Yeah, I'm pretty lucky.

My life is pretty sweet. I have a comfortable home, good food, friends and family who love me and I have free time to take photographs on beautiful mornings. Today I got up early to catch the sunshine before the clouds moved in. I spent the morning meandering around  at Doris Ranch with my trusty photography assistant, Juniper. Doris Ranch is a retired filbert (hazelnut for the non-Oregonians) orchard. It is now harvested by the squirrels--and they are ridiculously abundant. They make the dogs go wild--like they need any help. It turned out to be a beautiful day--so warm and sunny I forgot it isn't quite spring yet. 

This wasn't meant to be a self-portrait, but there I am anyways. I think I may be obsessed with shadows right now. I'm also digging the black and white with the shadows.

Steamy!

After our visit to Doris Ranch, Juniper and I met a friend and her dog for a walk. Juniper was SO happy--she hasn't been out for a run since she's been feeling better. She has been pretty patient with the whole no activity thing--but now she's starting to come apart at the seams. She has so much energy and personality she has a hard time keeping herself contained. She not only got a walk and a run today--she rode around with me while I ran errands this afternoon. I bet she doesn't realize how lucky she is. 

Elephants, Education, and Emotion.

I went on a mid-morning hike up Spencer's Butte yesterday. The light was amazing-- slightly misty and diffused. I spotted this elephant tree in the distance. I love how nature creates faces and shapes in the trees. 

Yes! I don't even know why we need to have bumper stickers stating the obvious. This is something that hits home for me right now as I am delving into the world of higher education. I'm finding that if I don't get loans-- I don't go to school. Alternately, If I don't go to school--I will not have a steady job that allows me to pay my bills and have a little breathing room. This terrifies me. I am keeping pretty calm about the whole ordeal--this is a big improvement for me. I tend to worry and stress until I am a frazzled, exhausted mess. Lately, I just take everything day by day. I am trying my best to see the future out of the corner of my eye and focus on the present moment. This is a daily struggle--often I screw it up. But these days I am gentle with myself--making mistakes can bring about change if I am conscious and aware.

Usually I am not a fan of  tree graffiti. Trees are beautiful and artistic in their own way and don't need further decoration. This one grabbed me for some reason--perhaps it appeals to my inner romantic. It does remind me that I would really love a kind soul to share my adventures with. Someone to cook dinner, dance in the kitchen, and explore with--simple things, really. This is an area in which I am cultivating patience. Patience is another quality that does not come naturally to me. A friend told me the other day that as soon as you stop looking for something(one), it finds you. This is likely very true. Ok...patient...I am very patient. 

Rickety dogs and the number 8

This is Tess. She's a rickety senior citizen who thinks she's a teenager. In her day, she was quite the scrapper. Even though she can hardly walk most days, she still thinks she can start fights. She also still feels the need to leap over puddles. She tries on every curb--you have to give her credit for effort! I love her dearly, however, she can be a bit frustrating at times. She is not the most cooperative old lady. I will be a stubborn old lady one day too, so I can sympathize.

Daffodils already?? These are the first I've seen. Spring is impatient and having trouble waiting it's turn.

I am completely obsessed with the number 8. I see it everywhere--if I have a camera I take a picture. It's always been my favorite number. I like the continuity of it. And the fact that if you turn it on it's side it becomes infinity. Brilliant.

Monday by the river

So, I tried to take pictures this morning--the weather was pretty sucky. I got a few shots, but nothing worth posting. I had decided not to post anything today when the clouds parted and the sun came out. The clouds were amazing--like they were painted in the sky. By the end of my walk it was already looking like rain again. Ah, Oregon.

This is Kaeru. She and I go for walks every Monday afternoon. I feel pretty lucky to get paid to walk beside the river once a week with a sweet dog. She was pretty irritated with me for taking pictures--as if she knew it was "her time" and not time for me to be a photographer. 

I really love the moss and lichen on this iron fence. 

Weird trees reflected in a puddle. 

That's all I have for today. Homework awaits!

Burning Man and springtime musings...

I think this sticker may be a sign. I really have to go to Burning Man this year. Honestly, I've never really thought too much about going before. I mean it sounds cool and all, but I just haven't had this burning (pun intended) desire to go. This year I do. Maybe it's because I am at a transitional point in my life. I am going back to school, making a career change, single, and at the tail end of my Saturn Returns. I think perhaps it could shake things up for me--maybe bring about some changes I couldn't muster otherwise. The only thing stopping me is money. I am trying to get my finances in order and Burning Man isn't exactly a necessity of life. Or maybe it is. Either way, I am going to ask the Universe to point me in the right direction--hopefully this will lead to my finding the extra cash for a ticket. Until then, this self portrait may be the closest I actually get to Burning man this year.

I'm not quite sure what kind of grass this is, but I like it. Especially when it's sunny out and the light makes the tops glow golden. No golden light today--just a quick break before the rain starts again. It's one of those manic-depressive weather sort of days here. Rainy! Sunny! Rainy! Sunny! Rain and sun at the same time! I do love Oregon and her quirky weather.

I really love crocus. They are such brave flowers.  We still have a while to go before spring is actually here. It is still below freezing most nights and frosty most mornings, but I can't help but get excited about warmer weather when I see them. Aside from a few others, they are the first flowers to show their faces around here. That's all I have for today. It's about to rain again and I have plenty of things to keep me busy indoors.

Adventures in photo blogging

While following the photo blogs of others, I have been inspired to start my own blog. I currently only have a point and shoot camera and minimal photography and writing skills - - hopefully this blog will help me change that. I am going back to school for the first time in over 10 years, and I really really want to be a good photographer (and writer).  Comments, suggestions, and critiques are always welcome!

This is Juniper! She is the youngest of my 2 dogs and my "photography assistant." You will see her here pretty often. I like the blurred spots and stripes in this photo.

Another Juniper shot. This is from our morning walk. I am working on a "light" project in my photography class. I've been paying attention to the light every day and noticing shadows, reflections, etc. 

That's all for now! I am trying to branch out and take more than animal shots. I promise to have something different for tomorrow.