Maraca

Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T15:44:00.002-05:00

I'm on my way outta town, and the hubby is waiting down in the driveway with the motor running. So I'm just popping in to wish you all a happy, healthy, wondrous, and amazing 2012!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T02:22:00.003-05:00

Wishing you light, love, and happiness.

PhotoHunt: Surprise

2011-12-24T00:05:00.001-05:00

I was both surprised and delighted to spot these "fish out of water" swimming through a vacant lot in Santa Fe.

Join the fun at the new home of the Photo Hunters: Whistle Stop Photo Hunt.

Shadow Shots: A Chair for Santa

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

They're subtle, but I love the shadow tracery and colors cast on my chair by the tree.

Now, if I could just find the time to sit down.

Join the fun at Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Shadow Shots: Cushy

2011-12-17T11:30:00.006-05:00

Go ahead. Have a seat -- if you dare.

Appropriately enough, this clever bench is a resting spot in a public aquarium. It looks comfy enough but the one raised arm is a bit disquieting, don't you think?

Many, many thanks to Tracy in Brisbane for hosting Shadow Shot Sunday all this time and many, many more to our new hosts who are carrying on at Shadow Shot Sunday 2. Just click the link to join in the fun!

Macro Monday: Thirsty

2011-12-12T11:54:00.008-05:00

This is the above-ground part of a plant growing in a botanical garden greenhouse. The whole thing looked like a half sphere the size of a volley ball, and it looked like something green probably shoots up out of it from time to time. I have no idea what it is (there wasn't a tag) but the texture fascinated me.

Stop by at Lisa's Chaos to see the world up-close and personal.

Shadow Shots: Sandcastle

2011-12-10T01:54:00.009-05:00

The Aquarium and Botanic Garden in Albuquerque is a fascinating, kid-oriente place filled with wonderful, shadowy spaces - including a castle. One turret has a deep sand floor. I couldn't resist snapping a shot of this little guy enjoying the cool shade.

There are more shadows at HeyHarriet's. Stop by and see.

PhotoHunt: A Trick of the Light

2011-11-05T16:10:00.011-04:00

Carnival lights and kids chasing each other with glowing toys paint the night with neon colors.

Want to join the fun? Here's the guy to talk to.

High on a nearby mountaintop, a native bell flower appears to light up like a tiny fairy lamp.

Posted for PhotoHunt: Light. Click the link for more entries.

Shadow Shots: White Sheep

2011-11-05T02:38:00.000-04:00

White sheep, white sheep on a blue hill
When the wind stops you all stand still.
When the wind blows you walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep
Where do you go?

- Children's nursery song

I still think of those old lyrics when I see a flock of clouds like this pass by overhead. Seen from above, each one has a "black sheep" shadow, too.

There are more shadows at HeyHarriet's. Stop by and see.

SkyWatch Friday: Promised Land

2011-11-04T20:39:00.007-04:00

I love this part of flying, being above the clouds. Up here at the edge of the sky is a magical land of white mountains and blue horizons, peaceful and clear. The tribulations of earth-bound life fade from memory. Here there be angels.

Click the link for more at SkyWatch Friday, where things are always looking up.

Play. This. Video!

2011-11-01T10:56:00.004-04:00

Well, Halloween was fun. Moving on to ... insert drumroll ... CHRISTMAS!*

Santa is definitely bringing my child-at-heart husband a flying fish. Shh, don't tell.

(* Yes, yes, there's Thanksgiving. But let's face it. It's only a speed bump in the Holiday Spendfest.)

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T01:09:00.004-04:00

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY IS SPOOK-TACULAR!

PhotoHaunt: Broken

2011-10-29T12:49:00.007-04:00

Definitely broken. Probably haunted. But isn't it awesome?

Posted for PhotoHunt: Broken

Shadow Shots: Tribal Fire

2011-10-28T19:07:00.012-04:00

Another shot from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, a mysterious one in keeping with the season.

I loved the burners blazing in the night and black silhouettes casting long shadows, looking almost as if a pagan tribe had gathered round a magic fire.

That's the moon up above, and the red haze ... probably just camera flare. Or maybe a passing spirit?

It's always shadowy at HeyHarriet's. Stop by and see. You may want to bring a flashlight.

PhotoHunt: High

2011-10-23T11:06:00.006-04:00

If ever you are in Albuquerque, make time to take the tram ride to the top of Sandia Peak.

