Color Photography – Page 170 – LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

Red Maple & Forester’s Trick

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Mountain Fire In Spring”and is available for purchase by following the instructions at the bottom of the article.

All along the Kanawha River we are beginning to see the mountains change color. There are light green spots full of tiny new leaves, the pinkish-purple of the redbud bloom and the blood red of the red maple. Tonight’s feature image is actually several years old but it was taken on April 15th. When I was studying forestry in college my instructor taught us that a good timber man could estimate the diversity of a stand of timber by the colors seen in fall and spring without ever climbing the mountain. Brown twigs are sugar maple and red twigs are red maple. He had a color scale in his mind that covered a multitude of hues and variations. He would use this technique to determine which stands of timber were worth a closer look and that way he could avoid wasting time on lower value timber.

I never made it into the timber industry but I have observed that by closely watching the colors of the mountains during the seasonal changes I can not only estimate the mix of trees in the forest but I can judge the progression of the changes. Like all things in life nothing is ever 100 percent but this technique allows me to get relatively accurate guess what nature is about to do. It’s all about the observation of natural time. So as you go about your day take note of the small changes in color and texture of the world around you. It’s God’s creation and you are a part of it.

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Forage Friday 3.. Redbud

Color Photography, Forage Friday

Hello Friends!Tonight’s feature image is titled “Redbud 33019”. All of the photos are my original work and are available as prints by following the instructions at the bottom of the article.

One of the true joys of an Appalachian Spring is the blooming of the redbud. In fact one of minor reasons why I chose the property that I live on now is the presence of reddish pink pops of happiness in late March to mid April. After a long gray winter the colorful redbud is a very welcome sight for sore eyes.

Redbud close up — A closer look at the redbud flowers

Redbud is often planted as an ornamental shrub because of its early and colorful pea like flowers. And, it is a nitrogen fixing legume that is often used for reclaiming strip mines and helping to heal the soil.

Of course, this is Forage Friday and that means that redbud is also a wild edible. I have only used it as a “trail nibble” by picking a few raw flower buds here and there and popping a few in my mouth. However, I do think that it would be an interesting thing to add to a salad. I’ve been watching the bloom spread up the mountain and I think that I’ll try it as part of a salad soon. Being a legume I expect that redbud is rich in protein. I haven’t tried the pods yet either but Peterson’s Field Guide suggest a ten minute saute of the young tender pods which look somewhat like snow peas hanging below heart shaped leaves. (As always, make sure of positive ID. Before trying the first time. Trees like black locusts have similar pods and are considered toxic)

A word here on timing. The flower is only in its prime for a few weeks and once the pods reach a certain maturity they become leathery. I have also read that some people have canned the pods like green beans but it’s not something that I’m experienced with and as with this whole series I really recommend that you do further research before going out with a basket to try a new and exotic food from the forest.

Okay, don’t skip the disclaimer.

Forage Friday isn’t really intended to teach you everything you need to know about wild foraging. It was conceived as a way for me to showcase my photos while providing a few interesting tidbits of information to peak your interest and start a conversation in some of the forums that I share with on Facebook.

If you have eaten redbud flowers or pods of if you have a question about wild edible plants the comments are open to the public.

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Keeping The Lights On

Color Photography

Hello Friends!Tonight’s feature image is titled “Barges And Coal” and is available for purchase by using the instructions at the bottom of the article.

On the far shore of the Kanawha River the grumbling growl of diesel engines shakes the earth. The bulldozers and loaders shift black mountains from the yard to boats. It’s believed that our world runs on coal but that’s a mistake.

Our world runs on the energy of men and women who keep the coal moving.

Our world is powered by afternoons covered with sweat and grit and diesel fuel.

Our world runs on the turn of the wrench that replaces another hydraulic hose.

Our world is powered by bonding and laughter in the downtime.

Our world is kept lit by the heavy equipment operator who knows the difference between arrogance and confidence as he moves a multi ton machine up the gob pile to dress it.

And at the end of the day when the sun sinks low all of that sweat and effort welcomes them home as a light in windows and a hot shower before dinner. All wrapped up in the arms of a loving family.

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Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simply message me on Facebook oruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Thank you again for your support of my page! 😊

Kanawha Falls Early Spring 2019

Color Photography

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled Kanawha Falls Power Station 32619 and is available for purchase by following the instructions at the bottom of the page.

The afternoon sun beams down with all of his might. Standing on the very end of the boardwalk beneath the hydroelectric plant at Kanawha Falls I can truly appreciate the power of the Kanawha River. The cool color of river and the quiet setting brings a sense of peace. It’s not until you are at water level that you begin to realize how big the Kanawha River is.

Available as a panoramic only.

In spite of the fact that the highway is just a few feet away from the water it would be easy to believe that this scene was much farther up into the mountains and away from civilization. I’m also amazed at the variety of Aesthetics that are concentrated in this spot. Depending on the weather, season and angles of the sun I’ve been able to catch some awesome scenes with more to come as opportunity allows. Sometimes after a hard rain we’ll see huge chunks of foam floating downstream. I used to believe it was pollution. Some exotic chemicals from an unknown source but I learned that it’s actually clay deposits from the river banks up in the mountains. The clay particles tend to cling together and are churned into the foam by the falls and rapids. It was once suggested to me that native Americans would collect the foam and mix it with natural dye to make pigment but I haven’t really verified that it’s fact. There’s always a lot of driftwood here too. In all but the coldest of weather you can pass by and see the fishing fires on the rocks. Some of pieces are timber sized and I’ve always been tempted to poke around and see what I could collect and turn into art. Mostly I just like to come and watch the river.

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Daydreaming In Color

Color Photography

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “The Dancing Depths” and is available for purchase by following the instructions at the bottom of the page.

When I was a kid my favorite color was aquamarine. I’m not really sure why but it wad probably because I wanted to be unique. As I got older my tastes shifted more towards the green tones. As I gaze into the greens and blues and the in between tones of the river I become lost in the depths of water. The variations in the light as it transitions reminds me of a gemstone. Is it any wonder why ancient people imagined that there was another world full of mythic civilizations just beyond that translucent vale? Even in modern times it wouldn’t hard to imagine the merfolk swimming by and looking up with the same wonderment of our world. Would their eyes get lost in marbled blue sky? As I watch the light shimmer on the surface and dance beneath the ripples I lose track of the schedule that demands so much of our life’s energy. For a little while I’m a child again looking for the signs of an underwater castle deep behind the blues and greens of the river.

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