More winter magic

During the month of January, I visited one of my favorite winter spots near my home - Viaduct Park.   The main attraction is the Great Falls of Tinkers Creek.   One of the many gems of the Cleveland Metro Parks system.

While visiting, I captured video clips to compose a feel of winter in the park.    Without any music or sound, you can see my work in progress:

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Last weekend, a group of photography friends and I visited the beautiful Stebbins Gulch are of the Holden Arboretum. During the winter, it can transform into a icy, wintery wonderland.

You can view my latest images from Stebbins Gulch at my smugmug web site:

Stebbins Gulch - Jan 21, 2012

Water in Winter

I'm fascinated by water.   The dynamic energy of a moving stream or the calm of a tranquil pond. It doesn't matter, water fascinates me like few other subjects.

Cold winter temperatures and water takes on a whole new dimension - ice.   I'm lucky enough to live in an area that offers many opportunities to watch winter grip water and transform it into magical shapes and textures.

This winter, unfortunately  has been unseasonably warm.    The opportunities for ice have been limited.   Luckily the last few weekends, mother nature has given us conditions to see and experience ice and water together.

The above image was taken at one of my favorite gorge areas - Viaduct Park in Bedford Reservation of the Cleveland Metro Parks.     The water level was very high for this time of year when I visited with some photography friends.   We had a nice mix of flowing water and ice formations.

The great falls of Tinkers Creek forms the backdrop for this beautiful gorge area.  Always a treat to visit in the winter.

You can view my shots from this area on my smugmug page:

Viaduct Park - Bedford Reservation

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I mentioned in my previous blog that I had updated my Cleveland Lake Erie Shore gallery with some sunset pictures.    The above was taken during that evening and the sun was just hitting the buildings before setting for the evening.

You can view the updated gallery at:

Cleveland Lake Eire Shore Gallery - Winter 2012

Cleveland Lake Erie Shoreline

I live near an industrial city that I have seldom photographed.   Recently I had the idea to visit the lake front by the city during some storm conditions.   On January 2, my photography friend Jeff GIbson and I visited during some impressive wind and snow.

The energy from the lake was impressive.    As we scouted the area, Jeff mentioned an area he knew of with abandoned piers.   When we arrived we got an up close impression of the energy and force of the lake.

This past weekend, Jeff and I revisited to try some other photography techniques using long exposures to create misty effects of the water along the piers. 

A fascinating location to observe with the camera.   Jeff and I revisited this location for a sunset, but I still have to process the images.     So stay tuned.

You can view my thoughts from two different moods from the Cleveland Lake Erie shoreline.

Cleveland Lake Erie Shoreline - Jan 2 and 14

Lakeview Cemetery

My exploration of monuments has continued.  The latest is the very historic Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland.   The two most famous people interned there are the former U.S. President James A Garfield and John D. Rockefeller.

The James A Garfield mausoleum is very beautiful, but falls outside of my continued exploration of monuments.   Someday in the future, I will photograph it, but because it has been photographed, by so many people, it doesn't have the same appeal as much lesser known monuments.

To see and learn more about Lakeview cemetery, you can visit there website at:
Lakeview Cemetery Website

My inspiration both at Glendale Cemetery and Lakeview are the beautiful monuments and the sculptures that so capture my eye and camera.





The two images above represent what I really enjoy about many of the monuments. The grace, gentleness and beauty in the monuments really has captured my imagination.

Along with this beauty, I enjoy seeing the intimate beauty that is so special around the grounds.



To view my favorite images from Lakeview Cemetery, you can visit my smugmug web site at:

Lakeview Cemetery Gallery