Daisy Dots

It is wonderful....a rainy day....to play and create and learn.

Almost Thrown Away

I have a database of not just hundreds but thousands of photos I have taken. I go through them and think...oh I can so something with that sometime or another. Then I go through on another day and think...or...hit the delete button over and over and over again...sending to the trash bin photos I have held on to in the past. I...save them on days when I'm too exhausted to really think about it. I trash them on days when ... I'm turned upside down about the world or in a tissy to get my world more 'uncluttered and organized'.

Somedays..just as my finger nears the delete button...that little creative funny girl sitting on my right shoulder pokes me in the right cheek and flashes a sign that say 'HELLOOO...really you don't want to trash that one.'

And so...while that funny little girl is with me...I play and sometimes I come up with something that I kind of like.

This one was all blown out. Taken from below, pointing into a really bright sunshiny summer sky...little detail showing...originally and even now...well its kind of soft...but I adjusted lighting a bit, added poster edges filter and....

Forest Floors

There is just something so mystical to me about the forest floor. Particularly this time of the year when Mother Nature lays a new carpet filled with a multitude of colors from her 'painters palette'. This one just takes my breathe away...but then I am very easily pleased and impressed. What can I say.

Another example of a perspective change.
Adding a bit of texture to it myself...creating an art piece in itself.

(Shot w/ Nikon D90, 1/25sec, f5.6, Tamron 28 - 300)

Yellow Yellow

I live at the top of this hill...behind that white fence. Why is it exactly, do you think, I struggle with the thought of selling? This. This confirms for me...just one more time...that fall continues to be my most favorite time of the year.





(Taken with my wide angle which I don't play with enough. Took several shots of this and hope to play with HDR on them. Soon)

Dreamy Days

There are days when it is really, really tough to sit at my desk and look out this huge picture window at work. The dreamy clouds. The blue sky. The soft poofiness. It calls me. To go out and play. It interrupts my hard work. It tugs at my heart...and my camera. Teasing.





Sometimes...I just have to stop and catch the shot...regardless of how lame and boring it may be to some. It....satisfies my creativity...for a moment...a moment much too short.

Barns n Silos

The colors and texture of this silo caught my eye as we drove by. So we turned around. Got out..and shot. Perspective. It really is a lot about perspective...when it deals with photography. I took many different views of this barn/silo landscape. I think it was the field of soy beans in front of it that captured me as much as the barn and silo themselves.

This one, I focused on the bean field...leaving the barns/silo a bit blurred in the distance. I think I could have had a bit larger of an aperture and blurred them a bit more for a little more mystery but I'm okay with the way it turned out. (smiling)

Pumpkin Patch

I was able to spend some quality time with my niece and her daughter and other members of my family this past weekend...in Ohio...for fall. I didn't get to see all the fall color as I had hoped...and no covered bridges...but there was plenty else to wet my photography pallete with. My niece sent me a picture of this last year...so it was, of course, on the top of my list to discover this year. I think every town should have one of these. It's just pretty cool.

As the Sun Rises

I had a great trip to the UP this past weekend with some awesome photographer friends. It was the most perfect weekend we could ever ask for. (More pics to be shared soon.) I left a bit earlier than everyone else in hopes to get home and take care of some things before I really had to return to reality. Unfortunately...well, actually, fortunately for me and my Nikon friend....

We happened upon this sunrise coming up over the eastern edge of Lake Michigan....as we travelled down the west side from Door County. I discovered it looking out the window to see what I could see. With no where to stop...Until I came upon a roadside picnic area...passed itup...kicked myself a couple times and turned around. For once...not missing the shot.

This shot, taken with my 28 - 300 Tamron...behind some bushes that had already dropped their leaves. Again..another perspective to provide a different view of the world we are blessed with.

Riverside CX Race

They had this CX Race in my 'backyard' this weekend. I had to watch it. Brought back memories of when my boys raced. It was really awesome when they crossed by the river reflecting the colors of fall. I'm pretty sure I saw each and everyone of them slow down in awe as they peddled by.





(I used the sports mode to get some of these shots...if not to actually take the picture but atleast to meter them to see what to play around with in the manual mode.)

Drive with Me

Take a ride with me...through Fall in Wisconsin. It just doesn't get much better than this.





PS...sunroofs are great for sticking your head out the top to capture the shot!!! What can I say.

Happy Birthday

In honor...of my sister....who I miss very much. She, too, was a lover of Pelicans. My first siting of White Pelicans was on an Easter weekend of camping with her at Lake Somerville in Texas. There were, literally, hundreds of them all grouped up in this little covey of a the lake that we happened upon when out riding bikes.





I have never looked at another White Pelican without thinking of her.





Loretta Mary...I love you and miss you tremendously.

