Outside Your Window

Sunset on the Storm

2011-08-13T18:48:00.005-04:00

I was at my son's football practice and noticed the sun setting on the storm clouds from earlier. Just before the sun sets is the best time to see dramatic colors in the clouds. I could see people in the bleachers looking at me and then looking in the direction of where I was shooting to trying to fingure out what I was looking at. (Since the practice was in the oppositie direction). They probably thought I was loosing my mind. I am sure I was the topic of converstation for some on the way home, espcially when I started to move around to compose the pictures. Too bad they didn't notice what they were missing!

Morning Visitor

2011-08-05T21:00:00.008-04:00

While sitting on my deck I heard something whiz by my head coming very close to hitting me. I discovered that it was one of the humming birds that have been coming to our honeysuckle bush every year for a few years now. My children have named him "Zippy" and he has become a seasonal pet that we look for every spring and feed all summer long. Whether or not it is actually the same humming bird is unknown, but my kids believe it is and get a kick out of watching for Zippy and taking care of him all summer. Zippy has become very accustom to us being on the deck because let's face it, my kids have yet to master the ability to be quiet for long periods of time. When I took these photos my son was playing on the deck and I was only a few feet away with nothing hiding me.

Camping It!

2011-07-16T21:31:00.004-04:00

I had a great time volunteering at my son's cub scout camp this week at Camp Carpenter. It was a blast! We were outside from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm every day. Even though there wasn't much down time, I was still able to snap a few pics.

Climbing Mt. Monadnock, NH

2011-07-03T19:53:00.008-04:00

Yesterday my family and I climbed to the summit of Mt. Monadnock located in NH. It was an experience that my children will remember for the rest of their lives and so will I. That was our first climb up the mountain and we met some wonderful people. At the summit we met another family who also had their 8 year old boy the was making his first summit climb. When he found out it was also my son's first trip to the summit of a mountain he put his hand out they congratulated each other. It was great to see other families getting outside together. My children came down with such a sense of accomplishment. My son kept saying he couldn't believe he did it. We talked about now that they have climbed a mountain, if they get overwhelmed at school by a test or schoolwork all they have to do is take a breath and say "I can do this, I climbed a mountain." I think this especially hit home for my son because he is very intelligent but struggles with severe dyslexia and gets overwhelmed quickly. This was just the kind of confidence booster he needed even though that wasn't part of the original plan. Doing something together that is a first for the whole family (it was my first time up Mt. Monadock too) really bonded us together. And I had a blast adding to some beautiful landscape pictures to my photography portfolio!

Some hiking side notes:

Please be prepared! My son is a cub scout so we used planning this as a way for him to earn a belt loop, but plan and pack appropriately. There were a lot of people going up without the proper gear if they were to get in trouble.

We researched the trails ahead of time, packed a lot of water in each of our backpacks, I had rope, compass, whistle, extra food, blanket, first aid kit, ace bandages, and bug spray in mine to name a few things. We also talked about hiker safety and ethic. We stayed on the trails, payed attention to what trail we were following (encouraging our children to find the next trail marker), we stayed together, and followed "Leave No Trace" by cub scouts.

Mt. Monadnock- is aprox 3200 in elevation. We followed the white dot trail up (little over 2 miles to summit) and the white cross trail down. Both trails have some pretty tough terrain where we had to use 3 points of contact to maneuver. It took us about 2 hours up and 1.5 coming down.

Dramatic Waterfalls are Not Just for Exotic Places

2011-06-17T18:49:00.006-04:00

My family and I recently took a day trip to Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I had researched the location of some waterfalls in the area and decided to hike one of the trails to one of the waterfalls. The hike to the falls was very family friendly. My 8 yr old and 12 yr old had no problem hiking the 1.5 miles. They enjoyed going over the railroad tracks and then discovering all kinds of native plants and trees. We came across a few smaller waterfalls on the way too. We had never been here before and you could imagine our surprise as we turned the corner of the trail and came to this beautiful and enormous waterfall. My children were awe struck and my 8 yr old even said to me "I thought there were only waterfalls like that in Hawaii!". He wanted to make sure I took lots of pictures (of course) so that he could show his classmates at school. I encourage you to research what natural elements are in your area and take some time to go enjoy one!

