What's on your mind?

English speakers think English is difficult.  Chinese speakers think Chinese is complicated. I believe we all have our rational. I am not a native English speaker and I originally felt that ‘What’s in your mind’ and ‘What’s on your mind’ are created to cause confusion and to play with our mind. People argued that there is a difference, in my opinion, in modern sense. Trending phrases and terms though not in literal sense make it to official dictionary these days. I like to be aware, like it or not.

“What’s in your mind?” means ‘what are you thinking?’ or ‘what is your idea or opinion?’  It is the thought that you may have possessed or is formulating inside of you. “What’s on your mind?” is more a spontaneous thought right off your mind and the audience’s expectation is meant for an immediate response. Some say, ‘what’s troubling you?’  I think it is more like “what’s taking up your mind?”.  What’s occupying our mind is not necessarily something negative, it can be just a decision to make or you are just attracted to something or someone. 

If you ask me what’s on my mind now, I would immediately talk about my weekend short and sweet gathering with my daughters and the grand children.  I of course took hundreds of shots when they were around. Among all, I am most attracted to this one.  She is my grand daughter, just turned one-year old last month.

What's on her mind?

It was a wet weekend. Immediately when the sun showed up in a short period and our deck was barely dry. Little ones came out of the house to have their active secession. She just began to explore the walking fun and enjoy the sense of independence. While she was walking from one flower pot to the other, we were all cheering and giving her our bravos.

The loudest applause seemed to come from grandpa. She turned to him and made that face.  What was on her mind at that moment? What a fresh one-year old can think these days? 

Forever Ducks Fan

Her family does not live in Oregon any more, but her loyalty for Ducks still exists. Oregon was competing with Wisconsin and see whom she pointed at? I took at least 5 shots because I did not believe what I saw and she did finger at the big O every single time.

Big brother (that’s what he calls himself now), my grandson, is going to be 4 years old in couple of months. He is an extremely happy boy, energetic and very creative. All kids are super smart in this science and technology explosion era, I think all of us tend to think our kids and grandkids are the smartest. No need to brag here :-)

Can you tell “What’s on his mind?” He approached me with a big smile on his face. Then, began to elaborate  what he had on his mind. He was telling a sound idea and asking me for permission to engage an activity that I would usually say No. But,  could I refuse? I could not. His honesty and purity have me conquered. I lost in the negotiation.

What's on His Mind?

I am growing older but am I wiser? Maybe. But what’s that mean to be wise? Wise to do things or not to. I think we (or just me), aged people, think more and more thoroughly and we reacted more carefully and therefore more slowly. I have started to perceive this change in my life, not my style, but I am learning to cope. It is not such an easy evolving process for me because I have been so used to do things fast and efficiently.

While physical condition starts to wind down, my wisdom tells me to slow down and be gentle with my body. My mind can go flying thousand miles but I have to make sure that I don’t take two steps each time coming down the stairs. Unfortunately this is just how our life works.

Honestly I did not know how would I feel to be a grand mother until I actually became one. Love for children goes down to grandchildren. This is our nature and such is life. But, how about that magical attachment to the grand children besides love? Simple to say it is love, but too simple if we use Love to explain and rationalize everything. There is something in them that we are inspired and invigorated, do you agree?

I am certain that it is not just love that I am so addicted to their pictures. It seems to be a yearning to rewind the clock and to re-launch my childhood expedition letting go the wisdom gained in decades. Now I have known how to live a better life, won't it be nice if I can try again?....While unwinding life clock is not possible, I have my back-to-the-past dream fulfilled in them.

Children's nature is so delicate, so tender, so spontaneous, so unpretentious and so original.  It is absolutely the most precise period in a lifetime. They are my energy spring and inspiration source. 

Every week when I write my blog, I am looking into the answers from the images I took. My hustle and bustle career days are behind. And I am now 'looking afar and drawing close' through my camera lens in a slower pace.

No Fear

Big brother has been engaged in many physical activities that he has no fear jumping down the large tree stump taller than his height. I know the impact was rather big when he landed on the grass, but I could not show it before I added the blur.

No beach ball in hand, we rolled out the yoga ball. I have always liked this picture taken last year. At first I thought the ball was too big for him, but by the way how he handled it, I think I just worried too much myself.

Say No to Limitation

I have passion to learn new software and I simply love technology.

Last year I came across a tutorial about how to create radial blur in photoshop. This image is what I have in mind for my experiment. After 6 months, I finally gave it a try. The ball was rolling, but I could not show the motion till now.

Grandkids are blessings. They inspire you, enrich your life and humble you with what they can do. I am happy that I can now run and jump without having to do it myself. I need only to snap my camera and I get to keep my wisdom.

