Winter – Page 4 – tim mcmurdo

last weekend

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

Last weekend Jim, Gerd, and I met for lunch in Yellow Springs. Chili Fires, Sandwiches, and cold beer were on the menu and we made the most of them. After lunch, we decided to go for a hike along the LIttle MIami River, where it flows through Clifton Gorge. The temperatures were just above freezing and the snow was falling, but the hike was fantastic and it felt good to be back in the woods again.

The river was swollen from the rains the fell over the previous few days. The Canada Geese had already arrived and were fighting over the best stretch of the river for nesting. There is nothing else that quite sounds like three pair of geese that want the same spot.

The only green in sight was the moss that covered many of the rocks and fallen trees. All else was the standard mix of winter greys and browns.

It felt so good to be back in nature after our annual winter hibernation, that I am seriously thinking about repeating the experience today. Mother Nature, here comes your son.

coffee run

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

random hallway

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

february butterfly

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

One of several butterflies that emerged early and were enjoying the warmer temperatures inside of the conservatory. The season doesn't normally begin until April and I was happily surprised to see them out a little early. Seeing butterflies and bright flowers is a good temporary cure for the winter greys.

winter orchids

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615

Yesterday I spent my lunch hour photographing orchids at the Franlin Park Conservatory located in Columbus, OH. They are setting up for an orchid show that will start this weekend. I thought that right about now, we could all use a little color to help us get through the rest of the winter.

saturated barn

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

Saturday morning, I visited the barn just as the sun began to peek above the tree line. I could follow the sun's progress as it first touched the windmill and then the roof of the barn.

Before long, the entire side of the barn was engulfed in light. The sun brought the red barn to life and it's paint seemed to glow in the saturated light.

It's moments like these and light like this that makes my habit of waking early, an enjoyable one.

winter seed pod

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

sisters

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

Jane and Maggie enjoying the sunshine at the farm.They just closed their eyes and soaked up the warmth.

mail order brides

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

Feast your eyes upon one very lonely tree named Bryan. Didn't know that trees had names like Bryan? They do and, as I mentioned, they also can be lonely. Bryan has been standing here for many years and unfortunately, as you can see, he stands alone. It's not that he couldn't have friends and companions. Bryan is a very friendly and outgoing sort of tree. Unfortunately, nobody has ever seen fit to plant another tree nearby.

What Bryan needs is a girlfriend. A lady tree to keep him company. Perhaps one of you fine people reading this has a spring catalog of plants, bushes and trees sitting on your cofee table. Maybe you even feel sorry for Bryan's plight and are willing to help a good tree out of his predicament.

If you are of a mind to make a lonely tree happy, pick up that catalog and order Bryan a companion. Maybe a nice maple to see him through his years. If you think the maple might be a little too flashy, I suppose he might also like a kind, friendly poplar.

uncomfortable mo

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Tim McMurdo

I have a friend named Mo. It is one of Mo's pleasures to create photographs that make the viewer uncomfortable. I don't know why, but then, I don't know why she is named Mo either. However, Mo's delight in uncomfortable images has gotten me thinking about this image that I took a couple weekends ago. It makes me uncomfortable.

I don't like to be uncomfortable looking at my own images. I tend to want my photos to embrace me with comfort. I want my eye to flow smoothly into the image and rest on the subject without any effort at all. I work hard to make that transition from reality to the image as smooth as possible.

After giving the photo some thought, I believe that what throws me off in this image is that the irrigation system recedes to the left, away from the center of the image, instead of towards the center of the image.

In this second image of the same irrigation system, I framed the photo so that the irrigation system recedes towards the center of the photo. I am much more comfortable with this image than the first. I also like the parallel lines formed by the edge of the road and the edge of the plowed field. Comfort and balance. Peace with the world.

I don't know which image is the better image from a technical standpoint. I don't really care. I do know that I prefer the comfort of a balanced image. Evidently, I don't want to work too hard when looking at a photo. I will leave that to Mo. Me? I am a lazy viewer.