Garbage or art?

Every spring and summer I love taking photos of Esther's flowers. She has one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the area. Tonight the sun was setting as I was taking photos. Most of the time any shots taken into the sun turn out washed out and faded and end up on the cutting room floor. But I have learned that they can be extra special works of art. God can take the unwanted and discarded and make it into something of beauty. Take a look at these photos - what do you see? Garbage or art?

Coming Soon to a Photo Card Near you!

Whenever I take a group of Pictures, I am always looking for photos that might look good on photo cards that I can sell or give away. Today was one of the "photo Card" days at Pattison Park south of Superior. I really was not in the mood to stop, but as soon as I saw the rushing waters, I had no other choice. Now I am very glad that I did. These are only a sampling of the photos I took today. I also found a trail around the lake that I had not seen before. What an amazing God we have to make such a photogenic scene. So which of these photos do you think would look good on a photo card?

Spring Flowers - FINALLY!

Finally the spring flowers are starting to bloom!!!! What an amazing sight to see a few flowers springing up here and there, especially after a long hard winter. For a while there I was beginning to wonder if Spring will ever come our way! Praise God it is coming! I was getting tired of taking photos of that cold white stuff. I won't complain about the snow, because there is a lot of beauty in winter scenery. But after all these months of snow - a little color seems awful good to these old eyes. Praise God for His majestic beauty.

Signs of Spring

Saturday afternoon was a great time to take a long walk in the woods. It was a beautiful day and signs of spring were everywhere. Almost all of the photos I shot were closeups of decaying wood or interesting designs in the wood. My goal was to shoot beautiful pieces of art out of that which would normally be old and decaying. With things greening up it made for some great contrast between green and brown. One of the highlights of my walk was when I neared the end of the trail and met a couple that was taking pictures of this small blue flower.They were excited because the flowers were beautiful and it was a sign of spring. The couple was originally from Norway and now living in the Twin Cities. The woman told me the name of the flowers: I think it was Hepatica americana. All winter long I have waited for this time when things start to bloom and take shape. 

Cranberry Marsh

Sunday I was changing lenses in my camera and I dropped a lens that I use quite a bit. That was a $400.00 drop, since Nikon told me that they would not cover it in their warranty. OUCH!!! I put a notice on facebook that I was looking for a new lens. A very dear lady from our Photo Club came to my rescue and sold me a lens that she had and was much better than the one I dropped - a Nikon 18 - 200mm lens. Yesterday, on the way to Siren to pick up the lens, I took my time and took a few "short cuts." One of the short cuts took me by a cranberry marsh a few miles east of Siren. Out of the marsh came this beautiful swan and another smaller bird. God blessed me twice that day, with a good lens and a chance to take these photos. It made the trip well worth it.

The Real Artist

I have realized over the years that I am anything but an artist and above all I am not an abstract artist. There are some people that are very good at taking a common item and turning it into a work of art. When it comes to photography, all I can do is share the things our Creator has made. He is the REAL ARTIST! As I walked in the woods today I was finally able to get off the beaten path a little and take some photos of logs, branches and odd designs. They look like abstract art, but are really just God's handiwork up close. Some of the photos I did manipulate a little, but most of them are just as I shot them with little change. Next time you walk in the woods take a closer look and give God the glory for His creation

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