Christopher Columbus
“In my photographs ,it is apparent that there is no posing at the moment I released the shutter.”
3:00 pm HobbyLand
Blog
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November 15, 2014 – Our TGO photo trip – Thanks Nancy for organizing such a fun trip for our Photo Club. How many photographers were there 100 years ago? – Not many. In this digital age we have all become photographers. This photo club season we will discuss over 50 reasons to do photography. Think about these three reasons: We see more details, we love the joy focusing and getting lost in our surroundings, we love the comaraderie of sharing. Our photo club outing of 25 souls, this Friday, demonstrated that no truer words were spoken – The eye of our camera, somehow, forces our mind to see and enjoy details that would otherwise go un-noticed, gave opportunity to loose ourselves while focusing on the challenge – scanning the surroundings – waiting for the dolphin to surface, and, as always, gave the camaraderie of sharing!
Nancy – Thanks for organizing this trip for the TGO Photo Club. At the Sugar Mill Ruins we see, discuss what we photographed, we learn of the life of those before us. “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”
Christopher ColumbusI grabbed this moment of the center stage star – The star sharing an experience – holding a Horseshoe – Just as Jerzy Kosinsk has quoted:
“In my photographs ,it is apparent that there is no posing at the moment I released the shutter.”I got lost in a focused photography moment. To photograph, one is encouraged to experience the moment the shutter is released – I did. As I set my camera for this shot, the camera eye made my mind think — How would a hungry dolphin see this?, — What would this fish think when they saw the dolphin? Unlike Vernon Howard who said “Truth is not a matter of personal viewpoint.” Sometimes I think truth IS truly a matter of personal viewpoint. Next, the photographers ride 180 horses – to see a little closer what the world may look like to a dolphin raising to the surface for air. I have no way of knowing what the dolphin saw – Of course they speak, they even have names for each member of the pod, they call to each other, they chatter – sort of dolphin tweet – but their language is as magic to me as the iPhone is magic to me! Around 1914 author Arthur C. Clarke said “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” in 2014 I say “The iPhone is indistinguishable from magic” One hundred years from now will the magic be that the “dolphin language” is automatically digitally translated into our minds – so that we communicate with the animals – and find a source of real intellegence” To pilot a photo cruise boat, the Captain is focused – to to grab the perfect shot the photographers are focused – all lost in their own world of the moment at hand – not another worry in the world!!! After the period of challenge and focus – appreciating the natural unposed moment – the shutter is released. Now it is time to share – and enjoy the comaraderie of sharing the photography experience. And, we saw a light house. Come to our club meeting on Friday Friday 21, 2014.
3:00 pm HobbyLand -
November 13, 2014 – I been thinking and reading a lot of animal rights – Do all animals have equal rights? – Ponder this: If Michael Vick had been breeding and destroying “Fighting Cockroaches”? would he have spent 21 months in jail? how about “Fighting Rats”? – “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” quote from Mahatma Gandhi – Does that mean humans and all other animals?
Home is where it all started. Since this horse and cow barn of my growing up years, my own family’s lives (Son’s, daughters. Grand kids) have been enriched with dogs, cats, emus, lamas, parakeets, rabbits, turtles, chinchillas, gerbils , ponies, horses, guinea pigs, hamsters, and I am sure some I do not remember – oh, now I recall a few more – lizards, tadpoles, fish, snails, peacocks plus wild friends that adapted us – we enjoyed each day – but we never caged them – some we fed some we did not – like the current back yard alligator – like bumble bees (one named goofy who could never make a good landing), deer, armadillos, snakes raccoons , quail, fox, squirrels, roadrunners, and more…. My family of 15 has spent un-told hours caring for, watching, and enjoying our animal friends. 
Watching a Belted Galloway Mom and Calf – Less then 15 minutes old – on my J bar G Ranch in Texas 15 or so years ago. 
I will share an e-mail I got today – She is a better story writer then I am – Poor, dumb dogs. Good moral story – Do not be fearful kids – Just be careful, check the water for sharks before you jump!!!
