natureart

Come Together

Today was quite windy throughout midday and early afternoon. I held off from heading out to stone balance, deciding to make a late afternoon start if the winds subsided… Colder temperatures further assured a later start 🙂 I made Indian Creek in Melcroft my destination. FUNky rocks can always be found at this reliable spot as can a beautiful sunset on bluebird days. It took a while to get this worked out. The spine weight was spiraled and micro adjustments were crucial. With the slightest misalignment, this combination of stones would tumble, splashing into the water. Adjusting in the smallest possible increments was the true crux of this build. In the end success was had and the late day and evening presented favorable lighting for beautiful photos and experience.

Featured stone

Originally found this top stone last year. It had a unique beauty that made it shine. I tried using it several ways, but none were ever truly fulfilling. I found it again on Sunday morning…without hesitation I went to work to see if I could illuminate it in a setting as unique as itself. Calm wind and setting helped to see this through. Eventually it succumbed as the winds increased an hour later.

Linn Run 3.26.2016

I did a bunch of creation since my last post, but lacked free time to share…Sooo..I’ll catch up on those at some point. For now here are some photos from a recent outing to Linn Run State Park. Wasn’t really feeling any of the creek flows, so instead went with this little piece of mossy heaven as a creation spot. The sensation of the moss and soft earth around me while balancing this was friendly and inviting. A polar opposite compared to some of my less than comfortable chosen in-creek destinations.

The magic of moss

Details

The green of spring

Creating in Linn Run State Park

Had a creatively wonderful day stone balancing and meeting friends both old and new in Linn Run state park on February 7, 2016

Ohiopyle Jan 31, 2016

Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle State Park draws many visitors throughout the year. It’s a magical little waterfall nestled away in a stone amphitheater easily accessible within a few minutes of the car. Winter can be an especially beautiful time to experience the loud roar and often mesmerizing view of this relatively small waterfall as it snakes it’s way down to the Youghiogheny River several hundred yards below the falls. At the base of the falls is a pool of water that can hold a rare personality in winter. Commonly ice builds up to create a cone at the base of the falls and if cold enough for a prolonged period of time the entire falls freeze. When the timing is right, conditions can be favorable for the kind of backgrounds that appeal to me. The kind that create stunning photos which highlight my stone balances properly. On January 13th I visited the park to create some stone balance art as happens on many occasions. Most of the streams were fully frozen offering nothing in the way of stones to balance. As a last resort, I ventured to Cucumber falls and found that the pool below the falls was open enough for me to work. Stone selection was minimal, but through experience and out of necessity I found what was needed to show a different view of this often visited area. Throughout my time working the melting snow and ice caused a rapid rise in the creek as well as rather hazardous work conditions. Large chunks of ice were coming over the falls and landing very close to where I was working. Between that and the increase of spray from the falls my photography session was complete. I stayed to observe/study the location and environment for future adventures. It wasn’t long before the rising water collapsed my creations and erased the location to as it was before my arrival.

Pennsylvania glaciers? Not really… Ice formations at the base of the falls in the background

Simple tools, simple results

Despite being down a critical piece of equipment, some quality time was spent enjoying the snow and creating some balance prior to the large snowfall that hit our region. For a few days everything’s been under a few feet of snow making time away easier to cope with. The “Frozen” balance was one that was left overnight. The slightest amount of spray from the creek transformed the balance into a an object fixed in the creek. The other three photos are of a different creation that I took a liking to. I used a Nikon D50 (circa 2005) to shoot these photos. The batteries are as old as the camera and have barely enough life to snap a few photos in cold weather. I even used the cold weather trick of keeping them warm with “shake and bake” hand warmers trying to squeeze out as many images as possible. Luck and a small amount of skill netted several decent shots with a nostalgic “old school” digital appearance. Not that they’re worthy of massive enlargement, but they work for social media sharing after the arduous task of removing the hundreds of black dirt specs due to the badly neglected image sensor 🙂 Can’t wait to get a proper camera back in my hands!

Winters arrival

After the storm, Ohiopyle State Park 6_9_2015

A recent lightning storm had me running for cover from Meadow Run creek leaving a started, but unfinished balance. I stashed the rocks and returned the following day to finish what I had begun the day before. A massive top rock finished off what would become a personal favorite for 2015.

Laurelville 3 Stone Magic

Being seated, stabilized and controlling my breathing were necessary to accomplish this. The never ending quest for the most precarious possible combination continues. A day that started out as normal balancing, suddenly became interesting when I began working this combo in a spot where I just deconstructed (knocked over) one that I didn’t find pleasing. After strolling the creek and reflecting for a moment, these 3 stones presented themselves and became… this for a brief moment in time! I snapped a few photos, smiled and watched it topple for no apparent reason. The top rock broke as if to say “you had your moment of accomplishment.” My cue to continue. Pennsylvania balance Love!

Winter, a stone balancing wonderland

During the past week winter has a put a hard grip on the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania. Many of the normal water sources I frequent have become mostly covered in ice. These conditions make the task of delicately balancing stones slightly more difficult, but just as much fun. I enjoy every experience balancing in nature and am always excited to pack a few extra items and heading out to create. Winter is a wonderful time to be out. How can it not put a smile on your face? Everything is blanketed in snow and open areas of water still contain the basic elements. In simplicity, stones and the motivational energy of the natural environment. It’s hard not to be creative when immersed in what winter provides. Yes the elements are real and they don’t go unnoticed. Hands do get wet and cold despite which gloves are worn, toes do get uncomfortable even with toe heaters and insulated waders. These items are necessary allowing me to sit almost motionless in an icy body of water. Usually the cold is noticed after the intense concentration is no longer aimed at the stones which are now in they’re new balanced form, a changed entity with a different appearance from all angles. Along with its independent beauty, winter truly compliments a completed balance and adds a different dimension to photos when compared to those taken during the other three seasons. I enjoy sharing my photos for the world to critique whether is be good or bad. The most important critique is my own… The most valuable part is the time spent alone, learning about myself, the natural elements and being truthful to my passion. Here are balances from my recent outings.

Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Jacob’s Creek, Laurelville PA

Cucumber Run, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Meadow Run, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Jacob’s Creek, Laurelville PA

Linn Run State Park, Rector PA

January 20, 2015 Stone Balancing

I spent a few morning hours at nearby Linn Run state park, PA. It was about 28° upon arrival upstream from the Adam’s falls parking area. The air seemed warm compared to the much colder low teens I’ve been out balancing in recently. I was anxious to get to balancing stones. I found a spot near a pool below some currents that seemed to speak to me. I set my kit down and noticed a very cool ice formation in a small puddle of water beside my packs resting location. It appeared to be the imprint of a fern, but upon closer inspection it revealed to be the early formation of ice crystals. I shot a few photos and started selecting stones to balance. Fortunately I did, because the air temperature warmed up enough to turn the crystals back into liquid form erasing the beautiful formation.

After about an hour of working my chosen stones, I was able to assemble this temporary stone balance sculpture.

KeyStone Balance

Stone balancing by Tim Anderson