Backyard Paradise

2011-06-03T19:56:00.006-04:00

I am always encouraging my children stop and take notice of what is around them. I hope that I will be able to inspire others to do the same. Here are some pictures I took from my own back yard in Southern New Hampshire. As busy as we all are (believe me I have two children in 2 sports and each in other extra curricula activities all going on at the same time, plus working full time- I know what busy is) take some time this weekend to grab a cup of coffee and sit outside on your porch, steps, deck, etc and just observe your surroundings. You will be amazed at what you see that you had no idea was around you.

Have a great weekend and get outside!!!

Hazey Day at the Beach

2011-05-06T11:05:00.003-04:00

I wanted to show that you don't need a fancy camera or gear to catch some interesting photos at the beach. I left my Nikon at home took a very small point and shoot that only had 3 settings to the beach. I want to encourage people to get out and explore, and take some pictures to remember what you saw. You many even see things in your photo that you didn't notice when you were looking at it in person. Take time to really look, not just scan your surroundings, you will be amazed at what you see!

Have an hour? Take a Hike!

2011-04-14T16:44:00.004-04:00

This past weekend my children clearly needed something to do because they were making each other crazy. Who would think brothers and sisters do that? Anyways I told them we were going for a hike. With a little resistance they came, but as soon as we got to the park in town and took a few steps thier attitudes changed instantly. We didn't have a lot of time because we had plans later in the day, but you don't need a huge block of time to hike in your neighborhood. Our entire hike plus quick drive was about an hour long, but was so much more valuable in the interest it sparked in my children.

We quickly found a rock pile that my children enjoyed exploring and telling me about all the interesting facts they had been learning at school about the different types of rocks and minerals. Their rock and mineral itnersted continued through the entire hike and is something they are still talking about. We are planning on purchasing a field guide this weekend to take with us on our future hikes. My children went from not wanting to go to not being able to wait until our next one. Sometimes it getting children outside and away from the technology takes a little push, but they are usually very happy when the do!

Here are some pictures from our hike.

Don't forget Earth Day April 22nd! The Children and Nature Network has a link to search for acitivities that are happening in your area to get children outside. Check it out.

Click on one of the "Let's Go" Badges to the right to bring you there.

(Sorry for the delay in posts! Compurter problems)

It Can Happen Anywhere

2011-03-27T09:26:00.002-04:00

While on a hunt for this years baseball and softball equipment for my children on a Saturday night, we were driving on the highway and as we came over a hill we saw the Worm Moon bright and orange just rising in the sky. My children were amazed they didn't know what it was in the sky. When I told them it was the moon they didn't believe me at first. They were so excited and wanted me to take pictures. Of course I didn't have my camera with me, but I did have my phone with me. I passed my phone to my kids who took turns taking pictures of it while I drove. So what's the moral? That you don't have set out specifically looking for nature, and appreciate something wonderful. It can happen as you are driving, as your walking or as you are sitting in your house. All you have to do is look around you, and you will see something.

These are the pictures my kids took with my phone.

Winter Fun!!!!!

2011-03-09T13:00:00.002-05:00

I had the great opportunity to photograph the 1st Annual Winter Carnival at Riverside Dog Park in Raymond NH for the town committee. I am usually not a fan of cold weather but my family and I dressed warm and we had an absolute bast! It was a great event that got a lot of families outside in nature in the community, including the family dogs. They had so many events for the families to participate in together. It made me think why do we always seem to have so many outdoor events in the summer, and hardly any in the winter? If you dress appropriately (just like in the summer months) you can have as much fun outdoors. Here are some pictures took that day.

Fire pit and my children sledding.

Winter Paridise

Tug-of-War next to the dragon sculpted out of snow.

There off!!!! Snow Shoeing Races!!!

The Beach isnt Just for the Summertime

2011-02-20T13:06:00.000-05:00

The weather warmed up for a few days so I went to the beach on my lunch break to see if there was any interesting to photography. It was a clear day and the visibility was great. I was able to take some pictures of the Isle of Shole, and some practice shots of birds in flight. I definitely have Spring Fever now and I am starting to research different places that I to explore with my family and camera this year!

It's Been a While but I am Back to Blogging

2011-01-30T18:59:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't made any posts since October! Life has been busy to say the least. Both my children have been involved in school sports, scouts, and my son has been diagnosed with a learning disability, most likely moderate dyslexia. So most of my time has been spent on the Basketball court side lines, being assistant leader to my son's cub scout den, and researching special education laws and learning strategies for dyslexia. ( I am considering starting another blog about what I have learned, and techniques I am trying with my son for other families that may be going through a similar experience.)

