Reflections

It is hard for me to believe that in the year and a half since I started blogging about my pictures that I have not dedicated a post specifically to reflections, especially as much as I love taking these type of pictures.  I love seeing still water as I know its beauty runs deeper than its surface.  Regardless of the stress of work or missing my friends and family, seeing a reflection on a body of water (primarily lakes) provides that moment of peace that makes me feel that everything in the world is going to be okay.  Personally, this journey (Odyssey, I oftentimes call it) has brought me closer to appreciating nature and what it has to offer.

The first three pictures were taken at Eagle Lake in Morehead, KY.  My reference of this lake should not be new for people that has followed this blog from the very beginning.  It was Eagle Lake that I began to notice how much I loved the reflections of the trees on the lake three years ago.  When I lived in Morehead, I loved going to Eagle Lake all times of year just to catch a glimpse of its beauty and to feel at peace.  What is sad is that it took me living in Morehead for about year before I became motivated to explore the area.  It was that motivation and a great roadie then that fueled the fire for many of the pictures that you see here as well as on Facebook.

The fourth and fifth pictures were taken at Lake Linville, which is in Mount Vernon (Rockcastle County).  It actually started to rain while I was at the lake taking pictures, which cut down the number of pictures that I planned on taking.  The sixth picture was taken at Wood Creek Lake, which again is not new to being featured on this blog.  As Eagle Lake was my Walden in Morehead, Wood Creek Lake fills that role in London.  The peace and the serenity of the lake is very calming.  Although minutes away from Highway 80 and I-75, it feels that you are miles away.  It was here that I would go to when I was stressed with my previous job and I needed time to reflect on things.  The final pictures were taken in Franklin (flat bridge on Drakes Creek) and Chicago looking into the Chicago River.

Trust me when I say that simply discussing this topic tonight will not end my desire to capture reflections.  If anything, it has enhanced it as reviewing these photos brings back the feels that I felt while I was at each site.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures and thanks again for your support with this blog. 

 

A Day at Keeneland

Good evening to everyone.  I wanted to share with you about the rest of my weekend on last weekend.  In the previous post, I discussed the time that we experienced at Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday.  On Sunday, we went to Keeneland in Lexington, KY to catch the horse races.  Although the weather was cool, it was still a good time at the races.  I had beginner's luck in the first race at the track.  While my girlfriend was looking for her friends at the racetrack, I placed a bet on the race that was about to take off in two minutes.  Why do I call it beginner's luck?  I simply placed a bet on the #6 horse...well, because it was my football number in college.  I had no idea of any odds or anything when betting on the horse. I figured with a $2 bet that it was a safe bet.  The horse was at 5:1 odds, so it was a good start at the track.  At the end of the day, well...let's just say that the first race was truly beginners luck.  However, it was still fun watching the races and basking in traditions of Keeneland.  If you want more information about the history and race dates at Keeneland, you can go to (http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx).  Just an FYI, the last race for the spring is this weekend coming up.  If you have never experienced Keeneland, go...you do not have to gamble to have a good time.  The view, race, and watching people lose money is quite fun :).

Keeneland capped off a wonderful weekend of "Kentucky" events.  On Friday, we ate at Bootleg BBQ (http://www.bootlegbbq.net/) in Louisville, KY, which is ranked by Kentucky Living Magazine as the #2 non-franchised BBQ restaurant in Kentucky.  Saturday, we went to Thunder Over Louisville and watched part of the Air Show on the same day.  So, why am I listing out the events of a weekend?  It is to show that there is so much to do in Kentucky.  I hope that you get to take advantage of many of the upcoming events.  Although we missed it this year, I hope to go to the Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, KY next year.  It seems like it will be a wonderful time.  Anyways, below are some of the pictures that I took at Keenland.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures.  Thanks again for everyone's support with this blog.

Thunder Over Louisville 2012

There is only one Kentucky!!!  In what seems to be a recurring theme about events and sights of Kentucky, tonight's pictures were taken at Thunder Over Louisville this past weekend.  This I had went to Thunder before in college and as a freshmen in high school, but that was over ten years ago.  This year's fireworks display was really awesome.  I had a great time and even felt like a kid again watching in anticipation for each burst of light going into the sky.

Initially, I wanted to capture the display using a 18mm-200mm lens as most of the websites that I reviewed recommended a zoom lens when photographing fireworks.  However, I switched to a wide angle lens (10mm-24mm) before the fireworks to capture a night airshow.  Personally, I felt that it was a good decision as the wide angle lens provided me the opportunity to capture the fireworks display from the Indiana side as well as the Kentucky side from where we were near the riverbank. 

Now, do know that this was the second time that I ever tried to take pictures of fireworks.  I really don't feel that my pictures are the best, especially after seeing pictures taken by photographers on the river, but I still want to share.  Anyways, enjoy and remember...there is only one Kentucky. 

Winchester Traveling Trails

Tonight, I want to share with you the pictures that I took at the Winchester Traveling Trails.  For over two years, I have passed the Winchester Traveling Trails, but never had a desire or inkling to stop.  Honestly, the Traveling Trails did not seem appealing to me, except for the barn on the trail (last picture in the blog).  Normally when I am passing through Winchester, I am either running late for a meeting or so tired at the end of the day that I am ready to get home (which when I get to this point I still have an hour left to get home).  So why today?  As I was driving on Highway 627 heading home and sipping on my Ale-8-One (Ale 8) icee from Speedway, the way the evening sun was hitting the area peaked my interest in actually wanting to stop and see what the trails were about.  Mainly, I wanted a pictures of the barn from a distance.  So I turned around and went back...totally unaware of the beauty that I would find.