You'll ascend to a first tower about halfway up, then swoop like a lazy eagle to the summit.

At the top you'll find a restaurant, alpine wildflowers, hiking trails along craggy cliffs, and vistas that go to the edge of the world.

Posted for PhotoHunt: High

Shadow Shots: Watcher

2011-10-22T14:06:00.011-04:00

We pass this old church, nested among grave stones like a mother hen with her chicks, every fall on our way up to Michigan to pick apples. Every year on our way north, we see a man sitting on the steps beside the cellar door. Every year he is gone when we come back through on our way home - every year for over 20 years.

This time, I snapped a photo of the church on our way home. The man had been there earlier, as usual, and as usual was now gone. Just an old church without our mystery man.

But ... what is that shadow in the window above the cellar door?

The photo is cropped, but is otherwise straight from the camera. There isn't anything to cast that shadow, and that one is only on the shutters inside the window, not on the outside of the church.

Strange.

There are lots more shadows to see at HeyHarriet's:

Shadow Shots: Real and Imagined

2011-10-09T00:42:00.009-04:00

Shadows from real and sculpted tree branches share space on an adobe wall in Santa Fe.

There are lots more shadows to see at HeyHarriet's:

PhotoHunt: Waiting

2011-10-08T10:59:00.007-04:00

Crews scramble to be first into the sky at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Thousands of spellbound spectators watch and wait.

More photos and commentary about the event at the previous post: Balloons Over Albuquerque.

Posted for PhotoHunt: Waiting

SkyWatch: Balloons Over Albuquerque

2011-10-07T21:21:00.014-04:00

I have always loved balloons - in my younger days I toyed with the idea of getting a balloon pilot license myself. So it was a dream come true last week when we went to the 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It was absolutely wondrous to stand there at dawn among the towering, billowing masses of color, fire, and sound. Wave after wave lifted and rose, baskets brushing by only a few feet away, until the sky was filled with their magic and joy.

These shots are from the mass ascension October 1, where the festival set a new world record: 345 balloons launched in one hour.

And yes, I will be uploading photographs for weeks.

Click the link for more at SkyWatch Friday, where things are always looking up.

The Golden Stair

2011-09-24T14:35:00.010-04:00

Bathing beauties accompany customers up the steep and peeling staircase to ... what? Is it really a clock shop, or is there something more hidden in that shadowy room beyond?

Posted for HeyHarriet's Shadow Shots and for tnchicks' PhotoHunt.

SkyWatch: Pteradactyls Over Michigan

2011-09-23T18:39:00.003-04:00

This rusty-metal sculpture is part of a larger collection done by a local high school shop class in the Saint Joseph, Michigan area. There's a hand wheel at the base that you can use to rotate it.

Wish we'd had projects this cool when we were in school.

Posted for SkyWatch Friday.

Weekend in Black and White: Fisherman

2011-09-23T13:54:00.005-04:00

See the world in black and white at Black and White Weekend.

Ruby Tuesday: Anyone for Tea?

2011-09-20T00:11:00.003-04:00

Find lots more at Work of the Poet.

And You Thought Potholes Were Bad

2011-09-19T11:16:00.002-04:00

Found this and more at Google Earth Sightings You Won't Believe Are Real. (Well, technically, they're not. Software is involved. Still fun though.)

Shadow Shots: A Fine Glass of Vine

2011-09-17T18:33:00.006-04:00

In the shadowy back room of Domaine Berrien Winery in Michigan, this unique work is propped against a window overlooking the vineyard.

Those are pieces of broken glassware glued on, some projecting an inch or two from the pane. I didn't dare touch to see if they were sharp.

I loved it. Do you?

There are lots more shadows to see at HeyHarriet's:

PhotoHunt: Wooden

2011-09-17T15:25:00.004-04:00

Wooden horses - including a Trojan horse - on a wooden carousel at Silver Beach, Michigan. It's a fabulous carousel, and I'm working on a set of photos for it.

See more entries at tnchicks: PhotoHunt

Skywatch Friday: Infinity and Beyond

2011-09-16T23:32:00.005-04:00

Lighthouse at Silver Beach, Michigan. I loved the way the pier seemed to lead right into the sky.

Check out more entries at SkyWatch Friday: Here's the link.