Hello, This am I thought about your animal theme on your blog. You taught me – growing up – to enjoy and observe animals and our pets are a big part of our house hold and are important and amusing family members. I like to watch the interaction between the dogs and the cat. The cat is clever and the dogs are…. well … dogs. But anyway, in the morning, I sit in my big chair that you sit in sometimes when visiting and I drink coffee with the dogs and the cat. And, I watch them interact. I thought of this funny story to describe the relationship between these two species and it went like this:
Once upon a time, 2 dogs and a cat were stranded on a tiny life raft in the middle of the ocean and they were drifting waiting to come to a friendly – food filled shore.
The dogs said we getting really hungry.
The cat said me too, why don’t u guys jump in the ocean and direct the fish toward the raft, then I will reach in with my sharp claws and pull the fish out for us to eat.
The dogs said, but that water looks awefully deep and we are scared.
The cat said, don’t worry, you can swim and if you get tired, I will put my tail in the water and pull you back in the boat….. I promise
The dogs said, well ok
Then together they jumped into the water
At that very moment, a giant shark came up and ate them in one bite!!
The cat said, well finally, I have this raft to myself, she reached in to the water, pulled out a fish and sat back and ate in peace and quiet.
The end.
And, thats the story of the clever cat!
Talk to you soon.
This blog does not give you answers, it asks you to ponder the question and come up with a good answer: Ponder this – Does a rattlesnake loose in the living room end all discussion of animal rights?
Lance Morrow -
November 11, 2014 – I say “Honor” to our Veterans – Three items prompted me to blog to you this morning: 1. A text from my Daughter and Granddaughter about yesterday’s blog, 2. Jenna’s Bush’s interview with her Father and Grandfather (The Bush Presidential Dynasty), 3. The story of the poor deer that got it’ head caught in the candy bucket.
We are not an ex-presidential dynasty (George H and George W) but I like us better. We are: (Jim E and Jim K) You know, our self happiness, attitude, desire to serve, respect, and appreciation for life is no less then the Bush dynasty. – Jim retired from his office job and enjoys what I think is 24/7 in his new endeavor in emergency medical service field. We are not on TV this morning but maybe if he wrote a book about me ……………. 
Smart dog. After Heather and and Caro read yesterday’s blog they sent me a 5 page text explaining their family’s animal relationship with 2 dogs and 1 cat. “Kitty is wild but she gets a lot of behavior from dogs and they are in cahoots. Kitty jumps on counter and send food down to dogs. I do not think they are adults – I am the only one in this house with a sense of reality (My Daughter wrote that – Not me). Anyway bottom line is: cat thinks she is a dog, the dogs think they are human, the Kids think they are adults, and I constantly try to think like an animal so that I do not have to row the canoe” Like the presidential dynasty family – this family has fun together! 
This Drummond Island deer got caught sticking it’s nose into a plastic tub – She jumped back, took the lid with her – around her neck – wore it for a couple of weeks – nursed to fawns all the while (Secretly they told me how proud they were of Mom’s new neckless that Dad purchased for her) – Some how she removed it – I think after her and Dad had a disagreement??? Anyway we were considering a net to capture her and remove the lid, but not needed. Just what do you think she was thinking for those weeks? She showed no outward signs, that we humans could read, that anything was wrong. 
Grandma and I have been bless with the arrival of this guy 9 times (mine, her’s, their’s, plus 4 spouses) – We are proud of each individual and enjoy them all. That is our family dynasty. -
November 10, 2014 – Cows are curious, that is for sure – I took this photo from Temple Grandin’s web page – Temple is a famed animal behaviorist and author. I have studied two of her writings: first the book “Animals in Translation – Using the mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior” and second, an article a Time’s current special issue “The Animal Mind” In that issue, Temple used an excerpt from her book “Animals make us Human.” Sometimes I will take fun photos just to prove it is really we who try to make animals human. These photos make me smile -’cause I love animals.
I captured this photo from Temple’s web page because it showed the cow’s doin’ exactly as I described to you yesterday – How they would come and gather as i fixed a pasture gate! 
At a craft show which Grandma participated in on Saturday, a lady was selling dolls that were flexible material and were the spitting images of a real baby – folks purchased them – For grand daughters – I hope – But it was the Grandma’s that carried them around as if they were real humans! They are lot less trouble then a baby or a pet. So all that prompted me to show you a few ways we make our pets into human babies – I call them smart dog photos! These dogs figured-out the HUMAN’S life is better then the DOG’S life. 
