Bell Peppers

Edward Weston made a 30 year project of photographing bell peppers. I worked at it for about 30 minutes this afternoon. My original purposes were more of a commercial nature, but after the fact, interesting shapes and tonal values began to emerge that I had not seen during shooting.

Waking Up Much too Early

At 6:00 A.M. I opened the door to check the outside temperature. Across the marsh there was a fog floating over the river with a pink-orange cast in the sky. A foggy voice in my head said, "Get the camera."

The city has installed a new nature park on the east side of Trailway Campground where, until last fall there was a beautiful although overgrown woodlot. In daylight it looks dreary and desolate, but early in the morning with the sun peeking above the horizon it presents some interesting highlights and shadows.

In the fog the Fishing Bridge seems to go on forever, but hidden in the thickening mist is a secret portal to Hogwarts.

This spot is much too convenient, I am drawn here frequently, even when the light isn't so dramatic.

Chasing the Light

Duck Lake south of Whitehall, MI about an hour and a half after sunrise.

The White River Delta from the Fishing Bridge just before the river empties into White Lake. This shot was taken about a half hour after sunset during the "blue hour."

Garlic In A Clear Glass Bowl

Travelogue – Texas to Michigan

For me, traveling alone isn't much fun so my stops were few, only when necessary and brief. I made a couple fuel stops in Texas, but they were in places where I already have photos so didn't take the time to shoot new ones. My first stop outside Texas was at the Lake Bienvenue welcome center on U.S. 10 just across the Louisiana border. Although the lake's name means "welcome," the signs warning of snakes (Water Moccasins and Copperheads) and Crocodiles seemed to be a contradiction in terms.

The walkway around the lake provides places for fishermen to cast a line for perch, crappie, bass and crabs. The couple in the first photo had a cooler full of fish and didn't seem to be at all concerned about snakes or croc's.





Next stop, the following morning was at a Welcome Center in Mississippi. The colonnaded buildings and sculpted gardens are reminiscent of old south plantation mansions.






 After a long drive and short night in Kentucky, I stopped at an Indiana Welcome Center. The buildings here speak of modern commerce and industry – not nearly as romantic.

My last photo stop was in East Grand Rapids where I spent the night with my son and his family to wait out the cold and rain before setting up the trailer in Montague. This isn't his house, but it is his neighborhood. I took the photo to show the difference in springtime vegetation from the deep south to the high north.
In Louisiana and Texas the trees are in full leaf and people routinely wander around in shorts and t-shirts. In Michigan some trees have begun to flower and leaves are opening, but many others are still in the tightly closed bud stage.
When I left Texas Wednesday morning before sunrise it was 79° F. with promise of another beautiful sunny day. Friday afternoon, Michigan greeted me with 46° and a cold misting rain.

Evidence of Stone Age Man?

Evidence of a stone-age man; evidence of a stoned, aged-man, or proof positive that I just don't have enough to do?

Highlight of the Day

Nearly everyone in the park has gone back north for the summer. It's so boring here that the highlight of my day was watching the late afternoon sunlight caress this old, worn-out pair of Crocs. Although, the play of light and shadow was almost fascinating; at least interesting.

The ten-day weather forecast shows a high of 63° F. in Montague, MI next week – too cold for me.  I'll stay in Texas at least another week.