Black and White: Playhouse

2011-09-16T14:14:00.006-04:00

Somehow this deserted playhouse looked to me like a fairyland castle, nestled as it was in the woods. A little mist or fog would have been nice, but it still felt mysterious - and perhaps a bit sinister.

See the world in black and white at Black and White Weekend.

Shadow Shots: A Little Old Fashioned

2011-09-03T23:47:00.005-04:00

This is a sunny window seat in my guest bedroom, to which I have relegated all the old, "girly" things I have inherited or collected - the ruffled, the embroidered, the lacy, the pink ... in short, all the pretty stuff that is hopelessly unfashionable.

The little Fenton coin spot vase is a type of glass called "opalescent". It appears white with clear spots until the light hits it and releases all those fiery colors. It's one of my favorites. (And so is that room, fussy or not.)

There are lots more shadows to see at HeyHarriet's:

SkyWatch Friday: Perry Park Sunset

2011-09-02T21:30:00.007-04:00

End of the day after a family get-together on the shores of Lake Erie.

Fifteen minutes later, a black storm front swept in from the lake and just about drowned us. But at this point you couldn't even see it coming.

AND it's my first entry in SkyWatch Friday: Here's the link.

*MARACA Home Page

Shadow Shots: Signs

2011-08-12T13:31:00.007-04:00

What do you suppose it means when a grown woman can amuse herself for hours with a feather and a rock?

Click the badge to see more shady mysteries at Heyharriet's:

Shadow Shots: In Honor of John Pep Panelli

2011-07-30T13:14:00.012-04:00

It struck as sweet and poignant, this gentle butterfly poised on a memorial stone, its fragile wings shading the name of a loved one.

Curious, I Googled the honoree, John Pep Panelli, and was surprised when I actually found him: John Panelli, Man of Action. He was a fullback at Notre Dame from 1945-1948, and according to the article he was "a fast and very cagey runner, a smashing blocker and a 'savage' tackler on defense. When Panelli hit them 'they stayed hit'."

You gotta love the irony.

Click the badge for more shadows at Tracy's place, Heyharriet:

Shadow Shots: Long Hare

2011-07-23T11:29:00.005-04:00

A grumpy-looking rabbit and a Saturday grin:

A policeman stops a guy for reckless driving. He peers intently into the driver's eyes and says, "Your eyes look bloodshot. Have your been drinking?"

The guy peers back into the policeman's eyes and says, "Your eyes look glazed. Have you been eating donuts?"

Click the badge for more fun at Tracy's place:

Drops of Jupiter

2011-07-18T01:48:00.009-04:00

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's a time to change

- Tell Me, Train

As you may have noticed from previous shots, I've recently been to the zoo. My primary objective was the butterfly exhibit, a temporary collection of exotics let loose in a greenhouse, and I'd been looking forward to shooting there for months.

I had no idea what I'd be up against.

These are tropical creatures from Africa and South American rain forests, so the habitat was set for 90 degrees and 85 percent humidity. My lens fogged up. Sweat stung my eyes. Misters kept going off unexpectedly, threatening my camera with ruin.

Plus, the butterflies refused to pose, preferring to float and flutter in a completely inconsiderate and unpredictable fashion.

In short, I was grumpy and distracted and frustrated. Nearly all of my hasty shots were out of focus, and I came away feeling like I'd been well and truly roughed up.

Still, a few images were keepers. Now that I know what to prepare for, I'm considering a second attempt. Wish me better luck next time.

There are more butterflies this week at Carly's Monday Photo Shoot: Butterflies.

PhotoHunt: Backwards

2011-07-17T20:02:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but this time I couldn't resist.

Check out the other entries at tnchicks: PhotoHunt

Shadow Shots: Gossip, Rumor, and Inuendo

2011-07-16T16:16:00.006-04:00

"Psssst! Did you hear what Hattie the Hippo said she overheard Zelda the Zebra telling Barny the Bison about Otis and Olive the Otters? Well, you know I've said from the start that there was something fishy about those two. So it comes as no surprise to me that ... "

Click the badge to see what's going on in other shadows at Heyharriet's:

Shadow Shot: Split Personality

2011-07-09T00:42:00.005-04:00

Click the badge and join the fun at Heyharriet's:

Bada Bing, Bada BOOM!

2011-07-05T02:07:00.012-04:00

I never miss fireworks if I can help it. Love the ooooh. Adore the ahhhh. Shiny. I look forward to the July 4 shows every year. Every year I take photos. Every year they sucked. Until now.

