I ran across this poem on one of the many blogs I visit for inspiration. It really struck a cord with me for so many reasons. Caroline and I often talk about taking risk and we both understand and have experienced the rewards from risk. Where all of this gets muddy for me is when I let the words – rational, prudent or responsible enter into the mix. To what extent could my actions impact others in a negative way and to that end how selfish can one be when taking risk?
For those interested, Andrew Todhunter’s book “Fall of the Phantom Lord“,addresses the subject of risk taking and the role it has in life. The book Chronicles the life of climber Dan Osman as he lives life on the edge.
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams,
before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To believe is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the
greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The people who risk nothing, do nothing,
have nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change,
grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes they are slaves;
they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
Saturday brought temps in the upper 60’s which played perfectly into my plan for the fam to drive north to the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Located about 90-minutes north of KC, this is a place we discovered several years ago while on our way to Indian Cave State Park in Nebraska. Squaw Creek is best known for its large concentrations of snow geese, other waterfowl, and bald eagles. The refuge is a major stop-over for waterfowl, with more than one-half million birds in the fall and lesser, but still spectacular, numbers in the spring. While this time of year most of the birds have headed south for warmer temps, you are almost always guaranteed to see an eagle or two along with some geese.
We spent most of our time walking along this looong peninsula. Caroline and the boys stalked the Muskrats while I tried my best to keep up with the changing light. It blew me away how fast the light was changing – the series of photos below were all taken within a 90-minute time frame. Contributing to this was a front that was moving in and brought with it these incredible clouds.
Besides providing the boys a great outing away from the confines of the house, we successfully wore them out as evidnet by them both sleeping in past 8:00 AM the next morning.
I was going back through some images I shot about a month ago after we got a dusting of snow. We really haven’t had a lot of snow this year so I decided to make the most of it a go explore a nearby trail and stream. I have always been drawn to winter landscapes and while I don’t miss camping in snow (well maybe a little), I do miss the winter trips I use to take to RMNP with a group of friends. (Note to self, plan winter trip to RMNP in 2009)
I remember it being a very still morning. The only sounds I could hear were the birds and the snow falling from the branches. I spent a lot of time watching the light as it moved across the snow that sat perfectly atop this tree stump that had obviously been cut flat by a chainsaw. Before long the sun had completely reach the stump and the snow around me began to melt. I honestly have to say I felt a little sad knowing that within in a few hours the snow would be gone. I guess I’m still programmed from childhood to associate snow with “snow-days” and sledding with my friends until I could no longer feel my fingers and toes.
Hopefully sometime this winter we will get a good ol’ fashion snowstorm and me and the family can grab the sled and play in the snow until we can’t feel our fingers and toes…
OK I promise this is the last picture of the kids. But to my defense they are the only ones around when I want to experiment with with my new photography toys. Plus it will score me some points with the Grandparents.
I’m really diggin the off camera flash stuff. In the case of the pictures below I had one SB600 speedlight on the floor behind Alex shooting towards the backdrop with an SB800 mounted on a stand shooting through an umbrella on the right. Pretty basic “lighting 101″ stuff I know…but I have to say I’m really liking the results I’m getting.
It just became apparent to me that I haven’t posted any recent pics of Christopher. I assure you it isn’t because we haven’t taken any of him. We have been home with him for almost six months. While it hasn’t been without its challenges…which I feel has more to do with raising TWO boys than anything related to the adoption, the last six months have flown by.
Caroline and I both tell everyone who asks, Chris brought with him a BIG personality – one that cannot be described, only experienced. And to think we were concerned after meeting him for the first time that he might not be outgoing enough. We truly have been blessed once again with the adoption of a beautiful little boy.
All I can say is that there is no greater sound in the world than two brothers playing and fighting…
We were all together under one roof for Christmas this year. A festive time was had by all. The bonus for this particular picture is that Murphy manged to find her way into the shoot.
