Cowan Lake

Around Ohio

Located in the southwestern part of Ohio, Cowan Lake State Park provides boaters and campers alike with beautiful scenery and plentiful fishing. Last fall I spent a few days in a cabin overlooking the lake. Even in gloomy weather, the lake has a beauty all its own.

Cowan Lake

The sun rose directly across the lake from my cabin, reflecting in the rippling water.

Morning Sun

Hot Air Balloons 2

Around Ohio

These balloons were truly held aloft by hot air, rather than a lighter gas such as helium or hydrogen. During the launch, each balloon was partially inflated by a giant fan, until there was enough air to safely ignite the giant propane burner at the top of the gondola.

Liftoff

This brightly colored balloon was one of my favorite. Balloon patterns ranged from checkers to stripes to smiley-faces, but the contrasting blue and yellow on this design made it stand out.

Checkered Balloon

As the balloons disappeared into the blue sky, they almost looked like giant floating mushrooms. The wind speed seemed quite calm on the ground, but most of the balloons managed to disappear over the horizon within ten minutes after launching.

Wild Blue Yonder

Hot Air Balloons

Around Ohio

Last summer, a Grove City park held a show where local balloonists could come and launch their airships. It was fun to take pictures of all the colorful balloons.

The shot below shows the balloons getting ready to take off. The pink balloon in the front, with the eyes and mouth, was called "The Pig."

The Pig

One by one, the balloons sailed away into the sky. The barely noticeable ropes on several balloons kept them close to the ground as they gave short rides to the public.

Balloons

Grass With Sky

Around Ohio

Grass With Sky

These grass seeds stand out clearly against the blue sky.

Sun Through Trees

Around Ohio

Sun Through Trees

I took this picture at Inniswood Metro Park in northeast Columbus. I've been trying to hike on every trail at all of the Metro Parks in Columbus, so on the day I went here I also visited Sharon Woods and Highbanks Metro Parks, walking over 8 miles altogether. The shady woods was refreshing on this hot day.

Lake Erie

Around Ohio

Lake Erie

When I was ten years old, my family spent Thanksgiving at Lake Erie. There weren't a lot of other people around. I guess it was a little chilly. But the colors were beautiful.

Cloudy Day

Mud Valley Memories

Cloudy Day

I was intrigued by this shot. The fuzzy clouds reflected so nicely in the pond below, even though it was a very dark day.

Autumn Sky

Mud Valley Memories

Autumn Sky

This is the same spot without the marigolds. I like the clouds in the sky and the shadow of the hill behind us on the ground. I caught the sun shining directly on the farmhouse.

Grass And Sky

Around Ohio

Grass And Sky

Fueled by a million man-made wings of fire
the rocket tore a tunnel through the sky
and everybody cheered.
Fueled
only by a thought from God –
the seedling
urged its way
through the thickness of black –
and as it pierced
the heavy ceiling of the soil –
and launched itself
up into outer space –
no
one
even
clapped.

—Fueled  by Marcie Hans

Sky Through Trees

Around Ohio

Sky Through Trees

The woods here are a wonderful place to be, full of tall trees and green leaves. I have always liked taking pictures of the sky and I like how this shot came out.

Winter Tree

Around Ohio

Winter Tree

I have always enjoyed taking pictures of trees from this angle. The knobs and branches on this tree create a very interesting effect. I guess you could call it a squirrel's-eye view.

Berries With Sky

Around Ohio

Berries With Sky

It is always fun to discover red winter berries after the trees have dropped their leaves. The crunch of leaves underfoot and the chilly air remind us of the beauty of this winter season.

Blue Moon

Around Ohio

 Blue Moon

And here is a special surprise: after the sunset, the moon appeared. Thanks for taking this walk in the park with me.

Sunset In The Park

Around Ohio

Sunset In The Park

It is always tempting to linger in the park and watch the sunset. I don't usually hang around that long, but on this particular evening, I was at the Metro Park photo group. We were supposed to be doing bird photography, but I guess the birds had all gone to sleep. So I snapped this beautiful sunset instead. I think it makes a nice ending to our walk in the park.

Purple Sunburst

Around Ohio

Purple Sunburst

Now the sun is getting lower in the sky. Our stroll in the park is coming to an end. Catching the sun coming through a bunch of flowers is fun. I thought this purple bouquet made a pretty nice frame.

Trees With Sunset

Mud Valley Memories

Trees With Sunset

This is a very peaceful shot of a sunset over Mud Valley. I can almost hear the twittering of the birds as they settle down for the night. The cool night air would be drifting in over the valley. We might smell leaves burning or freshly-mown grass. I like how the sun lights up the trees.

Sunup

 Pictures From Spring Valley

Sunup

Now the sun has cleared the horizon and is peeking through the tree branches. Pure white glimmers on the clouds and in the snow below. The sun will soon rise above the bare branches to begin another clear winter day.I'd say this sunrise was as thrilling to watch as the one described in my last post's poem by (did you guess?) William Carlos Williams.

Shades Of Pink

Pictures From Spring Valley

Shades Of Pink

Ecstatic bird songs pound

the hollow vastness of the sky

with metallic clinkings—

beating color up into it

at a far edge,—beating it, beating it

with rising, triumphant ardor,—

stirring it into warmth,

quickening in it a spreading change,—

bursting wildly against it as

dividing the horizon, a heavy sun

lifts himself—is lifted—

bit by bit above the edge

of things,—runs free at last

out into the open—!lumbering

glorified in full release upward—

                                songs cease.

(Can you guess who wrote this?)

Morning Breaks

Pictures From Spring Valley

Morning Breaks

Now we move over to other side of the sky for a sunrise. This winter shot accents the dark branches against the brilliant orange sky. All the little tiny branch fingers are visible. I think it's an interesting view of a tree.

Sunburst

Pictures From Spring Valley

Sunburst

I didn't expect to see a nice sunset on this overcast day, but at the last minute the sun peeked out from the cloud cover. It looks like it's about to burst from behind the clouds, as the light streams across the sky and fields. This tree in my backyard frames sunsets perfectly when the sun is at its southernmost point. It's hard to believe it's winter with a sun explosion like that!