Photography – Susan Joy Clark

Wildlife Whisperer (Or Not), #Haibun, #Haiku

Today, as we greet the summer, the clouds look like puffs of cotton in a field of blue. Deep pink roses bloom in the garden, and yellow coreopsis peek out from among green growth along the picket fence. As I stand on the steps, a brown blur moves in my peripheral vision, taking shelter in the shrubs. I think it is a chipmunk, but a part of me thinks my eyes deceive me.

I slowly descend the steps and spot a small bunny hopping along the neighbor’s property across the street. I stalk him in my slippers, trying not to appear stalker-ish, hoping he will submit to be the subject of my photography. I plod across the street without looking towards the creature. I have the leisure to do so as there is no traffic at the moment. My bunny is not an easy photography subject. He leaps, jaunting his hindquarters with its white tail into the air, as he moves further from me. I satisfy myself with a distant shot, a lot of zoom and a grainy photo.

little brown bunny

seeks white clover to nibble

and freedom from view

I think back to two days ago, walking Luce around the block. Lately, I spot deer almost every time I walk in our suburban neighborhood.

A deer in my front yard, but not the same deer from my story.

I spotted a deer grazing in a neighbor’s yard. He and I make eye contact, while Luce concerns himself with sniffing things close to the ground. The deer is a youth perhaps, lacking both the spots of a fawn and the antlers of a buck. We stand a few feet apart, and he does not move away from me. I speak to him very soothingly as we look at one another, “Hello honey. You are very nice. Don’t worry about Luce. I don’t think he’ll even bark.” I was wrong. Luce turns his head towards the deer, and he does bark. I step over the curb into the street with Luce to keep the peace between us.

A little ways down the street, Luce and I return to the path and continue our way down the hill. I make small talk with a couple across the street, also walking a small dog. I mention the deer, unconscious of what is happening behind me. “It follows you,” the wife said. The deer had been following in my footsteps, taking the path behind me. I made a friend, it seems. Perhaps, if I had been dog-less, it would eat from my hand?

a peaceful young deer

shows no fear of human friend,

an unexpected friendship.

Me with Luce, a dog I care for from time to time.

This was written for dVerse’s Monday haibun challenge, with the requirement to make some mention of or reference to the summer solstice. I really enjoy the haibun form. This is the longest one I’ve written so far, and the first time to include more than one haiku.

Creative Life, Photography

It’s a Wonderful World, #Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

I see trees of green,

red roses too,

This rose from my garden, I think, is technically deep pink.

I watch them bloom

for me and you,

And I think to myself,

what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue,

Clouds of white,

The bright, blessed day

And the dark, sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow

So pretty in the sky

Are also in the faces

Of people passing by.

I see friends shaking hands

Saying, “How do you do?”

They’re really saying,

“I love you.”

I hear babies cry,

I watch them grow.

Not my photo, but this is my great-niece Gracie

They’ll learn much more

Than I’ll ever know

This was the perfect photo for this lyric. Gracie’s dad is a pharmacist.

And I think to myself,

It’s a wonderful world.

Yes, I think to myself,

It’s a wonderful world.

Ooh, yeah.

This was for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with an It’s a Wonderful World theme.

Creative Life, It's a Doggy Dog World, Photography

Fluffy Cuties in Black and White, #CBWC

I may be a step ahead (not sure) but this post is for Cee Neuner’s Black and White Photo Challenge with a Pets or Stuffed Animals theme.

None of these cuties pictured are my own pets, but in my animal care business, I come across dogs and cats in a variety of breeds (and breed mixes.) They may not be my pets, but I love them as if they were. Here are just a few of my animal friends.

Franco — It’s less complicated to call him a cockapoo,
but he’s actually a mix of four small breeds.

Luce, a Brittany spaniel and dachshund mix

People often ask me what my favorite breed is (of dogs especially.) With all of these lovable cuties, it is hard to choose. Of these photos, which is your favorite?

Creative Life, Photography

Oh Deer! #CFFC Photo Challenge

I spotted this deer in someone’s yard that had grown a little wild and was nearby to a public park …

and this deer in my own front yard. It was even closer to the house at one point.

My buddy Sabrina deserves the credit for capturing this cutie on camera, at the James A, McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

I photographed these two beautiful fawns last year in a dog care client’s backyard.

They had no fear of me, so I was able to get some good shots. Mama was nowhere in sight.

I really hope this does not mean they were orphans. I enjoyed my moment to observe them up close.

This post is my entry for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge with this week’s theme of Nature Animals.

Creative Life, Photography

Lens Artists Challenge — Red — Large to Small

I saw some blogger friends’ entries for this photo challenge, and I thought I would join in and see what I can do. Patti Moed of Creative Exploration In Words And Pictures, in her Lens Artist Challenge, challenges us to choose a color and select photos of things in that color ranged from large to small.

Red is considered a warm color, but many of the red things in this post will cool you down, a nice thought in the heat I’ve been experiencing lately.

The above photo was taken at Applegate Farms in Montclair, New Jersey, a great place for ice cream made on the premises. I went there earlier in the pandemic in company with a French bulldog friend.

The above photo doesn’t give you much sense of size, but these baby ducklings were in a red plastic tub large enough to hold this small cockapoo doggy and his stylish red hoodie, with room to spare.

This refreshing cranberry spritzer was served to me at The Committed Pig Burger and Pancake House in Summit, New Jersey. I thought it looked so pretty in its Mason jar, but I am debating in my mind whether it is larger or smaller than the next item.

This peony from my garden was fairly large — larger or smaller than a cranberry spritzer? It’s hard to say as their shapes were so different and difficult to compare, and, of course, I never saw them side by side. Perhaps, if the peony was a cup, it would hold the spritzer.

And, now, we’re back to cool and refreshing things. The frozen dessert below was purchased at Sonny’s in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. It is a self-serve frozen dessert bar. You can find frozen yogurt, frozen custard, Italian ice or gelato you can swirl yourself into a cup. You can layer flavors and add toppings from a variety of syrups, candies, nuts, fruits and (one of my favorites) these popping boba that burst fruit juices into your mouth. The desserts are sold by weight. Any of the red things in this photo — the strawberries, raspberries, popping boba or red plastic spoon — are smaller than my peony for sure.