Thanks to this New York Institute of Photography article: How to Photograph Fireworks, this year's photos did not suck. Not winning any prizes yet, but a vast improvement over the overexposed, colorless blobs of days gone by.

Between that article and the camera's instruction manual I plucked up the nerve to shoot in manual mode for the first time. Chose my own settings and everything. Even discovered the BULB setting. (It lets you hold open the shutter for as long as you like.)Who new that was in there?

I maybe shouldn't have used the long lens. It made it difficult or impossible to get everything into the frame. On the other hand, I did get some nicely detailed close-up shots, so what the hey. (And yes, I left the camera bag and lens at home. What with the cooler, the lawn chairs, the tripod, bug spray, jackets ... don't start with me.)

There are fireworks all over the place in the summer, from amusement parks to baseball games, so I thought I'd pass along that link. It certainly helped me. Enjoy.

P.S. Here's the set so far on Flickr: Fireworks. Please enlarge them to see them at their best, OK?

Pottermore, More, More!

2011-06-25T12:14:00.004-04:00

Having been distracted by "real" life lately, I missed the big news June 22: JK Rowling is launching a new website in October for the Harry Potter books, Pottermore.com. Details are hazy, but it appears that it will be an online book club/community/e-sales outlet for the franchise.

Best of all, Rowling promises to share heretofore unknown facets of the world she's created, things she's been "hoarding for years". In interviews she has said that a lot of things were edited out or never put in, and that she still thinks of things to add to Harry's magical world. I for one can't wait to explore new corners of her imagination.

The first book came out when my younger son was in grade school. I read the first chapter to him at bedtime one night and couldn't stop. I carried it off and finished completely by the next morning. Impatient with the one-chapter-per-night reading ration, my son read most of the rest on his own.

My husband got hooked after the first movie, eager to know what happened next. It started him reading for pleasure for the first time in his life, a habit that has added a shared pleasure to our lives.

We have wonderful memories of when the three of us would set off for Barnes and Noble late at night, way past my son's bedtime, to join other enchanted folk waiting to receive the next volume at the stroke of midnight. Once there was even a huge full moon lighting our way.

The new site is open to everyone in October, but on July 31 the site will post a process for "a few lucky people" to get in early and help create its features. How amazing would that be? The line forms here - right behind me.

Shadow Shots: Hiding in Plain Sight

2011-06-18T15:06:00.004-04:00

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Shadow Shots: Cracked

2011-06-11T14:08:00.004-04:00

I find myself fascinated by the fact that brown eggs are white on the inside, and the effect of light shining through the cracks. Just this one for now, but I'm saving up shells for a photographic eggstravaganza.

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Shadow Shots: Little Boy Blue

2011-06-03T22:55:00.007-04:00

This was one of those fleeting-moment shots, where the camera settings were all wrong but there wasn't time to fiddle with it. I reduced the saturation a bit and thought the effect was kind of interesting.

The shape of the boy's shadow struck me as bird-like, an echo of the geese in the park. And I imagined that he was on his way to deliver a bit more blue to the sky.

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

2011-05-21T12:25:00.006-04:00

You laugh now. Let's see how funny it is when the zombie horde comes tromping through your peony bed and bashing in your windows.

The only reason Washington isn't hip deep in zombies already was the apparent scarcity of brains in government. Now these clever guys at the CDC have gone and spilled the beans. And once the zombies smell brains, invasion is only a matter of time.

Better get it together before they come for you.

Happy Lost Sock Memorial Day

2011-05-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

This is a repost from 2008. I had forgotten about writing this, but when I added the "Most Popular Posts" widget this week, lo and behold, there it was. (Scroll down.)

So what the hey. Enjoy.

Ode to a Lost Sock

Does anyone know
where the single socks go
when a pair of them go in the dryer?
Do they slip out to play
and wander away,
forgetting that they are attire?

Do they tire of their mate
and their tiresome fate,
every day in the dark of a shoe?
Do they follow the song
of a silky black thong
and cling to that siren like glue?

Are they captured by pirates,
or stolen by gnomes
who are jealous of our cozy toes?
Are they pilfered by mice
to make their nest nice?
Are there gangs of barefoot Eskimos?

There are those who say,
in a sinister way,
that a dryer's a portal in space;
that socks who fall through
(and they swear this is true)
warm the feet of an alien race.