We had some wildlife visitors in our backyard visible through our kitchen window. We think they are after our chickens that we got last spring. Seeing these guys outside my kitchen window reminded me of the title of my blog "Outside Your Window" and made me realize I have been so busy taking care of everyone else I haven't been taking care of myself and the things I enjoy.

So I have made a point to get back outside with my camera (even though winter is in full force here in New England). I have been doing some hiking in the woods behind my house, and my children have joined me for some. They haven't gotten the whole quite in the woods to see the wildlife thing, but we have been able to see lots of tracks that we have identified and it has released some of their built up energy!

So here I am back to photography and blogging!

My son starting out on our hike and tracks we found in the snow.

Weekend Hiking

2010-10-19T20:44:00.000-04:00

I decided to make it time to go hiking up in the White Mountains, NH this past weekend. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to see the foliage in all it's splendour. I was a little disappointed to see that I had missed the peak, but it was still absolutely beautiful. My children were amazed by the snow cap mountain peaks while they were only in sweaters at the base. We took a small hike at Franconia's Notch Waterfall Trail and then we Walked around at The Basin. My children got a kick out of following the river. My son noticed that part of the river looked like a natural waterslide. It's also funny how when we think of waterfalls we think of warm, exotic places. Until I picked up a NH hiking map, I didn't even know how many waterfalls were in my home state, and they are just as beautiful. I can't wait to explore and photograph more of them!

Fall is Here!

2010-10-11T21:12:00.000-04:00

We couldn't have asked for better weather this weekend. We spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and the beautiful fall foliage. We went on a few hikes this weekend, and took some time to look at the color patterns in the leaves. My children even noticed that leaves have some similarities to snowflakes. No two are exactly the same and they too float down to the ground. Hoping the weather holds out for next weekend, we have some more local places that we want to explore. I would love to get up to the White Mountains, especially the Flume or Lost River, but I am not sure if that is going to happen before the foliage peak is over. If my family has weekend that isn't filled with sports activities, you know where we will be going! Until then we will use the smaller amounts of down time to enjoy what is right around us.

Been a While

2010-09-24T21:48:00.000-04:00

It has been a pretty busy summer with lots of outside adventures! We have been doing lots of hiking on the trails in our back yard, and going for walks in our neighborhood. The leaves are starting to change and I am starting to get very excited to take some great fall photos.

The other night I was outside and noticed tiny green things glowing in the grass. I picked one up and it was some kind of insect. Of course I got my two children out of bed (at 9:30 on a school night) to show them. When they first got outside there was nothing glowing, and they thought I was loosing my mind. But after staring at the ground for about a minute we started to see them glowing in the grass. The longer we watched the more we saw. It was pretty magical having these green glowing things all around our feet. I was so glad I took the risk of having a very grumpy morning to show my children another amazing thing in nature. We have done a little research and believe that they were female glow worms that are actually a type of beetle. We have been out every night since watching them. (Not so late though)

This is a picture of what one looked like. I didn't take this picture, I found it doing some research from the Portland Bird Observatory and Field Center website.

The picture was taken by Martin Cade.

As you look at this imagine about 20 of them glowing all around you on the ground. It was pretty amazing!

NH Polar Caves

2010-08-14T21:38:00.000-04:00

We took a ride up to the White Mountains here in NH to go explore the Polar Caves. We had a blast. We hadn't been there in about 5 years, and I wish we had gone sooner. The sights were amazing and climbing through the caves and learning about the different minerals in the rocks was very interesting. We also visited the Maple Sugar Museum that was on their property. The old tools and machines they used to make maple syrup were amazing. I was nice to not only have a fun family outing, but I also had the opportunity to teach my children about history and geology. We read the signs that described what the minerals were in the rocks and how the caves were formed by glaciers. It was again a place that is in my own state that I had taken for granted and forgotten about. I encourage everyone to explore what is right around you. You will probably be surprised at what you will discover.

