Tag: fiction

The Trapper Part 5

Color Photography, Fiction Story, winter
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Winter Wanderings 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The Trapper really didn’t have much to carry on the short walk to the lone wigwam but he understood that the grandfather was teaching his his grandson hospitality. However, even in it’s non-functional state and completely devoid of powder he chose to retain his long rifle. The grandfather agreed after making sure the weapon was unloaded. As they approached the well built shelter the grandfather bid him to stay just on the outside of the encampment until he was called for. The Trapper knew that as a guest he was expected to observe all customs without questioning the reasons. The grandfather approached the door of the wigwam wich was simply an elk hide hung over the threshold and spoke to someone inside. After a few minutes he motioned for the boy and the Trapper to come on in. Inside a fire burned low in a stone circle. A young girl that looked to be around the age of twelve tended to a woman in her 30s that was very pregnant. The walls were lined with cots that were covered with furs as were the walls. A few shelves held gords and various boxes made from either bark or rawhide. From the exposed framework hung personal possessions that were mostly tools and implements for daily living in the forest. The grandfather pointed to his own long rifle hanging over his cot and then to an empty cot with a series of empty pegs and instructed the trapper that he could use that space for as long as he stayed with them. The grandfather turned to his granddaughter and asked her if the soup was ready. The love he had for his family was obvious in the gentleness of his voice and sparkle in his eyes. She collected a few small tins from the shelf and the Trapper’s tin from her younger brother and returned with one portion of hickory nut suop at a time. The grandfather said a few words of blessing over the meal and they began to eat. The trapper was thankful for the family’s hospitality but he wondered how they came to be separated from the rest of their tribe. Of course protocol wouldn’t allow him to ask. The grandfather noticed the uncomfortable look on the Trapper’s face and decided to break the tension. He pointed to a hatchet on the far side of the hut. He explained that when he was a boy he would bring extra furs to the white man’s camp and trade for different things. Tin cups, knives and even the hatchet on the wall all made a big difference in the quality of his life. He made a little money by guiding trappers as well. Even the long rifle that he’d shown the trapper earlier was a traded item. Eventually he was put in charge of trades by his elders and was a good negotiator for his people. The trapper explained that he had come into the mountains to make his own fortune but hadn’t done as well. He made enough to survive but he never got rich and just become accustomed to life in the wilderness. The grandfather smiled at him and advised that in his experience traders often did better than trappers. The Trapper thought for a moment but was interrupted by the pregnant woman who softly said, It is time for this baby to come. The grandfather didn’t panic but simply gathered his grandson and the Trapper to escort them outside where they would sit by the big fire and wait.

Proceed to The Trapper Part 6

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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 use 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.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Trapper Part 4.

