After leaving Cornwall on the Hudson on my way to the Omega Institute where I will learn to teach Tai Chi, I stopped at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Larger and more modern than I hoped, but the lower part did sit very close to the river's edge. Feeling somewhat beat and lethargic I shot with my phone instead of unpacking my camera. It was hard to leave Cornwall, I felt most at home there in my little room overlooking the river.
This huge cemetery was very quiet. Rain continued to drizzle and there was a bit of a fog over the river. The rock behind the stones caught my eye here so I zoomed in for this shot. The quality not great but I like the composure.
These next two are very similar, this one focuses more on the tree, I loved the bright green leaves framing the stones and the other is more about the tombstones. Again, it was probably the the line of pines that caught my eye. A lot of vertical lines in the lower shot. The curved line of the limb that serves as a frame for the subject below also adds a touch of interest to the shot.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Alternate Kayak Trip
While hiking in the state park I called to see if it would be possible to move my kayak trip up since the rains were right behind me and scheduled to rain all weekend. Chris, from Stormking Adventure Tours said she could get me in on their tour that night. It was a constellation tour of the old castle I'd been so anxious to photograph but in addition a local artist had spent half a million dollars creating a "new constellation" of led bulbs on poles that at night resemble the stars. I was all in. Our float started at sunset so we watched the sun disappear on our way across. Once to the castle we circled around the island waited for each light to come on. I removed myself from the group so that I could stay focused. I was pretty disappointed really, because Chris had made it sound as if we could actually get to go "in" the castle not just float around it, but I accepted the news and still very much enjoyed the night. I loved crossing the Hudson river in the dark on the way back.The tripod I was planning to use for some slow speed night photography was useless of course in a moving kayak. It was hard to get any shots at all with the movement and with little to no light.... but here are a couple I like.
Storm King State Park
The most well hidden "state park" I've ever come across is disguised as a pull over spot on highway 9W in New York. Not until you walk up to read the map will you come across the words "state park". No signs to tell you where to go or even where to enter. I never would have found it without pure chance and perhaps my intuition was working better than my logical mind which said, "there should be a sign".
I first learned of the park on my phone map and then searched for it on the Internet or I never would have known it existed. Lucky for me, very few people knew where to look on this perfectly warm sunny day. I had the most wonderful trail all to myself. I strolled in just a few feet before I realized what I had in store. Lots of rocks and boulders made for a rugged trail, steep climbs and amazing sitting spots overlooking the Hudson River. I sat a couple different times to just be and to meditate but I kept seeing photos that needed to be taken. It was just a perfect day. Eckhart Tolle states that we must all remain in one of three states: acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm. If we can't be enthusiastic then at least enjoy, if you can't enjoy the moment you are in then at least accept it. Enthusiasm is a wonderful state in which to take photos.
I first learned of the park on my phone map and then searched for it on the Internet or I never would have known it existed. Lucky for me, very few people knew where to look on this perfectly warm sunny day. I had the most wonderful trail all to myself. I strolled in just a few feet before I realized what I had in store. Lots of rocks and boulders made for a rugged trail, steep climbs and amazing sitting spots overlooking the Hudson River. I sat a couple different times to just be and to meditate but I kept seeing photos that needed to be taken. It was just a perfect day. Eckhart Tolle states that we must all remain in one of three states: acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm. If we can't be enthusiastic then at least enjoy, if you can't enjoy the moment you are in then at least accept it. Enthusiasm is a wonderful state in which to take photos.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Art Park~ Taking Time
I walked and biked alone through the Storm King Art Center while passing through the Hudson River area today. The skies drizzled here and there helping to keep the crowds down on this Saturday. I find it much easier to slow down my mind and be present when I am alone while shooting photos. So much to see here. I concentrated on only those sculptures that spoke to me. These are a few of my favorites. I stayed with each piece that spoke to me till I had a shot I liked.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Listening to Ajahn Brahm's "Space the Final Frontier" talk yesterday during my wet wet drive, I was reminded to look past objects into the space surrounding those objects. The objects in our lives should take a back seat to the space around them. We, ourselves mostly space, need to realize what we put in the space between us and others is extremely important. What we put in the space we surround ourselves with will determine our day, our life.
In keeping with the idea of space but also finding water a "running" theme so far in my trip I took this photo with my new cheap variety underwater camera. I've been wanting for a long time to take photos in the water so I had a wonderful time creating these images this morning.
The rain I drove through yesterday has caught up with me again. It now looks like rain for the kayak trip I planned (which at the time showed plenty of sun :( But, that is ok. I think I will plan for lots of rain for this trip as it is pretty much covering the country right now.
I highly recommend Ajahn Brahm's talks- you can find them here:
https://brahmstalks.wordpress.com/
In keeping with the idea of space but also finding water a "running" theme so far in my trip I took this photo with my new cheap variety underwater camera. I've been wanting for a long time to take photos in the water so I had a wonderful time creating these images this morning.
The rain I drove through yesterday has caught up with me again. It now looks like rain for the kayak trip I planned (which at the time showed plenty of sun :( But, that is ok. I think I will plan for lots of rain for this trip as it is pretty much covering the country right now.