Birds on my Walk

Less rain and occasional sunshine in these days. I have been ready for migrated wild birds to come back since March, but as of today, I barely see any, only the long term residents, stella jays, juncos, flickers, robins and sparrows. I heard house finches singing but they were hidden, I only saw them twice at a quick glance.

It was a sunny morning. Planning to shoot at 5th Street Marketplace, I wandered around and ended up at Delta Pond. I love to walk along this river path. It is so refreshing and relaxing. We ride bikes on this path when weather is warming up. Many bikers and joggers come through here winter and spring, rain or shine.  They are inspiring to me.

I am happy with my 70-300 mm lens that I just procured couple months ago. It is a bit heavy for my regular walk, but this is the place where I spotted my favorite Cedar Waxwings. I dreamed of them and hope to see them again here.  Besides, if there are herons or egrets around, they will be pretty far away from the path. I have also been thinking to challenge myself to carry only one lens for the shoot. So it's my choice for the day.

The moment when I stepped on the path, I heard bird chirping on a berry tree. Cedar Waxwing loves berries. My heart almost stopped beating. I looked up, two birds up there were switching their places but they were not Cedar Waxwings. It is still exciting to me because I have not seen them before. There was plenty of light, but they hid among the branches. This bird has black stripes on the eyes, black eyes blend with black stripes.

black-throated gray warbler

The image was downloaded, but I can barely find its eyes. This gives me an opportunity to do a little bit of post-processing, the creative process that provides me much excitement and contentment. I am impatient and the process trains me to be patient.  It is not just about better photography skill and pictures. I am benefited from taking pictures. 

For comparison, I also included the original shot I took. Lots of green and spring brightness, but I like it to be a bit softer and surely I want to see its eyes.

I don't know if it is by coincidence or it is my receiving heart that I suddenly saw so many birds around at the same time. I shot a bunch, but not all turn out. It is challenging to shot birds. 

Wilson warbler

They are constantly moving and moving fast, and I ended up with blurry pictures. If I am lucky to have a few clear shots, then the composition is mostly screwed up and cropping reduced photo quality significantly. Migrated birds are not local and they tend to be more sensitive. They either run fast or they stay up high. It is unlikely for me to carry a 500mm for a walk. 300mm is doable, but I need luck and I have to be quick.

I also realized that I need to be a serious birder to take better bird shots. I need to know more about their inhabiting habits, locations and be able to stage the shots, not shooting along walking. But honestly, I have enough fun from my discoveries.

Western yellow rumped warbler

Not just knowing what your friends and family do on Facebook, I came out to find out what the birds do around us and who they are. I know Warblers are popular in northwest region, but I have not seen them before. Somehow they are having a convention here today that I captured the shots of three different warblers at one walk.

At least 2-3 different types of sparrows inhabiting in my neighborhood. I also saw a lot of sparrows growing up in Taiwan. They are 'just sparrows', little brown and plain looking thing that I believe, most of us, do not give them a second look.

Ever since I identified Song Sparrow's crisp and beautiful voice, I began to appreciate their existence. They don't have striking color or features, but their earnestness and persistence in singing us a beautiful morning have put them in my favorite list. I probably saw 6 sparrows on the path and 3 of them seemed eager to sing.

song sparrow

Check out how this little bird sing. It appears to me that he had his lung wide open and gave out his best effort. They were singing along and I was marching in the rhythm they composed. My heart is light and my steps brisk. I came here 'hunting' and mindlessly I walked the whole path.  

Just before I was ready to make my U-turn, I spotted this Heron. I have had quite a few Heron shots now, but not from this angle and in this morning light. And, it is not too far away.
I should have cleaned up the background, but I decided not to. This is his habitat, I like the image to be authentic.

Thought it can be better if I used a 500mm lens, but I also admit it good enough that I've got something that I would not have otherwise. I know I will always want to look out for the better, but I also want to put a stop and enjoy whatever I have been already given.  

Great Blue Heron

A Salute to Spring

Spring is literally here. She brings in sunshine, new life, color, cheer and energy. Blue sky, white cloud, sage mountain, green acres and multitude of colors.  Flowers are the primary source of colors. It is not just the varieties of colors. Multi colors are displayed on one single type of flower, too.

It is now the blooming season. After many months of cold and wet weather, it is so refreshing and energizing to be surrounded by flowers and colors. They are surely the secret potion to rejuvenate our spirit and carry away our winter dismay. 

This is the first day that we are able to dine on our patio with seatings surrounded by trees and greens. 

