New Beginnings in the Wilderness

Yesterday was a very busy and hard week for this family.  We were busy converting an old barn into a stall that could be used for a horse.  I plan to buy a 14h, 16 year old thoroughbred horse from a friend and I needed a place to keep him.  Yes I know I'm old and have never rode a horse for any length of time but this horse is good with children as well as seniors.  I'm hoping to use him for trail riding and plan to take photos of things along the trail.  After all I have 223 acres to cover.

2018 was a very good year for us.  What with getting into the new house in November.  Meeting lots of new friends--by being in 3 different churches;  Mabelvale, Mount Ida, and Mena Church of Christ.
My husband felt good about all the Mission work that he was able to be a part of and plans to do the same this year.

I'm feeling more encouraged about my photography.  I have 15 photos hanging in Wrights' located in Sheridan, AR.  I plan to be in touch with the Hot Springs National Park Photography Club and see if they are accepting new members.  I was a member of AOPC in Little Rock for over 15 years and they don't even know I've left--they have so many members.

Well wish me luck for the new year--Happy 2019   See you in the wilderness! ! !

New Beginnings

Well we got moved in the first of November and its been fun!  Can't find lots of things. I was so sure I I had this move very organized and thought I would be able to find everything; but, thanks to my husband opening boxes and moving things from one box to another and not changing the labels--Well you can just imagine.  Thanks goods I did separate his office things from my office things and he did not bother mine.  

The weather has been frightful since we moved in.  And today is no different.  It is very foggy out there and rainy.  I am so glad I have no farm animals to take care of.  I plan to get a horse in the spring but maybe not.  I'm in know mood to get out and take photos either.  Our photo club just sent out an email notifying members that our Christmas party will be on 12/13/18 at 6:30. I'm not sure I will be going since Little Rock is a two hour drive from my new home.  Its sits on 230 acres and it nearly a mile from the house to the main road with no lights and that could be scary at 11:00 at night.  

My plan is to work from home.  Since I just finished getting my office back in order I plan to start contacting some of my clients tomorrow and let them know I am available again for photography work.  Who knows perhaps maybe by the first of the year they'll have something for me.  

Christmas its my favorite time of the year--New Beginnings.  See you out and about in the Wilderness.  

We're almost there

Summer is almost over.  Our house is nearly finished and I'm so ready to move in. I've tried to spend as much time out there as I possibly can but its been hard what with all the trips to Little Rock for Peggy trying to keep up with her needs; sometimes, I go as much as 3 times a week. And with John trips to the airport really ties me down.Woe is me. That's been our Sunday school lesson this week.

I've really been watch horses and trying to learn as much as I can.  I'll be glad when I can bring Daisy to Stoney Point. Sometimes people make me feel like I'm nuts because I want to ride a horse but this is something I've always wanted to do and now that we have 230 ac I see no reason not to have one. Hey, I know I will be 70 yrs old on Friday but Hey I do everything else that's required of me so why should I not be able to do this.

Today we will be going to a birthday party before heading out to the land. The party is for a 13 year old who seems to have it all together.  I hope her life turns out the way she has it planned.  Here's to wishing her the best.

Yesterday my son received some very good news at his doctor visit concerning his eye.  It seems the transplant worked and he will be able to see almost has well as he was before the accident.  Praise the Lord for his recovery. 

Well it is 6:30am and I must get busy making some biscuit and gravy then we will run to the nursing home here in Mount Ida, the party, the Land and then back home.  Lots to do but it will be worth it in the end.  See You in the Wilderness. 

The Bears are out

We've been up at Stoney Point Ranch a lot lately mainly to see the bears.  I've not been able to take photos due to my camera being broke.  But it is so much fun to watch this mother bear and her three cubs.  There is this lady who has a nice pond behind her where these bears like to come and stay for hours.  The cubs play in the water for a while and then the cubs will go up into a tree and lay on these limbs and take a nap while mother bear lays at the bottom of the tree.  This past week another mother bear with one cub started coming.  We noticed that like horses bears seem to have a "pecking" order.
The last mommy bear would wait for the bear with the three cubs to leave then she would take her cub down to the pond to play and eat.  Like I said it was a lot of fun to watch them.  Hopefully they will stay around for me to get some photos.

We have also been getting a lot of rain lately.  Our creek which has been dry most of the year has met us with a loud, rushing sound of water running across the rocks each time we drive down our dirt road to our new house which should be completed soon. 

Well I need to stop this blog for now and get ready for Church. 

See you in the wilderness. 

Lewis's Hummingbirds

The last couple of days have been hard.  Its really been hot and humid.  I didn't make it to Lewis's house till late and even then it was hot.  He has more hummingbirds than anyone I know and I guess it takes them a few days to get use to anything new.  Lewis does not like leaving my flowers there by his feeders because he believes that the flowers will scare them off but I've never noticed that happening before and besides he has lots of hummingbirds.