Ah, does anyone
anyone anyone know,
someone who isn't a liar?
Does anyone know
where the single socks go
when a pair of them go in the dryer?

Copyright May 2008

Shadow Shots: Relax

2011-05-07T12:51:00.004-04:00

Kind of looks like an abstract landscape, where sand meets the sky, don't you think?

It's actually a back-lit Relax Riesling wine bottle lying on linen.

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Shadow Shots: Only a Dream

2011-04-30T00:57:00.007-04:00

I awoke yesterday morning just at dawn, with the sun low on the horizon. I have very tall east-facing windows and a very long bedroom. I suddenly realized my shadow on the carpet was over 20 feet long and had a fun-house distortion of perspective. How could I resist?

I experimented with poses, white balance, brightness, saturation and contrast to create more drama.

Which shot do you like better?

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Weekend Reflections: Starlight Coupe

2011-04-29T15:48:00.008-04:00

Behold Studebaker's 1950 Commander Starlight Coupe. It's at the National Studebaker Museum in South Bend, Indiana and it's one of my favorites.

Isn't she a beauty? And that name ... awesome.

Bonus shot. These radiator caps came on a lot of early models. They contain an open gauge so the driver can tell if the engine is about to overheat.

There are loads of gorgeous, beautifully crafted cars in the exhibits, and the hood ornaments are to die for. Unfortunately, the place is so dark that few of my photos came out well. If you're ever in town and love cars, you'll want to stop in. Here's the website: http://www.studebakermuseum.org/

Check out more shiny things at Weekend Reflections.

Sweet Trashy Love

2011-04-02T11:14:00.005-04:00

I suffered some eye rolls and snickers while photographing this stinky, drippy, rusty dumpster. But they didn't see what I saw.

This thing was a smorgasbord of big-machine details, geometric shapes, and fabulous textures. I'll be toying with the shots for a week.

So. I fell in love with a dumpster. And now I'm on a rust kick. But I have to admit I did not poke my head into those dark shadows in the corners.

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Weekend Reflections: Shards

2011-03-26T00:58:00.012-04:00

This sculpture, Shards, by Jan R. Martin stands in Beutter Park, Mishawaka, IN.

It is situated in a water race, and the reflections in the mirror surfaces are constantly changing with the seasons and time of day. Against a clear bright sky, parts of it appear to melt into the blue, to become transparent as crystal.The lower blocks reflect the swirling water, and the water in turn reflects the sculpture.

It's kind of a head trip if you look at it too long.

Check out the rest of the entries at Weekend Reflections.

Shadow Shots: All That Remains

2011-03-25T22:06:00.005-04:00

These shadow patterns and paving textures caught my eye. The original photo included the plants and walkway, but I found the more I cropped it the better I liked it. Sometimes less is more.

P.S. I re-cropped this goose one from last week (taken at the same park) and I like it better now, too.

This is why I do these memes - to experiment and learn. Thanks again, Tracy, for hosting Shadow Shot Sunday!

Click the badge to see more shadowy shots at Heyharriet's:

Shadows and Shine

2011-03-11T20:52:00.016-05:00

Beutter Park in Mishawaka Indiana now stands on the site of the recently demolished Ball Band/Uniroyal factory. The former Superfund site is now a little gem of a place, home to summer concerts and gardens, with a terraced river race running through it.

The fence design bordering the race includes mirror-surfaced fish, lizards, and turtles, which makes for a school of reflected-light figures on the pavement on one side and lacy shadow-schools on the other. Here a Canada goose goes strolling among them, casting a shadow of his own.

I took these around 2 pm, in that harsh daylight they tell you never to use. It wasn't great for anything else, but it did create some nice, inky shadows. There's a mirrored sculpture there called Shards that I'll be revisiting on a better day with the better camera.

Check out other shadow entries at Heyharriet:

And see lots more shiny things at Weekend Reflections.

Shadow Shots: Making Tracks

2011-03-05T18:33:00.002-05:00

A young deer romps in the long, evening shadows cast by wind-sculpted snow.

It's been a while since we've seen deer, so it was a treat when the herd came to call. This little guy was quite the trouble maker, chasing and pawing at his elders.

Check out other entries at Heyharriet:

Smile, Darn Ya, Smile

2011-02-26T13:40:00.023-05:00

News Flash: Faking smiles at work when you're really unhappy can make you feel worse than you already do.