So say them -” I figured out how to be human – Just look cute and helpless – See , they don’t make us walk, they carry us, and they take us to people gatherings where folks make sweet “barks” to us, and they give us treats to eat. We can even socialize while the HUMANS do their own thing. Ain’t this fun” 
I love to go camping now thatI am almost HUMAN – Well even more then HUMAN – don’t see me doing the peddling. 
This behavior alone could take years to fully understand. 
Dog’s growl or wine or volly of barks is a form of dog communication – but mostly a dog communicates with it’s body – it’s eyes, it’s tail – the signature play pose with head and front feet low and hindquarters up in the air. WHATCH THE NEXT ANIMAL YOU SEE – IS IT COMMUNICATING WITHOUT WORDS? If it is a kitty, remember they have been domesticated a lot less time then the dog – their communications and attitude toward you is much more “wild” then a dog’s.. Bye -
November 9, 2014 – When I wanted to move cows into a pen, onto the trailer, or through the working chute, I was good at it because I learned to anticipate their next move. But, I learned at a young age I could not seat myself on a milk stool in the middle of the field in hopes that the cow will back up to me and the stool. “What I have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows.” Charles Dickens
I found these 2 guys in a swamp area next to the miles of nature trails I ride on my bike most every day. Fact about cows: Cattle get excited when they solve problems. When faced with a challenge of finding out how to open a door to reach food, their heartbeat goes up, their brainwaves show excitement, and some even jump with joy into the air. 
This little guy ran behind a tree to study me. Cattle are extremely curious and inquisitive animals and will investigate everything. When I had the ranch in Texas, if I was fixing a gate that they figured out how to open, 12 cows would come running and stand in a line and watch my every move. I had to be sneaky or they would see what I did – then as soon as I left they would undo it – That last part about having to be sneaky, was only a joke! 
Now, another thing about cows – calves often have the same markings and the same tendency to be curious as Momma. But often they have Pappa’s coloration. What you think, did I find Momma? 
See, figuring out how to get to the other side where the grass is always greener! Bye for now – I need to go check that fence! -
Nov 4, 2014 – Horses have friends and fun moments – I know that – Good Morning – Do not tell me what you are doing — How ever, think about it. Sure hope you are enjoying it. If not, spend a little time thinking about how you could make this moment a little more enjoyable – Maybe you do not need to change what you are doing – just a tiny change in the way you are thinking about it may improve things!!! Andy Warhol said “They say time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself.”
I’ve been reading a book by Time Magazine “The Animal Mind” the bottom line – Having good friends is very important to the health of animals – including us human animals – So reading and reflecting of the friends and animals in my life is one thing I am doing! It is fun. 
Studying a new computer software program to manage and hopefully improve my photos is another thing I am doing today – started at 6:30am – this photo I took awhile back. My studying is fun – but gee, those smart kids that create the software now days make it tough for us old guys to learn all the stuff they build into computers! 
Here is what I did to the previous photo using Lightroom (Software) – Did I improve things? – I think I did – anyway, I sure had fun trying! 
What do you see here – I saw the Com-trails leaving the water tower in our community -The Great Outdoors (I caught this photo as I was biking) The trails made it look like it was ready to take off. This is the Space Coast of Florida u know? It really is two folks power washing the tower prior to painting! But, I had fun getting down on the ground to capture the morning sun, the flowing water vapor trails, the flowing flag, and the stone sign introducing you to the “THE GREAT OUTDOORS.” 
I had breakfast with a friend, did my bike/exercised/photoed-as-I-went (stopped at the community woodshed and helped a friend install a new door), found quotes I love to send via a blog to my friends, and I wrote this Blog – Now you know some of the fun friend things that happened here this morning. -
Nov 2, 2014 – Rejoice!!! We each got an extra hour – How did I use it? Grandma and I had a little longer morning read and breakfast. Then I “played/learned” my new computer and photo software! The featured photo has trick words behind the viking – This was Halloween week – Good time to do street photography – photo stories/interviews of people and places.
