Quiet morning, Natchitoches, LA

Flying into Alexandria, LA today, I was reminded of how small towns in the U.S. provide the backbone to the U.S. Military. Of the 40 or so passenger, one lone soldier in desert fatigues waited for the flight in Atlanta. Walking from the plane to the small terminal in Alexandria I noticed his 101st Airborne patch and asked if that was his unit. "No," he said "I provide support to them." Where have you been, was my next question.
"Iraq", he said as we entered the small terminal, then there in his arms was his wife and children and the joy of his being home, safe, was all around. Over the past year I've seen soldiers traveling across the U.S. One one flight to Seattle from the east, I waited at the terminal window and watched as a casket was taken from the plane, with an escort and the plane Captain standing at attention as the casket came off the plane.
Too easily we forget what sacrifice it takes to serve in our military. Too easily our politicians forget what they ask of our soldiers when they send them off to war for soon, muddled reasons.

A quiet, small village in the south of France. She had the command of the middle of the street and the attention of others as she passed. I don't know her name, I'm not even sure I caught her eye but she caught mine. I happened past the street, glancing down, it was the first afternoon after arriving in the south of France. I glanced to the right crossing an intersection and there she was, quietly walking my way. I noticed men's heads would turn as she walked past. I suspect she knew this, it wasn't new to her.

Concentration, when the mind and muscle come together to execute.

Some days are like this..or at times we meet someone for whom this is the best response.

  

On Memorial Day, a memory to past friends lost in Vietnam. I hadn't noticed the shadow of the hand when the photo was taken, it seems erie to notice it now as though from the fallen soldier.

The morning light was crisp, the walk down the pier quiet. The house sat, waiting, at the end, with stories to be told.

 The motions and the sounds  It isn't easy to photograph people in low light conditions when there is movement to deal with, but on the other hand at times the movement adds to the illustration of the visual image. It conveys what it was like to be there the moment the image was taken.

Southern France on a late September day

Oh the joy of getting to the top.

 The sound of the wind, the colors against the background waiting to be noticed. 

   Sometimes a "dogs life" isn't a bad life. In a nice coffee shop, the conversation is good, the coffee and deserts yummy and people give me treats. What else could a guy desire?

The parasurfers were enjoying the day north of Malibu. Oh for a longer lens to capture the movement, it's next on my list for an addition to the camera equipment. The Pacific Coast highway is a beautiful drive from Point Magu south and north.

A long trip with a quick turn around. The opportunity to see some of the California coast was calling. After finishing work at mid afternoon, I headed toward Malibu from north of Point Magu. It was a beautiful day to drive along the coast.

 Point Magu, California 

 A bright sky and wandering cloud allows the imagination to engage. 

Knots
The various textures of a recreated sailing ship present many colors, surfaces, angles and shapes.

The Scottish influence at the Highland Games, extends to a variety of expressions.