While sitting on the front porch of the big house I noticed several large birds flying around but I could not seem to pick them up with my large lens and could never get any good photos of them but hopefully once I've moved there I will come up with ways to mount my lens on the porch railings and be able spot them while flying. 

I plan to put out a feeder for the purpose of getting the deer closer I know they and other animals will come to the ponds and feeders.  It want be easy but I will get some good shots. 

I can't wait to move to the ranch and get things set up the way I want.  It will be so much easier to do the things I want to do once I have moved there. 

See you in the Wilderness.

Stoney Point Road

We are approximately 2 months away from moving to Stoney Point Ranch.  The house is nearly finished.  Of course, something could happen to delay it; but, lest hope not.  We picked out 'granite' tops and all appliances yesterday and gave all that information to the builder.  The fireplace in being put in and the bricks will be here next week as will the Windows.  I can't wait to see all this in place; then, they will start on the cabinets, flooring and stairs.  Its going to be beautiful with all the "Oak" trim.  Just you wait and see.

On Friday I am suppose to go to Lewis's house and take photos of hummingbirds using some flowers that I have been babying all summer.  I plan to be there by 7 if at all possible, we'll see.  Its so hard to get my husband up and moving. 

My horse, Daisy, will not get to come till Sept.  Not until I can be living there so I can make sure she will be safe. 

I must go.  See you out and about in the Frontier! 

Long Time No Read

Boy has it been a while since I have posted anything.  I have been very busy.  I've shot a lot of new photos I can't wait to show them to you; but, that will be another day.  See you in the Wilderness!

Snow

It snowed today not much but enough I cancelled Peggy's birthday party and I know that she will be  upset with me. 

I haven't seen any wildlife here in the past few weeks and I'm not all to sure why.  Things have been quite and not much activity from the RV Park or the people who own that area.  I was hoping to get out and get some good photos but this is not enough snow for good photos.  I thought about going to Scott, AR but it was pointed out to me that there would not be any snow on the trees that are bending over the road.  Oh Well that's live,  I was disappointed.     See you in the Wilderness.

Russellvile

Today was beautiful day and I just had to get out in Wilderness.    I've been wanting to go to Mt. Nebo in Russellville.  I took a photo of the nuclear plant there but it was so hazey

Moving On to 2017

Nothing like starting the day with rain, rain, and more rain.  Yesterday was Christmas Day and what a way to start celebrating Jesus birthday then by going to church on the first day of the week as he commanded his children to do. My family was coming here from OK and would not arrive till after 5 pm which meant that my husband and I as well as my son and his wife would be back in evening service.  When we all got home then we would celebrate "Christmas" by eating a meal together, opening present and visiting and enjoying one another's company.  That what "Christmas" means to my family

Today I had plans to take photos of special ornaments that hung on the tree.  I am trying to set up a card display and need special shots to display what style of cards I plan to create and try to publish.  And since everyone will be gone by Wednesday then I plan to start this by coming up with  the different backgrounds and special effects in can incorporate with different ornaments.

Today as been so gloomy its hard to think of different ways to display photos for a website. 

My Birthday

A lot as happened to me since my last post.  A tree fell on my house-right thru the middle.  I had a couple of meetings I had to cancel because of it plus a planned 7 day trip I could not get out of which delayed everything because my husband and my son decided they would rebuild the house.  Which so far it has turned out looking pretty good 3 months later--its almost complete. Also my computer got hacked and I lost nearly everything.  It pay to backup you computer because one they got you its to late to do anything but unplug your computer as fast as you can and hang up the phone if you called.  Which of course I did not. 

My seven day trip was for my birthday from my loving husband.  He know how crazy I've become about horse since our last trip to Wyoming--you remember the photos I posted-how could you forget?  This time he took me to Shackleford Island in North Carolina.

 There were lots of horses but there was this beautiful black and white lighthouse with a board walk that went around and to the back of the Island.  There were lots of birds and crabs and different types of flowers.  You ride a ferry out to the Island and you can stay for several hours or till the next ferry comes by--its up to you.

The horses will walk within 25 feet of you but will not allow you to get to close.  They are wild and unpredictable; so, you need to keep your distance if your smart.  I actually got to be there on my Birthday which made the whole trip special.  We visited several places but you will have to wait to here about them.  Hope you can make time to be out in the Wilderness. 

Stoney Point Ranch

Yesterday we told the family about our purchase of the land and that we plan to move in approximately one year.  You could have heard a pin drop,  Its only 2 1/2 to 3 hours for most of you and you'll be able to stay overnight--there'll be plenty of beds.  We plan to have a couple of horses and we will still be close to Lake Ouachita--but Oh No you'd thought we were moving to the end of the earth.. 

Stoney Point will give me several more opportunities for photography as well as a way to be able to accomplish things without having to leave home so much.  It seems I'm always starting something to find I only get to do half of it. 

I've already taken several photos that I just love and can't wait to see this place in the different season.  Its going to be great and they'll come    See you in the Wilderness!  Have Fun.

