Daily Adventures Archives • Into the Light Adventures %

By Sandra J

Cat vs Dog – I have taken lots of pet photos over the years. Including my own pets. My dog Chloee has a thing about the camera, usually when I point it at her she turns around. Or she gets close trying to sniff the camera.

Which I think makes for fun photos, close up of a dogs nose.

But, cats can be just as funny at times. I took this photo below with a wide angle lens on a phone camera. It made her ear closest to the camera look cartoonist big.

Kit Kit enjoying the outdoors video below or click HERE

So then I took some photo up close to the cats fur. Quite the different colors when you look real close.

I am guessing it is the oils in the fur and the light shinning on it.

After pestering my cat with taking her photo over and over. She then gives me this look telling me that is enough. 🙂

Oh but it is never enough for me. 🙂 there will be more.

Glowing Eyes Cat Digital Art by Sandra J’s Photography

Cat vs Dog

By Sandra J

Kit Kit the Cat

By Sandra | October 30, 2024 | Comments 18 comments

Kit Kit the Cat – when I don’t have a lot of things to photograph, my cat gets her picture taken a lot. I mean a lot. Mainly because she has so much more patience than the dogs. She will sit perfectly still, which makes for much better photos.

When the temperature starts to drop. I find her sitting like this. She wraps her tail around her little paws trying to keep them warm.

A cats tail seems to have a mind of its own and is quite flexible compared to a dogs.

Kit Kit and Red Light Game Video below or click HERE

I have more videos of her on my You Tube Channel, you can click HERE TO SEE MORE OF THOSE.

Kit Kit the Cat

By Sandra J

Autumn Sunflowers

By Sandra | October 28, 2024 | Comments 19 comments

Life often teaches us in the most unexpected ways, and sometimes, it takes the simplest moments to reveal profound truths. Recently, I experienced a beautiful metaphor for resilience and grace. I want to share this lesson from a little seed I planted and then forgot.

A few months ago, I planted a few sunflower seeds. I nurtured it for a while, watering and tending to it with hope and excitement. But as time went on, I grew disheartened. The seed showed no signs of life, and eventually, my attention waned. I stopped watering it, convinced that it had failed. I gave up on it completely.

Imagine my surprise when I returned to the garden weeks later. There, midst the weeds and the remnants of my neglect, stood a stunning flower, vibrant and full of life. The colors were brilliant, and its presence was nothing short of miraculous. How could something I had abandoned flourish in my absence?

In that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on how similar this is to our own lives and faith journeys. We often plant seeds of hope, love, and dreams. However, we sometimes see them wither due to doubt. Despair or the daily grind can also cause them to wither.

We find ourselves overwhelmed, wondering if anything we’ve nurtured will ever bloom. Just like my neglected seed, we feel like our efforts have gone unnoticed, forgotten in the chaos of life.

This experience with the flower taught me a powerful truth. Even when we give up, God is still at work. There are times we feel our prayers are unanswered. We believe our efforts are fruitless. But, like that seed, growth often occurs beneath the surface. It remains unseen and unfelt.

God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are often beyond our comprehension. My flower emerged when I least expected it. Similarly, we find that our moments of struggle and doubt can lead to unexpected beauty. Sometimes, what seems like an end is merely a pause, allowing God to work in ways we can’t imagine.

Autumn Sunflowers

By Sandra J

As Dawn Breaks

By Sandra | October 25, 2024 | Comments 12 comments

As Dawn Breaks, the world begins to stir. From the vantage point of an old bridge, the river below lays perfectly still, a sheet of glass reflecting the sky above.

The water is a mirror, capturing fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. It’s a moment where time seems to pause, inviting deep breaths and quiet contemplation.

Standing on the bridge, the view is breathtaking. The river winds gracefully through the landscape, flanked by trees adorned in the vibrant greens of late summer.

The silence is soothing. It is broken only by the occasional rustle of a breeze. There is also the soft splash of a fish breaking the surface.

In this serene setting, worries drift away like the clouds above. Here, on this bridge, amidst the stillness, one can find clarity and tranquility. It’s a perfect morning, a fleeting glimpse of nature’s serenity, reminding us of the beauty that exists in quiet moments.

Have a wonderful weekend.

As Dawn Breaks

By Sandra J

Camping Along the River

By Sandra | October 24, 2024 | Comments 8 comments

Camping Along the River. Early morning along the river can make for some beautiful photos. My favorite time of day. Peaceful and quiet.