Sunset light shines on the white cherry tree, it is golden and it is hidden among cherry blossoms. Our red wine is bitter sweet, slightly fruity and aromatic. The cozy, fuzzy warmth just down the throat. A salute to spring! 

Heaven-on-earth is here at Wooden Shoe tulip farm on a breezy and sunny day. I  have been here three times. This is the first time that I actually bring home some pictures. My first visit was two years ago. I then just began to use a DSLR and did not have clue about aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Everyone was shooting, so I did. I brought home about 100 images and downloaded them to my computer. Then I deleted the files from memory card without knowing my download job was not successful. 

Later, I learned that the files can actually be recovered from memory card using some sort of rescue software. I tried, but too late. I did not get anything out of the card. Not a big deal. I did not think they were too exciting any way. I went back the second time last year with friends and children. We got 

there late. It was a sunny Sunday. Double jeopardy. Lots of family fun events, but too much sun and overwhelming crowd. Shooting flowers with a remotely clean background was impossible.

Efforts are required to create good opportunities. Going with the flow does not do the justice.

Was determined to take some pictures this time, I was there before sunrise and before sunset. And yet, many other photographers had been there before me, had their spot claimed and tripod on duty...  I don't have another 20-30 years to play, I better work harder. I have to become an early bird.

Sun came up briefly after I'd waited in morning chill for more than an hour. I was thrilled to be able to have some shots to portrait this beautiful sunny day. It is irresistible to ponder on it. It brings me the light, the heat and the photo opps that I have been longing for.

Wooden Shoe is such a well-cultivated and maintained tulip farm. The blossoms are large and rich in luster. Single color patches create beauty in unity and mixed patches invite excitement in diversity. They are absolutely gorgeous either way. I seriously did not know where to begin at first. Once I got rolling, I had hard to stop.

Deep colors are looking splendid and magnificent while pastel ones looking delicate and elegant. So many flowers can be used for subjects in different degree, and so easily to look beautiful. If I have used 'beautiful' too many times here, my other option will  be 'speechless'.

Bright yellow and orange have never been my favorite colors. But while the orange is a papaya orange and it is brushed into the yellow. They are so seamlessly engaged. Awesome.

The contrast blend of white, yellow and screaming red is outstanding. I am surprised that my humble camera has actually captured the exact red color, the romantic and poetic red. The red that makes you scream and want to embrace. And, of course, my favorite purple or you like to call it violet which has its regal gesture and outlook.

I grow up in a small island where there is one single mountain range. Plenty of giant and ancient trees, but the varieties of flowers are very limited. Green is the dark and hazy green. Flower colors are sporadic and scare. In a dense community, people can only hope for some colors from flower pots. However, air quality is questionable and flowers are not thriving in pots.   It is surely the big quality improvement of my life to live in a spacious and natural environment with abundant fresh air and colors.

Spring is the time for animal world to expect their new babies. I have heard birdie's sound around and seen the flapping wings. The little ones know how to attract mommy's attention to get fed. They are afraid to get caught because they cannot fly too fast and too far, and yet they are drawing attention with their juvenile behavior. It is fun to watch.

There was a college Crew race at Daxer Lake last weekend in a misty day. I knew it would not be a good photo opportunity, but I went for it out of curiosity and for the fun. Walking by the lake, I heard this high pitched Kill-Deer sound which led me to the bird, a mother bird with three freshly laid eggs.

Their calling sound is how they get their name as Killdeer.  Killdeer usually hang out close to the water

on the ground.  On a regular day, this place is calm and isolated, killdeer can have their home party here without any threat.  But it was the racing day with large crowd and that sent the alarm to the mother.

She sent out her emergency alarm repeatedly, but no second bird came around. I guess her man was out watching the race and drinking beer. She was all alone trying to protect her unborn babies.

I wanted to come closer to take pictures and she watched me like a hawk. I was under her intense scrutiny as I came around to find a good angle to shoot. Deeply feel her fear and anxiety, I stayed away from her.  Mother's love prevails and danger recedes by itself. Lovely scene in lovely spring.

Simply Tulip Magnolia

Looking at ten days weather forecast, I know it will be my week of shooting around the house. At my attempt to keep it Simple, I have very limited home decors.  I don’t have the habit to collect nicks and nacks, no crafts, no antiques, no acquisition of famous paintings.  I guess I can pull stuff out of kitchen and bathroom to shoot, but that will be my last resort. I can always put on my rain gear and shoot in the rain, but I would rather keep my camera dry.

My bird buddies have not come around much lately. I have cleaned up and refreshed all my feeders with new goodies, but they must be still sheltering somewhere to stay warm and out of rain. I saw little bit of blooms from my flower pots, but they are just barely surviving in the rain… Am I making lots of excuses here? But really, it’s time for rain to go away.

