Final Post/SkyWatch of 2010 ~

Northeasten USA was blasted with a blizzard the day following Christmas. Shutting down most of my state for 2 days. Now, 5 days later the sky is clear and bright. The temps have raisen to a warm 38 degrees. After being "trapped" in the house for several days, we decided it was a good day for a trip to the beach. We waited abit for the sun to be at it's strongest. By the time we arrived the fishing ships were back with their mornings catch.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

view others @ Sky Watch Friday.

Hibernate ~

My girls are not allowed to sleep on our bed, however due to the recent winter storms and freezing temps, I find it difficult to chase them off of the heated bed. Each morning they jump up and cuddle in with us. I fear we are falling into hibernation mode.

Click it Up ~

36 hours after it had begun, the snow ceased falling. The bone chillin' wind did not follow suit. It continued howling for 2 days, seemingly finding pleasure in it’s great strength against both man and beast. Unfortunately, the world did not come to a stop and we needed to get busy digging out. A path for the pups was our first priority, second to finding our car under a mountain of snow. With drifts standing over 5’ tall, it was difficult to see anything other than a frozen wall of white powder.

Three days later the local airports are still back logged, and to my joy, extending my son’s Christmas vacation and visit. The abandoned cars have finally been removed from the roadways, and the streets are now plowed. It was a Christmas Blizzard to be remember for many years to come.

I learned ~ I would rather be the person, with camera in hand, responsible for documenting a pictorial history of this day, than to be the one outside with a shovel in my hands!

Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

Sleeping in ~

After a record breaking blizzard, which left us with over 2 feet of snow and 5' snow drifts, Willow decides it's a good day to sleep in.

My World ~

The day after Christmas brought a storm of 30" of snow, 60 mph winds, and drifts of over 5'.
Don't think I'll be out until Spring!

join in @ My World Tuesday.

Center of the Wheel ~

~ center of the ferris wheel.

Wishing you ~

the Merriest Christmas.

Merry Christmas ~

All I Want for Christmas ~

Berry Marco ~

While most of the country was blanketed in snow, we received a light dusting. Just enough for Santa's sleigh.

join in @ Macro Monday

SkyWatch ~

the sky was bright and blue, the wind strong, the tide tough, and the air temps in the single digits, yet we enjoyed the day playing with props and photography

view others @ Sky Watch Friday.

Click it Up ~

I learned ~ I was able to talk a friend into going to the beach with me today. With temperatures in the single digits and a photo shot in mind, I learned it is sometimes just necessary to shot in auto mode.

I posted two photos this week, first the photo I had in mind. However, just by looking at it one can not tell how bitterly cold it was standing in the sand. The second photo proof it was a necessity to shot in auto.

Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

My World Tuesday ~

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, we were delighted to take a lantern tour of an 1800 iron ore bog. Costumed interpreters throughout the Historic Village's homes offered visitors demonstrations in various aspects of 19th Century domestic life. Carolers strolled and Santa made a visit.

join in @ My World Tuesday.

Marco Monday ~

join in @ Macro Monday

Willow Critter ~

Willow, at 3 years of age, is the older of my 2 black labrador retrievers.

Visit Camera Critters.

Click it Up ~

For this weeks "I learned", at Click it Up ~ it is best to run the puppies for (oh) about an hour before a puppy photo shoot. Then with much patience and lots of luck, one can capture a good photograph. Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

SkyWatch ~

Would you know from looking at the photo the temps were in the low 20s with a wind chill of 10? Pretty darn cold!

view others @ Sky Watch Friday.

Winter Color ~

Marco Monday ~

~ a late bloomer ~

join in @ Macro Monday

Quacky Critter ~

~ American wood duck ~

Visit Camera Critters.

23 days, the count down ~

Better not cry, better not pout. Santa Claus is coming to town.

For "click it up" ~ I learned to layer photos.

For SkyWatch ~ When what to my wondering eyes should appear.

*I have used this photo previously, however I thought it looked like the perfect backdrop for Santa.

B & Me ♥

Marco Monday ~

end of the fall, dried up, flowery, leafy, thingy

join in @ Macro Monday

A Place to Hike & Rest ~

Relaxing Thanksgiving ~

Happy Thanksgiving ~

Thistle ~

A Step Back in Time ~

Critter ~

Visit Camera Critters.

Friday PhotoShare ~

SkyWatch one photo down...


During this pass week, B and I continued to explore our local lighthouses. I spent most of our time clicking and snapping away from every angle while B read all about the history of the guiding lights. I practiced more with night photography resulting in some interesting photographs. However, I will share a photo I took and textured. Kim's class was fabulous, not only did she share her "secrets" of texturing, she taught many tips and tricks to use while working with photoshop.

Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

SkyWatch ~

Grey and rainy skies surround this "Captain of the Ship" ~ the last one off.

view others @ Sky Watch Friday.

Train trip ~

Friday PhotoShare ~

I am trying to learn to embrace the Autumn season.

Door to ...

Grape Day ~

I'm planning on having a grape day!

Simple ~

Saturday Critter ~

hmmmm... wonder why this fellow's name is Spoonbill?

Visit Camera Critters.

First Frost ~

I miss summer already ~

Friday PhotoShare ~

Thanks to Courtney’s encouragement I decided to jump out from behind the camera. As a rule I prefer to be behind the lens, resulting in my absence in many of our family photos. The photographs I have of “B” and I were all taken by someone,(she says, trying not to sound like an elitist) less skilled. In general, they are often missing tops of our heads, sides of our faces, or one of us is blinking. As most folks aren’t interested in taking 100s of photos to obtain one which could be considered passable, we have learned to settle.

Having almost mastered my tripod I felt finally the time had come and this past week took the leap. To help “ease the pain” B and I went over to one of our local historic parks. I can honestly report we had a blast. A side from the self timer, my camera can be set to take up to 9 consecutive shots. I took over 200 photos, many resulting in me running into the photo and B laughing as he is yelling “run Forest run”. I was able to get several which we both liked. B, the amazing man that he is, suggested the next day we go to our favorite beach area. We were having such a great time, in fact, several people stopped to laugh along with us. ~

Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

SkyWatch Friday ~

... and I was fortunate enough to see it in person.

view others @ Sky Watch Friday.

Full Moon ~

there is such an Autumn feel to the air this evening ~

Marco Monday ~

a little twisted wine ~

join in @ Macro Monday

BOO!

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2 sec

Pumpkin Critter ~

Trick or Treat!

Visit Camera Critters.