The Horses Drew Close

Once again, we re-visit the horse.  These two pals were hanging out, perhaps discussing the quality of winter hay or wondering what I was doing, pointing my camera in their direction.

Naturally curious animals,  I can always count on the horses to provide character and depth for my photos.  This particular shot drew my interest as to the contrast: One close, one set back.  Neither seems very interested in the reasoning for the keen interest in equine passions - most likely they are hoping I have apples, carrots or a bag of oats hidden in my backpack.


...“The road may bend out of sight at times, but I know what lies ahead: the faraway horses.” ...
Buck Brannaman, Author and Professional Horse Whisperer

Ocean's Ampitheater and the Opera

Shooting water is always a delight.  Capable of taking on so many forms, the photographer is never bored. An early morning walk along the shore's edge, I found this sandpiper doing his thing: Down to the water's edge to looks for sandcrabs, run furiously back towards the refuge of the sand as the wave breaks. Nature's ballet appearing with grace.

Water, in all its' magnificence is amazing.  Still, utterly silent in a lake or pond, or small veins of life as it trickles through a maze of rock and silt on a hillside in the mountains, water can transform itself to whatever geographical zip code it resides in.  

The ocean's magic is in the tide's method of crashing unto the sand with force, only to be gently pulled back to the ocean by the invisible forces of nature and gravity.  The water also keeps its' voice ever changing.  Whether the roar of the tide, or the absence of sound coming from an untouched mountain lake - water never disappoints.

... "“listen: there’s a hell of a good universe next door; let’s go”
e.e.cummings

Loving the Sunset Shoreline

Light and layering.  Yesterday's blog referenced the lighting and the lust it provides for a photographer's eye.

While in Port Hueneme, CA in late December, we were blessed with pristine weather conditions, Santa Ana winds and no on-shore fog. 

The Port Hueneme pier, originally constructed in 1956 is a familiar face along the seashore.  Being held hostage to the powerful tides that surge along the Hueneme coastline, especially during the winter/rainy months, the pier was partially destroyed in 1995, 1997 and then restructured in 1999 to what beach-goers see today.

It is not uncommon, on any given day, to walk the length of the pier and see various fisherman with their lines cast in hopes of catching dinner.  The duality of the pier is not only its attraction for fisherman, or lovers walking hand in hand, but also for solitary sun & sea stroller who can catch a glimpse of the surfers waiting for the next series of waves to appear.  Even seagulls and pelicans have a "bird's eye view" to all the happens at the end of the pier.

This photo was shot just as the sun was setting, and by allowing the shutter to remain open a little longer, I was able to garner the smooth appearance of the ocean as it laps on to the shore. In the distance you can see the Anacapa Island, part of the Channel Islands State Park and once home to the Chumash Indians, with Anacapa being only 12 miles from the Hueneme shore. 


..."Be not impatient—a little space—Know you, I salute the air, the ocean and the
land,
Every day, at sundown, for your dear sake, my love..."  Walt Whitman, Out of the Rolling Ocean, the Crowd.

Light and Layering

Layering in photography adds depth and subtle intensity to a picture.  As a photographer, I am constantly chasing the light.  This shot depicts the multiplication of layers, drawing you inward, almost as if you were walking down the fractured trail yourself.

On a recent trip, our son Bryan surprised us with a scenic drive towards a prime spot for layering:  Angeles Crest Highway [SR2] from Pasadena, CA.  It is evident in this picture that there has been a dusting of snow, that adds contrast to the shale rock, scrub and pine trees.  [of note, this is the location of the hellish Station Fire, which charred 160,000+ acres, lasting from August-Oct, 2009 - the result of arson).

Within the layers you can find the sound of peace.  The winds soars through the chasms, and echoes of a pristine dance upon the shale serenade you.  Suddenly, you are lost within the moment, the light, layers and melodic string sounds of the air around you.

Every picture tells a story, but when the photographer can seek and find dancing light, the picture comes alive.

"... A likeness of the light in the ground of the soul flows over into the body, which is then filled with radiance. ..." Meister Eckhart, poem no.3534 Dominican Preacher

Loving Lattice and Staircases of Beauty

Vacations are an adventure.

Whether traveling to a familiar place or spinning the globe and allowing it to plot your journey; something unusual piques your interest and imagination.  Pasadena, CA in December was a warm and pleasant reprieve from the bitter cold of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  

The Pasadena Courthouse grounds and courtyard are fantastic.  Within the white pillar sentries, rose gardens and large trees allow for an abundance of eye candy.  I was drawn to the whimsical and delicate lattice work of the winding staircase within the courthouse grounds.  While photographed from the bottom to the top and the opposite, as is shown above, I preferred the lighting of going from bright to dark, giving the illusion of a magical trip to destinations unknown.  

Dr. Thomas Elliott, the man who coined the name Pasadena, a partial translation of "of the Valley" [1878 Wheeler Land Survey] was spot on with the name, as with one glance from atop Angeles Crest Highway [Hwy 2] Pasadena truly is "of the valley".

 ...up and down, all around, the steps lead you where you need.  One at a time, step by step,  destinations are discovered and stumbled upon... ann c. mcarthur 1/14/14

Fishing the Elk River - Ann Style

Ann does most of the writing for this blog, just as she is doing at this moment.  We've worked out a keen deal where John captures the images, and Ann weaves the words to tell a story about the photograph.  So, today, Ann, in her third person present, will tell you about the purpose of the fish hat.  Our summer was peaceful and we lived on 35 acres of solitude, along the Elk River.  Ann, never a fisherman, believed that the purchase of a hat, with a fish on the front, would somehow conjure up the mighty fish spirits.  Sadly, she was way off base.  Okay, here I am, hat off...the secret is that I (Ann) do not care for fishing.  I understand why people are enthralled with the sport though.  It's a simple way to become hypnotized with nature, escape the craziness of the world and hope for the tug at the end of the line, and a large trout to burst from the river.  I could never get the gist of casting the line.  I hooked everything but a fish.  So, the hat, while emblazoned with a trout, will suffice as a great outdoor hat, to keep the sun off my head, shade my eyes from bright lights and just for today, make for a good story.

The Long List of "L"s for Labradors

Labrador Retrievers are a unique breed.  A silken coat is perfectly designed to allow this water dog protection from the frequent and delightful immersion in any body of water they encounter.  Soulful eyes gaze up at their masters with an " I love you so much" .  Bodhi is one of our dog companions that visits us from time to time.  With each visit he brings oodles of love, entertainment, flatulence and immense intrigue into his psyche, with us constantly attempting to analyze and diagnose .  Bodhi actually seeks out small rocks in river bottoms, and brings them to the surface; lining them up as if to display his engineering and architectural abilities.  Bodhi simply exudes all that the breed boasts.  Love, laughter, loyalty of lazy days lounging  in the  long summer sun.  Hugs are always welcome.

...love the dog.  love a dog who shows no interest in vanity, but rather seeks out and discovers the simple joy of a trickling mountain stream.  love the dog who rolls in "perfume" that sends us running for the shampoo and a pail of water.  love the dog who can take a nap whenever the mood strikes him.  love the dog who has action packed doggie dreams.  love the dog who has no problem seeking out the positive attributes in every living creature.  simply put...I love the dog...

Ann McArthur, November 7, 2013