When I need a slice of life, I get up, grab my camera, and step out. A walk around the block usually gives me something to notice and note.
Stepping out the door I hear the birds talking. I can’t see any birds, but they are definitely vocal. No picture, but I file the sound in my mind. I will need that detail for my slice. I’m still walking down my driveway, should I turn around and call it good? No, not yet. I need a picture.
Strolling down the street, I notice the neighbor has two bird nests in his tree. I zoom in on the closest one. I wonder how many bird’s nests are in the neighborhood. Now I have a focus for my walking. Better not stop yet.
While I was focusing on the nest, I happened to look up. Crisscrossing lines streaked the sky. Snap, snap, snap went my camera.
I love studying trees in the winter. I began noticing some trees had lots of little branches growing out of the main branch. Some were so smooth, you would think someone had whittled away the bark. They would be perfect for roasting marshmallows. A few of the trees were already beginning to create leaf buds. Promises of foliage to come.
Back home, I glance at the sky to discover, in that short period of time, the lines in the sky were obliterated by the clouds moving in. Glad I didn’t wait to take those pictures. Just in case you were wondering, I spotted fourteen bird nests. Wonder how many more will join them this year.
So next time you are stuck for an idea, take a walk and a camera. You never know what you might notice.
Yes, your walks are back. Love the buds on the trees. You are an inspiration in many ways, Elsie. Keep seeing.
Love the photos you got on your photo walk. I talk a lot of sky and tree photos, as well as flowers and shadows. There are some great photo challenges – Shadow Shot Sunday (my fav. posts on Sat.), Sky Watch Friday (posts Thurs.) and lots of flower and macro ones as well.
Counting on a camera. Looking at the sky’s blue beauty is like meditation.
Great idea Elsie! I loved seeing your little walk. You were very observant. Love the last picture! 🙂
What a wonderful way to notice the world around you! Thank you for taking us on your walk.
Fabulous pictures. Now I want to know what kind of camera you used to zoom in on that incredible nest. 14 nests! Wow!
I look forward to trying this! Thank you for a great idea and a wonderful slice. I think this would be a great activity to do with my students, too!
Physical exercise, Photo Fun, and Fantastic reflection.
Beautiful images — love the looking up to the sky crosshatch of jets above your quiet neighborhood.
Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been noticing buds and birds myself. Just look how many ideas you could take off on. I am going to remember this way to collect ideas, not only for myself but also for my class.
Thank you!
Elsie, these photos are beautiful. I love visiting your blog. It is such a happy and peaceful place filled with beauty in so many ways. It is Sunday morning here and I am getting my camera out today. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
I always love your nature posts, elsie, but it never occurred to me that you sometimes grab that camera for the specific purpose of coming up with a slice! I love nature & pictures too, and I think I definitely need to take your advice next time I’m stuck for an idea! Thanks for the shift in my thinking! 🙂
Thanks for the idea to jump start the writing. Looks like you have a beautiful neighborhood and I really appreciated the descriptions of the different trees.
That’s my brilliant friend! Your trademarks photographs, noticing and sharing what you know! My life has been enriched by all three. 🙂
Great idea, and one I will use. I am looking out at a blue sky…and it might be a good time to take some shots. I love the nest picture you took…and I did wonder how many nests you might find on your walk through the neighborhood. I like taking a camera with me as it forces me to take my time…to be watchful…and I end up seeing things I would have missed if I just went for a stroll.
Stunning.
I love the way you and your camera catch nature’s variety of colors, shapes and textures and how the tree lines are mirrored in the sky lines. The bottom right sky line almost has a little nest at the end of it.
You are brilliant finding slices through you camera. A lens that holds onto the moment before the clouds come in!
Great idea, Elsie! I want to start looking for bird nests, too!
Being a writer and being a noticer go hand in hand, don’t they?! Love the sky pictures, Elsie!
All of a sudden, birds are much noisier & I’m hearing different ones. Still can’t ‘see’ them, but they’re busy, I guess building nests. Love that camera, Elsie. The first nest pic is wonderful.
I love the thought of taking on “another pair of eyes” and letting us discover what there really is to see.
I love the usage of MEL!
I am beginning to believe that you and I are kindred spirits. We both love nature and we both write about the small moments in nature that are so wonderful. I love your photos and hope I can get this technology under my belt this year so that next year I can post photos, too! You are my inspiration.
Ready for spring? Me, too!!
Beautiful photos! I actually love to look at trees my favorite are trees without leaves…I know sort of sounds weird but I love to see the architect of the branches! Great slice!
As always, a great idea and beautiful photographs! It’s amazing when you force yourself to slow down and notice — you do! It’s a beautiful day here and we will spend most of it outside. I’ll be observing, noticing and snapping! Happy Saturday, Elsie!!
I love the suggestion to get outside with a camera! It is a favorite hobby of mine, often I find the pictures useful in teaching or blogging.
The pictures are great. I really like this idea especially as I am running short on ideas. I am going to try this before the month is over.
Fun thought, to grab my camera and see what I can see. Great idea!
It’s amazing how the images of our lives can become seeds. I usually check my phone gallery as it’s usually dark when I am writing!
The lines in the sky are beautiful, Elsie. And I loved the way you related the branches to marshmallow sticks.
On a different note, thank you for always taking the time to comment on Larkin’s writing. She talks about you as a friend.
Thanks for the idea. This morning I’m stuck, trying figure out of Max should speak or if I should find something else. It’s amazing how many things we are oblivious to when we go for a walk. Need to open my eyes and look – if it ever stops raining.