Friday, August 28, 2009

Old Friends








After 34 years you’d think the fascination would have faded. It hasn’t. Every time, there is the same wonder about its life story. I actually do not know for certain how old the cedar is but it has changed very little in the time I have been around. I can’t say the same for me.


Probably started by a bird-carried seed, the decades of long summers, tough winters and ceaseless wind have imbued the lone cedar with a personality far richer than most of its species. Standing solitary near the crest of a prairie hill in a nest of granite boulders it is easily overlooked in the search for bison, elk and longhorn that most people come to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge to see. It was its character and setting that originally attracted me to stop. In those 34 years I have photographed the lone cedar in all sorts of light and weather. In each image I have attempted to capture the real meaning of the tree and its surroundings. I get close at times but have yet to make an image that for me reflects the fundamental nature of its being – that feels the way the tree makes me feel. And to be honest, I am looking forward to the next 30+ years visiting this old friend in an attempt to create an image that shows its simple beauty and profound nature.

Friday, August 21, 2009

The Rut

planning ahead


young love



an eye to the future



a good wallow


The bison are in rut at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. It should last 4-5 more weeks. There is always bellowing, wallowing and tree horning as well as the full out head to head fights. One of the more fascinating behaviors is ‘herding’ or ‘tending’ where a bull tries to restrict access to a small group of cows until mating occurs. The younger bulls will also try to herd a cow away from the main group with varying results and reactions from the herd bull. It is a great time to sit and watch the interactions that go on in a bison herd. Remember! All the animals are agitated and focused on the rut and it is a good idea to use extra caution around them.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

The Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial is a part of my everyday life. I see it when gazing out the window at work. Walking to lunch, heading home at the end of the day, it is a quiet constant.

As with any symbolic place the Memorial has been instilled with a character formed from a collective expectation and the events that happened early that April morning are no less horrific or more understandable today. But, the Memorial today is much more than a somber reminder, it can be a place for contemplation, assessment and hope. And, it is a place of subtle beauty that’s quality is as varied as the skies and seasons.