~Clover Mountain Photos~

Framed

2007-06-29T08:42:00.000-05:00

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.

~Betty Smith

Cucumber Curl

2007-06-29T08:37:00.000-05:00

I've planted cucumbers for the very first time, and they're actually growing healthy & strong! I can't wait to be able to walk out the back door & pick one fresh from the vine!! Yum! =)

Smalltown Fair

2007-06-23T08:32:00.000-05:00

The evening before the Fair was due to open, Dawn & I walked the park it was being set up at, we actually went to the park to take some nature shots (there's a pond there) well as we were on our way back to the car we noticed this gorgeous sunset! As we stood taking a few shots I just wasn't getting the look I wanted, Dawn noticed this and shared her space with me.

Thanks Dawn!

I love going out with Dawn on our Photo Explores, it's so much more than just taking photos...there's always some goofyness going on, her rolling around on the ground (got a shot of that one!) tripping over roots & rocks, because we both tend not to look where we're walking...to busy looking for the next photo op! (We call it the 'camera dance') =) ...both of us walking with our monopods at the ready, because we're not to sure if beavers attack! Oh, and getting up from a kneeling position can be fun to watch, lol : )

~~~

Sister to sister we will always be, A couple of nuts off the family tree.

~Author Unknown

Waterdrop addiction

2007-05-30T19:28:00.000-05:00

So I'm like, addicted to waterdrops lately : )

The top photo is a Hosta leaf after I watered the garden, I thought the reflections in the drop were pretty neat! The middle photo is a Ladys Mantel leaf after a rain in Dawns garden, the leaves are all hairy & holds on to the drops real nice! And the bottom photo is a drop of rain on Bleeding Heart leafs, I really like how the drop just hovers over the empty space between the leafs : )

Designs by Iris

2007-05-28T08:09:00.000-05:00

My Iris are blooming!

Yipee!!

: )

Just Dandy

2007-05-20T08:57:00.000-05:00

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spring sunshine warms the heart : )

2007-05-20T08:50:00.000-05:00

My sister gave me a twig of her Bleeding Heart plant last year, I can't believe how big it grew this spring! I just love this plant, the bold colors & shapes are truely a gorgeous addition to my tiny gardens.

Happy Spring everyone!!

'~ '~

2007-05-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

Wish I could share the sounds that were all around me as I took this shot. The wonderful music of the wetlands as the day fades to night...yes peaceful, serene and a tad bit eerie...all so very good for the soul : )

DOF

2007-05-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

I tell ya, I really, really love my 50mm lens : )

My new windchime was perfect for practicing my angle shooting, cause most of the time my photos just look crooked, blah! lol : )
I also like messing around with dof, selecting what I want to be in focus & what I want blurred, I find that to be a whole lotta fun!

Birthday Girl

2007-05-01T20:11:00.000-05:00

Caroline, Dawns grandaughter, celebrated her first birthday last week, yup, a year old already! She is a very photogenic little gal & I had a lot of fun trying to capture all the fun she had had on her special day! : )

****

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.

~Walt Streightiff

Spring Blues

2007-04-12T18:40:00.000-05:00

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

~Audra Foveo

Forcing Spring

2007-04-02T21:20:00.000-05:00

For a few years now I've been cutting Forsythia branches and bringing them indoors, popping them into a vase of water to force them to bloom early, well this year I tried a pear tree branch, unsure if it too would bloom. Was I pleasantly surprised when they started to bud : )

Huh? You talkin' to me!

2007-03-28T21:18:00.000-05:00

Emily, my niece, has the wildest hair, if it's not pulled back in pig tails it's all a big mop of curls : ) I'm really liking the 50mm lens for candids, it's awesome in low light & pretty quick when taking shots of this little runner. : )

Poser

2007-03-17T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well about 12 inches of snow fell last night & the birdfeeder was very busy this morning, the Tufted Titmouse, Wrens, Chickadees & Sparrows all happily taking their turns at the feeder. The birdfeeder is right outside the window so that I can sit inside all nice and warm and watch all the birds as they visit the feeder : )

I swear this Tufted Titmouse was posing for me, usually their very shy!

They're so adorable! : )

Grape Hyacinth

2007-03-15T20:16:00.000-05:00

~~~~
Had a little taste of spring this past weekend, went to a flower show at a local college.

