Turtle Meets Cat -- Day 148

A turtle showed up in our yard this morning and Amber found another one on the way to work and brought it home. I needed a turtle for my alphabet project so I took "Sammy" and "Tiny" out to the front yard for a photo shoot. Tina came along and made the outcome of the photo shoot even better. :D She sure has a habit of showing up and changing my photos for the better. :) This is the bigger turtle, Sammy, in this photo. Tiny will be featured in my alphabet project.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Open Window -- Day 147

I arrived home from church and took my camera and dog on a walk. I found this window in the old red brick building that is near our house. The building is being renovated and I wanted to capture some of it's old charm before it loses it all. My brothers call it, "The Red School." It was a private school in more recent years, but was originally the first bank in town. I think it's going to be apartments when the renovation is done.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Yummy Cookies -- Day 146 -- Winner of Viewer's Choice Poll

I saw an idea for a photo like this when I first started my project. Today I finally got around to trying it out. I had to wait for someone to make cookie and then wait for the oven to cool down so I could take the photo without melting my camera. :) I took the rack out and used my manual focus to get it just right and then I put the rack, cookies and camera back inside the oven and used the timer to take the photo. I like how it turned out. :) Anyone want to enjoy some cookies with me???

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Scrap Quilt -- Day 145

Q is for Quilt. I don't know what I'll do when my alphabet project is done. I won't have something to fall back on if I can't think of something to photograph. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Play-Doh -- Day 144

Play-Doh can entertain for hours, epecially when it is new and soft. :)
I like this photo accept for that ugly black pole for the table umbrella in the background. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

"Ancient" Pay Phone-- Day 143

While exploring the "Forest" with the kids I nanny, we found this "old" pay phone. I know pay phones aren't really that old, but think about the last time you used one. I bet it's been awhile. :) Cell phones have taken over. I wish the receiver had still been there I might have brought it home and kept it as an antique. :D

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm

Colorful Yarn -- Day 142

Another installment for my alphabet project. I'm almost done with it. Y is for Yarn.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Tiny Gutter Trees -- Day 141

These tiny trees are growing in a small section of our guttering. I climbed up on the roof for this shot. I took a few shots with each of my cameras. I like the angle of view with this photo. I wasn't able to get the angle I wanted with my DSLR, so I switched to the point and shoot with the flip out and twist LCD screen. My old camera still comes in handy for me. :)

Photo details: Canon Powershot G5, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Hammock of Rest -- Day 140

After a big day of work on Saturday, I thought this photo of Katie depicted how we all felt on Sunday morning very well. Katie is the youngest daughter of the camp directors and she was enjoying a lazy morning in one of the many hammocks hanging in the grove of cedar trees.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Hanging Ceilings -- Day 139

I took a lot of photos of the work being done at Camp David. I like how this one turned out the best. Chad was busy hanging drywall and I don't even know if he knew I was there. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Campfire -- Day 138 -- Winner of Viewer's Choice Poll

This weekend my sisters and I went to an outreach/workday at Camp David of the Ozarks. After dinner we all gathered around the bonfire for singing and s'mores. At the point I took this photo the fire was way to hot for roasting marshmellows, unless you wanted to eat them black. :) I used a stump as a tripod for this shot.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Main Street -- Day 137

I've been wanting to post another "miniature" photo, but hadn't found a good high vantage point to photograph from. Well tonight we went to our Third Thursday Art Walk and got to take a tour of some Loft Apartments. There was a great view of Main street from this one apartment. If I ever need to live in an apartment that is the one I want. It was so neat to look down on the cars and people going by. And we just happened to be there at sunset, so the view was gorgeous!
I took advantage of the height and took a shot to make into a tilt shift image. I used TiltShiftMaker to turn this busy downtown scene into a miniature version of itself.

  Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/25 sec, Aperture f/4.5, ISO 100, Focal Length 18.0 mm. Tiltshift application applied.

Feathery Babies -- Day 136

The baby robins hatched a week and a half ago, and here they are hunkered down in their nest. I was hoping to get a photo of them being a little more lively, but it was rainy today and I had to chase their mommy away to get this photo. She wasn't too happy, but everyone survived. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/30 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 1600, Focal Length 55.0 mm, Neat Image (noise reduction).

Don Juan Rose -- Day 135

The sun came out from behind the clouds today and I went for another photo shoot of the roses. This is a Don Juan Rose that was left behind after the neighbor took cuttings from the bush.  I asked if I could have it so now it's sitting on my desk where I can get a good whiff of it every once in awhile. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 200, Focal Length 44.0 mm.

Reflection -- Day 134

I visited my neighbor's garden today. The roses have been in bloom for a week or two. I put off going over there because I knew they would be around a little while, but then the rains came and I hadn't been able to go over there. All the roses have taken quite a battering and most of them are looking a little droopy, but I still got some good photos. I've posted so many flowers on this blog, I decided to go for something unique for today's photo.  I saw this mirror ball and thought it would be neat to capture the roses in my photo and in the reflection on the ball. It didn't turn out exactly how I would have liked. I wanted the roses to be more prominent in both the background and the reflection. Maybe I'll go back and try again tomorrow. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/200 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 100, Focal Length 55.0 mm.

Christy -- Day 133

This cute little gal is Christy. Today we met for church and fellowship at her family's house. Christy was in a cooperative mood today. the lighting was perfect and I had my camera, so I took the opportunity to capture those beautiful blue eyes of hers. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/400 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 119.0 mm.

