Penning Photography Daily

At least once or twice a week, I walk a field of grass that runs along a vast cornfield. I’ve been taking photographs of the field, from different positions, since the corn first sprouted out of the earth.

Today, the corn turned from a collection of green leaves to the beginnings of a stalk, including the distinctive leaves tinged with yellow.

A perfect opportunity for a close-up, don’t you think?

I wanted to isolate one plant, so I opened wide my aperture, then crouched down to line it up. Being full Noon sun, it was really bright out there, the shutter fired off at 1/1600th of a second to reduce the amount of light coming into the camera’s sensor. A bit of post processing, crop, angle adjustment and tweaking brought out the image I had in mind.

Fields of green, soon to turn out golden kernels of corn that just might end up bringing in the gold to the farmer’s pocket.

From the field to the table and beyond, our farmers work hard to provide.

All that green surrounding the magenta and purple flowers.

The delicate petals, with just a blush of that delicious purple at the edges and those dark veins, that’s what caught my eyes and pulled me in. Then I noticed the curling green leaves with their serrated edges, looking like they were cradling the blossom.

This was down low to the ground. I had to get down and stay steady to get what I wanted. In a perfect world, I would have had a small tripod, or gotten down on my stomach to get a bit more of a direct angle. As it is, I’m pleased with the curve towards the viewer. It adds to the dimension of the image.

Nature sure is wonder-filled.

The most curious things interest me when I’m out walking.

The way the strong afternoon sunlight was hitting this Cottonwood tree’s leaves had me turning mid-stride to detour to grab this image.

The wind was a bit brisk, not take-your-hat-off gusts, but enough to give a headwind push against forward progress when walking against it. That made for some pretty patterns of late afternoon golden sunlight on the lush green tree leaves.

I took time to get just one image and moved back to my predetermined path.

One was enough.

I spent a couple pleasant hours at our local National Public Radio affiliate, WUIS 91.9 FM, doing pledge break pitching with my new friend, Rudy. It was my first time behind the mike on a pledge drive, but Rudy was gracious and helped me learn the ropes.

While programs Fresh Air and All Things Considered were playing, Rudy and I would break in a couple times per 30 minutes to try to get the 9 out of 10 listeners who do not support the station, to make a first time or renewing pledge. I enjoyed the experience. As I said later, I just tried to speak to the listener, like myself, that used to always enjoy Public Radio but had never made a donation of support. That and not sound like a doofus.

I’ve been a member of WUIS for many years, giving monthly via payroll deduction, and now via a monthly bank electronic funds transfer. A couple years ago, I started doing photography for the station as an additional way to help out.

While my mom was alive, she enjoyed listening to the Radio Information Service of WUIS, which broadcasts to special FM sideband radios. Volunteers read daily newspapers, magazines, and books to vision-limited or blind listeners. This was a lifeline to my mom, provided by WUIS. It’s just one of the reasons I take time and open my wallet to support WUIS.

If you’re in the Central Illinois area, consider donating to WUIS by calling 217-206-9847 or go to the website at wuis.org to make a pledge.

I’m pretty sure I did an OK job and cannot be labeled a doofus.

As I was setting up my camera to go on my walk, the late afternoon sunlight was casting reflections of light on the walls of our sun room. A perfect attention grabber for Sissy. As the light danced, she started tracking it, like it was a bird in the trees outside.

I saw her attentive look and turned around to get this one quick image.

I love how her face is bathed in light and the way the shadows and light play over her fur.

A moment, a portrait.

Life happens and moments slip by swiftly. I was happy to grab onto this one as it slipped by.

Everything about this family portrait adds to it being one of my favorites. Even the “Mysterio predicts you will be Mayor of Hoboken!” T-shirt on newborn August as he is cradled in his dad’s lap.

Lisa and Chris and August. What makes this perfect for me, is the looks being exchanged by Chris & Lisa, and the contented slumber, even in a crooked position, of tiny August.

The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and Lake Monona was peaceful. Olbrich Park in Madison, Wisconsin was a delightful place to sit for a short spell under the shade of trees lining the shore.

I kept the State Capitol building in the background as it is a meaningful place, especially to these three. Chris helps lead the Solidarity Singalong every week day at noon either in the rotunda or outside on the Capitol steps. Karen and I joined in for a rousing round of songs on a Friday, when the group was outside. Chris has a deep and melodic stage voice, and did a fine job of leading the singing. You might not agree with the politics, but being able to protest in peace, without fear of arrest or worse, is a precious freedom that is worth exercising.

I love the look between Lisa and Chris. I’m prejudiced, being August’s great-uncle allows me that.

For me, getting this photo has more to do with consistency than with luck or good fortune.

Most every day, I go out to find something to photograph. I have done so, and put up a new image everyday since January 1, 2007. For over five years, I’ve been consistent. Consistent in taking a camera with me, seeking the images that interest me, and publishing one a day for others to share and perhaps, find interesting as I do.

This was a day like any of those other days in these five plus years. I had a camera with me, and was outdoors, walking and seeing what came my way. I happened to have only one lens with me, and it was a telephoto lens. I have many lenses, and try to learn each one by using it for days at a time, finding out how it sees and what I need to do with it to get what I want to remember.

Walking around Lincoln Memorial Garden, which borders Lake Springfield, I enjoyed the sounds of the water lapping the shoreline. Occasionally, a bird call would capture my attention, but usually, I couldn’t see what I was hearing, the forest is so dense with green leaves now.

I came to an open section of shore, and spied these two adult geese, shepherding at least four goslings away from me, the intruder to their idyllic morning swim.

Spring has sprung, and the new life is all around, if you take the time seek and see it.