Camera Critter #8:

We like to say Murphy is a “good boy”. Due to his constant urge to run; we have determined he will most likely never make the status of being “best boy”. However, with the recent visit of our 17 month old granddaughter, perhaps we need to rethink this. He was especially gentle with her.

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Sky Watch Friday:

It's a sore throat Sky Watch Friday!

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Little Vistor:

B's daughter and granddaughter have arrived. Being a born and raised "Jersey Girl", I just had to take our little vistor under my wing and show her the best of Jersey. We started at my favorite, the beach. It didn't take her long before she discovered the fine art of letting the soft white fine sand funnel through her hand.

Wordless Wednesday:

Waiting for a little vistor to arrive.

Town Tour:

No, this is not my home! We live on the other side of the tracks, hummm... river. However, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the local homes and their river view.

Memorial Day:

My prayers that they ALL return safely.

Camera Critters #7:

"It was spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, and wrens... there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh." Rachel Carson 1962 "Silent Spring"

Thanks in large part to Carson's writings and her book, once again the morning chorus sings.

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Sky Watch Friday: Kayaking

Living “down the shore” has many advantages; we have the bay within walking distance and the ocean is only several minutes away. This tends to lead to warm weather company. This past weekend the first arrived. They had plans of taking kayak lessons and than patrolling the bay for migrating birds.

Saturday the weather co-operated with their plans and they were busy learning and practicing their newly acquired skills. Sunday the sun was shining bringing warmth to the chilled morning air. They headed out early. I had promised to meet up with them, on the water’s edge, to hopefully get some fun and entertaining shots of them paddling away. As the day drew on the clouds blew in bringing cool winds which, in turn, kicked up the cold water. The bay was quickly filled with white caps.

My company was somewhere out on the bay caught in an approaching storm. I could only hope that their skills proved well learned. By the time they reached dry land their hands were ice blue. They were frozen and a bit shaken by the experience of being tossed around by the waves.

It was only after a hot cup of coffee and some dry clothes that they were able to laugh about what a great time they had riding the waves that the strong winds had formed.

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Award:

Look what Stacey at A Focus in the Wild had waiting for me this morning.

I really wasn’t expecting to receive an award to today. I am not prepared for the occasion, which is evidenced by the fact that I sit here in my jammies with sleep still in my eyes and mind. And not to mention I do not have a prepared acceptance speech. But let me thank, once again, my Mom and Dad (who don’t even know I have this blog) and B, my dear partner, for all his editorial advising. I’ll have to clean up my shelf (sidebar) and make room to proudly display this new award. ~ Thank you.

I am passing this award on to these 5 of my favorites:
L^2 at A Dog's Eye View
Lisa at Lisa's Chaos
Janet at Fond of Snape
Jenny at Tame the Wild Beastie
Debbie at Three Weddings

Wordless Wednesday:

A Homecoming!

Odd Shot Monday #4:

God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.

Jacques Deval

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Camera Critters # 6:

This is our little "LW", Seeing Eye Puppy. Please don't be fooled, these photos were only able to be obtained after a 3 mile walk/run through the woods and a swim in several mud puddles. She is wild and crazy; filled with all of the exuberance of a 11 month old lab puppy. She is so precious and will be soarly missed when she is recalled for her formal training.

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Sky Watch Friday:

Slightly hazy with a cool breeze off the water, but still a lovely day for a walk by the bay.

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Wordless Wednesday:

Nothing Green:

There is nothing green which passes my lips; no broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, no asparagus. But sometimes I just need to face my fears...!

Odd Shot Monday:

The sound of the prize wheel spins marking the arrival of these orphan frogs. Can the summer crowds be far behind?

Happy Mother's Day!

As a Mother's Day gift to Mom and me, my Dad didn't even make an attempt to cook. He took us out to breakfast instead. Mom and I were thankful. The pancakes were wonderful and when we could eat no more, we went for a nice walk, or at this point it was more of a waddle, along the boardwalk. After filling my belly and getting a breath of fresh air, I could feel my eyes becoming heavy with the need for a nap. And because today is Mother's Day, nap I did!

It appears we weren't the only mama's out for breakfast and a stroll. And if anyone was in need of a nap, this feathered mom certainly deserves one. I'm hoping you all had an enjoyable day!

Camera Critters # 5:

Birding Again!