Have a great day.

Camping Along the River

By Sandra J

First Snow Up North

By Sandra | October 23, 2024 | Comments 16 comments

First Snow Up North, I wrote on my calendar that the first snow in 2023 was in November. But it isn’t anything that is going to collect on the ground, yet.

It is that time of year. 🙂

Digital Art by Sandra J’s Photography

First Snow Up North

By Sandra J

Good Ole John Deere

By Sandra | October 22, 2024 | Comments 13 comments

Good Ole John Deere

John Deere the company would not have been possible without the determination of John Deere the man. From the time he created the first steel plow in 1837, Deere worked hard. He was committed to helping farmers handle their daily tasks with ease.

Demand for these plows increased. Deere moved the business from Grand Detour to Moline, IL in 1848. He chose this new location due to the power and transportation benefits it offered.

Iowa isn’t just farmland, it is made up of beautiful rolling hills and lots of state parks and lakes.

Good Ole John Deere

By Sandra J

Harvesting Beans

By Sandra | October 21, 2024 | Comments 17 comments

Harvesting Beans in Iowa. Harvest was in full swing when we were in Iowa, it is hard to get a photo of combines in the field without some windmills in the background.

Husband has a quick mind for coming up with funny statements. He saw this photo and said, ” So that is how they dry beans in Iowa.” Get it, the big turbines, they are spinning and drying the bean fields. :0 Ha, Love his sense of humor.

I took these photos with a cell phone camera, so the windmills look kind of funny when the camera does not have a fast enough shutter speed.

Harvesting Beans

By Sandra J

Standard Long Hair Collie

By Sandra | October 18, 2024 | Comments 11 comments

Standard Long Hair Collie. Such a beautiful and unique looking dog. This dog is one of the smartest dogs I have been around. Very good dog around the family and he actually won grand champion at the dog show that my nieces daughter took him to.

Below is a photo of how much he has changed since his puppy picture from last year.

Have a great weekend. 🙂

Standard Long Hair Collie

By Sandra J

Horses and Mules

By Sandra | October 17, 2024 | Comments 10 comments

Horses and Mules. This mule below is a new one to my nieces farm. She just got it. Half mule half draft horse. Really nice mule.

And more photos and a video below. 🙂

I love videoing horses in slow motion. Here is a cute video below of two horses standing by the gate. Or click the link Here – When They Fell In Love

Horses and Mules

By Sandra J

After the Rain Link to You Tube Video Here

After a Heavy Rain

By Sandra | October 16, 2024 | Comments 8 comments

After the Rain, water going over a dam. I might have posted these photos before. But, here they are again, encase you missed them. 🙂

Victory Dam After a Heavy Rain, Massive Amounts of Water at the Dam Falls Dam Rainbows as Well :)

By Sandra J

Beautiful Morning

By Sandra | October 15, 2024 | Comments 18 comments

Beautiful Morning at one of the campgrounds as we head south. It is very dry here in Iowa, as most areas in the mid-west. Harvest season is in full motion. The combines are out everywhere. They are working on the bean fields first and then moving to the corn fields.

Finally some cool nights this month, long time coming I say. I like the evenings when they are in the 50’s.

Beautiful Morning

By Sandra J

Last of the Summer Flowers

By Sandra | October 14, 2024 | Comments 7 comments

Last of the Summer Flowers full of color. Bees and hummingbirds were enjoying them all month, but we have had a couple of frost already. So they are about done now.

Thanks to my husband, I had the best gardening year ever. Below is a photo of my old garden area.

This summer he built this for me. So much easier to work in and keep.

Who knew dill plants can grow as tall as corn. When I finally pulled them out they were almost 6 feet long.

This plant below is Eggplant. I have never grown them before. It is very interesting to watch this plant grow. But I have to start them much earlier in the season. They never produced completely because they take over 100 days to mature. There are dozens of fruit on each plant as well. Next year I will try again.

Overall it was a very productive garden. We were picking vegetables everyday, adding them to our meals. Such a delight to grow your own food. Can’t wait until spring.

Last of the Summer Flowers

By Sandra J

We Learn From Nature

By Sandra | October 11, 2024 | Comments 19 comments

We Learn From Nature. Look at this amazing dragon fly up close.

