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Since under taking Project 365, I find my eyes are wide open, continuously

scanning for a new and different photo. I found there is much more beauty in the winter then I ever imagined.

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Generally when I take out the camera with hopes of photographing the puppies, this is what I get.
 Major dog goobers on the lens. I just gotta love Willy.

♥

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In it’s heyday Asbury Park was glorious, full of summer vacationers from both near and far. At nearly a mile long, the boardwalk is one of the smaller ones down the shore but it had the Casino. A grand building featuring a carousel, race track cars, roller rink, arcade and ocean side restaurants. Over the last 20 years the town has fallen into poverty and the crime rate is at an all time high. Many of the boardwalk buildings are currently in a state of disrepair.

This town was made famous by Bruce Springsteen. He can still be heard playing at the legendary Stone Pony. He has sung about the “wind whippin' down the boardwalk” and used several of the town landmarks on his album covers. Still the town is not one in which most people have on their must visit list. I did say most people. Phriend and I knew it would be full of many photo opportunities and included it on ours. With fingers crossed, we ventured into town. We captured some wonderful photographs of the old buildings, had a fabulous time looking around and I am glad to say returned home unharmed.

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Last year when I purchase my DSLR, it came with 2 kit lens, a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm. While these lens have functioned well and fit many of my photography needs, I found I was forever changing between the two. Jokingly, I call B my “camera boy”. He, ungrudgingly, would carry and hand the lenses off to me as needed. Phriend even made me a fabulous lens bag to carry them so they were both at the ready. During my 50 + years and as a general rule, I don’t find I envy others.

Recently, after Phriend purchased a 28-300mm, I got a major case of the “I wants, I need to haves”. This lens covers most of the range I shot in and as an added bonus it ups to 300mm!

After pining for sometime and doing much investigating, Phriend and I went to our favorite camera shop. There sitting in the show case was this “must have“. I touched it, played with it, took several photos with it and drooled all over it. I treated myself to it! In celebration, Phriend and I just had to get out. Luckly for me I found this roller blader out practicing his skill too.

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Most people have heard of the great Redwood trees, which stand over 280 feet tall. These beautiful trees are monstrous. While these amazing tall Redwoods are fairly well known throughout the world, most have not heard of the Pitch Pine. In contrast, it is pygmy pine tree, not growing more than 5 to 6 feet tall. In the NJ Pine Barrens, with the sandy, nutrient-poor soil, plants have difficulty growing resulting in a unique drafted forest of evergreens. The Pitch Pines are scrawny, god ugly, trees which rely on the strong heat of frequent fires to open the tightly closed pine cones.

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Happy 11th Birthday Murf
~ ♥ ~

10 years ago today, I brought this little orphan boy home from the shelter.

He is the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever know.

Although it was I who adopted him, I know he rescued me.

*this photo was taken moments before his recent leg injury.

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I recently came across an old weathered trunk. The once fine cloth, which for years had protected it, now torn to pieces, the locks and hinges rusted and broken, and the wooden bottom decayed. It was in quite a state of disrepair. I could only imagine the places it been and the many miles it had traveled.

Come join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's place.

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The sun was shining, the earth was warming and I rejoiced. In celebration of this glorious day Phriend and I went to explore another one of our “local” lighthouses. The Tucker's Beach Lighthouse is a recreation of the original which fell victim to a raging stormy ocean, in 1927. Non the less, it is an replication and even houses the original Frensel lens. It sits in a maritime heritage area surrounded by historical homes and shops. There are demonstrations and classes, if you are so inclined, of decoy carving and basket weaving. We found many photo opportunities and we can now check another lighthouse off our list.

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There is little color present during the cold, dark, bleak, months of winter. On occasion one can find the bright shining colors of berries. These colors, whether blue or red, stand out against the drab gray background. I just can’t seem to pass by without snapping off a few photos. They’re a hidden winter treasure.

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join I Learned @ Click it Up

 

Back in November, I learned of Phriend’s interest in photograph. After discussing our quest to improve our skills, we decided to plan a day trip to a local historical site. Aside from having a great time exploring the area, we learned a great deal from each other. I didn’t know the green light flashed when the subject was in focus, she didn’t know how to read for the correct manual settings. Little did we know what our first photography outing would lead to.

Since that day in November, we have been venturing out, weekly, both near and far. We have been out on a freezing cold December evening, standing by the ocean, while the frigid winds blew over us, just so we could practice starbursts. She has since mastered them, I still stink at them. We were out during the “Great Blizzard of 2011”, along with several other snow storms. We’ve gotten up at the crack of dawn, just to get some foggy photos. We have stood out, on the boardwalk, in the pouring rain, all with hopes of capturing a different look of our favorite Ferris wheel. We’ve climbed in snow banks, rolled in freshly fallen snow, stood in ankle deep mud, got drenched to the bone in the rain, slipped and slid on the ice, and one day during a strong wind storm Phriend was nearly blown into the freezing cold bay. But mostly we have had lots of laughs.

