Unknown's avatar

Selu Conservancy: Colors on a Misty, Cloudy Day

by

Selu Conservancy, a 380 acre tract of land along The Little River, serves as a retreat center,  and an outdoor classroom and science lab for Radford University.  I’ve been to Selu several times over the years for business meetings, government retreats, special events, weddings and a memorial service.  This day I came for the Fine Art & Crafts Holiday Market.

The day was rainy and cloudy, and as I pulled out my camera, one of the other patrons commented that there really wasn’t much to photograph because of the “dreary day”.  I of course disagreed and only wish I had the ability to capture the beauty!  Photographic opportunities are endless at Selu …  today I offer just a glimpse into all that the Conservancy offers.

The Selu property houses The Barn (a research and science center), The Observatory (which resembles a silo) and an “authentic replica” of a 1930s homestead.

001

002

006

007

The mist and clouds made for striations of color against the mountains.

022

024

The grayish blue day provided a perfect backdrop for the silhouettes of the trees.

008

017

028

Jeff Armistead, the Director of Selu, and I, spent several minutes on the deck of the Retreat Center trying to photograph the multiple levels of color on display before us.  I’m not sure that I was able to do justice to the view, but I sure enjoyed trying!

025

Unknown's avatar

To Bare or Not To Bare

by

I drive past this field most mornings on the way to work.

I’ve been watching and waiting for the day when 1) I had the time and 2) when the sun was shining, in order to catch the one tree, of the many that ring that field, that has held on to it’s leaves.    The orange leaves catch the light beautifully.  I love the shadow being thrown from the hay bale and the barely visible moisture steaming from it.

006

It wasn’t until today though that I noticed the dramatic difference between that tree and another nearby.

One bare … one still leaf covered.

005

Unknown's avatar

Reflections – Your Suggestions Please!

by

Upon arriving home each evening, I hit the switch to turn on the tree lights and am struck by the simple beauty of  lights reflected in the window.

So, of course I reach for the camera … and I’ve taken 25 fairly awful pictures.

I’m told I have a decent eye … so why can’t I capture the image that I visualize?

Any suggestions for this rookie photographer?

018

Unknown's avatar

Foggy Morning in Radford

by

You may remember me saying that I often head out the door in the morning without a clue as to the weather or the temperature.  This morning, when driving to accomplish the mundane task of getting the oil changed in the truck, I was fortunate to witness the beauty of a foggy morning.  By the time I got home an hour later, I had stopped twice to shoot the silhouette of trees and once, the beautiful view shed that Radford offers.

001

003

007

014

013

012

Unknown's avatar

This just makes me happy …

by

I know … the quality of the picture isn’t great, but the tree and the lights sure are!

Lights on a tree really do make me happy.  I look forward to turning them on every morning and have them glow in the background while I sip my coffee and enjoy your latest blog posts and email messages.  Or picture this: the lights on the tree in the evening, a lovely beverage and a book.

Ahhh …. contentment.

014

Unknown's avatar

Remembering Summer and Old Bridges

by

I truly am a four season fan.  Just when I tire of heat, it grows cooler.  When I think I’ve had enough of the cold, the warm air returns.  I truly do try to embrace whatever mother nature serves up each day, and I often walk out the door without having a clue as to what the temperature is.

So why the remembrance of a hot August day at the beginning of a mild winter?  I came across these pictures when looking for a particular photo that I took over the summer.   The lush, green hues against the old crumbling bridge took me back to a fun day on Big Walker Creek in Giles County, Virginia.  What a contrast to the colors of early December.

027

010

018

006

012

015

028

Unknown's avatar

It Just Caught My Eye

by

I took a different route to work this morning and the site of this church in the morning sun just caught my eye.  So, of course you know that I just HAD to stop, turn around and take some pictures.

And STILL managed to get to work on time!

Unknown's avatar

24 Hours in Charleston: Thanksgiving 2012

by

When your only child has only one day off of work for the Thanksgiving holiday (my favorite of the year!), you travel to see him.  It’s a 6 hour drive from Radford, VA to Charleston, SC and I was on the road by 6am Thanksgiving morning.  Traffic was light and the drive was easy and I was excited to see Andrew and to explore a bit more of his adopted city.

I’ve managed to take two short but fun trips to Charleston in the 6 months since Andrew relocated, both of which lasted only 24 hours.  Someday I’ll get to stay longer, but for now, I’ll take what time I can get with my child and the City of Charleston.

   

The cooking began almost soon as I pulled in the driveway, with dinner time coinciding with the second half of the Redskins / Dallas game.  Now, normally I would NOT be found in front of a TV while enjoying this wonderful holiday meal, but when you have 24 hours and it’s the biggest game of the year for a Redskin fan, you do what you have to do.  And for those who are not fans of the game, WE WON!

We did find time to squeeze in a visit to one of Andrew’s two places of employment. The Hibernian Society was formed in 1801 with the hall dedicated in 1841.  Yes, it is a men’s only organization, but I can appreciate the history of the building and the philanthropy of the society.  The sign out front boasts the fact that the presidency alternates between a protestant and a catholic.

   

After dinner, we filled up our go cups (a great southern tradition) and in the dark of the evening, walked the historic streets of Charleston.  I did not have my camera with me, and that may have been a good thing because I am not sure I would have been able to capture the beauty of those centuries old homes in the low light.  The three pictures seen here were taken during my first visit this past May.

I’ll be working on nighttime shooting for future visits. What a lovely evening that was … strolling through alleys and alongside the battery, enjoying my wine, my child and history.

   

The next morning found us exploring The Angel Oak. Estimated to be 300 to 400 years old, this live oak is 65 ft tall and offers 17,000 sq ft of shade.

I love the way these old live oaks hang over the streets.  Andrew was patient as I asked him time and again to pull over so I could take pictures.

The colors found in the grasses and the wetland marshes are gorgeous!

One of the goals of this visit was to walk the The Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge.  Completed in 2005, the bridge has a 2.7 mile pedestrian (and bicycle) walkway.  I could not stop taking pictures … what an amazing structure!

      

After a quick lunch, I got back on the road.  I’m fortunate to have an adult child that I’m proud of … and to have him live in such a wonderful place, is an added bonus.