About Taking Flight

My mother was born in a town called Independence. My grandmother is sassy and got her first tattoo after the age of 73.  My aunts have their own wild/awesome ideas. My stepmom got her bachelors’ degree just a few years ago. My best friends and family are the most go-gettingest people I’ve ever known.

I’ve always been influenced by people who don’t dare sit idly on their dreams. They do not chase dreams, they grab them while embracing current reality, and make things happen.

So some of you might be wondering: “What the heck is Love Bird Photo?” While others’ might say, “Who’s this Kansas Love Bird?”

Here is the clear and simple answer:

Love Bird Photo is my dream come true. It’s the reality of years of interviewing artists and designers, making art and going to art school having art shows, loving people and their stories, and most of all, my undeniable passion for that shutter click. I take long hiatuses, but I’ve always got a plan that continues to build and grow. Whether I’m researching web design (who better than myself to make my perfect website!!??), figuring out social media, trying out new gear, or meditating in the garden, I always had a plan. It is a constant creative outlet. A constant and changing dream. My reality of nearly 15 years in the making. My website is brand new, just a few weeks, so I’ve got tons to do, but I’m darn happy with what I’ve got. This is a great philosophy for life.

Kansas Love Bird  is the fruit of my creative outlet’s creative outlet. I wanted a blog that could free me of photography when I wanted to. I didn’t want to be tied to weddings, or portraits – but rather incorporate and blend these worlds of  all the people, weddings, portraits – and just darn good photography, and art, food and travels that my heart desires.
So, there it is. Kansas Love Bird and Love Bird Photo are both me. 100% independence, love, gratitude, and all things creative, just offered to the world in different ways. I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for the influential people in my life.

Kansas Special

Sometimes you really luck out when you take a different way home. Bored with my same old commute, I was so lucky to find these winding back roads of our beloved Sunflower State. The first time I got lost, I used my gps. The second time, I just let it roll and I found these awesome tee pee things.

And then when this route became slightly more familiar, but no less spectacular, I decided to make it my permanent commute. There’s even an apple orchard on the way. Not to mention gorgeous golden and green landscapes.

One day, by chance, the farm I had always taken for a corn field (I’m too busy driving to pay attention to everything!!) turned out to be…sunflowers! What a fantastic lovely and sunny ending to my day.

My breath got caught in my throat at the stunning sight of ten billion sunflowers. My brakes squealed as I turned around. I called my husband to tell him I’d be a little late. He told me dinner would be ready. Aw. The lovely sight of farmland (and thinking of my darlin, making dinner) never gets old.

Also on the roadside taking pictures was a sweet Topeka woman who had a nice camera and good wide angle lens. She told me her husband had recently passed away and that these flowers were her favorite. We chatted and had a lot in common. She was as beautiful as the sunniest sunflower. I’m sure her photographs were lovely and I hope she remembers that moment in time as fondly as I do.

Kansas, you sure are special.

Want to know more about me? Check out my About page for starters and my other adventures: Puerto Rico and The Flint Hills. Recently I got caught up in Tropical Storm Debby, but not without my camera!

Leave a comment and tell me about your best roadside experiences!

Support art and purchase my photos here.

Tropical Storm Debby Adventure

Holy sea cow! Debby sure stirred things up in Marco Island last week!

My family and I vacationed on the small island on the southwestern gulf coast of Florida – right in the midst of a gosh-darned tropical storm.

But no matter how big those waves got, or how horizontal the palm trees were, it didn’t keep me and my fam from having the time and storm of our lives.

I took tons of photos using Camera+ and Instagram. I highly recommend these two apps for instant vacation gratification. My folks got into the iPhoneography  groove.

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After weathering Tropical Storm Debby, getting stung by a baby jellyfish, getting surf rash on my arms and legs, and braving monstrous waves, we are home – safe and sound and already missing that pretty sand between our toes.

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I literally ran for my life from the beach- about 3/4 of a mile away- to this tree by the pool. I saw the storm coming in from the south side of the beach. I wasn’t wearing shoes. I knew I’d be in a mess if I got my camera stuff wet. When have I ever run that hard and fast? I don’t know if I ever have. It was actually scary. Just look at the before and after!! I made it to the stairs in the nick of time with about 5 seconds to spare.