Color Photography, Fiction Story, winter
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “The Frozen Gateway 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The young Shawnee boy moved through the froze forest like a bobcat chases the rabbit ducking limbs and bounding over logs and rocks. He slipped on the ice a couple of times but seemed to pop back up without any effort. He finally arrived at the little dome shaped wigwam where he lived with his mother, older sister and grandfather. Grandfather! Grandfather! He shouted as he approached the door. His Grandfather stood up from the fire where he was trying to sneak a bowl of warm hickory nut suop before dinner time. The old man cast a glance across his shoulder and raised his finger to his lips in a shushing way. But it was too late. The boys mother and sister were standing in the open doorway with a look of discontent for their patriarch and his impatient attempt to eat before it was time. Knowing he’d been caught once again the Grandfather yielded and emptied his wooden bowl back into the pot. The women couldn’t help but be amused by the turn of events and disappeared back into the wigwam. The Grandfather was frustrated but his love for his grandson knew no boundaries. He crouched down to the boy’s level and gently took him by the shoulders. What is it this time? He asked with a smile on his face. Since the death of his father the young boy had developed a habit of going of into the forest and coming back with wild fanciful tales. He even claimed to escape from a water panther( a cross between a panther and a dragon )once. Nearly out of breath the boy told his grandfather that there was a red haired giant that crawled out of a grave down by the creek and made a fish spear. The grandfather laughed. No red haired giants have been seen since the time of my grandfather’s grandfathers. But you are a wonderful story teller! The grandfather continued to smile and his eyes beamed with delight for his grandson’s talent. No grandfather! He’s down there now! Come and see! His grandson had never offered profe of his “adventures” before. So after telling the women where he was going he took his grandson by the hand and they began to walk towards the creek. It was when they were getting close to the Trapper’s camp that something caught the grandfather’s eye. A glint of silver shimmering in the sun. The grandfather stopped his grandson and instructed him to retrieve whatever was on the edge of the creek. The nimble boy easily walked out on the bent trunk of a tree and hung upside-down to reach the object. He returned with the Trapper’s medicine hat and the glint was from one of the silver trinkets that adorned it. The Shawnee had traded with the whites often and he knew that the trinkets on this hat was kept as trade for passing through native lands. It was a kind of symbolic toll for safe passage and good will. A mountaineer wouldn’t carelessly toss it away like that. He carefully folded the hat and it’s remaining trinkets into his belt and said nothing to his grandson about what it might mean. If whoever owned this hat had fallen to the arrow of an angry warrior then the soldiers would come to avenge him. He and grandson continued to walk quietly along the trail until he smelled smoke and fish cooking. This was a good sign because if the white man was cooking fish then he was alive. Not willing to risk his precious grandson the older Shawnee man told him to stay hidden in the bushes and walked into the camp. He looked around but saw nobody. Then he stepped over to the hole in the ground that was partially covered by the upside-down boat. There he found the trapper fast asleep. At first he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to startle the white man who was laying in his hole with his axe and rifle. So he just stood there silently waiting to be noticed. The trapper began to snore loudly and the caused the grandfather to chuckle a little. The Trapper’s eyes popped open and the two just stared at each other for a moment. The native man wore a blue trade jacket, red sash style belt and buckskin pants. Having traded with the native population for several years the trapper spoke Algonquin. Are you here to kill me? He asked the old man. No. The old man said. But I see that you’re sleeping in a grave. Are you here to die? Immediately the trapper recognized the native sense of humor and they both laughed for a moment. The trapper told him about how the boat capsized and how he’d survived the night. The grandfather listened with sympathy for the Trapper’s circumstances and invited him to stay in the wigwam until the weather broke and he could return home. The trapper accepted. The grandfather called to his grandson to come and help carry the Trapper’s belongings and together they walked back up the trail.

Proceed to The Trapper Part 5

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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 use 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.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Trapper Part 2

Color Photography, Fiction Story, Landscapes, winter
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Winter In The Mirror 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Please read The Trapper Part 1 first.

The trapper looked at the horizon. It was difficult to tell the sun’s exact position but he estimated that he only had a few hours of sunlight lleft. He was already feeling the effects of being naked in the wet snow of the Southern Appalachian winter. Unable to find a stone hard enough to strike a spark from the hatchet he’d need to try an older technique to build his fire. He looked around but the only thing suitable for spinning fire was the small stems of the Goldenrod he’d collected for tinder.

Image Titled “Goldenrod Seedhead 11221a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

One of the larger stems would have to serve as a fireboarb and scrapping it flat with the blade of the hatchet would be simple enough in normal circumstances but right now his blood was beginning to leave his extremities and his muscles were starting to seize up. His hands ached and he shivered uncontrollably as he worked. Carving the all important notch took a lot of effort to get right but he found that sitting on a pile of evergreen boughs and holding his hatchet between feet allowed him to use both hands on the stem and gave him just enough control to make the notch on his third attempt. Struggling against the stiffness in his body he held the second stem between the heels of his hands and held his newly created fireboarb in place with one foot. He began to spin the second stem back and forth while gently pressing downward to create friction. He had to pace himself because if he exerted too much it would only make the hypothermia worse. After a few minutes of work he began to smell smell smoke which brought back memories of his grandmother’s kitchen. She’d preferred to use a pump drill for starting her cooking fires once he’d asked her why she never used the strike-a-light hanging on the wall of the tiny one room cabin and her only reply was that this was the way she’d always done it. The memories continued to flood in which helped him to not think about the torment of his body as it ached from the cold. Before he knew it he had generated a tiny coal in the notch. A precious glowing ember that was the seed of his life giving fire. The fluffy seedhead of the Goldenrod didn’t need much preparation to receive the ember but his teeth chattered as he carefully breathed life into the flame. As the fire grew the trapper huddled close to get warm and nearly singed his long red beard. Eventually he moved his buckskins closer to dry out. But the thick fur and leather had absorbed a lot of water. It would take time. He manged to find enough green boughs to create a mat for sleeping on as well as enough dry branches to stoke his campfire. Between the windbreak of the evergreen thicket and the warmth of his fire he felt almost normal as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Exhausted from his ordeal he stretched out as long as his campfire and fell asleep.

