Reflections

On the way home we stopped at Patterson State  Park and enjoyed reflections of the fall colors.  Th e quiet waters are an invitation take a few moments and enjoy the beauty of the season.

 

Too often we are rushing to our next thing to do and miss the beauty that is around us just wating to be apppreciated.

 

 

Welcome to a New Day



 Sunrise on Lake Superior

 

 

Who can deny the existance of a Creator when you see one of these?     



Sunrise Under the Cloud

I was trying to take a picture of the sunrise, when I remembered reading about this photographer who suggested one should turn around and see what was behind.  I did, and this is what I found.  The reflections on those windows was the motel we were staying in.

Not My Way

Jackie and I spent a few days on the North Shore of Lake Superior.  Evening had come and I had not taken my "Picture of the Day" so I went for a walk near the harbor in Duluth.  On the base of the lighthouse was this inscription where the writer proclaims freedom to do it his way. 

I think we have all had a feeling like that sometime.  Maybe we want to do it our own way and don't want to be limited by the way others do it. 

Fall Colors Have Arrived

The brilliant colors of fall have arrived.  Even after a very dry summer we are getting splashes of color adding beauty to the season.  Here is one branch that was set apart from the rest and I was able to get in a  position to capture this great example of fall color.

Kristi Kruse | Dakota Sky | CD Baby Music Store

Here is a link to Kristi's new CD, Dakota Sky!

Kristi Kruse | Dakota Sky | CD Baby Music Store

It's Working

Yesterday I was wondering what would happen when they changed one-way streets to become two-way streets.  I questioned the wisdom in that change.  I wondered how they could make it work.

They did it!!  And it is working well.  It is wise for me to remember that sometimes those who propose change know what they are talking about.   Maybe I should not be so resistant to change.

How Can They Do It?

How can they take busy a one way street and make it a two way street in downtown Eau Claire? Someone is going to be unhappy about this arrangement.  Will it be the shoppers?  Or the business owners?   How about the delivery drivers?  Where will they park? How can this happen?

I guess life is like that.  Changes come our way and at first we have no idea how to deal with them.  Our immediate reaction is to resist change.  We like to do things the way we did them before.

Yet, sometimes change is good.  Adjustments can be made and sometimes it is good and we benefit from it.  So, instead of resisting every change that comes our way, let's try to be open to the possibilities that will benefit us or others. 

Political Pranks

What do you think happened here?  Could it be that someone stole a political advertizing sign and then replaced it with this one?  This sign and other political signs could be found at the end of State Street and Lowes Creek Road.

Photogenic

I am beginning to learn why good photographers like these hay bales.  Pictures can include shape, texture, shadows, depth and more.  I am also learning that I am not one of the good ones.  But this was just a quick stop on the hiway and I could not pass up the opportunity. 

What's This?

Jackie and I headed north to see some fall color.  We followed the the suggestion of Fall Color Chart provided by the Dept. of Transportation.  They recommeneded a specific road road from Phillips to Winter because the fall color was as its best.

Well, we get to Phillips and found the Wisconsin Concrete Park.  I had never seen this before but it is interesting, unique and memorable.  Here are dozens of figures of people, animals, and all kinds of unusual "art" work.  All are made with concrete and have all kinds of glass imbedded and somtimes the glass pieces are sticking out so don't get too close.

I know there must be a story behind all of this. We did not take much time to investigate how this got started because we went on to see some fall color on Hwy W from Phillip to Winter, Wisconsin.

Respect Well Deserved

A traveling replica of the Viet Nam Memorial was on display this weekend.  In somber silence people walked all along the lists of names.  Some were there looking for a specific name and lingered to reflect on the memory of their loved one.  It is a stunning experience to see the whole list at one time. 

I conducted the funeral of the first Wisconsin solider who died in Viet Nam.  At the time I was pastor in a very small chuirch in Wilmot.  I recall a large number of people present that day all trying to give comfort, support and care to the family of the young man who was being honored at that time.

The Viet Nam Memorial causes us to keep searching for ways to settle disputes in ways that promote life-giving results.

 

Recognize any name here?

Standing Up to be Counted

While Jackie was doing some shopping in Minneapolis today I visited the Como Park Conservatory.  Usually the "Sunken Garden" has a speical theme highlighting specific flowers and colors of the season.  Today that theme had lost some of its freshness and a new show is soon to come.  So I spent my time in the other parts of the conservatory where plants grow to maturity. 

