If I have to be out in the cold, I’m damn sure going to make sure the photos are worth it. On February 2nd, the temps were very low and we had snow. I finished shoveling (lots of snow but very light) and brushed off the truck and noticed that the flakes were sitting on top of each other. You know what I did next. (You can click on each photo for a larger view. While some aren’t sharp, you can tell that some flakes appear to be 3-dimensional.)
Every year during Circlefest, Church of the Covenant opens it’s doors and invites the public in for worship, an Advent Workshop, the Cache Resale Shop is open, and the Carillon Tower Tour and Demonstration. In the afternoon, there is a Carol Sing, with the Windsong Chorus and the CWRU Orchestra and Concert Choir.
Some photog friends made a visit to the Church earlier this year, and I wasn’t able to attend. Kristen and I added it to our ‘must visit’ list this year, and we were VERY thankful we did.
To say we were mesmerized when we walked in would be an understatement.
A big round of applause and “Thanks!” to two local photographers for motivating me to go to Mile Long Pier to get some shots of my own. Roger Brownson and Matt Dempsey took some really great pics of all that was frozen behind the Jackalope. Wanting to check it out myself, I stopped by after work the other night. And it’s a good thing I did, because it’s been pretty warm the last few days. I’d go on about what I saw, but I think the pics speak for themselves.
It’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post, and almost 4 weeks since I picked up the camera. Having a cast on my arm for half of that time (broken thumb), not being able to dial the lens is frustrating. Having no drive or desire to go out of the house is bad enough, but having nothing that inspires you to shoot when you want to is even worse.
Saturday it snowed. I’m looking out the patio window at the drifts, and the peanuts in the feeder, and I start noticing details. I grab the camera and within 5 minutes, I’ve got over a hundred shots to play with. Wow, THAT felt good.
What I saw in the details was wood grain, and textures, and a possible sense of depth in the shots. I think it worked out quite well.
I thought this was over processed, too bright, and not ‘realistic’ enough. I originally tossed it, but then I thought, “Why not do it again?” And with that, pulled the 7 pics out of the trash, and ran it through the process again.
This was better, a little more real, for lack of a better word. And after shooting these, I realized I missed out on the backside of the swing. Duh.
I was very happy with this. You can see texture in the snow (in the foreground), the detail in the wood, and get a good “feel” for the way the snow is mounded and has fallen through the slats of the swing.
I liked this because I thought the edges of the snow on the tile looked soft, and the the slight blur to the grass.
I was really blown away by the results of the tree shot. With a little tweak, there seems to be considerable texture and a 3D look to it.
So, the cast is off, I’m wearing a brace now, and can dial the lens. Two photographer friends of mine got some shots by Mile Long Pier, and I hope to get out there on Tuesday. But the main thing is, I want to.
I can’t help but wonder if I missed a calling somewhere along the line. Animals absolutely fascinate me. And I’m absolutely blown away that a wild critter like Chuck trusts me enough to take a peanut from my hands. Or that when I haven’t filled the feeder out back, he’ll come up to the window and look in to see if I’m around. Friday afternoon I was sitting at the table in the kitchen, and Chuck was scoping out the feeder. Finding it empty, he looked toward the window and I was already standing there. I sat down and grabbed the bag of peanuts, and drummed on the window with my knuckles.
He managed his way through the deep snow, and came right up to the sliding glass door. As I slid it open, he jumped back to the swing. I rattled the bag, and poked a peanut out through the cracked door. He jumped down and sniffed my fingers, but didn’t take the nut. Rather than wait for him, as he looked like he’d dropped some weight, I let the nut fall into the snow.
Chuck pounced on it, and then got up on the arm of the swing to dine. I thought I’d take more pics of him, and hoped for the chance for something different. Leaving a handful on the ledge, I moved around so I could watch him eat.
Chuck doesn’t always stay close when I leave him snacks. He’ll run off a few feet and eat, or he’ll take them one at a time, and either go back to the nest or bury them around the yard. Whether he was really hungry or in a really trusting mood, I don’t know. But he scarfed up a storm, and left his shells and skins all over the snow!! That’s gratitude for ya!
So, while Chuck got busy, I got busy.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had some snow on his nose.
Chuck’s a pretty cool dude. I’m pretty happy to be landlord and chef for him.
When I turned in Sunday night, it was raining. Given the days previous, I didn’t think much of it. When I got up Monday morning, and looked outside and saw everything frozen, I went right back upstairs and got dressed for outside. I’ve come to realize that I HAVE to get a macro lens for my camera, because I really enjoy the close-ups, and I’ve read they’re great for portrait work, too. So, here’s what I believed to be “acceptable” for here.
Thought the bumpy texture on the feeder was interesting.
I still can’t figure out what that little doo-dad thing is on top.
I know. More icicles. But I thought the little designs inside were interesting.
It’s a really cool feeling to find a wild animal that trusts you enough to come up and take a peanut out of your hand. “Chuck” has been coming to the back door for a while now, and has even come across the street to come up to me (and recently Kristen and Michael), and if I rustle the bag loud enough, he’ll even come down out of the tree. He came to the feeder the other day, and when I knocked on the window, he climbed down and came to the swing behind the house. I cracked the window and handed out a peanut (unsalted). He came up and took it out of my hand, and I left a handful there for when he came back.
Saturday was the only day of the Lorain County Metro Parks Winter Days Festival, an annual get-outta-the-house-and-enjoy-the-cold extravaganza. Enjoy the cold? Are you nuts? Of course not, not when you can sled, take horse-drawn sleigh rides, watch ice carvers demonstrate their talents, watch sled dogs do their thing, or learn how to snow shoe. This was my fourth Winter Days Fest, having started in 2008. According to local news, over 800 attended the festival. Quite a turnout, and it seems to draw more every year.
I parked on the Bacon Woods side of the River, and there were quite a few people, young and old alike, sledding and sliding down the snow-covered hill.
Over to the Mill Hollow side, where all the activities were taking place. A new ice carver working on an eagle, and doing a great job of explaining his job and skills, and some of the tools that he uses.
The finished sculpture!
Steven Griffea, a chef from DeLuca’s and a Winter Days regular, carved these.
I watched everyone in line, talking excitedly, and waiting their turns for the horse-drawn carriage ride.
(I put both shots up because I really liked the ‘shot through the trees’, and I thought this one looked pretty good.)
Hey, is that horse smiling for his picture?!
Found these berries on the south side of the building, while I was waiting for the carriage to come back.
Everyone loves the sled dogs, they’re very friendly, and they love their trainer!!
Such beautiful dogs!
And I do mean everyone loves the dogs!
Inside for a minute, so I can warm up my hands.
Stirring a pot of chicken and dumplings, then hot coals on top of the pot with the dinner rolls.
Hope you enjoyed, and think about coming out next year!!
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