Medical Office Building Photography Project

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

This Sunday, I accompanied the architect (Don Little of Little + Architects) to a three story medical building, that he designed for two orthopedic surgeons, to shoot the interior for him and the doctors.  The building was recently completed, and the doctors moved into the third floor in late March.  The building contains five of my photographs, printed on aluminum and box framed, and hanging in the first floor lobby and on the third floor.

Below are photographs of the first floor main lobby.  The two photographs in the lobby were taken on the Hazel River near Sperryville, VA and are 4′ wide by 6′ tall.

Below is a photograph of the doctors’ patient reception and waiting area on the third floor.  On the far wall are two photos that I shot at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  Although they look small, they are 4′ wide.  Notice the very unique and contemporary design, by Don Little, of the front desk.

 

To the right in this view (above) is another photo shot on the Hazel River.  It is a smaller (3′ x 2′) version of one of the first floor lobby photos.  Through the entry doors (upper left corner) are two more of my photos hanging in the entrance hallway.  A photo of these images is below.

It was a very rewarding project working with Don, the doctors and their business manager, that is not quite over since additional images will eventually be selected and printed for the second floor.

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Last of the Virginia Bluebells

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Since it is raining here today and, therefore, not a day to be outside shooting photos, I processed my photographs from Wednesday afternoon at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area.  The bluebells had reached the peak of their brief flowering period for this spring/year.

Many of the photos from Wednesday are different from my other recent visits to Merrimac to shoot the bluebells, because the clouds opened up to allow a little sunlight, and there was blue in the sky instead of gray clouds.  Of course, the blue sky only appeared as I was leaving, but I managed to get some shots with the blue sky in the background.

Also of interest was a single bluebell plant with white flowers.  Virginia Bluebells with white flowers are very rare.  I did see several bluebell plants with pink flowers among the many thousands of blue ones, but only one with white flowers.  Unfortunately, the bluebell plant with the white flowers was not a very full or large plant, but nevertheless, it was exciting to see at least one.

I created a new gallery on my website for Wednesday’s bluebell photos.  The gallery is located at: http://stabone.com/p50310920  The bluebell plant with the white flowers is last photo in that gallery.  Below are a few of the photos from that gallery.

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Virginia Bluebells at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Yesterday afternoon, I met a friend (Ernie Sears) at the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area to shoot the Virginia Bluebells.  I was there last Saturday morning, but could not resist going again to see and capture this very special event–the bluebells only flower in the spring for about two weeks.

Ernie and I had the 300 acre Farm to ourselves, just as we did Saturday morning.  It was cool and overcast.  It had rained overnight, and the ground/floodplain where the bluebells grow was very wet.  Just like Saturday, there were acres of Virginia Bluebells in small and very large clusters predominantly along and on the banks of Cedar Run.  They grow there because the soil along the creek is very rich from when the creek rises and deposits sediments and nutrients.

I kept saying to myself and to Ernie, when he was nearby, how amazingly beautiful it was to see, and how I not only appreciated the opportunity to see the bluebells, but also to capture them digitally.  The contrast between the rich green foliage of the bluebell plants and their brilliant blue flowers against the otherwise stark leafless trees made for an incredible sight and a perfect photo opportunity.

Below are a few new images from yesterday.  They only capture some of the beauty.  You had to be there to really appreciate the sight, as well as the sound of Cedar Creek flowing rapidly from the rain and of numerous birds chirping and singing in the background.

More photos from yesterday can bee seen at:  http://stabone.com/p1007343060

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Leesylvania Sunrise

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Rather than go to work today, I stayed home to practice for eventual retirement.  I got up before six, quickly loaded the gear in the car and went to Leesylvania State Park on the Potomac River, about 10 minutes from the house.  We are fortunate to have such beauty so close.

It was heavily overcast, but with slight breaks in the clouds and some orange in the horizon where the rising sun was lighting up the clouds.  I have gotten more spectacular sunrise photos from this location, but today’s were special because they have a bit of an eery look to them, and because some have the bright green color of the new leaves that is beginning to appear in the trees.  The vibrant green is such a welcome sight after the cold almost colorless winter.  Below are a few photos.  More can be viewed at: http://stabone.com/p1051009794/h392dab6c#h392dab6c

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Sunday after Assisting at the Bluebell Festival

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

I spent most of Sunday at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area assisting the Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) with their annual Bluebell Festival.  I helped by being a “Tour Guide,” which meant that I either assisted or led a group of people walk a one mile trail (round trip) to see the bluebells along Cedar Run.  My last tour was a solo, leading about 30 Cub Scouts and their families.  They and I were worn out by the time we returned.  Actually, I guess I was much more worn out than all of the scouts and their brothers and sisters who accompanied us.  Some of the trail was very muddy from the rain on Friday, but that did not deter the scouts.  Rather than follow my instructions to walk around the mud and standing water, they walked and jumped in it!  I believe they enjoyed the mud as much, if not more, than the bluebells.

As a side note, I enjoyed meeting the other people who volunteered their time to assist the PWCA with this event, which helped to raise funds (donations) to support the operation and mission of the Conservation Alliance.  I intend to get more involved and help in other ways to assist the PWCA in accomplishing its very worthwhile mission to conserve, preserve and restore local waterways and natural areas.

After getting home late in the afternoon, I noticed an osprey flying around the lake.  I mustered up enough energy and grabbed my camera, ran down to the dock and was able to get a couple decent shots of the osprey perching in a tree above the lake, as well as when it flew down toward the water.  Two photos of the osprey follow.

Later as the sun was lowering in the sky, I was able to photograph a Downy Woodpecker in a tree near the lake, as well as an American Goldfinch.  The setting sun highlighted the woodpecker as it peered around the tree.  The goldfinches have been interesting to watch this spring, as with previous springs, as they gradually change from their winter plumage to the bright yellow that they wear until late fall.  You can see in the photo below that the Goldfinch’s feathers are not completely yellow yet.

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