"To us, the difference between the photographer as an individual eye
and the photographer as an objective recorder seems fundamental,
the difference often regarded, mistakenly, as separating photography
as art from photography as document. But both are logical extensions
of what photography means; note-taking on, potentially, everything in
the world, from every possible angle." - Susan Sontag
I think that just about sums it up for me . . . I'm definitely a note-taker with my camera,
on everything I see, AND from every angle possible! (angles that make the people around me go, hmmmm) Just ask my camera . . . over 80,000 clicks in the last year, yikes!! And it contains the only card I know of that one can max out, costing nothing but time.
And speaking of time, I took my father-in-law who has been visiting on a little tour of some of my favorite spots, the butterfly garden and along the birding trail...it was a good day, but it's a good thing to remember that when in nature, sometimes curiosity can kill the cat.
We may not get the typical fall colors here, but when the temps cool off into the 80's nature gets happy again! Honestly, I have no idea what kind of plant/bush this is, but it's PINK and it was gorgeous.
{Flower Art Friday}
Of course there was a visit from another one of my green friends, who was trying to figure out
just HOW to jump that far back to the plant he was on.
And the dragonflies were out in full force . . . this one reminds me of a giraffe with his markings.
But in between the dragonflies we saw, I spied this butterfly resting . . .
But then I saw some movement, thought I saw a dark colored lizard tail . . . I moved in further to investigate to find this staring back at me. He just stared and I tried to get closer, but couldn't, then I lost him.....
. . . and more dragonflies
And ones that had wings that shimmered like gold!
One with dots, and what looks to me like a shade of red lipstick!
And oh yes, one made specially for me, in pink, holy cow!!
{foto friday}
We eventually made our way to the bay and started the trail back to the car when something caught my eye on the side of the trail . . . I looked down and said to my father-in law, it's dead right?! haha Well, as I looked through my camera, to get a picture, I realized not only was it NOT dead, but he was in a threatening stance, and I was standing about two feet from it . . . but unlike the one I saw earlier, I knew this one was a cotton mouth, aka a water moccasin . . . poisonous!! One dead (sorry) giveaway that it is a cotton mouth rather than just a water snake is the stripe along the side of this head, well that and his wide body and boxy head. They are known to stand their ground, but we didn't panic, moved slowly and he turned and went the other way.
And not to leave you with a snake embedded in your memory for the rest of the day, this is my submission to Photo Art Friday. The theme this week is figures. I thought about a statue from the archives but I took this one on our walk, a shadow of the two of us enjoying an afternoon watching the dragonflies, and the birds, and avoiding snakes! I thought it was interesting that in our shadows is the reflection of the leaves on the trees above us. I used Bonnie's Irish moss, and gold dust textures.
"We do not remember days; we remember moments."
- Cesare Pavese
Have a great weekend, recording as you go!
Love, Kim
XO
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog.. not only the pictures are beautiful but also your write up.
So Poetic..
Happy day!
Sylvia
What a beautiful day...thank you for sharing the lovely moments; well, except for the snake, maybe. lol! *shudder* The dragonfly photos are spectacular! I also love your quote about photography...have a wonderful weekend, Kim. :)
ReplyDeleteYour work never ceases to amaze me, Kim! I hope, one day, to be able to take photographs on the level you do.
ReplyDeleteLove the editing treatments applied on some of the photos.
The last image, for PAF, is amazing!!! While it is in silhouette and treated with textures, you have retained some of the shimmer in the reflection. Reminds me a bit of a Monet painting. Thank you for sharing this entire post with Photo Art Friday.
Your photos are just STUNNING! Love the dragonfly with the shimmery wings!!
ReplyDeleteOh my, what beautiful, beautiful photographs!! It looks like ya'll had a wonderful outing, well until you came across the snake that is. The dragonfly with the shimmery wings is really neat!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Kim!Such wonderful "critter" shots! I'm so glad you and the snake made a truce ... and lucky for you, I wasn't with you. Nothing freaks me out more quickly than snakes. I can handle the other things ... so I'm glad you were cool, calm, and collected.
ReplyDeletexo
So many divine images. Kim!! I really can't choose a favourite.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos....as usual.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a nice day, with your father-in-law.