The Traveling Trails are walking/running/exercising park in a field (there is another walking trail located on Boonesboro Road as your are leaving Winchester headed toward Boonesboro).  The trails are kept mowed and provides people with an opportunity to exercise outdoors.  This particular trail is .9 miles (one completed loop).  The trail winds around the property and the barn.  I started with taking pictures from a distance, but then started walking (as it was a pretty day and well...I needed to stay awake as I was driving home).  I walked up to the backside of the barn (away from the sun) and peeked through an open door.  The pictures below are from peeking through the door.  Picture #4 is of the door.

As I finished walking my one loop on the trail (pitiful, huh?), I realized that this trail is more than just exercise, but also is a way to relax and enjoy scenery around you.  For me, it did that very thing as I was flabbergasted about the fact that for two years I did not take the time to just STOP, get out my car, and enjoy life.

Anyways, I hope that you enjoy the pictures.  I know that I was excited about getting back home and sharing them with you all because I was totally not expecting to take any other picture than the barn from the distance. 

Natural Bridge State Resort Park - Slade, KY

One thing that I have heard repeatedly over the past month is the slogan, "There is only one Kentucky."  Kentucky is a very unique state.  From West to East and North to South, each region and county provides a different feeling of "ahhh".  Tonight's "ahh" is of my trip with my girlfriend to Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, KY on April 14, 2012.  I had been to Natural Bridge before in 2010 so it was special sharing this experience with my girlfriend who had never been to Natural Bridge.  The Natural Bridge State Resort Park is located in the Red River Gorge area and is located in Powell County.   From London, we traveled on Highway 30 to Booneville and Highway 11 to the State Park.  You can also access the state park via the Mountain Parkway that goes from Winchester to Salyersville/Prestonsburg.  From Lexington, it may be a little over an hour drive.  The Resort Park provides many hiking trails, outdoor activities, as well as just overall beauty.

Below are a few pictures, but I do not feel they provide justice to the overall "ahh" of the moment.  There is something peaceful about being close to nature and just "being".  A moment that I will relish for a lifetime is having the opportunity to watch the sunset with my girlfriend while sitting on top of Lover's Leap (picture 5).  Of all of our adventures, I think both she and I would agree that it would be in the top 3 adventures (and we both have been to many places in the time we have been together).  To get to Natural Bridge, you can either take a Skylift (rates apply) or walk on trails (quickest trail is .50 miles, which is the "Original Trail").  Once you get there, take plenty pictures, take a lunch, and take some time to enjoy the beauty.  When you are there, go to Lover's Leap, Fat Man's Squeeze, along with the Overlook Point where you can see the Natural Bridge.  I would imagine that the Fall would provide patrons with a beautiful and colorful display with the fall foliage.  Anyways...enjoy, but trust me, Natural Bridge is totally worth taking the time to visit.

The Sun Is Going Down

"When your burdens get real heavy,
and when ole trouble gets in your way.
When you have failed and been so disappointed
and when cares have made your hair turn gray.

Jesus knows just what we can bear
and I'm so glad I know the work of prayer.
And when you kneel down and pray
say I thank you Jesus (I thank you Lord)
Thank you for One More Day.

The Sun is Going Down, Yes it is...
and I know the moon is just drifting away.
Yes, Lord and my day and nights are getting shorter,
Everyday, oh help us Lord.

Well, when ole' darkness is all around you,
and when nothing seems to go your way,
Well you just kneel down and pray
say I thank you Jesus (I thank you Lord)
Thank you for One More Day."

Dedicated to my Grandmother (Sister Parker), which I have a copy of her singing this song while on the Sunday Morning radio show. 

Introducing...Killa Cam (D7000)

Good evening.  I wanted to share with you some pictures that I recently took with my new camera, Nikon D7000.  My nickname for it is Killa Cam...the "Carolina Panther years".  This new camera is a sizable upgrade from my previous camera (D5000). One of the many features is the 16 MP (the previous camera was 12MP) as well as the increased Aperture and ISO settings that I was not used to before.  I have not experienced everything, since I only have had it for about a week.  I am excited about exploring and shooting with this camera.  I am still serious about hitting me up on Photo Safaris...  Picture 1 and 3 were taken at the park in front of Papa Johns off of Blakenbaker in Louisville, KY using a tripod.  Picture 2 and 4 were experimenting with the Manual Settings for Night Photography without the use of a tripod.  There may be some distortion due to hand movement, but I still wanted to share with you all.  I am still working with settings of this new camera so it will take me a while to learn.  I have quickly discovered that the D7000 is far more complicated than the D5000.  I am very excited about my camera...as you can tell.

Please enjoy the pictures and give me feedback.  I can always use that as helpful hints to work on in the future. I know one thing that I have heard is that I like to take pictures of Landscapes, Trees, etc.  Yeah, I do, but that is something that stands out to me.  :).  I have began to grow more in taking pictures of people, but I try to leave those pictures for Facebook and focus more on "artistic" shots for this blog.  I have contemplated posting my "artistic" pictures again on Facebook, but I am discovering that the blog serves probably more benefit to me than it does to the general public.  It provides me with an outlet as well as a medium to discuss an interest that has been important to me lately...photography.