Hanging On © 2013 Bo Mackison
“Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.” ~ Mary Oliver
Journal Reflections
A walk in the desert and I experience that same throb, a sense of wonder repeatedly. Walking in the desert is not exercise for my body – I hardly take a step before I stop to listen and look – but exercise for my mind, my soul, my spirit. I hike far enough so that I am there, alone. Only the music of the coyote song or cactus wren accompany my breathing and the racing of my heart.
I discovered something about my photographic habits a couple of weeks ago. Whenever I see something I want to photograph, I ready my camera settings and raise the viewfinder to my eye. If I see what I anticipated, I trill in excitement. Something like “oh, oh, oh” — always in triplicate. I do it without thought. When I hear my unexpected little song, I laugh.
So the coyote, the cactus wren, and the camera lady — we sing together in the desert.
——————
Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is exploring creative photography. poetry, and emotion in a new series featuring desert botanicals.
About Bo Mackison
I know that oh!
These images are gorgeous
Ah yes. I am sure there are a great many of us out there, singing our own rendition of “oh, oh, oh”. Part of our great enjoyment, camera in hand. Thanks. 🙂
So pretty!!
Thanks, molly. You’d love the desert. What a grand, open space it is.
I like your description of walking in the desert. I always felt much the same way about it.
Walking in the desert or walking in the mountains — it seems such experiences add great meaning to our lives, Montucky. 🙂
Huh! I’m with you; photography is (one of) my passion(s). The study of attention is fascinating; love your photos and poetry.
Thanks, Monica. Some of us are certainly smitten with photography. A passion? Oh yes! 🙂
A favorite post, this one. I, too, love the solitude of the desert. The smell, the sounds of silence, of nature. “oh, oh, oh!” I will hear that in my mind every time I see a new photo of yours! LOVE this, Bo.
It’s so true — the desert is such a wondrous place, undiscovered by so many – which adds to its attraction. Places that offer solitude are special, indeed. As for that “oh, oh, oh”, listen to yourself for a while and see it there’s a habit you associate with a great find — it’s kind of fun to notice. 🙂
Love this image and your thoughts, Bo. I understand this:
“Something like “oh, oh, oh” — always in triplicate.”
🙂
Just saw this comment. Wondering if you also photo/sing in triplicate? LOL.
Oddly enough, I do, Bo. Although it’s more like “ah, ah, ah” than “oh, oh, oh” for me. 🙂
🙂