The Proposal

They went to dinner. Another restaurant they had not tried yet...in Paris. It all turned out so perfect. Wine. Escargot. Main meal. Awesome restaurant owner. It was a 'perfect' night...he thought. Everything seemed so right. Pondering.

There was a plan. To go see the Eiffel Tower. With the impression that it was only lit for the first 10 minutes of each hour. So they rushed. She wanted her picture taken. He took it.

He asked to have his picture taken. She focused to take it...to see...him on his knees, arms stretched out....with a proposal.

I knew there was a reason I still believed in fairy tales.

(These photos are only a reenactment of the proposal...but still was accompanied by 'allergy wet eyes'. hehe)

Butterfly Haven

In my backyard. On my 'homegrown' coneflowers.





I haven't been able to quite attract the amount and diversity of butterflies here that I did when I lived in the south...but what I do attract...is of course awesome.





I am proud of this one....shot with my Tamron 28 - 300 macro...hand held...in a rush in hopes of not scaring the gorgeous one off.

Sunset on the Marsh

I went out to enjoy the wonders of my favorite marsh where I now live. I stayed longer than expected and decided to see what the sunset would look like. So pleased I stayed.





Sunset shot. With a bird. One of many that kept trying to get 'into the picture'. These guys kept dive bombing the waters in front of me in search of their 'last meal of day'. Some day...I'll capture that.

My Present

It was my birthday yesterday and I treated myself to a trip to my favorite Marsh here in the midwest....close to home. It was a well worth trip filled with awesome wildlife. And a birding lifer for me....my first view of a sandhill crane little one.

Yeah, Happy Birthday to me.

Derby Day

I love traditions. They are heartwarming. As I've mentioned many times, dad was in the air force, therefore, we moved every few years. I missed out on a lot of 'family time' with people like grandparent and cousins, uncle and aunts. For whatever reason, it didn't seem like we really had any traditional events/activities/beliefs that we kept going from year to year. I've always longed for those things. I wish I had created some of our own when I had the kids around. I had a few but I'm not sure they ever really paid attention to them. Kids...what are you going to do. Right?

Now when I get a chance to participate in some more traditional events, I enjoy them. I eat them up. I long for them. I leave them with a feeling of 'a new me'. Heart warming.

Thus, my neighbors have a derby party every year. An afternoon filled with mint juleps, laughter and conversation, fun hats, awesome people, a little friendly wagers, and some wonderful food.

I look forward to it every year now and really hate it when I have to miss it.

Thanks, neighbors...for being fun.

Pretty in Pink

I expected to see these at Brazos Bend State Park when I ventured there this weekend. I didn't. Not a single one. I found them here...in an enclosed fenced area near the gulf in a factory yard that was a bit wet.






It's amazing how 'roseated' they can really get some years. Breathtaking. Fascinating. Simply awesome.

Brazos Bend State Park

Herons. Frogs. And Alligators. Oh, my.

Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. If you ever get to the Houston area, this is a park you don't want to miss. It offers a lot of wildlife for your viewing. No matter what time of the year.

Spring...a plethora of migrating birds.

Spring and Summer. Alligators. Frogs and Herons...of every type...are abundant and wonderful to watch as they dine.

Fall...more migration.

Winters...well..what is winter in Houston but a place where some of our avian friends winter over at so be sure to check it out.

You won't regret it.

I miss being close enough to enjoy it when I really need it.

It is one of my most favorite parks and a must visit for me every time I am in the area, if even for just an hour or two.

Life's Little Wonders

She's the newest addition to our lives. Another beautiful person brought to us to liven up our lives, give us a fresh perspective, make us smile, cry, upset us, make us so happy we are surrounded by those that we are surrounded with...including her. She has already learned how to do that. She's a smarty. She. Will. Move. Mountains. Love and kisses Lucinda June.

Water Falls

I love waterfalls. I love to sit and listen to them. Especially if they are surrounded by the woods, birds singing, wind blowing. I've been trying my hand at catching them in that silky flow that so many photographers catch them in. It's a trick. A challenge. A fun one at that. Finding just the right setting of aperture and shutter speed in just the right light.

If it's bright out (I prefer an overcast day, or atleast not a bright sunny day), aperture needs to be closed down and the shutter speed has to be slowed. Again, you have to find the right combination of settings on both. Trial and error. If it's bright out, it's difficult to tell. Even viewing the white balance has given me the wrong perception.

Mostly...patience. Sometimes a lot of shots and possibly even a return trip.

Faces of Our Flower World

I think this is one of the most wonderful things that I enjoy about 'up close and personal' photography....the different faces that can be discovered. This is one of many new 'flower faces' I have discovered in the 'macro' world. This face resides on my desk at work..providing smiles whenever it decides to visit.

