Reflections...

A dark blue blanket covers the sky while light blue clouds peak through. The waves shimmer reflecting the sky above. An orange line streaks across the sky from the round sun. A bolt of sunlight reflects off the water.

The fog softens the scene, but the crescent moon retains its sharp points. The water glistens, reflecting the light from the buoy. The ships off in the distance search through the morning fog as the lighthouse is their nightlight. The colors are soft and the line between the sky and water is blurred, on earth as it is in heaven.

Color streaks across the sky ranging from dark purple to rose to orange, letting through starlight, being stretched by the long exposure. The glassy water hides the legs of the pier and make it appear to float while still reflecting its structure and the colors of the sky. ---- Even when we can’t see it clearly, the light of the world is there. The long exposure enhanced the brightness of the pier from a safety light behind me but also dragged the light from the stars, creating tails as the earth rotates.

Hints of Orange

In this photo I saw the repetition of the piers and it caught my attention. The green and orange in the boards matched the color in the reeds just beyond. The trees in the distance provide depth before opening into the sky.

This scene is large and expansive. With many falls and sharp, jutting rocks. This image is over-processed to make the clouds look angry and the colors more saturated. Deep blues, lushes greens and a hint of orange. It has the effect of looking more like a painting than a photograph, but it is an interesting experiment.

A lone water tower off in the distance. The sun was setting and produced the most amazing orange glow that is reflected in the water of the bay. You can see the brightness of the sun lighting up the small band of clouds contrasted by the ground which is starting to be engulfed in shadows. The distant hills are brighter providing some depth.

Rushing water, sharp stones, caramel tinted falls, two-toned rocks. Can you hear the roar of the wind as the water streams by.

Glassy water, orange sky fading into violet reflections before an abrupt change at the moss-covered pier. Can you hear the silence and occasional bird. Can you feel the texture of the wood and the fuzz of the moss.

The rocks climb across the shore to disappear into the haze of the bay. Headed toward the streak of color on the horizon. The sun’s reflection, faintly on the water.

Morning Glow

An early morning down at the city dock. Very few people were out and those staying on their boats were mostly still asleep. The sun was coming up from the left in this photo. I liked how it put a golden glow on the boats and buildings, leaving the western side still dark. The highlights on the backs of the boats are a little intense, even reflecting to the underneath of the small boat hanging. The lines are mostly horizontal but the mast of the sailboat and reflected in the water provides some nice contrast. The clouds in the distance are still holding on to the soft sunlight while the blue on the west is getting more saturated as the sun rises. What does your eye focus on?

A little earlier in the morning from yesterday’s photo. The light was a more intense orange, matching the color on the gulf sign and opposing the roof color. In contrast to yesterday, here are more vertical lines with the pylons and masts. They are framed on the bottom by some horizontal lines in the water and the sky is clear. I like the feel the photo gives-its not bustling with people yet but looks like a good place to sit and spend a morning before getting to work. How does it make you feel?

Mottled clouds today. As the sun was coming up it wasn’t shining through the clouds as much as it was reflecting off the bay and back up. The water was smooth and had the color of figs that is mirrored back up into the clouds. Off in the distance you can see the lights of the cargo ships sleeping as they wait to be called into port to unload.

Blossoms

Washington DC has 3,800 cherry trees and they all blossom at the same time each year. It’s a beautiful site to see and one that I try to not miss – even if I just drive through the city. However, did you know, the international cherry blossom capital is in Macon, GA (USA)? Macon has over 350,000 cherry trees! I couldn’t believe that. The veritable forest of cherry blossoms got its start when a Macon resident began giving cuttings to friends and people of his community. Now his foundation donates thousands of trees yearly to county residents and the number of trees continue to grow!

Every year I try to make a trip to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC. If a peak bloom day falls on weekend, the number of people that descend on the city is unbelievable. If you get caught in the mob, you will lose the ability to choose which way you want to walk-you simply have to go with the flow of people. During an off day and time though, and just a few blocks away, it's amazing how empty and peaceful the mall can be. Enjoying a picnic in front of the capitol, admiring the architecture of nearby museums with the people you love, is a wonderful way to spend an evening.

