Tag: Photography

Leave the Right Trace

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Whispering Pines Nature Trail at Tyler State Park – Photo by the author

I’ve been wondering, lately, what I’ll leave behind. What mark will I make on the world? Not that I’m planning to kick off anytime soon, but recent events have certainly brought that to mind. When you have to gear up for a Target run like you’re preparing for the apocalypse, it brings home the certainty of your own mortality.

Mushroom Along the Trail – Photo by Andrew Shaw

Andrew and I have determined the safest space for us is outdoors. We might encounter a snake, have to brush off a tick, or bring home a rash from poison ivy, but there’s little risk of inhaling a deadly virus, as long as we keep our distance from our fellow hikers. There’s plenty of room for all outside.

Loblolly Pines at Tyler State Park – Photo by the author

We traveled down Interstate 20, to Tyler State Park. As we grew closer to our destination, the earth beside the highway changed from the blackland prairie soil to the red clay dirt of East Texas.

Hiking Trail at Tyler State Park – Photo by the author

Like many of our beautiful national and state parks, Tyler State Park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. Andrew and I hiked along a trail and climbed steps laid into the ground over eighty years ago.

Steps and Waterfall Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 – Photo by the author

Outdoor etiquette instructs us to be careful, to leave no trace when we hike. Our footprints on the trail, stamped into the dust, will be swept aside by the next traveler. We take nothing but peace from the space. As we trekked along, under a canopy of green, I thought what a wonderful trace the young men of the CCC had left behind.

Whispering Pines Nature Trail at Tyler State Park – Photo by the author

How fortunate our land had Franklin Delano Roosevelt as president during that trying time. When FDR established the Civilian Conservation Corps, he created hope and opportunity, not just for the men who would lend their labor to creating a legacy that would live on past their lifetimes, but for all who would visit the parks in decades to come. The challenge then, for each of us, will be to examine our steps and determine what trace our actions will leave for future generations.

Tyler State Park, Tyler, Texas – Photo by the author

Perspectives on Texas Towns

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Antiques Shop Window Display in Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas

Street Photography Challenge

My husband and I love to travel on the weekends to visit the small towns near our home. Each place has a unique character that reminds me of the diversity within our state. Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas is experiencing a revival of sorts with small shops, breweries, and theaters opening in what were empty buildings. Our overall economy is thriving, but there are reminders everywhere of past financial booms and busts.

Empty Space in Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas— Former Home of Tru-Value

Nearby Denton, Texas is one of our favorite destinations. I snapped the photo below near dusk as we walked from one of our favorite eateries in downtown Denton.

Fenced off Construction Area in Denton, Texas

Classic Car Museum in Nocona, Texas

Three Heads are Better Than One in Waxahachie, Texas

Road Trip Through Texas

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Street scene in Waxahachie, Texas — Photo by Terrye Turpin

Street Photography Challenge

My husband and I live near Dallas, Texas and we are fortunate to have many interesting small towns within driving distance for weekend jaunts. We browse through antique stores and thrift shops and I always bring my camera along, looking for inspiration and hoping for a photo or two that will inspire a story.

Waxahachie, Texas

Skate Land in Terrell, Texas

Sometimes we’ll drive by an interesting place and I’ll beg Andrew to pull over so I can hop out and get a picture. The building above is definitely going to inspire a scary short story.

Comanche, Texas — The Comanche Chief Newspaper office, still publishing the news

Comanche, Texas

Denison, Texas

I love finding these old bicycles propped up outside shops.

Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls — The World’s Smallest Skyscraper

Abandoned Building in Mineral Wells

Haunted Building in Jefferson

I like to use my own photographs whenever possible in my stories, so you might see these pictures again someday.

The Playground

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Photo by Terrye Turpin

Sound of my winter in B&W

Within My World

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An Alien Life Form?

Texture Challenge

Roses Are Red and So is This


Map of a Foreign Land?


A Face for All Seasons


Can you Guess my Favorite Color?


Cry for Justice

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Oklahoma City National Memorial at night. Photo by Terrye Turpin

Patriotism

“Team 5
4–19–95

We Search for the Truth
We Seek Justice.
The Courts Require it.
The Victims Cry for it.
And God Demands it!”

  • Graffiti spray painted at the bombing site by members of Rescue Team 5

A Day at the Lake

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Lake Mineral Wells State Park

I was excited when Sherry Kappel announced this challenge. I love black and white photographs, the texture of the subject comes through so well. It was perfect timing too, we traveled to Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway in Mineral Wells, Texas last weekend for a night of camping and I still had these pictures on my camera. The challenge gave me the incentive I needed to get them on my computer and edit them.

Hiking trail at Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Our first night at the state park we hiked along a trail in the dark. The photo above was taken during the following day, but the black and white print gives you an idea of what the trail might look like at night when colors are less visible. We had flashlights, and since the trail ended in a loop there was little chance of getting lost. Still, it had a bit too much “Blair Witch” feel for me, and we ended the hike early.

Rock Face at Penitentiary Hollow in Mineral Wells

Penitentiary Hollow at the state park is the rock climbing area. I didn’t try it, preferring to stumble along the ground instead.

A little cove, perfect for launching a canoe or kayak

The lake is perfect for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. There’s no skiing, tubing, or jet skis allowed so the place is calm and quiet.

Thanks again for this challenge, it’s always a pleasure to share and see what everyone posts!

Nature Calls

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The Bridge at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Photo by Terrye Turpin

The Artist Challenge

The first three photographs, the bridge, the concrete trail, and the pond, were taken with my little point and shoot Sony Cyber-shot using the “Painting” filter on the camera.

The Concrete Trail Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Photo by Terrye Turpin

The Pond Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Photo by Terrye Turpin

The photo below is a slightly different view of the pond at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, without the “Painting” filter and edited to black and white.

Photo by Terrye Turpin

The photo below was taken at Guadalupe Mountains National Park with my iPhone 6 plus, and edited with the Waterlogue app on my phone.

Photo by Terrye Turpin

Finally, a self portrait, taken with my iPhone 6 plus, and edited with the Waterlogue app.

Self Portrait by Terrye Turpin

I look much younger in watercolor.

Once for Yes and Twice for No

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Photo by Terrye Turpin- seen in an antique store in Denison, Texas

“Do you love me?” she asked.

“Clap once for yes and twice for no.”

He froze, too long considering his reply.

Photo by Terrye Turpin — Denison, Texas

The Guardian

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To her chagrin, she discovered that the entrance to the underworld was not guarded by Cerberus, the monstrous three-headed dog, but rather by a small, disgruntled toad.