Reflecting on Spring

It seems spring might finally be here or it's just teasing us. It's a wonderful tease though. One of my favorite times of the year. The snow has melted leaving behind pockets of ponds where reflections are magic and mystical. One of my most favorite things to photograph. Sometimes you have to really look for them. Other times....they just pop out and holler my name.

Then there are those things nature has left behind from 'times gone by'. This nest looks so new and yet...I can't imagine it was from this year. The birds are just returning. The snow just melted...for the most part.

Even though the trees are still bare and the ground is barely warm, the trails are calling. Arms open wide. Just making one wonder what is at the other end.

IT'S ALL IN THE PERSPECTIVE

I walked outside today to capture a photo I needed for my 365 project. As I wandered around...hoping to find something else unique in this wintery, spring day....I noticed the icicyles that formed under the unhappy picnic table. Enticing. Simple. Sparkling. I lowered myself to capture them from a different angle and, voila, the blue sky in the background provided a wonderful colorful reflection on an otherwise...simple natural event of an awakening spring day. When you are out trying to capture that moment to be remembered....try to find the unique angle that brings a new and wonderful perspective on something that might seem so ordinary.

Spring Showers

I woke to the sounds of our first 2011 Spring Shower this morning. Of course, I didn't know until I looked out the window. My favorite window overlooking the park. The snow has almost completely melted now except in the areas where the piles were five and six feet tall.

I realized....and spoke outloud....that I miss thunderstorms. Not the kind with the scarily close lightning strikes (although I know they kind of come hand in hand). The kind that have thunder rolls - light ones, then loud ones, short ones, long ones. Sometimes making you jump. Sometimes....making you smile.

Not even 30 minutes later, I was greeted by some 'off in the distance' thunder rolls and shortly thereafter, some nearby thunder rocking...making my Lexi lift her head from her late morning snooze....looking around, wandering what the heck is that mom.

My next home must...no ifs, ands or buts....have a covered deck area on which I can sit and enjoy my morning coffee, afternoon water, evening tea while watching the drip drip drizzle or downpour of a good rain and listening to the thunder roll...in the distance....or nearby.

Hello....Spring. You make me smile thunder roll.

What first signs of spring make you smile...and ponder...and wish?

Unconditional

She'd probably not be very happy to know I am sharing this with my blogger world. I love my mother. I love who she was back then....before I knew her. Gorgeous. Free spirited. The apple of my dads eyes at that time. When you are growing up, you don't think of your parents as...someone that might have been young at one time....atleast not until you yourself grow up enough to know that...our parents are humans also...not just parents. They, too, were young once. Oh and yes....they have wants and needs also...wants and needs for themselves and that we aren't the only thing in their life.


Today, I still love her for who she is...despite those younger teen years of mine when we didn't see 'eye to eye'. I hope that all of us children of the world respect and realize how those 'disciplinary days' of our lives were meant to point us in the proper direction in life.



She is still an awesome person ....despite her set ways of which many days I say (smiling to myself) 'I hope I'm not like that when I get older'. Really...smiling to myself...as I know I already see her in me.






She still amazes me. I still question her reasoning behind having six children. I still praise her for having raised us all...many days alone with my dad on the road, roaming the world with the airforce. I know we put her through....daily challenges. I know there were probably many days when she just wanted to...run away...and rightfully so. I love her...for having stuck by us. I love her for her very very strong unconditional love. Believe me...she has it....more than any other person I know.



Today...she still puts up with us. I take my Lexi for a walk many nights and atleast one night a week, we wander over to visit with her....for as long as Lexi will sit still and allow us to visit. Those evenings, she listens to me....as I vent...about my six to six job...that I would leave in a sec if I could afford it....in pursuit of my most needed creative passions of photography and the outdoors. I leave her house...with a little weight lifted off....often regretting and promising myself...that the next visit will be more 'pleasant'.



Mom....you are 'the wind beneath my wings'. I hope you realize how much I do love you.



I can only hope that someday, my children will love me as much...and hoping that they already do.

Shadows of Spring

I walked at lunch today. It was overcast but....the birds were every where. Every. Where.

I climbed in my car to come home and the sun was bright. And warm. 41. Woo. Hoo.

I found myself...driving as fast as the law would allow wanting to get home and go for a walk with my Lex.

I realized...that as long as winter may be...as depressed as I can get by being cooped up (particularly in a winter such as this.....cold....continuous days of 15 or below....which doesn't allow much room for a walking spirit)....well, I love the seasons.

The winters help you to appreciate spring and summer. Summer helps you to appreciate fall and the onset of winter. You don't take spring or summer for granted. You don't take winter for granted. No pulling weeds year round. No getting tired of wearing shorts....and gladly looking forward to wearing less clothing at the end of winter.