Little Bit of Everything

2010-07-31T21:40:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since my last post. I have been enjoying being outdoors with my family. We have been doing a little bit of everything. Camping, hiking, beach, and so much more. I also have been putting together my website (www.treasuredmomentsbydaniele.com) when I have had some free time. Last week my children and I enjoyed a nice picnic dinner on the beach after work. It was so nice to do something different and enjoy the evening air outdoors. My children enjoyed it so much they want to do it again this week. This week we are going to go to a local state park, have our picnic, do a little hiking, and if it's warm enough a little swimming. Most places in my area do not charge an entrance fee after a certain time, so it is a very inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors and it breaks up the weekly routine. We are probably going to make this a weekly event until it gets to cold (which I hope isn't for a long time!) Climbing the rocks at the beach

Dragonflies we saw on one of our hikes around a pond.

More pictures from the pond.

Summer Colors

2010-07-11T20:40:00.000-04:00

Driving home from a family get together my son and daughter and I saw the rainbow below as we pulled on our road. Of course I had to pull over and take a picture. When I got home my son said "Mommy I am going to look for the pot of gold!" I love how excited he was about something occurring in the natural world. My daughter thought it was a good luck sign for a softball game she was in the next day. I felt very proud that both my children took time to look at the rainbow and appreciate it.

Riding the Waves

2010-07-02T20:01:00.000-04:00

We all need family and friends to ride the waves of life.

I went to the coast clear my head from a very hectic morning. This is what I saw when I got there. The scene in front of me made me think about my friends and family that have helped me the past two weeks while I was recovering from surgery.

Later that night when I got home I saw these frogs in my water garden. Usually there has been one little guy in there but this night there was two. Hmmmm.

My children became very excited to see that our "pet frog" had a new friend.

Back on schedule soon!

2010-06-30T21:28:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posts, I had to have some minor surgery that prevented me from going out and doing the thing I love best-capturing beautiful photos to share. I am on the mend and will be back to my weekly postings by next week. Stay tuned!

We Can't Control Everything

2010-06-12T12:56:00.000-04:00

With all the technology and power we have, we still can not control everything. We have to make the best out of some situations.

A few years ago you would have never found me out in a thunderstorm trying to capture a picture of lightning. But as I continue to challenge myself to get better shots, I find and take opportunities that I would have never taken before. This is starting to trickle down to my children as well. The last storm we had, no one was scared and they almost enjoyed watching the lightning create different designs in the sky. (Of course the storms were not sever and it was safe for us to do so. There is a difference between taking a photographic opportunity and risking your safety.) After the storm we walked around our yard and noticed how interesting the raindrops looked on everything.

Take a Break

2010-06-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

We all need to take a break now and then.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T09:55:00.000-04:00

I usually blog about our natural world, but with today being
Memorial Day, I wanted to give thanks to all of those who have
served and are serving now. My family participated in our town's Memorial Day Parade. I thought it was going to be fun, but I had no idea that it would be so moving. It was a heart felt experience that taught my children the true meaning of Memorial Day. I think these pictures say it all.
Thank you!

Patients is a Virtue

2010-05-22T22:18:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you have to wait for good things to come to you.

The old saying "patients is a virtue" is certainly true. I worked on practicing patients, as I would say to my children, these past two weeks. Sometimes this is not easy to do, especially in a world of almost instant gratification. But as hard as it was to stay still and focused, my patients paid off. I would have missed these great opportunities if I had not taken the time to be still and wait. It is amazing what you will see when you take the time to wait and watch.

Making Time

2010-05-08T21:48:00.000-04:00

In a previous post I wrote about balancing our time and taking time to appreciate what is around us. I had to do this very consciously this past week. Both my children began their baseball and softball activities. They are fully enjoying it, however it has been a very challenging schedule for our family. Here are some pictures I took in my own yard.

This last picture I took while we were at one of my children's baseball games. Even then you can take a moment to notice things.

Take a Closer Look

2010-05-01T21:10:00.000-04:00

With the spring blossoms in full bloom, you can't help but notice the beautiful sights. We usually notice the blossoms, but how often do we stop to pay attention to the delicate details in them. Here are some photos I took this weekend. The first one is what we usually notice if we were driving by or walking by, the second is what you can really see if you take a closer look. These were all taken in my backyard. I encourage you to take a few minutes in your backyard and look closer at some of the flowers or blossoms in your yard, you might be amazed at what you have you never noticed!

