I've recently discovered the usefulness of "vintage" lenses on modern, mirrorless cameras. These flower photos were taken with a 57-year-old Super-Takumar 1:4 / 50mm, adapted to my trusty Olympus OM-1 (OMD Systems, 2022) camera. This lens falls within the range of the radioactive Super-Takumars, so maybe that helped with the red/amber colors.

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

This day serves as our reminder that not everyone comes home…

I often wonder how those of “The Greatest Generation,” especially those who left this world prematurely because they sacrificed their lives so we could have the lives and lifestyles we have today, might view what we have done with their gift. I wonder what kinds of opinions they would hold about who we have become as a nation.

The most horrible thing I can imagine is that they might think their sacrifice was not worth it and that we have squandered the gift that they won for us. 

All it took was about 10 minutes of watching the cable news channels for me to pick out five  things that I think we need to change if we are to preserve the gift we received from them.

My five tenets to build a stronger nation:

1. Less “me,” more “we”.
2. Less interest in how rich our neighbors are and more gratitude for how rich our lives are.
3. Less focus on the lives of celebrities and more on the celebration of life.
4. Less focus on our individual differences and more on the different ways we are united.
5. Less concern with what we can get for free and more concern with ensuring we remain free.

In order that we may never forget the price that was paid on our behalf by those who gave all they had, and all they would ever have, so we could remain free. Today I dedicate this photo to those who remain, forever young…

Sometimes "shooting" a photograph has its similarities with shooting a gun in that you have to be aware of what's downrange past your target. I had hoped that the big gnarly tree behind this actual piece of art, called "The Dance Of Life", would make for a suitable background. Turns out it does! I also think the patina on the inside of the woman's dress, if you squint a little, looks a lot like a shot of the night sky of the variety that you might see in the NASA photo of the day..

This is on the plaque below the the sculpture.

Another beauty from the outdoor art museum, that is Cave Hill Cemetery.

This is the top portion of the Tingley Fountain at Cave Hill Cemetery. I think this is the first time I've seen it with the water turned on. The kids underneath this lady freak me out a little so I tend to concentrate on just the lady.

When I look at this duck, I can't help thinking he would look good as a postage stamp.

...And Some Gave All

A lone goose is master of all he surveys at his small pond.

There was just a touch of color left on a tree in the cemetery. Kind of gives the background a Christmas ornamental feel.

~Yogi Berra

Can't figure out if this duck wasn't wearing his crash helmet the last time he had a bad landing or if this is some sort of trendy new hair style.

I just liked the fire-like colors of this autumn leaf shot.

"He spake well who said that graves are the footprints of angels."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow