sharleenstuartTell me a Story: March 2015: I heard a rumor…..
Posted on March 31, 2015
I was in Nashville when I got the message “Where are you? When will you be home?” It was Sunday and my return home was due to be Friday afternoon. My message told me that there were new kids in town. Ugh!! I am sitting in Nashville and life for the new kids is going to change so quickly. And then when I get home, they may not be there! Patience is not my strongest point, but I will have to wait. We arrived home late Friday, exhausted and ready to just chill and do nothing. My brother was home with us for the weekend. I took him to the wetlands, however, even the “spring” sun is not a comfort zone for him. Unlike me, he burns very easily. So after the first wetland, we went back home.
Monday I packed up my camera. Time change has happened and I thought that I would head to the wetlands after work. Well that did not happen. I ended up working longer than I expected and the weather changed. I am chomping at the bit. I really want to go. My biggest fear is that the parents will leave town with the new kids.
Tuesday we had an out of office meeting very near to the area I needed to be. So once the meeting was over, I decided to head over to the wetland and try to find the new kids. Ironically I walked most of the wetlands, only to find that had I walked in and turned right, they would be halfway down the bank.
Once I found them I sat down in awe and did not move for the next hour. I was so close to them. The parents did not seem to mind. In fact coming right up to in front of me and dug for food. I sat still and watched. Here are my photo’s of the new kids. They are Sandhill Crane colts. They are about 2 weeks old and unsteady on their legs, but are the cutest things to see. Their wings are tiny so they do not offer much in the line of balance. Their legs are long with knobbly knees. When they sit their legs bend backwards, and they just plonk down. They also tire very easily and so they may have been following the parent and suddenly they sit down and sleep. I hope you enjoy the awe and beauty of brand new nature. A first for me and such a treat.
“In a world where thrushes sing and willow trees are golden in the spring, boredom should have been included among the seven deadly sins.”
~ Elizabeth Goudge, The Rosemary Tree
I love creation. I love life. These little lives bless me immensely. To be able to sit on the ground and enjoy watching their activity was so special. I hope that you enjoyed seeing them. Hopefully I will be able to get back and see them again as they grow. Spring is splendid in the wetlands right now. The Great Blue Heron chicks are growing. The Woodstork chicks are growing. The Great Egret is laying eggs, as is the Tricolored Herons. New life is abundant and I am in love with it.
This is a circle blog, so please head on over to Kelly’s page and see what she has for you. I know that you will love it. I so enjoy being part of this group and collaborating with other photographers.
If you did not see yesterdays post, know that I spent the early part of March traveling. Watch out for the blogs on my trip to Nashville, Tennesse and also to Columbus Georgia. You can read our first stop in Chattanooga, Tennessee here.
If you are interested in seeing more of my photography take a look at my Facebook page or my Flickr Page.
30 Minutes in the Life: March 2015: We’re on the road again….
Posted on March 30, 2015
March has been a busy month. I traveled to Columbus, Georgia on the 5th. Returned home on the 9th and left for Nashville, Tennessee, on the 12th. In-between that I had to run payroll, and sit in a 4 hour meeting. Why Nashville?? Country music…mmm, let me say right up front, this girl grew up on Rock and Roll. Country did not play a huge part in my life. My brother was flying into Nashville for a 4-day conference, and since he lives in South Africa, and I live in the USA, when he is in town, it is always my desire to spend as much time as I can with him. His initial plans had him flying back out home the day the conference finished. So we agreed to travel to Nashville.
Let me start out by saying that Richards idea of a road trip is to get in the car and drive until we reach out destination. My idea of a road trip is to meander. Stop off here and there and walk around and take in the sights. I guess for the most part the person in control of the wheel has the most say. Added to that he decided that we should listen to country music to get us into the spirit of all things country. We left late Thursday afternoon, our destination being Valdosta and an over night stay. Early the next morning we headed out, with another 8 hour journey on the clock. Richard had made the decision to drive through the center of Atlanta, rather than do the ring road. The weather had changed and it was bleak and wet. The stress levels were high as we navigated the HOV lane and the Atlanta. We did not know if we needed to stay in the HOV lane or jump out when the directions changed. The atmosphere was charged….Rich and I will never do the Amazing Race together, that is all I will say…
Atlanta was finally over and we were back to normality, and the rain had lessened to a drizzle, and we began to relax and enjoy the hills. Actually after Florida I am pretty taken with the hills. 15 years of flat, and a bump in the road is a real pleasure to view. I began spotting signs to different places like Rome, and Lebanon and Chatsworth and felt like I was traveling the world. Actually the road trip would do that. It is a long long way out of Florida when you are driving.