I learned I can talk this girl into almost anything. I learned it is much more fun to out in all kinds of nasty weather when a phriend is with you, and hopefully, but not as importantly, I hope I have learned to improve my photographs.

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The weather has been teasing us. We know winter is not gone, in fact, some of our biggest and worst snow storms have taken place during the month of March. However, Old Man Winter has taken a nap and the last several days have been well above freezing. A mere taste of Spring. A reminder of what is to come. The warming rays were just begging me to come outside and kick start my bones into the defrost mode.

With Shyla still not home and Murf resting his leg, Willow has had plenty of time to build up a bundle of winter time energy. Today was the perfect day to get her out to try and run some of it off. You ask, “did it work?”. I answer, “not so much.”

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My World Tuesday

With temperatures raising to the high 50s, I just had to get out and soak up some of the sun’s warming rays.

Although the wind was strong, it felt great to just be outside and not be shoveling snow!

ISO 200, f/9, 1/320

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I like eating fruit and always enjoy a good orange. The key word being good. I find joy in while splitting the rind, the sweet juices of the delicious, brightly colored, fruit, spray out covering my hands. My mouth starts watering in anticipation. It is worth the chore of uncovering my sweet treat. I will most likely be enjoying it with a piping hot cuppa of Earl Grey tea.

However, there is nothing more disappointing, then breaking the rind and not a drop of juice sprays. And after spending several minutes and burning several calories peeling back the skin only to find dried up pulp covered in a thick transparent layer of chewy stuff.

This is why, when reaching out for my next snack, I am always happy to choose a Hershey bar. It is consistently the same sweet, smooth, chocolate, delight. I never have to guess what I will find under the brown wrapper, I am never left disappointed and can still enjoy it with my Earl Grey.

Go join in @ Marco Monday

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Gone fishing ~ See you all tomorrow.

Oh gosh, I hope that isn't where he's taking me today.

Hope you're enjoying this Valentine's Day with loved ones.

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~ Finally above freezing!!! ~

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B has been immensely supportive and extremely patient with me while I undertake Project 365. Rarely does he see me without a camera in my hand, around my neck, pointing one at his face or packing it up for the ready to go.

Today we had the day off together, the first in several weeks. I decided to start ♥ Valentine’s weekend by giving him the gift of my full attention and a full view of my face. We went for an afternoon drive, ending up at Cracker Barrel for lunch and with tempertures finally above freezing, we strolled around The Promenade, home of our local LL Bean store.

Since the project started, today is the first day I have not taken a photo. Yes, not even one. Hence this was taken on a previous day. Admittedly, I am going through withdrawal. Do you think he’ll notice if I sleep with my camera under my pillow tonight?

ISO1600, f/13, 1/40

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While raising a Seeing Eye puppy it is the Raisers obligation to attend bi-monthly meetings. At these gatherings we review training and socialize the puppies to both other dogs and people. A representative from The Seeing Eye, also attends allowing her to check on progress the puppies are making and discuss any concerns we may be having. We talk over any outings and events we plan on taking. Any social exposure helps in preparing “our” puppies to be a guide for a blind individual. Last evening was our first February meeting. I always arrive with my camera in hand. After spending some time training, several pups decided it was naptime. 

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During our visit to Sandy Hook last month to photograph the lighthouse and 1800s Army Base, phriend and I made a quick stop by the Visitor’s Center. As we walked through the door, with cameras and lenses draped around our necks, the Park Ranger inquired as to whether we were there to photograph the migrating birds or Seals. Seals? Who know seals migrated through New Jersey, certainly not I. We ran over to the harbor side of the island it hopes of catching a glimpse of these flippered, whiskered sea mammals. Luck was not on our side and there was not a one.

This past week we made plans to revisit. Our first stop at, what we were told was their favored resting place, we did not see them. Phriend suggested we make seal noises and think “happy thoughts”. All with the hopes this would bring them out from hiding. Sadly all it brought was strange looks from other visitors. We drove to the lighthouse again, watched some snow surfers, and admired the Manhattan skyline. On our way out of the park, we made one more stop to check for the seals and there they were 60 or more lined up in a row, sunning themselves on a sandbar. I was truly amazed, that this migration has been going on for years and I did not know about it. I am glad I do now.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Snow Surfing

Harbor Seals

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With Murf on the injured list and Shyla on a Seeing Eye outing, Willow is lost. All she can find to do is rest her head on my lap.

ISO 500, f/4, 1/60





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Inside one of the arcade games on the boardwalk ~

ISO 800, f/3.2, 1/40