moving on over as of 10/1/12

I have found a way to combine my different interest into one website with my different blogs as well as showcase more of my pictures as well. truely loving it. I hope you will come and join me  on the next Photo Heart connection and other picture stories as well. I anticipate having the new site by Oct 1st. fully running but please come on by if you don't mind some  under constructions, spelling and format wise LOL.

Photo Heart Connection for August ~ Dragon Flies

Yeepee, I finally get to participate in Photo Heart Connection this month. Even though I have missed several months, I am going to play catch up of sorts.

While snapping pictures of dragon flies I noticed for the 1st time there are different types of dragon flies, so my eyes and mind have been opened once again.

Photo-Heart Connection ~  Trying to Be Prepared ~May 2012



I so enjoy and look forward to Kat's monthly post. Most of my heart connections are with nature and it's beautify. So this post might seem a bit ironic in some ways but in my reality... it's just as important. As a child I can remember going through Hurricane Celia and all the damage it caused. How it uprooted our daily lives for several months... which compared to others' horrific ordeals after disasters, that was nothing. But none the less it instilled many lessons that to this day I try to adhere to. Being prepared. I have attended 2 Hurricane conferences and continue to learn so very much each time. What I walked away with this year was complete confidence in our states prepardeness and  Texas Pride Smile to boot.
Many times we are quick to judge people and organizations and sometimes their decisions in times of crises. I for one will not second guess those decisons... and will also follow my initution as well.

 I got there it was just before sunrise and my phone camera wasn't able to capture the enormity of what all goes into a conference like this.  So with the help of others and their pictures, I wish to share what made my May photo heart connection.

When I watched a Coast Guard helicopter land several hundred feet from me that morning my eyes welled up as looked around at all of the resources that were all around me.

There was a truck from HEB grocery stores there with their set up

 Sprint had there mobile unit actually providing service for many of the participant's there.

 There were so many origination's participating. All I can say is thank you to all of these professionals that put their life on the line for us when we need them to.

Photo Heart Connection for April - Look Ma, I can swim too !!!

On April 21, I took my first nature walk with out assistance from another human or my cane in over 3 years... We had a cool front blow in and it felt wonderful and I felt adventuresome as well.  I Loaded up Camera, cell phone and tripod... and ventured down this path. It has been beckoning me to come down it.   

One of Rockports Natural Gardens

My heart was beating, and antipating what I might see just past the bamboo and honeysuckle. I walked thinking if it is all just like this that would be cool too. So I proceeded to a clearing and looked to My left and to my wonderful suprise, I had one of those ah hah moments.  Only in magizines had I seen pictures of mama duck and ducklings swimming. I couldn't get my camera on fast enough and remembered thinking maybe just maybe the phone camera my get it. Of course the sun was so bright that I couldn't tell if the picture came out our not, but praying the whole time that it would.

Mama Duck and her ducklings April 21,2012

I found a bench to sit on and tried to get the settings set on the camera so that I could catch all of this magnificance I was being able to witness. I remembered to take deep breaths and then pinching myself... Is this not incredible?

Crystial Clear Pond Mama duck are headed to the other
side where there is more distance from me and them.

As just stared into this pond I wondered what critters might be in there? Nothing Stirred, jumped or even rippled in it. I remember thinking I wonder if my mind could ever get this still?  So watched the Mama and her ducklings swim around the island and then on to the birds overhead trying to catch and thermal drafts that might be around. It seemed like everything around me was happy that it was such a beautiful day. 

Another pond framed with green

The path continued towards the right  and  I wondered where the path may lead me next, ah another little pond, I wanted to yell I was so happy but didn't want to scare of the birds.. so I composed myself and continued to walk towards it. 
 

Pine trees are not in abundance here in south Texas

For Kat's PHC(Photo-Heart Connection) project I know we are to pick one picture that pulled on the heart and it would have to be Mama and her ducklings.

 I think I knew how these little ducklings were feeling that day...  Me saying Look I am doing it all by my self, and the ducklings thinking , Look I can swim.

However I also wanted to share these other pics with you so you could better understand my amazement with this park...To go by this park for years and have no idea such beauty was litterly in our own back yard truely blows me away. 