Three Key Sharpness

Three Key Sharpness Tactics to be Used Together

l.  Keep the Shutter Speed Up
    Using shutter speeds that are too slow is one of the leading causes of unsharp images.

2.  Focus on the Eyes 
      Always use a single AF point in the viewfinder.  If you keep all of the AF points activated, the 
      lens tends to focus on the closest object, which may be the shoulder of the duck, rather than
      the face. 

3.  Use Excellent Technique
      Always use a tripod and ballhead for steadiness. 
     

Mother Nature

Nothing perks up a dreary workday like slipping out for a quick dose of nature, especially when nature is bubbling over with wildflowers.

Last week when we were on the Stoney Point Ranch' land wildflowers were everywhere.  There were several that I could not even name which tickles me because I will get to know them.  The problem is the hay will be cut first of June and with the wedding and everything else that's planned I may not get to take photos this year but there will be years to come. 

While I was out walking around on the land I notice these little bubble things on several of the plants While reading the paper my husband noticed a picture of this and said, "guess what-- those bubble things you been talking about are called "Spittlebugs or froghoppers" there a little bug that lives in there called a nymph that spit is for protection".  While I never heard of such but there it was in the paper.  Someone else was also curious about these bubble on this saw-toothed mountain mint plant only he was at Carl Hunter meadow garden at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.  To me that nymph looks like what we call a Wood-bug. 

Well I guess I'd better get busy there is lots to do but I just had to talk to you about the Wilderness.  I miss being out there.  Hope you get a chance to get outdoors and visit with mother nature some--there's no better place to be.  See Ya!  

Mother's Meadow

Well were going to the land in Pine Ridge tomorrow.  I've purchased a few bags of flower seeds and plan to claim one of the many fields as "Mother's Meadow".  It will need to be mowed first and then I will throw seeds all over it.  It will not be mowed again until just before the winter season sets in.  Can't you just imagine what 224 AC will look like covered in white snow with no tracks running thru it.  That's what I always hated when I went to take photos of some place covered in snow --It seemed someone got there before me and just had to put tracks everywhere and missed it up for the rest of us.

I can't wait till we move there. Once the house is build I'll be there.  It will definitely be a new Wilderness to explore.  See you there.

New Land to Roam On

Today we purchased 225 acres near Lake Ouachita. Other than building a house on it I don't know what we will do with it.  Its called the "Stoney Point Ranch" I love it.  Hopefully I will have photos soon to show it off. 

See you in the Wilderness and at the Ranch. 

Tim Ernest presentation

Oh!  what a wonderful time we all had at the Tim Ernest photography show.  I bet there was over 300 people there.  Its was beautiful all the photos he had.  He called it his 40 years of photography.  The music was perfectly Sync with photos.  People were buying his books, calendars, and Matted Photos.  I'd almost bet he didn't have enough to go around.  If you've never read the "Cloudland Journal" you should start.  It will inspire you to get out and take some photographs.  According to the presentation he has been doing this now for 40 years. 

We all should be out in the "wilderness" shooting photos.  See you there.

Tim Ernest Presentation

OH! Whow!  Was it great.  Had lots of photos to show and the beautiful music he had sync to go with it.  If you weren't there you really did miss out.  He said this was his 40 years of photography.  Its hard to believe.  If you haven't read the "Cloudland Journal" you should start.  Not only does this Blog inspire you to do your best; it will give you lots of good tips and a little advise.  Teaches you to pay attention to what's going on around you and maybe even how to get yourself out of certain situations. I hope we will all get out and find something to photograph this weekend.

See you in the "Wilderness" 

Tim Ernest

Please join Arkansas Outdoor Photography at Winsong Church of Christ in NLR to hear presentation by Tim Ernest on November 19, 2015 at 6:30 

Getting ready for the Holidays

Today I've been reading different Blogs of fellow photography bloggers.  And I've learned a lot: things I've forgotten over the past few years.  You know "if you don't use it, you'll loose it"  Well I've seen to have done it.

I went looking for how to shoot night lights and what to look for.  Reflections seems to be a very popular subject with the Holiday Lights.  Many of your displays are near water and therefore you can get some nice reflections if know "How To Shoot".  That's what I plan to learn in the next 2 months.

I have set me up a table mount in my sunroom and gathered me some lights not just Christmas lights but extra lamps so I can learn how lights will affect my subject.  I also plan to do some silhouettes by sitting subjects in front of my light source and see if they become dark.  That should create some interesting subjects.  For the next few months I hope to learn to do this since I'm pretty much stuck inside.  You see I hurt my knee/leg and will not be able to go on uneven ground much so I must rest and take care of it so I can be ready for Spring.  My favorite time of the year.  Please check in later and get some good tidbits on how to shoot the "light" shots 

Hope to give you some good information even though the "Wilderness" will be mostly indoors.

Have fun whatever you do and enjoy your photography.