Archive for March, 2009

Simple

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
~ Albert Einstein

Sometimes the heart is moved by the simplest things. Because in those simple, unobtrusive elements of creation the soul finds deep solace and recognition of the creative powers of God.

I can’t think of a way to put it any simpler than that.

The new crescent moon of the 4th month of the Islamic year – Rabi’ Ath-Thani 1430. The new spring moon of 2009, it is as simple as it gets.

New Crescent of Rabi Ath-Thani, 1430

New Crescent of Rabi' Ath-Thani, 1430

Peace – Youssef.

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The Last Of Winter

On Wednesday afternoon I decided to take a hike on the very last day of winter. The buzz is that the wildflower bloom this year is early with flowers blooming up and down the state, maybe not as extensive as in years past but definitely blooming. On a good year, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, the place where photography first took hold in my heart, is THE wildflower location on the San Francisco Peninsula and I wanted to see if anything had started there.

It was a day where you did not know where you ended and the sky began. The air was so soothing that you could not tell that you were actually outdoors. It was perfect. As I hiked along I realized the flowers were nowhere to be found. But nonetheless, the hike was great and the scenery, as always, was comforting.

At about one mile into my hike I detoured and headed to the ancient oak grove that resides on Russian Ridge. As I approached the grove, the sun was getting close to the horizon and I realized that this was the very last day of winter – March 19th, 2009. It was as perfect a sunset as one could hope for.

Winters Last Sunset

Winter's Last Sunset

I then noticed this live oak basking in the last rays of the winter’s sun. It was backlit and was poised against a distant hill that was in the shadows. It immediately caught my eye and I dropped my pack and pulled out the Large Format camera and began to work. Once I finished I also captured this image digitally as this oak was still waiting to leave. Still in its winter slumber, the early warm temperatures and life giving rains were not enough to coax the leaves to come out – but I am sure they will be out to play in the sun very soon.

Waiting To Leave

Waiting To Leave

I then turned to the sun, that golden warm torch in our sky as it sank lower in the western sky I waited until it was just moments away before it bid us, and winter, a farewell and tripped the shutter once more.

Last Moments of Winter

Last Moments of Winter

Then I just stood there and watched the sun slowly vanish beneath the horizon – silently and without any fanfare. And suddenly, the last of winter was gone.

The air, laden with moisture, began to chill as the cold wind off the Pacific raced up the canyons and ravines filling it with a delicate mist that began to enshroud the mountains below me in mystery. Mixed with the final rays of the sun, the mountains blushed as Spring began knocking on the door asking to be let in.

Blushing In Pink

Blushing In Pink

Light has always amazed me. It is everywhere in our world as it surrounds us, but at the same time it is invisible until it interacts with the objects in front of us. Then those objects reveal their many shades, tainted if you will, by the light that showers them. Sometimes they glow while other times they come on harshly and force us to look away as if they are trying to tell us to leave them alone. No matter what however, without light they could not manifest themselves for us to see. Without light we would be in perpetual darkness, lost without direction or the courage to step forward. Blinded and bereft of the beauty that appears due to light’s countenance. As spring is now upon us, the days will soon be vibrant with new life basking in the warm light and calling us to come out and play. Let us join the beams of light as they mingle with the Earth and be happy, we all need that.

Peace – Youssef

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Signs of Spring

We are about 10 days away from the vernal equinox.  It is a refreshing time – a time for new beginnings and great hope.  And for about the past 10 days in the midst of rain and turbulent weather, the signs of spring have been present.  We don’t have to go far to find it and enjoy all that it has to offer.  Just a few steps from my studio door, the first signs of this wonderful season in my neighborhood can be seen and enjoyed.

First Signs

First Signs

 

These wonderfully vibrant yellow clover blossoms are almost everywhere I look these days.  In front yards, around trees, along the curb line and in garden flower beds, these near fluorescent flowers just glow with new life.  They love the warm sun.  Without the warmth of the sunlight or in the absence of the sun altogether they just close up and hang down.  I decided to get up close and personal with these lovely little flowers yesterday afternoon and was amazed at what I saw.

Getting Close

Getting Close

They glow so brightly that they just bring on a smile.  The slightest breeze can move them and this tried my patience greatly for the time I spent with them.  But looking closer yet, the detail that they hold starts to really astonish the eye.

Closer Still

Closer Still

The closer I looked the more amazed I became.  From fine ridges on their delicate yellow petals to the green spirals that lead into the center to the fine stamen and pistils and the ever important pollen dust lingering in wait for the wind or an insect to come and preserve future generations to come.

In The Center

In The Center

Just as I started to ponder on that, I heard a buzz.  I looked up from the camera’s viewfinder to see a lone honeybee had decided to visit the very patch that I had been photographing.  Now you would think that with the great technology of today’s digital cameras that capturing this bee in a photo would be easy.  However, I was using an older manual focus lens – yeah I know call me crazy, but how often does a tree or rock just get up and start running away in a landscape that I would need a fast auto focus lens?  Anyway after burning many pixels I was able to capture this little guest of the clover coming in for a landing and the subsequent meal and pollination that took place.

Landing Approach

Landing Approach

The Sip of Nectar

The Sip of Nectar

All Through

All Through

 

It was a very awe inspiring interaction to witness.  This little bee flying in from who knows how far away to visit these little flowers and to feed on the minute amount of nectar that they produce.  And in the process it secures the existence of future clover plants to come in the coming spring of NEXT year!  These flowers exist, not for the pleasure of the onlooker, or for the sake of the bee, but only for the survival of itself.  It is astonishing to see the contrast between how a plant selfishly secures its future compared to how we greedily attempt to secure ours.

While we rake each other over the coals and throw one another under the bus to accumulate more wealth and leave the rest for dead, the flowers give much more than they receive and sacrifice only themselves once pollination is complete.  From the vibrant colors to the sweet perfumes that lure the bee and us to them, to the honey that results from the bee’s hive which feeds thousands of immature bees to sweetening our foods and drinks, the simple little clover – the unsung hero of the spring flower world – goes nearly unnoticed and regarded as a weed – how sad. 

Would that we could be so giving as the clover.  How many great things could we achieve?  In this wonderfully hopeful season when life renews and Mother Earth is glowing with this new life, I think it would be well worth our time in our human realm to foster growth and prosperity by helping each other get through this difficult time in our lives.

Peace – Youssef Ismail

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2009 Organic Light Photography Workshops

The 2009 workshop schedule is now online at the Organic Light Photography website.

This years schedule includes

California Desert Wildflowers: April 17 – 19
Redwoods and Seascapes: May 22 – 25
Marin Coast and Headlands: July 17 – 20
Tuolumne Meadows Spring: July 24 – 27
Big Sur Coast: August 21 – 24
Eastern Sierra Fall Color: October 2 – 5
Maples and Redwoods: October 24 – 26
Autumn in Yosemite Valley: October 30 – November 2

For more information on these workshops and to register ONLINE! visit the Organic Light Photography website Workshop Page Today!

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