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

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | 1/6400 @ f3.5 | ISO 640]

Col. Hannibal Smith, played by George Peppard in the TV series “The A-Team”, would often say, “I love it when a plan comes together!”  I can’t claim that yesterday evening was planned, but everything sure came together making for a very nice experience.

It all began when I walked through the door of the “Winery of the Wichitas”, a unique small business, located off Hwy. 49, atop a hill overlooking Medicine Park and just a mile, or so, from the eastern entrance to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  It’s a winery, and as such they offer up glasses of the wines they craft; it’s an art gallery where local artists can show their work; it’s a restaurant called “Buffalo Bistro” and Mark and Randy Reeves play smooth jazz on Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00.  Now, you must admit, that’s a combination that holds promise.

I go there often for the food, art, and music, in that order.  It’s not a place where “everyone knows my name”, but enough do to make it homey.  The  “Buffalo Bistro’s” menu is small but unique.  It was designed by executive chef, Anna Banda, who earned her credentials at Coach House.  Everything I have eaten, has been excellent, and the portions plentiful; most times, I leave food on my plate.  On this evening, the inside dining area was full, so I followed the path across the floor and through the door leading to the large split-level deck outside.  I was delighted to see the table with the brightly colored ceramic tile top empty; it’s my favorite even though it wobbles at least a half inch (I swear I’m going to fix that someday).  Located on the upper deck, in an out of the way corner, and only a table for two, it suits me perfectly.

The first thing I noticed, after taking a seat, was how pleasant an evening it was.  The temperature was just right, and there was only a mild breeze:  just enough to keep the insects away, but not enough to even lift a napkin laying unweighted on the tabletop.  The lights of Medicine Park were visible in the valley below, and to the east, the magnificent home of Muriel and Michael Fahrion is silhouetted against the sky.  Muriel is an American illustrator and created the original design for the doll, “Strawberry Shortcake” and her cat “Custard”, in 1977.  Following very successful careers, she and her husband, Michael, entered semi-retirement, designing this beautiful home that sits atop a tall hill facing the west and overlooking the Medicine Creek Valley.  Today, they are busy with their graphic arts and web design business, “Big Rock Works”, and many Medicine Park community projects.  In the distance behind their home were these magnificent thunderheads.  At the moment I first sat down, the light was not quite right, but I knew it would get better in a short time, if only the thunderheads didn’t move away too quickly.

Ah, another sign things were going my way tonight!  The light I was wanting s0on arrived and the thunderheads had not yet departed.  My camera, resting on the table, was an easy reach.  My tripod, still in my truck, was not.  However, seemingly with everything coming together, I was willing to stretch possibilities a little.  The Fahrion’s house is a good half mile away, as the crow flies, and steadiness is critical.  I cradled the camera in my hands allowing my fingers to play among the dials and buttons, making the adjustments I hoped would capture my vision.  When ready, I rested the lens barrel on top of the steel railing surrounding the deck and breathed deeply, consciously relaxing, letting all tension ease away.  Setting the focus, exhaling slowly, willing the  button to descend ever so slowly, anticipating the gentle rhythm of the mirror rising and falling, I was nowhere if not right there, right then.  Release, all cares evaporate into the gentle breeze, I am happy!  All to soon, the light changed and with it the magic of the moment. My thoughts returned along with the awareness of present surroundings and I began to scan the faces of my fellow diners on the deck.

It didn’t take long to spot Doug Kemper, a scientist and engineer.  Doug is nationally known for designing several zoo aquariums.  He lived in Lawton for some time during his youth and has returned to design, obtain funding, and oversee the construction of the “Medicine Park Museum of Natural Science”.  He’s traveled all over the world, even to Antarctica, so he has wonderful stories to tell in seemingly endless supply.  He seemed to be preparing to leave, but I caught his attention and asked if he’d like to join me for a time.  I was delighted when he accepted.

You should never be in a hurry when you visit “The Winery”; it’s just not a “rush through” place.  It was only after Doug joined my table that I placed the order for my meal:  “Everything Salad” and “Molten Lava Chocolate Cake” for dessert.  The salad fit well with my nutritional goals, while the Lava Chocolate Cake did not.  Oh well, we must have balance!  Right?  Over the next two hours, or so, while I enjoyed the deliciousness of my meal, we talked, laughed, and told stories.  The topics ran the gamut of everything from progress on Natural Science Museum and Doug’s plans for a sky lift connecting the museum to the center of Medicine park, to birds and wild flowers on the Refuge, his expedition to Antarctica, and Al Gore’s myth of Global Warming, to include the fact that the glaciers on Kilimanjaro are receding, not due to melting, but due to sublimation; A huge difference, by the way!  The only thing that shortened our evening was Tammy, a wonderful waitress, asking, “Do you guys plan on leaving from the deck or would you like to come through the Winery?  We’re locked up and going home.”

I just love it when everything comes together!

Oklahoma University's Icon of Knowledge

[Sony A700 w/CZ 16-80mm | 27mm | f/8 | 1" – 15" | ISO 1600 | 5 images, tonemapped]

It’s been a good while since my last post.  I apologize for that!  I have been distracted by life and have not been able to pursue my love of photographic art.  However, this past week I was in Norman, OK. attending a three day marathon workshop on Franklin/Covey’s “Four Dimension of Execution”.  After sitting for hours upon hours the first two days, I had a great need to stretch my legs.  Toward that end, I loaded up my camera gear and headed for the OU campus about 9:30 PM.  Being an alum of OU, and very familiar with the campus, I was already anticipating seeing our Bizzell Memorial Library glowing in the night.  I was not disappointed and I hope you like it.

I'm Never Alone!

