A Walk in the Woods

As fall sweeps in and transforms the mountains those last long walks without coats and boats need to be taken.  With the boy getting into projects and tasks set up for home school leaning the camera, as both a tool and an artistic outlet is one of them. 

We set out on a walk, both of us with a camera.  To try and make it more interactive with a hint of direction I figured a scavenger hunt was the way to go.  I made a quick list: Something metal, something round, 3 different leaves, something red, something BIG, something tiny and something old.

I walked around with him showing him the basics of the camera, the same one I used until I received a new camera for my birthday from my mother, (quietwalkphotography)  I took  my own pictures along the way.

When we got back to the yard he asked if I had gotten all the pictures I needed.  Well, no I hadn’t but why not?  So we will do the hunts together and trade who makes the list each time.  So here is my scavenger hunt.

Something round in the mushrooms and the ring they grow in

Something metalleaf 1 of 3

leaf 2 of threeleaf 3 oof 3something redsomething bigsomething tiny in the little yarrow leaves

something old – the rocky mountains

Shortly he will be taking a class on photography, composition, the use of focus and basic skill controls of the camera itself.  I look forward to just how creative he will be as he learns more of what he and his camera can do.

his blog and scavenger hunt

https://wordpress.com/read/post/id/73088247/18/

Coming Home to a Montana Spring

Leaving for San Diego my mountain home was still held in the grip of winter. Snow banks and ice were the dominant element of the landscape. 19 hour drive brought us to a landscape of flowers, green leaves, and flip-flop weather.

many people thought me odd for taking pics of the flowers that they all seemed to utterly over look.

We took a short walk on the beach before breakfast one morning.

However, with the beauty of the flowers, the power of the ocean and the welcoming weather came pollution and traffic.
For me or anyone suffering MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) the city was almost unbearable. I was eager to get out of the city and back home.
Being able to breathe deeply and feel healed for it is a gift far more precious than any convenience a city might offer.
It was a pleasant welcome to find spring had arrived in my absence. No spring in MT is over night but it greets you a whisper at a time and getting home the mountain seemed to greet men with bird song and smell of damp earth. Crusted snow and patches of ice still cover the yard but there is no mistake. Spring has arrived in MT.

Today the snow and ice that had hidden the reek away for months now, gave way and the sound of rushing water has joined in with the birds and Kokopelli to bring in spring.

Watching the melt off and path of the sun my plans for gardens, green houses and front doors fill my thoughts. Soon work will be able to begin.

Today I can do edits on the books, go for short walks and snap pictures, soak in the sunshine. Maybe tomorrow I will be doing the same but once the ground thaws, and the last of the snow has melted away work to make this mountain a functioning home will begin in earnest. Blogs will share projects details. This promises to be a grand year.