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It's snowing here, yes, you heard me snowing! and it's cold, really cool.

For gosh sake it's not even Halloween!

and it looks like I am not the only one freezing to death!

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This is the same child who had such a great fear of falling that he would not allow us to take the training wheels off his bicycle. 

How times have changed now I'm the one who is fearful of him falling.

Congratulations on your recent sponsorships ~ Bug!

submitted to Fabulous Friday

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the old abandoned home on of grounds of Fort Hancock, the perfect setting for a Hallow's eve

view skies from around the world over @ SkyWatch Friday.

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see what happens when I finally put the camera down ♥

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the cute part of Halloween ~

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New Jersey’s oldest folklore, the tale of the Jersey Devil started in the early 1700s. Wife of drunkard found she was pregnant with her 13th child. Not having the wealth or the means to provide for these children she “rose her hands to heaven and proclaimed, let this one be the devil,“ and so the legend began.

Each year, especially around Hallow’s eve, mass numbers of people will hunt the forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens for this elusive creature. Over the years, whenever I walk this narrow, tree lined and covered path, I have thought it must lead to the Devil’s front door.

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I am certain this photo could have been sharper, but heck, it is a busy bee hive.

It was kinda a one shot deal! Well, for me anyway.

join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

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When you live in the middle of a conifer forest you have to go on a hunt for deciduous trees. News reports indicate they are nearing peak color change.  So B and I took Willy for a walk through the trails. I spied a few trees nearing the ready to drop their colorful accessories.

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The Grinch Who Stole Pumpkins ~ You’ve all heard me whine, cry and complain mention how much I dislike Autumn and for oh, so many reasons. On my long list, and among them but not limited to, is Halloween. It has always seemed absurd to me. All year long we teach our children not to talk to strangers; then on this one day, a so called holiday, we dress them up and send them out to roam the streets, in the dark of night. Then we encourage them to walk up to some unknown home and ask for candy. Really?? We preach about not opening the door to anyone unfamiliar. Now, on the day of devils, demons and ghosts, we nonchalantly watch them hold the door wide open for a complete stranger standing on the other side wearing a mask! Yes, it is a scary day indeed.

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Part III ~ Twin Lighthouse

On our way to Sandy Hook we took the short detour up the steep road leading to the mountain top lighthouse. Over the last years I have tried, unsuccessfully, to capture this castle style Twin Lighthouse in it’s entirety. It sits high on a hill, 200 feet above sea level, and when you’re shooting with a 28mm there isn’t room to back up or move over before nearing the cliff's edge. So I have previously posted parts of this light. Last week when I purchased a 10 - 24mm, I knew I wanted to give my new lens a workout at the Twin.

to view the skies around the world head over to SkyWatch Friday.

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Part II ~ Fort Hancock

Walking the grounds while touring the fort provided the chance to take a closer look than allowed from the inside of a vehicle. The abandoned Batteries are fenced off with heavy chains and padlocks holding the gates closed.

Stopping by Battery Granger, standing in awe of this decaying 100 + year, massive concrete structure revealed an unlocked gate. The large linked chain hang in an open circle and the padlock was among the missing. I nodded to B. He moved his head in an up and down motion signaling a yes, go ahead, I dare ya. I pushed the rusting gate open wide enough to squeeze myself through. At risk of being arrested, I tip toed into the hallowed ground.

As I prepared to take several photos of the now vacant area, in my mind I could see the Soldiers hurrying up the narrow stairway to get view of the open ocean ahead for them. Although several of the black iron gates were partly open, I was too creeped out to investigate the darkened inners.

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Part I ~ Sandy Hook

I did not attend the NJ Lighthouse Challenge which took place over this past weekend. But keeping in the spirit, B and I went to Sandy Hook. I have posted this lighthouse previously, most recently on 9-11 when Phriend and I made a ill faded attempt to capture the tribute lights in NYC.

Sandy Hook is the oldest U.S. operational Lighthouse. It stands at the mouth of the Hudson River, the waterway entrance to New York Harbors and is surrounded by a deactivated Army base. This coastal artillery base was commissioned in 1874 and protected the harbor for over 100 years. The gunnisons and batteries are decayed beyond repair and are fenced off making them visible but off limits to visitors.

Yesterday being a warm Autumn day and with B and Willow in tow, we took a walking tour of the area.

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Me and B, we decided to take advantage of the sunny day by getting out on the water and doing a little leaf peeking.

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apples and pumpkins, falling leaves and extra blankets at night, corn and turkey, stuffin' and gravy . . . I still prefer summer (sigh).

join the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

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It was about 2 years ago when I purchased a backpack type camera bag. It was a smaller compact size and I remember the salesman asking me if it would be big enough for my lenses. Yes, I replied. I was fairly new to the DSLR and had the two kits lenses at the time. I wouldn’t be needing anymore, the two I had fits all my needs. He laughed and promptly said, oh wait. Let it be said, he was correct.

