The Bridge – Photo Heart Connection

Savanna-Sabula Bridge III

Savanna-Sabula Bridge © 2012 Bo Mackison

 There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. ~ Thornton Wilder

When I decide upon my photograph for my monthly Photo-Heart Connection entry, it is often because there is a story connected with it. This month’s photograph follows the pattern.

The Savanna-Sabula Bridge crosses the Mississippi River and connects the island city of Sabula, Iowa to the river hugging town of Savanna, Illinois. I’ve lived in the Midwest all of my life, and have spent many a day traveling the roads that border the Mississippi, but until I crossed this lovely bridge, I never knew there was an “island city” in Iowa. I think of farmland and cornfields when I think of Iowa, not island cities. And certainly not island cities with the character of Sabula.

First, the bridge spans the Mississippi River, then crosses Sheepshead Bay, and manages to find enough land for the bridge supports as it crosses Israel Day Lake, Town Lake, and Dog Wood Lake. Finally we reached the small island-city of Sabula – we were on solid land, for a while.

Sabula has the BEST ice cream sundae I have ever had – and I come from the Dairy State and have had more than my share of ice cream sundaes. The Korner Ice Cream Shop, a tiny walk up, is easy to find. It comes into view just as you enter town from the bridge.

Then we drove the river-side streets of Sabula – old mansions with sit-down-and-rest-awhile-porches, widow’s walks, views of the river life. I imagine in earlier years,, these were quite the places to visit during the warm summer months.

And there’s more. Driving out-of-town toward mainland Iowa, we crossed one more lake, Sabula Lake. And we saw a flock of Great American Pelicans – probably 200 birds, all floating closely together as they churned the waters with their webbed feet, stirring up their dinner. I’m certain I have never seen a single pelican near the Mississippi River, so this was a big treat indeed. (Lots of photo, too!)

But best of all, I shared all these experiences with Sherpa, my hubby, who is always willing to accompany me on a Sunday camera shoot, always happy to check out a new ice cream shop or cross a new bridge. Even after 36 years!

A road trip, the discovery of new wonderful places, and great company. Ingredients for a perfect photo heart connection.

This is a year-long practice with a community of photographers.  As Kat Sloma explains on her blog, Kat Eye View, “Deepen the connection between your photos and your heart and soul by participating in this monthly review of your images, to find the one that best connects to your heart.” All are welcome.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.

The Pattern of Ferns

Ferns in the Conservatory

Patterns of Ferns © 2012 Bo Mackison

The miracle is not to fly in the air, or walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. ~ Chinese Proverb

The ferns were in thick clumps in the conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens, and offered plenty of opportunities to shoot them in different positions, layers, color combinations. This photo ended up as my favorite – very simple, a pair of ferns, side by side.

August Break 2012

Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  The August Break encourages posting a photo, with or without a few words, not a long blog post. Perfect for the month of August.

In a Garden

Dome and Green Plants

Conservatory Dome © 2012 Bo Mackison

Whoever loves and understands a garden will find contentment within. ~ Chinese Proverb

While exploring the Conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens, I could hardly watch where I was stepping, so enchanted was I with the intricate design of the golden struts that supported the glass ceiling of the garden.

August Break 2012

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  She is working through a backlog of photos taken this summer, while enjoying a bit of an August Break.

Week One : New York City.

Staying Dry

Girls with Umbrella in NYBG Conservatory

Girls with Umbrella © 2012 Bo Mackison

Fountain photographed at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. The Conservatory is a National Historic Landmark.

August Break 2012

I am joining Susannah Conway’s “The August Break 2012 – looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and  expectations of blogging”  It’s everyday blogging with fewer words.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  She is working through a backlog of photos she’s taken this summer, while she enjoys a partial August Break.

This week: New York City.

Sunday Series – Oh, the Grasses!

Grasses

Grasses ©2012 Bo Mackison

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Grasses II

Grasses II © 2012 Bo Mackison

The faster one goes, the more strain there is on the senses, the more they fail to take in, the more confusion they must tolerate or gloss over — and the longer it takes to bring the mind to a stop in the presence of anything. ~ Wendell Berry

Grasses III

Grasses III ©2012 Bo Mackison

Growth itself contains the germ of happiness. ~ Pearl S. Buck

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. On Sundays, Bo shares a series of photographs and quotes she finds full of meaning and inspiration.