By Doug Copp Sedona AZ (May 15, 2014) – Would you like to have some fun on your daily commute, clear your head, and strengthen your body? If that sounds good, then bicycle commuting may be the answer and now is the time to get started. The League of American Bicyclists has proclaimed May as National Bike Month.
Author: Contributor
By Ted Grussing … this is what I call a great many birds for lack of knowledge as to the myriad of different species in the neighborhood. Mostly I seek out the beauty I see and the nomenclature is not so important … I mean, the bird doesn’t care, I don’t really care, but I have friends that do care and so I try to learn and remember … when I remember to do so. Anyhow one of my new passions is getting the smaller winged creatures on the fly and in different positions.
By Ted Grussing … One of the fun things with watching and shooting ducks is when they splash around in the water, bathing or just shaking things out for the heck of it … the resulting sprays of water flying into the air and unusual body positions are fun to watch … and they bring a smile to my face. So here is a hen mallard on her back and just getting into whatever it is she is doing.
By Ted Grussing I took this shot last September on a rainy overcast day whilst on my morning walk; a morning glory with a center that appears to contain its own source of sunshine. It would be a welcome relief to have a little bit of that weather as the winds continue to blow across our small part of the globe … keeps me on the ground when I would prefer to be in the air.
By Ted Grussing … for our Mom’s … I got this shot a couple of days ago when I was up at the Chapel of the Holy Cross with friends and it seemed like a good idea to send it out tonight. My favorite in the photo though is the character in a flight helmet and dark flight glasses … just above my signature on the left side of it. What mysterious fable can we come up with to explain it? Have we found Amelia Earhart? Anyhow, it is a fun photo and hope you enjoy it.
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com(May 9, 2014) I’m sure my father didn’t realize what he was doing. He didn’t know, when he called me a dummy or angrily asked, “Who do you think you are?” that he was teaching me to squelch my dreams. So I believed into adulthood that I couldn’t dream big. Thus I stayed in my safe harbor with my familiar goals and activities.
By Virginia Volkman, Library Director Sedona AZ (May 6, 2014) – With Mother’s Day on their minds, some of the Sedona Library Board members recently shared stories about their mothers and a common theme emerged: how all were first introduced to their local libraries thanks to their mothers. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, these individuals share similar childhood experiences at their libraries that are still cherished memories.
By Ted Grussing … a little early, but I took this shot this afternoon in light rain at the ponds and it just seemed so appropriate that it had to go out tonight. Mom has this subtle smile showing love and pride as she gazes down on her flock of ten ducklings and they are looking at her with love and for the protection and guidance that only a mom can give … or so I interpreted the situation … works for me :+) Anyhow, for all the Moms out there, a very happy mother’s day to you.
By Ted Grussing … with some new photos I took in the last few days and listening to the mood altering music, Shamanic Dream by Anugama. Sunday morning while out early morning I took some shots of an Iris before the sun came up … the lighting was soft and restful. Then this afternoon I was out on a late afternoon walk and the beautiful lacey patterns of the clouds in the sky called me to capture their beauty, and I did.
By Ted Grussing One more shot of the confluence before returning to wildlife and such … I took this shot Friday morning with a Canon 1D-X and the 24-70 lens at f5.6, 67mm, 1/3200th, ISO125, in aperture preferred mode and in a 60 degree bank angle which combined with a slight down tilt of the camera gives straight down look at the confluence. One thing you have to consider when doing a shot like this is you depth of field. I took a focus on the island/river which is a distance of approximately 9000’ from my position … the canyon…
By Barbara Mayer, Sedona Resident(May 5, 2014) With more stress prevalent in these challenging times, greater compassion as “People Who Hear The Cries Of The World” must also address those whose cries are seldom acknowledged because of the stigma placed on mental illness. Yet, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four adults experience some form of mental disorder and 20% of teens have severe mental problems.
By Ted Grussing The last time I tried to use a tripod was when Derek and I took a trip to Monument Valley in February … it did not go very well and although I would have liked to emulate Derek’s skillful use of said instrument it was not to be and I abandoned the silly thing and went back to what I have been doing since I was eight years old and that is handholding the camera. I do have three very fine tripods and a monopod and keep them on display so that others maybe will think I…
By Ted Grussing … as successive generations come and go, the young always prove to be a delight … critters, humans, birds … always the marvel of new and precious life. I can’t count the number of emails I get that depict the antics of the young of nearly every species … they are fun and we all know the road that lies ahead for them and delight in the beauty that is youth and innocence. So here is a little flotilla of Mallard chicks freshly hatched and setting out on a great adventure … Mom was nearby though.
By Meredith Clark, Youth Services Assistant Sedona AZ (May 2, 2014) – Summer is coming, and that means no more homework, the pool is open, and the real fun is about to start at Sedona Public Library! Just in time for the Summer Reading Program, the Library is kicking off the Magic Word Book Club for ages 10 and up, with the first meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m. The club’s goal is to delve into and luxuriate in the magic of reading a great story.
By Ted Grussing I have numerous requests to see the blue chalcedony I have been working on as well as some samples of other work I have done. Just decided to take the shot a little while ago and quickly discovered (again) that white wrapping tissue paper does not make a great backdrop for jewelry … oh well, the wonders of the universe came to my rescue and here is one of the two pieces I have finished. It is a freeform triangular piece and the material is very translucent and the color intense.