Paying Attention

Having spent most of my life exploring the natural world I consider myself fairly good at reading the signs that Nature places before me. Certain clouds mean a beautiful sunset, others mean you better head for cover. The sounds of bugling elk or the calls of migrating cranes all have a message if you will listen and observe.

A few days ago at the Wichita Mountain National Wildlife Refuge I had plans for a short hike to enjoy the beautiful weather and try to get some pictures. But something felt not quite right. Though I knew the place I wanted to go was officially designated for hiking my intuition was telling me that maybe another time would be better. I am a believer that when you get a ‘gut feeling’ it is best go with that feeling, be flexible and adjust your plans. So… I paid mind to that subtle sign of Nature and found a place my gut said was okay.
Next time you are in the wild, Pay Attention. You and your images will be better for it.
Decided fishing was a bad idea too.

Editations

"The contemplation of things as they are without error or confusion, without substitution or imposture, is in itself a nobler thing than a whole harvest of invention."
Dorothea Lange
Have been editing and tweaking the images I have been making on the numerous road trips I have been on lately. A few I have already put up here but want to work out the sequence of the ones I felt were shareable.

The are in a set called "The Road to Cherokee" on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/beyondscenery/

Extremes

66⁰ temperature swings and 60 mph straight line winds are a few of the excitements of Spring in Oklahoma. And Spring it finally seems to be with a vengeance. I always tell beginning landscape photographers that the second most important piece of photo equipment to own is a good tripod. I need one made of depleted uranium to keep the camera stable in the wind gusts we have had here lately. So… I shoot when I can and try to find subjects that are telling of the conditions.
Wildfires can be dramatic and dangerous. Kind of like photographing a wild animal – Be wary, Be smart and always have a safe way out.

I stayed in the car to get this beast -- and so was safe ...... from the wind

Around The Circle

Processes have been simplified, cameras have become more fearfully and wonderfully made, lenses have acquired a flatter field, and some of them can conjure a foreground out of the dim distance; societies and conferences have multiplied, technique has, up to a point, improved, and all the world produces good photography; many reach the dead level of excellence, but how few get beyond! What a pity, in one sense it is that we do not have more that contains the "little more"; but, it is good to know that there is something not easily reached still left in photography.
Henry Peach Robinson, written circa 1870

USGS photo by George Irving Adams, 1900

Lone Peak, April 2009

The Cherokee Strip

Another trip to north central Oklahoma today.

Barns, Buttes, Birds and friendly, helpful people.
I cannot count the number of times I have stopped long side the road to take a picture and had someone pull over and check to make sure everything was okay and if maybe I was having vehicle trouble or needed any help. Some of them are surprised I would find anything ‘out here’ interesting enough to take pictures of and others just smile a little and agree it is pretty nice this time of year. Especially in the era of cell phones and constant contact it is good to know there are places where folks still look out for friends and even for strangers.

Taken In

"Of all my photographs, the ones that have the most meaning for me are those I was moved to make from a certain vantage point, at a certain moment and no other, and for which I did not draw on my abilities to fabricate a picture, composition-wise or other-wise. You might say I was taken in." ........ Paul Caponigro

This way