People walking down the street have often stopped in front of our house pointing at this tulip magnolia tree during its blooming season. Though it's packed with countless flowers, they are mostly hanging high. I have circled around the tree with my camera, but not much luck. Deep pink color and curvy petals are quite pretty, but I could not shoot anything worthy to share.  Strange enough, large showy flowers tend to have less interesting details.

My life trained me not to take No as an answer. Find a way if there is no way. If there is only one option, utilize it and make the best out of it. I want to be faithful and forceful to myself to shoot something new every week. My mind is set. I want to shoot these magnolia flowers regardless !

A blink of light flashed through my mind. I got a stepper to reach up and cut 5 limbs from the tree. Cut flowers were brought inside the house.  The flowers are very fragrant that I have never noticed prior. This little discovery makes me happy. However, the blossoms are big and twigs are thick. I could barely find a vase to fit. Finally they were managed to hold together. Examining them from all angles over and over, I had no idea where to start.

They are large, colorful, curvy, but no intricate details like most of the flowers. Couple flowers were in full bloom. I tried some Marco shots, but they look redundant as what I have done many times. Less is more, but not in this case. Rainy day, not enough light and I did not want to use flash. I was bombed. I buried myself in magazine piles the rest of the day...

And, I wowed when I got up next morning, guess what? All flowers were opened, I know it is the warmth inside the house, but I was still a bit jaw dropping. The boring bunch is now turning into an array of beauties, my favorite kind, gorgeous but subtle. I was so thrilled. They have just made my day.

Mr. Weather was moody in this day. Sun went up and down within 2-3 minutes window. By the time when I had my setting adjusted, light condition changed. A bit of frustration turning the dials from one end to the other. But, luckily, I was able to nail this shot sitting flowers by the window and the sun happened to shine through at that crucial moment. Background is the magnolia tree outside, bathed in the sun.  There is no doubt in my mind, the light has dramatically blown in new life to the flowers.

This shot has given me a lift. I grabbed the beauty bunch, went around the house, sitting on the floor, lying down, stepping up, snap, snap and snap. I tried to single out the flowers and minimize the content, but it simply did not work. They are just meant to be together.

Imagine you are out in a tropical resort. You wake up in the morning. Bright and clear outside, cozy and relaxing inside the room. You don't feel like to get out of the bed. You just want to have your aromatic cup of coffee and fresh croissant in bed. Watch a bit of 'Good Morning, America' and rolled back to doze off... At least this is how I felt when I had this image taken. I forgot the ground was still wet outside and the cloud would move in again anytime.

Otherwise, thinking that you just checked into a Victoria boutique bed and breakfast. You walked by intricate decors in the lobby, hall way and entered your room, here it was, an oil painting on the wall... I took this shot when the sun was down. Could not get a shot with good exposure, so I 'painted' it, might as well.

Often times I lamented that I did not take any single landscape, architecture or street photographs (only product shots) while I was traveling intensively worldwide, throughout Europe and North America, Australia, New Zealand and even made it to South Africa. From photography point of view, how exciting it will be if I have brought home something from these places. But I have Zero in stock and more than likely, I won't go back.

Now I am plowing through Oregon, Eugene and even my house.  My map is getting smaller and smaller. I missed out lots of landscapes and now I am making macros. How life revolves and transforms! My big wave is long gone and I am now playing with bubbles. Different but still enjoyable.

In my previous blog I have gone through the secrecy of flowers talking about perfect and imperfect flowers, and that boring pistols and stamens. Hold on, I found pieces of stamens left on my patio table, socked in rain water. Not sure what I was getting into it, but I snapped a few close-up shots with my Macro lens and extension tubes, and here they are. If I want to caption this image, I would use 'whimsical'.

I think they are dancing in the rain, but not in Spain. The texture of my glass table, the color of glass and the reflections. I hear the music and the beat in the party, do you?

Writing to this point, I realized that I was drilling down and discovering a living thing, the tulip magnolia tree, from a magnifying glass to a microscope. My mood swings with the weather and with the images I took myself. The process is revealing and I feel energized in the end.

My grand daughter has just turned One. A simple birthday cake I made and a toy guitar have brought me many good photography opps. I don't care for little children to pose or have cheesy smiles. I love everything natural from them just as they are, simply pure and utterly sincere. 

A bit texture is added to my window flower shot and the tint was tweaked for a warmer tone as backdrop. And, I invited my precious Star here to make the image pop. My Pop Star has concluded a great Magnolia day for me. Life is good and I believe we are the builder of our own happiness.