Just as the rain stops I see the sign Chattanooga. Just the previous weekend I stood at the edge of the Chattanooga River in Columbus, Georgia and it was such a pretty sight. So I decided I wanted to go down to the riverfront in Chattanooga. Oh boy, that messes with the driver and his plans to arrive in Nashville at a specific time. I had not planned to stop in Chattanooga or I would have done some research, but spontaneity is the spice of life. We had now been driving some 5 or so hours, and this wall graffiti is the first sight I see as we drive into the city. Here is where my 30 minutes starts.
Mmm…donuts and coffee. Right then I could have done with that. Well lets be honest, coffee would have been good. Donuts very rarely find their way into our lives. So as we drive along “my scenic route” all I am seeing is factories and dock like views. Hello, Sharleen, this is a harbor town. Just as Richard is deciding that he has had enough we start to see some signs of residential areas. Actually they reminded me of my visit to England, with the terrace houses.
Something else that stood out to me that was so different to the lush green of South Florida, was the brown starkness of the trees. Pretoria, South Africa looks a lot like this in winter. The house are face brick, the grass is brown and the trees are leafless.
The first sign that we have arrived at the river front was this beautiful building, which I have since found out was the Tennessee Aquarium. Had I known I may have asked to stop a little longer.
We are in Chattanooga, actually managed to find the riverfront, and we get out the car. Oh man, it is cold. We were already seeing signs of summer in Florida. The warm days were happening and the humidity level was climbing. So to get out of the car at 47F/8C, it was cold. The Africans do not do cold that well.
They are also not dressed that well for 47F. I will confess though that Richard generally does not appear to feel the cold in his feet and legs, he always complains that his chest is cold. Today I think his legs and feet were also cold. Me – hands, feet, face, they are all cold, and if they are cold I am cold. However, I am also stubborn and determined. I am going to walk as much as I can.
To the left of the pier was this beautiful little lady, the Southern Belle. Designed by Captain Alan L. Bates, she was one of 3 Riverboats built around 1985. The Southern Belle now cruises the Chattanooga River offering lunch and dinner cruises. Back in the 1800’s these riverboat cruises were a common sight as the boats went up and down the Chattanooga River
To the right of the pier is the Market Street Bridge. The draw bridge did not open while we were the but it was still pretty spectacular to see. This visit really lent to black and white photos. The day was gray but I did not want to take away from the color that I did see.
In front of me was an old warehouse with graffiti all over the wall. I love graffiti. The building was pretty shabby and looked derelict but I loved how the colored writing stood out.
By this time, I had turned around to hear Richard muttering something about going back to the car. Nope I am not, I am still going to walk. So I said I will see you at the car. This is where I am heading….
Looking down from the pier, I quickly realize that walking on the grass is not an option. The land was sodden, and the puddles were huge. In the areas where I did go on the grass, it was squishy and my jeans ended up wet.
So I headed off the bridge and along the pathway. I am really taken with the trees. I love the starkness of them. They remind me of our home back in South Africa. We lived in Pretoria for 7 years, and this was winter. brown and dead.
I cut across the grass towards the Riverboat. Perhaps not the best idea, but I was starting to feel cold. I decided to take the direct route. However, I paid the price with wet jeans for the rest of the trip to Nashville.
I fell in love with this walkway. The first image was going up it towards the bridge, the second was the same walkway heading back to the car, just slightly closer to the car than the bridge.
Clearly one way to see Chattanooga is by bicycle, but the only place I am heading right now, is back to the car.
A brief stop, a glimpse at a place different to home, and then 30 minutes later we are back on the road again. Country music a happening, and Richard advising me that we are not stopping again other than to get coffee. Goodbye Chattanooga, maybe will will visit again one day.
On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
~ Willie Nelson
And so we are off to Nashville, the city of music, country music. Keep a look out, for my visit to the Country Hall of Fame. Yes I did it. I discovered that someone decided that Kris Kristofferson was country. I thought he was folk. Goes to show what I know. Now I knew Willie Nelson was country, but I kind of liked him because he was eccentric. More in another blog.