Spring in New Hampshire

2010-04-26T20:36:00.000-04:00

Well spring is in full bloom here in New Hampshire. Everywhere we look we can see signs of the season. Personally this is my favorite season, although fall is a close second now that I am an avid photography hobbyist. Something about the spring time, makes me feel rejuvenated and peaceful all at the same time. The sounds, smells, and sights. I did a simple exercise with my children this weekend were I had them sit on our deck and be as still as they could for 5 minutes. I had them use there senses to take in the sights, sounds and smells of spring. I wasn't sure how this was going to go over, but after about a minute the birds returned to the feeder that was very close to where we were sitting. They really enjoyed getting a close up look at some of our feathered friends and were actually continued to observe the birds well over the five minutes.

These leaves caught my eye because they looked so soft almost as if they were covered in velvet.

First Spring Hike

2010-04-17T21:13:00.001-04:00

It began to warm up here in southern NH, at least for a short time. My children and I took a quick hike in the woods behind our house. I wasn't sure how much there would actually be to see this early in the season, but we were pleasantly surprised. What was really nice about this hike was that we really had to look to find interesting things. It was exhilarating to finally see things starting to grow.

This rock was interesting. It brought up a conversation of how the plants are growing on the rock. My children had their hypothesis. One thought that the plants were growing all the way through the rock, the other thought they were a type of plant that did not need soil to grow. We investigated a little closer to find out the real answer.

Another great thing about hiking this time of year is that the weather is tolerable, and because the leaves are not on the trees yet, there are a lot of interesting sights that are visible. Some which you maybe wouldn't see if the leaves were fully grown.

We stopped and observed this tree for a short time (as short amount of time as two young children can stand still and quiet) to see if we could see some wildlife poking it's head out of the hole in this tree. Unfortunately we didn't get to see anything this time, but we will be making plenty of visits back.

My children think that the near by owl we have been hearing in the evenings is living in here. We will have to see!

We became real excited when we first saw this bird flying. We thought it could have been an eagle, but when we looked at the picture we realized it was a Turkey Vulture. Not as exciting, but still very impressive in size.

I took this picture because when I saw this seedling next to a fallen tree trunk I thought of the terms "renewal" and "rebuild". Much like this year has been for my family. Nature shows us that things always have a way of balancing out.

Changing Times

2010-04-10T21:54:00.000-04:00

I finally have flowers and shrubs budding in my yard to photograph. I never realized how quickly things can change in nature when the conditions are right. One evening I was pointing out the daffodils that were just getting ready to bud to my children, and the next evening when my children went to check on the progress then told me that they had already opened. This realization has really made me focus on what I want to photograph in my yard before it changes, so that I don't miss the opportunity. It also has taught my children and myself to really look at what were are seeing because it may be completely different tomorrow.

Taking the Path Less Traveled

2010-04-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it scares me how much today's society is always in a rush. What is life going to be like for my children if we don't learn how to slow down and relax. I feel like people are always pressured for time, stressed about something, over committed, and just unhappy. No wonder why so many Americans have health conditions. I myself can be caught up in the rat race of life. What really helped me learn to slow down and take time to breathe was photography. When I began studying photography, I began to realize how much I was missing and what I was modeling for my children. I have really become aware of how many times I say to my children "Hurry up," or "We don't have time.". I am learning to ask myself "Why don't we have time?" "What would it hurt if we did take the time?". No wonder so many children are being diagnosed with ADHD/ ADD. Look at what they have for models, and how rushed we make them. Of course they don't have long attention spans and are always on the go. We are making them that way! (Besides the fact that the are staying indoors most of their day, but that will be a topic for another post.)

Learning to slow down isn't easy, but once you can it is amazing what a difference it can make in your life. The picture below I took on my way to work one morning. That day I decided to go the back roads to work instead of the highway. I am so glad I did, because look at what I would have missed.

Peace of Mind, Where Do You Find Yours?

2010-03-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

Do you have a place that helps you clear your mind? I do. Every time I feel stressed or overwhelmed I have this pull to go to the coast. The sounds of the waves, with the birds along with the smells of the ocean really help me feel rejuvenated. Nature has an amazing power to calm us and ground us. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a walk, visit the mountains, take a drive to the beach, or sit in you own backyard watching wildlife. You will be amazed at how much better you feel. All the pictures on this post I took on the NH coastline, one of my favorite places to photograph. It is always changing, and it is never exactly the same as the time before.
My children have also become very connected with the ocean and the coast. We enjoy going to the beach pretty much year round. I hope when they become adults they will have a place that they can connect with and get their piece of mind.