Wild Honey Suckle, now this brings back wonderful memories too

http://kateyestudio.com/category/photo-heart-connection

Photo-Heart Connection 03/2012

March Photo-Heart Connection

                                                             March Memory Makers

 For those of us who where born and raised here in Texas,  seeing the Blue Bonnets in bloom, cows,an ole fence line and an even older delapaded house is very much TEXAS, in the respect that many a painter and photographer have tried to capture. Would have needed my snake boots to have wondered through that grass to get any closer. Many a road trip are taken this time of year to see these beautiful flowers, kinda like traffic at Christmas Time to look at the lights but on the highways and interstates of Texas. Parents having their children get out in the fields to take a Annual picture of the Kids in the bluebonnets. Texas Hill Country Facebook Page has many incredible pictures of these beautiful flowers. After several Years with the drought we have had and no bluebonnets, well you guessed it...Getting Pictures is as Big a deal as TEXAS is. ENJOY

Photo-Heart Connection 02/2012

Hello to all.

Many of you are familiar with Kat Eye Studio, This is the site  that I had participated in  last year with  my Photography. I really enjoyed it, so when I read that she was doing a once a month photo-heart connection blog, Well you know I was all in. This next paragraph is what got me hooked.

These are her words.

"When we get down to it, what is a photo-heart connection? A heart connection is, for me, a reaction that bypasses my brain. It’s not about what I think of the image, or how technically good it is. It is not about how others will react to it. It is how the image makes me feel. When I have a heart connection, I feel it in my body. There is a little jolt, that tells me of a strong connection. Have you ever noticed how we feel emotions in our body first? Even though we will have thoughts that accompany emotions, they arrive split seconds later. I want to tap into the signals from my body, before my brain starts to filter, and then explore what I find through this process."

This is so what taking pictures is about for me. So this will be my first in this series.

I normally stay away from man made objects in my photography, so taking this was a surprise from the start. However, I resisted 2 times and then just felt compelled to snap it.... As I studied it for this blog I remembered the goosebumps I felt and how I fell in love with reflection of the colors of the sky in the water and the wind whispering peacefully into my ear.

I am not a huge fan of piers either, so what was the fascination with this pier as well? I realized it was a Snapshot of my life's path over my element of water that I so need in my life. There are possibilities of what might be seen with every step. Then there is the covered portion... reminding me that we need Nourishment and shelter along our path as well. As you walk a little further out to the end there are several Lights and a bench I believe... Where one can sit and watch  the underwater world  as well day or night  as I could reflect on the many  "highlights"  of this journey as well.

Going, Going, Gone another Sunday Evening

Oh how I love to catch the Sun as it is going down on a Sunday evening... Maybe that is why Sundays are so special to me... I reflect on the past week and what was witnessed, done or undone and what I expect of the upcoming week.  So this past Sunday Hubby took me to The Memorial Park on the back side of Futon so that we could chill as we watch the sun going down over Copeno Bay. took 200 Pictures and tried to pick the three that would best capture this Sunset. Enjoy!

Truely magnificant Colors, photos are not touched up in any way.

Goloshes,the rain Gage and the Great pictures I didn't get!

So maybe they are not the real goloshes that we grew up with but they work just as well. I sure enjoyed slipping out of my slippers and into my  white shrimp boots to go check the rain gage this weekend on more than one occassion. We had a real rain event here in Rockport this weekend... over 3 inches. Hubby and I have been "rain gage readers" for COCORAHS  which in turns reports it to NOAA for the official rain totals in the area right at a year. The neighbors will text or call to get the official rain total... and around here that is an event that brings everyone smiles and cause for celebration Even though we did not have any standing water in the yard or driveway, it rained at a pace that allowed it to soak in and not just run off.
So Sunday afternoon, I assumed that the rain has subsided, anxious to get outside and take pics, I load up my cane, stool, camera & coat for my trip to the end of the property... you guessed it I get out there barely set down, get the camera open, and down comes the sprinkles, So my bird pictures will have to wait yet again to be captured. However I am hopeful that with the rain today and hopefully tomorrow as well that we will be on our way to seeing this sight once again soon. Water in the dry pond and lots of birds finding their way back to us.

