Petroglyphs

As a former anthropologist, petroglyphs hold a special place in my heart. I absolutely am intrigued by them. They are, of course, in Europe, Australia, and Africa where they are hundreds of thousand of years old. It is amazing to me that something so old can last so long. It takes a lot of time to carve images into rock, even small images, yet there are millions around the world. These are not to be confused with pictographs, which are paintings on rocks. This petroglyph photo was taken in Washington State. There were quite a few petroglyphs on the rock face that were moved to a state park to protect them from a river construction project and from people destroying them. This one is my favorite image I took that day, because you can clearly see and understand the image.

On a different note, I recently have been struggling with a decision that would affect my career path. Recently, I spoke with my good friend, Amy, and she didn't know it at the time, but she helped me reach the decision of a lifetime. I moved back east from Wyoming almost five years ago. I have been happy here for the most part, but long for the days of the west with the jagged mountains, the red rocks, the stunning landscapes, and the Ponderosa pine trees. At the end of February I will once again be headed back out west, destination unknown. I went back to school to become a nurse, but not just any nurse, a travel nurse. The ultimate job where I can move every three months, have my travel expenses paid for along with my apartment and still get a paycheck. On my days off, I plan to explore the US, and get some great photos to share. I am finally ready to go, I have my family and friend's support. It's time to go. I will let everyone know where I am headed once I reach that decision. I have a lot of work ahead of me to get everything in line, but am looking forward to it. I hope that I have a lot of visitors (ahem...AMY!) to wherever my feet land, especially when in the super cool places that are next door to national parks. Yes, that is the plan, live close to the parks to enjoy them on the days off. It's a big dream for a once timid Fulton County girl who never liked to drive on the interstate and never really went anywhere.

Cody

This is my brother's horse, Cody. I decided that he should have a blog entry because he is one of the coolest horses I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. This horse has more personality than some people I know. The photo was taken during the winter, as you can tell by his long winter coat, after he decided to roll in the mud. He is always one of the dirtier of the herd. Cody is the horse in the field that will be the first one to come and see what you are doing, and then follow you and "help" you until you are done. He will be the one in your face while you have your camera out trying to take photos of the others horses. His nose will be the one that shows up in the photos, because he is curious about the camera. He will carry things for you, he will not let you forget your hat or ponytail. He loves clean hair to nuzzle and drool on. Cody is also the one that will pick the hose up and start swinging it around. He enjoys playing with the other horses, and exploring anything and anyone that comes into his field, including machines, birds and people. All around a cool fellow with a dynamic personality!

all good things...

I do not remember where I took this picture. I am not even sure why I like it as much as I do. It's dying and not very pretty. It has lost all of its' beauty. And, yet, it has character that makes it unique.

playing with shutter speed

I admit it, I am still learning how to use my camera. I haven't studied the art of photography, I do not understand half of what my "guidebook", aka instruction manual, says my camera can do. I have had this camera for two years, and still need to whip out my guidebook on occasion. I also tend to read up on one thing, then try it out and see if I like it. The first photo, was me playing around with shutter speed....I think. The second is a stitched together photo using my panoramic function. I think I like the angle of the first photo better than the effect of the water, as a rule, I tend not to like photos that have running water looking like a white sheet. The second one, I like the water because it looks real, and I think it is hard to tell where it is stitched, but I am sure those of you that know how to use every function of your camera can spot it pretty easily.

On that note, it is my goal to get better at understanding my camera. Does anyone know of a good generalized book dealing with all the basics of photography?

What do you you think he is pointing at?

I have been away from the internet for a few days, had to stay in town to make sure I could get to work in the big ice/snow storm that hit. Unfortunately, all the pretty ice on all the trees melted today before I could run outside and photograph them as I was stuck inside all day working. So I decided to post another Gettysburg Battlefield statue, taken the same day as the previous 2 posts. I wonder what it was made to be pointing at?

snow makes everything pretty

As you all have figured out, I love snow! It makes the world seem pure and fresh, especially when you are the first one outside to make the first footprints in the snow! It can also make dead and dying weeds look more interesting. I took these two photos directly behind the parking lot of our apartment complex in part of the grass they do not bother to mow.

statue in snow

It snowed a few days ago, I was dying to get outside and take some photos, but had to work. I work 12 hour shifts, so I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Today, was my first day off post snow. I had to attend an in-service at work, and then had the rest of the day free. I went to work armed with my camera to stop at a state park on my way home. On a whim, I took a side road that led through part of the Gettysburg Battlefield. There were snow flurries today, so the sky was gray, and all of my photos had this eerie monotone look to them. At first I was not happy, then I looked again and discovered that they had the appearance of a black and white photo even when in color. This monument was just beautiful with the snow on it, and then to my surprise you see just a hint of color. It's a small flag peaking out from under the arm of the soldier.

Introducing Challey

While in TN in October, I had the interesting experience to meet "Challey"which is short for "Challenge". This horse was rescued by the humane society and is probably one of the more drastic examples of animal abuse. Apparently, she was kept in a small pen with two other horses knee-deep in muck. They were not being fed or had appropriate access to water. They were severely underweight and very skittish. There feet were simply horrific. These were not the type of horses you could walk up and put a halter on. In fact it took a very long time to get a halter on Challey. My family, of course, took in this horse and have been working with her everyday for months. My family brought in a professional trainer to help as well. This is Challey after months and months of horse rehab. She is still very wary of humans and not one to come up to a human, unlike our other in your face horses. She will come into a stall, but is unable to have the door closed behind her.