Finding "Art" In Strange Places

I've been walking in the area a lot more lately. Walking up and down a nearby street with a steep hill in preparation for some hiking later this month. As I walk along, things tend to catch my eye "oh, that might be a cool photo" or similar thoughts. Now with the iPhone, I sometimes actually stop and take the shot.

I've walked by this bicycle a number of times over the past couple weeks. It was placed out for trash pickup but was not noticed and didn't get picked up. It reminded me of various sculptures and such I've seen over the years. (See "Boulevard of Broken Things") I ended up taking photos a couple different days.

This week, it was suddenly gone. I'll miss it. In the meantime, here are my two favorites.

Modern Art is Trash

Modern Art is Trash II

The Joy of Oversleeping

For much of nature and landscape photography, the general rule is be early...earlier than you think is early.
Stay late, later than you think is late.
Many types of wildlife (I'm thinking birds right now) are more active at the crack of dawn and then again at dusk.

For landscapes, nice colors, skies, and shadows are also more prevalent during the "golden hours" just before and after sunrise and sunset.

With those thoughts in mind, I set my alarm to get up early and get to the Magee Marsh boardwalk shortly before sunrise and hopefully see some birds.
Except I forgot to hit save. So I woke up just minutes before sunrise, 45 minutes later than planned. I rushed out the door of our hotel for the 25 minute drive, the sun was already on the horizon. And then, a mile down the road I saw this:

Port Clinton Lighthouse at Sunrise, Port Clinton Ohio

I still managed to be the first one at the popular birding boardwalk, and did capture a few bird photos, but the photograph that made my day was that sunrise.

Cape May Warbler, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Great Egret, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Green Heron, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area