Beautiful photos! I am happy that someone is brave enough to photograph these creatures because they creep me out too much to get close enough. Especially the snake & lizard.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your blog, In love with your photos! Have a great weekend. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow your post is filled with some awesome photos. I love all the varied Dragonflies that you captures, that sweet little lizard and even the snakes although I dare say the Cotton Mouth would have scared the living day lights out of me.
ReplyDeleteYour piece for Photo Art Friday is lovely and such a beautiful reminder of a day well spent.
There I am enjoying the pretty sights, relaxed and calm... then you show that snake! Yikes! Reminded me of camping trips in WV and how I was always terrified when our boat would drift under the trees.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Gorgeous shots and words as always.
oh Kim, I am always so jealous about the macro shots! yours are amazing! but today I especially like the first shot and the texture work. it is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures! Yikes on the snake....my husband and I walk the waters edge were live and I am always afraid I may run into one.
ReplyDeleteFound your blog via Foto Friday,now following.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Tami
Wow .... I felt like I was with you every step of the way on this little journey thru nature. and I had a LOVELY time :) I love all of the pics .... but I think the one that is the greatest treasure is that last one ..... just awesome!
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW
ReplyDeletethe photos are just amazing! I LOVE the dragonflies! Sooooo beautiful!
Gorgeous photos, as always. Wow Kim!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't like to happen upon a cotton mouth that close! Yikes! We have them here and I'm always wary, especially when exploring with the kids.
Have a great weekend!
Awesome shots of all your interesting visitors. That little green fellow is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteOh my you have some great pictures here. You certainly got to see some wildlife. Those dragonflys are amazing. I wouldn't want to have come across that snake though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting on my post :)
beautiful, beautiful images! love those dragonflies, and the last shot is a stunner, too... thanks for sharing at 1440 again!
ReplyDeleteAll such beautiful pictures-- tack sharp and wonderfully composed! I've never seen a pink dragonfly before-- beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKim, you captured some beautiful photos of my favorite insect ... the dragonfly. Seems to pretty to be considered an insect huh? And the snake...your braver than I getting that close but its a good pic. The last however is awesome:)
ReplyDeleteTodas tus capturas son increíbles, hermosas!Estas imágenes son preciosas!Saludos y feliz fin de semana.
ReplyDeleteI would have threw out so many cajun slang seeing that snake! Wow that's huge! All stunning pieces of art, But that butterfly, love his colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Foto Friday!
Lori
You always find the most amazing creatures to photograph. Although I'm not sure I would have hung around to get a picture of the snake!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! So many gorgeous shots!
ReplyDeleteREMARKABLE!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonder-filled and utterly amazing. You inspire me to see what I can "see" out there, up close.
The snake bit didn't bother me so much as it reminded me of some of my own antics with a rattler in my carport in Sedona. I am reminded by your insights and sharing that BEing a wise-ass with snakes is NOT wise just asinine!!
Love the dragonflies especially ESPECIALLY much. HOW DO YOU GET SO CLOSE?!!!
Amazing and enlightening, both your photos and your post, and the quote, too!!
Lovin' these pics until you got to the end....DO NOT like snakes and for you to be so close to that one freaks me out. You did capture some gorgeous dragonflies and I am sure your father-in-law enjoyed every step with you.
ReplyDeleteStunning Photographs :D *New Follower*
ReplyDeleteFeels like I was on the walk with you and your father-in-law. Love the dragonfly shots and the one with the glimmery wings is just gorgeous. So glad you survived your snake encounter, I'd miss you if you weren't here!!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Kim! So enjoyed my visit! The macros are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOkay, can I tell you how much I love that shot of that little lizards heinie as he tries to scamper off your hand! And yes, I never thought I'd use the words "lizard" and "heinie" in the same sentence...haha.
ReplyDeletebeautiful...love your macros!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! I love them all. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
So pretty! You have such amazing nature near you!
ReplyDeleteI just love that tiny lizard green friend! Great shots of dragonflies too! Thank you for your visit to my place!
ReplyDeleteJust awesome pictures here, love the textures too!
ReplyDeleteI panicked just looking at that snake...(shivers) the dragonfly shots are awesome...i enjoy looking at them. Great shooting Kim...and glad you didn't panic!
ReplyDelete