Tag: nature

Take Some Time for Yourself

This morning on the way to work I was listening to a bluegrass radio station and a song came on called “Some Kind of War” which really got me thinking about things.  The chorus of the song goes like this:

Its hard to know what someones going through unless your standing right there in their shoes. It’s not always on CNN or on some distant shore. Life itself can be a battlefield and we’re all fighting some kind of war.

In our everyday life we come across so many different people and we really never know what is going on in their lives. We can’t control their lives heck, sometimes we can’t control our own either. What we can control is how we deal with people and situations.

I guess my point is this. Greet people with a smile, a little compassion, show respect, and who knows how you might affect their lives.  And if you’re in a situation that seems out of control take some time and look at the leaves in the trees and all that this world has to offer that is good.  Take some time to yourself, relax, and listen to a little bluegrass.

20151011-_DSC1727_HDR 20151011-_DSC1744_HDR

An Adventure into the Cold

Sunday was my birthday and I decided since it was the coldest day of the winter so far I should celebrate by going out to my local waterfall and taking some frozen photos of the falls and stream.  In the close up of the falls you can see that it hasn’t really frozen completely as of yet but I am hopeful that by my next day off from work it will be frozen completely over.

Watch for an update on Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle this weekend.

Cucumber Froze Cucumber Froze2

 

An Hour Later…

So recently the Westmoreland Photographers Society took a trip to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.  And this trip was no disappointment.  There were many birds ready to pose for a picture and we were very pleased to appease them.  In one of the rooms I noticed this particularly bright orange and black bird which seemed to stay in the top of the trees.  So I decided that I wasn’t leaving the room until I caught him in a pose.  Well that proved to be more difficult that I had thought and an hour later I finally caught the little guy.  I think the times was well spent.

Orange

365 – 97 What’s that Thing on the Tree

For those of you that follow my blog you know that I photograph just about anything and todays post is no different.  I shot this while taking a walk in the woods, as I took the picture I started thinking. How many people would look at me weird if they sam me crawling around in the mud taking a picture of something most would avoid.  I’m sure I’ve gotten many of those looks and comments over the years but frankly I don’t give a hoot.  Photography has led me in many directions over the years, weddings, professional sports, racing, but there is nothing like hanging out in the woods, not thinking about life, and taking photos of whatever little thing you think might look interesting.

I guess the moral of the story is:  Do more of what makes you happy.

Oh and by the way that weird thing I was taking pictures of was none other than a fungus.

What are some of the weird comments made to you while out taking photos?

Fungus

A trip to the Zoo

Recently my photography club took a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo.  It’s always nice to get out with a group of people that are interested in the same things and our trips are always filled with fun and friendship.

Below are some of the photos that I took.  Hope you enjoy!

I'm Better Than You King Portrait of a Flamingo Snack Time The Walk of the Rhinoceros Watching Over

Kayaking the Yough

Where I’m from there is a local river by the name of Youghiogheny.  As you can guess this has been shortened to Yough (“Yok”).  And if you have spent any time in the mountains of my area you no doubt have visited Ohiopyle, Pa.  The river that runs through the little town of Ohiopyle is none other than the Yough.  The areas that we use the most are either the “Middle Yough” or the “Lower Yough.”  The “middle” section works well for a lazy float down stream for the family.  The “Lower” section has a bit more, shall we say, excitement.

Years ago I worked in Ohiopyle as a photographer taking photos on the middle Yough of those that took the rafting trips.  Not to date myself but this was before digital cameras.  I always enjoyed capturing the action and the expressions on the faces of the people as they made their way through a small rapid.  But the fun place to be is on the lower Yough at what is referred to as the entry rapids on the “Loop”.  The photo graphs below were all taken this past Saturday while I was out enjoying the weather.

Hope you enjoy!