Indian Spring Sun Rise

It was cold and there wasn't any open shore line on the side of the lake I was on. So, I was hiking through the woods trying to find a place to set up my tripod while keeping one eye on the sun's elevation, knowing that I was going to miss the sunrise altogether. It wouldn't have been a lost morning, because I did get to SEE the beautiful morning...but I got some decent shots anyway, I think.
© 2008 Mexipickle

Early Morning Flare

A walk in the woods on a chilly Fall morning at Indian Springs State Park down near Jackson. The sun was higher as I was heading back to the cabin/dorm and was lighting my way. I love cold Fall mornings and walking in the woods.
© 2008 Mexipickle

Madonna and Child

This statue is at Notre Dame and depicts Mary, Jesus and Joseph (not shown in this shot). According to one of the students we talked to, some folks don't like how "modern" the figures look and refer to Mary as having a "hippie haircut". I just think the light was nice....
© 2008 Mexipickle

#1 Moses

Outside the Hesburgh Library at Notre Dame is this statue of Moses. He is pointing skyward, eaning him the nickname "#1 Moses," a reference to ND's football tradition. On Halloween, some energetic students decided to further adorn Moses with this blue and gold pumpkin!
© 2008 Mexipickle

God - Jesus - Mary - + You

Recently my son's school held a prayer service and project to make lunches to be given out at the homeless shelter downtown. There must have been over 100 kids, with their parents, joining together to make and bag sandwiches. The kids ranged from first to eighth grades, with some alumni high schoolers joining in. It only took about 45 minutes to make a couple hundred sandwiches.

I took this shot to try to show the volume of lunches made. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed the writing on the most prominently displayed bag in the group.
© 2008 Mexipickle

Autumn Gold

During a walk through the cemetery, I saw these gorgeous leaves. The sun shining behind...it's like a glimpse of heaven behind the leaves.

© 2008 Mexipickle

TD Jesus

"Touchdown Jesus" is the nickname of the mural on the library at Notre Dame...you can probably tell where it get's that name. Of course, when things were going really bad in football a year or two ago, they were calling it "field goal Jesus." This is the Hesburgh Library, named in honor of the former university president, Theodore Hesburgh. The mural's actual name is "The Word of Life."

25 sec exposure, 15mm (22 mm equiv), f/20

View On Black

© 2008 Mexipickle

Working Late

This is a 3 second exposure taken last Friday night. The night was crisp and cool and clear and lovely. It was Halloween and the students were partying and all dressed up. It was fun being on campus.

© 2008 Mexipickle

Red and Golden Dome

The Administration Building at the University of Notre Dame, also known as "the golden dome." The statue on top is Mary, Jesus' mother. "Notre Dame" is French and translates as "our mother."

© 2008 Mexipickle

ND Grotto

I was fortunate to receive tickets to the Notre Dame-Pitt game for last weekend. My wife and kids had never been to a game at ND before, so we made a weekend of it. We got to spend Friday afternoon and evening on campus, as well as all day Saturday, including the 4-overtime game!

This is the Grotto, which is a scale model of the grotto at Lourdes, France. It is very special to most students, alumni, and staff. One can definitely feel the Spirit here. I was struck by the power of the candles on this night--all the hopes and fears and joys contained in a single candle, multiplied by so many candles.

If you are ever in or near northern Indiana, Notre Dame is quite a special place--head there for a visit.

© 2008 Mexipickle