Awhile ago I mentioned something interesting. Engineers observed birds in flight to figure out the design of airplanes. Feathers on bird wings have different purposes that help them land and take off.

Well, I am going out on a limb here. I am thinking they may have gotten the design of pilots helmets from these little guys. Look at the next few photos and you will see what I mean. As I keep zooming in closer to the eyes of this one.

Have a great weekend. 😉

So amazing.

We Learn From Nature

By Sandra J

On Pine Tree Needles

By Sandra | October 10, 2024 | Comments 12 comments

On pine tree needles, dew drops lie,
In soft, glistening light beneath the sky.
Each pearl of dawn, so pure and bright,
Reflects the grace of morning light.

In their shimmer, a silent prayer,
A testament to love and care.
A whisper of our Savior’s grace,
In nature’s touch, we see His face.

On Pine Tree Needles

Graceful Pelican Landing

By Sandra | October 9, 2024 | Comments 16 comments

Graceful Pelican Landing A Mesmerizing Display of Nature’s Precision

Witnessing a white pelican land on water is a mesmerizing spectacle of nature’s artistry and precision. As the pelican descends, its majestic wings spread wide, creating a grand, sweeping arc against the sky. The powerful beats of its wings gradually soften, guiding the bird into a graceful and controlled descent

The air currents interact with the pelican’s wings. This creates a delicate balance. It allows the bird to approach the water with both elegance and precision.

The pelican in the water, glances to its right, clearly uncertain about the landing abilities of the other bird.

As the pelican touches down, the air currents from its landing ruffle the feathers of the second pelican nearby.

This graceful landing is marked by the pelican’s aerodynamic glide. It skillfully uses its feet as natural skis. This is a testament to the remarkable interplay of power and poise in nature.

It’s a moment where every element—from the sweeping wingspan to the delicate touch on the water—comes together. It results in a harmonious show of beauty and precision.

Graceful Pelican Landing

By Sandra J

Horse Show Video Click Here

The Horse Show

By Sandra | September 26, 2024 | Comments 9 comments

The Horse Show. My favorite class to watch at horse shows is the halter class. Where they mostly just show the composition of the horse compared to the others in the class.

The judge is in the pink shirt heading over to this 4 H girl showing her horse. I think her horse has done this a few times. Its eyes are closed, taking a nap I believe. 🙂

This next one has a bit more energy. But the girl has no problem with her horse and lets him warm up a bit before the class.

Short video below of the horse and riders at the beginning of the show carrying the flags.

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

The Horse Show

By Sandra J

Glowing Spots

By Sandra | September 25, 2024 | Comments 11 comments

Glowing Spots – I love this shot, as if this fawns white fur is glowing in the morning light. The sun is just coming up over the trees, and with a faster shutter speed. The white really stands out as the background is darker.

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

Baby Fawn Growing Up video link

Glowing Spots

By Sandra J

Horses at the Fair

By Sandra | September 23, 2024 | Comments 18 comments

Horses at the Fair. I have a couple more photos to share. They are from my visit to the small town fair in Iowa. I went to the fair recently.

I showed horses in my younger days. It was so much fun getting together with other like-minded people. We enjoyed a day or two of hanging around with some very beautiful horses.

They spent some time working on this horses mane below. Lots of rubber bands. Very pretty.

Horses at the Fair

By Sandra J

Local Canine Beauties

By Sandra | September 19, 2024 | Comments 17 comments

Local Canine Beauties that I have photographed this past week. Neighbors pups, a little corgi and golden retriever.

The golden is a pure bred with curly hair. I have never seen that before on a golden. Sweet pups.

Local Canine Beauties

By Sandra J

Next Generation

By Sandra | September 18, 2024 | Comments 25 comments

Next Generation. I am so excited, my oldest niece is interested in photography. I have been helping her learn how to use a DSLR camera and the camera on her phone. But she wants to learn with a camera which is so exciting to me.

I love talking photography and teaching her everything I know. Photography is fun and gets you to slow down a bit. It helps you look at everything around you more closely.

Even though I live 8 hours away from her, with today’s technology, she sends me photos that she takes. I give her advice on how to change the composition to make an eye catching photo. She likes to enter her photos into the fair in her town.

Take for example this photo below, She took this with her phone and sent it to me. As she was standing there by the river and it was getting close to sunset.

