The Graceful Giant: Great Blue Heron
As the largest heron in North America, a Great Blue Heron can reach a height of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) and a wingspan of up to 6.5 feet (nearly 2 meters). With a distinctive light blue plumage and … Read More
Lone Star Blues
One element that always adds drama to photos is the presence of clouds. This monochrome post shows three examples of Texas parks with clouds enhancing the Lone Star’s landscape. Full disclosure: these are not long-exposure photos. I edited the original … Read More
Watercolor Winter Lights
In addition to capturing moments with my camera, I love post-processing routines. It’s during post-processing, or “developing the film,” as we used to say before digital photography that my creative mind can fly. In addition to Lightroom (where I apply … Read More
Winter’s Weirdest Weather: Austin’s Snowy Surprise
Lens-Artists Challenge #328 – Winter John started this week’s challenge with a reminder that “winter will be upon those living in the northern hemisphere in only two weeks.” That sent chills up and down my body. I knew nothing about … Read More
The Vibrant Beauty of Mexican Tulip Poppies
Mexican Tulip Poppies (Hunnemannia fumariifolia) are known by various names, including the golden poppy and mallow-leaved poppy. They get their name because they are shaped like tulips. They can be bright orange or yellow with petals tapered and flared at … Read More
St. Francis and the Cardinal
The simple beauty of a cardinal in our backyard resting on St. Francis’ statue was a peaceful moment I captured in our old home. Is it nature imitating art or the other way around? If you’re familiar with St. Francis, … Read More
Bee-sy bee-sy
Before photographing flying dragonflies, the macro workshop I attended a few years ago had attendees photograph bees in flight. This macro photography workshop was very entertaining and educational. We were able to quietly observe the habits of these pollinators to … Read More
Chinese Sacred Lily
Is it spring yet? Well, some flowers thought that way a couple of winters ago here in Austin, Texas. We had several days of unseasonably warm weather, which is not untypical. Having daytime highs in the 70s (20s in Celsius) … Read More
Health and Wellness: Healing with the Five Elements
Lens-Artists Challenge #327 – 5 Elements The Chinese Five Elements theory is a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Sofia brings up these five elements in this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, asking us to look at “the elements that create … Read More
Capturing the Music, One Shade at a Time
There are photos one captures and never thinks they will see the light of day. That is the case with the images I feature this week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #22: Music. The challenge is hosted by Margaret’s creative mind … Read More