Flowers for a Friend -- Day 132

Today I went for a walk with my brothers and a friend. It has been raining a lot so we were exploring the creek near our house that is also drainage for most of the city. We found some pretty yellow flowers growing beside the creek and these two were playing around with a bouquet. I love the genuine smiles! Those aren't easy to catch. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/160 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 70.0 mm.

New Colors for Spring -- Day 131

I went shopping with my sisters, and these are the bright colors we came home with. Makes me want to got outside and enjoy the spring weather. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/160 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 43.0 mm.

Pink Boots and Umbrella -- Day 130

U is for Umbrella. Another shot for my alphabet project.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/1000 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 100, Focal Length 135.0 mm.

Following Daddy -- Day 129

On our way home today, Amber and I stopped to take photos of this little family swimming in the pond. I hadn't seen that there were babies, but Amber saw them on her way to get me. When we stopped we found there were at least 3 geese families living at the pond.
I had my camera on ISO 1600 without realizing it. :( Most people won't notice the digital noise, but I think I'll go back tomorrow and see if I can find these fur balls again. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/1250 sec, Aperture f/10, ISO 1600, Focal Length 300.0 mm, Neat Image Noise Reduction applied.

Overgrown with Beauty -- Day 128

After I dropped Amber off at work, I saw this house overgrown with weeds, and beautiful rose bushes. I didn't have time to stop and take photos, but I did stop when I came back for Amber later that afternoon. I like the bricks and the red flowers. I love roses and wish I had my own rose garden. :)


Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/400 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 27.0 mm.

Everyone Needs an Alice -- Day 127

It was getting late and I hadn't taken a single photo. I took my camera to bed with me. :) Amber suggested I take a photo of something I could see from my bed and I made the comment that photos of clutter don't look good when it's your own clutter. :)
Then I saw the Alice box. It totally makes the photo. :) Everyone needs an Alice to clean up their messes. :) I just happen to have an Alice box among my pile of stuff. It has crafting supplies in it. :) If you've never heard of Alice, check out www.alice.com because "Everyone needs an Alice."

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 4 sec, Aperture f/8.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 25.0 mm, Tripod.

Playing the Bones -- Day 126

After church several friends got out their musical instruments to do a little jamming. Here's Luke playing the bones. Photos just don't do it justice. I love to listen to and watch people play the bones. Maybe it's easier than it looks, but from what I can tell it takes some talent to make them sound good. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 70.0 mm, Neat Image (noise reduction).

Merry-Go-Round -- Day 125

We attended an English Country Dance and Barbecue that was held at a park. I decided that taking photos of a bunch of people dancing isn't my kind of thing, because none of the photos turned out that great, so I chose this photo of my brother, Ben, on the merry-go-round as my photo for today. I sat in the middle and several boys pushed the merry-go-round while Ben hung there for me to photograph. :) Thanks for helping me get a great photo, Ben! I usually get sick on merry-go-rounds, but I discovered that if I keep looking though my camera viewfinder I'm just fine. As soon as I put the camera down I was suddenly dizzy, so I just kept it to my eye, until we had slowed down enough for me to get off. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/13 sec, Aperture f/3.5, ISO 100, Focal Length 18.0 mm.

Crawl Space -- Day 124

I didn't take very many photos for today. My dad, brothers and a friend were working under our house and I snapped a few photos. I don't really like how this turned out all that much, but I failed to check the photos on the computer before going to bed, so this is the best of the ones I had to choose from. :) Ben was mainly watching the bigger guys doing the work. They're replacing a rotting sill plate.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/8 sec, Aperture f/3.5, ISO 1600, Focal Length 18.0 mm, Neat Image (noise reduction).

Muddy Fingers -- Day 123 -- Winner of Viewer's Choice Poll

I've mentioned that my girls like to play in the mud, and today we played in the mud again. :) This time it was with rolling pins and cookie cutters on the driveway. Fun times!

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/250 sec, Aperture f/8, ISO 100, Focal Length 46.0 mm.

Hannah's Fiddle -- Day 122

My sister got a fiddle a little while back. She's been praying for a fiddle and some friends found this one for her at a really good deal at the local antique mall. Hannah had just about enough saved up to get it. Now she's been working on her skills. Today I had planned to take my Dad's photo with his guitar, but he ended up being busy and we decided to do it tomorrow. So today I decided to get another shot for my alphabet project. V is for Violin. I'm thinking this photo will be used for more than that project. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/2 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 100, Focal Length 55.0 mm, Tripod.

Protective Mama -- Day 121

This robin built her nest in Emelyn, Ellise and Camryn's treehouse while they were on vacation. It's going to be fun to watch the babies grow up. Right now there are four little blue eggs and mama robin has been faithful at keeping them warm and trying to keep us from peeking at them. :) Here she is giving me her warning chirps as I was standing below the tree house a few feet from her nest.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/800 sec, Aperture f/4.5, ISO 100, Focal Length 200.0 mm.

Dripping Fire -- Day 120

We roasted hotdogs on a bonfire for supper. My brothers played with melting styrofoam. Made for some great photos.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 176.0 mm.

Tuckered Out Tie-Dye -- Day 119

I found this darling little girl napping at the festival I attended this weekend. There were many booths to peruse and when I saw this photo op, I totally forgot about looking at the variety of tie-dyed merchandise that was for sale. I promptly asked her mother if I could photograph her. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/50 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 70.0 mm.

Saving My First Kiss -- Day 118

Amber and I decided to get creative with a chocolate kiss. I was kind of experimenting with aperture settings which is why my Aperture was at f/32. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/1.3 sec, Aperture f/32, ISO 800, Focal Length 130.0 mm.