I highly recommend Ajahn Brahm's talks- you can find them here:
https://brahmstalks.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Raindrops are falling on my Head
This morning I head east. I have a wonderful month of July planned in New York, Hew Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. I start my day in my hot tub as I start everyday, only today I have an even greater sense of appreciation and gratitude for all that I have. As I sat in peace and joy the rain began to fall. It started with just a few random bubbles in the tub with no sight of the drops entering the water, then it built up to miniature eruptions as the incoming drops displaced the still water shooting them straight up for a quick ride. I sat feeling my skin go from cool to cold and then develop goosebumps giving me chills down my back. I sank lower into the warm water and let the cold drops rain down my head and face. Another gift.
I know I will miss my hot tub meditations but I hope to create new morning rituals that will include meditations. I will be starting my trip at Cornwall on the Hudson; a short kayak ride across the Hudson to an old artillery castle, Bannerman Castle, where I hope to be able to get some good shots.
I'll be staying only minutes from Storm King State Park and about an hour from Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY where I will be trained in Tai Chi.
I hope to keep the blog going until I hit the trail. This morning's photo is another phone photo since my camera is packed away with just about everything else I own.
This is the rain on the deck as the water hits and the puddle reflecting the chair above. I removed the color since the photo was about the shapes and textures that caught my eye.
I know I will miss my hot tub meditations but I hope to create new morning rituals that will include meditations. I will be starting my trip at Cornwall on the Hudson; a short kayak ride across the Hudson to an old artillery castle, Bannerman Castle, where I hope to be able to get some good shots.
I'll be staying only minutes from Storm King State Park and about an hour from Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY where I will be trained in Tai Chi.
I hope to keep the blog going until I hit the trail. This morning's photo is another phone photo since my camera is packed away with just about everything else I own.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Railside
Remarkable June morning in that the breeze is cool, the sun is out, and the temperature sits somewhere in the 70's. At 7:47 I have already been awake for over four hours enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells from within our piece of the prairie.
Delighting in my last sip of hot lemon water with honey, mmm extra sweet that last drop, I decided to try a phone post using a phone photo (that didn't work... not sure why it wouldn't publish, so I am reposting yesterday's post today). The texture and color of the lemon catching my eye like a miniature sun prompted this photo; just love my new golden prairie grasses swaying in the breeze in the background of this photo.
Such an incredible way to start my day. I am so blessed that I have opportunities like these to witness and marvel at the world around me.
Delighting in my last sip of hot lemon water with honey, mmm extra sweet that last drop, I decided to try a phone post using a phone photo (that didn't work... not sure why it wouldn't publish, so I am reposting yesterday's post today). The texture and color of the lemon catching my eye like a miniature sun prompted this photo; just love my new golden prairie grasses swaying in the breeze in the background of this photo.
Such an incredible way to start my day. I am so blessed that I have opportunities like these to witness and marvel at the world around me.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Using Chakra's for Photography
I created this document to be used in our Costa Rica Trip for my part : Meditative Photography. I plan to start with a chakra meditation before we begin our photographic assignments.
Afternoon Delight
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Prehike Moment
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to hike in Southern Indiana with my brother and his wife on the Knobcreek Trail. It was a wonderful backpacking experience through a very quiet forested area of Indiana. My back full, I decided not to carry my camera with me, but the night before our journey I shot these as the last bit of sunlight spotlighted the lake next to our tent.
As I look at these now I see a theme.... perhaps a kind of "heads up". This was a remarkable unforgettable trip for me and part of the reason for that was discovering that I had lost my car keys 7 miles into our hike. While initially I was anxious and somewhat panicked about the hassle that would create for everyone, as the day went on I was able to let go of it. I took an "everything will be alright" attitude. I held onto this feeling so securely that as we drove from the end of the trail back to where my car sat at the trail head I felt an enormous sense of relief. I left myself feel huge gratitude for finding the keys. When we returned to my unlocked car to find, my purse, my brother's and sister in law's wallets and ipads still there the relief I felt went deeper. And when my husband looked down at the back bumper of my car and discovered that someone had found and returned the keys I was elated. It felt like magic.
Recently I've read about the cause and effect relationship and the magic of the fact that the opposite is also true. Maybe it really is true that sometimes, the effect can create the cause. I believe it :)
Curious?? Read the article I read here: http://consciouslifenews.com/law-magic-effect-base/1169605/
As I look at these now I see a theme.... perhaps a kind of "heads up". This was a remarkable unforgettable trip for me and part of the reason for that was discovering that I had lost my car keys 7 miles into our hike. While initially I was anxious and somewhat panicked about the hassle that would create for everyone, as the day went on I was able to let go of it. I took an "everything will be alright" attitude. I held onto this feeling so securely that as we drove from the end of the trail back to where my car sat at the trail head I felt an enormous sense of relief. I left myself feel huge gratitude for finding the keys. When we returned to my unlocked car to find, my purse, my brother's and sister in law's wallets and ipads still there the relief I felt went deeper. And when my husband looked down at the back bumper of my car and discovered that someone had found and returned the keys I was elated. It felt like magic.
Recently I've read about the cause and effect relationship and the magic of the fact that the opposite is also true. Maybe it really is true that sometimes, the effect can create the cause. I believe it :)
Curious?? Read the article I read here: http://consciouslifenews.com/law-magic-effect-base/1169605/
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