So I had just a couple of suggestions for her. First there is too much in the foreground with that cement pad there. I can tell the river curves to the left in front of her. The sun is dropping off to the right in the background.

I text her back. I said to go right down to the edge of the river. She needed to turn her cell phone upside down so that the camera was right at the water’s edge. Then put the camera on its widest angle, which is .6 with a Samsung. She said ok and give her a minute and she will try it.

This is what she sent me next. So much better. I love the clouds reflecting in the water and the trees on both sides. By the time she took the shot, the sun was adding a bit of color.

It looks like she is in the water and the viewer has a leading line to look down the river.

I edited it just a bit to straighten up the horizon and sent it back. Amazing that she and I can do this all through texting.

I gave her my old DSLR bridge camera that she will learn from. We will be working with that this fall when I get down there.

I took this photo on drift wood beach in Georgia, An example of using a wide angle lens. With the right landscape, I love how it elongates the scene. It draws the eye down to that tree in the middle of the shot.

Next Generation

By Sandra J

When They Look

By Sandra | September 17, 2024 | Comments 15 comments

When They Look right at you. I love shots like this. When it looks like I have made eye contact with the animals I photograph. As if the animal is posing just for the shot.

I also love the fact that this horses main is framing its face. Definitely going into my favorite folder and I am printing this one.

This one is just the opposite, they are all looking at something down the street. 🙂 Well, except for two who look like they are napping.

When They Look

By Sandra J

Colorful Semi Truck

By Sandra | September 16, 2024 | Comments 11 comments

Colorful Semi Truck. I always like seeing some of the nice semi rigs out on the road. This one was turning right in front of us. Quite the colors.

I used to go and watch the world of outlaw funny cars back in the day. It was very fun.

Colorful Semi Truck

By Sandra J

When a white-tailed deer raises its tail, it is signaling a warning. This signals a warning of possible danger to other deer that be nearby.

White Tailed Deer

By Sandra | September 10, 2024 | Comments 51 comments

White Tailed Deer.

This is called flagging. It exposes the white fur of its tail and backside. This alerts others in its herd of danger

The deer also wags its tail from side to side while flagging. Flagging also helps other members of the herd locate each other. A startled deer skip any or all of the preliminary signals, but it almost always displays the flaglike tail as it runs away

Video Here, Click the Link – Mother and Fawn Playing in a Puddle

I took this video below with my phone camera through a window. It is not the clearest video. I saw mother and fawn playing in a water puddle out in the yard.

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

By Sandra J

I Believe I Can Fly

By Sandra | September 9, 2024 | Comments 23 comments

I Believe I Can Fly – After the hot spell finally went away, the deer are back in the yard and the fawn is running and having a good time.

Fawn chasing Mom in video below or click this link here from my you tube channel; Fawn after Mom

I Believe I Can Fly

By Sandra J

On The Road Again

By Sandra | September 6, 2024 | Comments 22 comments

On The Road Again. That is all for Paducah Kentucky, I am sure we will be back there. I do have a couple of new spots we are going to camp at this winter. So much to see, nature is calling.

Have a great weekend.

On The Road Again

The Old 1518

By Sandra | September 5, 2024 | Comments 9 comments

The Old 1518. A Mikado steam engine, the last “Iron Horse” used by the I.C.R.R., serves as a memorial to the passage of the Steam Age.

Located on Water Street in Historic Downtown, the memorial and marker are dedicated to the Illinois Central Railroad Company. They emphasize the importance of the railroad to Paducah’s history and commerce.

I am truly fascinated with the old steam locomotives. The power of them, the sound and the engineering itself.

There is one locomotive that I would love to see one day, it is the Big Boy 4014. It does tour the states, the last couple of years it sat still during the covid. But this year it is back on tour.

I found the schedule. It is going through Iowa. I think it is next week. I just can’t make it there right now.

But I will see it one of these days. 🙂

The Old 1518

By Sandra J

A Summer’s Warmth

By Sandra | September 4, 2024 | Comments 10 comments

A Summer’s Warmth. Gently recedes, autumn steps in with its own distinct charm. It drapes the world in a stunning tapestry of golden hues.

There’s a certain magic in this season. Nature’s palette shifts from the vibrant greens of summer to a more mellow, sunlit symphony of golds, ambers, and ochres.

The leaves have started to turn in my neck of the woods.

A Summer’s Warmth

By Sandra J