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With the storm came great opportunities to explore the island. Old Marco is just as you’d imagine an old fishing town to look like, quaint and sweet and right up my ally. While the other side of the island is what you’d expect to see from all the rich folks buying Florida-peach winter homes and would be right up my ally if I could afford it. Beach exploration was a must and amazing shells were everywhere after the storm. I also found a shark’s tooth!

Calling all shark experts!!! Identify my shark tooth please! 

We think it’s a Tiger or Bull shark. 

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We ate awesome seafood at Quinn’s and CJ’s on the Bay.

We breakfasted at Mango’s which is the cutest family restaurant ever. The whole family works there – aunts, cousins, grandparents! How sweet is that? Then we found the coolest little fish company that also cooks their fresh catch. They are the only fisherman/restaurant combo on the island. Lee Be Fish was awesome… “Fish for the People”!! The fish n chips dipping sauce was a tartar curry explosion. Thanks Lou! And the fun mailbox guy from upstairs – Keep up the good work!

Have you tried using Camera+ and Instagram for your vacation pictures? How did you like it?

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The Symphony in the Flint Hills Adventure

Morgan and I couldn’t wait to frolic in the open prairie and document The Kansas City Symphony playing alongside cattle drives, cowboys and cowgirls. We packed our camera bags early in the morning and set off for the three hour drive west.

Along the way, we stopped at abandoned barns, old stone farmhouses and lofts, played in the corn fields, avoided poison ivy, looked at the cows and tried not to kill ourselves on the winding backroad farm routes. It was glorious.

Prairie grass is so soft and floaty, but Kansas is windy. WINDY. So much dirt and dust covered us head to toe. I loved every bit of it.

 

The Symphony in the Flint Hills is so special. Every year the KC Symphony plays out in the middle of the heartland. The songs evoke a far away time of our American past: frontier, new lands, freedom. When I saw the open space, I imagined this landscape hundreds of years ago sprinkled with buffalo and a completely different culture.

The event is not just about the Symphony or the Flint Hills. It has the power to bring people together from east and west to appreciate this beautiful land and remember a past that is rooted deep in the heart of every American.

It also calls on a changing present: Morgan and I documented our adventure with Instagram and Twitter (@kansaslovebird #flinthills), veggie burgers were served and devoured, and the astronomy society brought their amazing GPS telescopes so we could see the rings around Saturn in broad daylight. There was a bridge made of completely recycled materials. Hey, Kansas! You’re awesome!

The governor was there to celebrate a new nature trail, and as part of the media crew, we were invited to document! Wow!

The event was also about education: learning about the geology of this amazing place, the migratory birds, the native grasses, music, and dancing.  And of course, cowboys and cowgirls.

Morgan got a little misty when the final notes of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” coincided with the last light of the sun, while I got chills during the finale when the whole crowd pitched in to sing “Home on the Range.”

For most of the folks, the bluegrass and two-steppin’ topped off the evening. But for Morgan and me, our night wasn’t over yet. We decided to drive a bit down the road. It was pitch dark and we wanted to do some nighttime stargazing. I’ve never seen such a glittery sparkly star-filled sky. I think we saw three shooting stars. It’s true, in Kansas, you can “wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind.”

Click the link to see our video and see that Kansas WIND. Great footage, Mo Milla!

Morgan Miller is a Kansas City photographer and guest blogger for Kansas Love Bird. Thanks Morgan for being such a great gal pal and ammmmmmazing photographer. 

Take a look at the slideshow to see the adventure.

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Thanks, Flint Hills. Much love.

Sometimes You’re The Shovel: An Ode To Dad

Nice hat, Dad. And gas was only $0.31/gallon.

I don’t know why, but eventually you become your parents. The other day, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I said “WARSH.” Like as in, “I’ll warsh the dishes!”

Can you imagine?

Thank goodness I was on the phone with the only person I know who says “WaRshington DC.” He didn’t even notice.

My parents (yep, step-parents and in-laws too) are of my dearest friends. Moms are incredible and all-knowing. They understand their daughters. Sometimes you just need Mom: step-Mom or in-law Mom. But this isn’t about Mom. Whether he’s cool headed and calm, helps you with your cars, or is feisty and cracking jokes, he’s Dad.