Springtime is quickly becoming one of my favorite seasons. It might be due to the longer days, the crisp air or the plants and animals waking up from the winter sleep. Spring is a time for renewal and refreshing. A time to re-tackle those new year’s resolutions that deserve a little more success. It’s a time to spring clean and get rid of excess junk-both physical and mental. It’s wonderful to feel the breeze blow through the home with open windows and go outside without the 10-pound coat and frozen toes. Everything seems clean and it's time for a fresh start.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! In honor of my favorite holiday, please enjoy three photos of the sunrise.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16

If I speak in human and angelic tongues* but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1Cor:13

Peter proceeded to speak and said: “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts:10

Stability

After a daytrip spent at the beach, we were enjoying the sunset as we crossed the bridge driving home. Cruising along, we saw a police car speeding up behind us with its lights flashing and siren blaring as the bridge lane indicators turned red. We moved to the left as the flashing lights passed us on the right. Up ahead we see a car stopped just in front of the cruiser and I slow down. The officers were out and looking in the stopped car with their flashlights and over the edge. Quiet and sadness filled our car as we realize what just happened. If you find yourself having dangerous thoughts about your life, please call 800-273-TALK (8255) or 911.

The days can be beautiful, but not all days are so. Sometimes people can get stuck in a bad rut, feeling that the problems of life can be just too much. Some people are struggling with a hidden burden-in their mind, in their body or from outside. One may not be able to see a way out of a difficult situation or how to overcome an embarrassing event. Necessary medications can even have devastating effects on one’s mind, immediately or over time. Dark feelings can even come from feeling alone or over stimulated. If this is you, reach out to a friend, a doctor, a priest, a waitress at a diner or just call 800-273-TALK (8255) or 911. Your life is valuable and needs loved.

There are some events in life that we don’t think to prepare ahead of time that need quick reactions and calm thinking.  One of those such events is when someone is at the end of their rope with a weakening grip.  Very few people have the necessary training for a situation such as this.  So what can you do?  You stay with them.   You give them an ear to speak to.  You can offer to get them support that can help.  But first is to stay with them.  Sometimes a person only needs company for a short time, to walk with them through the darkest part of the path until the light returns.  Once on the other end, you can help arrange for professional movers to help them carry their burden which is just too heavy.  Simple things like a soft voice and a calming presence may provide enough light in the darkness.  If your grip is weakening, please call 800-273-TALK (8255) or 911.   

 

The three photos in this series have had a darker tone to the caption.  I’ve been involved with a few close calls with friends that ultimately turned out ok.  But I’ve also been adjacent to times where they didn’t.  I like to post photos and small stories, but occasionally I’ll post more serious topics that may provide benefit in a different way.     

Power

The sheer power of water is incredible. Slowly, over time it continuously wears down rock, removing the smallest pieces, one at a time. You can’t see it but it’s happening. The Grand Canyon is over 6,000 feet deep. That’s over four times what the Empire State building is high. Water can also come on quickly. The beautiful canyons in Arizona with the bands of colored sand and stone are gorgeous to hike through, but also very treacherous. Rainstorms from miles away can bring walls of water crashing through in speeds too fast to avoid. Water’s power isn’t limited to small areas either. The Tsunami that hit the day after Christmas in 2004 affected Thailand, India, Sri Lanka as well as countries as far away as Somalia and Madagascar amongst others. Even water that seems gentle can be dangerous. Slight flooding that covers a road, only a few inches deep is enough to slide cars around and pull them into a stream. Water is dangerous but water is also beautiful, water is peaceful to sit beside, water cleans.

Rushing rivers, tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods. Water is able to change the landscape in a moment or over time. Each body of water is made up of small drops. Drops that fall individually from the air and gather together, slowly adding up. Just like drops of water, small actions can make a huge difference in ourselves and our world. If we can make one small action, then repeat it, our efforts can move mountains. But if you try, and your attempt fails, do not give up. Just like the one drop of water by itself will soon dry and disappear, it will fall again to the earth. Perhaps this time two drops may fall. Eventually, those drops will turn into a storm.

Control

Technically, this is not one of my best photos. Its grainy and dark without a lot of contrast. But, I like the mood it draws me into. I feel like I’m in novel, and the ship at sea is on a mission. Its travelling on against the stormy weather, pushing forward against the rough waves. The weather is bad, but the crew pushes on. Whether it is the right or wrong way to move, their determination is in control.

Sailboats fascinate me. The sail reaches toward the sky; as the wind blows the fabric fills and pushes the boat forward. You cannot see the wind nor control it. Captains have piloted ships around the world without the need for fuel. The wind blows you out to sea and you hope that there will be wind to bring you back home. Opposing the sail under the boat is a keel, a giant fin. The keel is what gives the boat its stability-without it, as the wind blows the boat would simply topple over. You know its there and can feel it, but cannot see it. Alternatively, is the power boat. The captain controls the fuel being loaded, controls the throttle and speed, controls the schedule. Everything revolves around the captain and his ability to control the situation.

