On my twenty minute drive home, I thought about my visit to Burrell Lake Park. I thought about the Red-tailed Hawk sailing above the road, the Mallards sitting on the edge of the remaining ice, the sign alerting me to turtle habitat, the water sparkling like diamonds one minute and not the next, and the bird's nest visible in a leafless tree.
I also thought about the sign I saw when I pulled into my parking space: Pollinator Garden. The garden’s past-their-prime leaves, stems, flowers, and seedheads attracted me like magnets; and I pulled myself away determined to capture a wide shot that might actually portray my surroundings for a change — perhaps a view across the lake's expanse focusing on the picnic pavilion way over there or maybe a composition including the charming red bridge spanning the narrow stream. I walked the path around the lake stopping here and there for a few somewhat forced clicks of the shutter button but eventually found myself back at the pollinator garden twisting, turning, squatting, leaning — click, click, click — happy as a clam!
I did manage to change my aperture from my favorite f1.4 to a more narrow f9 in an effort to not completely obliterate the trees and lake beyond. I also backed up and included more of the seedheads than I normally do; but truth be told, an in tight f1.4 makes my heart sing.
I praise you, Lord, for the fun afternoon spent trying to shoot outside of my comfort zone at Burrell Lake Park.
Janet, I love your words and this photo. Stepping outside one's comfort zone to photograph something can definitely be challenging, but you have done it beautifully. I love your personal style of photography and your way of looking at the world. I often wonder if you are more of a detail kind of person, rather than a big picture person? and if this is what drives your photography.
February 23rd, 2020
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