Supermoon Thoughts

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon,

 my soul expands in the worship of the creator.”

         – Mahatma Gandhi

Did you get to see the super moon and lunar eclipse last night? Here in Michigan, we had scattered cloudy skies which made the event challenging to view.

However, I was able to view the spectacular event through cloud cover. The clouds would move away, I would catch a glimpse of the beautiful eclipse. Even with the massive cloud coverage and the inability to catch a clear photo, I found the entire night to be peaceful.

  • The stars would shine through the cloud coverage as the eclipse proceeded. A bright star appeared directly above me, I could not help but make a wish.
  • The inspiring nature only heard at night added to the spectacular event. The owls would hoot off in the distance. I would like to think they were voices their happy opinions of the night’s wondrous events.
  • I could hear the deer walking up the gravel road. Deer make a breathing noise, a snort. At first, they did startle me. But once I knew the approaching creature was harmless, I enjoyed the moment in nature. I had to remind myself… this was not one my stories and a werewolf was not approaching.
  • The one creature I was not able to identify was on top of my roof. I am assuming the critter was a raccoon or a squirrel. I could hear scurry back and forth as I stood outside my house. Of course, my imagination kicked into over drive and I was thinking of large gargoyles and goblins.

Despite of my over active imagination, the entire night gave me a sense of calmness.

Until next time…peace

 

 

 

 

First Day of Autumn

Posted on by Rebecca C.

 

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today, September 23, 2015 is the first official day of autumn. The Autumnal Equinox actually started around 4:20 this morning. Here in Michigan, I have been seeing the signs of the upcoming fall season for the last couple of weeks. I noticed over the weekend (I was photographing an outdoor wedding) that the sun was setting sooner. From my understanding, we are losing about 2-4 minutes of daylight a day. Just another sign from nature, the cooler months are about to be ushered in.

The leaves are starting to show their brilliant last burst of color as the reds and orange become more visible by the day.

I also love this time of year for the mushrooms. As I walk through the woods, the mushrooms are appearing throughout the paths and on the stumps. Mushrooms remind me of fairies. I could spend all day walking around day dreaming about  fantasy worlds. I love to photograph the mushrooms and fungus, and then return to my computer to write. The smallest sprouts sticking up through the ground or along a log can have the biggest impact on my imagination.

First time, I noticed this type of mushroom along the path. I need to research more to find the proper name.

The weather was actually perfect for the first official day of autumn. The sun was shining brightly all day with temperatures around 77˚F. The night has brought a clear crisper sky to view the moon and stars. I am hoping the clear skies will last; I want to be able to see the Supermoon this weekend.

I hope everyone had a great first day of autumn.

Until next time….peace

 

The Blanket of Winter Approaches

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

– J.R.R. Tolkien

The past week has been cooler which allows me to enjoy every bit of the outdoors. I am not much for hot humid days. I know I should not complain about the heat because winter will be here before I know it. I can already see the signs of the upcoming fall season.

  • Leaves are beginning to turn a fainter green as they prepare for their burst of colors.
  • The summer birds are becoming more scarce as they begin their long migration south to warmer areas. I rarely see Egrets or the Cranes at the old river. I miss the rattle voice of the Sandhill Crane on the river flats.
  • The birds that are still here are gathering in great numbers. I see them flying above the tree tops. They seem to be going back and forth in a harmonic formation as if to gain strength to prepare for their upcoming journey.
  • The days are slowly growing shorter as the frogs and crickets continue to sing their last praises of summer.
  • The squirrels and chipmunks scurry across the dirt paths in the woods where I walk. I see them clutching acorns and walnuts to hoard for the long winter.
  • The nights are cooler which provides a gentle breeze through open windows.

I love this time of year. I know warmer days are still in the forecast. But I am ready for September and October. The two months that seem to be speak to my heart as the blanket of winter approaches. Mother Nature always provides the settle hints that a new season will soon be issued in. Even though today is rainy, I plan to enjoy as much of the outdoors as I possible can during this transition of seasons.

