These are some of the current and on-going photography projects to which I devote some of my time. What do you think? Drop me a comment on the Contact page.
These are some of the current and on-going photography projects to which I devote some of my time. What do you think? Drop me a comment on the Contact page.
We cannot always afford or find our way into the wilds of a foreign land, and you really do not need to venture much further than many city and county parks to find a wide array of wildlife and other natural beauty. For example, there is a relatively small (24.4 acre) park in the city of Louisville, KY, called Arthur K Draut, where you can find Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, Red Shouldered Hawks, Black Crowned Night Herons, Red Winged Blackbirds, Beaver, American Mink, Snapping Turtles, Box Turtles, Eastern Carpenter Bees, and much more. Unfortunately, most everyone living near the park, including those who walk or run through it every day, rarely see any of it. Next time you visit your local park, see what hidden gems you can find. I bet you will be surprised.
In St Matthews, part of the greater Louisville area, you can find a park across from a high end car dealership, nestled between residential and apartment properties. This 24.4 acre park has a creek meandering through it with paths for walkers and joggers, which cross the creek in three places. In the over 100 times I have walked this park with my camera, I have come across such a diversity of flora and fauna I would never expect to find in a highly urbanized city park, especially given the sometimes horrible runoff that enters the creek from the local streets and parking areas.
Garden of the Gods Park is managed by the City of Colorado Springs, but once you explore it, you would think you were in a State or National Park. From the incredible rock formations and view of the 14,100 ft Pikes Peak (America’s Mountain) to the amazing diversity of wildlife, you can understand why it is the second most visited city park in the US, second only to Central Park in New York City. I am so fortunate to have this beautiful place virtually in my backyard.
On the south side of Hwy 24 as you are leaving Colorado Springs up into the front range, you will find another gem managed by the City of Colorado Springs. Like Garden of the Gods Park, this is an awesome place for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, horse riding, etc. It has an abandoned rock quarry that has been used for summer evening concerts. Oh, and yes it has wonderful flora, fauna and red rock formation to entice the outdoor photographer.
This El Paso County park in Callahan, CO, has some beautiful hoodoos and rock formations with exposed layers of selenite clay and jasper in amazing colors. The clay was historically used by American Indians who occupied the region as far back as 9,000 years to make paints, hence the name of the park.
Just west of Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO, you will find Sloan’s Lake Park where you can walk, jog, ride, fish, water ski, and enjoy events, like the Dragon Boat Festival. You can also find American White Pelicans, Canada Geese, Egrets, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cormorants, floral gardens, and more.
When speaking about Beckley Creek Park, in Louisville, KY, I really need to speak about The Parklands. The Parklands is a unique public / private endeavor to provide a 21st Century park system. Today it is a connected system of parks with a planned 100 miles of walking, jogging, and riding paths; nearly 20 miles of canoeing on Floyds Fork Creek; recreational fields; playgrounds; fishing holes; and more. If ever in the area, head to Beckley Creek Park start to explore. You will not be disappointed.
This is an experiment for me. I do not have formal training in Art History or any style of Art; however, I have found some Abstract Art to be very appealing. Using colors, gestural marks, shapes, etc. to create an image that does not represent content in a visual reality can be very interesting.
My interest is not in images where the abstraction is so extreme that you cannot identify the content and require the artist to describe what the image depicts. Hence, this experiment is about using limited abstraction so you, the observer, understand the content you are viewing.
I would really like to receive your feedback on these images. Please send me comments and ideas on the Contact page.
No. 3 horse running at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.
Sunset at Horseshoe Bend along the Colorado River near Page, AZ.
Surfer checking out the waves at Pismo State Beach, CA.
American Bison grazing near Badlands National Park, SD.
Hot air balloons over Colorado Springs, CO.
Bright orange Poppy at the Denver Botanical Gardens, Denver, CO.