My loneliest moments have not been when I’m alone; I’ve been very lonely in crowds.  I’ve had some wonderful times with friends and family; times I’ll always cherish.  But my absolute best times are when I meet HIM in HIS garden.  It’s not that he’s not with me at other times; HE’s always with me.  I take that for granted and that’s the difference.

Sunday afternoon, we walked in HIS garden, I felt HIS breeze on my face, HIS rocks under my feet, heard HIS birds sing, and the warmth of HIS glow in my soul.  I stood in awe of HIS artistry as HE painted the canvas of granite walls with HIS ever changing Light.  If he can paint hardened granite with HIS Light and create beauty, surely he can paint the hardest of hearts, too; maybe even mine.

Tomorrow, at 7:30 AM, I go for my third attempt to complete an MRI.  My lifelong battle with claustrophobia has beaten me twice.  How stupid is that?  Tomorrow morning I’ll remember our Sunday afternoon walk, think of the picture above and know HE’s in the tube with me; I’ll know no fear.

Elk Mountain Aglow During The Golden Hour

Sunday afternoon marked the return to my beloved Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge following surgery to replace my right knee.  I’d driven to the Refuge a few times since the surgery but never wandered farther than 50 yards from my truck.  Sunday afternoon was different.  I went through preparations for a hike into the very special Charons Garden Wilderness.  I admit I was packing light but at least I was packing.  It had been perhaps two years since the last time.  I was really homesick for the familiar trails.  Not knowing how my body would respond or how much stamina I possessed my expectations were minimal.  I was packing only the “be prepared” essentials I’d learned as a Boy Scout far too many years ago and never went to the wilderness without ever since.  And, of course I was taking a camera, but leaving extra lenses, filters, cards, and of course my tripod behind.  This was  a “just to see if I could” trip.I had reached the parking lot at Treasure Lake by 2:15 PM.  No other cars were there.  The slight breeze coming out of the north chilled the 47° air under a clear blue sky.  I pulled off my sweatshirt leaving only a long sleeve t-shirt.  Experience had taught me I would be plenty warm with my jacket on once I started hiking over the rugged terrain.  With backpack on, camera slung over my right shoulder, fingerless gloves, and my hiking staff I paused at the trailhead took a deep breath then stepped out onto the trail to an adventure that had been waiting too long.

Parallel Forest

I love the Parallel Forest; I especially love it when I’m by myself!  The equal spacing and parallel plantings present a picture of calm, silence, and peace.  Planted in the the spring of 1912, the cedars are nearing 100 years old.  They’ve stood witness to many things now history and long forgotten.  They’ve stood and flourished through years of plenty and have withstood times of hardship, too.  The ice storm of January 28, 2010, was one that hit hard and left its mark.  Living in Lawton and seeing the destruction left in the wake of that storm kept me away from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for months.  It was April before I made my first trip there since the storm and I was heartbroken by the scene.  However, even then I avoided going by the Parallel Forest for fear of what I might see there.  Even though I have made numerous trips back since then, it was only this past Thursday that I was able to pull off Hwy 115, and into the small black-topped parking lot belonging to this grove of native red cedar trees.  I think the reason that brought me here now, was the reality of an approaching surgery and the desire to experience the peace and calm I always found here.  I needed that and I needed to slow down, be still, and know GOD.  This is a good place for that.

It was hard seeing tree tops broken, downward pointing, still attached to their life source though dead themselves.  Others had broken free and littered the floor normally open and clear.  The sun was now rising and I was walking directly into the ever brightening light.  Between me and the sun, three elk were bugling from someplace unseen.  There was a rafter of turkeys about 40 yards away to my left.  They knew I was there, and though cautious, seemed willing to accept my presence as long as I seemed uninterested.  I could admire them but do little else with the only lens I had with me at the time lacking the reach needed.  But what I did notice was a much greater amount of grass growing beneath the cedar canopy above.  The broken tops and limbs were letting the life giving light reach the ground allowing green grasses and purple flowers to grow.  Though I had been here many times and walked these well worn trails it was different this time.  I don’t know if it’s better or worse, or just different, but I know I kept wanting to sit my tripod and walking stick down, sit upon the ground, lean against a cedar trunk, and listen to the quiet.  The air was still, the only sounds being an occasional bugle from an elk, a gobble from a turkey, a chirp from a cricket, and a song from an unknown bird.  This is a description of ultimate boredom for some, but it’s paradise for me; I talk to my LORD and it seems he talks back to me.  I ask HIM to let me see:  the light, the beauty, what HE wants me to see.

I’ve always enjoyed looking into the light.  Things seem to glow and colors are brighter when light shines through them rather than reflected upon them.  It’s a lot different than reflected light.  Almost everything reflects light, but not everything allows the light to pass through.  People are that way, too.  Some people reflect the LIGHT, some don’t, but a few glow as the LIGHT passes through; you can see it in their eyes; you can see it in their aura.  This morning I walked farther and farther into the light looking for a special glow.  I walked far enough I knew it was wrong to continue.  I turned and began my return trip.  Everything was reflected light, and seemed dull to me and disappointment was growing within.  After reaching the point of my beginning, I sat down on the ground, reluctant to leave.  As I sat there, looking back into the forest, the light rose higher in the sky ever changing the patterns of light that danced across the forest floor.  I began to see what I was supposed to see as the light began to crawl toward me.  Finally, I’m lying flat on my stomach stretched out upon the bare dirt, my tripod spread out before me.  I’m seeing familiar things with a new perspective.  I’m seeing old things in brand new ways while breathing the earthiness of the dirt underneath me.  I call the images I made this morning, “A Rabbit’s View”.  I hope you enjoy this one.