I have pined after several lenses since that day and fell weak purchasing the 35mm, f/1.4, 28 - 300mm and the 60mm/marco. I have found the need for a 150 - 500mm and in fact, have rented it and loved it.  But at it's high cost, it will have to wait. Recently I have been using my wide angle filter more frequently and the desire to own an actual lens has become great.  Today I caved and purchased the 10 - 24mm wide lens. Heck, I just needed it!

In celebration and to take it out for a test drive, Phriend and I traveled to one of our local historic villages. We lucked out with our timing. A wedding had just been preformed and the beautiful bride and her new groom were exiting the 1800s, little white church. There were several antique cars awaiting the bridal party.

The driver of this 1948 Chevy woodie was thrilled to find that Phriend and I were interested in it enough to be photographing it from all angles and proceeded to tell us, in painstaking great detail, how he had restored it over the course of many years. We were patience and listened but all along I kept thinking, please just step back so I can test out my wide angle baby!

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~ one step closer to being a guide ~

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which one?

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It’s been a little over three weeks since Shyla ♥ returned to The Seeing Eye and I am puppyless at the moment. 

I do still attend the bi-monthly meeting of puppy raisers, if for nothing to get my fix of puppy kisses.

This evening was Zari’s last meeting before it’s her turn to join Shyla ♥ and prepare to be a guide.

 Marlene was happy to get a few last photos with “her” little girl.

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Monarchs are not the only butterfly currently on the move. Plenty of Clouded Sulphurs can be seen fluttering about.

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It's been summer like and I am lovin' it!

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With record breaking high temperatures, I could think of nothing better than a walk on the boardwalk.

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Spring and the monarchs arrive at the same time. They arrive from Mexico ravenous and will eat until their appetites are satisfied. This king of butterflies generally has a 60 day life span and will be certain to reproduce many times over prior to death. The cycle will continue three to four times over the course of the warmer months. Once the fourth generation emerges from their Chrysalis it is inherently known they are the chosen generation which will make the 2000 mile migration. Their appetites are like no other generation before and their urge to reproduce is suppressed. When the cooling winds of Autumn blow, the monarch will catch a ride back to the mountains of Mexico and wait for Spring to arrive again.

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They arrive at the southern most point of New Jersey by the millions. It is a feeding ground and resting place during their 2000 mile journey, from the northern U.S. to the forested mountains of central Mexico. There is still a great sense of mystery as to how the monarch is capable of making this incredible migratory journey.

Today we watched as the researchers captured data about these beautiful creatures including their sex, weight and wingspan.  They were then tagged and released.  Researchers will continue to tag thousands more this Autumn, and the studies will go on until the secret is discovered.

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I have previously made several ill faded attempts to capture a shot of the moon. After doing some web reading, I was ready to take on this challenge again. Last evening, with the moon being 78% full and in it’s Waxing Gibbous phase, I planted my tripod in the sands of the bay, set my camera on the steady and tried as I had before.

I found the first common mistake shared by many was to assume, because it is dark, crank up the ISO. There is no need to as the intended target is a brightly glowing object and secondly you must have a very fast shutter speed. Heck, the moon is moving and from what I witnessed at a rather quick pace.

For my settings; ISO 200, 1/250, f/10, @ 300mm, and I think this goes without saying no flash. I shot in RAW, so I could make fine post processing adjustments if necessary.

I was happy with myself for reading up, prior to shooting, as it did save me the time and trouble of doing lots of fine tuning in processing. I adjusted the whites, lights, and the blacks, dark, cropped and framed.

While I am fairly pleased with the shot, I do plan on trying again when the winds are still. Last night they were strong enough to move the tripod causing a bit of shake and motion resulting in some blur.

Go see what other photographers learned over @ Courtney's.  She has lots of wonderful and informative photography tips.

And why not web hop over to Ashley's to check out some awesome editing tips.

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When a Phriend (I wouldn’t mention names) posted a photo, on her facebook page, of lightly fried apples dipped in pancake batter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, I knew, with all the apples I have from my recent picking, I wanted to try these. They have become my newest obsession, breakfast, lunch and dinner ~ they are yummy anytime of the day!

* I really need to close down my aperture when taking marco shots.

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B has enjoyed the sport of fishing for many years. Sadly, he doesn’t often have the chance to get out in the kayak and float around with rod and reel in hand. When one of his co-worker mentioned his shared interested in this sport, the two decide to hit the lake the next morning. They, also, tried their hand at some fly fishing, a first for B.

I wasn’t able to attend, not that I was asked or wanted to go (I wouldn’t touch a worm) but I, of course, would have enjoyed taking photographs. So after work, long after they were off the lake and back home, I drove out (yesterdays POD) to capture a few shots. B was kind enough to bring home one of the flies for me.

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The second warm and fuzzy bathrobe needing morning and it is raining yet again. I had so much on my to do list for today and haven’t checked off half of it. This gray darkness has me moving at a snails pace. Think I’ll go grab another sweatshirt, put my Uggs on and get crack-a-lacking.

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It's a Autumn pumpkin Macro Monday ~

join the fun over @ Lisa's Chaos.

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just another overcast, rainy on and off, Autumn day here

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one of our local farm stores all dressed for Autumn ~