ask for itches or just stand next to me to cock a leg and grab a quick nap. It’s usually dark by the time he walks away, signaling the end of the day. At peace, I head inside for the night.

I belong to Odin as much as Odin belongs to me.

Odd Things Have Been Happening

Last weekend, this huge truck decided it was going to try to turn around, right in front of my house. It took several men standing around, waving their arms to help the driver maneuver that huge thing back and forth before the tractor and trailer succeeded in driving back the way it came. At one point, the truck was jackknifed and in such a tangle that I thought it would be forever lodged between huge pine trees and the bank of my front yard (pictured).

I took several photos of the happenings, wondering to myself if it was comical or not, hanging out of my bedroom window, scratching Odin's back between shots. The big truck was amazing in itself. The trailer held a gigantic spool of what turned out to be flexible piping used to pump water from a pond to a natural gas drill, which uses the water in the fracturing process (whatever that is). You don't see a truck like this, or the equipment on it, every day.

Then, last night, I saw this big, bright green flash in the night sky. The shape was like a ball with a tail, and the only thing I could deduce was that it was a meteorite that ignited when it hit the clouds. I thought it strange that a flash so large could be silent.

So, I got to thinking about how odd it is that, suddenly, I'm seeing all these odd things. I can't remember how many little - and big - things stopped me in my tracks this week!

I wish there was some way to have photographed that green flash in the sky! That photo didn't happen, so I set to work on the truck photos. It's nothing to write home about, that's for sure. Or, so I thought. I was certain that those guys never bothered to even notice little ol' me hanging out my bedroom window, scratching my horse's back and taking photos while they were engaged in jacking that truck around. Jeesh, they were busy!

When I saw the photo in full resolution, I saw that the driver was looking straight into the camera! See?

I about fell out of my chair. It's a bit on the eerie side. I had no idea that the driver was looking right at me! Maybe it was my fault it took him so long to get that truck turned around!

Odin on the Move, and I'm Awestruck

When I go outside, my two yuppies, the two small dogs I have (with big cajones, they think) run to the end of the pasture barking away, trying to incite a riot with the neighbors' dogs. Today, all their bravado worked, and both neighbors' dogs came a-running. Brown, black, yellow and white big dogs came into Odin's pasture to meet the challenge of my mouthy, little dogs. But the one who made it an awesome thing to see was Odin who ran through those dogs and scattered them everywhichway.

It was one of those moments that unfolded very, very quickly. I had my camera bag in hand and rushed to whip it out. I managed to get three photos - far apart in terms of how the action unfolded. I'll be damned if I could remember how to set the camera to take a series of photos, so I had to wait each time for it to save and reset itself. While waiting, I'd watch Odin in all his glory and I caught myself, once, forgetting the camera!

Oh, the sight was breathtaking, heart stopping and exhilarating! That gigantic horse is raw power in the flesh! You feel the ground rumble with his pounding hooves!

Whistling for the dogs to come back, Odin came with them, and the above photo is his return to me. He was still head high and snorting and panting, and the dogs weren't too keen on settling down yet either. But one hand on Odin's shoulder and all four of his feet planted into the ground. His head was way up, he was blowing hard through his nose, but his feet never moved again until I took my hand off of him.

It was an extremely joyous moment for me, filled with wonder that one touch of my hand can control this 1,400 pound horse! I had to hold my hand on his shoulder, his head four feet above mine, for a lot longer than the situation required, just to triple-check that his feet were, in fact, in my control. Those feet never moved!

When I took my hand off his shoulder, Odin circled one more time, at a much slower trot, and came back to me. His own biggest defense of his feet and his ability to outrun most things serve him well, but mom here can control the dogs that drive him nuts! Soothed and calmed just as quickly as he was hot and bothered, Odin's head goes down and he's back to grazing.

The moment was over. But, my heart is still racing!

I put the series of photos on Out in the Back Yard, if you'd like to see them.

Humble Pie, Etc.

Like I said in my last post, you have to keep your camera with you! You just never know what beautiful and magnificent things you'll see. "No sense cryin' over spilt milk," as the saying goes.

I keep my camera with me at all times. It's always sitting right next to my "NEWS" notepad with a pen stuck through the wire spiral along the top. The one time I didn't take my camera and notepad with me to work, which I leave in the truck all day, I was asked to cover a story and had to rip pages out of a notepad at work so I'd have something to write on. To be honest, I don't remember if I missed a photo op, but there's no sense in having the pad without the camera!

I had my camera with me today, as always, and spotted this gorgeous, bright red, bright yellow beaked bird. I assume it was a cardinal. It had landed on a wooden fence not far from the trunk of a sappy pine tree with a perfectly neutral background. I sat there in my truck just admiring that picture-perfect moment and kept thinking to myself, "if I turn my head around to look for and grab my camera, the bird will fly off and I'll lose track of him."

That bird sat there for a long time, long enough for me to have grabbed that camera, gotten it out of its bag, set it up and take probably 10 shots before he took off to land in the tree branches above me. He stayed there awhile too.

No way was I going to continue to let the chance to grab a shot slip by again! But, before I could get the camera out of the bag and set up, the wind kicked up. I aimed and clicked the shutter about the time all the leaves and branches hid the bird. The result is above. Sob.

Before the camera could save the photo to the memory card and return the control back to me, the bird flew off to who knows where.

So, my second piece of advice, right after "keep your camera with you at all times," is "take the danged thing out of its case already!"

Excuse me while I go choke down some humble pie... and mop up the spilt milk!

