Tag Archives: journey

Photo of the Day – Fire Ants in My Pants

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I have a point and shoot camera from 2008. It has no bells and whistles, barely turns on due to constant inhumane abuse and takes meh pictures. It does shoot Macro. For non-camera people, macro makes details kept in focus while the background looks out of focus, giving the image a depth. With my camera if you want to achieve this you have to go really, really close to the subject.

 

Fire Ants, Really Far Away from My Pants - California

These are my subjects. It’s a hot, sweltering day in California, just outside one of the various Spanish Missions that were set up throughout the state in the 18th century. My eye caught these little critters milling around, seemingly aimless, around their hole of a home. Dare I? I dared. Holding my breath, because that for sure will defend me from their painful bite, I jumped into the centre of the melee, making sure as to not crush any of these vicious pint size red bullies. SNAP SNAP SNAP and dash, I was down the dirt path, faster than it takes a Canadian to name all the US states (if he can…I sure can’t). Did I get a good shot with my camera that is Lumiere Bros not certified. You be the judge. Was it worth it? Well, the tyke tourists and school students who weren’t too keen to learn the history of the place, sure did have a snicker at the Jesus like fellow running with quarterback speed in no apparent direction. Happy to be of service.

Photo of the Day – A Dedicated Bench

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The morning had been spent with a lovely family that I was staying with just outside of Raymond, Washington. When I waved goodbye, it was not just to those people, but to that landscape. Biking through mudflats lined with small towns with restaurants advertising the oysters that made the area famous, I felt that something foreign was near at hand. I had to think a bit, gather my thoughts, sort out what was happening. I found the perfect place to do so. In a non-distinct town, on a bench, that if you looked over your shoulder while sitting on it, you’d be met with the blinkless stare of chocolate cows munching on all things green across the river.

A dedicated bench, facing an unnamed town

 

Not just any bench, a dedicated bench to the beloved town historian. If I had met him, I think my first question would have been “what town?” After I got over the sting of the deserved slap I would incur, I would have shook his hand in honest respect for being so dedicated to keeping this random part of nowhere’s history alive, written down and accessible. Maybe that’s why he was so beloved and had this bench put where it was. The bench presented a view of the unique character of this place, distinct from everywhere else, something that Ol’ Gilbert respected and knew was worth preserving. I sat and smiled at the tradition, the cows, the honest to God identity of this special piece of yummy cake.