Also look out for the blogs of the Gaylord Oprey, the Parthenon (although I have to add that I somehow deleted all of my images and will have to use my brother’s and Richards images), a night in Savannah, and a short stay in Gainesville.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my sweet friend Sophie James | Bluebells on the Green Lifestyle Photography, Glasgow, and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. I had a peek at the single images we share and they all look great. I cannot wait to read their stories.
If you want to know more about 30 Minutes in the Life head over to their facebook page, or to the blog page.
If you are interested in seeing more of my photography take a look at my Facebook page or my Flickr Page.
365 -2015 One day at a time: February 2015
Posted on March 10, 2015
Day 32: February 1, 2015
I took a walk into the wetlands today. I like to get out and clear my head a bit after a busy work week. I love the intricacy of a spider web. It always amazes me how beautiful they are built.
Day 33: February 2, 2015
Orchids remind me of my father. Whenever they bloom, I can picture him inside his shade house pottering with his many orchids. They bring a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart.
Day 34: February 3, 2015
I have looked at this tractor a number of times driving to work. I recently was invited to join a group that works in textures and this was my first attempt to create a textured image.
Day 35: February 4, 2015
Say hi to Heuy, Dewey and Louie. They hang out on the back canal waiting for the ducks to finish up with the seed. They are also very good at aerating the grass.
Day 36: February 5, 2015
Thursday was one of those late days when I knew I was not going to get home in time to get any photo’s and I had not got some in the morning. Stopping off to pick up some roses not only pleases me but it allows me to take my daily image.
Day 37: February 6, 2015
It’s Friday and I am at home. I love spending the day outside. I hate it when I have to clean house. Today was a have to clean house kind of day and so my photo was taken out in the garden.
Day 38: February 7, 2015
I walked in the wetlands today but decided to my daily photograph would be something different. I love weeds, they are very pretty when you get up close. Today I decided I like the common blackjack.
Day 39: February 8, 2015
It is Sunday and I am back out in the garden watching the critters. This tiny little Palm Warbler (I believe) has been hanging out around the garden.
Day 40: February 9, 2015
It’s Monday and back to work, so a quick step outside in the morning to feed the ducks. Hewy and Dewey are out. Not sure what happened to Louie this morning.
Day 41: February 10, 2015
Early morning Tuesday and a quick breakfast shot before I head out on the road. I am gone for the next few days.
Day 42: February 11, 2015
Wednesday morning and I am in Gainesville, Florida, at the University of Florida Dental Department. My daughter Amy is having surgery. I am trying to escape the Dental Office Police (aka the front desk assistant) who was insisting I sit in a chair and wait for 2 hours. With the excuse that I was taking my coffee cup and jacket to the car (which I did – so no lies), I managed to escape from that chair. Winter is very evident in Gainesville and the change is scenery is very beautiful.
Day 43: February 12, 2015
Surgery seemed to go well for Amy. Today it was Xeno’s (the rat) turn. She was having surgery to remove some mammary tumors that had developed on her little body. She was at the vet until 4:30, so Amy and I decided to visit the Sante Fe Rehabilitation and Training Zoo. This Ocelot was one of the animals we got to see there.
Day 44: February 13, 2015
The pain kicked in on Thursday evening, but Amy asked me around lunch time today if I wanted to go to Paynes Prarie. I had mentioned that I wanted to go and look for wild horses. Of course I did not get to see the wild horses but I did manage to see a Bald Eagle in the wild and there was the obvious highlight of spending time with my daughter.
Day 45: February 14, 2015
Having been gone most of the week, I was glad to get home to Richard and Moonshine. I missed being with both of them while I was away.
Day 46: February 15, 2015
Today is a day to relax. I was tired from all the driving. I just wanted to sit on the bank and watch the world go by. This Dandelion blossomed in the grass close by to where I was sitting.
Day 47: February 16, 2015
It’s Monday morning and I head out to feed the ducks before I head off to work and the canal has this awesome fog all over it. This appears to be the start of the foggy season.
Day 48: February 17, 2015
There were no images this morning and nearly none in the evening. I stopped along the road on my way home to capture this sunset.
