Morning Meditations

The spring of 2014 I began doing my morning meditations in the hot tub. I can listen to the geese falling over head, the many bird songs, buzz from the locusts and occasional owl calls as well as the breeze through the trees. Sitting quietly concentrating on nature's sounds makes this one of the best meditation spots I've tried. I often get caught up by the light, shadows and reflections so I decided to bring the camera to try to capture the feeling. I like the contrast of warm and cool colors in this shot creating the soul image sitting there with me.

Waves

Heat waves, light waves, any movement of energy especially almost imperceptible energy, has always fascinated me. I love catching the glint of heat waves off the roads or the light as it reflects from water.  My photography is usually about light. Here are some recent photos of me playing and trying to capture light.

Inspiration/ Cooperation

I am starting a "sibling" series between people and trees. I'm looking for people passionate about trees to photograph with "their tree. This is the only tree left on our property after the owners before us cleared this land. It is not the most beautiful tree but with our care it is looking better all the time.
If you are passionate about a tree and would like to be photographed for my series, please leave a comment and your location. I am midwest USA.

Day two of 21 day meditation challenge. As I spend more and more time with a quiet mind, I feel my creativity and inspiration. "I am filled with Spirit" = Inspiration... never made that connection :)

 The winds blew in a quick rain followed by the sun which illuminated everything in my front yard and yes, there's my tree :) That's the thing about trees, they are always there in the background standing tall and strong, whenever you need them.  Hug a tree!
Oh, and it's be proven (Ted talk which I can't find right now to link! Shoot!) now that trees are not the competitors we made them out to be, they actually cooperate with each other even across species. An older, "mother" tree will take collected carbon and send it through her root system to the surrounding trees. Very Cool!
Cross species connections inspire me :)

Happened upon This Piece of History

On my way to the winery in French Lick, Indiana, a place I've been many times, I discovered this small church on the corner. I'd never even noticed it before, but as I stood there taking it in, it seemed to hold so many stories. I could almost see people on the staircase.

“Throughout history humans have inflicted countless violent, cruel, and hurtful acts on each other, and continue to do so. Are they all to be condemned; are they all guilty? Or are those acts simply expressions of unconsciousness, an evolutionary stage that we are now growing out of?" ~Eckhart Tolle

Grandmother Willow

From underneath this elder willow I sat amazed by the comfort and shelter she brought as the storm clouds approached and rain fell. The combination of dark clouds and the low sun rays shining through her leaves brought me great peace and joy. I sat for a long time trying to capture some of the beauty from that moment, but I with my camera, could do no justice to this scene.

In this shot I put the aperature setting on F22 to get the sun star affect.

 

Meditation held under this large willow during our yoga retreat helped me "see" and capture this gorgous tree.

When Great Trees Fall~  part of a poem by Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

Stonehouse Farm Yoga Retreat

 

 These photos were taken in the old barn at Stonehouse Farm during a yoga retreat.

 

Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Did you breathe today?

Driving the roads of Southern Indiana

Letting the hills and winding roads of southern Indiana take me away, I came upon these structures needing work. Again, I'm reminded that I am in each photo I take, so much work still to be done.