hey careful no step

With the temperatures here soaring, and the dense smoke from the still-raging forest fires trapping the heat against the horizon in a stifling hug, I'm just not getting as much quality adventure time as I would hope. In a desperate attempt to bring at least a little bit of nature back into my life, I've been getting up as early as possible and taking my camera on slow, meandering walks. I get a little... off... if I don't manage to find some wind for my hair and earth between my toes every now and again. I imagine the early morning commuters on my routes are beginning to get used to a lone posterior sticking up out of the undergrowth, or a jumbled top-knot of hair and a waving lens seemingly wading along alone through the tall, parched grass. I'd like to think they're starting to time trips by my ass, as I snoop about — "oh, dat wandering butt already near the intersection before 7? better speed it up or I'll be late!"

If there's anyone out there who actually likes this oppressive warmth and decreased human activity in this heat, it's the snakes.

Move with purpose and hunt about on the edges of the grass slowly and quietly, and you'll find dozens using the swelling warmth of early light to perk themselves up for the day. Given they have tiny puppy faces and a beautiful shimmer, I'm kind of becoming obsessed with them. Look. Look at his smug little stare. LOOKATIT

so far no smush

While I don't think I'll be trapping snakes for sustenance any time soon, my sneak skill is leveling faster than normal. My muted and mindful morning excursions are teaching me to be more present when placing my feet and planning my paths. I keep up my end of the unspoken bargain (namely, don't tread on me, bro,) and the little danger noodles that I get up close and personal with don't seem at all fussed about it. Either way, one of my main goals from these outings is to come back with a picture that ends up as a new piece of art or beautiful print. The better I get and the hotter it stays, the more confident I am I'll get a few really lovely snekky snapshots — I'm already looking at print services for some of this stuff. I've had three successful photographic art print deliveries to Steemians this last week, which is an exciting avenue I never thought I'd get into!

Always keep an eye on the ground, sometimes keep your butt in the air, and find art in whatever you do. I hope you have a great one today.

 
All of these photos are my own, taken on my travels all over this pretty blue marble of ours. I hope you like them. 🌶️