Sounds of Spring

2010-03-19T19:41:00.001-04:00

Since tomorrow is the official first day of spring, I thought I would take a moment to celebrate the change of the season. My family has been patiently awaiting the first night time sounds of spring. Since it has been pretty warm here in southern NH, every night we have been opening a window to see if we can here what my son calls "the spring frogs". He means the peepers, not sure of what their real name is, but that is what they are called in my neck of the woods. We also have a family tradition of every year whoever hears the peepers first, my children, myself, or my parents, we rush to make the first phone call to let the other one know. It is like a race to say "Spring is here.". This year my parents won the race, they called me at 5:15 to let me know that they heard them first. When my children heard the news there was a chorus of "Oh, man!"

My children have been asking to sleep with their window open just in case the peepers wake up and to smell the fresh air. I was afraid they were going to get cold at first, but then I figured if they get cold they will let me know. How can I deny them their request to experience nature. One night I found my daughter covered in a few blankets. I thought she was sleeping but as soon as I went to shut her window, she stopped me. I guess we can all learn from them how peaceful and refreshing opening those windows for the first time is. All the smells and noises that we miss all winter long. Happy Spring Everyone, and take a moment to take in all the signs, smells and sounds outside your window!

I know the quality of these pictures from a photography stand point are not the best. These were taken in my very early days of exploring photography. How I wish I could get these shots again knowing what I know now. But I think they are still good visual reminders of the post. The bottom one also serves as another point of stopping and taking a moment to see what is around you. This little guy was in my sunflowers, and again if I wasn't looking for things to practice shooting in macro, I probably would have never seen him.

Live, Laugh, and Love

2010-03-12T20:12:00.001-05:00

When I began looking for photo opportunities in my backyard, I began to notice the beautiful structure and grace of dragonflies. Photographing them really taught me how to focus, keep still and wait. The more I photographed them the more interested I became in their symbolism. I found some articles that noted that many cultures see dragonflies as a symbols of change and new beginnings. This is because dragonflies begin their lives in water and then transform into the beautiful creatures that we see flying around. I read that they also can be a symbol of living life to the fullest because they have extremely short life spans. I found this very interesting considering one of my life's motto's is "Live, Laugh, Love". Funny how I became gravitated to these creatures and then learned that they symbolize what I believe in.

I also came across some articles that said that some Native American Tribes believe that dragonflies are the souls of people who have passed on. This struck me because I have had some personal experience with seeing a blue dragonfly frequently around me when I was outside shooting pictures. This began to happen right after the loss of a very close loved one, and the dragonfly seemed to appear a lot that year. My children even noticed that the blue dragonfly "really liked us". Below is a picture I was able to capture of it. Chances are it was all coincidence and it wasn't even the same dragonfly, but it was certainly was ironic. Especially after learning about the symbolism.

My children use to be afraid of dragonflies, but since we studied them together and learned more about them, they too have become fascinated with them. Learning about them together was a great experience.

Nature's Awakening

2010-03-06T22:12:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how quickly things can change in New England. Last week at this time we were just getting our power restored from an unbelievable nor' easter that hit the area. This week spring was in the air. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. We even cracked a window a little to get some fresh air in the house and to listen to the birds singing. Not sure what it is, but have you ever noticed the scent of fresh air? I also took a few minutes to observe the other sings of nature that were waking outside my kitchen window. Here are some pictures I took when I joined the wildlife outside in my backyard to take in and appreciate nature's awakening.

Nature's Power

2010-03-01T20:51:00.000-05:00

I have been writing about the beauty of nature and how we should all take a moment to appreciate what we see everyday. We should also appreciate the power nature has. It has the power to heal us both mentally, and physically through medicine created from it. Nature has the power to inspire us and uplift our spirits. But nature also can be fierce and relentless. It has the power to remind us of what we can control and what we can't. It can remind us of how small we are and powerless we are at times.

This week here on the NH southeastern side of the state, we experienced a pretty sever northeaster with wind speeds higher than we have experienced in a long time. My town lost power for three days, ans some towns longer. Experiencing this first hand certainly reminded us of nature's power.

The picture below was taken after a pretty bad thunderstorm we had last summer. It is interesting that nature also has a way of signaling that things will be okay.