Martin Dies Jr State Park, Jasper Texas

Ahh the Piny Woods of Texas, Jasper Texas that is. Martin Dies Park, Thanksgiving 2011. This was the first park where I could actually smell the pine trees and see birds and raccoon's running around in the evening.The animals were not afraid of the campers- just observing us as we were them. The highlight of our trip was to watch the front blow in, it's not often that we are able to just sit and watch without any obstructions. Once it hit the winds didn't stop for 24 hours, made cooking a bit tough but we did did it and about 5 packages of tarp to block the wind gusts in the shelter which were clocked at 68 miles an hour several times. Another one of the lessons we learned was always call the day of arrival to see what may have changed. 2 days prior, burn ban in full effect... day of Arrival- burn ban lifted... we had to purchase wood when we had a hundred pieces at home, oh well.  Truly a wonderful place to relax and we look forward to returning soon. Another first for me was to see red mushrooms, yep red mushrooms...

hidden under the fallen needles were these little mushrooms. We did a 3 mile hike through the park, Hubby canoed for several hours. Tons pictures and memories we hope to remember for many years to come. For our 1st non-traditional Thanksgiving away from Family and Turkey, we are a little embarrassed to say that we may have started a new tradition for us.

MY Photo Passion Reconizing Your Eye # 4

1. I found it hard to just select my inspiration file... do I chose by clairity of picture, Subject, on & on. However I did get several picked.
2. Themes- Well I already knew I was very drawn to water elements and nature in general no matter where I am.

2 b,c,d -As for Light & composition & elements of design, Well I am sure I fall short on all of those, but that is why I am taking these types of courses to learn more about it. Up until now I have taken pictures for the pure love of what I see. The more untouched it is the better.
2 e- AS for color I am big on BLING in my pictures... absolutly LOVE Colors. My daughter now 27, still crenghes when she thinks of the some of the colors I dressed her up in the 80's.

2 f-  I love being known as someone that is always happy and not afraid to be herself... that includes my wild colors too. Pictures, Decorating.
3. I know that I want to capture as much Nature as I can, even as a child I have feared growth and destruction on so many nature places and so afraid they would n't be there for my kids and grandkidos.

Pictures,
1- sunrise is right out my front door in Rockport Tx,
2- Azelias in someones yard in Fulton Tx,
3- Blanco State Park in Blanco Tx,
4 & 5 - were in Colorado last year.
6 Is for the pride that I have for all the freedoms we have here in America.

My Photo Passion -Familar Subject Photo Shoot # 3

Yeahee me, I was concerned - what was I going to take  50 pictures of... but I listened to my intitution and asked hubby to take me to the park behind the airport in Fulton Tx. I wasn't even set up when this Bird flew by and as if to say... here I am.  The Bird is that Little white dot way in the back before the marsh grass.
1. It wasn't any supprise to find myself going to the water for my subject.
2. As I took the 50 pictures I did try differnt settings, zoomed, sport setting, bright sun/beach pictures etc. Most people would rather take pictures by them selves... well I am the opposite I feel calmer and safe to concentrate on my picture taking when I know my wonderful hubby is near by. He always has my back.

3. The Bird in Flight & catching the Fish were my 2 prize pictures that I am so proud of. Pure Joy at being able to catch these moments.
4. I currently don't have any editing software and have never tried to edit them.
5. Excited would would be understatement.

6. I enjoyed listening to my intitution for my intention. Don't think I would change a thing. Can't really explain how much additional confidence this exersise gave me.
Thank you Kat and everyone else for the vote of confidence.

my photo Passion Inspiration Lesson # 2

We were suppose to resist Photo journaling about this lesson.. But I couldn't. I did enjoy this process which confirmed that I must be a fish out of water so to speak... I don't typically take people pictures...it all about nature for me, at least up to this point. I became acutely aware that I strive to get a water element in as many of them as I can, Sky & clouds over water, ponds, trees, lakes even birds. I have always needed to be near a water element for as far back as I can remember. My 1st trip to New Mexico, I felt lost until I finally came accross a stream up in Redriver. this Gal needs her H20, alted or unsalted, frozen or running.

