Autumn

“Autumn, the year’s last loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant

Weekly Photo Challenge – 10/23/15 – Careful

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Careful.”

Camouflage Careful:

It’s deer season in Western Pennsylvania. Archery season started just a few weeks ago, and rifle season is right around the corner. My walks in the woods have become less frequent and when I do venture out, I wear the latest fashion…fluorescent orange.

Today I captured some photos that fit well into this week’s photo challenge. The word ‘careful’ comes to mind when I see these tree stands precariously strapped to trees 20 feet above the earth. In the weeks to come, deer hunters will climb these trees and sit patiently for hours waiting for their prize. The deer will scamper and hide.

It’s not a sport for everyone, but the ‘thrill of the hunt’ entices many. I say ‘BE CAREFUL’… to the hunters and the deer.

Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge: Week #4 Simplicity

I am participating in week #4 of Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge. This week’s topic is ‘simplicity.’

The weather has been dreary around here, so I decided to search my archives for photos depicting ‘simplicity.’ I enjoy macro photography, so I struggled to find photos with subjects that didn’t fill the frame or showcase intricate petals, stems, pollen, and antennae.

I finally selected the four photos below. Each photo has one main subject that doesn’t take up more than 1/4 of the photo, and the void spaces highlight the subjects. I sharpened the photos and increased the saturation slightly.

Extra Credit:

Black & White: Turning the photo below into black and white simplifies this photo and gives it more character.

Cropped: In the first photo, the duck blends into the scenery. By cropping the noise, the duck becomes the main subject.

I really enjoyed this week’s challenge and I learned a lot. Thanks for viewing my post!

Autumn Reflections

“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

October

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.

Nature Walk – Critters

I found these critters while on my nature walk yesterday at Ohiopyle State Park.

The second picture of the caterpillar really intrigues me. We’ve been hearing a lot about a poisonous caterpillar in our neck of the woods. I think this might be an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar. Research tells me that the hairs can case skin irritation, so I guess that could be considered ‘poisonous.’ Either way, I never got close enough to find out.

Weekly Photo Challenge – 10/10/15 – Happy Place

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Happy Place.”

One year ago, if someone had asked me to define my ‘happy place,’ I would have struggled to come up with an answer.  However, about 9 months ago I purchased my first DSLR camera. Since then, photography has become my go-to stress reliever and ‘happy place.’ It’s what I do to decompress and relax!

My photography subject of choice is ‘nature,’ so I spend plenty of time outdoors. My husband and kids often tag along and we visit the local state parks and nature preserves in our area. I also wander around my back yard, stopping to photograph tiny flowers or insects from every possible angle. (I’m sure the neighbors think I’m crazy.)

Today we drove about two hours to Ohiopyle State Park. It was a perfect fall day in western Pennsylvania. The sun was warm (but not too warm) and the leaves were perfect shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. We walked the trails and I took over 100 pictures.

Spending time with my family while doing what I love is definitely my ‘happy place.’ What a difference a year makes!

Wordless Wednesday – 10/7/15

Shannon’s Creative Photo Challenge

I’m participating in Shannon’s Creative Photo Challenge. Her theme this week is ‘silhouettes.’ Below is my interpretation. I took this photo this summer at a local park in my area.

Perspective

“Sometimes all it takes is a tiny shift of perspective to see something familiar in a totally new light.” Dan Brown