Oh, if I could have bottled up that wonderful spring scent, and shared it with you all, I would have! It smelled sooo incredible!! : ) This is just what I needed during this oh so drab, cold, muddy & snowy March in New England!
(We're expecting another snow storm tommorrow....yuck!) : (

Focus

2007-02-27T22:30:00.000-05:00

I've looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow

It's life's illusions I recall

I really don't know life at all.
-Joni Mitchell

Above The Magnolia Tree

2007-02-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

Thursday night we had the best snow, all heavy & wet. It looked gorgeous! Every tree branch was covered with snow. So there I was at 10:30 at night hanging out the second floor window! The neighbors lampost giving off the perfect amount of light, I just couldn't help myself! : )

Got Kool-aid?

2007-02-18T22:35:00.000-05:00

Picked up a new lens, the 50mm f1.8 & I just love the dof!

My niece Kacie (7 1/2) is always such a willing model, and don't ya just love that Kool-aid mustache!

Awwww : )

2007-02-11T19:11:00.000-05:00

This is Caroline, (Dawns granddaughter) fast asleep after celebrating her great-grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.

Marshmallow Melt

2007-02-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

I think winter has finally arrived here in New England...it's sooooo cold! But I think a big mug of hot chocolate will do the trick!! (I know, I know...more chocolate...I just can't help myself!) : )

Winter Astilbe

2007-02-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.

~Frederick Keonig

Sweet Kisses : )

2007-01-11T21:21:00.000-05:00

I think I may have found the culprit for the problems I'm having with my teeth lately...but man I just love chocolate, how can I go on without it : ( ...........Maybe I'll just cut down on my intake : )

A Place to Rest Awhile

2007-01-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

I know my post have been few and far between lately : ( The weather here in New England has been drab and very boring and along with problems with my teeth...I woke the day after Christmas with a huge toothache...OUCH! (guess I had to many sweets!) : ) my dentist couldn't find anything...Weird! Sent me to a Endodontist...scheduled for a root canal next week...what a way to start the year! Oh well, I guess it could be worse...and this looks like a good place to sit & rest awhile......Happy New Year Everyone!! : )

Jingle all the way...

2006-12-17T18:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

~~~

Just bought myself a new lens for the Rebel XT! (Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro)

I haven't had to much time to use it yet, with the holidays, time is a bit crazy.

Hope you all have a most awesome Christmas Holiday!
~~~

Do You...

2006-12-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

Free Smiles : )

2006-11-23T11:54:00.000-05:00

Did ya smile?...Hope ya did!! : )

Feeling Small

2006-11-19T21:25:00.000-05:00

Being very tall (5'10") it's not often that I feel small, but standing among these towering pines I sure did feel tiny : )

Rediscovered

2006-11-11T22:44:00.000-05:00

Went out on another Photo Explore with Dawn, in search of some moving water so that we could practice our long exposures, well 'lo and behold we rediscovered this great state park not to far from us. : ) It had this awesome cascading brook that had bunches of small waterfalls that were so much fun to shoot! I think we'll be heading back there this winter for more exploring, but the spring should be awesome with the winter thaw (if we get any snow) hopefully this brook will be blasting with water flow, now that oughta be cool! : )

The Girls : )

