mary_corning

Hi Gordon. I was breezing by and had to write about this wonderful piece. I am inspired by the use of light. To me that is a good photographer's greatest tool.

There is a glow that is more than visual here. Perhaps because of the subject? It comes across the image as hope. It streams down from above which is captivating because the sky is so grey?

The tracks tell of life in what appears to be a sleeping landscape.

I would love to see the others in this series.

Thanks again for always inspiring me to look further, and see what isn't there. Most sincerely, Mary

I was intrigued by how genuinely happy this bear seemed. Hope her

smile is contagious. Thanks for your thoughts and comments. ~Mary~

I hope we as a humans, begin to appreciate the beauty and wisdom all

the creatures of the world offer us. Thanks for your time and

comments. Sincerely, ~Mary~

It takes a keen eye to appreciate such a unique little creature. Thank you for your time and comments. Most Sincerely, ~Mary~

Wow greetings all the way from Greece? Isn't this an amazing world we live in?

 

Thank you so much for your comments and rating. I really felt attached to this wolf. This portrait hangs just across from my desk, and She watches over me (in a sense) everyday.

Yes a very good point about the fill flash. Not with animals in my experience. I think it gives me a deeper appreciation for the shots I do get that turn out. As often the light is unpredictable and the subject is moving. It can be a challenge but that's the fun in it.

I see you are no stranger to that! I went and visited your pages and really enjoyed your work as well. What a wonderful experience having the opportunity to photograph such a vast array of creatures. Well done! Thanks again for stopping by! ~Mary~

Meerkat...(Websters definition) any of several African mongooses;

especially : a burrowing highly social primarily insectivorous mammal

(Suricata suricatta) of southern Africa that is chiefly grayish with

faint black markings and lives in usually large colonies.. And quite

a looker wouldn't you say??? Thanks for the comments. ~Mary~

She tells a tale through her eyes. All comments and ratings are

deeply appreciated. ~Mary~

Okay but you'll have to keep an open mind on this one, my friend.......?

I'll have to find a way to make it short.. hummmm????

 

I have the pleasure of living with a Kieger Mustang. If you don't know the story of the Kieger band, it's an interesting one to look up.

 

Anyway (Concho) was wild for the first 9 years of his life, in the Steens Mountains of Oregon. (Kieger Gorge). I acquired him years after his capture by a fella whom I resect greatly. A few years later Concho developed cancer on (lets just say) the worst possible place for a male. The only option was to amputate, to save his life.

 

I always left Concho as natural as I could. Not doing a lot of training on him, just learning from him what the natural way ofthe horse is?( Mustangs are nothing like domestic horses.) The day I had to make a decsion, I decided that I would let Concho decide.

 

I went out to where he was grazing sat down on the ground and cried. Told him I would just a soon set him free again to live out his days (Hope no wildlife authority reads this?) Than alter him in that way.

 

In no uncertain terms I had a clear message from him. Not like he spoke it of course, but like he sent it into my heart. It was as clear as I type it here. He offered this... "The life I had before was different not better, I trust you now to do what is needed."

 

Well the happy ending is this, I hauled him down to OSU Vet hospital, and as it turned out they could lazar the area, and didn't have to amputate.

 

He lives a blissful and healthy life now at 21 years old. And I learned a valuable lesson. An old Oak (400 years old) on my place taught a similar lesson one day. But no time or space to tell it here.

 

Hope this comes through as it is a condensed version. Thanks for asking Kirk. I am a story teller by nature, so careful what you ask for ; )

Great day to ya... ~Mare~

I use to avoid the zoo like the plague, I couldn't get past my own grief while I was there, then a wise old Mustang told me a story that changed my perception. All my recent posts are of captive animals, and all have a different look (wouldn't you say?). The Bear looked down right blissful that day??? What is up with that? Any way, I am afraid the Elephants in Africa have a lot to be sad about as well. Though freedom is powerful medicine. And about Gordon's comments...I think he may be every bit as wise as the elephants, What do you think eh? Just a hunch? So great to visit thanks for the commentary. A pleasure indeed. ~Mare~

Comments appreciated, jury is still out on this one?????