My step-dad is cool and calm. Always. Except for the time my brothers snuck out of the house during an ice storm in the middle of the night on New Year’s Eve… He is my personal sports guru. You want him on your Trivial Pursuit team.

My in-law-Dad loves his NASCAR. Indy every year. He’s my go-to car man. In 1974 he brought home a 5,000 gallon big rig tanker from the National Guard and another time a 1980s Excalibur. Amazing! But mostly, he’s more amazing for his knowledge of oil changing, tire pressure, gauges, and everything “cars” that I don’t know.

Now my dad-Dad is feisty and hot-headed. He can be impatient and gets worked up easily. Just like me. Go figure. But – he is hilarious. I laugh so much with him. He is SO East Coast and yet embraces his Midwestern values (and accent!) with pride. I love it when I hear that Ozark-ness over the phone. It melts my heart. He gives the bestest advice ever, and boy, he can tell a story! Best buds, Dad. Forever.

Dad bought this Harley for $150. Wow. That’s pretty awesome.

I think of this particular story when times are especially tough:

You see, my dad, uncle, and granddad had a cattle farm and turkey hatchery. My brother and I were babies. Dad was working National Guard on the weekends, Mom was working hard at school. Raising two kids wasn’t easy when they were running the local Kentucky Fried Chicken. On top of that, Dad had the cattle and the hatchery. Just when Dad thought times couldn’t be tougher, he found himself shoveling turkey crap in the hatchery. Tripped, fell, and broke his teeth.

To this day, Dad tells me that story when the going gets rough and reminds me in his own sweet way, “Sometimes you’re the shovel, sometimes you’re the sh*t.”

So true, Dad. Love you.

What’s YOUR favorite Dad advice?

Dad in jump school – Fort Benning, GA

Dad, you really look cute in hats!

Local Burger Local Love

Made with turkey from Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch • Tampa, KS

If you’re like me, you really do appreciate where your food comes from. I mean, let’s be honest. I can’t drive five miles without seeing some kind of farm animal! My dad, uncle, and granddad raised cattle and had a turkey hatchery for crying out loud.  I’ve always been aware of my food and a little too aware when I’m standing downwind of a cow pie… But, as a working mom, loyal wife, blogger, teacher and small business owner, it’s easy to get sidetracked with all those attractive little boxes of food everywhere.

When I can have local and organic food, I know it’s special. Not always possible, but it really makes a difference. Tomatoes taste better off of my backyard vine, strawberries are sweeter picked from a patch, lettuce is crispy and earthy, and burgers are juicer.

Detail from Local Burger’s lovely mural by Heather Reynolds

Local Burger in Lawrence, KS makes it easy to feel good about the food on your plate. The food comes from local farms, and local vendors. Even the ketchup is local.

Bison, elk, venison, turkey, chicken, all local! And if you want to take some home, you can.

When I’m ready to try red meat again, I’ll be getting it from Local Burger.

I know meal planning can be a challenge. In my world, quick easy take-out meals are essential at times. But even still, I try to be conscious, healthy, and aware of my food.  There’s really nothing quicker than a banana or an apple.  Or a delicious meal from Local Burger.

Today, I had the most amazing turkey burger; even the pickles were special. It was classic: lettuce, tomato, onion, and of course, ketchup. My side salad was tart with vinegar and apples. The service was fast and friendly. Thank you, Jess.

It really is the World’s Most (delightful) Local Burger. At least here in Kansas.

 More detail from Local Burger’s mural by Heather Reynolds

Symphony in the Flint Hills with guest blogger coming next week! Today I used Camera+ for the photos you see here.

Don’t know if you knew this, but Kansas’ state flower is the sunflower! How sunny and cheery. I love it.

Flint Hills Away!

Here we go! I’m taking the KansasLoveBird team (yep, TEAM) to the Prairie! More to come. Be sure to follow on instagram and twitter for instant updates: @Kansaslovebird #flinthills #kansaslovebird

I’m taking along goodies. Love you, lovebirds.

My Grandpa’s gorgeous Minolta

What a cute little fishy.

