Saturday, April 30, 2011

120/245

Three weeks away I mentioned how much I enjoyed watching a frog transform from polliwog to adult. This had me thinking and the next thing I knew I was ordering larvae. Several days later a box arrived on my doorstep, the contents; five caterpillars, caterpillar food, a culture kit, and a net cage.

The metamorphosis, from caterpillar to Painted Lady Butterfly, takes about three to four weeks. Currently, they are busy spinning silk and getting ready to form their chrysalids and enter the pupa stage.

The photo is not the best, as it was taken through the glass of their home which is now filled with silk fibers. This little guy may be not be the best looking guy on the block but just we wait and see what happens to him.

Friday, April 29, 2011

119/246

One of the many things I enjoy about Spring is being able to get out on the water. Today was glorious, filled with a bright and warming sun. After texting Phriend, grabbing the camera and strapping the kayaks to the roof of the car, we were off to one of the many local waterways.  We found the wind was strong and for awhile we had to paddle against it and the current. This is not easy.  After three hours, Phriend's arms tired and mine were feeling weak and numb, we turned about.  Now the wind to our back and traveling with the current, we sailed along. We were suprised at just how quickly the water was moving.  At times it was difficult to maintan control of the kayak.  And was we laughed ourselves silly, we both ended up head on in the trees and under brush. I did take several photos of Phriend with branches in her hair and leaves in her face and I am certain she got plenty of me.  What we wouldn't do for a picture of the day!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

118/247

After this brutal NJ winter, even the weeds are looking good!
With Courtney's help, I've been able to "Click it up a Notch".  She has an informative photography blog with lots of updated very helpful hints, tips, and links.  Go stop by her place, she is always happy to welcome new comers.

The more I looked at this photo, the more I liked it.  I decide to enter it in Jennifer's Fabulous Friday.



Click it Up a Notch


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

117/248

How sad is this? I took nearly 400 photos during our trip yesterday, and I am still drawn to the photographs of the flowers.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

116/249

B had some business to take care of outside town, a three hour trip.  He asked Phriend and I if we were interested in traveling with him. With the chance of finding something new to photograph, we jumped at the opportunity.
We had to pass through a little town. With cameras in hand we walked the narrow European style streets. They were no wider than a car width and lined with pastel colored row homes. It was a charming mountain town.

Monday, April 25, 2011

115/250

With it being Easter, I thought it was appropriate to have a little chocolate. 
 Hope you enjoyed yours as much as I did mine.


join the marco monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

Sunday, April 24, 2011

114/251

When Easter comes... so does spring, bringing new life to the world. The butterfly adorns the fields
gracefully moving among flowers so bold. The beautiful flowers paint the mind with their amazing fragrance. As the birds prepare their nest, they harmonize in song celebrating joys of spring and new life.
Just as the spring rains bring new life to trees and plants, so did Christ's tears water our soul giving us life through his death. ~Kissed by an Angel

Saturday, April 23, 2011

113/252

In 2007, with family through out the country, I wanted a place to post some photographs. It enabled my family and friends to stay in touch. Facebook was not as popular and those who did use it were college age students. I chose blogger as a parking place. I posted photos of our newest little fuzzy puppies and random shoots of adventures B and I under took. It was a look into our everyday life, shared with people we knew. Someone suggested the name “Life through a Lens” and knowing little about photography, I did not realize this name was being used by Annie Leibovitz.  Sure I had heard of her, but didn't know Life through a Lens was her trademark.  I have often thought of changing the name, as I am not Annie, nor to I want to be. But change is difficult and with only people I knew viewing my photographs, I didn’t think it was a necessary change to make.

Through the four years, I have had many others visit and revisit my little cyber place. As of today, I have had just under 5000 visitors view my profile. I haven’t had a counter on my blog itself but I would venture to say it is well over this number, as everyone who stops by does not view my profile. So , the decision was made and thus this is “Life as I see it”.

today I see, Murf rejoicing in a bit of sunshine.

Friday, April 22, 2011

112/253

~ B being B ~

Thursday, April 21, 2011

111/254

I am not really certain how exactly this happened. B has enlisted Phriend and I to take photos of the local area and portraits of the jocks for his radio station‘s website. I am confident, we can handle the scenery. Photographs of the schools, buildings, parks, all the places of interest in the station’s listening area.

The portraits are a totally different story. I have tried to beg out, explaining portraits are an entire different type of photography. Just because I can take a good shot of a flower, dog or a non-living object, doesn’t mean I can take a internet worthy portrait of the on air talent. B says he will be thrilled with what we get and is sure Phriend and I will do an amazing job. Me, I not so sure.

