A photography journal
I find myself using my camera in more and more areas of my life, almost using my camera as a part of the journal/scrapbook of my life. Capturing the things I find beautiful, the facts or textures that caught me off guard, or the breathtaking beauty of the natural world.
Over the past few months, I've been enjoying everything from my most recent adventures with animals and plants at Disney, editing my collection from the solar eclipse back in April, a random summer storm at the house, and family fun at the 4th of July.
Summer storm-
I find myself more and more drawn to the window every time I hear rumbling in the air at the house. Its facinating to me how terrified I used to be of lightning as a kid. Over the years that fear has transformed into a scientific eagerness to learn and respect of the power of mother nature. I find putting the camera in my hands, I become more confident, braver, and more bold. So next time you're at my house and it starts to storm, don't be surprised if I grab my camera and stand at the window for a while.
Chasing the Milky Way-
Since I was a teenager, I had a fascination with the night sky and its phenomenon. My dad fed this fascination and supported me with buying me my first and second telescopes, and going out in the yard at 4 in the morning to look at the stars. Later on, my high school teachers fed my desire to learn the weird oddities of looking at the stars and technically looking into the past due to the vastness of space and the speed light travels (you wanna hear me geek out about it- just as me. I could go on for hours). I even spent an entire day camped out to see my first total solar eclipse in 2017, and again in April of this year. With that, let me present my most recent adventures, chasing the milky way and the April Eclipse!
One night, Emily and I just grabbed the Bronco and the camera, and drove out to a nearby park. It was here was stayed until 4 am capturing photos of the milky way and goofing off! You know I'm having fun when the little old lady in me who goes to bed early stays out all night.
Solar Eclipse, April 2024,
No words, can describe the feeling of experiencing a total solar eclipse. And I'm not exaggerating it. In y first solar eclipse, I was alone with all my equipment, and camped out for hours watching the moon slowly cover up the sun. As soon as that one finished, I was planning my trip for the next one- April 2024. I planned this trip for 7 years, and no talk of cloud cover was going to stop me. Emily and I flew up to Ohio, after many crazy adventures of our plan being canceled (and all flights to that location with that airlines and the rest fully booked) and listening to over 50 flights an hour being canceled. But we eventually made it, and spent a few days having fun around the area in the days leading up to the eclipse. The day soon came, and it could not have been better. It was cooling off due to the eclipse, and we ate a picnic lunch and ice cream while waiting. Talking walks along the canal and enjoying being outside in the cool weather. The moment came where the last of the sun disappeared behind the sun, and my breath was taken away. How perfect creation had to be to make this phenomenon happen! No way could this have occurred accidentally! The perfect shadow that allows us to see the beautiful corona of the sun, and see solar flares with the naked eye! I cannot say enough how fascinated I am with this, and I cannot wait for the next one!
A Walk with Nature-
my gallery in cocoa beach focuses a lot on my nature work, and when I needed some inspiration, I headed for my local zoos and botanical gardens. And boy did I find some beautiful adventures into nature's playground. The details and minute changes that occur in nature to bring out it's beauty and complexity constantly amazes me. And this time it was found not in the stars, but rather the plants and animals found here on the ground. The texture of the lion's mane as he lays down, the flash of color as a Macaw flies just above my head to land on a parch nearby, and the peace of a duckling waddling behind its momma in and out of the water. All are moments of peace found in a busy lifestyle filled with deadlines and tasks to do. It is here walking among the flower petals and animal hoofs that I finally feel myself able to take a deep breath. It is the most satisfying walk I can find, and you will surely see more coming soon.
