Really Quite Lucky

The hiatus is over. Back to posting photos and updating the blog. Instead of going off into one of my elaborate musings, I'm just going to keep my posts simple for awhile. I'll just make sure to post really great photographs to compensate.

One of the best books to read when you're feeling sorry for yourself is Dr. Seuss' Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?. The following is my favorite quote from that children's book:

When you think things are bad,
when you feel sour and blue,
when you start to get mad...
you should do what I do!
Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you're really quite lucky!
Some people are much more...
oh, ever so much more...
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!

Very true, Dr. Seuss. Very true.

Unedited Entirety

This week, I discovered a new photographer in town. She specializes in landscape photography and shares her collection of beautiful photographs of the Washington, DC area on her website.

As much as I love her images, they look too perfect. Color and other image elements are digitally corrected and enhanced to create her final spectacular compositions.

While breathtaking, I prefer my own photographs to be untouched and more honest. I try to post images on the blog straight from my camera memory card or iPhone with no alterations or enhancements.

These images, like today's post, are just as I saw them through my camera's viewfinder. They may not be perfect, but at least it captures the moment in time in its unedited entirety.

Tree by the Potomac River at Sunrise

When I go out on photo excursions, I take hundreds of photos. It's what I love most about using digital cameras instead of film cameras.

To be honest, I was probably a better photo editor when I used my 35mm film camera. Wasting film is expensive, so when I used film, I needed to be more selective what photographs I took. With digital cameras, I can take as many photographs as my memory card can hold. The sky (or memory card) is the limit.

I took hundreds of photos in November when I drove along George Washington Parkway to capture autumn's final fling. Some photographs stood out in my memory and I posted them right away to the blog. Others, like this one of the sunrise lighting a tree along the Potomac River, was overlooked until now.

Reviewing old photographs is like unwrapping unexpected presents; you just never know what gens you will rediscover. I wonder what I will discover tomorrow.

Autumn by the Riverside

Today, I received the latest issue of O Magazine in the mail. The issue highlights Oprah and the other magazine contributors' favorite things. Among pages of gifts large and small are other types of recommendations too.

One of the O contributors and a woman I admire, Maria Shriver, shared one of her favorite things -- her favorite words of wisdom. It's a simple prayer, and one that I might say in a whisper when visiting such a serene place as this spot along the Potomac River. It might be one you will want to remember as well.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Kodak Moment

This image makes me laugh. Without intending to, it resembles the types of photographs used in those 1970s Kodak camera and film print ads. The brightness of the rising sun cast an eerie glow over the river and its inhabitants, making the image look more dated and antiquated.

All of the Colors of Sunrise

From the piers of the Washington Sailing Marina, the sunrise is pretty impressive. At one point, before the sun appeared above the horizon, it seemed as if every color in the color spectrum appeared across the sky. Between the sky and the water, there was a splattering of blues, purples, pinks, yellows and oranges.

Jesus Duck?

Once the horrible weather that battered the Northeast this weekend cleared, I took a long drive along George Washington Memorial Parkway at sunrise to photograph what remained of autumn's leaves. Along the way towards Mount Vernon at the end of the parkway, I discovered Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.

As a quietly photographed the swimming ducks and geese in the Potomac River which borders the preserve, I noticed this duck standing in the water. It must have been standing on some submerged land, but to the naked eye, the duck appeared to be standing on water.

When I showed this photograph to a friend, she exclaimed, "It looks like Jesus duck!" Although I'm not convinced that I witnessed a miraculous occurrence on Sunday morning, this duck does deserve some credit. Seeming to walk on water is quite an interesting feat, don't you think?

Morning Newspaper Break

People sometimes call the National Mall "America's Park," which is a good description. For this couple, however, they consider the National Mall as their backyard with a river view.

Here they are on a Sunday morning  on the Potomac River-side of the National Mall with two camp chairs, thermoses of coffee and their newspapers. They are totally set.

It's not a bad way to spend your Sunday morning, reading the day's news with the national monuments to your back and the Potomac River in front of you. From this vantage point, they have a great view of Arlington House at the Arlington National Cemetery across the river as well.

Still Blue Heron

In spite of the traffic and city noise, lots of wildlife live along the major highways in Virginia, especially near the George Washington Parkway that runs along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia.

The noise from the well-used GW Parkway doesn't keep the regal Great Blue Heron away. Whenever I walk along the Mount Vernon Trail with its runners, bicyclists and walkers between the Potomac River and GW Parkway, I often see Blue Herons lounging by the riverside. They seem unconcerned by human onlookers and stand very still, which is perfect for us nature photographers. While the wildlife doesn't mind us stopping, the other users of Mount Vernon Trail do; pausing for longer than a minute elicits shouts and curse words from fellow trailblazers. Apparently, they don't appreciate the surroundings as much as I do.

