More prairie grass, wind blown and swept to the ground.
Thanks for all of your comments here and on Facebook. They are so appreciated.
A Life is so fulfilled as it is met with Love
I was surprised by the amount of lingering green I spotted while I was out for a walk over the weekend. I was happy to be out in the sunshine, as the prior week's rain and constant cloud cover rendered the landscape a dull, grey, depressing wasteland.
While I don't make "resolutions" in the new year, I recognized my photography has been experiencing a lull - specifically, the use of my DSLR has been almost non-existent. So, I took off for a walk with the big camera slung over my shoulder and chose not to take any iPhone photos. The sun-tinged glimmer of frost on the green down at my feet caused my pause.
I'm using a lens that hasn't seen much action in the past year. I was having issue with the focus until I realized the wide open aperture of f2.8 may have been overkill. Two stops higher at f3.5 appears to give me a wider focus plane that works with the dead stuff on the ground.
My goal - to get out more with my camera, slow down and actively create something new.
Linking with Little Things Thursday
It's not looking good for a White Christmas. It won't even be close, with forecast temperatures in the high 40s the rest of this week and next.
We'll have to settle for some "Prairie Snow".
I know, it's not quite the same thing.
But still pretty in its own, sparse way.
The sun is expected to shine brightly these next several days, and we have family flying in for the holidays. That's what's important, not the white stuff on the ground.
It's the time of year when every week night is filled with some combination of holiday parties, concerts, rehearsals, end of semester projects and other end of year "stuff". I haven't had the opportunity to sit down at the computer since last Sunday evening, but I was glad to have a free Friday evening to get some recent photos off my camera.
From earlier in the week - a brief glimpse of the morning sun illuminated the frosty grass for about 5 minutes.
The Lavender in the garden is frozen, but still beautiful
Here's to a relaxing weekend!
In the middle of land locked Illinois, the only waves we really get to see on routine basis - the gentle waves of prairie grass swaying in the breeze.
We've been enjoying another warm spell - it was warm enough this morning to wear shorts while running (well, at 45DegF it was warm enough for me). The morning sun is so luminescent on days like today.
Today, I'm thankful for the beautiful weather and the beautiful light.
Linked up today with Deb Duty and This or That Thursday.
I didn't feel like running yesterday morning in the heat and humidity, so instead I went for a little walk / jog with my camera. I covered over two miles by jogging and walking but stopped whenever something caught my eye.
Amazing what you find you take time to look and stop.
As much as I don't like the crab grass in the landscaping, I love that the blades of the crabgrass are covered with a delicate fuzz that collects and forms the most perfect water drops.
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 105 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias -1/3 EV
The above picture was processed using the Aged Photo preset that comes with LightRoom.
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/3.3
Focal Length 105 mm
ISO Speed 200
Formed by the mist of today's rain. Captured with my 105mm macro lens. Crab grass never looked so good.
We woke up to over 6" of snow this morning, and it was still coming down. Normally, our snow storms are accompanied by strong winds, but not today. The fluffy snow stuck to everything and it was so pretty!
[It helps that it's Saturday and I don't have to drive anywhere - I can enjoy the soft white stuff from the comfort of home]
This swath of grass resembles a river cutting through the prairie. It's less pronounced in the winter and growing season, but now, with the beans ripening to a golden hue, can't you see it?
Well, not 100% true. These discarded balloons are scattered on the grass because of the winds Saturday afternoon, before Brian's party. I had planned on a water balloon toss contest, but when the wind took them away, I punted on that plan.
But I liked how colorful they looked in the grass. And that glob of light green was some silly string from the party - a gift from George.
I don't care that the sand is imported in. It's smooth, soft and cool as I walked along the shore line this evening.
I hope you are having a wonderful evening, too.
Who knew simple blades of grass could be so elegant?
Found on my morning walk, just some prairie grass along the sidewalk. Amazing what you can find when you look.
Hope you have a wonderful Friday!
Our Earth Day activities included a site clean up at work, discovery of a new nest at home and new seedlings.
Mary at Little Red House hosts Mosaic Monday. Her mosaic this week features horses, a favorite animal around our house.
OK, another sunset picture in hiding. Most of the prairie grass has been cut, all except that last edge - you know, the edge the mower or combine can't get to.
Check out the other Best Shot Entries here. Have a great Monday!
From my neighbor's yard:
I apologize for yesterday's misleading post about running, taking pictures, etc. I actually don't run with my camera (unless it is my daughter's little P&S or my iPhone). If I spot something interesting, I will go back later (usually in a car!) with my camera. It's a hit or miss process - many times the light changes and what I "saw" in my head is no longer present.
Check out the other Best Shot Monday entries at Tracey Clark's blog.
As far as this Fall has been cold and rainy, we have been pretty lucky on the weekends - we enjoyed another beautiful Indian Summer day, topping out in the mid-70s. Brian played football with George, Will and Henry. No pictures of the boys - they were a little camera sky today. But I did capture some great shots of some ornamental grasses in the their backyard.
By now, Jill is accustomed to seeing me taking pictures of the boys, but probably not of her landscaping!
I could feel the chill in the air when I woke up this morning. I knew the overnight temperatures would skirt the freezing mark, but didn't believe it until I looked outside and saw the rooftops sparkling in the sun, the first frost of the season.
I slipped and nearly fell on these icy blades of grass in the backyard.
After marveling at the pretty icy formations, I went inside and turned on the furnace.
I felt silly taking pictures of the weeds along the road this evening, with several autos passing by. I wonder what they were thinking..... [at least no one honked!]
We are trying to determine the cause of the crop circle in my next door neighbor's yard. Freaky. And in reality, it's half on our lawn. It showed up while we were on vacation in Colorado.
A somewhat tepid attempt at a landscape - some wildflower and weeds that grow by the water's edge off the slough (obscure name for muddy river - really - I even looked it up - pronounced 'sloo') that runs through our subdivision. Lots of people out this evening, walking and enjoying the nice weather.
With all this flat prairie, you would think taking landscape pictures would be easy - I just didn't find anything that really caught my eye tonight. I hope to do better tomorrow.
I am often asked questions and comments about my photography - what location, what camera, what settings, etc. The camera question aside (i...
A chemical engineer working in IT, Wife to Scott, Mom to two great kids + two cats, one horse and numerous fish. Photographer, marathoner, musician, yogi and gourmet cook. I don't think there is time for more, but I'm sure I missed something!
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