Until next time….peace…

Dragonflies: Amazing Little Creatures

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I love dragonflies. I could watch and photograph these fascinating little insects for hours. I recently sat in the field and just observed their behavior. I was working on some writing; I needed inspiration for flying fairies. The dragonflies always help me with my creative needs. As I watched them hovering, flying backwards and forward, and swooping all around me, I wrote with great wonder. I decided to do a little research on these flying beauties.

Interesting Facts about Dragonflies

As I glanced through the different fact, I found these to be the most interesting.
• Incredible Eyes: The dragonflies’ eyes have around 30,000 individual lenses or ommatidia which give them a rather incredible panoramic view of their surroundings. Each of those lenses provides an image. The brain of the dragonfly will use all of those individual images to make one picture. The eye allows for the entire color spectrum, UV light, and light polarization to be viewed.

• Wings: The dragonfly has two sets of wings; each wing can work independently. The extra set allows the dragonfly to slow the movement of the wings down. On an average, the dragon fly will flaps the two sets of wings around 30 beats per second. The independent movement of the wings gives the dragonfly the ability to hover and fly in all directions. The dragonfly also has the ability to change directions instantly which helps if been sought by a predator. And, can reach speeds of up to 36 mph.

• Food: A dragonfly eats mosquitoes and flies. I couldn’t figure out why I have seen so many dragonflies this year. Well, the wet weather created an overly abundant breeding ground for mosquitoes. The dragonflies have been enjoying a grand feast.

• Species: Currently there are around 5,000 species of dragonflies. All the dragonflies are part of the order Odanata which roughly translates to “toothed one”. The dragonfly can be found almost anywhere in the world where the environment is habitable. A dragonfly cannot live in the Antarctica; the little insects love a more tropical feel. The hot and humid weather here in mid-Michigan right now must seem like paradise to them.

• Ancient Creature: The dragonfly has been around for around 250 million years. The largest fossil reports the ancestor relative had a wingspan of around 2 ½ feet. Can you imagine that flying around the back field? Just amazing to consider.

The next time, you view a dragonfly consider how incredible this insect is or picture a fairy and let you imagination run wild.

Stormy Michigan

Posted on by Rebecca C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning
This was the very beginning of the storm. I really didn’t think much of it at this point.

 

 

 

After the Storm
After the storm was clearing, I looked up to see this bird flying by. The large bird was too far away for me to properly identify.
Dark Clouds Over Barn
The sky became almost black in the middle of the day. But the storm was not as bad as I originally thought it was going be.
Storm Clouds
My cloud fascination continues.
Storm
This part of the storm had me a little worried. But the storm just brought a lot of rain and wind.
Storm
Over the Trees
Storm
Love the Clouds
Storm
Moving across the back field

 

Michigan has been experiencing seasonal thunderstorms. I do not have the knowledge to state the proper terms. But basically, the weather is hot and very humid which when colder air pushes in creates the storms. I am lucky and grateful that none of these storms have caused any damage.

I have recently become fascinated with photographing clouds. Storm clouds are just another part of my new found curiosity. Believe it or not, the entire time I was out photographing the clouds, the rain held off. The clouds moved across the sky first. Then, the rain seem to follow behind. Absolutely fascinating.

And, yes….my mother called and left a message on my phone to “stop taking pictures and get in the house”. Some things will never change.

Until next time….peace always.

When We Wrote Letters

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Before the electronic age, we wrote letters. Technically I still  write letters, I have pen pals all over the world which I communicate with via the “old” way. I like sipping on tea while writing a letter. I find the process to be a creative outlet.

I am a history fanatic. I am not talking about the grand events that everyone learns about in schooling. I am referring to the ordinary people who lived decades ago. I spend time restoring old photos that I pick up at yard and estate sales. I also pick up old scrap books.(I know, I am slowly heading to be a future candidate for that show “Hoarders”).

Anyways, I thought I would share a letter from 1934. I copied it out to the best of my ability; some of the hand writing was hard to read.

St. Johns, Michigan

May 21, 1934

Dear People:

Did the sand storm hit you tonight? We had just finish supper. I sailed around and closed up all doors and windows. It was fierce for a little while. It’s trying hard to rain but I’m afraid it won’t do a very good job and we do need rain so badly.