My Photo Passion Journal Journey part 1

I am so excited to finally  futher my knowledge about photography.  I want to  acknowlege  that I have been blessed with the most supporting Friends and Family a person could ask for. I have literally wondered through this life going " what am I here for" "what am I suppose to be doing and on and on." I have dabbled in many arts and crafts and lose interest after a while...when I reflect back I to the very 1st digital Camera I owned (the kind that you had to put a cd in) I fell in love with the ease of taking pictures and being able to share them instantly. I love instant results in just about any project that I take on. Over the years I have continued to enjoy taking pictures and sharing, thus I am persuing my digital picture passion.

As I continue to blog on Wishcasting Wednesdays  with Jamie I have met some awsome artists of all sorts. I was finally able to realize that photography is also an art, and one has to have an eye for it.  Ginnys comments on wanting to learn more but not sure which direction to go so resenated with me. After emailing several times back and forth, she encouraged me to take this class and we decided we take this path together if it was meant to be. Turns out it was to be. Kat has been awsome about getting me set up for this part of my journey. We are to create our photo Journal online and write about a image that speaks to us. I had taken this picture back in January up around the Kerrville Texas area. It captures so very much of my life. Storms that I have been through and the Calm waters of my life now. The roots remind me of endurning strength to carry on and be strong in lifes storms. I had more comments on this piture than the blog it's self. That was the moment I realized that I wanted to learn and do more with my picture taking passion.
I encourge you to visit Kats blog and see if the classes are for you as well.

Refections of the weekend

Good Monday Morning to you all. I just wanted to share some amazing moments that I caught this weekend here in Rockport,Texas. Hubby and I went to the Beach so that I could try to capture the feeling of the sunrises for the past couple ofweeks. The beautiful colors are actually because of all the auful smoke from the fires of BastropTx. So this was my attempt to find something beautiful out of something so devisting and sad. 

As Sunday Evening came to a close hubby set up my tripod on the porch in hopes that I could grab a few shots of the beautiful full harvest moon. 

So many of us take for granted what we have in our very own back yards.. I see pictures like this and it only reaffirms how lucky and blessed we are to  have the freedoms to enjoy such events and share them with each other.  

Squirrels are just plain Fun to watch

I continue to learn how resourceful and fun these critters can be. They have such a cute way of acquiring what they want. In a way I believe have learned more about perseverance and ingenuity from these fellows than I have anything else.

Last Friday as we thought we might be getting "TS Don" our squirrels were out of sight all day, not one came out to play, eat or drink. Not until about sundown did they come out...which happen to be the same time that TEXAS vacuumed Don plum away with our dry heat.

The Buzz in Texas is rain maybe on its way???

So many people are sure needing the rain here in Texas. So as we watch for the potential  and Possible Mr. Don to strengthen hopes and prayers are rising here along the coast. One of my goals with this blog will be to try to notice things in our area and in nature that might give some insight to systems coming to our area.  Unknowingling this morning I took a picture of our Clouds as I entered Corpus this morning.. They appeared to be just a bit different this morning than previous mornings along the bayfront. So we shall start there.  If this storm does become Don and he makes his way towards Texas, I will share pictures and any information that just might give us clues via nature.
I welcome anyone who would like to share with me  stories that maybe an old farmer told you or your grandparents, about when a storm might be coming or other helpful "hints" or things to look for. Maybe certian animals act differently etc. I would love to be able to back up and have evidence that Nature does show us if we will just listen or watch.

Snap Dragons in July

Box Garden Rockport Texas

Just wanted to take a moment and share that as we are well into our 90+ temps here in Texas I still have some of my snap dragons blooming in July. I have always pulled them out when they started looking lanky but this year I promised to feed and water faithfuly to see how long they could last and they continue to bloom.

sage blooming

Hello to all,
Today I share my picture of the sage bush blooming. I have been told for many years that when it blooms- rain is just around the corner. So as I post this I send my wish of rain out into the universe for the great state of Texas and our nation to recieve some very much needed rain.