So sometimes I have conversations with people that make me think back on some previous images and what they mean to me. This particular image of this tree makes me think about something I once read from the Dali Lama. (Yes I know how in the world did I come up with a Dali Lama quote?)

Its goes something like this.

“Happiness does not depend on what you have, or who you are, bit solely relies what you think”

And yup, the Tree…well it thinks its a tree.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

I’m thinking that perhaps this weekend I might just get a chance to hit the trail again and hopefully find some interesting photography locations. But we will see, in the meantime have a fabulous weekend.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

I’m entirely sure why I was surprised to find this pond near the top of Wildcat Mountain, but I was. But what truly surprised me is what my son pointed out to me. Birds were “singing” and although I appreciated the ambiance it created I wasn’t REALLY listening. At least till my son pointed out something to me. While a particular bird of tweeting away, moments later you would hear another bird singing the same tune. It was certainly a different bird, and by the sound of it not the same species of bird either. At that point my son asked “Did you hear it, – the mockingbird”? And yes indeed I had heard it that time. At that moment I couldn’t have been a happier Dad. For the last couple of years I’ve been grilling him about always look, always listen. Notice and take in your surroundings, if for nothing else but to “notice” what you might have missed.

Well I learned a couple of things from my son. He actually listens even when I think he’s not paying attention to me, and of course he reminded me to practice what I preach, slow down, “look” and “listen” ya never know what you’re missing. On top of it all, I got to enjoy the “ambiance” just that much more. Thanks little buddy!

Until next time,

TiNi Images

Had a nice hike through the trees this weekend at a place called Wildcat Mountain. Its tucked away between 66 West and England Mountain Road in or near Marshall, VA. Its maintained and I must say very well by the Nature Conservancy. In my attempts to find local iconic images of Fauquier County, I came across this hiking trail while cruising the Internet – well looking for things to photograph in Fauquier County. (which by the way I could really use some help in that area.)    I even reached out the the Fauquier Chamber and sadly they haven’t responded back to my inquiry. But I have hope that they will.

So, before I started rambling to much – I’ve been getting into long exposure photography recently and take every opportunity I can to break out my Lee Big Stopper and give it a try. Now granted it requires a tripod which isn’t the funnest thing to carry around especially uphill for quite a while, but I like to think the results are worth the extra effort.  We stopped at this creek (my son and I) for a little break ad of course to take time to do a little long exposure shots.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

I shot this cannon – no not like as in BOOM but as in with my camera, because it sort of looked lonely sitting all by itself. Yes I know its hard to imagine that I have a soft sensitive side but it’s true.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

So to start out getting to this spot shouldn’t have taken quite as long as it did but it wasn’t such a bad “hike” after all. I headed out to Manassas Battlefield in the middle of the afternoon, which isn’t the ideal time to shoot landscape but it worked for my purposes. The Manassas Battlefield isn’t to far away from me so, like maybe 20 mins at the most. That’s assuming I don’t get stuck in traffic on 29 through Gainesville, VA. (They really need to hurry up with that By-Pass)

Anyways, after getting my Annual pass for the National Parks I headed down a path that takes me behind the statue of Stonewall Jackson, past a few cannons and an hour or so later ended up here. It shouldn’t have taken me an hour BUT I took the wrong trail in the beginning. Which actually turned out to be a happy accident. I plan on posting that image here at some later date.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

Every once in a while I stumble upon a spot that I really had no intention of shooting at. This sunset and trees happened to be such a spot. As a matter of fact I can recall I was heading home from a “photo adventure” and saw this on the way back home. As I’m want to do at times, I pulled off to the shoulder and hopped out with my camera in hand and fired off a few images from different angles and it wasn’t till I got home did I see something truly interesting. Just goes to show you sometimes the most unlikely images are captured when you least expect it.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

This composite is something that I was just playing around with, I suppose I’m just a little bit anxious for Summer.

Until next time,

TiNi Images

Until next time,

TiNi Images

“There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” -Morpheus

This image didn’t start out as something that was supposed to be philosophical but after looking at it for a bit it sort of “struck” that it could be.

Until next time,

TiNi Images