Alex sent me some cabbage and tomato plants. I sent them out last Thurs. night. I was out looking at them tonight. I see they are doing quite well in spite of dry weather. I must put in some more stuff. The lettuce and radishes are up and the onion sets are growing fine.

R.D. (?) has the silo corn in 6 acres. Then, he has about 3 more acres ready to plant and about 6 more acres to plow. The cement is all in and dry for the horse stable floor and the men are putting the stalls in. We keep the horses across the way in McPhearson barn. The old hog had 11 little hogs yesterday and she has 6 left so far. Dale took 6 pigs and a calf for us in his load last Mon. night. He got here about 12 p.m.

Morning 9:00 R.D. folks and Lydia Chas. and Pauline came last night so I didn’t have time to write anymore. We had been to bed about an hour when Dale and Yolanda (?) came popping in. She came after some bedding to take on their trip. Next Sunday night she is invited to a Mimanite (I think it’s supposed to be Mennonite) wedding so she probably won’t be home till Mon. night and by that time may be something else will pop up.

Well it’s a lovely cool morning after the storm. Not enough rain but it helped out a lot. When do you have Decoration? Donnalee said you have Augusta’s and Lloyd’s reception this coming Friday eve. I hope for the sake of your pocketbooks there won’t be any more weddings for some time. Does Augusta come to church?

There were just a few out to church Sunday here. Hardly as many as we have at home.

Does Arlene like her place as well as ever?

Guess I will have to wait till Donnalee gets home to get my flowers over there.

R.D. don’t have any time to run around and I can’t drive yet.

Wayne can but of course he can’t get a driver’s license yet. Well there is a lot of work waiting to be done so must get at it.

We don’t have to separate the milk anymore. Take it to the cheese factory every morning in the Rapids.

We are all well per usual and hope you are too.

Love to all

Lola B.P.

The Buch girls ask about you Saturday.  Yesterday Kaufman’s and the Lindsey’s called for about an hour. Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer were here Thurs. night for finger ? which she got. Yes, our kitchen is done. I guess this week I plan to do more cleaning.

Lots of Love

Mother.

 

 If anyone is interested, you can find some of my photo restoration work here.

http://thephotogypsy.zenfolio.com/pastmemories

Lovely Summer Nights

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
― John Muir

The weather has been absolutely lovely the last few days which gives me lots of time to be outdoors and enjoying nature. The lovely summer nights bring gorgeous sunsets and clear skies for star gazing.

Even though I have been spending a lot of time outdoors, I cannot really say that I have been getting any weeding done. I think some of my flower beds are taking on a mind of their own. The lawn is mowed which makes me content for now. The honeybees have been enjoying the extra wild flowers that seemed to have found their way into my yard. So, I tend to leave them for now.

I am just taking the time to enjoy every moment of this beautiful weather.

Glimpse of the Past

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“Look back, and smile on perils past.” –Walter Scott

I have been spending the last couple of days working on some old  negatives. The negatives were in a box that was among my grandfather’s belongings. I am slowly trying to scan and organize them. I wish I knew more about the photos, the trip and the overall experience.

I do know my grandfather would take his mother and sisters up to Canada to visit relatives: the Hewitt’s. So I am assuming some of the photos are from this experience and trip.

This particular photo is actually Mackinaw Island which is here in Michigan between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.. After some much needed help from my social media page, the photo was taking looking down from the Grand Hotel. You can actually see the Chippewa Hotel clearly. I cannot pinpoint the year or approximately the year the photo was taking. I am still researching.

I find these old photos of the past intriguing. The photos show the best of what the family went through during the hardest times.

Until next time…peace….

©RebeccaCaesarPhotography. 2015. All rights reserved.

Pesky But Cute

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“Everything from the humble woodlouse to specks of dust moving through a ray of sunlight. Each tells a story.”
― Fennel Hudson

I can’t help it; I love these little pesky creatures. I know they can be destructive. But I love to watch them.

Of course, I love all wildlife. I spend a lot of time watching animals and insects through my viewfinder. It’s an amazing world to watch and study.

Until next time…peace…..

Flowers

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Mother Teresa

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon photographing flowers. I had a new lens to play with…what else would I do? Today…well..it’s raining. So, I guess I should work on my book.

Until next time… peace.