Wish Upon a Star

2010-02-20T19:18:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you took a moment to look up at the stars? Did you make a wish? It's amazing how many things we take for granted and forget that they are even there. When my children were learning about the solar system in preschool, we made a habit of looking for the moon on the way home and labeling what phase it was in. This was easy to do since we live in New England and it is dark by 5pm during the winter months. No matter how cold it was outside, we couldn't go in the house until they made their nightly wish on a star. Three years later, my children will still point out what phase the moon is in, and still will wish on a star now and then.

During the weekends in the summer we often stay up late and wait for the stars and moon to come out. We sometimes have contests to see who is going to see the first star. We have a Discovery Kids telescope that we set up and spend as much time as we can tolerate with the bugs looking through it. We point out the constellations and I encourage my children to create their own "constellations" and name them. Sometimes they will create silly stories to go along with their new constellation.

But stars are not only found in the sky. Nature has a funny way of creating shapes and patterns that are found in more than one place. My son pointed out last summer that the moss growing under a tree in our yard looked like little stars. I wish I thought to take a picture. I will this year. Here are some photos of other "stars" that I found last year.

I only began to notice this pattern in nature late in the fall season last year, so I was not able to get wide of a variety of photos. This year it definitely will be a focus of mine. I also plan to put my children to work as we hike and explore nature together to see what shapes and patterns they can find.

The Little Things

2010-02-14T16:33:00.001-05:00

As I understood more photography techniques than pointing the camera and snapping a picture, I became interested in photographing little things in nature that we often pass by without a second glance. It is amazing how much I wasn't seeing before I started to look. Take the picture above for example. I was in my backyard with my camera looking for interesting things to photograph. On the edge of the wood line I came upon these small mushrooms growing on some fallen leaves, which reminded me of bottle caps. I truly believe the only reason I noticed them was because I was forcing myself to look for little things. Had I not been, I probably would have stepped right on them and continued on my way, maybe even getting a little frustrated that I didn't find anything to photograph. My children were with me when I made this discovery. I hope that they learned to just stop and observe all around them sometimes. I know I did. You might be amazed at what you may find when you focus your attention to really look at what you are seeing.

Below is a Lady Slipper that caught my eye while we were waiting for my daughter to compete in her horse competition. It was growing in on the side of the forest next to the seating for the spectators. Lady Slippers are wild flowers that are very rare and are actually protected by law to not be pick or transplanted. I took some time photographing it, but then my attention switched to my daughter who entered the ring. When I went back to take a few more photos of the Lady Slipper, it had unfortunately been stepped on by another spectator who probably didn't even notice it. Proof of my point above. Take time now and then to really focus on what you are seeing, even the little things, or you will never know what you are missing!

Reflections

2010-02-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

How often do you stop to reflect on what you are seeing? When I learned to see through my new photography eyes, I was able to see the beauty in nature through a new perspective. I had never noticed before how water can create a beautiful reflection of a scene the way I do now. You don't have to travel great distances to reflect on this new perspective, you can look right outside your window in your own back yard. For example, this above picture was taken in my backyard in my small water pond. I didn't even have to leave my property to appreciate the beauty in nature.

The pictures below are from a state park located about 15 mins away from me. I have lived in the same place for almost 10 years and had never visited this park until this fall. Which is very interesting considering many families plan extended vacations and camping trips to this park. I was looking for a local place to take a few photos and observe some wild life with my children when we drove by a sign to the park. I thought "Why not?". We had a great time, saw a lot of bird species, frogs, turtles and some fish. Another great example of taken for granted what is right around you.

As I began to notice reflections, I would point them out to my children. This time they pointed one out to me. We were spending some time exploring the beach in the fall, and my son happened to turn around and notice the cloud formations in the sky. My daughter noticed that after the wave went back in the reflection of the clouds was created on the sand. This was the first time that I had every paid attention to this. I can't wait for it to warm up a little so I can get back to the beach to see what else I have always taken for granted.

The Grass is always Greener

2010-02-03T20:20:00.000-05:00

It's funny how we think we have to travel great distances to see amazing sites. We often forget what is right in our own back yard or state. I was able to take in so many beautiful sights in NH during a day trips to the White Mountains. Even thought they are located only a few hours away from me by car, I had almost forgot about them until I discovered photography. I am so happy that I rediscovered them and all their beauty. I am looking forward getting a little more off the beaten trail and doing some hiking this summer to gain more of an appreciation of them.