proceed to part 3

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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 use 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.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Trapper Part One

Color Photography, winter
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “White Bend 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Standing on the little bridge over Peter’s Creek I close my eyes and listen to the trickles of Peter’s Creek as it gently makes it’s way to the Gauley River. The water speaks to those who listen. The Creek remembers the entire history of planet earth. Remembers the Hopewell people who hunted Bison with the spear and the Shawnee. And the creek remembers a particular trapper in those days. He wore buckskin clothes and a medicine hat adorned with trade items. His bright red beard flowed and covered most of his chest. He navigated the creeks and rivers in a small boat with a swivle gun on the bow which he used to take multiple waterfowl in one shot. It was on a snowy day like this that while loading the cannon his boat became unbalanced and capsized. He emerged from the water well enough but in the deep cold of winter his wet clothes quickly became a liability. The trapper managed to keep his hatchet which was worn in a leather sheath on a beaded strap across his shoulder. He removed his wet clothes and hung them up on the windward side of a thicket of yojng cedar trees. In their condition he couldn’t have them next to his skin but he could block the wind with them. The lower branches of the surrounding forest had some dead branches that he easily collected with his hatchet and would make a good fire. He also collected the the Goldenrod that grew on the edge of the a nearby clearing.

Image Titled “Gold Becomes Silver 22320” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The trapper had hoped to find a piece of flint or chert to strike a spark with his hatchet but the bones of this mountain are sandstone and granite and were not hard enough to do the task. He would have to spin a fire before the chill of the air robbed his muscles of the ability to do work.

… to be continued.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Proceed to The Trapper Part 2

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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 use 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.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Last Hunt?

Color Photography, winter
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Visions Of The Redbird In Winter 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The old man eased way down the snow covered trail using his lance for support. His fur covered boots were warm but they didn’t really aid him in finding traction on the ice. He’s served his family well in his years as a good hunter and now his sons were the ones who bought back the bounty of the landscape. But he still liked to walk out to his spot in the forest and wait for the game to present itself. He could still cast his spear and find the mark with it’s stone blade but he knew that the day when he would have to set his spear aside would be here all too soon. He would place it in a place of honor in his lodge along with some extra points to pass down to grandson. He sat still occasionally closing his eyes as he listened closely to the birds. He could shift his focus with ears and find the holes in the chatter and that would tell him where his sons were in the thick and tangled underbrush. He would know if they moved and he would know if they were still. The cold snow fell all around him but his fur lined clothes kept him from feeling the chill. He noticed the red leaves of the raspberry and how an insect had carved a slice from one of the. It reminded him of the Redbird that sings. His aged eyes were not as sharp as they were when his hair was thick and as black as tar causing the leaves to look as though it was one piece. The occasional guest of wind made the leaves shake and it gave the appearance that the Redbird was flapping it’s wings. It was at that moment he realized something moved behind the brambles and the deer simply got up and looked straight into his eyes. For a moment the old man and his prey were connected as one. They began to breathe in time with each other. The old man cast his spear and it fell short of its target. The stone point shattered and the deer disappeared. The old hunter was disappointed but he accepted that this was the way of things. It was only natural that he would take his seat by the fire and wait for the sons he’d taught well to take his place as leaders of the hunt. With his spear shaft gone he would need a new stick to balance himself with as he made his way back to camp. He looked around and spotted some river cane nearby. One piece that was almost the right size lay broken on the edge of the canebrake. He took out his knife and began to trim off the shattered end and then he cut the top to the right length. But then he noticed that the cane was hollow. On a whim he picked up the sharp pieces that he’d trimmed off and stuck one in the end of cane to see how far down it would fall. It went all the way through. He carried the cane back to his perch and carved a point on the end of one of the slivers and bound some grass on the end to make a plug. But it was a little loose and he would have to try again. The plug was tight enough that it didn’t want to fall out when he shook it so following his natural instincts he placed one end in his mouth and gave a quick puff. The splinter flew out of the other end stuck in the leaves that resembled the Redbird. The old hunter immediately realized the potential of what he’d discovered. He might not ever cast his spear again but he could shoot little spears with his newly discovered pipe. The little spears would be enough to let him continue to hunt for his remaining days.

The story was inspired by the legend of the Cherokee blowgun. I’ve added my own little spin on it so it’s not the exact thing they tell. However, even today they gather for annual competition and “blowgun” is one of their most popular events.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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 use 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.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