Category Archives: Nature Photography
Magic Froth
On my last day off work for the next 13 days, I headed out to the woods, driving far to avoid the crowds at popular locations in Marquette, Michigan. I found myself at the Yellow Dog Falls out on County Road 510. I needed to reconnect to the energy of the earth and believe in the magic that shapes and shifts thru our days.
I thank all those who have visited this blog recently and for the kind and supportive comments. I feel neglectful for not having more time in the day to visit all of your blogs–but the day will come where time is abundant and self-directed. I feel the energy you’ve shared and my heart is grateful.
-Namaste
Soft Focus, Gentle Gaze
Making Michigan Magic with Kim Nixon
April 1, 2012
In my own backyard
Apple Tree Budding
Today is cool and misty, fog blows in off the big lake. I am coping with back pain and must make do with a couple of shots of the backyard. I hope that spring will not pass me by.
Making Michigan Magic with Kim Nixon
April 1, 2012
In my own backyard
Grape Hyacinth
The trees are getting soft with young leaves. My life feels misty and out of focus. I try to look at what’s unfolding with a soft gaze, not judging, but letting it blends with my psyche. I try to exhale.
Staying Fully Charged
Being an artist with a full-time day-job is a challenge. Finding the time to make the “dream” a reality means carving out time and energy. Having a day-planner and a big pad of sketch paper helps me to maintain focus. On Monday’s I review the week, plan for recharging and nourishing of my mind and body, and add at least one must-do for the week. That must-do item is a task that will move my photography forward such as order photos, business cards, or look for exhibitions in which to submit my photography. We’ll talk more about must-do motions in a coming blog post, for now let’s discuss staying fully charged.
In my current job, I rarely work a 5-day workweek followed by a weekend; getting two-days off in a row can be a challenge. To stay full-charged means dipping into the well for a refreshing drink each day. It keeps me creative.
After a particular stressful 4-day work stretch I needed to let go of some negative energy, and creating is a great release. I came home to gear-up for a photo-walk and almost gave in to the pull of the couch, but I put on an extra layer of clothing, my boots, and headed out to a world of white.
Dead River, Forestville ~ Photographer Kim Nixon
I often find putting my feet upon the earth and following my intuition starts a healing conversation. Maybe this is some Yoda-like energy charge, like The Force in Star Wars. Regardless, some connection is achieved, and usually a few worthy photos are captured in the process.
How do you stay full-charged? Please share a comment.
Messy Magical Garden
This past weekend, I took a little time in the gardens. The cold front that moved through last night brought much needed rain. Bumble-bees are loving the Echinops today. I once read that placing globe thistle near entries and doorways brings protection. I did a search on the Internet today and could not find the mythology of this and I am hoping to write a short-short-story so hope to come back across this information soon. I am most creative and poetic in August. August is a month for no work and I am going to find a way to re-invent myself so I can take whole months for play. My first goal will be the months of August and October! I am thinking perhaps a kickstarter project is in order. A big girl camera should be on a shopping list. I can dream and make it happen. Magical!
Let’s Get Summer Popping!
I’ve been practicing new techniques in photo post-processing. Just a beginner with some of these processes. But I like how this poppy photo turned out, taken in my backyard this evening after working the day-shift. Mike was beating on my brakes. Morning doves were resting on the grape arbor. Baby birds were making a ruckus in the deep lilacs. I was working on floral captures. It was a good end to a work-day and a good start to my one-day weekend.
Fairylands and Forty-Seven
Photo by Mike Hainstock
I’m blessed to live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and to have The Wilds so readily at hand. Saturday I worked a 3pm to 11pm shift followed by the morning shift on Sunday 7am-3pm. I only managed 4 hours of sleep between the shifts. I think I surprised Mike when I came home and said, “Grab your camera–let’s go!”. So Sunday, around 4pm we headed out, guided by our intuition, and landed down a gorge near a waterfall in Fairyland where I fell in love with this tree. I could have taken a nap and listen to it whisper secrets!
Photo by Kim Nixon
Sunshine is like the equivalent to “the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down” allowing me to sing in the face of negativity and danger! And I’ve been focussing on spreading joy and disconnecting from the negative that tries to swamp us down. Imaging and Imagining the life I want to lead is key!
Photo by Kim Nixon
Blossoming and branching and keeping that sense of discovery is important. What will sparkle in the sunlight under trees near flowing waters? You’ll never know unless you venture down into the gorge. Facing fears and trying new things isn’t so bad. The last time Mike and I visited this particular bend in the Carp River I was very afraid to walk over a log bridge. My fear of heights and falling so irrational. The creek is really only a foot or so deep, come on fall in I dare ya! (I can laugh now). I walked over it twice with ease on Sunday. Magical!
Photo by Kim Nixon
I am forty-seven and it is a magical age. I’ve having another spring and I can unfold, blossom, soak in sun, and enjoy the wind. I’m going to grow, heal, learn. I feel like singing often. I listen to my intuition and I can hear the little magical beings of the deep forest calling.
Gifted on a Day Off Work
Gifted
Day Off Work Hikes–Lil’ Presque, Marquette MI.
I came across this feather which appeared very blue-black in color. I was off trail. I had been called into the tall red pines and was walking bare ground as the trails had snow pack and ice. The air was warm, 45 degrees farenheit, and the aroma of pine filled the air. You could hear the sound of melting pack-ice on the shore of Lake Superior. After kneeling with camera, taking some macros, I picked up the feather and turned and in one step was another bluer, blacker, feather that appeared to glow.
Gifted Twice
Day Off Work Hikes–Lil’ Presque, Marquette MI.
The glowing feather. What bird was this? A crow, or perhaps a raven? What did these two feathers mean? What was the metaphor and story trying to come through? I was called out to the Big Lake, today.
What’s been calling you?
Getting the Shot!
- Photo by Mike Hainstock ~ Kim, Behind Scott Falls
I crawl behind frozen waterfalls! The rush of the water sounding like water left on in an overflowing cast iron bathtub with claw-feet. The water spilling over and down into the first floor flat. You could see water moving in the ice. I felt very alive!
Oh, and BTW Mike is behind the same waterfall. Crawling in the cave spaces!
The waterfall is Scott Falls just past the Autrain Bridge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. See the photo of the falls in summer (also from behind the falls looking out). This photo is available framed at Zero Degrees Artist Cooperative in 8×10 metallic print.
Photo by Kim Nixon ~ As Dreamt
Giving Winter Notice at Eben Ice Caves
Giving Winter Notice at Eben Ice Caves was the Superiorland Photography Club and I was on board, as well. I hiked in wearing Keen boots and YakTrax but switched to my Brooks Trail Runners and STABILicers to handle the ice and the interior sections of the cave. I went a little wild in the winter woods and even jogged parts of the trail. I crawled into tiny caves and my feet stuck out. I lay in snow taking macros. I played with flashes with my MagicMan; check out his slideshow here. It was the most creative effort all week and I am proud of my Eben Ice Caves Flickr Set.
