At the End: Shining Like a Star
Sometimes beauty emerges at the end. This one leaf, among all of the others, is dying early yet outshines its many healthy brethern. This little scene was along the trail in Medina County’s Hubbard Valley Park.
photography
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No Trains Today: East or West
A quick stop in Olmsted Falls this dark and misty morning to take a look at the old Olmsted Falls railway station. The structure was built in 1877 by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad as both a freight and passenger station. It now houses a model railroad club but still stands adjacent to main line rails that carry frequent trains even if they no longer stop there.
Waiting for Baggage
There’s a Change in the Weather.
I was heading towards home this evening when I noticed the skies darkening in the southwest. Some relatively compact but intense thunderstorms had been driving through the area and it looked like this one was headed my way. In fact, as I turned south I could see the dramatic leading edge of the storm rolling towards me. I pulled off into the first open area I could find, whipped out my camera and started shooting. I did one series of shots with the intent of creating a panorama of the amazing scene. Then some rain drops started falling. I got back into my car and had traveled no more than about a quarter-mile when the deluge began! The area was pummeled by extremely intense rain driven by strong winds. Within half an hour the rain had stopped. An interesting way to end the week.
Wind-Driven Rain Pummels the Area
Clouds Building over Lake Erie
This was the scene midday over Lake Erie off Bay Village, Ohio: clouds building over the water and a tiny boat heading in to dock. A few hours later the sky became overcast and a compact thunderstorm drenched the area. It looks like it will be a stormy and wet weekend. We shall see what the next couple of days bring but we hope to get out and enjoy.
Look out, fish, that’s no rock you’re swimming around!
We visited Kendall Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park this afternoon. I wasn’t holding out hope for much to photograph but our little nature walk presented a fine assortment of opportunities, many of which were captured. Among the sights was a very large snapping turtle fellow visitors pointed out. The reptile stayed beneath the surface of the lake during the entire time we watched, occasionally stretching its neck to put up its periscope nostrils and eyes long enough to breathe. As pretty sunfish swam all around the potential predator, the turtle snapped not once. Following a park trail, we recorded woodland scenes of weathered wood and lush foliage in the understory. It was a very relaxing walk following a period of several stressful days and was a most welcome respite. On the opposite end of the lake, a spot of sunlight fell on slender, colored leaves floating in the shadows … a lovely and tranquil sight.
A Quiet Space in the Shadows
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
Early-evening Sun Shines Through Floating Islands
In the early evening the sun shined bright through scattered, billowing clouds. Cloud edges glowed bright white while the bodies appeared dark with lighter areas betraying layers.
Pillar of Cloud in Late-Evening Sunlight
As light flowed through the hazy atmosphere shadows and streams, rivers of light and shadow, formed rays* high above our heads. It was a fine show for anyone willing to look up, made by clouds, and sun, and a bit of air.
Mounds of Clouds Rising Above Trees
*This is the very definition of “crepuscular rays.” Go ahead, use the term, impress your friends!
Dewy Leaf one Morning in May
Thursday morning was beautiful. The day began cool, bright, and fresh. Wild plants reflected those conditions. Looking around as I drove, I spied an area in the woods where spikes of wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) were spotlit by sun. Spots of sun, breaking through the burgeoning leaves of the woodland canopy, illuminated the lavender-tinted petals and they “popped” against the dark ground below.
Wild Hyacinth Spikes in the Morning Spotlight
Of course I pulled my car over and spent a few minutes photographing leaves and flowers. If I wasn’t due some place I would have easily spent an hour exploring and photographing. Duty, however, had a strong pull.
A Spike of Wild Hyacinth
I spent only a few minutes but those few minutes were a great start that green day morning.
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.
PhotonStopper 