Sometimes I find locations that make me feel like I've wandered into a painting...

Louisville's Secret Outdoor Art Gallery...

In a world of moving pictures, I have always been more fascinated by still images. They seem to work on the brain in a different manner than moving images. If you read a lot of photography blogs, you will soon figure out that there are two photographic subjects that are despised by “serious” photographers. They are train tracks and cemeteries. “Too cliche,” the serious photo bloggers will tell you. Well, that may be, but what if you just want to capture beauty in whatever form you happen to find it? I’m sure I would enjoy photographing, not only trains (and their tracks) but planes and automobiles as well, but I just don’t have access to a large variety of different subjects in those genres.

Serious photographers will also say that you are wasting your time if you head out to make photos in the middle of the day, when the sun is harsh and contrasty. “Go out only during the ‘golden hours’ at dawn and dusk,” they will tell you. Well, there certainly is good light during those golden hours, but what if you only have access to a particular location or subject outside of the golden hours? What if your schedule doesn’t allow you to be choosy? Perhaps you could learn to deal with contrasty light and other impediments to satisfying photographs? It's worth a try.

I say photograph what you want, when you want, or when you can. Each press of the shutter button will teach you something about your camera, light, perspective, etc. and you will see things, both in your subjects and yourself, that you may not get the chance to see if you wait for the perfect time or place to start taking pictures and enjoying photography. I also like to think of myself as a conduit of images to people who, for whatever reason, can’t get out themselves, to see what I see. Whether it be deer in the local state park, or a particular work of art at the local outdoor art gallery known as Cave Hill Cemetery.

And, as much as I enjoy gathering photographs, I really enjoy getting a good look at them on the computer and editing them in a way that I find pleasing or even surprising. You’d be amazed at how much color one can find in what first appears to be a gray slab of granite! When you look intently at something, you will see more.

Back in the day there used to be a show called “CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt”. Each episode would end with some usually eclectic story of a location, person, phenomenon, etc. to leave you with something to think about after the news portion of the show. The video would start rolling with some calm footage accompanied by a voiceover by Charles Kuralt describing what you were about to see. It was usually something you wouldn't see anywhere else

In the spirit of that show long ago, some photos from Louisville’s secret outdoor art gallery, all gathered in the last week or so.. Happy Sunday morning!

The Virgin of Sauerkraut Cave

I found this ice formation at the entrance to Sauerkraut Cave in Tom Sawyer State Park. I thought it looked like a nun praying, but others who have seen it are convinced it is a representation of the Virgin Mary. I just happened to catch it as one of the drips that built it was actively dripping.

I Know That Look...

I'm not sure what Bucky McDeerface is thinking here, but I don't think I like it!

I See You...

That moment when you realize that your quarry is onto you...

God-Rays In Autumn Trees

A great photo opportunity occurred on an Autumn morning in Bernheim Forest. It had been a hotter than normal week but then a passing cold front brought showers through the nignt and much colder temperatures in the morning. All of this had the effect of causing rising water vapor everywhere. Water vapor plus the rising sun lead to an opportunity to capture god-rays in a landscape shot.

Blue Visitor In Golden Forest

Though they are large birds, the Heron in this photo seems small against the large bank of autumn foliage. Though getting an eyeball on a Heron is a relatively new experience for me, I had no idea they would alight on skinny tree branches.

Go Through The Portal...

There is currently a big fad on Facebook where everyone is posting 7 black & white photos in 7 days.

I say, go through the portal! In every black & white photo is a color photo yearning to be free!!!

A Cabin In The Woods..

Actually a lot bigger than a cabin, the Bernheim Forest Education Center sits nestled in the surrounding autumn color. Kinda makes me feel sorry for the people who don't get to live in Kentucky..

A Symphony Of Color

It's as if the statue by George Grey Barnard was conducting a symphony of color. Taken this morning, shortly after sunrise. The dreary gray sky helped with the saturation of the colors.

Took My T-Rex To Bernheim Forest..

It's important to make sure your pets get enough exercise!

Here Comes The 2017 Autumn Color!

Though much of Bernheim Forest is still tending toward being green, this one small spot was exploding with color!

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again...

The Tingley Fountain male counterpart to the female in a previous post.

Rare Turtle

The extremely rare, almost mythical, Pumpkin Spice Turtle (testudo graeca cucurbita spice). They are rarely seen in the wild but a lucky few may get to see one in mid to late October when they are migrating to their winter homes...

The poor guy's arms are too short to knock that ant off of his nose!

The Forecast Called For Aluminum Overcast Followed By Widely Scattered Freedom...

On Saturday & Sunday, October 7 & 8, 2017, the B-17G, now known as "Madras Maiden", was at the Clark County airport in Indiana. Because they were offering rides causing the aircraft to constantly be in motion, and because the weather wasn't likely to hold up until the end of the day when they would offer tours, I tried to gets some photos of the airplane as it was taxiing in or out for the next flight.

Seen here through the interior of the classic Willys Jeep. The owner of the Jeep saw me taking this photo and said, "Hey, I never thought of shooting through the Jeep." and proceeded to take his own shots. Glad I could help!

Side view of the Madras Maiden shot against some early autumn color.

The "Ball Turret" served as a dorm room for many an eighteen-year-old during WWII. The mortality rate for B-17 belly gunners was 60%.

There is a relatively famous poem written about ball turret gunners, by poet Randall Jarrell:

From my mother's sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.