sharleenstuartTell me a Story: November 2016
Posted on November 30, 2016
Tell me a Story is live and I happened to take another walk. It would be defined as a short walk in the scheme of the length of the wetlands but honestly it was a long walk for me. Especially since there was nothing much happening in the wetlands. Aside from the two Comorant hanging out on the boardwalk railing.
The weather was cool and overcast lending a grayish look to the sky. Much cooler weather is predicted to come in and getting out and walking was good for me.
There is generally so much traffic in the wetlands that the birds have become used to people getting up close to them. Generally speaking people respect the birds space and do not try to touch the birds or intimidate the birds. Not so much on this particular day. I get frustrated because I understand it is a novelty to see and be up close to the bird but I hate it when people do not think that the bird needs its space as well.
While walking along the boardwalk I came across these two Cormorants. Cormorants in the wetlands seem to be used to people, and will hang out on the boardwalk allowing you to get pretty close to them. Of course, you always get the person who thinks it is fun to touch and intimadate them, but overall people are very respectful of their space.
I am now pretty close up to these two and they have not moved. I tend to take one step at a time and wait to gauge for reaction.
Clearly bored with me this Cormorant decided it was going to snooze, so I moved on between the two and photographed it’s buddy. A lady walked passed and she said to me there is a Cormorant behind you. My answer “Yes I know but it is sleeping”
This Cormorant was busy grooming itself when I moved between the two. It continued almost oblivious of me once it gave me the sideways look.
I love how it’s eyes are closed while it is grooming itself.
And the grooming continued without it feeling threatened by me.
Aren’t these feet stunning. I love the silver effect of their legs.
Two women walked up and stopped and decided to take a photo of it, and then decided it would be really neat to touch the bird, and proceeded to pull on it’s tail feathers. It was not happy and started to move away. Of course, they followed. I finally asked them to please stop harassing the bird.
I then got the “I am not happy” look.
Seriously troubled, the Cormorant was a little stressed out. However, to note one of the most beautiful things about the Cormorant is its stunning turquoise eyes.
Clearly the Cormorant was not happy and so I decided to head on a bit further to see if I could see the Screech Owl. I did not, so I turned back and walked back towards the Cormorant.
On my way back I noticed that the Cormorant was in the water but I was totally unprepared for it to take off out of the water. I totally missed this shot.
I was definitely not ready for this image either but I love all the water drops coming off the wings so I decided to share it.
I did not have time to adjust my setting so I just went with the flow and hoped that I could salvage in Photoshop. Time to flap some more and get the water off
I love that I managed to capture the water drops floating in the air while the cormorant was flapping it’s wings.
The hazards of fishing in the wetlands – weeds stuck in your bill.
Meanwhile through all of this activity, the other Cormorant is still sleeping. Must have been a tiring day.
Say What? Did I miss something. This is one sleepy Cormorant.
My walk was short in some eyes, long in mine. It was time to head home, get the foot up and ice. The downside of the walk is I kept getting cramp in my feet. Not fun, but it was worth it to get out and enjoy filling my head with nature and fresh air.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a Story. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my fellow blogger LUPJi Photography | North Virginia Event Photographer and see what he has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram and Google+
30 Minutes in the Life: November 2016
Posted on November 28, 2016
It is so hard to believe that we are approaching the end of the year. July to August, I slept, watched movies and read. Two months gone just lying on the bed. Then it was back to work, but not back to life. Progress post surgery has been slow. While I tried some short walks they have really been short. Today I decided to attempt what I thought would be a complete walk. It took me an hour of going slowly and stopping and taking photo’s and limping along. So that is my disclaimer, some of my images go over 30 minutes.
So limp along with me. The place I opted to go is probably not my favorite. The walk is dark and lonely, there is no wildlife, just trees and the odd dragonfly, but this was what I was up to and it was an achievement for me. So here are my images from my dark lonely walk.
Into the dark and lonely woods I go. Bobcat have been seen in here and there is traces of that fact, but over all it is me alone with the elements.
I took three lens with me – my zoom lens (70-300mm), my composer pro with the twist optic, and the composer pro that I just bought for my daughter with the sweet 50 optic. This image is taken with the twist optic.
In the midst of a swampy area were these 3 beautiful flowers
The narrow depth of field is a favorite of mine and I enjoy finding leaves on the boardwalk railing and getting down close to them.
This little fern felt like a mighty warrior to me.
These berries were probably the most color I saw on the walk.
Spanish Moss was prominent on the walk and here it is framed by the twist effect.
Again getting down low I loved the pop of color on the boardwalk railing
The walk is dark and so it lends to really moody looking images. I loved the way this fern was unfolding.
This dead leaf was directly in front of a open fern. I liked the effect of the background.
There were so many dead ferns along the walkway and I felt that this one had a lot of character.
Another narrow depth of field using the Lensbaby Composer Pro with the sweet 50 optic.
