#azimuth 335

[johnnyslittleanimalblog]

Some People Dream in Abstract (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: Some People Dream in Abstract Thoughts Like an Expressionist's Painting While other are bizarre, almost seemingly surreal Mine have been both, and sometimes in red But right now, I only dream wonderment for what stands in front Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one afternoon in the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This was at a roadside pullout along the main park road with a view looking to the north-northwest to a group of black bears (momma bear and three cubs) who happened to be crossing this asphalt road. I captured quite a few images at this location, but this is one of the few that I really liked of the group because the momma bear happened to be looking in my general direction while her cub continued on.

[thorsenmark]

Joining Me on My Adventures in Nature in Yosemite National Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While enjoying a ride along Tioga Road not far from the Ten Lakes Trailhead area in Yosemite National Park. The image captured has a view looking to the north.

[thorsenmark]

While Hiking Along the Cavern Point Trail in Channel Islands National Park by Mark Stevens

[thorsenmark]

I Have Found Where I Wanted to Walk (Capitol Reef National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While under the Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park with a view looking to the north-northwest. My thinking with this image was to try something I'd seen on other sites where a person has had a compass in hand and a backdrop of something iconic or beautiful unto itself. Here I had the eroded sandstone formation of Hickman Bridge with a backdrop of towering cliff walls and then blue skies with clouds above.

[thorsenmark]

Nature's All Star Lineup in Biscayne National Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the north-northwest while taking in views across waters of Biscayne Bay to a nearby land outcropping that had several different birds present. This was while on a boat ride with the Heritage Of Biscayne Cruise in Biscayne National Park.

[thorsenmark]

I’ve Search the Stars in the Skies Above by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: I’ve Search the Stars in the Skies Above Wanting, no hoping to find that true north Yes, I have my compass in hand It does guide me as I watch the needle spin around Whether I’m driving or walking to my destination The entire world stands before me Even when the skies are cloudy or dark My compass is in hand, guiding me, never letting me down Once I have found you, seen the look in your eyes I no longer need that compass But I will use it to find you from time to time in case I lose my way. Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one afternoon in the Austin area. The setting was looking to the NW with a compass in hand I regularly use while hiking but here was to be the subject with an image captured. I got the idea for this macro type close-up image from this on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/fateapics/51319097706. Like this other image, I wanted to focus on the compass rose as it pointed north, as well as a look across the compass itself with portions of the dial and directions in focus, while others not. I used VR 105mm f/2.8G on my Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera and tried different angles with the afternoon sunlight coming into my apartment. As for the poem itself, that was a hodgepodge of thoughts that I've had about the meaning of a compass in life as well as finding that true north that leads a person forward.

[thorsenmark]

Layerings of Rocks (Banff National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A Lake and Forest, and then Mountains. While at the Peyto Lake Overlook with a view looking to the north-northwest to the namesake lake and then more distant parks and ridges with Caldron Peak, Mount Patterson and other ranges. This is along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park.

[thorsenmark]

Birds of a Feather Flock in Biscayne National Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the north-northwest across the waters of Biscayne Bay to a nearby area that some birds (seagulls, double-crested cormorant, and others) were hanging out one morning. This is in Biscayne National Park while on the Heritage Of Biscayne Cruise done by the national park institute. My thought on composing this image was to zoom in with the focal length and have this dried up land area (abandoned part of the walkway destroyed years prior from a hurricane) fill the area from edge to edge with the birds. I captured several images there, but this one with anhinga and its wings spread out caught my attention of the entire set. I later worked with control points in DxO PhotoLab 8 and then made some adjustments to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.