The late December sun dipped low over Lake Elmer Thomas, nestled within the Wichita Mountains. I stood halfway up the slope with my tripod firm beneath me, capturing this moment of profound stillness. The water, glass smooth from the evening’s cooling air, mirrored the fiery sky in an almost perfect reflection.
This scene speaks to the enduring beauty and quiet strength of God’s creation – much like the weathered barns and open skies that have shaped my heritage here in Southwest Oklahoma. I am reminded of Edward Hopper’s solitary figures finding solace within their surroundings and Andrew Wyeth’s ability to capture a sense of deep place; it is a testament, too, to the simple grace found when one pauses to listen for the whispers on the wind.
Carl Ray