For the Love of Photography: “Out with the old, in with the new”

November 20, 2017August 20, 2022 / Donna Robinson Photography / 8 Comments

A couple of years ago, I wrote about how my husband has lived in Atlanta 20+ years and during that time there have been five (5) stadiums built for both the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves Life in Black & White: “Another Stadium?”

Neither team has consistently been a champion, but the dedication of the true, die-hard fans has clearly helped sustain and evolve the teams to a new level of earning their own stadiums. And, while opening season for the stadiums hasn’t been without controversy, both opened with elaborate fanfare this year.

Today, however, the city of Atlanta imploded the Georgia Dome which has been the Falcons’ home field for 25 years. At the risk of being overly sentimental, I remember one of the first promotions I worked on at Coca-Cola was a sweepstakes for The Dome’s grand opening. The promotion was called “Roam The Dome” (I kid you not!). Basically, the winners had the opportunity to see The Dome before it was open to the public.

: The Georgia Dome next to the new Mercedes Benz stadium. 11/17/20

And so, like any true photographer I was up at the crack of dawn on a very cold Monday morning and headed downtown. Ok, so maybe my husband had to coax me a little bit into doing it…..after all, this was my first day of vacation and I could have easily watched it on local television.

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Approximately 7:15a.m. EST, 11/20/17 waiting for the implosion

I was debating on heading to higher ground in the warmth of the 15th floor of my Coca-Cola office, but I wanted to make sure I caught all of the right shots and I didn’t know if I would be able to hear the implosion from inside. I opted for the top of the parking deck………along with several other photographers and families! I had hoped to have an unobstructed view, but this was the best available angle.

At just a little after 7:30a.m., with several helicopters and drones hovering high above, the implosion occurred and in a matter of seconds it was over…….just like that……..”out with the old, in with the new.”

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I stayed around for a few minutes to capture shots of the new stadium after the dust settled. It looks a little bit like Darth Vader if you ask me!

Hopefully, this stadium will be around a lot longer than 25 years.

Thoughts: “Hummingbird, Don’t Fly Away”

October 29, 2017October 29, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 5 Comments

Ah, Fall is finally here! The temperature is dropping and the colors are starting to pop on the trees. The coolness and the crispness in the air have started bringing everyone back out of their homes to enjoy this beautiful change of season.

Fall, is definitely my favorite time of year!

But, sadly, I think it also means my little hummingbirds have already migrated a little farther South. I’ve been watching the feeders pretty closely the past few weeks and have noticed that the water levels simply aren’t dropping. I even continue to change the water, thinking the fresh water may keep them around a little while longer……..I don’t think it’s helping.

I’ve so enjoyed them this summer and I think at one count we had three (3). As the summer progressed (and so did my patience watching them) they seemed to come around more often and at times just hang out on the same branch in between feedings.

And so, today, I share with you a few of my favorite photos from this summer, along with a music clip from Joe Bonamassa’s performance at Carnegie Hall of “Hummingbird.” The song was originally written/produced by the late Leon Russell. I just love this song…….the chorus reminds me of my summer encounters with these wonderful little fairies.

“Oh, she’s little and she loves me
And it’s my lucky day
Hummingbird don’t fly away”

Joe Bonamassa “Hummingbird” Carnegie Hall

IMG_2019 082717 Hummingbird Love Birds copyright

Happy Sunday……..and Fall (y’all)!

Donna

For the Love of Photography: “It’s a Feeding Frenzy!!!”

October 15, 2017October 14, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 8 Comments

So, it’s been five (5) months since we moved into our new home. For the most part, all of the moving containers have been emptied, neatly tucked away behind closet doors or buried in the back of the storage room. Funny how all kinds of emotions and thoughts pop up when you move……especially when you look around at all of the “stuff” you’ve collected over the years. “Stuff” that you spent two thirds of your life collecting, only to find yourself spending the last one third of your life trying to give away! I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a pack rat, but I would say I’m a “memory keeper.” They are different, right?!?!?

Now that we have our own backyard, again, I’m finding one of my favorite things to do is to sit on the patio and watch the wildlife entertainment. With five (5) hanging bird feeders, two (2) hummingbird feeders, a birdbath and several ground feeders we seem to be attracting critters from all around the area.

At any given time we’ve had a multitude of squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, cardinals, doves and a variety of finches circling around. But, the squirrels clearly own the feeders and tend to drain them fairly quickly as you can see from these morning and afternoon shots below……..

