Intentions

This is my spiritual "gym." This was my place of truths. My place of self reflection. Once I walked around this stupa alone in thought, in all weather. As I approached it I conjured the inner darkness to rise to the surface of my soul. Those dark fluttering bits of dark thoughts, like the shadows of the prayer flags on the cobblestones. I learned to calm those thoughts, to sooth myself. The whispering prayers on the little flags caressed my face as I circled. Brought to light the shadows all fade, loosing their inky mystery. They are just the shape of things being defined by light after all. It's that definition by the light that draws me. I guess it's why I am a photographer, a painter with light in what ways I can. One artistic dream I have always had is having a creative partner and model to work with. A human figure to paint with light, using the shadows to define the whole. I met just the right person at this very spot. We walked and spoke of who we were as people. As I looked into her eyes I saw a reflection of my "self." we shared truths and agreed to work together. I've a new sister. I'm so excited with ideas of what we can create I've not been sleeping much.

Now Repeat After Me...

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Foragers Return

There's a large colony of Cliff Swallows right under the 528 North bridge over Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park, PA. My father lives only a few miles away and I have seen them there for many years. Believe it or not I'd actually forgotten they were there as it's been so long since I've been there during nesting season. I witnessed large flocks of them arriving back to their nests with the morning's catch of insects freshly hatched off the lake. They'd all try to land and get inside to feed the young at the same time, resulting in little swarms of swallows. Once all the food was distributed I got to enjoy having them all fly in circles around me. They began to climb the warming air caused by the rising sun on the lake, the bridge itself caught the lite wind angling it upwards. I'd thought there were a lot just at the one little section of bridge I happened to be standing under. It wasn't until the entire flock, the whole bridge full in fact, was all the way up that I saw the size! I didn't even try to photograph the swarm as I became enthralled by just being in the moment. It was then that I noticed these two little guys peeking out of their mud houses.





Having spotted the colony of Cliff Swallows under the 528 bridge over Lake Arthur the day before I tried to time being there when they returned from foraging. When I first arrived there were no birds to be seen. Within moments the flock began to arrive. As one parent lands the others all must flutter in place while departing adults swoop away. The play of their shadows on the underside of the bridge caught my eye while I tried to frame and capture the fast action.

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Giant Jiu Jitsu

I have finally had time to sort through the many photos I took of my buddies sparring with , the Mahamed Aly. He's the 2018 IBJJF World Champion! Back in February of this year he conducted an eye opening seminar at Rise Up Martial Arts. Maybe I should say an "eye popping" because it was ALL about pressure! Anyway, a number of the upper belts had the pleasure of sparring with him in the morning, before the class. Me? As a lowly Blue couldn't join in the fun (whew...) so I photographed the fun. I have finally completed sorting and processing this really intense day of training. The gallery can be found on the front page.

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This Driftless Life

I've been leaving for work earlier these days. I take the "back way." My local region is filled with little meandering valleys. There are a few "loops" I can make on my way to the Cave. I've really come to love the terrain. There are hidden little side valleys all over the place. The morning fog rises out of them to mingle with the clouds. It's cool, lush and wet in the dim morning light. As I drive slowly along I can hear all the birds and see wildlife. And occasionally I'll stop to take a photo.

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Formations in the Dark

What an incredible morning I've been having. Author Matt Geiger, his daughter and I went on an artistic adventure into Cave of the Mounds. He needed a photo to go along with an article that will soon be published in Northerly Quarterly. The title of which is 'The Cave,' and I highly recommend reading it when it comes out soon. No spoilers from me. I just happened to be off today, and also work in a cave so naturally it all came together. Getting to be artistic in a place that has effected me in such significant ways was a true delight. I cannot even begin to express how much I enjoyed setting up and taking this photograph today. Some people go golfing on their days off, me, I want to spend time creating. Something. Then I go back to work where I find I am drawing on that which shapes me as an artist. As I told Matt today, when I get to do what I do, and then sink back into this amazing place that is Cave of the Mounds it is as if fresh waters flush out the sediment in the caverns of my soul. And in those dark places crystals are now growing formations. I am truly a blessed man.

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Molt

How do I write about the intangibles of my own self when the very nature of the trees mesmerizes me? How is it that parts of my very soul are becoming "textured?" Life surrounds me and even the "lifeless" stone changes, not only eroding away but also growing. I stand on the east facing lookout tower. My eyes closed. My mind settled. My feet connecting me to the tower as it ever so slightly moves in the north wind. The entire top of the Mound is covered in a low lying cloud. There is no view of the sun but the morning light causes the blanket of mist to glow. As I stand there just breathing I can feel the water build on my cheeks. When the wind slides past my ears it's as a whispered song I've known from so long ago I can't recall the words, or name. Suddenly the wind stops and only the birds and the water dripping from leaves is all I hear...



#oak #bluemoundsstatepark #bluemounds #wildwisconsin #naturalwisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oaksavanna #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #naturalwisconsin #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #redditig