Now we can read the “Tea Tasting” – At the Mall in Orlando this guy was giving out free tea. I ask if the “Hat” had anything to do with with source of the tea – Roman?, Viking? – “No”, said he – “It has to do with my beard” Said I “Perfect” and I tasted two teas before Grandma and I went to lunch at our favorite restraurant in the Mall. 
The only thing this has to do with Halloween is I took the photo on Halloween. Just riding my bike on the nature trail with cell phone in hand. Saw it, thought it sure is pretty – wished I had friends with me so that we could see it together – Oh, with the modern technology of my cell phone I can sort of have you friends with me – If you were here, I am sure we would study it and the I would ask you – “what is it” and I bet one of you would know — “Do you?” If so, please tell me. 
Back to the mall – I was in the women’s cosmetic department. Why? you may ask – because it is always by the door to the center mall hall – so you have to walk thru it to go anywhere in the mall. Anyway this this young lady was there and I asked her if I could take her photo. then I ask “could a man like me purchase some cosmetics like she was wearing”- Said I “on you it brings out beauty – What do you think it would do for me?” You can guess what a great salesperson like her said – I loved it – Said I to her “Thanks” — Oh, but do not overlook the dress being worn by the women in the background! I did not have time to interview her – but I was interested in asking how she happened to make that dress selection. 
Guess what Grandma and I did on the way home — Now I love icecream and have been known to travel great distances here and in Europe to get a cone of what I often consider the “Staff of Life” But this time it was Grandma that suggested I quickly cross 6 lanes of Orlando Interstate to get a little Staff of Life” She remembers this types of building when she was growing up and really enjoyed going back on memory lane! We did not have any of these in the very rural farm community where I grew up – but the creative architect who designed the building knew how to tell what was sold here – No words required. 
Until next Halloween – I will store my suit from Mars in the attic and look for a cosmetic counter and a Icelandic Viking hat for Perla! -
October 24, 2014 — The topic is Puppy Love – (and Horse Love) – The extraordinary pleasure of watching ordinary dogs and horses has often made my day – Hope you find these pets bring a little smile to your day.
Head is no longer in the the school bag – BAD DOG – Better if you kept your head in the bag! 
Brown horse shows her love to black horse. 
Spotted horse shows her love to black horse. 
Smart dog – doesn’t have to walk because her biking partner loves her. 
Very smart dog – Actually they are practicing to be the perfect team at “Bike Week” in Daytona, Florida this spring. Bet we see them on TV. 
It is fun to make-up – That is real Puppy Love. Go love your pet and send me a photo! -
October 21, 2014 – The extraordinary pleasures of the ordinary natural life.
We have spoken. 
Before I left the Island – a beautiful evening sky. Before i left the Island – watching the two Icelandic’s groom or pet or touch like the touch of a hand? – Definitely saying to each other “I like you” – The bared teeth are like a curry-comb which I use to tell Perla “I like you” each day the teeth are not shown as biting tools today. If you work with horses very much, you know they can (and will) very soon be bared at the hay feeder as a message that says “Get the H… out of here, this is my hay” 
Through the mountains of North Carolina, I left the Interstate just to appreciate nature – and I really did – Love this mountain (valley) home surrounded by the many fall flowers (I mean leaves). 
When I arrived in Florida – atop a home – as seen from my back door – an American Eagle – that just caught a 20″ fish, swam (using his wings like arms) across the lake to shore – sat on the bank and ate half of it – second eagle came in for it’s share while this one watched from the roof top! 
After a few days of unpacking, helping Grandma get the house in order, I went to test the golf course – at the lake by fairway #4 I took this photo of diner in process. – For the bird that is!!! 
Then on Sunday we hopped into the convertible and went to the beach – why did we do that? – To watch the ocean make round sand pebbles, of course. The Hurricane that hit Bermuda did make the waves exciting! 
I think Heather and family really get extraordinary pleasure from Dyna each day – She just sent me this photo of Dyna seeking pleasure and diner from a school knapsack left on the floor by Charlie or Caroline. BUT, notice whose dog Dyna is when she does “Dyna-things”. – Heather said in the e-mail titled “Enjoying nature and it’s humor”: “Look what your dog is doing!” 
Now,I got it – nature is full of ordinary things to make my day extraordinary – Bye for now!