2006-10-29T21:19:00.000-05:00

~Emily

~~~

~Caroline

Just wanted to share some of my latest photos of my families newest additions : )

The top photo is my niece & somewhat namesake little Miss Emily ~K~ who is almost 11 months old, geez, they grow up so fast!

The second photo is Little Miss Sweet Caroline, my sister Dawns grandbaby and she's 6 months old already!

I have a hard time being around them and not taking photos of them, their so darn cute! : )

Happy Fall Ya'll : )

2006-10-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~Albert Camus

Taken' it slow & easy : )

2006-10-13T21:36:00.000-05:00

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

A Flower in the Sun

2006-10-07T09:58:00.000-05:00

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

~Rachel Carson

Just a Donkeys Eye

2006-10-07T09:50:00.000-05:00

My niece asks "do donkeys bite?" I reply "no" as he opens up and takes a taste of my wrist!

Waitin' for a Breeze

2006-10-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~John Burroughs

Wetland Art

2006-09-25T20:10:00.000-05:00

Let me ask you something, what is not art?

~Author Unknown

Another foggy shot from the very early morning Photo Explore...

--------

Spider Trails

2006-09-19T20:46:00.000-05:00

The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine! Feels at each thread, and lives along the line.

~Alexander Pope

****

This was taken on the same day as "Heron in the Mist" this is one of those sunlit dewy spider webs I spoke of. It was so worth getting up and out by 6 am on a Saturday morning! : )

Heron in the Mist

2006-09-14T21:21:00.000-05:00

Dawn and I headed out to the Norwottock Rail Trail really early this incredible foggy morning. It was very beautiful, but a bit overwhelming, as the sun was rising the light was changing quickly & with wanting to try and capture every beautiful sight before that moment changed was so exciting, trying to decide between sunlit dewy spider webs and amazing foggy landscapes...oh boy! was I one happy snapper : )
This shot is probably one of my favorites of that day and someday when I'm much better working in PS I think I'd like to get rid of the branches in the foreground, but until then...they'll have to stay : )

Zoomin' in on the "Shroom

2006-09-08T20:47:00.000-05:00

This shot is for the one who calls himself "Cool"
Hey Daddio! I do believe there is a fungus amongUs! ; )

My! What Big Eyes You Have!

2006-08-28T20:58:00.000-05:00

Yup, Just lovin' my new Camera

Susans Black-Eye

2006-08-24T20:36:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to share this photo for quite some time, but the new camera has been keeping me quite busy : )
This was shot with my Canon A75, I do love that little camera, it takes incredible macros! But the Rebel is just blowing me away with its color & quality!
If any of you have ever visited Daily Walks/Diane Varner you'll see some of the most amazing photos, she always seems to have the right tones for all her photos!
When I was working on this photo I added the sepia tones thinking of her wonderful photographs, Thank you for the inspiration Diane!

A Rebel Sky

2006-08-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

Dawn & I finally took the big plunge, we both bought ourselves the Canon Rebel XT!
WOW! what an amazing change from my Canon A75, and WOW! what an amazing amount more we have to learn! : )

Wildflower

2006-08-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

Deptford Pink - Dianthus armeria

****

I didn't want to tell the tree or weed what it was. I wanted it to tell me something and through me express its meaning in nature.

~Wynn Bullock

As The Flower Blooms...

2006-08-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

Another shot using the vignetting technique that Wendy sent me instructions for. I just love what the vignetting does for this Echinacea bud! : ) I think I may be addicted!

~~~~~~~~~

Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.
~John Lennon

Reflect

2006-07-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.

~John Muir

DAR State Park, Goshen, MA

Mystery Weed

2006-07-21T10:01:00.000-05:00

Found these tiny flowers (weeds?) at my sisters house, they're only about a 1/4 inch, I actually thought they were small dandelions until I zoomed in and realized that they were teeny flowers : )

A New Spin On Things : )

2006-07-18T08:45:00.000-05:00

This is a shot of a plastic wind spinning thing I have out in my garden : ) I really didn't think I'd get a good shot of it. There was a slight breeze so it was a bit difficult subject to work with...so after about 25 shots I was pretty lucky to have captured this one! : )

Thanks Wendy : )

2006-07-10T16:09:00.000-05:00

I've just love how Wendy adds a dark vignetting on the edges of some of her photos, she was so kind to send me instructions on how to do this in PS3. I just love how it makes a photo pop!

~*~*~*~*~

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive.

~Anäis Nin

~*~*~

Thanks sooooo much Wendy! : )

Rainbow Wings

2006-07-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

I have these bugs all over my garden, not at all sure what they are: bee, fly?
But they sure are cool looking up-close! : ) I just love the color in it's wings!

The Quabbin Blues

2006-06-26T21:16:00.000-05:00

Went out to Quabbin with Dawn a few Sundays back, it must have been the muggiest, hottest day to date, it was so tempting to jump right in the reservoir to cool off, but you can't swim there because it's drinking water for parts of Eastern Massachusetts, (we both agreed to only go there on cooler days, when the water wouldn't be so tempting) We bushwhacked our way through the deer trails searching for small treasures to photograph, I think we both came home with some nice shots and also a few ticks (Yuck! those things sure creep me out!)

Alyssum

2006-06-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.

~Abram L. Urban

My, What Big Teeth You Have!