My first time to the top of Mt. Washington, and I have only live here for 30+ years! I'm glad that when I finally did go to the top, I was able to appreciate everything I was seeing through my new appreciation for what is around me. This is the Cog Rail that will take you to the top. We did the auto road, which I don't recommend for anyone who is afraid of heights, but it certainly is an unforgettable experience for those who are courageous enough. Especially when you slowly pass the tree line. My kids couldn't get over the fact that trees stop growing at a certain altitude. From the bottom the mountains it looks like they have trees all the way to the top. Talk about hands on learning!

This is the end of the Cog Rail at the top of the mountain. Notice the chains on the building. They actually go completely over the building to hold it down in the 200 mph winds they get at the top! Glad it was a clear, calm day when we went!

This is a small waterfall at the Lost River. Another great place I recommend to take in the beauty of the mountains. There are so many places I have yet to discover. I am mapping out my game plan for this summer already!

Have You Seen a Butterfly?

2010-01-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

We have all watched them flutter by us at one time or another, but have you ever taken a moment to really look at one? Isn't if funny how children have this wonderful ability to observe and notice things that we as adults don't? A child's sense of wonder for the world around them is lost as we become adults. We get too caught up in the hustle and bustle to slow down and truly look at what we are seeing. I too was caught up life's hustle and bustle. Especially when we have the ability to take our responsibilities with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using Internet capable cell phones. I too have a Blackberry, but I have learned to shut if off or leave it at home so that I am not tied to it. Studying photography has taught me to slow down and really look at things. To clear my mind, sit silently and still and observe the natural patterns in nature. To look through a new set of eyes. Here are a few photo's that I was able to capture of butterflies by doing so.

The top three were taken at a local butterfly museum. If you have never been to one, it is amazing. They fly all around you, and sometimes land on you. It gives you a new appreciation for their beauty and it is a great break from the freezing cold days of the middle of winter.

These last two were taken in my garden last summer. The delicate beauty of their wings is something amazing. Next time you see a butterfly, take a moment to watch it, observe it's flight pattern, wait for it to land, and then really look at it with new eyes. You might be surprised at what you see!

Walk in the Woods

2010-01-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

I have come to realize that there are always going to be things on my to do list. There will always be laundry to do, a house that needs some organizing, toys that need to be picked up, dishes to get washed, and so on. If I spend all my "free" time focusing on these things I would not have had the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery in my backyard. These pictures were captured on a quick hike in the woods behind my house, which my children are still talking about.
Not sure what kind of mushrooms those are, but they were an amazing find.

Messages Around Us

2010-01-22T22:57:00.000-05:00

I sometimes wonder if there are messages around us that we don't always see. This is a rock my son found at the local beach. As soon as he picked it up he brought it to me to show me that it was shaped like a heart. Another message, same theme. This is a leaf my daughter found in our drive way, on our way to get the mail. This is exactly how we found the leaf, with the heart shape already in it. We framed it and hung it in our kitchen as a symbol of the love in our family. The four leaf clover we found the day before we got a phone call that was going to bring a tough period in our lives to an end. We added that to the framed leaf to symbolize the strength in our family.
One more message, same theme. This tree has been in our yard since we bought our house almost 8 years ago. It is a border to the side of our driveway. You actually have to turn the wheel from the top of our drive, not to hit it as you back out. How many times a day, week, year ,did we go right past this tree, always looking at it, not to hit it with our cars, but never see the message. It wasn't until I was studying photography and teaching myself to really "see" that I saw what we had been missing. Another sign of love in the shape of a heart on the tree, very close to where the leaf above was found.
Certainly makes you think. Doesn't it? Especially since these were all found with in 2 months of each other, during a difficult time in our lives.

New Meaning to an Old Phrase

2010-01-22T22:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my first post! As I began to study photography, I began to become more aware of things that we don't often notice as we are rushing from one place to another. I became more self aware of what I had been to busy to see right in front of me, and I became more and more interested. I learned to look deeper than the surface of what I was seeing and to be observant. I started sharing my insights with my children in hopes that they would remember to take time to look around as they grew into young adults. So far it is working. Both of them love looking for colorful sunsets, and will sometimes wake me to see a beautiful sunrise if they wake before me. Of course there are days when I wish they hadn't discovered that sunrises can be as colorful as sunsets!

I am very fortunate to be a program leader in an early childhood school that also values the world around us and instills an appreciation of nature with the children. I often find myself sharing my photos with the children at our school who will look at them with insights that I never thought of. I want to give new meaning to the old phrase "Take time to smell the roses."