Posted in Inspiration, On the Road, tagged architecture, art, beauty, dublin, Inspiration, ireland, libraries, National Library of Ireland, Photography, public libraries, stained glass windows, travel on November 8, 2013| 3 Comments »
In my travels I have not forgotten stained glass or public libraries. Here is but a small section of a window found in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin. Via this link you can actually see a 360 degree view of the front hall where this and several other windows can be found along with beautiful mosaics and fine carvings. A lovely place to visit.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged autumn, Branches, colors, dublin, Inspiration, ireland, landscape, nature, Photography, travel, trees, University College of Dublin, walking on November 8, 2013| 12 Comments »
There are many beautiful trees making up the woodland walks of the University College of Dublin – Belfield Campus. There are actually 5 walks that were formed through the purchase of old estates with woodland areas dating back to the 1800s, and the subsequent planting of many new trees. According to the campus website, there are now over 50,000 trees in place representing over 75 species. More information can be found here. I am still sorting through pictures from my campus meanderings, but I think this tree is one of my favorites — new growth against an old estate wall, bright leaves and bark on a cloudy afternoon.
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged birds, dublin, ducks, Inspiration, ireland, mallards, nature, Photography, travel, water on November 6, 2013| 3 Comments »
I don’t remember seeing any ducks where I grew up in Virginia so maybe that’s why they caught my attention so much in Boston. Plus they are one of the few birds that don’t seem to mind me stalking them from shore. Sometimes they even come right up to me. Like this little lass on the Liffey River in Dublin.
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged birds, colors, dublin, feathers, Inspiration, ireland, nature, phototgraphy, swans, travel, water, white on November 5, 2013| 4 Comments »
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged abstract, autumn, colors, dublin, Inspiration, ireland, leaves, light, nature, Photography, st. stephen's green, sunlight, travel, water on November 5, 2013| 7 Comments »
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged deserts, imagination, Inspiration, movies, musings, Photography, random, sand, travel, walking on October 20, 2013| 5 Comments »
After smelling an open jar of wild mint (that’s all it was, I swear) I once had a waking dream of setting up camp in the desert, my feet sinking into the hot sands, the air filled with the sounds of horses snorting and the jingle of their bells. I was perhaps influenced by a conversation with a man from Morocco. Even before that dream I had been planning to visit the Sahara, as well as deserts within the U.S.
Some of my favorite movies have depicted vast dunes of sand in shades of sparkling white to dusky cream and even dark gold. Lawrence of Arabia. The English Patient. Dune. There’s that opening scene in the 1979 movie, The Black Stallion. And, of course, Star Wars. 😉 I love the depiction of man or beast making their way across the shifting landscape. I have been lucky to visit many different landscapes and to photograph them.
But no deserts yet. Not really. This morning, as I lay in bed, photographing the hills and valleys of the cotton sheets, I wondered anew if I ever will see such sandy sights firsthand.
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged butterflies, colors, flight, holidays, Inspiration, nature, nature photography, poinsettia, travel on December 25, 2012| 1 Comment »
Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback on the blog this year. Each comment has been appreciated. More to share before year’s end, but until then, happy holidays and safe travels. 😉
Posted in Inspiration, tagged art, beauty, collaboration, colors, friendship, image essay, Inspiration, musings, painting, poetry, Talking Writing, travel, writers on December 12, 2012| 1 Comment »
Are the holidays especially hectic for you too? If so, I highly recommend you steal away to a quiet corner and read this image essay by poet and artist Donald Langosy. A treat for the eyes and soul, I’d say. 😉 http://talkingwriting.com/image-essay-donald-langosy/
“The Metaphysician and Monsignor” © Donald Langosy
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road, tagged colors, digital photography, family, life, portraits, seeds, siblings, stories, travel on November 26, 2012| 1 Comment »
Once upon a time, I sat in my father’s arm chair while my parents sat side by side on the neighboring couch. I’m not sure how this seating arrangement happened. I do remember that in the big chair I was loudly sharing my knowledge of the world. With each proclamation my parents just nodded or said, “Mmmhmm.” So I felt completely affirmed in my beliefs, right? But then at some point in the conversation, they denied my request to do something. I stood up with all the wrath and righteousness of a fifteen-year old and said, “You can say that now since you think I’m a baby, but when I’m 99-years old …” My mom interjected, “When you are 99-years old, you will still be our baby.”
That story keeps coming to mind as I show pictures of my brother Keith to friends. They are used to my stories of a little boy who planted a seed in a cup. Or stories of the little boy I used to send to collect dandelions in our empty Easter baskets. When they see pictures of the small boy now a man who towers over most people, and of the child now a father, they always exclaim, “I thought you said he was little?” I just shrug and say, “He is little. He’ll always be my little brother.”
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road, tagged architecture, art, churches, colors, design, digital photography, dublin, glass, illustration, Inspiration, ireland, travel on October 23, 2012| 3 Comments »
Well, while in Dublin, I have to admit that I did take pictures of a few other things besides leaves and letterpress. Even on the rainiest of days, the interiors of the churches were beautiful to view as subdued light shone through stained glass windows and fell upon lovely murals.