Completely full at 8a.m.

By 7p.m. empty

I mean, seriously! These squirrels will do anything to get to the food. Talented beyond any trapeze artist, they will find a way to conquer the feeder!

Coming in for breakfast!

IMG_0060 070617 Squirrels Feeding Frenzy

You would think this guy would make it easy on himself and go for the regular bird feeders.

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I guess they must really like the suet bricks!

Those back feet must really be strong!

I’ve been wondering why my flowers haven’t been growing, lately!

Checking out the drain for food!

I’m willing to bet that we’ve spent a couple of hundred dollars on sunflower seeds, already…….thank goodness Costco sells it in bulk!

Steeples I have Chased: St. Edward Church – Palm Beach FL

October 8, 2017October 8, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 6 Comments

Centered at the corner of North County Road and Sunrise Avenue on Palm Beach, FL is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen, St. Edward Catholic Church. According to their website the land was originally purchased as three (3) lots in 1926 for $80,000. After breaking ground on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926, the first Mass (a Midnight Mass) wasn’t held until December 25, 1926. The church was officially dedicated as the “Church of St. Edward” on February 13, 1927 by Patrick Barry, D.O., Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Augustine.

IMG_2083 090417 copyright St Edward Catholic Church

I came to know St. Edward through stories from my husband and his family. Stories of how their parents were married there in 1946 not long after meeting on the beach at the end of WWII. And, more stories of how the Kennedy’s attended church when they visited their “Palm Beach Compound.”

Peggy, George and Father Philip Newman – April 1946

John and Jackie exit St. Edward Catholic Church

When you first walk through the massive bronze doors there is an immense feeling of quiet and peace. Before entering the sanctuary, you pass through a set of wooden gates, each post flanked with beautifully hand carved cherub faces. If you look up you’ll see a cross atop the entry.

The main altar, the “Alter of the Sacred Heart” is made of Carrara marble spanning over 40 feet in height. A mural of the twelve apostles, capped by a depiction of the crucifixion encases the alter as a reminder of Christ’s journey in this world.

One element I love about churches are the stained glass windows. I’m always intrigued with the artist’s detail in telling a story.

There are two (2) chapels that flank each side of the vestibule, one dedicated to St. Theresa and the other to St. Anthony. The church was undergoing renovations when I took these photos so I was only able to enter the St. Theresa chapel. A quaint chapel with a beautiful marble alter, gently lit by both the sunlight beaming through the stained glass windows and the bright red prayer candles.

A Spanish Renaissance design, the church with two (2) towers is just as beautiful on the outside with the sanctuary and the other buildings framing the courtyard. It’s simple, with lush, green St. Augustine grass. Centered in the middle of the courtyard, facing the street is a beautiful, patina statue. With her head slightly bowed and the palms of her hands outwardly stretched, it’s almost as if she is calling you to her and to the church so you can find comfort and peace.

Though raised in the Baptist religion, I continue to be drawn to the Catholic faith through the traditions that can be found in the longevity of their churches. To me, they represent much of why I started the “Steeples I Have Chased” series, because they are the foundation to the communities they were built to support.

Source: St. Edward Church

Pic of the Week 071517- “God Winked”

July 15, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 5 Comments

I’ve written about how patience is an important key to getting the right photo at the right time, especially when it comes to wildlife photography. Hummingbirds are especially challenging as you never know when they will appear, and it seems that as soon as they do appear they take off with lightening speed. A good friend of mine calls them ” Mother Nature’s fairies!”

While sitting on the back patio this morning, my patience finally paid off and I caught one along with a few honey bees…….I named this photo “God Winked.”

For the Love of Photography – “Changes in Latitude….changes in Attitude”

June 30, 2017August 20, 2022 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

Lately, I’ve been singing in my head “Changes in Latitude…..Changes in Attitude.” You know, that song by Jimmy Buffet where he sings about “…..taking off for a weekend last month just to try and recall the whole year….” We’ve had a lot of changes happening lately and one that I alluded to in an earlier post (For the Love of Photography – “More to the Story”) involves our recent move. With a slight twist of Jimmy Buffet’s phrase, we’re changing our latitude as we move from our condo on the mountain and we’re changing our attitude as we quickly adjust to living in a house again!