Day 49: February 18, 2015
Today was a special treat. I got to celebrate in the retirement of a volunteer who had volunteered with our organization for over 30 years, at the age of 90 years old. Oh my, what a treat. What a character and what character. Marian shared her stories of her life, and my only response to her was to write them all down. She served in so many capacities during her lifetime. I hope I can look back on my life as Marian did with hers, and say I made a difference.
Day 50: February 19, 2015
Driving home from work today, saw these guys watering their crops. I could not help but stop and enjoy the sunset and all the activity going on.
Day 51: February 20, 2015
Day 51 and it is Friday and the weekend has started. I pottered around the house until about 2:30 and then decided to go for a walk in the wetlands. What a thrill it was for me to see Bobcat in the wild.
Day 52: February 21, 2015
Lake Worth, Florida has an amazing Street Art painting weekend and this was the first year that I got to visit. I know I will be going back. To see more of this street art click here. I was pretty impressed with this living statue. I have seen this before and I am always amazed that a person can keep still for that long. I remember as a child an uncle timing me to see how long I could sit still. It was not very long, I can promise you that.
Day 53: February 22, 2015
Sunday afternoon and it is a lazy day. Dinner time is outback on the patio, enjoying the sunset.
Day 54: February 23, 2015
This was by far my favorite morning. It was so foggy outside and I was driving out. I drove past this young boy walking, decided to turn around and head back down to the beginning of the road and take the photo. Some days you just have to do that.
Day 55: February 24, 2015
After work today I decided to do a quick detour to the Wetlands to see what was happening with the chicks. Of course, they are growing. However, my favorite shot of the day was this Woodstork flying into the rookery and the Anhinga throwing a fit. The Wood stork was just a little too close to their nest.
Day 56: February 25, 2015
Nothing happening out back this morning. Ms Squirrel sleeps late when it is cold. I managed to get a quick shot of her before I had to head out to class again.
Day 57: February 26, 2015
Today was a rough day photograph wise. There was nothing happening out back before I went to work, and I worked late so by the time I was driving home it was starting to darken. I also stopped to get groceries so I got home around 7pm. No light, but I did have an Arum Lily in a pot and so it had the privilege of being my model today.
Day 58: February 27, 2015
I was sitting out on the back on the bank watching the critters, and Big Blue decided to go fishing. I loved watching him do that, however I wasn’t too crazy when he caught and swallowed the fish.
Day 59: February 28, 2015
Today I remember my father and my brother, both who were born on February 28. My dad passed away in 1995, and Mark died at the age of 5 in the year 1962. I never had the chance to know my brother, but his memory through the stories of many lives in my heart. Both are missed dearly, both are loved.
“Everything in the Universe has a rhythm, everything dances”.
~ Maya Angelou
If you are interested in seeing more of my photography take a look at my Facebook page or my Flickr Page.
Project 365 …For mothers just like me: February 2015
Posted on March 3, 2015
Project 365 – For mothers just like me…is a group of moms with young children who graciously allowed me to tag along with the group as an accountability group for taking photographs. Both of my children are much older and living out of home. I hope to continue with this group as I have enjoyed every moment of my time spent with them and getting to know each family.
Day 32: February 1, 2015
Walking through the wetlands is always a pleasure for me and there appeared to be a feeding frenzy of Woodstork and Ibis. I managed to catch this Juvenile White Ibis as he flew in.
Day 33: February 2, 2015
The Blue Jays give the Squirrels a hard time in the mornings stealing their peanuts before the Squirrels have a chance to finish one.
Day 34: February 3, 2015
Sunsets out back are always a beautiful and peaceful time of day for me.
Day 35: February 4, 2015
Early mornings are never great for me but it does help when I get to see a beautiful magenta sky.
Day 36: February 5, 2015
Roses are some of my favorite flowers. I wish they lasted longer. I loved playing with the sepia tones in this image,
Day 37: February 6, 2015
I happened to wander outside and find this Glossy Ibis hanging out on the back canal.
Day 38: February 7, 2015
We got to go to a birthday party in the park. What is nicer than watching the beautiful butterflies settle on the tiny little plants.
Day 39: February 8, 2015
It is Sunday and after church I headed for the wetlands. The Great Blue Heron chicks are growing and I am missing out on seeing them.