Forty years ago there weren’t mobile phones. Cable TV was rare with most homes having only a handful of channels. Card playing was a common way to unwind and many sat on their porch just listening to the wind and watching the birds hop through the trees. These days, communication is always at the end of our fingers and we can call upon support in a moment’s notice. We have wrestled to control the situation.

Soft Blue

Blue & Purple. Did you know, the University of Maryland (US) did a study on humanity’s favorite color? For men, it was blue, then green and then purple. For women it was purple, blue then green. Is your favorite color one of those three? I wonder what it is about blue and purple that is so appealing. Could it be that those are the colors of the sky on peaceful mornings? The sky on this morning was not the intense orange and gold I usually chase, but its serenity was matched by the very calm waters.

This day, the clouds moved in and tried to block the sun’s rays from hitting the bay-to block out the light and keep it from filling the dark spaces. But a crack is all the sun needs to burst through. It hits the bay, warms it and changes it just a little. And in response the bay reflects the light out to everything around. The water begins to glow. The clouds themselves are even enlightened and their darkness transformed into an array of colors.

The Thomas Point Lighthouse was built in 1825 and operated by a person staying onsite until 1986. As I was looking out upon it, I couldn’t help but think of the monasteries in Europe. The ones that are built out on a deserted island to allow the monks solitude and quiet to attend to their prayers. Did the people that took the job at Thomas Point and other lighthouses stationed in the bay do so to get away and find that period of peace? I imagine being in a place such as that, in a small building battered by the waves and the wind would test one’s faith at night. On the contrast, I imagine the brilliant light that the sunrise ushers forth following those darkest storms would provide refreshing strength.

The Power of the Sunrise

Sunrise in Annapolis. This past summer, a planned trip to a glorious vacation to paradise was postponed. Fortunately, a close approximation to paradise is not far off. One of the things I like to do on vacation is wake up early and watch the sunrise in someplace new. So, for staycation, a trek was in order and the heavens cooperated. Watching the sunrise is a great start to the day, especially if it is bright and full of color.

Often as I watch the sunrise, thoughts creep into my mind of the tasks that need to be done that day. As I watch, my mind is pulled to if the best part of the sunrise is over and it is time to move along. This morning I was packing up, I turned to take one last glimpse and saw these paddleboarders heading my way. Fumbling, I was able to get my camera out just in time. I was lucky to have waited just long enough to catch them. It’s true what they say about patience, and it paid off this day.

There is something grand about the hours of sunrise and sunset. Colors become more vibrant, the temperature changes, the animals are more active, and a soft breeze can be felt. I understand the science behind these events, but what can’t be define…

There is something grand about the hours of sunrise and sunset. Colors become more vibrant, the temperature changes, the animals are more active, and a soft breeze can be felt. I understand the science behind these events, but what can’t be defined as easily are the feelings it can bring out. This can be a time for peace and contemplation- that this time is a gift. To slow down. To breathe. To take in the beauty of all creation and see that it is good.

The Water's Edge

The skies wanted to part and let heaven light up the trees this day. Autumn colors were showing with strong amber and burnt sienna. It's amazing that the lush greens of summer turn to these warm colors as the weather cools. A fun fact about the color of burnt sienna. Long a color of the Crayola crayon box, Burnt Sienna was all set to be retired in 2003. However, the color was saved by a vote of consumers and remains in the box of 64 to this day. Retired instead were blizzard blue, magic mint, mulberry, and teal blue. The current list of retired colors stands at 13.

I liked the pattern the receding tide left behind this day. It repeated, almost rhythmically. I was surprised most about in the number of small puddles that remained, I guess after a recent rainfall, each one filled with its own small ecosystem of tiny fish. I felt bad for these fish knowing that their life wouldn’t exist much longer - there were just too many to build a canal to lead back to the bay. All part of God’s plan, hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to find out.

This set of rocks is near that broken pier I like. The two will show up in a photo together at some point. Do you ever take a photo you can just feel is good and hesitate to make the edits because you just don’t want to let it go or want to save it until your editing skills are just a little better? I don’t do that much editing to begin with but I’m trying to get over that feeling and let go of a couple of my favorites. I do like the softness of this one. Experimenting with some longer exposures is fun but tricky.

