Tourist-eye views

Photography brings distant places near, yet the challenge is to capture the experience through image alone. I share these little squares of color to describe my experience of wide distance, dusty haze, and furnace-dry temperatures of 106° or more. Life is surprisingly abundant in this unforgiving alien landscape. Mesquite trees in bloom attract bees, flies, and tarantula wasps. Yes, tarantulas have something to fear, and I was glad to learn beforehand how carefully I needed to respect it. The tarantula wasp or tarantula hawk is huge and beautiful with its metallic blue body and bright orange wings, but it has one of the most painful stings known to humans. Forewarned (thanks to a ranger at the visitor center who was getting video of them) meant I was very cautious in getting photos of my own when I encountered them in the wild. (See below for more Tarantula Hawk images)

I also visited the cactus garden at the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory. This beautiful garden feels otherworldly even with the paved walkways and gentle music from hidden speakers. The heat was still oppressive despite the shade from numerous trees. The images capture the color and fantastic shapes but fail to show the wilting heat and the slight respite of dappled shade. So, I share what I can through the joy and beauty that images can provide and wish you peace.

Click here to read NPS.gov article about the Tarantula Hawk (Tarantula Wasp)

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As the Castle Crumbles: A Sandcastle's View of the Tide

As children, we learn as we play. Everything is a lesson soaked up with joy. Children are hungry to learn—just try getting a child to let go of the word “WHY?” Children embrace change. Children do not let the tide discourage them from building sandcastles.

Even children know the fragility of a sandcastle. They are tricky to build – the sand must be moist to hold together, but too moist or too near the surf and it melts. Foundations must be built if you want height. Moats must be dug and extra walls built to slow the effects of creeping waves. Yet all is temporary. If the tide does not quickly wash it away, wind, rain, and time will still crumble all. Even so, a new castle will be joyfully built in the next visit to the beach.

sandcastles surf tide time beach — “Twin Towers”

Everything of this world is a sandcastle. I struggle to remember this. I spent too much energy fighting the inevitable tide with moats and walls instead of embracing the joy of building the castle and anticipating the camaraderie and fun of the next castle.

I allowed the tide to discourage me from building sandcastles--forgetting that memories and revelations endure beyond the castle.

sandcastle surf tide beach time — “Sandcastle’s View of Surf”

Little children embrace the ephemeral. Maybe that is why Jesus told us we must be as little children to enter his Kingdom. The castles and kingdoms of this world will fade, but the kindnesses and encouragements that took place as they were built will endure in the next world. My images and words may be washed away in the flood of images and words that inundate us daily – I simply pray that God’s grace will allow the peace and love I send out with them will them will endure.

Peace be with you!

--Leigh

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Me & butterflies

Things happen when I chase butterflies…

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Meditating on bees...

I am working on a project with my bee photos — I will post more information as I get further along in my project. In the process, certain photographs pop out at me with thoughts that deserve to be shared on their own. To all of you needing a “warm fuzzy”:

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Mindfulness

Photography and painting are both spiritual experiences for me. Photography requires an observant state of mind where I am extra-sensitive to the world around me. I stop and scan the world around me, seeking the unusual, beautiful, or amusing. In this state of mind, I find myself feeling grateful for so many things –starting with all that is unusual, beautiful or amusing. I am grateful to be in that place and time, grateful for my eyesight (more so now that I have gone through several eye surgeries and various vision struggles), grateful for my equipment and the technology that allows me to capture images (many of which I could not see with the naked eye), grateful for the technology that allows me to share my images with so many people, and so much more.

Sandhill cranes tending eggs in the nest

Humility enters the process too – so often my best photos are about being in the right place at the right moment. Serendipity is the best word I can find – truly such moments are a gift from God. Such gifts encourage me to continue my work. Often I am alone in witnessing the events captured by my camera, which magnifies my awareness of how privileged I am to experience the moment. I have the blessing of the moment, while the best I can share is merely an image or video.

Recently hatched alligators at Viera Wetland, Viera, FL

As I photograph, I am immersed in the moment, studying the object, the behavior, the surroundings. Many photographers describe a similar state of mind: taking photographs enhances their awareness and experience of a place or event. More than simply capturing an image, photography requires looking intently and intentionally at first the greater surroundings and then at specific items of interest. Mindfulness of the place, the time, and the details is involved.

Gratitude, humility, mindfulness – what else is needed for a spiritual moment?

Peace,

Leigh

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Sensory Overload

On Tuesday, I went out painting with artists of TASGOB at the Viera Wetlands. The sun was warm, the fog lifted as we arrived and the choices for painting locations and subjects was a little overwhelming. White pelicans floated serenely across the water. Blue herons tended to their fast-growing fledglings. Large alligators cruised among the flocks of cooters and ducks, with their bodies submerged and their eyes skimming above the glassy surface like a surrealist image. Baby alligators practiced their menacing glares.

I settled in to paint the landscape and soon got into a “zone” developing the layers of greens and browns in the grasses and trees and exploring the reflected colors in the winding pools. Painting forces me to edit the view around me and distill it into the two dimensions of the panel before me. This is difficult in such a rich setting. I wanted to capture every passing bird and the unique personalities of every twisted palm tree. Mostly, I wanted to express the experience of just being in the midst of such a wealth of life. For that day, I could only capture some of the sunlight as it bounced back to me from the weeds and the water, but it was a start.

Sunburned and paint-covered, I packed up and prepared to leave. Five or more hours had slipped by and all the others had gone home quite some time before. Lunch had long gone by, according to my tummy, so I loaded up the car and headed out. A few yards down the road I paused – a blue heron had caught a huge fish. Out came the camera and I got some beautiful shots. A few more yards – there was an alligator…no, two…wait, three. Then there was a bird with his tail fanned out, challenging all intruders. His feathers were black with an iridescent shimmer of blue and violet, and he posed dramatically as he sang out his threats. More alligators. More birds. More hours. Eventually, I came to the gate and finally headed home in time for supper.

I may get the painting posted soon – I’m letting it dry before I bring it in the house and try to photograph it. (My previous painting was edited by large cat feet – extra toes.) In the meantime, I do have these photos.

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Reptiles and weather...

Birds and reptiles seem to be my primary focus lately – but how could I not take these photos? How often do we witness a turtle practicing yoga or see an alligator smile? (I was very glad for a cement barrier for the latter photo op.)

A trip north reminded me that cold weather encourages quick shots of stationary items, or nice warm indoor subjects.

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Alligators and Frogs, and the Camera Club of Brevard

The past week has been busy. I finally had two opportunities to visit the Viera Wetlands (also known as the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, visit www.brevardcounty.us/NaturalResources for more information) which resulted in some excellent photo opportunities. These wetlands are part of the wastewater treatment facility for the area and provide about 200 acres of habitat for many varieties of birds, turtles, and alligators. This location has wonderful potential for future plein air painting.

I also attended the annual party of the Brevard Camera Club and was honored with an Award of Distinction in the Annual Print Competition for my photo “Camouflage”. We had a wonderful time getting better acquainted with other members and viewing the many wonderful photographs entered into the competition. Visit ccbrevard.org to see some of the excellent work created by the many talented members of this group.

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