Day 40: February 9, 2015
It’s a work day and I fed the ducks and then gave Ms Squirrel her 3 peanuts and headed off to work. I love that I can have these brief moments in time to enjoy nature.
Day 41: February 10, 2015
I have to laugh at these little Grebe’s. They will swim happily down the canal until they see me. Then they duck under water and swim past me and pop up so far down the canal that taking a photo of them is pretty useless. I wish they were a little braver.
Day 42: February 11, 2015
I am up in Gainesville and it amazes me how air plants and Spanish Moss have taken over the trees.
Day 43: February 12, 2015
This was such a sweet sight. I walked outside one morning to see all these stray/feral cats hanging out outside this door. A short while later they all had piles of food on the sidewalk. I am so glad that someone takes the time to feed them.
Day 44: February 13, 2015
We walked through Paynes Prairie today. What a thrill it was to see a Bald Eagle in the wild.
Day 45: February 14, 2015
I am back home and like always I wandered out onto the bank to find this tiny sunflower growing on the edge of the bank. Seems like a sunflower seed must have been carried from the ducks bowl and dropped on the bank.
Day 46: February 15, 2015
Sunset out back from the patio is always special. It is nice to be able to chill and just enjoy.
Day 47: February 16, 2015
It is Sunday morning and breakfast time for all of us, including Ms Squirrel.
Day 48: February 17, 2015
Today was a work day with nothing happening in the morning. I managed to get home just in time to grab the sunset.
Day 49: February 18, 2015
Today was a special day. We said farewell to an amazing volunteer who has spent the last 30 years volunteering with our organization. Marian served during the 2nd World War, she worked as a missionary in a number of countries. She has a rich history, and at 90 years old she has decided to move closer to her sister. As she closed out she was wondering what opportunities she would have to serve in her new home. Oh, to be someone like Marian. To be able to give unconditionally knowing that you do not expect anything in return. I hope she takes time to write down her life history.
Day 50: February 19, 2015
I happened to be watching the sunset driving home when I spotted these guys watering their plants. Fortunately there was a pull off point that allowed me to stop suddenly. I loved watching the movement of the water across the sky.
Day 51: February 20, 2015
This was a special treat today – I have only seen this once before and I was so thrilled to see a Bobcat in the wild. Not only did I see one but shortly after that a second one came in. What a beautiful sight.
Day 52: February 21, 2015
Something different today. I went to a street painting expo in Lake Worth, Florida. The street is their canvas, chalk is their tool. The mind is limitless as the images slowly emerge. You can see more of this event here. I loved seeing all these shoes neatly stacked at the side of the road.
Day 53: February 22, 2015
Hewy and Dewey are out on the canal today, but I am not sure where Louie is. The day is pretty gray and this photo really leaned towards a black and white photo.
Day 54: February 23, 2015
Monday morning was another gray day. When I went outside to feed the ducks it was really foggy. Driving out of the community I spotted an opportunity for a eerie sort of image. I had to stop and turn around and go back to the start of the road to catch this photo.
Day 55: February 24, 2015
After work I did a detour past the wetlands to check on the baby chicks. I was pretty excited to see these tufts of fluff. Anhinga chicks are so sweet. There are 3 chicks in this nest.
Day 56: February 25, 2015
It is Wednesday morning and the Blue Jays are stealing the Squirrels food again. The come in packs and before the Squirrel knows it all her peanuts have gone.
Day 57: February 26, 2015
Arum Lily and Anthurium remind me of my mother. She had both growing in her garden. She enjoyed having them in a vase in her house. Those were the two flowers you could guarantee to see displayed. I love both of them as well. This Arum Lily is sitting on the window sill of my office.
Day 58: February 27, 2015
Hewy and Dewey headed into the water, but Louie was not interested and getting his feet wet. Big Blue was fishing and they were curious. It was a beautiful time out on the bank. Big Blue, the Great Blue Heron, Hewy, Dewey and Louie, the American White Ibis, Mix and Match (since I never know if they are the same Mallard Ducks), Ms Squirrel and the Blue Jays, all made my day.
Day 59: February 28, 2015
Tulips are another of my favorite flowers and I had bought myself some on Thursday thinking I would not get a photo in the evening. And then I took the Arum Lily. The day was gray and the tulips opened beautifully today, so what better beauty than that of a gorgeous flower.
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