Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.”
― Jo Walton

This past week I enjoyed a week off from work for spring break.  At the beginning of the break, two great photography friends and I made our way to the islands of Georgia.  Our first stop was Jekyll Island, Georgia.

We were very fortunate as Jekyll Island can be both a sunrise and a sunset location for photography depending upon where you are photographing.  When traveling, you have to hope for conditions to be just right for photography during your stay.  Sometimes things work out in your favor and sometimes they don’t.

Our first morning did not

More DC

More DC

“I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.”
― Emily Dickinson

My husband, Randy, and I spent my birthday weekend in Washington, DC, with a primary focus of photographing the blooming cherry trees.  I did spend a great deal of my time there photographing the cherry blossoms.  If you missed that post and images, you can find it here.

While we were there, I found an unexpected treat to photograph.  Near the hotel where we stayed, there was a street lined with colorful,

Cherry Blossoms in DC

Cherry Blossoms in DC

“Look at the cherry blossoms!
Their color and scent fall with them,
Are gone forever,
Yet mindless
The spring comes again.”
― Ikkyu

 

I was in my forties the first time I went to Washington, DC.  I remember vividly how amazed I was to finally see, in person, all of the things I had seen throughout my life on television.  During one of my visits to DC, I was able to be there while the cherry blossoms were blooming.  About a month ago, I mentioned to my husband that I would like to see the cherry blossoms bloom again in my lifetime.

To my delight, further investigation showed

Back to Magnolia

Back to Magnolia

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Each spring, I spend as much time as possible at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens while the azaleas are blooming.  This year was no exception.

I made three separate day trips over three weekends in order to photograph the azalea bloom.

One of the three weekends I spent most of my day photographing the

Peacocks!

Peacocks!

“When I teach my students to not only embrace their constraints, but to pursue them, by choosing only one lens, only one subject or theme, they find it immediately liberating, and their work becomes more creative.”

-David duChemin

When I am not at work or spending time with my family and friends, I am doing something related to photography.  I am constantly working hard to improve my knowledge, skills, and capabilities.  I read books, attend workshops, and take courses online.

I have taken two online courses created by

900 Days of School: An Unexpected Outcome

900 Days of School: An Unexpected Outcome

“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
― Jim Henson
At the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, I started a personal project.  I decided to take one picture a day at school for the last five years of my teaching career before retirement.  I  named the project 900 Days of School as I would be teaching for approximately 900 more days.
Once I got a few months into the project, I found that it started
900 Days of School: Play

900 Days of School: Play

“Play is the highest form of research.”
― Albert Einstein

One of my favorite times of each school day is recess.

As the demands of the academic program have become more and more rigorous for first graders during my tenure, recess is one thing that has remained constant.  Recess is a time when kids can be kids.  I am always so amazed at the abundance of energy that

Almost Spring

Almost Spring

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ”

-Ruth Stout

Although the calendar does not show that it is spring, signs of spring are all bursting forth where I live in the Carolinas.  Daffodils are breaking through the surface of the soil, pink blossoms are covering the trees, and