Proof that Life is Amazing

Karen, a good friend of mine, bought herself a new camera. It's a good camera with all the bells and whistles and it takes good photos. On a trip down to Little Rock, she traveled her usual route that takes her through a mountainous area and a lake. Sitting on this tree is this huge, bald eagle. She didn't have her camera with her.

Subsequent trips down the same road past the same spot and she saw the eagle again. She didn't have her camera with her.

"You need to take your camera with you everywhere," said I, "I do, it's with me 24/7. You just never know what you'll see."

Taking my advice, she took her camera with her for, oh, about a week and a half, and didn't see the eagle again. Not wanting to carry it around or leave it in the truck, she stopped taking her camera with her. Of course, she saw the eagle again. She didn't have her camera with her.

Karen calls me and says, "I am so pissed! You told me to keep my camera with me and I saw that eagle again!" She was furious.

Now, Karen had been hauling around this tiny purse stuffed to the gills and overflowing. It was a sorry little thing with all its stretched stitching. So I suggested she buy herself a bigger bag that can hold her camera and all the stuff she had stuffed into her little purse.

That did the trick. Several trips past that same place and no eagle, but Karen had her camera with her. She sent me this photo late last night. The photo is proof that life is amazing - and worth keeping your camera with you always.

Right Around Sunrise

Dawn is an amazing time of day. The night creatures have already tucked in, and the day creatures are slowly coming awake. This morning, it's raining a rare slow, soft rain with no threats; a rarity here in Arkansas. As it just became light enough to see, I looked out the window to find that Odin had some company. I had to zoom to the max and hope that the low light was enough for my camera to capture Odin's Kodak moment.

The bird made all sorts of motions. His head would go down then back up. He'd stretch forward and then back. I think it took him a bit to figure out which end of the horse to talk to because at first, he was doing his theatrics at Odin's back leg. When Odin turned his head to look at the bird, never breaking the rhythm of grazing, the bird hopped up toward his head to converse. Odin's ear was aimed at the bird, listening away.

The bird flew off, but not until he had flown a circle around Odin first. Well met.

Two creatures so diverse are able to get along without fear, anxiety, mistrust or pompous arrogance.

Why is it that people can't do the same?

Out in the Back Yard

The cup runneth over yet again!

I'd like to introduce you to my latest project: Out in the Back Yard.

As time has afforded me a lot of practice with my camera, and enjoying a bit of success with it, I felt it was time to create a blog filled with my favorite photos. I take hundreds of photos each time the camera comes out of the bag, and a lot of good photos end up sitting on my hard drive, rarely looked at again. The best are usually published here or in the newspaper I work for, but there are a lot more that fall into the category of "the best" that don't quite make it to publication.

There's photos of animals, wildlife, the sky, the landscape, people, flowers, sunsets, sunrises.... So much to share!

Hence, Out in the Back Yard. Take a look and let me know what you think, ok?

First Day of Spring

Blue Moon

Old Bridge Goes Unused

This old bridge was built back in the late 1800's, spanning the Little Red River to join two halves of a small town here in Arkansas. It is protected by the Historical Society, which provides some funding for its upkeep. The little town's budget barely covers painting the lines on the roads and filling potholes, so it turned to the county and state for help with the major work now needed before it can be reopened.

A few years ago, a grant paid for the redecking of the bridge, and it was opened for use, only to be shut down again when new standards of safety came out after the collapse of the huge highway bridge in Minneapolis. (Thanks Judy!)

Just downriver from the closed bridge is a train bridge, built around the same time. Both bridges rotate to allow passage of large ships that no longer travel the Little Red River.

A closeup of the turning mechanism illustrates the incredible ingenuity and strength of the bridge's engineering. Maintained by the railroad, this bridge has never been shut down.

The personality of this one-lane bridge was as startling as the solid feel under foot. That the bride is needed is an understatement for the little town it connects together, yet it is only open to foot traffic. The town's mayor has tried everything to get the county to do the necessary work to bring it up to the new safety standards and is now collecting signatures on a petition to the county, state and Historical Society as the last resort.

There is a unique beauty to this old bridge that has stood strongly against time. That it stands unused is an insult.

One Small Change

What a gorgeous day today! Though more than a few people have written their displeasure about the change to daylight saving time, I am glad that it is here. It is another long-awaited change that signals the beginning of spring. To celebrate, I headed outside and took over 100 photos (thank the stars for digital cameras!).

The peepers are out making their peeping noises once the sun goes down nowadays, and since I have the perfect place for them on my land, I am treated to their sound nightly. It's to the point now where they are so loud that I can't talk on the phone while they are singing, making it impossible to hear. This year, the cacophony is spliced with the deep sounds of large frogs too. But, I've never, ever seen what's behind all that noise.

With camera in hand, I headed out to see if maybe, just maybe I could catch one of those noise-makers. Saki and Hiro seemed to thrill in the hunt for the unseen as well. The photo above is a good example of Saki's patience and concentration while he looks for movement in the water. Alas, no luck. None of us spotted a frog.

Jake couldn't be bothered with something as trivial as looking for frogs. He knows when I have the camera out too, and refused to look at me when he was out in the open. Nope. Not Jake. That look in his eye says it all. "When you quit pointing that thing at me, I'll come out, ok?" I'd lower the camera, and he'd come out into the clear. I'd raise it to snap a shot, and he'd dive behind weeds again. OK, weeds it is, Jake!

The day ended with an amazing sunset. The western sky was on fire. All along, the dogs were capering around doing dog things and the horse was walking around on his usual quest of finding something green. When I sat on the back stairs to take this photo, the horse was licking the salt block right next to me, and the dogs were laying at my feet. It was like everyone stopped to pause for this wondrous sight.

Another cycle ended. Another change happened. Life is filled with constant changes. The trick is to embrace them all.