To say, I’m excited about the move would be an understatement. Life in a condo has its positives, but having a little extra elbow room, green grass under your bare feet and being able to crank up the music without getting a complaint letter…..well, let’s just say it’s “priceless.” But, there is one thing I will miss about our condo. I’ll miss the spectacular, every changing view where each day is unique offering up a different perspective from the day before. I’ve stretched my photography skills with this view….skills that I will continue to use for many years to come.

And so, today, as we officially close the chapter of “One Vinings Mountain” I thought it only fitting to share a few of the views from our last few weeks of “living above it all.” Enjoy!

IMG_9344 060717 Storms at Dusk copyright

IMG_9205 052217 Dusk after rain copyright

Ominous Clouds

IMG_9343 060817 Storms at Dusk copyrighy

IMG_9359 060817 Storms at Dusk copyright

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“Life is a journey, not a destination…..you are the artist, paint what you will!”

For the Love of Photography – “More to the Story”

June 14, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

We’re having some incredible storms tonight and I’ve had my camera in hand to capture what I can. To me, this one photo is a story in and of itself. But….there is more that I will share in the near future. For now, it is up to you to tell the story you see in this photo…….

Thoughts: “The Final Farewell – TAPS”

May 29, 2017May 28, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

You couldn’t have asked for a better day to say farewell. The skies were so blue and crystal clear. As family and friends gathered, you could feel the quiet, calm and peace all around.

All of the details were precisely planned and carried out in the same manner and pace as others before. Everyone knew their place and their role. And, with each snap, clip and salute the farewell began and our dear husband, father, grandfather, cousin and uncle was laid to rest with full Military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

If you have never had the opportunity to participate in a Military burial at Arlington, it is an extremely humbling experience.

As we quietly and respectfully watched the military pall bearers escort the flag draped coffin from the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer they precisely and carefully placed it on the horse drawn caisson.

The Air Force color guard and the soldiers tactfully guided the procession through Arlington as the sun glistened through the trees, casting shadows on the tombstones, the silence barely being broken by the echo of the coordinated footsteps of the horses.

The caisson came to a halt as we made the last turn at Patton and Eisenhower. There, as the color guard took their place we all stood in the background watching while the priest received the family by the graveside.

Then, just as earlier, the military pall bearers precisely removed the flag draped coffin from the caisson and carried it to the final resting place.

Off in the distance the bagpipes began to play “Amazing Grace.” Carefully and articulately the flag was removed and folded corner to corner, and handed it to his wife while a 21 gun salute rang out.

Then, on cue, the bugle played the final farewell……..”Taps:”

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

˜˜˜

Post script: In honor of those who fought to protect the freedom we often take for granted. God Bless America.

Special thanks to my sister-in-law, friend and fellow photographer Janice Janik for contributing to this post.

Pic of the Week 051217: Full Moon Rising

May 12, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

Yes, I’ve been away for a while. Life has been life and extremely busy. But, I’ve still managed to take a “few” photos here and there. Today, I’m sharing one from the other night. As the sun was beginning to set in the West, a full moon was rising in the East.

It’s a little transparent because of the sky, and I suppose I could have cropped out a little of the foreground. But, this is what I saw and captured, so I ran with it!

For the Love of Photography – “Walks on Sunday”

April 2, 2017April 2, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 5 Comments

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone today and posting photos I took with my cell phone. You see, our Sunday morning walks are not for the faint of heart! And, schlepping 10lbs of camera gear really isn’t a good idea…..let alone the fact you tend to draw a LOT of attention when you’re carrying a camera around your neck looking like a tourist who just stepped off a cruise ship in the Bahamas! Trust me……..I speak from experience.

So, when Michael said he had a new path for us this morning and that it would take us from the Condo down to (and through) Rottenwood Creek, by The Weather Channel, by the new Braves Stadium and back home……….I decided my handy Samsung 6 would do just fine!

RottenWood Creek

Walking under I-285.

Walking over I-75 to SunTrust Park

The entrance to Delta’s parking garage at SunTrust Park

Bronze Statue

Another Bronze Statue

Cool Billboard

Braves Chop House

I can’t forget Coca-Cola!

To put into perspective just how far we walked, this is a picture of our condo. It’s hard to tell, but there are two (2) major interstates (I-285 and I-75), a six (6) lane parkway (Cobb Parkway), a mall and several hills between where I was standing (in front of the stadium) and the condo!