NATURE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
Of all the things for which there is to live, it seems that foremost is the ability to see nature and the immense beauty of our world and the universe. Living in the country or close to it, provides many more options for seeing nature than if I were living in the city. Furthermore, I find living in a rural or semi rural area much more relaxing than living in the city. In the country, you get to "talk to the plants and animals", so to speak. So, I like to preserve my experiences as they happen.
I am not a professional photographer, but high quality smart phones with cameras allow us to take pictures of so many more things. So, I try to take pictures of the nature that surrounds me as it happens. I have many pictures and am always on the lookout for more. Below are some of the pictures that I have taken. They do not match what professional nature photographers can do, but I know that these are my experiences.
Hopefully, you will appreciate them as well!
ICE ICE BABY - ICE STORM OF 2002
The ice storm of the winter of 2001-2002 devastated my trees and bushes. This scene is in my back yard.
SPIDER WEB - 2004
One morning in 2004, I awoke to find that a spider had spun a web between two plants and the sun on the morning dew really showed it off. Here it is. The scene was available for only a few minutes.
SPIDER WEB - 2005
On the morning of April 8, 2005, I awoke to find multiple spider webs on various plants (okay, weeds) in my yard. The morning dew and the sun highlighted them. They are probably always there, but one never sees them except when the conditions are just right. These shots are generally available for only the few moments before the sun moves and the dew evaporates. In fact, I was about to photograph one web and my dog hit the plant causing the dew to shake off, ruining the shot! Of course, if I was more diligent in mowing, they would not have been there either - how is that for an excuse? This web is obviously the work of a different type of spider than the web shown in the picture taken in 2004. This one is woven at random, whereas the web in the 2004 photo is intricately designed!