2006-06-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

Daisies are my favorite flower, but the buds sorta creep me out! : )

Sweet William

2006-06-12T18:52:00.000-05:00

Wasn't to sure about using B&W for a flower photo, but as I was messing around in PS with this shot of a Sweet William I removed the color and was amazed at the change. I found it showed off a little more depth & detail than with color. Change is good : )

~~~~~

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.

~Pauline R. Kezer

Young 'un

2006-06-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

I've been kind of slacking on my posting lately, not for lack of photos, plenty of those : )
Trying to get the gardens all in order so that I can just sit back and enjoy them...and with all the rain here in New England I think my flowers are all going to drown : (
Also have another family member addicted to photography, my niece, (Emilys Mom) : ) wanted to learn her camera better so that she could take nice photos of Emily, well it seems my niece has become addicted to macro, and flowers seem to be her first target...now I wonder who the heck she inherited that from, lol : )
So if you all have some time, go check out her photos! I know you want to, lol Fields of Heather

Iris Dream

2006-06-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

****

Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of the character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning.
~Lydia M. Child

****

Soon To Bloom

2006-05-29T20:43:00.000-05:00

I have this beautiful small patch of Irises out in my backyard. I find the buds to be just as beautiful as the fully opened flower, all wrapped up tight waiting for that perfect moment to unfold its inner beauty. : )

Leaf Design

2006-05-29T08:02:00.000-05:00

The day I see a leaf is a marvel of a day.

~Kenneth Patton

Balance

2006-05-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

~~~~~

I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness.

~Adeline Knapp

~~~~~

(Wisteria bud)

Macro Addict

2006-05-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, lately I'm totally addicted to macro photography!

Burning Bush Flower

2006-05-14T07:49:00.000-05:00

I knew that the burning bush was known for its wonderful bright red foliage in the Autumn but never even realized that they also had these cute tiny (slightly smaller than a dime) flowers in the spring!

To Crop or Not To Crop??

2006-05-11T22:04:00.000-05:00

Not all that sure about the crop on this one, I tried cropping a bit off the top & left side but for some reason it didn't seem right, so I left it as is, even though the crop would of kinda evened out the image by dropping the tiny flower out from the corner...mmm...you think with the cropping it would take away from the blurred background??
~~~~~
Another shot from Dawns incredible gardens : )
Just don't ask me what kind of flower this is, I always forget what she tells me : )
Maybe I should start writing these things down, Nawww, that would be to easy : )
All I know is that it's on a bush with prickly branches, lol, maybe if she visits here, she'll fill us all in on what this is!

Sweet Woodruff

2006-05-10T20:49:00.000-05:00

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

~*~*~*~

I love strolling through Dawns gardens, she has many gardens throughout her yard, all which hold so many treasures , Thanks Dawn! : )

Inner Glow

2006-05-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

Wild Violet

The Sun Shines for Caroline

2006-05-05T21:43:00.000-05:00

Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.

~Gail Lumet Buckley

******

Alright, I've given Dawn over a week of showing off her new granddaughter, now it's my time to show off my newest niece!

Ain't she cute!!

Check Out Those Eyes!

2006-05-05T21:14:00.000-05:00

Babies are such a nice way to start people.

~Don Herrold

~~~~

My niece Emily K.

Almost 5 Months old! Boy, she's growing up so fast!

Stamen Explosion

2006-05-03T20:06:00.000-05:00

Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.
~John Lubbock

Funky Fuzzy Unfurling Fern : )

2006-04-30T20:46:00.000-05:00

I just love how ferns unfurl, each one seems to have a personality all their own. : )

~~~~~~~

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

~Dr. Seuss

Pear Tree Blossom

2006-04-29T12:02:00.000-05:00

As soon as the Magnolia tree blossoms have all fallen, the pear tree in my side yard is in full bloom!

Petals of Pink

2006-04-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

******************************

Ok I showed you the Magnolia tree in full bloom, a close-up of the magical inside so now time for a show of petals : )
Placing the blooms on a mirror and once again using a work lamp I was able to double the beauty. I just love the gentle curves of the petals with their soft pink tones, almost seems to me like someone used watercolors to paint each and every one : )

A Look Within

2006-04-23T19:15:00.000-05:00

The first photo I ever posted on my blog, was a shot similar to this one! The inside of a Magnolia flower.
May celebrates my one year of Photoblogging, and your all invited to....yes, another raking party!! The Magnolia blossoms are dropping from the tree like crazy, and boy, do they make a mess : ) It's a BYOR (bring you own rake) party. The date of the party is still up in the air right now, (literally) but I'll be sure to fill you all in on the time and date!! LOL : )

