The congregation’s growing,
singing, strong and loud.
Flying in formation,
just below the cloud.
Now gathering in force,
they head towards the lake
The morning feed is over,
time to take a break.
They’ll be overhead again,
later in the day.
But as the days grow shorter,
they’ll fly away to stay.
A welcome sign of spring,
then again in fall.
They leave as if on cue,
when Nature gives the call.
Sandi Knight
© 2004
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” ~ William Arthur Ward
You never know when actions will lead to opportunity. This past March I found myself preparing for a photo exhibit. When asked how long I’d been planning I replied, “I hadn’t.” It had never been a goal, ambition or something I’d ever remotely imagined doing.
But a simple “Challenge on Nature Photography” invitation — seven nature-themed photos in seven days — on Facebook in January opened a door. Friends and family responded positively to the images I posted and persuaded me to “get busy framing” and show my work. Even though it was in a small boardroom gallery, the thought was daunting, but I knew I would regret not taking advantage of the experience.
Those who encouraged me lent a helping hand and “Out my backdoor” was soon on display. The photographs shown can be seen here. All twenty-five images are unedited and were taken within a mile radius of our home with a simple point-and-shoot camera.
The positive feedback and appreciation was overwhelming. My initial nervousness was soon replaced by gratitude for the chance to share my view of the prairies. Someone commented, “You see what we may miss.”
When I head out for walks with my camera, I do so because I truly enjoy capturing images and moments in time, whether bright and bold, or small and subtle. No matter the season, every day offers something to make me pause and appreciate my surroundings.
After living on the farm for almost 28 years, perhaps I take my vantage point for granted. I didn’t realize so many others would enjoy “seeing through my lens”.
As a bonus to the whole experience, almost half the pictures sold. It is rather humbling to know my work will be hanging in new homes. Previous to the exhibit, I had never framed my photos, only shared them on social media — a trend that will now change.
I am grateful I pushed past my initial fear and trepidation, didn’t wait and let this opportunity pass. It was thoroughly enjoyable sharing the view ‘out my backdoor‘. Now to ponder the question, “What’s next?”
l truly enjoy capturing images and moments in time, whether bright and bold, or small and subtle. No matter the season, every day offers something to make me pause and appreciate my surroundings.
These unedited images were taken with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Mother Nature provides the settings – all I have to do is be in the right place, at the right time. I like to share exactly what I see when I look through the lens.
*Click on the pictures for additional description.
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I love where we live. The prairie landscape is captivating and ever-changing. It isn’t perfect, but does offer many moments of perfection. The best ones are those which catch us off guard – the ones we don’t expect when conditions, as we perceive them, are less than ideal.
Last Tuesday had been relatively mild for the end of February in Manitoba. I was looking forward to a beautiful evening walk, but by late afternoon, the temperature dropped significantly. An uncharacteristic fog rolled in as the sun began to set.
Somewhat disappointed with change in conditions, I headed out with the dog to take advantage of those last few lingering moments of daylight. As we walked along our quiet rural road, the stillness of the evening engulfed us.
The only sounds were my boots crunching in the snow, the tags on the dog’s collar lightly jingling as she trotted along, and an owl softly calling out in the distance. There wasn’t a breath of wind, no traffic in the distance, no planes flying overhead. It was if there were no one else in the world but us.
Some might have found it eerily quiet but the stillness was beautiful, calming, peaceful. Ribbons of fog wove their way across the frozen, snow-covered fields and over the road. As daylight dwindled, a canopy of stars appeared above and the snow moon began to rise in the east.
It was a serene, unassuming evening, the kind you don’t want to end. One you would like to be able to bottle and share, so everyone could experience a touch of peaceful prairie perfection.
North winds howl, snow swirls.
Under night sky mighty hands
create beauty from raging storm.
Morning brings sculpted drifts.
Sun reflects on diamond crystals.
Prairie waves of sparkling white
turn bleakness into brilliance.
Sandi Knight
January 2008
Sandi Knight 