Just a Couple of Birds
Wings just touching the water as this heron skims across the water. This is one of my favorite type of shots with birds flying.
The laughing gulls have arrived. A fitting scene with the boat in the background I thought.
Just a Couple of Birds
Who Knew swans go completely upside down when taking a bath. This is the first time I have seen this. Looks like it is having a good time. 🙂
Who Knew
Resting its Foot, at first I thought there was something wrong with its webbed foot. But they can actually get their feet way up there on their backs, because I saw it drop the foot after awhile.
Resting its Foot
This Week the Swan, we are in Grand Haven Michigan, and by far this is the most swans I have ever seen in one area.
I will share a few of my favorite photos that I took of them this week. Such a beautiful bird.
This Week the Swan
Beneath the Heavens Light
Beneath the heavens wide and deep,
the stars awake while others sleep.
A fleeting step, a shadow cast,
reminds me how the moments pass.
The sky whispers in colors faint,
a quiet gift, a soft restraint.
Life’s beauty hides in subtle things,
like starlit skies and midnight wings.
So pause, look up, let wonder stay—
the smallest lights can guide our way.
Beneath the Heavens Light
Have a wonderful weekend.
Chic Chic Chickadee, so many different poses. Taking a photo of these little birds perched on a branch is easy, and lots of different looks. But trying to get them flying is more of a challenge. Fast little birds.
But oh so cute
Chic Chic Chickadee
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
“Capturing the world, one breathtaking moment at a time.”
Wildlife in my Backyard – the sandhill cranes are back. I would love to get a photo of them flying.
They have a pretty impressive wingspan like the blue herons do.
The white tailed deer still look pretty scruffy. Losing the winter coats. Walking amongst the dandelions. They could eat some of those dandelions, I sure would not mind.
Wildlife in my Backyard
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
Ocean Views
Sunrise over the water, well we have left the deep south. We are on the road again. But, I still have some photo that I will be sharing from the past winter and from our travels as we head north.
Thank you for coming along with me, warmer days are ahead of us all. Spring is in the air.
Have a great weekend.
Ocean Views
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
Nice to Have Sunshine Again and get to go on some hikes. We found some small waterfalls in the area we had to evacuate to. Would have never found these if that had not happened. A blessing in disguise.
Nice to Have Sunshine Again
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
Nesting Herons – We have found a location where a few Blue Herons are in the process of building nest. It is such a treat to get to see these beautiful birds so close. They swoop down right by me as they are looking for sticks to pick up and take to the tops of the trees as they build their nest.
Fun to watch, one takes the stick up to their mate, hands it to the one in the nest as he or she places where it needs to go.
Nesting Herons
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
Patience – Herons are known for their incredible patience when hunting for fish. While standing on the dock, I watched one intently, camera in hand, waiting for the perfect moment to capture its strike.
I missed several shots before finally catching this one — a moment that felt almost like looking into a mirror during the editing process.
Patience
Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors
Real Christianity the Great Awakening
By RJ Dawson
Thank you for stopping by.
Happy New Year – Here’s looking at you kid, 🙂
The Brown Pelican
Happy New Year
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
I finally spotted two new bird species and one I’ve been hoping to see for years at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge!
Whenever I’m traveling, I always pull up Google Maps to check for nearby wildlife areas. In the Southeast, especially along the coast, there are tons of them, thanks to the vast marshlands.
Lately, I’ve been discovering more wildlife refuge areas that let you drive through the landscape. These parks have roads winding through the marshes, giving you deeper access to the area and better chances of spotting wildlife.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is one of those special places!
We didn’t spot many bird species as we drove through the area, but I did add two new ones to my list.
My first exciting sighting was a wood stork. They were distant, but I still got a good look with my binoculars.
Then, as we walked down a narrow trail alongside a waterway, a hint of pink caught my eye. Sure enough, there they were!
The spoon bill bird. I finally got to see them. A pink bird. Quite amazing. So different from all the other birds. We are in South Carolina where I finally got to see these. I thought I would have to go to Florida to see them.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Some Fall Colors , We left a little earlier than usual this year. So we did not get to see much for fall colors. As we travel south, it seems like things are just turning brown. It is very dry through out the mid west.