Reaching Trees

The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC (the building in the background) was built with the idea that America needed a world class art museum of its own.  However, it was dedicated in 1941, long after the establishment of other notable art museums such as the Met in NYC, Fine Arts in Boston and the Museum of Art in Philadelphia.  It does hold the only Leonardo DaVinci painting in the US, the Ginevra de' Benci.   

The Birds, by Alfred Hitchcock. That’s what came to mind when I saw this tree. The way the shadows fell and the branches hung, it made me think of them in that house looking out at the birds outside. I’m not sure why that was on tv so often, but it seemed to be on a lot. I haven’t seen that movie in years, but it is still burned into my memory. It’s a classic, but not one I need to see again.

These two trees with massively large trunks stand just off the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, blocking the wind and giving a nice view to the passing cargo ships. They are a glorious contrast to the army of sweet gum trees that inhabit the local area. Those dirty trees that drop spikeball bombs to attack your feet in the grass, the grass that must fend off fierce attacks from those trees’ shallow root systems.

The Battering Waves of the Chesapeake Bay

The Thomas Point lighthouse was originally constructed in 1825.  It fell into disrepair from erosion and winter ice flows, but was rebuilt several times in the almost 200 years it has existed.  It is different than most lighthouses that exist.  It is shorter as the soft ground of the bay which it is built upon cannot support the weight of a tall tower.  The lighthouse was manually operated until 1986 and remains the last of the original Chesapeake screwpile cottage lighthouses. 

At the end of a road there is a tiny peninsula that juts out into the Chesapeake Bay.  Its quite strongly fortified.  There are strong rocks around its shore larger than are typical of the area and they are all similarly sized-you can tell they weren’t there naturally.  I would guess they were brought in to protect against the constant onslaught of the bay’s waters.  The question is, what are they protecting?  There is a small grassy area with a lone tree.  Was the tree present before the rocks or brought in after?  That’s a lot of work and effort to protect a space so small.  I’m thankful to whoever provided the labor and hope they did it with joy.  It’s beautiful and peaceful to look out upon.  When the tree gets bigger, it will be a wonderful place to sit beneath in the summer.

I'm not sure what it is about this old pier, but I'm drawn to it. I go by it often and look at it from different directions. I can feel there is a great photo here waiting to happen, but I haven’t quite gotten it right. I like this one, but it's not the one. There will be more...

Calm Sunrise


I took this one at sunrise a few weeks ago. I didn’t like it as I took it, but it looked different after some time had passed. It’s grown on me- the reflections, the colors, the trees, the warm glow of the window. I hope you enjoy it.

Sunrise out on the water. The seagulls are flying, the fish are jumping in and out of the water and the ducks are landing in the bay. The peacefulness is refreshing and restorative. But, its duck season. Once the hunters start shooting, the ducks head to shore. The hunters can’t hunt near the shore and the ducks have learned it -the morning meeting of ducks has begun.

Another beautiful sunrise. The sky and the waves were calm this morning. The peninsula to the right is Thomas Point Park. Just a small open space with a little pavilion that juts out into the Chesapeake Bay. It’s a popular fishing place and families often spend the whole day. It’s a great place to relax.

Quiet Places

In 1701, Charles Carrol, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, purchased land in Annapolis. In 1821 he transferred part of his property for a church and two years later St. Mary’s opened. Today, members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists, serve over 7,500 parishioners and support over 60 ministries. St. Mary’s has wonderfully been my parish for over 20 years. May you have a blessed day full of hope and love.

If you can, take some time to sit this week and relax-maybe with someone special.

Getting up early to see the sunrise and wanted to walk out on the pier. That’s fine, I was able to get the code to the locked gate. I didn’t realize that you need to enter the code to exit as well. No problem, I think I recall. First time, doesn’t work. Second time the same. Third again doesn’t work. The water is only a 3 feet deep, but cold. Try the code one more time, it works! I’ve been back a few times now and the lock always sticks on the exit, and my heart races each time.

Winter Waters

Was out exploring and found a neighborhood dock of boats. Sitting at the end was this guy, and he just seemed like the king of his kingdom looking over his subjects of paddle and rowboats.

I like to get out to see the sunsets at this time of year while it happens early in the day, but it’s a battle against going out in the cold. I was glad to be out this day. The sun was golden and shining through the dried grasses looked very nice. And the bay had a dark blue look to it.

An amazing sunset on the water. I wish I had caught it just a moment earlier so I could get the full burning fireball, but the mix of the colors, the clouds and contrails just made the sky interesting. The water was so calm too, with just some gentle waves.