Life: Through the Lens

Last week we lost a beloved member of the family, our English Setter named Katy. Today we saw this poem and decided to pass along this loving tribute to all who have lost special members of the family - loyal companions who don't talk back, and love you unconditionally. Rainbow Bridge ~author unknown Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run

Cottontail picking up the seed scattered from the feeders above. One day warm and one day cold. One day sun and one day snow. Welcome, Spring. Fox Squirrel caught in the act. Outside the kitchen window we have seen a variety of critters congregating at the feeders. I have been unable to get a good shot of the deer which come in - much too dark and the deer are much to skittish. Having just finished reading an article about capturing a digital image of Bambi- a photograph we've been trying to get each of the 17 years we've lived in the country -we're cleaning off gear and counting the days to the start of our field excursions. So far we've seen Bambi jump and run, and a number of lovely does who could have been Bambi's mother. There have also been the bucks which entered my camera range on occasion. But not Bambi. Spring is upon us again, and we are planning our strategy for capturing this elusive spring visitor. A Tufted Titmouse grabs a snack. Until Bambi arrive

Adorning buildings and side-walks, hearts and "I love you" I ran away last weekend, for twenty-four chatter-filled hours. A friend of mine invited me to her weekend get-away and we walked and talked, went to a movie, attended the reading of a book written by the sister of a mutual friend, and got all caught up - in a way only possible when you're away from home and not staring at the windows which need washing, the laundry that needs to be done, the papers which need to be graded and the dust gathering on the top of the ceiling fan. The city of Traverse City, MI is such a wonderful spot, full of life and activity and people with energy. The weather held, giving us beautiful blue skies and sunshine. We walked everywhere and it was so delightful to shake off the winter doldrums and clear out those cobwebs. Outside the State Theatre was this wonderful photo just waiting to be taken. Treats for all those outdoor enthusiasts who walk their dogs downtown. Nice touch! I hope y

As you may have read in earlier posts, I work with a group of 5th graders each year, teaching them photography skills. These lessons are usually related to something they are studying, but currently we are actually working on "portraits." The students are matched with seniors at the area senior center each spring, and they play games and cards and have lunch together. It's a great experience for both age groups. The classroom teacher and I decided that maybe they should learn a bit about portraiture, and take pictures of each of the seniors, with their "junior" from the elementary school. It hasn't been decided if the photos will be given as part of Grandparents day or a general "thank you" at the end of their time together. What a hoot. One of the days we practiced the portraiture lesson, we set up a small back drop (too small) in the classroom and had students practice on each other. The lesson was on photos in which there were multiple people, a

If I felt more inspired by my surroundings I wouldn't have to work so hard to find photo subjects. March 1st seems like as good a time as any to look harder, and create more. Happy Monday! What are YOUR photographic subjects right now?