Keep Calm and Hike On

Normally you would see a hiking blog with lots and lots and lots of photos from my journey. I might wax poetically about what I had seen on the trails or write a line of prose. Two and a half weeks ago a one of my Sony alpha cameras stopped functioning… no extended warranty.  I have two cameras so I felt blessed as many have none and in this economy one is way better than none. Three nights ago the unthinkable occurred my only camera which was a replacement from a failed camera abruptly died stopping mid photo.  Light then sudden darkness. I switched batteries, memory cards, lenses and nothing. Spent 2 hours on the phone with Sony arguing this camera was a replacement as part of an extended warranty and they needed to accept it for free repair. Yesterday a label arrived and I shipped it back. However the comment from the dispatcher has left a small cloud over my head. “If the repair team sees signs you abused the camera they will charge for the repair… but we’ll call you with the price first.”

I had a nearly 10 year old cybershot that I gave to my husband and he has kindly loaned it back. I used it to photograph my camera and the packaging so Sony can’t say the camera was “abused”.  I am always meticulous in the care of my cameras, it still looks out of the box new!

So I wait… I have to my surprise (my Husbands too) been extremely calm. Yesterday I created my own version of the “Keep Calm” Poster… the original “Keep Calm” was a British WWII Poster.  Therapy for the swirling chaos of my soul… I may seem calm but the truth is my new cameras had become an extension of my spiritually self.  I had purchased them with money my Mother left me when she passed away so they had become a connection to her as well.  It is the sense of separation from my art that deeply pierces the tender places in my Heart.  Yes, I am trying to maintain my Mother’s very British stiff upper lip… so I “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

As I stared at my design I realized the trail photo (my favorite) was taken with my old cybershot.   Photos from a camera produced when Sony cared about their products.  A camera that has been through hell the past few years since it left my primary care LOL  Yet still it powers up and functions as if it were the little engine that could.  I wish Sony made their Alpha @55 with the same care as they made their old cybershots…. back when they were made in Japan…

This may be my last post for awhile and I want to thank all the lovely people who have visited and encouraged me… Keep a good thought for me that Sony will do the right thing.
Love to ALL!
Lee

PS YouTube is uploading my videos but they look stretched like a distorted Cinemascope film. I used my facebook Hike Our Planet to upload the video  and it worked.  Please click on this link to see some lovely trails, wildlife and hear glorious song birds. This is the last video footage from my Sony Alphas before they died.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151431436395669&set=vb.262344805668&type=2&theater

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Southern Magnolias line Bath House Row in Hot Springs National Park. From a distance the white blossoms look like popcorn sprinkling the dark green foliage.  Up close the lovely creamy white petals glow in the spring sun.  Sheltered in the leaves baby sparrows await their dad who is bringing them lunch.

Glorious purple Venus Looking-Glass are blooming along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail.  Their star like blooms layer the green foliage with rich color.  Spring grasses ripple in a gentle breeze creating the illusion that the trail is moving. Above me a lovely juvenile Squirrel grooms her still pristine spring fur.

It has been another perfect day in the Forest…

Love to ALL!
Lee

My Husband knows my idea of a perfect Mother’s Day… well to be truthful for any day.  We went for a lovely evening hike and arrived just in time to watch birds gathering their dinner.  Although the light was rapidly fading it would have been hard to miss the red of a juvenile Summer Tanager.  It sang a glorious song in-between scooping up its feast of green Caterpillars.  We nearly missed a beautiful Blue Grosbeak at dusk.  Its deep blue coloring apparent as it landed in the last rays of the sun.

Special thanks to my beloved husband for joining me for this special hike.
Love to ALL!
Lee

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Foraging:
It seems like forever since I had breakfast with a Squirrel.  When I saw this sweet girl foraging in the early morning light I strolled over to see if she would allow me to join her.  She looked up and I knew we were going to get along.  I took my photographs as she allowed me into her space.

Camouflage:
A week ago I saw something shiny in the leaves and tried to photograph the anomaly glinting in the distance.  When I looked at the image on my computer I discovered the source of the shine was from Broad Headed Lizard scales.  On my next hike another shining surface caught my eye in the dried leaves.  On closer inspection I could see only the body of a Southern Coal Lizard as its head and tail were buried.   Now I know of the camouflage secrets of local lizards.

Bountiful Blossoms:
A beautiful field of blue waving in a light breeze greeted me as I headed home. Reaching to the light Baby Blue Eyes alone and in cluster were growing among the tiny Yellow Oxalis. Each blossom had a distinctive color ranging from nearly white to rich purple. They always create a spectacular display.

Have a Lovely Day on the Trails…
Love to ALL!
Lee

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I was heading to a favorite hiking trail when a fight broke out on the street. The combatants where clawing at each other in a fierce battle. I was really surprised and it took me a moment to raise my camera to document the conflict. Who knew Male House Sparrows could be extreme combatants.  Based on the grip of one of the fighters I can see where the term “flipping the bird” comes into play.

Love to ALL!
Lee

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