I recently visited Pella, IA to photograph the tulips.  Unfortunately, with the early spring and some spring storms, there were not alot of "picture perfect" tulips.  But, after looking at them through the camera lens, I realized that even in windblown tulips, there was still some beauty to find. 

That was a life lesson as well.  When we meet people who have had a rough life, carried heavy burdens or come into our lives with baggage, there is always some beauty to find in them. 

So, the next time you pass by a flower garden that is past its prime, take the time to really look at  what is still weathering the storms.

Spring came extremely early for Kansas this year. My daffodils and tulips were beautiful and my hostas are already 3" to 5" tall.

Over the weekend, I visited the Johnson County, Kansas Arboretium and came across this unusual flower. I have not been able to identify it, so if anyone knows, please send me a message.

Oh yes, I also discovered garter snakes in the backyard. That was quite the experience. Luckily, I have a great neighbor who came over and got rid of them for me. Neighbor 10, snakes 0.......Brenda extremely happy!!

Go out and enjoy the flowers!

Coronado Heights - Long Exposure Star Trails

I've shown examples of long exposure in some prior posts. This is one that shows star trails.

This was taken at Coronado Heights, just outside Lindsborg, Kansas. This exposure is about 30 minutes. The lights to the left of the photo are from Salina, Kansas.

Unfortunately, the night we went there were very strong winds and it was very cold. I would have like to have done a longer exposure to get more of a complete star trail.

For Valentine's Day

This is another photo from my Neosho Falls trip.

I was first drawn to the shape of the heart in the ice. This was taken with my Fuji, using the macro feature.

Once I got the image loaded on the computer and took a look at it, I then see the features of a face within the heart.

I can also see a little heart person that has some attitude. Can you see that?

In the majority of my photo adventures, I will find a face. Could be in the grain of a tree, the configuration of a brick wall, the two windows and open door of a barn, or like above....in the ice. This was during my journey along the banks of the Neosho River at Neosho Falls, Kansas.

I will share some additional faces in future posts.

KC Plaza & Long Exposure

January found me at the Kansas City Plaza. We have had an extremely mild winter season this year, and it was time to take advantage.

This picture demonstrates long exposure. Put simply, the shutter is held open for longer than normal. This results in the streetlights becoming stars. The front lines in the photograph are actually cars that were coming towards me or were sitting at the corner waiting to turn.

If you're ever in Kansas City between Thanksgiving and the 15th of January, you have to take time and experience the lights of the Kansas City plaza. One of the things I like to do is to go to the top of a parking garage and look down and over the lights. Definitely gives you a different perspective.

I discovered this tree and path in one of my journeys into the Flint Hills of Kansas.

A lot of people associate Kansas as being flat and boring. As a photographer, I see it as an opportunity to find something in the "flat and boring" parts that maybe people pass by everyday.

I recently came across this definition of photography: "the talent to capture beauty in things that go unnoticed". I don't who to credit the quote to, but I think it's a good definition.