Relative Something

*this* John W. Hays' take on things and experiences

Archive for the ‘Images Captured’ Category

Sky Waves

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These are all from the same night when we were out in the back pasture with the horses, just a short distance from the chicken coop where we had spent the day working on fencing two courtyards, one on each side. The waves of clouds and the low-angled sunlight glaring through the hot horizon haze seemed to change by the minute.

They could each provide ample opportunity for a “Words on Images” feature, but since that inspiration has yet to wash over me, the wordless images get featured today, as is.

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If I was a skyscape painter, these are some images I would be pleased to compose. I don’t think I would ever imagine the wild pattern of “shadow” ripples visible in the center-left portion of the last one if I were attempting to paint a version of how it looked to me.

Mother nature painted them. I captured the views with my digital camera.

I reserve the right to repurpose one or more of these should fitting words show up unannounced somewhere down the line.

 

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Written by johnwhays

June 8, 2021 at 8:00 am

Precious Sight

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We are so lucky to have these beautiful horses living with us. It’s been a month and a half since they arrived and each day brings them a little bit closer to recognizing us as well-intentioned caregivers. Seeing the four of them quietly grazing together without any fuss is a precious sight.

Just the change from how they originally stood well out of reach when we showed up at the fence to now greeting us with their heads over the top board to smell our breath and accept some touch when we arrive is such a demonstration of their increased comfort.

We’ve taken to temporarily closing gates between pairs during the times we set out feed pans to minimize food related interaction among them, but immediately after open all the gates to allow total freedom of movement. They don’t always regroup and wander off together as a foursome, but when they do, it warms our hearts.

A much less precious sight was discovered upon our return from the lake on Monday. The little pine tree that we transplanted on the rainy Thursday before heading north looked thirsty, with the sprouts of new growth all sadly toppled over. As I was watering it, I suddenly noticed there were two branches smothered with caterpillars that were devouring the older needles.

An internet search revealed these to likely be larvae of the sawfly. The dang things have denuded the upper half of the tree.

If this little pine survives I will be very impressed. We yanked it out of the ground just as it was sprouting new growth, we let it get too dry in its new location, and then it gets infested with needle-eating bugs.

Maybe it will make a good “Charlie Brown Christmas tree” next year.

That could actually turn out to be a precious sight… at least, for fans of that classic 1965 animated television special.

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Written by johnwhays

June 2, 2021 at 6:00 am

Leave It

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There are multiple meanings to the title, Leave It. There is always a little sadness in needing to leave the lake place, but today that is what we will be doing. There is also the old adage about poison ivy: Leaves of three, Let it be. Lastly, leaves are the theme of images for today’s post.

Starting with a sprout of poison ivy in a very inconvenient location.

A leaf shadow that seems about as perfect as the leaf itself.

There was an old oak leaf stuck to the side of this aging stand-up paddleboard.

Finally, a frame-filled immersion in the wonderful patterns of hosta leaves.

I’m going to leave it at that.

Happy Memorial Day to readers in the U.S. We will spend the day driving home and hopefully transplanting a few trilliums after we arrive.

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Written by johnwhays

May 31, 2021 at 6:00 am

Spot It

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Can you find the secondary features hiding in plain sight in these images captured throughout my day yesterday?

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How many did you identify?

That was purple-tinted trillium alright, but did you notice the poison ivy directly beside it on the left?

There was some complex chirping coming from the pine tree. Is that a nuthatch? You tell me. I didn’t have a long lens.

The coiled-up young fern was the focus and I didn’t notice the mosquito until viewing the image on my computer.

What was that lurking beneath the water, obscured by the wavy reflections? The old snapping turtle hanging out on the boat lift.

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Written by johnwhays

May 30, 2021 at 9:08 am

Reality

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Words on Images

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Written by johnwhays

May 25, 2021 at 6:00 am

Tomorrow

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Words on Images

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Written by johnwhays

May 18, 2021 at 6:00 am

Echoing

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Words on Images

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Written by johnwhays

May 11, 2021 at 6:00 am

Because Again

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Revisiting a “Words on Images” from the archive, back for an encore performance, just because…

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Words on Images

Because  September 2020

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Written by johnwhays

April 27, 2021 at 6:00 am

Through Glass

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Just a wordless photo today. Enjoy.

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Written by johnwhays

March 9, 2021 at 7:00 am

Delicacy

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Words on Images

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Written by johnwhays

March 3, 2021 at 7:00 am