Kathryn Palumbo

Finding. Beauty. Everywhere. Photography

Arachnids

Over the last few years I have developed an interest in spiders; actually, in all insects. I have been working on showing all creatures compassion, which means doing no harm. So when I find a creature in my house, I do my best to relocate those creatures outside. Often, when time allows, I will take a photograph of them before I release them.

It is interesting how I have become less and less fearful of insects. I used to call my husband to deal with the insects and relocate them on my behalf, until the day he wasn’t around to help and I had to figure it out on my own. I took a deep breath, shook like a leaf, but was able to successfully relocate my first big spider on my own. Since then, I haven’t looked back.

I relocate mosquitos too.

Here is a link to a short article I wrote about how it takes practice to get better at doing things. Even simple things like choosing to relocate insects over the commonly practiced alternative.

If you are not uncomfortable to view each photograph at a larger scale simply click on the first image and a slideshow will follow. Let’s conquer our fears!

In this collection you will see a variety of spiders. There is a cute black fuzzy jumping spider with the most adorable eyes. If only I had a macro lens that could get closer…one day.

You will see a spider collecting her prize – a wasp wrapped in spider silk. I was lucky to be there at the moment that the spider raced down to collect the wasp and carry it back to her secret hiding spot in the well protected lush leaves of the overgrown Wisteria. She was moving so quickly it was difficult to get what I did in focus. Much like a fisherman, the photos of her hoisting the wasp behind the leaves are too blurry to post but they show the energy of the catch.

You will also see a photograph with many spider egg sacks. The mother was keeping watch (she is a dark blur in the foreground), but all the tiny specks are actual baby spiders in motion leaving the egg sack.

Red Brick Wall

I visited Knoxville, Tennessee from May 20-26, 2013. Walking near the convention centre I found myself on a street with a stunning red brick building. While my friend stopped to get her coffee, I had about five minutes with the wall until we had to dash back to our group. These are the photographs I took with my Panasonic DMC-LX5 Lumix.

Burnaby Village Museum

Construction began on April 11, 1971 of the Burnaby Village Museum (originally known as the Heritage Village until 1984), located in British Columbia. This open-air museum would become “a small town reflecting the early history of British Columbia.”

On July 1, 1972, the museum first opened to the public with a blacksmith shop, buggy and bicycle shop, general store, land office, school house, manor house, ice cream parlour, apothecary shop, barber shop, dentist shop, Chinese general imports shop, print shop, and tram by November 1972.

On April 11, 2013, I visited this incredible heritage village and was so glad that I had taken my camera along. Many of the staff volunteer their time; and what fun they have going back in time each day. I happened across a few school groups and was able to observe a day in the old school room, hosted by the most engaging teacher from 1925. Mrs. Sheehan transported her modern day students seamlessly back in time like a seasoned performer; we were captivated.

Here are some of the photographs I took while at the Burnaby Village Museum.

I have yet to discover the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel…can’t wait to get some photographs next time I visit.

Pigeons

Two Pigeons in Pink

These birds crack me up!

It might have something to do with the fact that the surname Palumbo is derived from the Italian word “palombo,” which means ring dove. As the story goes, it is believed that an ancestor in Sicily used to keep pigeons on his roof and so the nickname stuck.

I took these photos on the same day that I took photos of The Ridge sign.

The two characters (above), were watching me as I was wandering around on the ground below. It seemed to me as though the two males were the ‘ring leaders,’ and would signal the others to fly away in case of danger.

Pigeons on Watch

Notice the female pigeon on the left, quite oblivious to my presence.

These are just fun photos that show a little bit of bird-personality.

Pigeons on a Wire

The sky was overcast and shooting from the ground the birds were looking pretty dark, so I crossed the street to start working on photographing The Ridge sign. But not long after I took enough shots of the sign to feel satisfied, the whole group of pigeons took flight, what seemed to me as their exercise break. They fall into some kind of structured order of formation and they circle around the sky in a flurry, land, wait then repeat this cycle a few times. I just love watching the energy of this spectacle.