Sailboat at Sunset

In just seconds, life can quickly change. After almost 33 years of living, it is an occurrence that I still find unsettling. I just can't get used to it.

This morning seemed normal until I checked out my Facebook feed, as I do every morning, and discovered that an old friend was having an abnormal morning. Today, she woke up to a life without her husband who died unexpectedly yesterday. I don't know the details. At this point, I don't know that it matters. One day he was here and then the next, he was gone.

This news has altered my whole day. How I will speak to people today will be different. How I will respond to situations will be different. I will be different. In a matter of moments, our lives can change in the most unexpected ways. Our challenge is to be able to adapt, but even before that, we are challenged to live in each moment as if the next one is not guaranteed.

Buddhists believe in the art of mindfulness, one of the seven factors for enlightenment. It is the practice of being present in the current moment, and not distracted by the past or the future. It is being aware of everything in order to have the presence of mind to fully embrace your own life each moment.

For example, this photograph was taken in a state of mindfulness. I took this photograph at sunset while sitting behind Mount Vernon -- George Washington's estate -- looking out over the Potomac River. Since this sailboat was so far away, most photographers might have ignored it. However, there was something so peaceful about it that I felt it was worth waiting for it to move closer to my camera position. I watched it sail through my camera lens until it was close enough to capture this image.

While in the scheme of things, especially in light of today's news, this seems very minor, it was a photograph I've always treasured and the best image I've taken of a boat at sail so far. The photograph captures a moment that I will always remember and now will not be lost. I hope my friend holds on to her own special moments whether captured on film or just in her heart, so they can bring her comfort during this difficult time.

Lone Cherry Blossom

One of my mom's favorite poems is Max Erhmann's "Desiderata." It's one of her favorite gifts to give people on special occasions, like graduations and farewells. She often ends her notes in greeting cards with the final line of the poem, "Strive to be happy," although I didn't realize its origin until now. This photograph of a lone Cherry Blossom near the edge of the river made me think of the wisdom about life that is contained in Desiderata. In case you aren't familiar with the poem, I've included it below.

"Desiderata"
by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Taking a Stroll

After days of thunderstorms, I'm longing for clear blue skies and light breezes of spring. Even though it was a misty day when I visited the blooming Cherry Blossoms along the Potomac River this year, the crisp weather was perfect for strolling and taking in the breathtaking view. I'm hoping for a mild summer, so there will be more opportunities for long photo walks around town without the bother of humidity and summer storms.

Low Hanging Blossoms

The branches of the Cherry Blossom trees on the Potomac River side of the Tidal Basin area hang much lower than the ones around the actual Basin. Since this area receives less pedestrian traffic, the branches are rarely pruned back during the off season and hang over sidewalks and the river water.

Have you ever noticed how some flowers grow towards sunlight? Well, the Cherry Blossoms seem to grow toward water. I've always thought it strange how the branches appear to be willing itself to touch the surface of the Tidal Basin or river water. National Park rangers may contend that the branches appear that way because of the heavy weight of the blossoms, but I believe the stillness of the water below them is what is really the attraction.

Cherry Blossoms Near Potomac River

The often overlooked Cherry Blossoms along the Potomac River are as plentiful and beautiful as their more famous siblings around the Tidal Basin. Since these trees receive less foot traffic by visitors, the blossoms stay undisturbed longer and the trees' branches are fuller. Like the Tidal Basin, the water of the river also acts as a mirror to reflect the beauty of the trees in bloom. They should not be forgotten on sightseeing trips to the Cherry Blossoms.

Summer Reading

George Washington is known for many things -- creating a stellar military career, being the first President of the United States, wearing a set of wooden teeth. What you may not know is that he also had a fantastic backyard.

From his porch at Mount Vernon, his home in Alexandria, Washington enjoyed this spectacular view of the Potomac River. It was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington from the time of their marriage in 1759 until his death in 1799. Washington once said of Mount Vernon: "No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this." I wonder if the Washingtons also lounged on this lawn, like the young woman reading here, looking over the river on a similar summer afternoon.

Mason Neck Marshes

 

Yesterday, I visited Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge for the first time. Near Lorton, Virginia, it was the former estate of George Mason, one of America's founding fathers and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Bordered by the Potomac River, most of his estate consisted of marshland and is a nesting, feeding and roosting ground for Bald eagles.

While I did not see any Bald eagles during my visit, spending time near the marshlands reminded me how important it is that we conserve and protect the nation's wetlands. Not just to protect our lives and property during storms and flooding, but also to protect the countless birds, fish and other wildlife that reside in its wilderness.