Hanging Around © 2012 Bo Mackison
Sometimes it is the simplest things that can bring joy. I was watching several acacia seedpods dangling from a young tree at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum a few days ago. My camera, set on a tripod, was set up next to me. Two boys, maybe 8 and 5, came bounding towards me. They stopped at my side and looked at the tree.
“What are you looking at?” the older boy asked me. He had a small camera dangling from his wrist and began twirling it in circles. Perhaps it was his pre-photograph warm-up exercise.
“Oh, I’m watching these acacia seeds. They are moving in the breeze. I was thinking about the photograph I want to take.”
The older boy stared at the seeds a moment, obviously confused. But the younger boy appeared to understand. He pulled at his brother’s shirt, dragging him towards the women waiting for them. “C’mon, Jay,” he said, giving me a backwards glance. “She’s just hanging around.”
Yep. Me and the acacia seedpods. We’re just hanging around.
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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Sometimes Bo hangs around, and sometimes she takes photographs, too.
About Bo Mackison
Well you do know that the answer is blowin in the wind. The Acacia seeds are certainly in tune with that.
Fun story. Do people often ask you what you are photographing?
Yes, especially younger kids. Mostly, the adults look and look, but most are reluctant to ask me what I am photographing. But they sure do try to figure it out. 🙂
LOL Gandalf! Great story – kids are a blast. Most folks either avoid me or gawk. One or the other.
I kinda like the gawkers–wondering what that crazy lady sees in a dried up seed pod or a sidewalk crack. Ha ha! Debi — I KNOW you take photos like this, too!
What a touching, important story. About little boys, about photography. About what you see when the word is viewed through a lens.
Yes, it was sweet the way the younger boy thought it was perfectly OK to Hang around. Talking to little boys about what I photograph seems to be one of the side benefits of this photo job!
Wonderful story Bo. I just read it out to my family too, I loved it so much. I agree with Quinn, it’s an important story. I hope the youngest boy stays as in tune with life as he is at this tender age. 🙂
Thanks, Joanne. I love that you shared it with your family.
Out of the mouths of babes!! Love this little story..it made me laugh!
I laughed too. Kids that age are so curious, it’s a great age.
lol! Great story, Bo. I love the idea of a pre-photograph warm-up exercise. 🙂
He was so cute, Robin. Can’t you just imagine him twirling his camera around like a yo yo on the end of a string?