Shaker Road Pond Life

Today (Friday, July 15) I ran late in the day. These pictures were taken in the late afternoon on the course I most often run: Shaker Road. About 1.3 miles into the run, there is a pond with much plant (and animal) life. The first image comes just after the woodland entrance to Shaker Hills golf course about 1/4 mile away from the pond life. The final picture comes at mile 5.5 on the 6 mile run. Data for (yes) tonight's run is as follows: 6 miles in 54:20. I ran at an easy 9:03 pace per mile. Part of the delay in my getting to the run had to do with a VAST amount of time spent on taking better pictures of tonight's full "Buck" Moon. Although I learned several new things about using my camera in night scenes, I will hold off on posting these since they are more experimental than beautiful

Lilly pads with white flowers [below]. Picture taken with macro (close up) setting while standing on a slippery log in the water. This composition was approximately 18 inches away from the camera lens.

This red-berried shrub with delicate, green leaves in strong late afternoon sunlight caught my eye. I've not been able to identify it yet, but for now it will be my nameless woodland red-berried plant.

I took this photo below of Staghorn sumac (not poisonous) at close range [12"]. I learned that these berries have many uses, one of which involves making lemonade!

This image of what appears to be leaves and leafless branches against a light blue clouded sky is actually a complete reflection in the pond's smooth water surface.

This narrow vertical image of blue-violet flowers [found below the water's reflection was configured to be narrow with the camera itself. No cropping in other words. There is so much to be learned about cameras and photography! (and now, as I discover "nature" on the run, plant identification as well!) This tall, plant will be added to my growing list of nameless varieties for which I think I will develop some "to-be-identified" list soon. I'm thinking my list may consist of my own names / descriptions, rather than the "correct" botanical or common names.

This final picture is of something we may be more familiar with. It is variegated Hosta. I liked how the leaves looks so healthy with vibrant light and dark greens. On close observation, flower stalks can be seen with budding light violet flowers at their tops.