Pigeons Over Ridge Sign

Flock of Pigeons

Pigeon Close-Up

Pigeons Wings

Ridge Stained Glass Window

I already published this photo of the stained glass along with the photos of The Ridge sign. But I didn’t explain that besides the fact that this is a huge two story stained glass façade, the birds you see are actually the reflection of the pigeons flying behind me on one of their rounds. It was just by chance that I was standing at this particular angle when the birds flew by that I was able to catch this shot.

Serendipity.

Horses

About these photographs:

Taken with a Nikon D7000

On July 28, 2012 my husband and I went to Hastings Racecourse at Hastings Park in Vancouver for the 1pm race. We ended up staying for two races and I took a few photographs.

Fana Soro

Master percussionist Fana Soro introduces students to traditional playing techniques of the djembé, West Africa’s most popular drum. Fana also shares call and response songs in his mother tongue of Senoufo.

Fana Soro, is the group leader of a performance group called Masabo. Originally from the Senoufo tribe in northern Cote d’Ivoire he spent 9 years as a member of the prestigious Ballet National de Cote d’Ivoire touring England, Holland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, Martinique and West Africa. In 1990, he moved to Norway to perform throughout the Norwegian educational system and work as Artist in Residence at the International Children’s Museum in Oslo. From there, Fana continued to tour throughout Northern Europe with the celebrated West African group, Super Djembé Kan. In 1997, Fana moved to Vancouver and formed Masabo, a performance group specializing in traditional West African music, dance and story. Fana and his family have made their home in Ottawa since 2010.

I had the opportunity to photograph Fana Soro leading a djembé workshop at a grade school level. Observing Fana Soro perform and teach his students was such an uplifting experience. He is pure joy. Between songs he was incredibly engaging with the students and shared his secret to happiness. Smile. Just smile.

“When you smile you are more relaxed. Life becomes more easy. I would like to see everyone in the morning…if you are healthy? Smile.”

– Fana Soro

Here is a link to Masabo – Fana Soro.

 

About these photographs:

Taken with a Nikon D7000

December 17, 2012

Kids

Kids are so much fun to hang around with. They are honest and like to move…my kind of people!

I will be adding to this collection of photographs as time allows. Mostly, I only publish photos of kids once they have matured a year or two from the time of taking the image. They change so much even after a few months, so it is always surprising to look back in time.

Hen

 

About this photo:

Taken with a Nikon D7000.

On a mild October morning, while visiting the UBC Farm in Vancouver, Canada, I was able to capture the natural, wild beauty of the forest, garden and hens. The interesting blur effect above and below the hen came from the wire fence through which I was poking my lens. Unintentional, but I like how it turned out.

Peony

Peony

Peony: Taken with an iPhone 4S.

May 16, 2012

About this photo:

The peony is one of my favourite flowers. I planted this variety in 2010, and waited for blooms. The blooms came and went. This year they seemed to bloom early. I would walk past and take in their beauty. Finally, I thought to take a photograph. And I am glad that I did, for soon after I took this photo the flowers wilted away with none other to take their place. Just green leaves for the rest of the summer. 

Moral of the story? Don’t wait for another time or better light. Make the most of the moment you’ve got.

Name?

Lambs ear flower

Rose Campion flower

Red Rose

Red Rose

Taken with an iPhone 4S

July 27, 2012

The Ridge

The Ridge Theatre

Taken with a Nikon D7000

January 25, 2013

The Ridge Theatre and strip mall (including the Varsity Ridge Bowling Lanes) at Arbutus Street near 16th Avenue is destined for demolition this month to build a new condo development. After over 50 years of serving Vancouver, it will be missed.

Just about daily, I drive past the Ridge’s iconic sign. I began to feel concerned that I might miss my opportunity to capture the sign as it stands before the demolition date. I got a snapshot of it using my iPhone months ago when I first heard about the plans for demolition, but I really wanted a close up. And capturing the seagull as it just touched down, with wings outstretched was such a bonus!

I think the plan is for the Ridge sign to be incorporated into the new condo development, which is pretty cool. Glad the pigeons and seagulls will only have to temporarily relocate.

IMG_5176

Taken with an iPhone 4S

August 6, 2012