November Instagram Challenge - Make It Wild

I don't know if it is the cooler weather, the recent trip to Colorado or the fall festivals, I've attended, but lately I just want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Perhaps I was inspired by a recent article I read about the 30 Days Wild program that is sponsored by the Wildlife Trusts in the UK, a program that encourages participants to get outside each and every day for 30 days in a row.

November is traditionally a month that we really focus on our gifts and blessings and one of those is certainly this wonderful world that God has given us to care for.  Hence, this month's challenge---Wild November. I challenge you to get outside each and every day this month and find something that is photo-worthy. You may need to re-arrange these prompts to fit your particular situation or weather conditions, but if you include the prompt in your caption, we'll be able to follow along just fine. (hint: I generally post the photo caption, then the prompt in all caps, followed by the hashtag, like this:   WILD - #mtwildnovember2017)

So here's the list for this month:

If you are interested in "upping" the quality of your phone photography skills, be sure to check out the handbook, Picture Practice that is offered in my online shop over at www.DotToDotConnections.com/shop. While you are there, feel free to browse through my other offerings as well.

See you over on Instagram!

Pumpking Picking

Even though October is almost over, the pumpkin picking continues. Our first adventure in a pumpkin patch this year occurred in the middle of the month, at the Dixie Corn Maze. On the way out there, we stopped in a nearby cotton field so that Toddler could see how cotton grows.

Once we arrived, he had fun with some crafts and then the outdoor fun began.

There were chickens to talk to,

pig races (which were hysterical, by the way)

and a pony to ride.

There was even a cow train!!  How cool is that!

While the real pony was fun, I think he had just as much (if not more) fun riding the sawhorse and roping the cow.

Everyone thought that was pretty fun!

We rode out to the pumpkin fields to pick out the perfect pumpkin.

As it turns out ToddlerD is quite picky about his pumpkins. "It needs to be little so I can carry it." "It needs to be smooth." "It needs to be all orange; no yellow or green on it."

And did I mention how tricky it is to walk in a pumpkin patch!

There was a beautiful field of zinnias, too, that we were allowed to cut flowers from. I loved that!

(Hay is kind of prickly on bare legs.)

Last, but certainly not least, was the corn maze itself! We wandered through the trails with ToddlerD leading the way most of the time---until it was time to actually find our way out, that is. We let Papaw take over at that point.

What a fun Sunday afternoon!

East Texas Swamp Tour

With fall in the air, Debbie and I set out on another photography adventure last week. Upon arriving at Captain Ron’s Swamp Tours in Karnack,TX for a cruise down the  Little Cypress.

It was a beautiful morning and we were virtually the only ones on the river at the time.

We enjoyed the peace and quiet and just observing the scenery. Although we were in east Texas, it certainly felt like Louisiana as well with the towering cypress trees and Spanish moss hanging from every limb.

While narrating the trip, our boat captain also educated us about some of the flora and fauna. Even after living in Louisiana all of my life, I never knew what gave cypress trees their flare at the bottom. (Can you spot the birds in the next couple of pictures?)

I learned that the flare is created when the cypress knees close to the base fold in and join the tree as it grows. In addition, cypress knees are only produced in standing water, not on land, and will not be adopted by another tree, even if they pop up closer to that particular tree.

As the knees fold in and are incorporated into the tree itself, the flared bottom provides additional stability as it grows.

And have you ever wondered what inspired manufacturers to produce a water repelling products like Rain X and Scotch Guard? According to our guide, scientists were inspired by the water repellency of the leaves of lily pads and lotus.

He splashed water on some to demonstrate the principle that also allows them to float on top of the water.

After our tour, we wandered around a bit until we found the tiny marina café that was recommended to us for lunch.  And I must admit, the fried catfish that I enjoyed was the perfect ending to a great day!! 

The only thing better than inspirational scenery to photograph is having a great friend who shares your passion!