This being the case, I have been doing a bit of research on “actions” for portraits. I have seen some awesome shots which you all have taken and applied actions to, creating blue ribbon photographs in which skin tones are smooth and even and eye are crystal clear.

Question? What “action” or “actions” can you recommend? Thank you in advance.




Wednesday, April 20, 2011

110/255

While we were on the University campus, we stopped by their bowling alley. This university is located on the grounds which were originally the winter home of a millionaire railroad tycoon. During the early 19th century, bowling was a sport which belonged to the social elite. This historic alley, built in 1899, was recently restored to it’s original state. Today, it is the nation’s oldest operational bowling alley.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

109/256

Today our photographic journey took us to the grounds of a historic Catholic Girls college. The one which Phriend graduated. The college is comprised of many buildings predating the 1900s. The architecture of these building so ornate. They presented numerous photo opportunities. However, after this never ending winter, I found I am drawn to any and all signs of Spring.

Monday, April 18, 2011

108/257

Some of my earliest memories are those of me kneeling at my neighbor’s dining room table, watching her pinning and cutting out dress patterns. She was a women, who often watched me. She was old enough to be my grandmother, but I would call her my first real friend. I would spend time just hanging out with her, eating a bologna sandwich, walking up the street to the candy shop, going for after dinner bicycle rides in the summertime and having sleepovers. It was from her that I gained my love for sewing.


head over to Lisa's Chaos to join the Marco Monday fun

Sunday, April 17, 2011

107/258

~ a bloomin' update ~

Saturday, April 16, 2011

106/259

It was the kind of day I dreamed about all winter. I have longed for the warmth of the sunshine to defrost my bones. Yesterday was just that day. Phriend and decided it was the perfect day to get out on the water. We hoisted the kayaks to the roof of the car and off we went. We arrived at the lake, the same one which was ice covered the last time we were there, but today it beckoned us to come paddle around. We toured the coast line and observed, a 100 or so, turtles in a deep state of mediation all while, they too, enjoyed a sunbathe. They barely noticed us. We returned home, tired but filled with hope summer can't be far away.

Today, I woke to find the tempertures had dropped and it was as cold and windy as any winter day.  This made the sunburn I got yesterday seem more like pleasure than pain.

Friday, April 15, 2011

105/260

I learned many years ago, it is not an easy task to medicate an animal. Who's great idea was it to shove a pill down an animal's throat with your finger? I am not sure I want to know the answer!

With a bit of inventiveness, I have improved this technique and enjoyed 100% success in getting any pill down the smallest of gullets by simply surrounding it with peanut butter and placing it on a spoon. This incredibly sticky substance adheres nicely to the pill; unlike a slice of cheese or chunk of hotdog. Every one of my dogs have loved the peanutty treat and come running when I take out the jar and spoon.

Since Murphy’s leg injury, he has been receiving 3 different medicines a day. With each administration, I push the required pill into a spoonful of peanut butter. Murphy then licks the yummy treat from the spoon and the pill sneaks in unnoticed! Success!

I was not my usual cheery self this morining; as a result of unsettled stomach, I hadn't slept well. I felt as if I was surrounded by a fog.  To soothe the soarness of my stomach, I decided on a glass of chocolate milk (a excellent remedy for nearly anything) So, after feeding and medicating Murf, I poured the milk, spooned the Quik into a glass, stirred and drank.

Ah, the morning was getting better already. Yes, things were just fine until I noticed, while washing the morning dishes, there was only one spoon in the sink.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

104/261

I had the day off today and had planned on catching up on some of my housework, the dusting, vacuuming, laundry, and, as a treat, thought I might even cook dinner for B and I. Decided on playing with "selfie" instead.  We can go out for dinner and the dust will still be there tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

103/262

For as long as I can remember, this fellow has stood high above the boardwalk on the grounds of a sky top mini golf course. He stands over looking the activities of both young and old as they stroll the boardwalk and scream on the rides. Perhaps he today, he made a request to come down and take a closer look.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

102/263

Nothing would make me happier then to be able to report these were growing in my yard, sadly they are not. We are still experiencing winter weather. Ok, not quite winter but barely reaching temperatures above the 40s. After work I stopped at the local garden center. Yes, we are all prepared for Springs arrival but she is taking her sweet time getting here.

Monday, April 11, 2011

101/264

When I first became obsessed really interested with photography, I noticed I was drawn to photographs which were really sharp. Don’t get me wrong, composition, lighting, exposure, etc all played an important part in drawing my interest but I found if the photograph was “tack sharp” the subject could be just about anything, I just liked it.