In grattitude, ~M~

Wow, this has been a great visit on PN today. It's always "feel good" time to check in here and this one has brought out the best of the best. I too was drawn to the similar shape and texture of the tree and the hide. Yes those wonderful ears. I suppose when I venture to Africa the "ears" will dominate the shot! Hope all is well up North... burrr.... We had flood stages here this week. My place under standing water. so Winter has arrived with a furry. Take care, thanks for stopping by. ~M~

This is so full of ideal aspects I am not sure where to start. I love the repeated shape of the man and the light post. The angles of stair steps above the police car. The absence of authority comes to mind as well as many other reactions and emotions. This is what photography is at its best... a story teller without the luxury of words. I would like to see perhaps a fill of color in one spot or another. Though being PS illiterate I have no idea of the process to achieve such a thing. Anyway I am so glad I stopped by. What a fun journey through some of your images. Thank you Kirk. I'll have to come by more often. Sincerely, ~Mary~

Kirk I love this. It has mixed messages to me of the colorful past as well as some of the shattered lives that never made it through. The sharp edges of broken glass contribute greatly to the contrast with the soft trees and misty background. i love the doorway. I could look at this like reading a book, and linger over it. What an imaginative depiction of time and space... (so to speak). It's all just a dream away.... Great work, way yea!!!!! ~Mary~

Hey BD, thanks for the comment and the rating. It is an Asian elephant, so nice to hear from the elephant fanciers out there. Glad you liked it. I enjoy the sharing that PN offers. Best regards, ~Mary~

The eye on this shot just pops off the page in print, and is my focal point. Thank you for noticing! As I said above I have a deep appreciation for these beautiful creatures. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Most sincerely, ~Mary~

I can always count on you for sharing honest feelings! How refreshing? Thanks also for the rating.

I feel deeply when I look at elephants too. My only unrealized goal in life is to travel to Africa and study these creatures for a good spell of time. I'm saving this one, however, for retirement. Thanks for stopping in, great to hear from you again. I'll pop over and have a peek at your latest. ~M~

I melt at the honesty here. How do you feel when you look? Thanks for

your input. In grattitude, ~mary~

Thanks for your time and vision. Sincerely, ~Mary~

This was my favorite as well. It seems the "feel good" energy of it is contagious! That's gotta be a good thing?? ; ) Thanks for having a look, I appreciate it! Hope the Sun warms your day! ~Mary~

I was curious about reactions to this one and didn't get any feedback. So I am happy to hear your critique. I greatly respect your eye, and you often see things I miss. This one really appealed to me, though I didn't really know why? I also worry that my strong connection with the subject creates a bias eye. I am glad you like it and appreciate the specifics as to why. I printed the one other in this series (Far Go's mane) in 16x20, and it hangs in my office. I have really enjoyed it. A lot of the reason this series was started was in response to the feedback I received from you here. With deep respect and appreciation... ~Mare~

It's always a surprise to find how the photos are perceived???? Thank

you for your input. In gratitude, ~Mary~

So great to hear from you. Thanks for having a look! I feel a gal just can't ever go wrong with vibrant red! Glad you liked it. Take care... ~Mary~

This is as she came out of the camera. That moon such a romantic!

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

I really enjoyed the day at the coast watching these unusual creatures. They all display thier feelings right on thier fin so to speak? They seem to take downtime very seriously, and really earn thier spot in the sun. The texture of this shot really appealed to me. I will try a different crop. Typically I come in too tight. Thanks for the reminder. great to hear from you. Best regards ~Mary~

Thanks so much for stopping by. I have been very busy starting a new business, hardly time to shoot or type. I have missed the folks here on PN. I love the Crows they are so opportunistic and I admire their tenacity. You were right on as usual... I did get this in a hurry but enjoyed the blue sky with the contrasting crow. I like to submit shots I am unsure of how others perceive them. Not sure winners in other words. I really respect your eye, and value your opinion. Thanks so much, I hope to be here more in the near future. Most sincerely, ~Mary~