I posted three photographs in the last blog entry.  I hoped they’d illustrate that when you live in a place for a length of time, you begin to see depth and nuance you don’t see when you just pass through.  I compared that to practicing silent prayer over a period of time: you won’t reap centering prayer’s greatest jewels by rushing the issue.  The richness of the practice comes through persistently returning to that “place.”

Chuck Summers, a long-time friend of mine, and a professional photographer with three published volumes under his belt, wrote to agree with me.  He said that he’d found my insights to be true in his nature photography.  I asked him to send me a couple of photographs and he graciously did so.  Here are two images, both of which Chuck was able to capture because he lived near the area and returned to those spots repeatedly.  You can view more of Chuck’s work, and enjoy his own reflections about “seeing creation” at his blog, http://www.seeingcreation.com/.

Cumberland Falls, taken by Chuck Summers

The Cumberland Gap, taken by Chuck Summers.