Among the flowers that got my attention was this hibuscus plant as if to say, "Most of the time you don't notice me,  but when I bloom you begin to pay attention." 

Preview to Fall Colors

Even though it was windy and dusty I could not pass up the brilliance of these colors.  The flower was announcing the beginning of a new season.

If I had not been looking for a picture for today, I would have missed this completely.  Not only was I fortunte to see the beauty of this flower, but I also met a new neighbor who makes flower gardening her hobby.  The picture a day project has blessed me twice today.  That is more than I expected.

Our Back Yard Color

We  know that every season has its special time of beauty but now at this moment we celebrate the color in our back yard knowing that it won't last much longer.

Deer at Dusk

It was late in the  day when we went for a drive in Carson Park.  Without any warning suddenlly we find these two deer minding  their own business and unafraid of any spectators.  It had been a busy day for me and by that time I  had not taken any "Picture for the Day" yet.  Knowing it was poor lighting conditions to get good results I knew I needed to try. 

The camera was in the back seat.  I got out, took the camera out of the case and gave the it to Jackie becuse the deer were out her window.  She took the "Picture for the Day".  I think she did a pretty good job considering the camera was hand held and with a slow shutter speed due to the poor lighting conditions.  Thanks,  Jackie

Changing of the Seasons

After a very hot summer many were looking forward to a change in the weather.   After many days in the 90's the change has arrived.  It feels like a big change with the morning temp at 46.  These clouds came as a sign of the change of the seasons.  The overpowering presence of these clouds remind us how little influence we have in how the seasons change. 

Field of Honor

"A Field of Honor, Respect and Remembrance Flag Memorial" arrived in EC today for a week long display.  These 1500 flags present a impressive display to honor those whose lives were lost in military service.  People were walking among the flags in a reflective mood as if this was sacred ground. 

Next to USA flags was a Wisconsin Flag for each Wisconsin person whose life was lost since 9-11. On each flag was a dog tag with that persons name.  In quiet reverence a family went to the flag of their loved one and tendly held that name tag as if it was precious gem.  In respect for them I did not take that picture.  The flag looked something like this.

It's Only Grass

All summer long it looks like grass, just simple blades of green drawing no attention to the eye.  Then comes the season of fall and almost suddenly simple grass becomes the decorative presence for all to enjoy.  That which was once very ordinary now becomes very extraordinary.  I wonder what seems ordinary now will soon become very extraordinary.

A smart landscaper did a good job decorating an area of Mayo Hospital.

One Last Chance

This was the last chance for this one beautiful hydrangea blossom to be enjoyed. The blossom was so heavy that it was nearly laying on the ground and soon it would no longer be appreciated.  So I wanted to give it one more chance to be enjoyed by any who would see this photograph.  How wonderful life could be if we embraced the beauty around us.  What beauty have you enjoyed today?

 

This flower is in the garden of my next door neighbor, Sandy.  Her backyard garden adds beauty to our neighborhood. We are fortunate to see her whole array of flowers from our patio.  Thanks Sandy.

Give me Water

Finally some moisture.  After using the spinkler this morning I noticed how the thirsty leaf hangs on the the water as long as it can seeking to absorb the wonderful beneft of real moisture.

Is there a lesson in that for us?  Maybe we need to cling to that which provides life giving nourishment.

Blue Heron on Chippewa River

While walking through Phoenix Park someone told me to go down the river bank because some otters had been playing there.  Well, I did.  No otters.  But a glance upsteam I found this Blue Heron enjoying the quietness of this place.  He stayed long enough for me to get picture.

Blue Moon

 

In my attempt to take one picture a day I was looking forward to going out to capture the moon rise of the "Blue Moon".  Well it was already two days past the official full blue moon, I just wanted to get a picture.  I had not done that before. Clouds covered the blue moon and no picture.  Yet I still wanted at least one picture for the day, so on my way home I took this  one.

Welcome to Dave's "Picture a Day"

Bridges have always been an interest of mine.  A bridge allows you to go from one plasce to another in a much easier, faster, safer way.  It makes possible something that may not otherwise be accplished.  It is way to go from one point to another.

This "Picture a Day: project may become a bridge for me.  I anticipate it will be a bridge to learning more about photography.  It might be a bridge to develop keener eyes to see photo opportunities.    Maybe it will be a bridge to new skills as I use the camera.  Hopefully it will be a bridge new levels of enjoyment. 

What bridges have been beneficial to you?