Always looking forward to the next season. Knowing that each has it's own wonders to offer up. You can look forward to each. You can be glad when each is over. Except maybe for spring and fall. But then again...maybe one would get tired of them also if they lasted 12 months at a time.

I don't know. Maybe I like the change because I grew up an airforce brat. Things changed on a regular basis throughout my life. I need the change. I need the...challenge. Of course, these are all wonderful, easy, pondering thoughts now that there is light at the end of 'this winter'.

I arrived at home, walked in to my room, and was greeted by the shadows thrown against the walls, reflected into the mirror....warming to the floors....heating the heart...refreshing and stimulating the mind.

Oh, happy spring. Dance with me.

Do You Know....

Who you are? Who you have been? Who you want to be?

I was in the kitchenette at this worky place of mine and a feeling of 'comfort' per se hit me. Not comfort from here. But a feeling of a...hey, I'm happy with who I am. Mind you....I have had this feeling very very rarely in these 50 plus years of mine. My life...I have let who I am be defined by many other people in my life...shoving who I really am in the closet.

As I had this feeling, I wondered...am I the only middle aged woman..or man....that all of a sudden had that feeling like you were waking up for the first time in your life...or for the first time of this part of your life. I think...maybe this is the issue with relationships. We go through life stages of knowing who we are, being lost as to who we are, wondering, wishing we could be someone, being someone that someone else wants us to be, and then pow....we realize....this is what we want. This is who we want to be. No....this is who we are and it is time we are happy and content with that...if even for just a while.

I think we change....like our taste buds change. It's not that we aren't happy with our partner. It's that we want to be this person now. We want to be us. And if they are happy with that....AWESOME. If not, should we continue to be this person others want us to be....or at some point in life's row of classrooms...isn't there one there in which we can be us? US. Who WE are.

I've had a 'few' relationships in my life. Two marriages. Three awesome children. A couple flings since the last marriage. I fell in 'love' with a guy...no...with his life. His home. The adventure...because...as much as I sometime long for a lazy day....I . Need. Adventure. (Blame it on being an airforce brat that moved every couple of years.) I want travel. The theatre. The outdoors. Seeing new sites. Meeting new people. City lights...from time to time. The desert. The ocean. The stars. The sun. The moon. And, yes, I miss the thunderstorms of Texas.

Maybe...all these feelings come from having had dinner with some wonderful friends last night at which we, as usual, discussed everything going on in our lives and during which at one point it was said that, 'We are awesome people.'

We are.

I agree.

So given all that...in my struggle to find an identity, my indecisiveness of selling my house and wondering where am I going after it is sold....maybe I should just buy a travel trailer...and hit the road. Maybe take up the invite from my Belgium BFF and learn a different culture. Enjoy the new. The unknown.

For now...I'll look forward to the trip to Texas to visit my children and grandchildren and the trip to Europe to visit my son and Belgium bff.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Texture

Poster edges has to be one of my favorite textures right now. I love the 'mood' it sets in some of my photos.

In addition to poster edges on this old barn and fence, of course, I put the background in black and white and kept the red fence. Kind of wish I had just bit more shallow depth of field.

Can you guess what texture I used for this one? No...nothing in PS/PSE.

This texture is just the natural effect of the snow fall and a bit blurriness to the photo. Every once in a while...blurriness is a good thing.

Snow Day

For once this winter, it actually snowed on a day when I could actually enjoy it. I was alone yesterday and able to get out and about on a 'snow day' adventure. Something...at one point in time...I wouldn't even have thought twice about doing. It was 15 degrees. At the beginning of the trip...snowing ever so lightly. I headed for the beach. (Odd...you say.) Cold...slippery...yet worth every mile.

Pigeons on a line. This picture actually captures only half of them.

The falling snow gave everything a wonderful winter wonderland, snow globe effect.



I have driven by this silo many times during summer when it is covered with vines. I've always wanted to stop and get pictures but it is a country road and I always seem to either not be driving or someone is behind me. This wintery day with people staying in allowed me to capture it in a different 'mood'.

I can't wait for summer to get it 'all dressed up'....and next winter (although not in a hurry for that right now) I'll definitely do a couple more snow day adventures.

THE BEST OF STUCK

I went to KC for a sort of working weekend with my sis. Sunday she wanted to take me to see the sites. Their snow had melted. She knew she couldn't go down this one road but even at the top, the ground was so slippery, the truck wouldn't back up. In an attempt to somehow turn around, we backed up, went forward, backed up, went forward...until we realized we were going forward, thus down the hill, more than we were going back up. In the end, we had to call someone to rescue us.

It wasn't all a loss though. We were stuck on some hunting property. 98 acreas of wonderful Kansas/Missouri golden fields and woods.

Not sure if she had fun....but I sure made the best of it. Some pics here with more to come later.