Day 8 – The Natural World

Capture the natural world with your camera: document a moment outside, big or small. From a panorama snapped during your morning forest hike to a close-up of a leaf on the sidewalk, we invite you to document this wondrous world around us.

Last night we had our first visible snowfall of the winter.  Going out early this morning, the grass and fields were all completely covered with a thin white mantle.  On one of our boxwood bushes, there was a little snow, some bright red leaves from the Japanese Maple trees and the sunrise in the background.

I didn’t get the Depth of Field as accurate as I would have liked, but still rather like the capture.  There is something about snowflakes on trees and bushes that fascinates me – I love to photograph snow up close!

Day 7- Landmark

We often use locations to orient us, to identify where we are — from statues to town squares to corner shops. These landmarks on a map can be famous and instantly recognizable, or sometimes they’re simple markers to help us navigate.

Today we are looking at landmarks.  In and around the Capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., there are nearly more landmarks than one can photograph.  As a tourist guide in D.C., I am often there – constantly showing things I see very often to people from around the world who are seeing them for the first time.  Sometimes, when I have the time, I take my camera along, hoping to find a new or ‘perfect’ shot.  I always love to tell guests, “the best photo can be taken from this spot”.

None of these were taken today, but I have taken them all.  Another opportunity to use the gallery that we learned on the weekend!   How many can you recognize?

Science and Industry Building

White House and Elipse taken from the top of the Washington Monument

Washington Memorial

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Ulysses S. Grant statue

Air Force Memorial

The Three Soldiers – Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial – Washington Monument

Reflection in the Wall – Korean War Memorial

Detail – Korean War Memorial

Jefferson Memorial at Dusk

Capital Dome – Peace Statue

World War II Memorial – Washington Monument

Connect

In northern Maryland, we are only a short distance away from a large Amish and Mennonite community in southern Pennsylvania.  It is really fun to go the large auctions held during the summer to support the local fire departments.  I attended this one in July and couldn’t help but photograph the line of horses – all so well cared for – hitched together in front of the buggies.

I did no post production – I liked the contrast of the cars on the far right and the buggies on the far left – the connection comes in the line of the horses – all tethered together and patiently waiting for the ride home.

Minimalist theme

In keeping with the Blogging U theme of the week, “Minimalist”, I submit the following photo.

I took it in South Carolina on the beach at Botany Bay.  It was a cold, windy day and there were very few people around.  As I walked the beach, virtually alone, I suddenly spotted these shoes, apparently abandoned.  I looked around, but there was no one – certainly not a child  – strolling shoeless.

 

 

Minimalist

Day 5 – Solitude

Day 4 – Bliss

Our beautiful Golden Retriever, Tadhg, although young and rambunctious, provides plenty of bliss as well.

Day 3 – Water

I love to photograph water!  Whether it is still and quiet or loud and roaring, it always elicits strong emotion.

Today the autumn sun was brightly reflected in a nearby pond.  Backlighting the trees made the water look bluer and the shadows more dramatic.

Day 2 – The Street

I live on a farm in rural Maryland.  We have a road rather than a street. But not too far away is a reasonably large town, the County Seat, in fact.  It is known as the “Heart of Harford County” and Business Alliance of the town has sponsored a sculpture project showcasing local artists.  Eventually, there may be as many as 15 of these sculptures popping up around the town.  These are three that I photographed today.

Day 1 – Home

Autumn is my favourite time of year.  In Maryland, my home, the season is punctuated by bright sunshine and an array of colourful leaves.  I snapped this quickly in the early morning without realizing I had placed myself between the sun and the tree.  Lesson learned.