A walk in the woods (several, in fact)

[Piper]

Our annual Festival of the Arts is in full swing this holiday weekend, and all morning yesterday, people kept coming up and asking me if I'd seen "my" photo. I hadn't entered anything into the photography competition, so was confused until I went downtown and saw it for myself.

A local photographer (a pro) captured a shot from a major military funeral a year ago June, in which I piped. I'm pretty prominent in the photo's foreground, but as I don't know the photographer, I had no idea he had taken it. Anyway, I've just received his contact info (I'd love to buy a print), and was checking out his Website. His passion is photographing plants (and small wildlife) indiginous to this area, and his photos are stunning.

He maintains a photo blog on the local nature walks he does, and I thought you guys might enjoy looking through it:

http://www.shortcourses.com/naturelog/index.html

Julie

[Tikva]

I got lost in those pictures. We just got back from camping and I would rather look at pictures of the local woods than try to find and enjoy those things myself. I think perhaps it's the gift of the photographer though, because it was more beautiful than I think things are!! LOL
I want to find some Rattlesnake Plantain now - I love Jewel orchids.... maybe tomorrow. After I take a bath in bugspray....
Thank you for sharing that site Julie!
And where is your picture?? :c)

[Mehera]

Yeah! I wanna see Julie's piping picture. (Crowd grows surly; starts looking for pitchforks....)

[Piper]

Whoa...easy there fellas! The photographer doesn't have it on his site. I don't own a copy (I'm hoping that's soon to change), but even with one, I wouldn't post it without his permission.

The members of the fallen soldier (Chris)'s unit (Army Special Forces) march in the foreground at the bottom of the picture, just ahead of me. I followed with the Army Special Forces Chaplain on my left. Two dress marines were behind us, leading the horse-drawn caisson. The caisson bearing the flag-draped coffin fills the top of the photo (the caisson had just crested a hill in the cemetary), with the Army Special Forces honor guard flanking both sides of the caisson. (The member's of Chris' unit could not serve on the honor guard. It's too emotional, and they don't want to risk someone breaking down and mishandling the casket. It's always soldiers from other units.) Through the caisson's wheels, you can see the riderless horse, with empty boots reversed in the stirrups.

What makes the photo so moving are the two older men beside the road. One is sitting and one is standing at attention, saluting the caisson. Both are WWII vets. They'd marched along with the procession, the 1.5 miles from the church, but the fellow sitting was totally worn out and couldn't stand any longer. Both are wearing their VFW caps.

I'm afraid this description is the best I can offer, unless the photographer is comfortable with a pic being posted. I'll ask, but can't promise anything.

Julie

[Tikva]

It's an honor to be asked, Julie. That's special.

[Mehera]

Very good word picture Julie. I don't know how you can keep your composure and offer your piping services at a moment like that. What a wonderful thing to be able to enhance the feeling and the meaning at such an occasion.

[Piper]

I've often wondered how ministers and priests hold up after consoling and comforting berieved families on a regular basis. Every funeral I pipe leaves me feeling the family's pain for several days. It's a downer.

And yet, I don't regret playing any of them. It's as if, in this single act, I can give more than in any other piping activity. I provide an easel of grief, of comfort, and of remembrance. I feel I'm piping the soul up to heaven.

Playing for close friends is another experience entirely. It's hard to put into words. It's not as tearful as you'd expect - as I would wish. It's just the opposite. My feelings get stuffed into an airless locker and the door gets shut tight. I play, and stare straight ahead - no eye contact, no way! It seems more professional, but it's purely survival.

What's hard is that game face is slow to melt. Once my grief moves into this "gotta do it" mode, it's difficult to retrieve it. I feel inhuman afterwards because I'm the calm, cool self that can comfort and advise. I'm devoid of tears, while I'm bawling inside.

Ok, so, enough on piping! This thread was about neat local wildlife. I declare the hijack over!!!

Julie

[Molly Taco]

OK So you got my eyes all misty.. Good Job girl, giving our fallen heros a great send off. You have to be a rock.
I Loved the pics especially the wood frog in the pool. That was fantastic.
Cin

[Jmoney]

outstanding photography!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Julie, this is so nice. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope he gives you permission to add the photo you so eloquently describe.

Cheers!
BD