Water Wheel
Water Wheel: It wasn’t supposed to be there — that discarded and rusty piece-of-junk automobile wheel — in the middle of a shallow, quiet-running stream. Still, there the thing was, and it turned out to be beautiful from a pictorial viewpoint, at least. In fact, the “water wheel” was my shot of the day! Prints of this image are available at: http://www.guilfordphoto.com
Set Apart
A Stream Emerges from a Shadowed Gorge as it Enters the River.
I made an all-to-brief visit to David Fortier River Park, Olmsted Falls, this morning and discovered the scene had transformed with the season. Thick layers of water plants coated the rocks beneath flowing water with purple slime lining the rock stream bed. I was alone in the park at that early hour but for a fly fisherman casting his line into the rushing river; a quiet respite in my morning’s travel.
Flow
Great Blue Heron Walking Away
This morning I was driving in the Olmsted Township (Ohio) area and felt like I could use some quiet time. A favorite place is David Fortier River Park in Olmsted Falls. As soon as I got out of my car I knew the park was the right place for me. I began my stroll along a path that leads to the falls, photographing interesting and beautiful rocks and plants along the way. As I drew closer to the falls I noticed something gray standing up from the shadowed rocks and water … a Great Blue Heron was looking for breakfast! Dressed in light-colored clothing, I felt the bird would quickly spot me and flee the scene. No, it held its position, standing in the water flowing over exposed rock. I shot many images, expecting each to be my last before the great bird’s departure. The heron stayed still, until I got a little too close for comfort. The Great Blue Heron — actually a bit small – probably a youngster — warily began to stroll away from me. It walked across dry rocks, then out to the main falls, and along the edge of the cascade. Finally it reached the end of the falls across the river from me and too far for good picture-taking. The bird felt safe and I was out of time. I headed back to the car. We had made our decisions to just walk away.
A Cool Place on a Summer Day
A cool and ancient place is this: the deeply-undercut, rocky gorge of Chippewa Creek in Brecksville. The stream has run through this area for untold eons and has, in places, worn deep troughs through solid rock — passages for its waters. On a day like this the shadows of the rock walls offer some relief from the heat and humidity of the new summer. The curve of the creek promises new discoveries around the bend.
Evening Rises
A change in the weather came this week. We transitioned from days that were sunny, hot, and dry to days of dark, cold, and wet. The rapid change made for lovely sights in the wetlands and ponds. Mists rose and were shaped by chilly breezes, staged before an emerald background of fresh new leaves. Soon the weather will change again that is one of the things we can really count upon, isn’t it?
Catching Breakfast
Always looking around as I travel, a river scene I’d spied caused me to whip the little Insight into a just-big-enough gravel spot alongside the road. As I was crossing a ford over the East Branch Rocky River, I’d spotted a lone Great Blue Heron standing in the dark, slow-moving waters. The bird was surrounded by dark green foliage lining the river banks and was lit by the morning sun. All I had with me was my trusty Canon PowerShot G11, but you use what you’ve got! I hopped from the car and gingerly headed back to the ford. The heron was far enough away it did not regard me as a threat and went about the business of catching breakfast. A few shots of the heron striding across the shallow river and I turned to take a few more images of the upstream view. A beautiful morning but, as usual, I had places to go and was already running late. Sigh. Good morning!
Morning Quiet
Olmsted Falls Respite
I made an all-too-brief stop at David Fortier River Park in Olmsted Falls this morning. It has, for a very long time, been one of my favorite places. I had my little Canon PowerShot G11 camera with me and managed to capture a number of “keeper” images. The filtered morning light in the ravine was lovely in the dim light where water flows over smooth rocks, trees and moss add a green softness to the scene.
Baldwin Lake on a Frigid January morning.
It was a very cold night, last night. The skies were partly-cloudy offering Earth the chance to send its feeble warmth drizzling into space. The day dawned clear, however, the first time we have seen the Sun in some time. Warm-colored rays were softly lighting the predawn sky. The land was wearing a coat of frost and open water a thin jacket of ice as I drove through the scene and air temperatures ran from seven to 13 degrees (F). There were several possible places to stop and take it all in but I’d time for only one and chose Baldwin Lake, Berea, Ohio. I shot as many photos as my cold-aching hands could bear before fleeing to my car to continue my travels. A warm and frigid morning it was!
Cold water moves as though thick around rocks in this stream.
After painting the kitchen moulding I took off on a round of errands: Post Office, Cardboard Recycling, Office (to water plant). Then respite: a nice, unhurried visit to David Fortier River Park in Olmsted Falls followed by a quick stop at the Strongsville Wildlife Area. It was a cold, gray afternoon, well-suited to the time of year. Still, there was plenty to photograph especially in Olmsted Falls where I spotted many pictures. Even armed only with my little PowerShot G11 I was able to bring home a nice set of images; it was hard to choose which of them to show here. Suddenly things are happening with the kitchen as tomorrow marks arrival and installation of the sink. On Monday and Tuesday of next week, the plumbing gets connected (wish it was earlier!) and the moulding goes up. That should be the completion of our “kitchen project.” Yes, today’s respite was much-needed.
Thin ice is forming on the pond in the Strongsville Wildlife Area.
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