Things are Looking up

2006-04-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

I love wandering under the Magnolia tree out in my front yard, the scent has such a wonderfully soft sweet smell, Oh and the beautiful touch of pink against the blue skies of spring...it don't get any better than this! : )

Macro Magnolia Bud

2006-04-18T18:01:00.000-05:00

Once again playing with lighting, kind of a moody shot of a Magnolia bud : )

Sweet Scent of Spring

2006-04-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring is just bursting here in New England! I love white flowers, so I picked up this Hyacinth a few days ago for next years garden. Had a bit of fun working with lighting :) & was very happy with the results...and the fragrance...WOW! it's totally incredibly awesome!

Driftwood View

2006-04-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

~John Muir

April Showers...

2006-04-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

...can be so much fun! : )

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

2006-04-03T21:40:00.000-05:00

Did a photoshoot with my niece a few weeks back. Boy, did I learn a lot about lighting, pretty much that I suck at setting it up! : ) so most of the shots came out with lots and lots of shadows, but thanks to PS I'm able to sorta get rid of most of the shadows...So after a few outfit changes & a smile that was getting sore, we kind of got a bit silly : ) I also had a bit of fun in PS with her favorite color, yup you guessed it...PINK! And also she'll be turning "Sweet 16" this month! So this is for you, Lolo :) Luvs Ya!!

The Music of Spring

2006-03-28T20:29:00.000-05:00

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.

~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Still Life

2006-03-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

When I took this shot I was seeing it as it was, my pretty little vase with pretty little flowers, not thinking I would change a thing, but when I opened it in PS and started to do the basic processing I just wasn't feeling anything special about it, yup, just another bunch of flowers sitting in a vase...flat, boring, yuck!!
Turned it B&W, tweaked the black levels up a bit...felt it needed a slightly warmer tone, brightened the whites...yup now I'm feeling something! : )

Morning Reflections

2006-03-22T21:20:00.000-05:00

This is a photo I took a few weeks ago. Yes, I know I promised no more Forsythia... ; ) but I think they only play a small part in this image...I'm still so amazed at how my camera has opened my eyes!

Blue

2006-03-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
~Aaron Rose

Reaching For The Sun

2006-03-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them.
~Louisa May Alcott

A Sure Sign of Spring : )

2006-03-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

I think this little ladybug was trying to tell me something...no, not that spring is in the air...but it must be time for my spring cleaning!
Ewww, I guess I'm a horrible duster, lol but I had to laugh when I spotted the ladybug wandering around my desk last night with its back all covered in dust.
After grabbing a few shots I did try to clean the little lady up a bit : )
Click on image to enlarge-really, really gross!! ; )

Just a Peek

2006-03-12T21:49:00.000-05:00

You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.

~Author Unknown

Leaf Glow

2006-03-10T21:54:00.000-05:00

Not only spring flowers at the flower show but a whole area filled with all types of tropical plants & flowers! I turned to Dawn at one point and said "I could just live in here" yup, I'm weird, lol, it was so warm and filled with life!
I spotted this leaf (don't have a clue what kind of plant it's from) The sunlight was shining through the greenhouse glass right onto the front side, the red edges seemed to be glowing, it was so beautiful!

Curl

2006-03-08T21:34:00.000-05:00

Flowers really do intoxicate me.
~Vita Sackville-West

Dawn and I hit the local flower show this past weekend, and I gotta say, I am so ready for spring!
As you walk into the greenhouse with the smell of spring in the air and being surrounded by a rainbow of colors the winter blahs seem to drift away : )
It was kind of hard to take photos, the aisles were very narrow, and as we tried not to block the way for others, trying to get those real close images was quite a challenge...but I love a challenge : ) to tell you the truth I think we walked out of there with some of our best shots...

