My Top Ten “Nel-Scenes”

[Nelson Bradford]

I've recently decided to devote a portion of the garage (My Man Cave) into an art gallery of sorts - displaying my top ten favorite scenes. This has not been an easy task . . . but I have a limited amount of space to work with or there would be more - many more - on display out there.

But should anyone ask, friend or relative, neighbor or guest, after much deliberation these are my “Top Ten.”

[Nelson Bradford]

01 - “Let the Adventure Begin”
Location: Cavalier Park, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, October, 21, 2009

On the morning following my 70th birthday, October 8, 2003, we went for a walk down along the Kankakee River. It had rained during the night but it was a beautiful sunny day. As we approached this area Norma said, “Oh! Now there’s a picture! Try to get those purple flowers at the base of that tree.”

“Purple?” I said. (Smile here.) Being color blind I confess I had not even noticed them.

Once downloaded from my digital camera I was delighted with the result and thankful the local paper photo editor chose to publish it.

[Nelson Bradford]

02 - “Snow Bikes”
Location: Olivet Nazarene University Campus, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, January 10, 2011

I took this picture midmorning, January 1, 2008. We’d had quite the snow storm the night before and after having breakfast with the “coffee group” I headed for the campus, primarily to take pictures of the Kelley Prayer Chapel. I also wanted to take more near the “Quad.”

The snow was quite deep, over the top of my boots, and on my way back to the car I saw this scene. These bikes were at the south end of Chapman, the men’s freshman dorm. All of the students were on Christmas-New Year’s holiday break, therefore no footprints in the snow.

Once downloaded, I realized it was a much better picture than any of the other digitals taken that morning.

This is also one of my all-time favorite scenes . . . of which there are many.

[Nelson Bradford]

03 - “Bee on Rhododendron”
Location: Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, May 23, 2005

I had moved my tri-pod and digital camera to our front porch in an attempt to get a decent picture of the rhododendron in full bloom. However, much to my delight this bee decided to scope out the territory. I waited patiently - not one of my best spiritual gifts! - until he moved to my side of the bush.

I considered myself very fortunate, for after downloading I discovered I had captured Mr. Bee mid-flight with his wings at a stand-still.

(Edited - after a closer look I am not certain Mr. Bee is mid-flight - he may be resting on that blossom petal.)

Regardless, I am thankful the photo editor chose to publish this scene.

[Nelson Bradford]

04 - “Fishing Pond Sunrise”
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

I almost always took my camera along with me while fishing - in the event I caught a record-breaking monster. (Smile here.)

Early one morning I noticed that if that cloud formation remained in place just a bit longer I might be able to capture a keeper of a scene, if not a fish of gigantic proportions.

Sure enough it happened . . . just the way I had hoped and I am thankful for this scene. It, again, is one of those many scenes that I do not fully appreciate until it was downloaded and viewed on the computer monitor.

I used this scene as the opening and title “page” of the 2010 “But the greatest of these is love,” DVD.

[Nelson Bradford]

05 - “Grand Prairie United Methodist Church”
Location: Bonfield, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, March 3, 2011

This picture was taken from across Rt. 17, west of Kankakee, IL. It was a very cold wintry day, but as you can see, sunny. I needed to walk down and through a snow filled ditch to capture this scene. It’s one of my all time favorite pictures. I know, I say that a lot.

In real life there’s an electrical wire that stretches from one side of the picture to the other, magically removed with computer software.

The evening this picture was published, one of this church’s members - a retired farmer - called me, which was certainly a first. He gave me some interesting history about the church and the surrounding cemetery.

I am thankful.

[Nelson Bradford]

06 - "Rock Creek"
Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, November 22, 2011

This is one of my all-time FAV pictures - I love the contrast of the dead tree in the foreground vs. the live foliage in the background. Almost every time I visit this area I am amazed this terrain exists in flat Kankakee County.

Just as a side note, I submitted this picture for publication every fall since 2005 (that’s seven times/years). Maybe the photo editor chose this scene simply because he’s tired looking at it. 8-)

I am thankful.

This may rank as my second all-time favorite scene.

But then again . . . .

[Nelson Bradford]

07 - “Ice Covered Fence”
Location: Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, February 12, 2010

This ice covered fence is alongside the Kankakee River State Park on Route 102. As soon as I saw this scene I knew I wanted to at least attempt to capture it with my almost-always-present digital camera.

Pulling over as far as I could on that two-lane road, and after turning on the 4-way blinkers, I ventured out, through the freshly plowed snow, through a ditch hopefully getting close enough to also capture the ice covered weeds and tree limbs.

I took several pictures while in my frozen position but this was the best.

In my humble opinion, of course.

I agree with one who said, “Even the sun looks cold.”

[Nelson Bradford]

08 - “Indian Cave Creek Bridge”
Location: Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, August 8, 2009

It had not rained for several weeks - perhaps longer - so the creek that normally runs from the caves to the Kankakee River was low. That allowed me to get down into the creek bed to take this picture.

I love the exposed tree roots and the old twisted tree across the river.

This bridge is a portion of the bike trail that leads from the City of Kankakee west through the Kankakee River State Park, a distance of perhaps 20 miles.

[Nelson Bradford]

09 - “Campus Christmas Tree”
Location: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, December 12, 2007

I took this picture during a snow storm one cold December morning. It’s the “former” Olivet Nazarene University, Christmas Tree, located near the eternal flame, across from the Admissions Center.

I am thankful I was able to capture this scene while the tree was still in apparent good health.

There is now a much smaller - but healthier - tree in its place.

[Nelson Bradford]

10 - “Spring Blossoms”
Location: Kankakee, IL
Published by The Daily Journal, April 21, 2010

This beautiful Roman Catholic Church is located behind Provena St. Mary’s Hospital, where I volunteered for four years.

We volunteers parked in a lot next to the church and I kept my eye on this tree, figuring some day it would be alive with blossoms.

One day, when I arrived, there it was, in full blossom.

In real life, there’s a series of electrical lines stretching across the scene - magically removed via computer software. Yippee! I doubt the photo editor would have chosen this scene were the lines still in place.

~~~~
The end
-neb

[Dana Grant]

Fun. I think it must be fun to have your pictures published in the newspaper from time to time, too, Nelson. You're evidently getting a reputation at the paper!!!

Dana