“Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” This photo doesn’t do the morning sky justice, but I couldn’t resist trying to capture the moment. BTW, see that big tower in the background? That’s soon to be the new North American Headquarters for Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company. It’s over 400 feet tall and is located next to the Braves Stadium. Michael has literally watched this come out of the ground when there was nothing more than a pile of dirt. Take a close look, you’ll be seeing more of this when it’s complete. 😉 Happy Thursday! #redskyinthemorning#sunrise#atlanta#thyssenkrupp#daybreak#morning#wintermornings#photography#photoops#viewfrommywindow#donnarobinsonphotography
“Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics.” ~DaveWillis,org
This week I challenge you to be the encourager and not the critic, including with yourself😉! Just one positive word of encouragement can go a long, long way.
Such a simple statement about how beautiful true friendship can be! You don’t need to have a lot of friends and sometimes the friends may not live close by. But the best of friends do make the world beautiful!
“Monday is not the day to be back at the grindstone. Monday is the day to be back at your passion. If you’re working for the weekend you’re doing it wrong. Give it your all EVERYDAY!” ~unknown
I can honestly say I found myself working for the weekend when I was in Corporate America. Every now and then it’s ok, but what if we think about our careers as the fuel to our passion, perhaps our perspective of Monday’s would improve.
What is your passion? How will you give it your all everyday?
Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year. There is something so wonderful and special about the cooler weather and changing colors of the leaves. In the Fall, Mother Nature has a way of nudging us to slow down and pause.
And so, with Mother Nature nudging me to pause last week, I couldn’t help but combine a little bit of exercise with a photography outing. Even though we live in the city we are surrounded by several county and federal parks with the Chattahoochee River meandering through and alongside most of them.
For my exercise/photography outing I was hoping to capture some of the wild birds camping out on the river. But, it was high that day and the rocks where they normally rest were completely submerged. So I had to settle for some landscape opportunities instead.
This particular park is loaded with several little creeks which the deer and other wildlife feed from. This stream is about a mile into the park.
A small creek just off the main path.
I was just making the final turn of the path and had to go back because the path was flooded. It wasn’t deep and I’ve used the stepping stones before (with Michael’s help, of course), but since I had my camera with me I didn’t want to risk being thrown off balance.
I’m actually glad I had to turn around, because I was able to get this great shot of the inside path loop. Don’t you just love how the trees frame the path?
It may not have been a good “bird siting” day, but I did manage to get a little bit of wildlife into my photos. This little, fuzzy caterpillar was just hanging out on the ragweed (at least I think it’s ragweed).
As I mentioned earlier, there are several creeks running through this particular park.
As for the exercise portion of my outing, the path is a 3.52 miles around and my Fitbit tracked me with 4.5 miles. I’ll take it!
I love the beginning of a New Year. The fact it is a new decade makes it even more exciting. Some may look at the turning of a calendar page as just another day or month but to me the New Year brings a sense of self reflection and renewal for all things possible.
2019 definitely brought the opportunities to follow my passion in oh so many ways. As I reflected on the events from last year I pulled together a few of my favorite photos to remind me of how fortunate I am that God has me in a place where I can immerse myself in doing the things I enjoy and spending time with those I love.
I am truly grateful, humbled and blessed for those who reached out to me for help with their photography needs (along with all the great help I had along the way) and look forward to what 2020 has to offer.
Speaking of 2020, I came across a great quote which seemed so appropriate for staying focused on the things you enjoy. The quote is by Mike Rowe and it goes like this…
So, I leave you with this thought. Whatever your passion may be, whether photography, writing, painting, pottery, singing, needlework, helping others, parenting, etc. don’t just chase after it….. LIVE IT! DO IT! BE IT! BRING IT WITH YOU EVERY DAY!
Here’s to 2020 and a new decade of “Bringing Your Passion With You!”
If you’ve followed me for the last few years, you know I’m easily entertained by Hummingbirds. I have two (2) feeders hanging in our garden just above the bicycle, surrounded by plenty of color from the knock-out roses, petunias and the butterfly bushes.
I could literally sit for hours watching these little fairies feed! There is just something so magical about them. Perhaps it’s their small and mighty stature. Most likely though it’s the challenge of getting the right shot before they speed away!
So imagine how excited I was to see our granddaughter’s hummingbird feeder and all the activity around it. Our son and daughter-in-law purchased a new, all red glass feeder this year and hung it just outside their kitchen window to better watch them feed. They said it didn’t take long to attract the hummingbirds and it quickly became a non-stop feeding frenzy!
It seems the consistent bright red color of the feeder draws them in. This little guy put on quite the show for me that afternoon. Literally, just when you thought his feeding was over he reappeared dancing around feeder taking quick little sips of the nectar.
It was almost as if he knew I was watching him, because just like that he turned and peered into the window as if to give me “A Wink, a Smile and a Wave Goodbye.”
Here we are! The first week of 2016 behind us. We’ve made our resolutions and set our path forward to making this year different and better than in the past! Yep……..it’s going to be a great year!
As I began laying out my plans for taking this blog (and my photography) to the next level I knew anything was possible, I had to set goals with realistic and achievable milestones. But, I also knew that in order to grow and be successful, I had to stretch and challenge myself. Kind of like the little dog in this photo:
Anything is possible
Several years ago, my husband and I were out walking on a local trail and came across this little Yorkie trying to pick up a stick that was about 5 or 6 feet long. Carefully, try after try, he kept working to find that right spot on the stick that would give him balance. The sweet spot that he could grab hold of and carry the stick with ease, following his owner down the path.
Like this little dog, I’m working to find that “sweet spot” to achieve my goals. For my blog, specifically, I have laid out a monthly plan with re-occurring weekly themes (yikes…..there’s that stretch and challenge). Each theme a little different…..some easier to write about……others challenging and stretching myself.
I chose “Thoughts” to be a monthly theme and for this particular post I wanted to share my thoughts on “Anything is Possible.” I know I can be a better photographer and writer, but it will take work, patience and persistence. It will take me pushing myself past the excuses for not getting a post written or publishing new photos.
So, what are your “Thoughts?” What do you see as possible for yourself in 2016?!?
This week, I’ve received two (2) handwritten notes. They weren’t Hallmark cards with pre-written messages, but real notes. Notes with personal thoughts of “welcome” and gratitude for a “home away from home.” The words for each note were few, but contained more meaning than any text, e-mail, facebook or twitter message could say. When someone takes the time to put their thoughts on paper, unable to be edited by the stroke of a backspace key….it becomes unique, special and personal to the receiver. The words, emotion and intent are never misinterpreted……..they are simple yet elegant.
Donna Robinson Photography 