We went birding in hopes of spotting the Red Knots and the Ruddy Turnstones. Their stay here is brief and we were disappointed to have seen either, perhaps we arrived to late in the day. However, here's two of our beauties from today:

Sky Watch Friday:

Even if I do get seasick just standing on the dock, it doesn't mean I don't enjoy the view. Temps are in 70s, the sun is shinning, sky is bright and clear, waters are still, all and all it's a perfect 10!

To view Sky Watch Friday.

Playing Around:

This evening after a lovely dinner with some friends, B was kind enough to stop at this local marina. For many years I have enjoyed the night view of the lights simmering off the water and the silhouettes of the sailboats. I played with several setting and tried to steady the camera on a make shift tripod. I don't think it's too bad for my first "real" night time shot.

Wordless Wednesday:

Days gone by.

No more pencils:

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers...
This is me today on my very last day of school. I can't believe it's finally over. And to think it only took me 30 years to get my BA in Biology! Now on July 1, I start my teacher certification classes. Than I guess I have to start being a "big person" and get a job!

I need your advice:

(sticky post)

From everything I read and everything I hear a tripod is an essential piece of equipment for a photographer. I don’t consider myself a photographer however, I do really enjoy taking photos and sometimes I get lucky. I am always critiquing my photos and looking at those of others with the thoughts of finding what I like about the photo and what I don’t. I hope this will help me to focus on the image I want to capture before pressing the shutter button. However, I have found more times than not, I have captured the image but to my dismay the shot is not as sharp or clear as I would like. I decided to take the next step in the procession, of hopefully, taking better photos and purchase a tripod. I have started looking around.
What I know I want is one which is sturdy, light weight, easy to set up, and it must have a quick camera release. Am I asking too much? I question how often I will use it. Do most of you carry a tripod around with you? It seems as if it would be a hassle to lug around. What features should I be looking for? What do you like or dislike about your tripod? Can you recommend a brand or model? I would really appreciate any help in making this decision. Yes, I am asking for your two cents. I plan on purchasing one prior to my trip to the refuge for the spring migration.
Thanks ~ Trish

Odd Shot Monday:

hummmm... I can still see you!

Weekend Snapshot:

My birthday with a side of studying for my calculus final.

Camera Critters # 4: Murphy

Eight years ago, when it was time for one of our Seeing Eye puppies to be returned and my older son was leaving for boot camp, I decided it was time for another fulltime dog. I suppose I was suffering from “empty nest syndrome.” Furthermore, Orlando needed a friend. I wanted a female yellow Labrador, went to the shelter to look at a collie and came home with Murf!
Murphy is our “middle child,” and displays all the symptoms: he has to fight for attention and often feels ignored. He is the best babysitter for all of puppies. He has the silliest ears. In addition, he is the mellowest dog you will ever meet. He is, indeed, one handsome boy. And his striking markings, frequently inspire the question: “what kind of dog is that?” I generally respond with, “a good one.”

Sky Watch: Bayview Sunset

Yet, another reason I enjoy living "down the shore."

A Gift from Mother Nature:

When I moved to this area of Jersey, more than 30 years ago, there were few homes and even fewer businesses. We had the privilege to having plenty of open space. This land was filled with many varies of wildflowers. Tigerlilies lined the streets and wisteria decorated many trees and structures. Perhaps because lilacs are one of my favorite flowers and because it graces me with its presents at the time of my birthday, it was among one of flowers I noticed all those years ago. Standing at the end of my block was one beautiful large lilac bush. As the years have passed, many of the wooded lots have been replaced with homes, large box stores and strip malls, but this lilac bush as been spared and, in fact, has thrived. It now stands easily over 12 feet tall and no less than 20 feet around. No picture I could take would show its grand size. Each year I think about taking a few clippings, however I never do, always thinking, if everyone clipped just one flower, no one would be able to enjoy the beauty of this giant with the hundreds of fragrant blooms. Even in a gentle breeze the aroma can be detected for what seems a mile away.

Our town is undergoing a major growth spurt and I fear “my” birthday bush will soon fall victim to a bulldozer. Last evening under the cover of dark, B, LW and I, with pruners in hand, walked down to this beauty and in what seemed like a quite ceremony cut several blooms. I fear it will be the last year I receive the gift of sweet beauty from this flora.