Opening or Closing?
Tag Archives: Photography
Practicing Macro on the Signs of Spring
I love all seasons and types of weather – seriously!
If you follow my blog at all, you’ve heard me express joy for rain, ice, snow and wind, as well as sun and the beauty of fall.
What I particularly love about a seasonal change is that a new season starts arriving right when you are tired of the one you are currently experiencing (obviously, I would not be a good one for living in a southern locality).
Yesterday, I posted pictures of ice … today it’s about the signs of spring … and a few minutes practicing in the macro setting!
Slow Down, Breathe, Create … Then Have Wine!
I tend to be an organizer … a doer, planner and task master … with few outlets for creativity. Photographing what I see around me and blogging about the stories of my life and the lives of those that I love, may just be my only creative outlets.
Yesterday, as I was rushing to take lunch and visit with a dear friend and from there, head to a birthday celebration at a local winery, I felt such a strong urge to stop and photograph the scenes around me. What I photographed wasn’t so amazing as much as it was the time I took to do it. It gave me a few moments to breathe, to compose, and to embrace bit of creative energy.
And it felt good (as did the wine I drank afterwards)!! I enjoy red more than white, but this vignette at the table nearby caught my eye.
Another post will follow shortly but the four other pictures begged for a different venue.
Nandina as Abstract
Holly and Nandina / Rain and Snow
In just 24 hours, I experienced sun, rain, sleet and snow … and the plants and trees were made prettier because of it.
One Morning in Roanoke
The Roanoke Valley is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty and has played a vital role in the growth of Virginia. The Wilderness Road migration route, traveled by pioneers in covered wagons on their way to settle the frontier, passed right through the region.
Roanoke is the 10th largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest municipality in Southwest Virginia. Formerly known as Big Lick, because of it’s numerous salt marshes (or licks), the city was renamed Roanoke in 1881.
Roanoke became a crossroads for the railroad, which eventually became the Norfolk and Western Railway. Its historic market, which also began in these early years, remains vibrant as one of the oldest in the country and still is an anchor of downtown commerce (http://www.visitroanokeva.com/visitors/history/roanoke-history/).
It was a lovely morning in Roanoke … perfect for a quick stroll around the downtown market area.
The variety of windows caught my eye
Historic Signs and Newer Signs
Old Buildings
And New
Inside the renovated market building
Outside on the market square
Downtown Roanoke has much more to see … restaurants and pubs, museums and historic hotels, renovated buildings and shops. Festivals too! You should come check it out!
Roanoke
While traveling to visit the GOAs in Richmond (see Feb 15th post), I had the chance to stop in Roanoke to meet my friend Ralph for lunch. It was a bright, sunny day and since I had some extra time, I was able to take some really fun shots of the downtown area.
I’ll be sharing more pictures later … this one is just to introduce you to this Southwest Virginia city, population just under 100,000 people.
What Was It About This?
The bright sun shining through and creating lovely shadows?
That same bright light revealing the very dirty window?
The tiny reflection of the flower in the glass?
The simple things in life: flowers, cards, candles, beer, plants?
Not sure … but it caught my eye so thanks for looking!
Mid Winter Sanity Check: GOA Time!!
I found these pictures as I was looking through the archives from past GOA Gatherings. I was updating my FB page to reflect the joy I feel as I prepare to hit the road to meet up with some of my most favorite women! These gatherings are restorative to my soul, are a time of laughter, talk, and love (and the addition of a few pounds after enjoying amazing food and drink). I had just gotten my new camera and I was playing around with macro. Clearly I had then, and I still have, much to learn!
The GOAs are the Girls of August, and they are the women I attended the Medical College of Virginia with 20 years ago. We meet every August for a long weekend and we also meet for a Mid Winter Sanity Check in February.
Today I leave for the Sanity Check and I can not wait. These women have been a part of my life for such a long time and they mean the world to me. And who doesn’t need a little reminder of summer in the middle of February?
It’s GOA Time!
The Trees Wanted the Attention
The sky was amazingly beautiful, but what struck me was the silhouette of the trees. Still, my plan was to capture the outline of the mountains on the horizon. The trees though, were demanding the attention. And as I stood there on the side of the road, the colors kept changing as the sun sank lower, until finally the fence line was what remained.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 