Fungi in the Park (underfoot jewels)

Sometimes when we walk we really don't see whats underfoot.

During an excursion to the preserve I noticed that I was paying attention to what was further away, at me eye level, and above. Of course I was looking at the path to where I was headed but wasn't paying attention to what was actually there on the ground. Sure I saw leaves and grass and rocks and things but it was a given that these things were there. I have a tendency to walk fast so I don't really see what there is on the ground except what might trip me. Fortunately something had made a noise just yards from me so I froze in my track to concentrate on where it was. Probably some squirrel for all I know. But as I looked down to continue I did notice something that didn't look right. There was a little group of mushrooms right where I was going to put my foot. So instead of continuing on I decided to start photographing these little jewels that were underfoot.

Knowing they will not be around for very long they, at the least, will be preserved by a photograph. Anyhow the rest of the day I spent looking down and focusing what was underfoot and looking up to make sure I wouldn't get whacked by a limb or run right into a tree. I did manage to find several areas that had mushrooms and other sorts of fungi but most of what I saw were plate or shelf fungi. A few of which I took to add mass to my excursion. I am sure there is a time at which these mushrooms and fungi are abundant and I am pretty sure it wasn't right then and there either.

Well so much for a day in my life. I learned that looking at where you're going to be on the path ahead isn't as exciting when you don't pay attention to what's holding up your feet. Enjoy these three photos. There are more on my zenfolio site under the Fungi in the park gallery.

Peace!
Brian

Silpada Event

Silpada jewelry party. Now the mirror says "it's a girl thing" but they have jewelry for men as well. But the just didn't have the single earring collection for men. Hmmm! Oh well can't win them all. I was surrounded by some very beautiful woman of all ages. The food was good too. Helps to know the host very well to get feed like I did.

Shooting a jewelry party with all the shinny highlights of the sun when a flash is bounced off them was not a picnic at first. So I broke out the extra flash and a mini softbox to lighten up everything else. I had it pointed up toward a white ceiling so a flood of soft white fell upon everything nicely. That way my on camera flash, that was off camera by a cord and a new flash bracket, would not blow out the highlights.

There were some very nice jewelry at the table. Most of it is silver but there was turquoise and black onyx among other gems like garnets. At first the party was all about getting the food and conversation. And like most parties when it rains outside everyone tends to be late. So I had some time to take other photos of the jewelry before everyone showed up to try it on. Now when enough people had shown up I started my rounds looking for the admirers to try something on. But wait was something I wasn't into at that point in time so I urged some people. I said to a few that they should try some jewelry on and I'll take their photo. After a bit they started alright and the party got rolling. Everybody was laughing and having a good time.


The above photo is one of those very pretty ladies I mentioned before. We decided to have a bit of fun with the pose and I did a little post production effects after I got home. I have other photos on my Zenfolio website if you care to look at them. The link is to the right. Click on it and you'll be whisked away (well, not really).
More to come in a week. Maybe some more nature shoots.

Peace!
Brian

A Walk in the Park

Taking a walk through the preserve does a minimum of two thing. One, being that you get lots of exersive and you don't even notice it until the next day. The second, if your eyes are open to your asurroundings, you can find some beautiful and out of the ordinary things. The above photo is a bit of both. The steel cabling that used to block off a section is rusting and left to continue. The post it has been put through is not a normal post but almost looks like it was not a completely fabricated wood post. Of course it's deterioration through the years could make it look like a regular dead tree but nope it's in concrete at the bottom.

Now this photo sort of cracked me up when I saw it. An apple tree. Okay so more like an apple in the hole of a tree but you get it. One of those things that just make you chuckle out loud. Out of the ordinary for sure. I actually went to two different places. One off of Governors Bridge Road in Bowie, MD and the other in Woodwardville, MD. This photo came from Woodwardville.

On continuing with my walk this bridge connects two areas making somewhat a shortcut with a large pond to the right and a small feeding creek to the left. Dozens of turtle sit on the logs and banks of this area. From the looks of it this is a bridge to nowhere. there is no real foot path evident here with the overgrowth. But it sure is inviting.

This last photo was taken shortly before the bridge I was standing on another bridge, just yards away from the one in the photo, looking out at the ponds seeking turtles or waterfowl. For the whole ten minutes I was there, catching my breathe from the 4 mile walk through the woods, this leaf was just inches away from me. I started to walk away but then I realized it was there. Kind of like a ton of bricks saying hello at the last second.
Anyhow just some pretty and strange photos for you to enjoy. There are more like it on my website.
Oh yes my website, I have a new one http://bcollinsdigital.zenfolio.com and go to the "A walk in the Preserve" gallery. Then just browse around you can even purchase any photos you like and you can leave comments too.

Thanks for looking and as always please leave a comment.
Peace,
Brian

3 places, 3 shots

Well, I had a very busy busy weekend. Go to the B&O Museum with my family, shoot a private party and meet up with some friends afterward.


The museum was very well worth the effort to go. Parking was horrendous but the museum was great. This shot was of the museums main roof structure. After having collapsed a number or years ago they had the daunting task of rebuilding the unique roof system. I'll give them credit they did a fantastic job of it. Yes, of course the trains were awesome too but I was more interested to see the roof, - as well as be with the family, of course.. Uhm right anyhow... lol..

The second part of my day was to photograph a birthday party that was more than a birthday party. Twins - one was having radiation treatment for the last time (we hope) and so it was a more than just a birthday party. The property was like a sanctuary for the soul. Every bit of it was well though out. there wer paths and bridges over littl man made streams a sitting area off the edge of the deck that was a semi-circle around a tiny pond. a mix of trees that added to the flavor of the grounds Everything was just peaceful. So during my shoot I managed to get a few shots of the grounds and this frog was one of the inhabitants of one of the ponds.


At then end of the day some of us meet up and talked a bit about this and that. I was near the destination when I noticed a red sky to the west and thought to go down to the water and get a shot before it disappeared. The sun had already gone below the horizon but the last light left was this red-ish orange-ish glow. The mask of night was creeping along at the top of the photo and a few starts were just coming out. This photo was time lapsed at about 1.5 seconds, long enough for the water to become silky.


That was my Saturday. I will continue to post these on a Sunday eve for now. Hope you have enjoyed these photos as I have had taking them.

Peace,
Brian