THE HUNT FOR THE BLUE HERON (Part 1)

I was out shooting last week, trekking along the muddy banks of the Rappahannock. Not looking for anything particular. Just wanted to take some nature shots. A flock of four geese (do four geese make a flock?) settled in the water and I quickly changed my lens to get closer shots (it was cold and I wasn't about to wade through the water). They moved upstream (maybe downstream) and I started to follow.

I'm watching them, watching the slim path ahead of me, when I see him (or her). The beautiful curved neck of a crane hiding in the brush along the bank. Maybe 10' away. I moved slowly, quietly, telepathically telling this majestic bird to wait, to stay still. Suddenly his neck stiffened. He became cautious, tense. He took flight.

The elusive blue heron had eluded me again. All I got was a continual blur across the sky.

The hunt continues.

MY FIRST TIME

Made you look.

My first time...we all have firsts. Mine is my first solo exhibition which is currently taking place at Congressman Rob Wittman's Fredericksburg, Virginia office. This is a very exciting moment for me. The office wanted something new on their walls and as Rep Wittman represents Fredericksburg (in Virginia's 1st congressional district), they were looking for images that do the same.

Well, fortunately, Fredericksburg is one of my favorite haunts. Old town is phenomenal as every time I go there I seem to find something new to shoot. I've lived here for somewhere around seven years; been roaming old town for about five.

The viewing process for selection went from basic art I've found in old town to photos that best represent the area. It was a matter of digging into old folders and finding images that don't make the website. Why don't they make the website? There's nothing wrong with the images, it's just that I do a lot of close up shots that I know represent Frederickburg, but that no one else knows represents Fredericksburg. These are the shots that hit the site. The others stay in folders in the darkroom. Nothing wrong with that. These are images I just don't believe would sell. Well, after having a heart to heart with my business adviser and working with Rep Wittman's office, I've concluded otherwise.

How did I rectify the problem? I made a new gallery on the website called Haunts. This is an area where I put those shots of favorite places I hang out. It gives me room to put up local images to share with visitors and potential clients. Currently Fredericksburg and Richmond take the honors. But, in the big picture, I'll be traveling a lot more.

Below are a few of the images that are in the exhibition. If you've ever been in old town Fredericksburg, you'll recognize many of them. If you've never been to old town, I encourage you to visit.

THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER

This is probably one of the most photographed and painted images in Fredericksburg.

FREDERICKSBURG CITY HALL

I just loved the way the shadows hit the lettering on the building.

FREDERICKSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH

Old town has many churches and you'll see the steeples as you roam the streets.

HORSE & CARRIAGE

I think old town still offers carriage rides. The horses are beautiful. If you can't take a carriage ride, go for the trolley. It's a great tour.

FREDERICKSBURG CIRCUIT COURT

I seriously thought this was a church steeple. As I was putting the presentation together for the show, I Google mapped the area to find the streets of the landmarks and learned this wasn't a church. It's a fascinating steeple.

 

 

CIVIL WAR CANNON

 Located at Marye's Heights, this is the location of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. A lot of history at this site.