Have you visited Liana’s blog? Her work inspires mine.
No, I am not the poet / writer that she is but if I can gain even a measure of her skill with the camera, I’ll be satisfied.
http://thehourofsoftlight.wordpress.com/
Many of the photographers that I follow inspire me, and I plan to highlight some of them over the next months. When one of my images aspires to the style of someone I admire, I’m going to post mine, referencing the photographer at the same time.
One of the challenges for any weekend is to somehow get all the chores on the “to do” list done, yet still find time to play. By 3pm this past Sunday, I’d accomplished enough to be able to head out for a little local ride. Luckily for me, local riding often means country roads, fields, lakes, and historic communities.
Dry Valley
Claytor Lake is a reservoir of The New River, created when a hydroelectric dam was built in 1939. I stopped for a water break and the chance to watch the geese and ducks. It was a perfect afternoon to ride, but the bright sun made for challenging photography.
Yes! That is a lighthouse! On the lake 🙂
Soon it was time to ride on down to the end of the road.
I’ve photographed this slowly decaying barn from many angles … it’s a beauty.
From there, I rode through the community of Newbern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I’ve ridden through the Newbern Historic District many, many times but somehow had missed these two structures.
The Old County Jail and site of the First Courthouse of Pulaski County
The original reservoir for the Newbern Waterworks
A little beauty, a little history, a little photography … all seen from the bike. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.
Those of you who are new to my blog may wonder where the bike of Life on the Bike is. Rest assurred that the original reason for the blog is back and after being sidelined for 8 months, so are my days riding! I’ve had the bike just 3 weeks and I’ve ridden as many miles as I can squeeze into my schedule. My first ride was with my friend Juli who took me to the dealership to pick up my beautiful new bike.
My second ride was with my friends Dave and Michael, the two guys who taught me most of what I know about riding. I wrote about them here almost 2 years ago.
The other night, seeing that a storm was brewing, and thinking that the evening light might make for great photos, I headed out on the bike. It felt great to feel the wind in my face (even with my new full face helmet).
I took off down a dirt road, near the train tracks, and proceeded to happily shoot the surrounding farmland.
I couldn’t decide which of these I preferred. What do you think?
It was a lovely evening and the storm held off long enough for me to play a little longer.
Even the structure of the new bridge appealed to me that evening.
More riding photos soon!!!
Just take a minute on your way to work … stop, breathe, and embrace the peace
This past February, I posted photos of glass vintage airport runway lights found atop the posts of a garden fence. The cobalt blue lights offered a stunning contrast against the bright white snow. During a recent visit, I found another of these lights, this time in teal, gracing the railing of the front porch. In the post linked above, I labeled them Insulators, but was corrected and told they were runway lights. My Facebook friends are confident that this one is indeed an insulator.
Liz and Wilson have the most beautiful spaces within their garden. In addition to a variety of flowers, vegetables, and fruits, the garden is decorated with intriguing pieces of art and vintage items.
This last piece adornes the deer fencing that surrounds the blueberry bushes.
Liz and Wilson raise the concept of “yard art” to a whole new level.
While visiting a friend one evening last week, I admired the prayer flags that graced her already beautiful outdoor space.
“Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all”.
My friend’s husband had recently had surgery and the prayer flags were hanging to promote healing and peace during recovery.
Prayer flags come in sets of five colors. These colors, arranged from left to right in a specific order, represent the five elements. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth.
By hanging flags in high places, the blessings depicted on the flags are carried to all beings. As the wind passes over the surface of the flags, the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras depicted on the flags.
While I was familiar with these flags, I did not realize the meaning of them. The information in this post was gleaned from Wikipedia. I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences with these flags
Two years ago, I called it a love affair … but I think it’s time to be honest … I don’t want to go a day without basil. In fact, it makes me happy just to see these plants outside my kitchen door.
The combination of basil, mozzarella, tomato, and olive oil just can not be beat and it serves as my lunch or dinner almost every day during the summer months. Of course, basil elevates almost any food, at least in my opinion.
Unlike many of the garderners whose blogs I follow, I did not raise these plants from seeds. Perhaps I’ll try that next year.
The aroma of fresh basil is heavenly! I’ve even been known to swab a leaf across my pulse points in the same way that another woman might use perfume.
Would you say that I have a problem?
Let me know if you do … you can find me near the basil plants.
At the end of a day of travel, I was prompted to pull the truck over to capture this golden scene.
Just think! Soon I’ll be pulling over on the bike because Yes! The new bike is in the driveway!
Unlike last year, when barely a bud was to be found, this year’s Peony bushes have been full! As each day passed, the buds opened and the most beautiful blooms emerged. I just could not stop shooting and before I knew it, the file had grown to over 60 images.
Have no fear! I’m only sharing some of the images, most in color, some in B&W.
The images progess from buds
and the ants that help the buds to open.
Then the blooms began to open
Even the leaves are captivating
I only wish I could somehow share the aroma of these gorgeous flowers!
My peony plants are incredible this year! Each bush is full of gorgeous blooms. I’ll soon share a series of photos, revealing the peony from bud to flower, but for today … just a little petal love.
By the way, how do you pronounce Peony?
My friend Rick and I say pee-OH-knee. Others say PEE-ah-knee.
What do YOU think?
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 