Author: lloydslensphotographyllc

I am a West Virginia native who has always loved photography. I have studied it for many years. I recently turned my hobby into a business. I do event photography, senior and family portraits. I also have several home décor prints and items available for purchase. Some of my photos have been used for book covers. I hope to soon have an on line store at this site.

A Squirrelly Post

black and white photography, wildlife

Things get a little nuts on certain days. The crazy schedule of modern life can really drive one up a tree. I have driven over 130 miles and worked a full shift on my day job. I’m really ready to just hang out at home.

Okay, before I get too squirrelly with the puns let me tell you about the photo. This little guy lives in the woods behind my dad’s house. The property is crisscrossed with old logging trails that are perfect hiking. The squirrels are actually very curious and they are certain that they are true landlords here and need to check out anyone who dares to trespass. I really wanted a good shot of one of deer that roams the old home place but he wouldn’t allow it. Every few seconds or so he would pop up from the other side of the tree and chatter at me. These are not like the squirrels you see in the park that come up and beg for food. They do not like intrusion into their territory. There’s been a few times that they actually have thrown nuts at me from high in the tree tops. After I took the picture I moved on and let him win the debate. I have a whole forest to explore. Certainly he deserves to be the king of his tree.

Childhood Flashbacks

black and white photography, Fiction Story

I think that we all see things from the perspective of the inner child. The image above is the side entrance of the Nicholas County Courthouse. Even though I have really good friends who work there I always feel a little intimidated walking into the building.

I start to have flashbacks of slowly strolling down the hallway towards the principal’s office. (Headmaster in other cultures). Now, I wasn’t really in trouble a lot in school. I swear it was someone else that was shooting wads of paper through a drinking straw. Or, placing small woodland creatures in the teacher’s desk drawer. And I have no idea how wild leeks (known locally as ramps) got into the heating system of small classroom. (Looks away acting innocent). However, I always found myself trying to explain these things to an authority figure at the end of a long narrow hall. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I can hear the funeral march playing in my head. As I approach the office the door creaks open. The secretary looks at me empathetically and offers a blindfold. The door closes behind me. Surly the end is near. Okay, maybe that’s just a little melodramatic. But isn’t it odd how certain places bring up old feelings?

We think of ourselves as full grown adults but at heart we’re all still children. Children that are full of wonder and daydreams. And yes, sometimes a little irrational fear.

( The truth is I’ve never had a bad experience with anyone in this building. They’ve always been kind and helpful. )

Not So Silly Geese

Color Photography, wildlife

I learn a lot from watching nature. Take geese for example. They have no complex language (as far as well know) and yet they seem to have the ability to maintain social cohesion. Maybe not as perfectly as some other birds but they do seem to function as a single unit. What’s more is that they seem to take turns at being the leader with relatively little conflict. If you watch closely as that V formation flies over or swims by they shift position with the leader creating a wake for the rest of flock to cruise in. I know the science of how it helps them to travel farther but it amazes me how there’s cooperation. I think that the secret is that each bird knows that their own well being is dependent on the well being of the flock. In turn, the well being of the flock depends on the well being of the individual. If the flock loses a member that means that the unit can’t travel as efficiently during migration. I think it’s the interdependency between leadership and followers that maintains the balance. That’s a lesson we should all learn.

Splash

Color Photography

What you do in life matters. Our actions and words create ripples that travel outward and interact with world around us. Try to make a splash in the world but make it a positive splash. Eventually, those tiny waves will rebound back to you.

Meet Scout.

Uncategorized

I have just realized that while most of my Facebook followers have seen my little buddy Scout very few of blog followers have. I have mentioned him in several comments and decided that it’s time to put a face with the name. So here’s Scout’s story.

My wife and I had been on vacation for a little more than a week and when we got home she decided to check the front porch for an expected delivery. What we found instead was this half-starved puppy. He was in pretty rough shape. He was malnourished and full of parasites. We think that he may have been abused at one point because of his behavior. He had dug up the flowers out of the flower pot and made himself a little bed on the front porch. I told Angie that if he was there in the morning we were keeping him and sure enough he stayed the night. There was a quick trip to the vet to get rid of the parasites and get him back to health and he’s been with us ever since. He’s pretty smart, we had him house broken in a few days. Now he spends his days with his new family watching Star Trek on TV.

Of course as smart as he is this also means that now he thinks he can mind meld like a Vulcan.

Our thoughts are one. You must share your peanut butter sandwiches. It’s only logical to feed the dog.

Scout is a ladies man.

Mostly, Scott just spends his time resting or playing with toys. He’s a very spoiled doggie now!