Dreamy with “The Dreamer”

 

A day in the life Timbarow

 “…I love the Art Institute of Chicago, the MAM in Milwaukee, the Tate in London, Monet’s house, the Mayan pyramids in the Yucatán, Picasso’s Museum in Paris, but mostly I love the Nelson-Atkins. For me, it’s like going home from college on a winter vacation… It is home! A place where I am welcomed loved and expected to be haunting…”        

                                                                                     Tim Rowland  

Detail, Water Garden

Detail, ReTiRo: A Life Story

Tim Rowland, relaxing on the Porch

A day with an artist

When you’re  ready for a romp around a new city, or just ready to see the old familiar in a new light, you can’t ask for a better day or experience than with an artist.

Ready for adventure? Always! Look at things from a different angle? Yup, pretty much everyday. Really, spend a day. Just one day with an artist. Whether you are an artist yourself or you have a friend or cousin or neighbor. Be silly. Let GO. Let that energy of being different, seeing different, doing things differently be okay and real  and inspiring.

I went to art school and met fantastic weirdoes. We drowned ourselves in art history.  We made music. Went on roadtrips. Sang in bars. Explored forests. Traveled. Taught each other true heart.  We built a lifetime of friendship. These good folks changed me and continue to open my eyes today.

And the other day, I decided to spend some quality time with one of them.

Tim, outdoors. 

Tim. Artists need natural light.

One of these influential and fun artists is Tim Rowland. Often called Timbarow or ReTiRo, Tim, like many other artists has a few names that we call him. By any name, the artist is the same. Tim is an inner city art teacher! How cool to share knowledge, teach, and inspire others. Way to go, Tim! And with Tim’s work, it doesn’t matter. It’s all-relevant, Dreamlike, fairy tales, fantasy, and fun. Spending a day with him opened my eyes to a city that I know well—and reminded me that it is yet discoverable!

Here is what we did and what I learned:

• 10am – photoshoot. So much FUN! Giant historic home, kids running around, coffee brewing, family exchanging good mornings. Super-high energy. Grand piano in the dining room; plinking keys. Fluffy dogs. Antiques. Summertime!

• 11am – wandered through Tim’s studio and gardens and outside on the porch where we chatted about Midwest life, adventures, art! Picked up my daughter. She was ready for adventure too.

• 12pm – went to the Thomas Hart Benton home and museum. What an amazing human he was! Spent his life making art, working hard, teaching, taking care of business. It was my first time seeing the home, which is part of our glorious National Parks, and Tim’s second time since his father took him as a child. It was a fond memory, I could tell. And a good one to add to my collection.

At Thomas Hart Benton’s House – Did you know THB invented harmonica tabs? Not me!

• 3pm  – A Local Brewery –  pit stop and howdy! Always time for smooches for my dearest favorite artist and brewer (my hubby, who makes some of the finest brews and art, and also a good friend of Tim’s – bro-hugs exchanged).

                                                                   

Tim and a shout out to Loo, my hubby (he draws and paints these lovable characters!)

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• 4pm – a late lunch at a local cantina and dessert next door at a local panaderia (bakery) where we got ice cream, cookies, and a new experience for me: Mexican corn (elote) covered in some kind of buttery mayo cheesy goodness, I was stuffed but Tim swears by it’s power and yumm. I promise I’ll try it next time.

• 5pm – good byes and blessed by a great day with a great artist. What fun, frolicking around KC.

Tim in Thomas Hart Benton’s studio

Tim n Tom

What do you think when you see a Klimt? Or a Basquiat? Oil paint, glitter-gold, gorgeous figures, pattern, classically trained. Spray paint, pattern, female figures,  distortion, large-scale small-scale, subway and street art. These styles and techniques come together in Tim’s work and are exaggerated when you step into Tim’s studio. You can instantly see Tim’s worldly influence from New Orleans to Paris, all the while paying serious homage to his KC roots.

The doors, the walls, ceiling: covered with collage, oil paints, pieces of old instruments (a cello!!!) and gorgeous repetitive patterns, beads, lights, wires. There is no end or beginning from where the paint drips on the floor, where the canvases are stacked, the chairs, or walls meet. Just a perfect 360° bubble of paint and pattern and sparkly gilded-gold awesome.

