Passing Before My Eyes

My walk this morning was mentally productive as well as photographically productive. I got a few more shots today that I am willing to share and came to an understanding of a business problem that I have been noodling for a few days. My photo walks are walking meditations. I think it helps to have to focus on seeing what is around you. It unclogs the mental arteries a bit. You still think, but at times you are totally absorbed in your seeing as well. Its like having a zoom lens with a shallow depth of field. You zoom in and out of focus on various parts of your present focus. Its a zen practice of sorts. Here are the photographs I took today:

This collection of structures sits next to a railroad spur at the east end of the town in Beacon. The structures on the right are coal silos from the days when iron horses were iron horses and used coal fires to generate steam and produce locomotion. The house and the church are, I believe, unrelated and self explanatory. I struggled to edit this one. I am not sure I have got it right yet, so I may fiddle with it some more. But I like the present results well enough.

This is the base of the trunk of a Copper Birch tree, at least I think that is what it is. I have photographed these trees a number of times and will do it some more. They are nearing the end of their life span. I can’t help but think of the feet of giant elephants when I see these tree trunks. They are old and gnarly. Like I will be some day. They have an awesome solidity. I am also reminded of the talking trees in Lord of the Rings. I imagine them sharing wise council with one another in the middle of the night. I think this grove of trees, on the edge of a cemetery, is about the most sacred place I know in town.

Another one of the elephant feet.

Three sisters. I have another photograph taken in this grave/church yard of three similar trees stripped of their limbs. They were being taken down at the time. I don’t think these trees have som many years left either. I try to imagine what this grave/church yard looked like when the trees were in their prime. Must have been something. Sadly, many beautiful trees are ont their last legs and I don’t see much evidence that there are new generations to take their place.