"A Tree in the Snow"

| Sony A700 | Sony 11-18mm | 11mm/f16 | 1/125 sec | ISO 160 |

“If you’re going to catch fish, you have to go fishing.  If you’re going to catch a lot of fish, you have to go fishing a lot!”  This holds true for photography, as well.  Because I have a full time job, I miss many opportunities to be out in nature during some of the most opportune times.  Nearly all of my photography is limited to weekends and holidays.  This means that I’m betting on having optimum conditions for creating memorable images only 2 out of 7 days every week.  These are not good odds.  Sometimes I need to hedge my bets; snow is a condition for which I hedge.

It doesn’t snow a lot in Southwest Oklahoma.  Some years there’s only a dusting of the white stuff.  In other years we may get a blizzard, driven by winds up to 25mph, resulting in drifts.  Slow falling snow,the kind that builds up on top of tree limbs and creates fluffy mounds on top of everything else, in uncommon and may only occur every few years.  Regardless of whichever kind of snow we get one thing is pretty certain…it won’t be around for long.  Where I work, my bosses know that if we get the kind of snow I like, the slow falling fluffy stuff, I won’t be coming to work!

The day I made the above image was one those days.  The snow had fallen during the night and had stopped by sunrise.  It wasn’t exactly the snow I wanted, but it’s been a few years since we’ve had snowfall that came this close, I didn’t want to lose this chance.  In addition to the snow, we had another climate condition that was adding to the intrigue:  fog.  My mind was already busy thinking of places to go and the possible images I might find there.  I immediately thought of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and of this lone tree.  A devastating fire in September 2011, known as the”Ferguson Fire”, scorched 40, 000 acres, on and off the WMWR.  I had driven by this tree many times and even photographed it earlier in January 2012.  I was already envisioning what the situation might appear before I arrived.

By the time I arrived, it was already late in the morning.  A southwest wind was already beginning to blow the snow, the fog was heavy with visibility reduced to less than half a mile, and it was misting.  These conditions were not making for a comfortable experience, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me because, as I mentioned earlier, these environmental conditions are rare in Southwest Oklahoma.  I opted for the Sony 11-18mm, over the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm, because I wanted to be as close to the tree as I could get and still show enough of the surrounding ground.  I knew the fog was going to become a wall for the background.  I didn’t know how near behind the tree it was going to happen, and I’m very please with this result.  I was hoping to creating a feeling of loneliness.  Let me know if you think this was accomplished.

From my prairie to you,

Herbie

Charlie Wright, in Santa suit, leads all others in the Polar Bear Plunge!

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | f4 @ 1/1250 sec | ISO 640]

After upper-sixty degree temperatures for several days, Friday night’s cold front that dropped Saturday’s high into the forties, caught some of the Polar Bear wannabees off guard.  The lower temperature along with a brisk wind that created a chill factor of 34°, caused some to lose their zest for adventure.  But not so for veteran Polar Bear and Medicine Park veteran Charlie Wright.  Dressed in Santa’s summertime beach attire, leaps high in the air as he leads the other Polar Bears into the frigid waters Bath Lake.

I Can See Forever

[Sony A700 | CZ 16-80 | 24mm | f8 | 1.6 sec | exp. comp. -.3 | ISO 200 | 3 images tonemapped]

For years, just before entering the Refuge, I’ve admired this rock outcrop. There’s nothing south of it for a hundred miles to obstruct the view of the horizon, if one’s vision was that clear. I imagine it to be a favorite place for “watching”. Watching what, I’m not sure, but tonight it was wonderful for watching the sunset.

Fishing Pier at Lake Quanah Parker

|Sony A700 | CZ 16-80 | 16mm | f8 | 1/320 sec | ISO 640 | 3 images tonemapped|

The winter sun rises south of due east creating low angles of light and many opportunities for dramatic lighting.  I was hoping for such an opportunity when I headed out to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge this morning.  I had a strong hunch that the sun rise at ESE 118.1°, would create interesting shadows and texture on the fishing pier at Lake Quanah Parker.  However, I have to admit my surprise at finding so much beach exposed, considering the rains we have had in December.  At normal lake height, there is very little, if any, beach.  As much as I was surprised, I was also excited because of the additional opportunities 20 yards, or so, of beach would present.  I parked just outside the entrance to the Quanah Parker Conservation Center and hiked to the pier.  I arrived well ahead of the sunrise and was able to get set up in plenty of time so I could just wait for the light and the fun to begin.

"Blue, Blue Christmas"

[Sony A700 | CZ 16-18 | 16mm | f8 | 2 sec | ISO 640 | 3 images, tonemapped]

I like looking at Christmas lights.  I like looking at Christmas lights, a lot!  That’s why driving to Medicine Park to see the lights on Christmas night 2011, made sense and felt “right”.  It had been a good day, because it was, after all, Christmas Day!  A lot has to be overlooked on this day, just because; just because.  And that’s why standing in a light rain on a winter night taking pictures of Christmas lights is an okay thing to do.  And I wasn’t the only one, either.  It was surprising the number of people who showed up just as I did to capture a few quick shots for scrapbooks and memories.  Most were only brief moments, quick dashes, and hurried poses.  And then, there I was, smiling and remembering times gone by while waiting patiently, camera on tripod, for a less hurried appreciation.  Oh, Cristmas lights, Oh Christmas lights, how brightly you do shine!

Herbie

Stillness brings clarity to everything.

[Sony A700 | CZ 16-80 | 16mm | f8 | 1/8 sec | ISO 400 | 3 images, tonemapped]

The wind is such a constant companion in Southwest Oklahoma, you can only imagine my surprise when there was hardly a stir at mid-afternoon on a day in December.  It had been months since I had ventured forth with camera in hand; I just hadn’t been up to it.  However, this day was different and the difference was causing a stir of excitement at the prospect of such a stillness.  On the drive from Lawton to the Refuge, the skies held promise of a sunset worth viewing and perhaps worth photographing.  Hunting for an image is much like hunting in general, I suppose.  By that I mean, even though there are a great number of photogenic scenes in Southwest Oklahoma, there are only prospects and uncertainties  whenever I venture out in search.  Sometimes I find something; sometimes I don’t.

Cold night, fire, and friendship!

On a cold December night in Southwest Oklahoma, the warmth radiating from a blazing chiminea, a freshly brewed cup of Starbuck’s “Cristmas Blend” coffee, music from a “Classic Rock” FM radio station, and the warm hands and tender heart of a special friend goes a long way toward healing whatever ails you!  Trust me on this one!
Herbie