What, it’s already the third week of January? How can a month both fly by and seem so long? I honestly don’t know but that’s how it feels here in Wynnworlds land. I’ve been reading a lot, cracked a few (tiny) bottles of Prosecco on Jan 20th, and done a lot of walking with camera in hand. I’ll start and end this post with coastal shots from Hunting Island, South Carolina, while the middle part showcases Skidaway Island in Georgia. Let’s go!
Lesson from an Egret
This Great Egret visited me a lot when I was at Hunting Island State Park, probably because my site was right next to a swampy area with a lot of little critters that meant easy pickings for dinner. I kept trying to get a good photograph of it but I was often too late or had the wrong lens. And the one day I had my big zoom at the ready, the darned bird didn’t show up at all.
I learned patience from this bird. I moved a step or two towards it and then froze when their beady eyes focused on me, assessing whether or not I posed a threat. A half minute and it was back to diving for food and I could take another step forward, pushing my luck. Sometimes that last step worked out, sometimes the bird spread those beautiful white wings and flitted off before I could click the shutter even once to capture them in flight.
Camera Practice
One of the things I’ve been trying to do every day is put a different lens on the camera (I do have a few to choose from…) and learn how to use it to best advantage.
This shot of two little branches was taken with a 55mm lens, getting as close to the iced up leaves as I dared. Yes, frost in Georgia. It happens. The cold meant I had to set the camera outside on the table for a while to acclimate to the temperature; otherwise, the lens would fog up after being in the nice warm Alto. (It was 34F/1C for the curious.)
The Elusive Spanish Moss
One of the things I love about the South is Spanish moss. The way it blows in a gentle wind, the way it drapes its lacy lines across branches large and small. A hurricane a few years ago cleaned out most of it but its been making a comeback, as you can see.
I’ve been trying to get a good closeup of Spanish moss for what feels like forever. It’s either too high up or the wind is moving it too much, or something else. But one day, I got a break and this little branch was ready for its closeup. So I obliged! Spanish moss may look prickly, but it’s actually very soft to the touch.
Morning Calm
My friend Laura posts the most beautiful sunrise photos on her Facebook page. She inspired me to get up early on the one ‘not cloudy’ morning I had at Hunting Island.
The sunrise wasn’t a fantastic one because a storm had blown through the day before, taking the clouds with it. Still, the sound of the gentle surf and the colors reflecting on the water were worth it. I took maybe two dozen shots, but this was the only one I kept. Something about the stillness of the sky and the gentle movement of the waves coming into shore speaks to me.
This week was a big one in US history. A new President, our 46th in an unbroken line of democratic rule, was sworn in on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Part of the inauguration was Amanda Gorman’s beautiful poem, The Hill We Climb. The quotation below is my favorite part. I hope we do lift our gazes, together, to the challenges we face.
Your turn of a phrase is something I so enjoy, this time the “dropping a straw straight into the wine bottle” which so sums up 2020! I’m happy my beach photo made you feel as wonderful as that poem, that’s an honor. Let’s hope our optimism holds, the future improves, and we all get vaccines and can travel wherever we want by the end of 2021.
This month certainly has moved quickly, in a very slow way… All I know is I’m sleeping much better and haven’t been feeling the need to drop a straw right into the wine bottle. Progress!! Ms. Gorman’s poem was stunning and just what we all needed to hear after so long wandering in the dark. Your sunrise photo makes me feel the same way.
Oh, gosh, I went nuts in Charleston, so much to see and photograph! I’m glad I could help drop your shoulders that much, I’ve been trying to remember to breathe and let go and lower mine as well.
Oh, thank you, Lenette! I feel that peace anytime I am near the ocean so I like to share it. Hope you’re doing well and staying healthy, my friend.
Thank-you so much for sharing your pictures. Nothing brings me peace like nature and that sunset was so serene.
The sunrise picture, your words, and those of Amanda Gorman, (when added to the governing sea-change this week) all dropped my shoulders about 4 inches. Thank you! FYI – Your Spanish Moss photos reminded me of a trip I took to Charleston. While there I signed up for a photo walking history tour. It was fabulous and helped me get some of the best shots.
Thanks, Jack! Glad you’re enjoying the content and, yes, Altos are one of my obsessions 🙂
You might actually know this guy, Karl, that goes there a lot. He’s, uh, “well-known” by the rangers there 🙂
Skidaway Island State Park looks great. I’ll have to go there some day.
So happy to have found you! I’ve been researching Altos for a few weeks and you provide not only a wealth of information, but also beautiful photos and prose.