Over the years, I learned ISO, shutter speed, the type of glass and use of a tripod are all important parts of achieving this result. In my quest to raise to this level, I purchased a DSRL, I learned about ISO and shutter speed, and purchased several tripods (one large heavy one and one gorilla pod). However, it just seems there are some situations in which it is just not possible to obtain such perfection.


join the marco monday fun over at Lisa's Chaos.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

100/265

~ the first peep of Easter ~

I am not particularly fond of the sugar coated marshmallowie goodness of a “peeps”. Ever several years I become so lost in the joy of Easter and the rebirth of Spring, I forgot I have a distaste for them and will bite one of their little yellow heads off. Once the sweetest hits my taste buds, the memory of not liking them comes rushing back and instantly the remainder of the sweet marshmallow hit’s the trash. As a reminder of my dislike for these forsythia color Easter chicks, B gave me a stuffed beanie type. I do admit they’re really cute.


Congratulations to everyone who has made it to post 100!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

99/266

During my son’s younger ages, he was fascinated with frogs. He read about frogs, watched shows about frogs and even did a school project on a red-eyed tree frog. We created a model out of clay, little red eyes and all, then anchored it to a tree branch. It came out awesome and I got he got an A on the project. This helped to heighten his interest in this amphibian.

One Spring we went down to the small creek and captured several tadpoles, this is not an easy task. But we were successful and came home with wet sneakers, muddy pants, 3 or 4 tadpoles and a bucket of creek water. He created a new home for the polliwogs. Over the next weeks, we watch them metamorphosizes into frogs. At which time they were promptly returned to the creek. It was incredible to watch. I don’t know who was more excited about it, me or him.


Friday, April 8, 2011

98/267

Once again, it is overcast and cold freezing. Here it is April 8 and we are barely above the freezing point. This winter is never ending. We remain bundled in coats and our hands continue to need the warming protection of gloves. Even the spring blooms remain in their embryonic state, covered by their scales all in the hope of protecting the delicate parts of the bud.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

97/268

more from the Paterson Waterfalls ~  we were able to walk the bridge over the falls, as I have mentioned previously, I am not a fan of heights but I am really glad I was talked into and dragged across did muster the courage to walk over.  It provided an awesome view. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

96/269

Awhile ago, Phriend and I had learned of the Paterson Waterfalls. These Eastern US Falls, are roughly 2 hours from our home and like our Asbury Park trip, sadly, not in the best of areas. But after making it safely into and out of Asbury, Dana and I had a new sense of confidence and security. We wanted to go to the Falls. I had mentioned it to my mom and she responded, you are not going to Paterson, Falls or no Falls. After remembering I was, in fact, an adult and was capable of making a decision about going, I did come to my senses and decided we should take at least one other person, perhaps two, to keep outlook. We have realized, on several occasions, while we’re busy looking through the view finder, down the barrel of the lens, we lose sight of our surroundings. We are so transfixed on composing the perfect shot, anyone or thing could easily sneak up on us. I sweet talked B into coming with us and Dana ask a friend to join us.  We packed our camera gear and ventured up the Garden State Parkway.

 Over the next day or so, I will be posting more photos from these falls.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

95/270

His bright yellow color attracted me to him. After noticing his frontal horns and watching his blues fins pulse in the water which made him appear to be hovering,  I was really taken in. I watched him for awhile, and might add, took no less than 50 photos of him. This “longhorn cowfish” was living in a tank labeled poison fish. I had not seen anything like him before. I did a “google” search and found, when stressed it can exude deadly toxin and is capable of hovering. This cowfish is a very slow swimmer making it easily caught by hand and will make a grunning noise if taken from the water.  I could have watch him for hours. The photo is pretty much true to his size.

Monday, April 4, 2011

94/271

There are so many words which can complete this sentence, but for now I’m going with … wisdom is only… knowing when to admit to the fact you are old enough to need reading glass. Had I admitted to this and used them, I would have read the words on the fortune message and be able to prevent them have being upside down.


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

Sunday, April 3, 2011

93/272

When I was a child, and not feeling well, my mom had a secret medicine. A “sippy cup,” filled with juice or coke (dependant upon the illness) with a “bendy straw.” The bendy straw had magic powers! Without having to raise my head, the straw helped put out the fire in my throat with an icy cold goodness. To this day, when not feeling well, I still must have a bendy straw. Oh, the healing power it has!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

92/273

Why is it, you forget just how miserable a cold is until you have one? Yes, I have one. Yes, I am miserable, and yes, B brought me home flowers to help ease my pain. XOXO him

Friday, April 1, 2011

91/274

I wish I could say I noticed what was behind these cactus flowers, but I confess, I did not. Generally, when photographing flowers, I open my aperture as far as it will go. I like to focus on one flower and make the background blurred, allowing the focus on the one indeed subject. Exactly, what I did with this shot. It wasn’t until I uploaded, did I notice the remainder of the cactus twisted stem, with all it’s pointy spikes.