TA-DA

2006-03-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

I was amazed at how pretty the inside of the forsythia flower was, I've seen these all my life, my parents had two huge bushes in our front yard, but I never really paid any attention to them before...my camera has opened my eyes so much!!
The flowers kinda droops down but I was able to snag a few photos right before they lowered their pretty little faces. Whenever I look at this photo it almost feels like I'm seeing these for the very first time : )
Click on the image to view larger : )

Just one more Forsythia Bud...I promise : )

2006-03-05T20:09:00.000-05:00

Still messing with my close up lenses, gettin' ready for the spring flowers : )
I promise---no more Forsythia Bud photos : )

Have any of you really looked into a Forsythia flower? --- just a little hint about tomorrows post!! : )

Simply Spring : )

2006-03-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

Over the past few days the forsythia branches that I cut & brought in have started to explode!!
So today, (one week from cutting them), I set up the camera, took a ton of shots, tried different angles, nothing seemed to be working...I was having trouble with the background...ugh!
Maybe because I was trying to: cook dinner-do laundry & take photos all at the same time (I'm not real great at multi-tasking, lol)
Soooo after way to many shots of the same bud, I finally chose to keep it simple by using a white sheet of paper as the background.
Dinner was a bit overdone...laundry...well, tomorrows another day!!

FROZEN....Brrrr

2006-03-01T21:16:00.000-05:00

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.
~Eleonora Duse

Heirloom Art

2006-02-28T21:09:00.000-05:00

We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.
-Sandra Day O'Connor

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This is a large table doily that was crocheted by an Aunt, I'm so proud to be able to display this wonderful piece of art in my home. I call this shot "Heirloom Art" because this was handed down to me & someday I too hope to hand it down to a family member that will treasure it as much as I do.

(ps Dawn this ones for you - I'm feeling a bit more centered today) lol :)

Forcing Spring

2006-02-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

Forsythia branches, I cut them and put them in a vase to try and force them to bloom, but before I had a chance to trim off the buds that were under the water I just had to try and capture the tiny bubbles that had formed, but I wanted to practice selective focusing & went beyond the bubbles right to the buds. Hopefully they will bloom for a wonderful early spring bouquet : )

"The Devils Rope"

2006-02-22T21:00:00.000-05:00

I was pretty excited when Dawn and I stopped along some back roads on our latest "Explore" and we spotted barbed wire, I've seen similar shots to mine and for some weird reason I just love them! Strange Huh? lol :)
I did a search on barbed wire, they actually have a museum dedicated to "The Devils Rope" :)

Growth

2006-02-21T22:45:00.000-05:00

Went out on another "Photo Explore" with Dawn this past weekend, we headed out to a few of the old cemeteries in our area.
Thanks to Stacie for inspiring us with this idea for places to visit! : )

Blurred Vision

2006-02-17T23:14:00.000-05:00

The Sun, the hearth of affection and life, pours burning love on the delighted earth.
~Arthur Rimbaud

A Window Into Another World

2006-02-15T22:21:00.000-05:00

Still trying to get a handle on using my close-up lenses, I'm practicing, using water drops until the spring flowers arrive :)
Water drops amaze me, I can't believe how one tiny drop can reflect so much! In this drop, when I zoomed in on it, I see more of my house plants along with the bottom of my dining room window...I may have to try more...maybe I'll show you my home reflected in water drops :)
-----I better go and fill up the spray bottle, lol ;)

One Good Smellin' Shoe!

2006-02-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

My mom has quite the flair for decorating, always thinking of ways to show off her collectibles in a different way. Her Victorian resin shoe alone, is such a unique piece sitting on the coffee table, but when she added some potpourri (linen scented...mmm smells sooo good), it really showed the shoe off even more. I think a print of this would look great in my own home, but it just won't smell as good as the real thing :)

Poppy

2006-02-11T14:21:00.000-05:00

Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.
~Luther Burbank

Leaf Remains

2006-02-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

~Confucius

Feathery Grass

2006-02-05T00:04:00.000-05:00

Had to go into the archives for this post, taken this past fall after days & days of rain, the sun peeked out just in time for it to set!
I think I'm in a funk :( Winter blues or something, none of my shots seem to be working for me...UGH!
So me and Dawn each have decided to build a light box. We found a great tutorial on how to construct one!
Light! I Need Light!!

Kacie

2006-01-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

I'm still working on my people shots, I love trying to capture a moment when someone doesn't have a clue I'm taking their photo. Not so easy, with the people I know, they tend to look the other way when they see I have my camera out.
But not so with Kacie, my niece, she loves posing, actually she likes to run the photoshoot, LOL :)
I've finally learned that I can grab a few candid shots of her while she "sets up" the next shot, you just have to be quick with the shutter button, oh the energy of youth!

New Forest

2006-01-25T22:37:00.000-05:00

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

-John Burroughs