Tiny Queen Carpenter Ant at LaPine State Park (+6 insets!)

(+6 insets!)

The Magic of Being In The Moment
As creative spirits, all of us seek to slip into that special time when we are experiencing the world in a kind of magical flow. We forget about time. We forget about problems. We forget about almost everything…except for what's exactly in front of us, shown through the lens of our camera. Being in the moment is sort of like being one with the universe, I guess. You feel it right down to the bottom of your soul and when you do, all is right with your world. What I've said will sound really weird to anyone who cannot tap into their creative spirit, but to everyone else, you Get It. Makes the world go 'round for us and every one of us--be it Leonardo DaVinci or Ansel Adams, George Carlin or Leonard Nimoy…everyone knows this pinnacle of creatives and we lust for it. Aren't we lucky to be part of that special group?!

Wandering in the Moment with Camera In-Hand
Unfortunately, you can't just flip a switch to get into this creative place. Everything has to be just right. If you're not in the mood, if something's off, there's no way you'll get into that space. I can feel when things are clicking into place and when I do, I grab my camera and pop out of the RV…

Today's Pictures
I felt the smallest sensation of something crawling on me and when I looked on my arm, I was amazed to find a tiny ant with wings--it was a queen! After carefully moving it to the sandy ground I got this picture to share.

Today's Insets
The first is another picture of the beautiful little flowers called Ground Smoke showing bokeh flowers behind. Then you'll see a mushroom that I found on my morning walk. I'm always triggered to look at anything round but I could hardly believe what I was seeing because it was so dry--how could a mushroom possibly grow in loose, dusty soil without moisture? It was also really big--at least 5" in diameter--what a find! I can only imagine it survived on the early morning dew but still, I was stunned. The next couple of pictures show a pine tree's shadows on the side of the RV, and I stood mesmerized as the shadows moved with the breeze. There's something so zen about watching shadows, isn't there? Next is a bone-dry, age-old stump that I couldn't resist photographing…the texture, still-visible radiating age circles and lovely gnarled edges are so wonderful! And finally, the yellowing pine needles of a dying branch were really pretty to me and interesting to appreciate.

Thank You!
Your visits mean so much to me, and totally make my day! Thanks always for your visits, stars and wonderful comments. You guys are the best! :) Have a wonderful day and stay safe out there!

Explored on 3/28/21; highest placement #1.