Some Fall Colors
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Golden Season – The Art of a Flower
In petals soft, a whisper glows,
Colors dance where sunlight flows.
Each curve a brushstroke, grace unspun,
Nature’s canvas, art begun.
With every bloom, a story weaves,
In fragrant sighs, the heart believes.
A fleeting moment, beauty’s hour,
Life’s tender touch—an artful flower.
Golden Season
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
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
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
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
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
The white pelican is a majestic marvel of nature, embodying a blend of grace, power, and beauty in its wingspan. As it spreads its wings, the sheer expanse is nothing short of breathtaking. With a wingspan that can reach up to nine feet, the white pelican commands the sky. Its presence is almost regal.
The beauty of the white pelican’s wingspan is remarkable. The contrast of its pristine white feathers against the vast sky accentuates this beauty even more.
As sunlight filters through the feathers, they can shimmer with a soft, iridescent glow. When the pelican soars, it casts a striking silhouette against the horizon. Its wings form a dramatic, sweeping arc. This captures the eye.
A Majestic Marvel of Nature
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Little Known Fact about the Blue Jays, or maybe others do know this about this colorful bird.
They work together when danger is close by. I have heard others say that blue jays are a pest. Mainly because they kind of hog the bird feeders. Well, they do that, yes. I have seen them, but other birds can be pushy as well, like the grackles and morning doves.
I saw for the first time a Coopers Hawk hanging around my bird feeders this year. It just doesn’t seem right that a bird will eat another bird. Coopers hawks do just that.
We knew when the hawk was in the area because all the blue jays give out warning calls. All of a sudden the hawk is flying after one, as the blue jay gets away. All the blue jays start chasing the hawk.
I will have photos of that tomorrow. I was pretty impressed how these blue jays stuck together to try and chase it off. More tomorrow.
Little Known Fact
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Discovering the New Bird Sanctuary near Paducah KN. I just looked at the map and saw a green area not far from us. So we took a drive to see what it was.
This area had a nice size man made lake with a road that you can drive all around it. Plenty of habitat for a lot of birds and people out fishing on the lake as well.
We discovered this new bird walking along the shore line.
Dozens of Egrets in the trees and on land. I will definitely be visiting this park again to see more birds.
Discovering the New Bird Sanctuary
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Just One Shot is all I get of these sand hill cranes. They landed in the field next to our place. You can hear them easily in the mornings, as they make their bird calls.
This particular morning they flew right over my head and landed the next field over. I went out there to get a photo of them and only snapped this one before they took off. They were quite far away as well.
I never realized they have red eyes like the black swans until I looked at this photo.
Just One Shot
Have a Great Weekend
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Blue Top Hat. Molting seems to be done with the blue jays. They have their crown of blue feathers back. There are always plenty of them to photograph this time of year.
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
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
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
A Hidden Gem of History and Art
Discover the Charm of Paducah A Hidden Gem of History and Art. A beautiful little town filled with history and art. Another town that we have camped near for many years, but we never actually went into the town itself. Until last spring. What a surprise we had to find such a historical little town full of brick streets, old buildings and museums. The grand attraction called the Wall to Wall Murals, Portraits of their Past.
This town is full of historic beautiful homes, a vibrant downtown area with lots of original brick buildings and streets. Just a fun place to visit.
This is one of the murals below showing the bustling main street of Paducah from back in the day.
The man behind the murals is;
Robert Dafford, Muralist
Dafford, a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, fell in love with the city on his first visit. He was introduced to several local citizens. He learned about Paducah’s history. He stated, “This river town has vast and colorful history. It would be an ideal location to paint images from its past”. He and his team of talented muralists were commissioned to start painting Paducah’s floodwall the next spring. Dafford has painted over 500 murals across the United States, Canada, France, England and Belgium.
He has been painting murals, signs and fine art paintings for over 50 years. In the past 40 years, Dafford has concentrated on working along the Ohio River. He has painted over 200 large historical images of cities on their floodwalls. Many riverboat and motor coach tours make stops along the Ohio River specifically to see these murals.
