Peaceful at the Park

There's something so inviting about a park bench.  It says "Hey!  Slow down, take a break and sit for a while."  So I take a few minutes to sit and watch the ripples in the pond, or the kids playing on the nearby playground, or the squirrels scurrying around, collecting nuts and seeds to store for the winter.

I've had some version of these photographs in mind for several years, and a week or so ago I had the opportunity to capture them.  The changing seasons give the trees such a variety of colors, that it's as though Mother Nature is saying "Watch this!  I'm really going to put on a show, and maybe this will hold you until spring when I bring the leaves and flowers back again."  I'm grateful to our local park board for maintaining this beautiful community park, and making it such an inviting place to spend time, either gathering with friends, or reflecting on your own.

"Park Bench by the Pond"

"Peace & Reflection"

"Tranquility"

These photographs and more are available at CricketHackmann.com

Biggs Road ~ October 2011

We travel this road to get to one of the fields we farm...and over the last several days I kept telling myself that I needed to take it's portrait.  Today I did!

Home Sweet Home

Not particularly well-composed, but I wanted to fit in both trees and the house.  If you get out your magnifiying glass, you can just spot Mollie, our beagle, on the front porch.

October Sky Through the Trees

The sunlight filtering through the leaves make them almost glow this morning.

Howard Turner Barn in Autumn

This barn is all that is left of the Howard Turner Farm, at the end of Myers Lane.  I can remember when there was a two-story house situated to the right of this barn (out of the picture frame), but it was torn down years ago.  I'm pretty much a sucker for barns, they are one of my favorite photo subjects...so there will be more to come, I'm certain.

The Show-Off

Even amongst the other trees, this one seems to be showing off.  There's one in every crowd, isn't there?  :-)

Fall on Myers Lane

I took a "leaf-peeping" trip down Myers Lane this morning, and wasn't disappointed!

Heading west, with the morning sun at my back.   :-)

Capitol View

The north side of the Missouri State Capitol, the side that overlooks the Missouri River. I guess technically this could be considered the back of the capitol building, but each of the four sides is beautiful....one side doesn't outshine the others!

The Governor's Mansion

Built in 1871, the Governor's Mansion is a combination museum and home to Missouri's "first family." Inside it has a gorgeous curving "unsupported" staircase, which is truly an architectural wonder. Original oil paintings of all of Missouri's first ladies adorn many of the walls of the first floor.

For anyone interested in learning more (and seeing more) about the Missouri Governor's Mansion, you can visit this website: http://missourimansion.org/

By the way -- this is the beginning of a series of photos that I took in Jefferson City, Missouri. Most of them will be of the state capitol building and it's surroundings. This is a change from my usual type of photography, but it's fun to change things up sometimes! :-)  

Somebody Has to go First

We have two Autumn Blaze soft maples in our front yard, and I always enjoy their crimson color in the Fall. This is our first red leaf of the season....I'm sure the rest won't be too far behind. :-)