Ferns with the beautiful light behind again using the Lensbaby Composer Pro with the sweet 50 optic.
While the old ferns are dying new life is happening and this little fern is ready to take on the world, or at least the walkway.
Dead leaves and beautiful backgrounds. This image was taken with the Lensbaby Composer Pro and the sweet 50 optic.
Another dead fern this time taken with the Lensbaby Composer Pro and twist optic
This is perhaps my favorite, using the narrow depth of field that I so love, and coupling it with the Lensbaby Composer Pro and twist optic. I loved that the leaf is sharp and the effects are spiraled.
I am at the end of the walk. I am tired, my limp is probably more pronounced, my foot is sore, but this little leaf reminds me that progress is like a creeper, you keep at it until you reach the end. The end is not anytime soon, but hopefully there is an end in sight.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Stacey Markel / Maryland and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
30 Minutes changed their name to Journey to an Artist. If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page. There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram and Google+
Artist Inspired: November 2016: Orange
Posted on November 14, 2016
This month the Artist Inspired theme is Orange. Like pink, orange is not one of my favorite colors. For a person whose wardrobe consists predominately of black, burgandy’s and blue, orange is kind of bright for me.
So what do I think of when I see the topic orange. Since moving to the USA, orange has become associated with fall, of which I see very little of in South Florida. The other association is Halloween. Having never grown up with it, it really has not become a tradition I am inclined to follow. Lastly is Thanksgiving. Mmm, another tradition that I did not grow up with. Quite honestly I have not really got too involved in this either. We have been to a couple of Thanksgiving dinners. Typically, South African barbecue and are thankful it is a four day weekend.
Every month I go to a out of office meeting, where we sit at the oval table to discuss past or future events, propose changes etc. Our hostess is the most amazing lady who not only hosts us, but feeds us as well. The other very unique talent that she has is to create an environment that reflects the celebrations of that month. So if it is Valentines day, we have hearts decorating the table, if it is Easter we have eggs and rabbits, and if it is Fall and Thanksgiving we celebrate that with browns and oranges, and all the fall colors. So today I am sharing with you the beautiful orange decorations from this last months meeting.
We are fed, we are happy, the meeting is over and I think this pumpkin says it all. Wishing you all a beautiful fall and a wonderful time with your family over Thanksgiving.
It’s a new season.
A perfect opportunity to do something
new and bold,
something beautiful
Just a reminder that this is a circle blog and I would encourage you to click to continue on reading what they other photographers in this group have for you. Please stop by Holly Nicole’s photography page and read her blog. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram and Google+
The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.
Share Six: November 2016: Texture
Posted on November 6, 2016
I love this month’s theme. Kim chose the theme Texture. Kim shared her thoughts on the theme texture:
Texture can add impact to images, and can be just as powerful as bold color, leading lines, or dramatic scenery. Texture adds detail, dimension and even drama to an image.
For me texture is all around and I see it whether I am walking in the wetlands, hanging out on the beach, up close with my critters, or in the simplicity of a raindrop.
Here are my images for the interpretation of the theme textures.
Weeds can be beautiful. To get this shot I lay down on the ground with my EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens. I love this lens and the close up effect that you get. The textures in this popping dandelion are so beautiful to me.
It is amazing the different textures you will find on the beach especially if there is seaweed around. This particular day my catch was of a Tern on the sea sand among the seaweed. In the background the waves create a different sort of texture. Typically here I would use my 70-300mm lens.
My little girl squirrel will stop by in the morning and evening for her peanuts. She only gets 5 but quite often she is so busy burrying them that by the time she has got back the Blue Jays have stolen all her peanuts. I love the texture of her furry tail. Again here I would use my 70-300mm lens.
We were in Las Vegas and decided to do a day trip out to the Hualapai Indian Reservation where the glass sky walk had been built. Part of the entrance was to be able to go to three different areas of the reservation. Our first stop of an old mining village, where I got up close and personal with this horse. I love the various textures of the hairs on its face. I did use my 70-300mm lens for this image.
I walk in the wetlands a lot. It is a great way to relax and clear my mind. Aside from the birds, there are some amazing plants. I love the texture of this exploding seed pod. I used my 70-300mm lens.
Reflections in in water drop. Water drops have this beautiful smooth texture to them and if you follow me you will soon learn that I love water drops and the reflections I can find inside of them. This image was taken with EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my friend Kathy of KG Ledbetter Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram and Google+
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Texture throughout the month of October. A new theme will come out on November 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix and #sharesix_texture
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We cannot wait to see your images on the theme Texture.
Flickr Photos
Share Six Blog Contributor
30 Minutes in the Life Blog Contributor
Tell Me a Story Blog Contributor
Artist Inspired Blog Contributor
101 Ways to Shoot…
Shoot and Share
PBH (Voice, Vision, Soul) Project 52
sharleenstuart 
Recent Comments