He has a team of artist that help him paint these murals. The tour guide at the museum told us that when he started painting these it cost $10,000 dollars a photo. She said now it is over $30,000 to paint one section. There are a few empty pieces of the wall yet in need of a mural, but because of the cost. He has not done anymore lately.
Discover the Charm of Paducah: A Hidden Gem of History and Art
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Days Are Getting Shorter – As I sit at my computer on this serene early morning, I watch the daylight gradually stretch its arrival, casting a gentle glow through my window. I wait patiently, eager to see the birds make their appearance at the feeders.
The blue jays have arrived, bringing their young along to learn the art of foraging. The fledglings, fluttering around with eagerness, receive gentle guidance from their parents as they practice eating on their own.
I have been taking photos of these colorful birds, trying to get shots of them in flights to see their colorful feathers.
As most of you have probably heard, AI is here to stay and it is making an impact on our photography world as well.
Yes, I have been dabbling into the art of AI with my photos as I have extra time these days. Exploring this new technology to make greeting cards for the upcoming seasons apon us.
I only use photoshop and they have incorporated a new AI into its program this month. I quite enjoy using it and creating art by using my photos as the generative reference images.
I have two samples below showing the difference between using your own reference photos and using text to image program.
This first photo below I used my blue jay photos to make this wintery greeting card. It does pretty well I think. I also list on all of my work when it is AI generated or not and how I made the piece.
Now this print below is using the text to image system. Where you describe what you want the photo to look like. I do not prefer this type of imagery. But I can see where some folks might like to use this, for creating children’s books or something like that.
There is a place for art using this new technology I believe, it does not replace photography at all, but it is definitely here to stay and being used throughout industries of all kinds, from advertising to creating movies.
Right now I can still tell the difference between AI and Real, but that may change as the software keeps improving.
I believe there will always be a place for genuine photographs because computers can’t replicate the human touch. While technology can imitate creativity, it can never replace the authentic essence of human expression.
Days Are Getting Shorter
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
She is Sneaky this little fawn, she is just starting to come out of the woods with mom in this first photo, the minute I come out with the camera she high tails it back to the woods.
Everyday she is getting more brave to not run when she sees me, she is curious and mom keeps a close eye on her.
Have a great weekend.
She is Sneaky
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
Heading Out to Sea – what a job this must be. Staying out on the water for days or weeks. I know I could not do it. I am pretty sure I would get sea sick. I like to boat, but I have never been on really big boats or big waves.
I will stick to taking their pictures instead.
Heading Out to Sea
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
The Storm Clouds Gather, dark and dense, A tumult roars, the heavens tense, Lightning cracks the twilight’s veil, A furious dance, a tempest’s wail.
The sky ignites with electric fire, Each flash a fierce, consuming pyre, Thunder’s voice, a booming cry, Echoes through the bruised night sky.
Yet in the chaos, midst the rage, A fleeting light begins to wage, As torrents drench the world below, A secret promise starts to show.
The storm, though wild, begins to fade, Its fierce embrace now softly swayed, And through the tears of shattered rain, A ribbon forms, a hopeful chain.
Colors break through, soft and bright, A spectral arc against the night, A rainbow blooms, a quiet cheer, A bridge of peace in storm’s austere.
Have a wonderful weekend.
The Storm Clouds Gather
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
“Serenity in Reflection: Capturing Nature’s Canvas at the Lake”
First day of August, last year our first frost was on August 25th, but it is near 90 today, so we will see what the month brings.
Finally took the boat out this summer. The loons are swimming with their babies. Hope to get photos of them next time.
Serenity in Reflection
Nature’s Fury: The Dramatic Beauty of Shelf Clouds
Last month brought some stormy weather where I live, two shelf clouds this year so far. They move very fast being pushed by some horrific winds. The clouds roll at you in so many different shapes.
The first one here, it was a big shelf cloud with some cloud movements like nothing I have ever seen. Video Below.
Video Below; or click this title here to see the video on my You Tube Channel, Natures Fury
The Second Shelf cloud storm was more straight lined right across, rolling like pie dough in a tight line. Both with winds and rain that almost made me run back into the house. 🙂
Nature’s Fury
Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
By Sandra J
