Great Smoky Mountains
Pathways Through the Forest
As I stood there in the delightful morning chill composing this image, I was concentrating on the water trough that flows water from the creek (barely visible from camera left). Cursing under my breath that “how dare they put pavement so close to all this natural beauty!”, then I thought…wait a minute…exactly what am I looking at here? As you all know, learning to “see” can be a trying and tricky time…and as I reflected on how many different paths I have taken over these many years I realized…that no matter how numerous the paths, they all seem to end up placing me right here where I am. Like the snow that melts and travels down the road, down the water trough, and down the creeks, streams, and rivers…eventually to the ocean and then back up to the clouds. falling as snow and rain, to travel many paths right back to the ocean to start it’s journey all over again. Flowing down many different paths just to do it all over again while assuming different forms as liqied, ice, and snow.
So as they say out west, “Happy trails to you”, and as each of us travel our many paths of life try to remember that while destinations are important, the paths you chose to get there….can be even more exciting than the destinations themselves. Just my two cents worth, hope this makes sense to those who need to hear this (like me!).
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trust Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
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Vivid!!! Cheers Nonoy Manga
September 28, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Gorgeous shot Stan! Wow – and this “ Like the snow that melts and travels down the road, down the water trough, and down the creeks, streams, and rivers…eventually to the ocean and then back up to the clouds. falling as snow and rain, to travel many paths right back to the ocean to start it’s journey all over again. Flowing down many different paths just to do it all over again while assuming different forms as liqied, ice, and snow.” Oh my – talk about depth — very wise and profound to contemplate! You have become philosophical too (is it college?) 🙂 Loved this! xo Robyn
September 28, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Robyn my dear, it takes every single thing I can do to keep up with your amazing work! Your posts are so addictive, and always leave us wanting more and more from you….thank you so much for all you give dear friend!
October 11, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Aww – than you so much for such lovely words today.. here I was basking in your art – and you are too sweet to extend such praise for me. Hoping all is going well in the semester – do you have the English Professor tamed yet? 🙂
October 12, 2012 at 1:19 pm
You’ve got to know I love this shot and your musing about life’s paths. I’m walking a stoney one at the moment, but there is still a lot of beauty around me. The cycles of life are also in my mind these days. Thank you for this wonderful post! You rock!
September 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm
You are such an inspiration Resa! I sincerely hope your paths are beginning to cushion and embrace the beauty you are. Stay strong and alreays stay safe (and nearby to commment on my blog!) xo!
October 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm
nice. the almost over saturated colour really lends itself to the mood you created with this image.
October 11, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Much appreciated Enman, I am planning to break out the 35mm film to try some of these shots again next month (along with the FX digital). Many thanks for your visits and comments my friend!
October 11, 2012 at 10:15 pm
What a beautiful post and so timely for my life as well! Thank you Stan.
November 30, 2012 at 9:02 pm