Nature as a backdrop for teaching moments

Earlier this week, I mentioned the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in a post on this site. No, I am not going to launch into a discussion about the Ash Borer. Writing that post brought back memories of this photo.

I frequently take walks during lunch at Fort Saint Clair Park in Eaton, OH. It is a lovely park. Sadly, most of the Ash population has been destroyed, and the city has cut down and removed the damaged Ash Trees. The tree in the picture above was just one of many such trees. It is very sad.  

I have to pause for a minute and comment on the beauty of this park. I have seen some amazing wildlife, primarily birds. I enjoy walking here. If you find yourself in Eaton, make a stop here!  There is a small road around the park which I normally walk. I do this ‘loop’ once or twice during lunch. I have turned a walk here into a meeting more than once. There is a lot of history here too! I hope you can visit! 

On one day in May, 2016, I was on one of my walks walk when I saw this father kneeling by a recently fallen Ash tree. He was helping his daughter count the rings on the tree to determine its age. When I came around the second time, they had seen finished counting and were standing by the fallen tree, still engaged in conversation. They told me how many rings they had counted, then I went on with my walk. (Sadly, I don’t remember how old it was). 

I loved watch this father engaged with his daughter. He was teaching, but more importantly he was engaged with her. It was beautiful in so many ways. It melted my heart, and left me thinking about my sons, and my granddaughters. Life is short .. enjoy every moment! 

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Sometimes you just need nature ..

Stillwater Prairie Reserve, Stillwater River

Sometimes the stress levels get high, and you feel you need a break. That happens to me sometimes. This is how I like to let the stress go .. a long walk with Mother Nature.  

The Web ...

Shot at Kiser Lake State Park

This is a serious web. I didn’t stick around to see the spider, but I have only seen a few as dense as this one.

I am always amazed the the design of spider webs. This one is so dense you can’t pick up a design or pattern, but it looks effective. 🕷 

Slightly more zoom

The official end of summer?

Labor Day has come and gone. I frequently hear people talk about this holiday as the end of summer. The reality is that schools are back in session, and evenings and nights bring with them a cool chill. The sunset comes earlier each night, as daylight shortens. Soon the trees will dress in the colors of fall, and the leaves will begin to cover the landscape.  

If you like to capture photos of amazing sunsets, this is your time of year! The sun is starting to move lower on the horizon, and the magic hour will provide an amazing golden cast. The fall is accompanied with vivid colors - nature’s backdrop for photographers. 

Over the years, some of my best photos have come between Labor Day and when the leaves have fallen. I guess what I am saying is this: get out there and take some photos! Nature is waiting to share it’s beauty with you and your camera!  

These photos were taken at sunrise at Kiser Lake State Park. It was a beautiful morning .. so peaceful and calm. Have a great fall. 

Morning on the Lake

On Labor Day, Teresa and I took a few photos at sunrise at Kiser Lake, near St Paris, Ohio. This was shot just before sunrise, so you get a lot of interesting colors. That is a Blue Heron in the foreground. I saw two of them, but didn’t get many good pictures of them.