the Western Minnesota Threshers Reunion

For three days every year the town of Rolag, MN, hosts a popular gathering of serious steam wonks called the Threshers Reunion.

Anyone interested in how technology has changed society would be drawn to this collection of working agricultural equipment from around 1840 to 1950.

Hummingbirds

Recently I had the good fortune to sit near a busy Hummingbird feeder that attracted up to 5 individuals at a time.  I took an hour away from chatting with relatives to make the pictures you see here (all are Ruby Throats). This guy probably was recently fledged, and his type constantly blusters and chirps to take a sip.  Females are usually less aggressive, have no markings or color on their cheeks or throat, and their tails are rounded instead of notched.

Lots of hungry birds gave me an opportunity to practice making bird portraits.  One note of disclosure:  the real birders would not dream of hanging out at a plastic feeder.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is located in Pemberton Place, a park adjacent to Centennial Park in Atlanta, GA.  It is hard to miss the center’s unique exterior design.

The entrance lobby is a popular stop for memorable pictures beside the large collage.  You can also see the second floor mezzanine in this view.  

Washington DC Monuments

I have been collecting images of Washington DC monuments for three years with the goal of adding to my portfolio.  For me, that type of picture needs impact and storytelling (in addition to other qualities).  Monuments are designed with those ideas in mind, and a simple clear illustration is always a starting point .  I chose to use the image below as a possible introduction to the FDR Memorial.  However the weathered metal statue of President Roosevelt in the “Third Term room” was way too green for my taste. 

 I prefer a B&W treatment in a tighter crop.  The web site link has a nice color detail picture with muted weathering.

FALL COLORS 2011

I took a few trips to shoot Fall colors this year, and the first was to Pine Mountain Ridge in central western Georgia.  This area is in F.D. Roosevelt State Park, near the town of Pine Mountain (http://www.pinemountain.org/) and Calloway Gardens.  Unfortunately, at this time, the leaves on the ridge hadn't fully turned yet.

I shot this panorama around Dowdell’s Knob and it is easy to see I wasn’t very high above the plane of Harris County (1,395’).  This view is facing due east to Macon. 

GARDEN LIGHTS – HOLIDAY NIGHTS

We visited Atlanta Botanical Gardens last Sunday, at dusk, and took in their big outdoor event called Garden Lights.  http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/events-classes/garden-lights-holiday-nights   Click on any picture for a larger view.

BAPS Mandir, Lilburn, GA



A Mandir is a Hindu place of worship – a haven for spirituality and a place of paramount peace.    The Mandir of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan in Lilburn is part of a center that supports Hindu culture values through social and spiritual activities.  http://atlanta.baps.org/  It was inaugurated in August of 2007.    The compound is located at the corner of Rockbridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway and also contains classrooms, meeting space, and a public cafeteria.  Additional constriction is under way at this time.

The King Memorial

Washington, DC

The King National Memorial dedication was scheduled for the weekend of August 26-28, the anniversary of the 1963 march on Washington, DC, in which Dr. King delivered a speech titled "I Have A Dream".   Hurricane Irene scuttled plans to officially open the 7 acre monument on the Tidal Basin in Washington, but the site was open to any intrepid visitor bold enough to ignore very severe weather warnings.  Few took this opportunity, and it was nice to capture some clear and un-obstructed images.  I want to return on a different day with the crowds.

Travel

Posting pictures to my Face Book page made me get down to sorting the Europe file in Lightroom.  We were lucky to have clear weather for the entire trip, so there was not a lack of opportunities.  I’m going to start with an album titled “Travel”.  I want to develop into a less bland category such as “Street photography” of “Features”.  These pictures are from the Italian Mediterranean, Cinque de Terre.