Detail Studio Door with Cello

From childhood, Tim has been influenced by his surroundings: his parents as his biggest influence, education as the foundation, and this city, Kansas City, as a nurturing home. As Tim puts it:

“…It is where I experienced life. I have been around the world, but really there is really no place like home. Kansas City can be as cruel as its weather, but wait five minutes and it will change. It’s a big city with a small town appeal. Just large enough to do incredible things but small enough to know everyone by name. It has a myriad of secret gardens and treasures. I had my first kiss here, my first ballgame, and my first art opening. It holds a sacred place in my heart. I went to school in the Northland. …I always saw the city beautiful [skyline] headed to school. The view inspired me. I moved to Midtown Kansas City in the early 2000’s after college graduation and seeing the world, I love it! It is my home.”

Aw, shucks, Tim. I couldn’t have said it better!

Autoportrait at age 26

See the cow? An homage to Tim’s childhood and our beloved “cow town”

Did you know Thomas Hart Benton was from Kansas City? (blogger connection: THB went to the School of the Art Institiute of Chicago. So did I. Then THB taught at the Kansas City Art Institute. So did I—kinda cool, eh?)

Do you know any artists? How have they changed your life?

I love hearing your comments and thoughts! Don’t forget to share this on Twitter, Like on FB, and Pin it! Much much love, love birds! Up next, the Kansas Love Bird team (that’s right team!) will be heading to the Kansas Flint Hills to document The KC Symphony for the annual Symphony in the Flint Hills. What an honor! Get ready for lush grandiose scenery, music, tents, wine, and lots of fun out on the range: We’re going to the PRAIRIE.

Stay Tuned! Coming soon…

First round of art and culture series coming soon!! I’ve been super busy just for you.

A Sheepdog named Danny Boy

Don’t believe what you see! This handsome boy looks dreamy; fluffy and calm, but if you only knew how this dude slimed his way into our hearts… It was 2005 or 6 and my then-boyfriend-now-husband and I went on our first Colorado vacation together, the one where we went with our slick snowboarding friends (I swear they could have been X-Gamers). While it was basically our first time skiing, I accidentally got on the triple black diamond snake bite death grip “advanced” slope – at the tippy top of the mountain. And if you ever wondered, yes, tears freeze. So really, meeting this poochy (as well as spending the rest of my skiing experience on the “Snowflake Hill”) was like Christmas morning.

In Colorado, my husband’s family raised these fabulous horses fit for the Queen as well as fine Old English Sheepdogs. When we visited, this huge sheepdog with paws bigger than flapjacks propped himself on my shoulders and with confident authority, started licking me to death. My face slimy and wet, I stepped back to look at this dog. He was the biggest/cutest thing I’d ever seen! Having been an ankle-biter dog person all my life, I was enamored immediately. “This is Danny Boy, the runt, and we’re trying sell him.” They explained that he was already almost full size and no one had purchased him yet. A runt?? He was HUGE. He was fluffy. He had pancakes for feet! He just had to come home with us.

My husband and his siblings had kept various pets; the kind that tweet, live in bowls or that needed to bask under heat lamps. Although I envy his diverse childhood pet experience, he never knew these cuddly foot-warmers as I did. This was his chance! Suddenly, these words: “Aren’t you just sooo in love with him? We’ve gotta take him home!” I actually only meant to think these words…. Luckily, we were offered to adopt Danny Boy and give him a good home for free. It was our first life-changing decision that we made together.

Okay, I admit. Danny Boy is dreamy, fluffy and calm – sometimes. He’s also a lightning bullet squirrel/car-chasing crazy man and goes berserk when he hears those little squeakies, gets a bath, runs on the hardwoods, or earns those fancy boutique dog treats made with organic carrots and livers.

Danny Boy is keeping my feet warm as I type this post. Unfortunately, he’s also cleaning his “gentleman’s regions” right now so he won’t be giving me any kisses for quite a while! I try not to think about that… he needs a bath anyway.

Have you ever owned a sheepdog? What’s your favorite breed?

Old English Sheepdog facts:

1. They do NOT shed. Bonus!

2. They are fantastic family dogs and they love to ‘herd’ you going down the hall; you get used to it.

3. They have huge paws like pancakes.

4. Loyal! Fuzzy! Wooly! Warm!

5. They need regular haircuts, baths, and brushings. But it’s worth it, and you will get better at bathing them…

6. They will steal your heart away! BFF!