One of those days when you’re out taking pictures of Sugar Maples for spring promotion and you hear oddball chittering sounds…it’s not the squirrel over there – ah it’s a couple of Bald Eagles flirting up in the sky.
Author: edmakowski
Black Bear Sighting: A Twitter Story Thread
Riveredge on the Front Page
Photos from a recent prescribed burn at Riveredge Nature Center
To quote the Riveredge Instagram post I wrote…
Prescribed burning is a time tested practice for prairie and savanna rejuvenation that existed in the Americas centuries before European settlement. We embrace this practice across appropriate Riveredge habitats.
Prescribed burning spurs prairie seeds to sprout, consumes encroaching invasive species, and expends potential wildfire fuel in a safely controlled situation.
Thanks to our wonderful burn #volunteers for helping keep everyone (and everything) safe!
Golden Hour Sun Slips Down While Climbing the Trees
During an event at Riveredge I was taking pictures at one of our satellite locations to promote future installments. I walked back to the main building to pick up some sort of forgotten tool for the program and for all of about 10 minutes the light was still coming through the trees but had already darkened across the land. As the sun went retreated, the remaining light gradually crawled up the forest.
Experimenting with Yashica TLR Medium Format Photography
I picked up a Yashica twin lens reflex camera and this is the first roll. I’m getting the feeling it might be smart to use an external light meter.
I’m curious to hear other people’s experiences and suggestions. Do you use a phone app? A separate light meter?
Also, dangling 15-feet up while leaning over a deer hunting tree stand is probably not the ideal situation to acquaint taking pictures backwards. But, hey, lots of sitting around and waiting time…
I’d appreciate any guidance fellow photographers have to offer. Thanks.
New poems published in BlazeVOX 20th Anniversary edition
I’m pleased to have a few new poems published in the latest edition of BlazeVOX. Hard to believe this hardworking press has been a “Publisher of weird little books” for 20 years now. Congrats to editor Geoffrey Gatza on the anniversary.
Go here to read the new BlazeVOX.
(photo taken by my son while experimenting with panoramic photography)
Thoughts about happening upon a moment and stopping to take that picture
Who ever needs that? And more?
Came up in my f-book memories from a decade ago and continues to be head-shaking laughable.
This is one of the first times I recall trying to compose a photograph with intention. Shot it with a hybrid smart/flip phone that featured a full keypad.
Years removed, looking at this picture, for me it’s not about how crisp or precise the image is or isn’t. It’s about having stopped with the decision to attempt to take an intriguing or entertaining photograph. Taking the time to practice, regardless of however inefficient it might be for the rest of the world – our coworkers and friends and family members – to slow time to take a photograph.
At the time I was selling Christmas trees in Florida. My employer waited a minute or two for…
“Hold on – we’ll be there in a minute…Eddie’s taking one of his pictures. Of a bad cock. Yeah, a BAD COCK! Two bad cocks! And MORE!”
Always stop to take the picture/write the poem/phrase of what captures your attention/ire/amazement/laughter.
And granting the people in your company the luxury to do so is a grand form of patronage.
Random Black and White Photography Fun
I stopped for coffee and noticed how this bent sign and resulting shadow somewhat warped perception when considered. Like an outdoor funhouse effect.
I find that so much of both photography and writing is just stopping to notice what you notice as intriguing and then taking the time to document it. Phones are pretty handy. Took this picture with my phone and many of my first drafts of poems take place on my phone too. The tool you have available is often the best tool.
Exciting Conservation Easement News at Riveredge
At Riveredge Nature Center, we recently completed a conservation easement. This will ensure that 287 acres (75% of the total land) will forever be protected from development and permanently preserved for habitat conservation and education. I’m proud to have been on-staff while the long process was completed and to have collaborated on the unveiling. Visit this announcement for complete details.
