Today is dreary day in the mountains of Appalachia. There’s been heavy rain and gray skies all day. By morning the ice and snow is supposed to return. On days like today I like to look at the summer images that I’ve taken. It makes me feel like I’m sitting by one of our rivers with a Zebco 33 and one of my favorite lures. The simple repetitive action of casting and slowly drawing the line back in has a meditative quality for me. I don’t even really care if anything bites. Like Zen archery ( or at least my understanding of it ) it’s all about clearing the mind and regaining focus. The image above was taken on the Meadow River during one of these trips. The spot is known mostly to locals and I’m sworn to secrecy as to the exact spot. Behind me a small campfire crackles softly making just enough smoke to keep mosquitoes away. It didn’t seem to bother the butterflies that danced and played on the buttonbush. I made one last cast into the river and slowly retrieve. There’s a tug on the other end of line. But, I let him go. Sometimes is not about the fish, it’s about the fishing and memories that are made.
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.
Taking a walk 1.11.18
I had an opportunity to venture out beyond my normal routine today. As I walked along the trail at Salmon Run I found this natural threshold. There was a homestead close by at one time but the mountains are quick to reclaim anything that isn’t maintained. Perhaps the threshold here is a warning. “Beyond this point you must leave the outside world behind”. As I walked on a little further the forest began to strip away the domesticated part of my spirit. My feral nature returned. I could smell the wood and stone. I could hear the scampering of small feet just out of sight. The birds are chirping but something caught my attention. There was a hole in the noise. If one stays very still and listens the forest will tell you what is happening around you. As I tracked the silence a jogger came down the path. Once he and his dog passed the noise came back.
It was good to get out of the house even if only for a few minutes. Today was a good day.
Beneath Dreaming Tree
There is a place in my dreams where a lone tree stands bridging heaven and earth.
As nighttime falls and the land sleeps the clouds come dancing by.
Stars sing in chorus to the nightbird’s lonely cry.
A maiden enters my dreams. Her green eyes pierce the night and she takes my hand.
Rise up you sleeper she whispers softly.
This dream is short and our time has come.
Our thoughts and hearts are one.
But all too soon will come the dawn.
And our dreamworld will too soon be gone.
For sunbeams shatter dreams and the life that will be.
We loved and laughed with warm embrace beneath that single tree.
Til golden light erased the night and stole my dreams from me.
Beneath the sun I toil, the dream still in my head.
With hopes that my dream returns to me, when tonight I go to bed.
The River Awakens
Morning in the mountains of Appalachia can be spectacular. The fury of old man winter is no match for the warm southern sun. Fire bursts over the mountains and the frost shrinks back little by little until nothing is left.
The Kanawha River blazing with the light of a new day begins to shake itself free of its icy cage. The river has work to get done today. Barges must be moved and energy has to be produced. Downstream there’s hot steel to be quenched and tempered. It’s a very busy day ahead for the mighty Kanawha River.
Pretending
Today circumstances colluded to prevent me from participating in the corporate Monday. (I’ll try to hide my disappointment 😁) My moment of freedom allowed the opportunity to drop by Cathedral Falls and catch an image of the frozen waterfall. The winter scene awakened the child in me and soon I could imagine myself as some Paleolithic hunter tracking a woolly mammoth on the ice. Never lose your ability to pretend. Adulthood doesn’t always mean that can’t play hooky and have an adventure.
LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 