We wage slaves already knew that. But now there's a study that might clue in your managers and (dare we hope?) put an end to their daily exhortations to "Smile!"

The command comes with a big fake grin of his or her own, is invariably delivered at a moment when you are not remotely inclined to be pleasant, and has much the same effect as fingernails raking down a blackboard.

But now that I think about it, most of us are only one TPS report away from screaming as it is, and letting it all hang out just might send us over the edge. The Smile is an emotional condom. It might not feel good, but the alternative is so much worse.

So much of life is a choice between the lesser of two evils, isn't it?

Round Robins: Door Number Three

2011-02-18T22:24:00.031-05:00

Doors are fascinating story tellers, whether grand and glorious or hanging in ruins. All are keepers of secrets, and if you're curious - like me - it's a struggle to keep oneself from trying the handles on every one of them.

This one was irresistible:

I stumbled upon it while camping in the Adirondacks. Built into the side of a hill, it is virtually invisible until you're right in front of it.

What's inside?

Step past the smiling guardian and you find yourself in a cold, dank, earthen room perhaps six feet by six. Before you is a wall that is sprouting roots. To your left and right are circular metal tunnels, four to five feet in diameter. It is too dark to see far inside them. A camera flash reveals that the tunnels are shallow, holding only accumulated debris and a few dusty bottles of wine.

This could once have been an ice house or a wine cellar, but judging from the gatekeeper's armload of produce I think it more likely to have been a root cellar. Whatever its use, it was pure magic.

And then there are these:

The tall doors leading to the balconies are on the top floor of the S.J. Payne Building in historic Wabash Indiana. It was built by Sam Payne in 1989* (*correction - 1898) as a combination furniture store and funeral parlor. (Creepy to us, a common combo back then.) The town is still talking about the party he threw there to celebrate its completion.

Through those doors passed the rich and powerful, accomplished craftsmen, smiling newlywed shoppers, mourners and the ghosts of their dead.

Last and least, here's the entry to the barn next door:

It's a great old barn. But sadly, "Tomorrow" never comes.

You'll find more great doors at The Round Robins Photo Challenge.

Shadow Shots: Snooze

2011-02-12T10:41:00.005-05:00

Faced with a choice of sleeping in or doing something relatively productive - like shadow hunting out in the snow and ice - I settled on this compromise.

Productivity is overrated.

And yes, I keep a camera by the bed. Because you never know.

Check out other entries at Heyharriet:

Shadow Shots: Gingerbread

2011-02-05T16:12:00.010-05:00

Finally, a little sunlight falls on the frozen north. Here it's slipping through the front porch gingerbread and getting caught in the curtain.

How I'd love to bottle it for a dark-day treat.

Meet other shadow hunters at Heyharriet:

Photo Hunt: Standing

2011-01-30T00:18:00.003-05:00

Still standing - but just barely. I pass this on the way to work every day and always look to see if the porch roof has completely fallen off yet.

More entries at tnchick.com: Photo Hunt

Shadow Shots: Drifting

2011-01-29T19:22:00.003-05:00

Another quick shot in the cold, this one taken from the back sliding door. It's the path from the back door to the hubby's wood shop, mostly filled in by drifted snow. Without any references in the shot, it could be an aerial view of a mountain range, don't you think?

Meet other shadow hunters at Heyharriet:

Round Robins: Goodbye

2011-01-29T10:54:00.013-05:00

The yard sale we held when we moved from our old house included a lot of forgotten toys our grown kids had left behind. I hope these little guys found new children to love them.

The Round Robin Photo Challenge was the first photo meme I ever did. Back then, the lively group was hosted by Steven of sometimesphotoblog,Carly of Ellipsis, and Karen of Outpost Mavarin. Steven bowed out some time ago. This week is Carly's last, and in honor of the occasion the theme is "Goodbyes".

Carly and Karen have done a fine job of rounding up topics and making everyone feel welcome, and Karen will be carrying on. You can check out the Round Robins here, and everyone is invited to join.

Carly girl, you will be missed. Karen, thanks for keeping the meme going!

Macro Monday: Small Treasures

2011-01-25T14:27:00.004-05:00

(OK, so it's Tuesday. Better late than never ...)

The carved shell here is a little over an inch long. Small polished stones, a geode, and partially petrified shells fill out the collection displayed in a pottery dish one of my kids made in an art class.

Check out more close-up magic at Macro Monday.

Best. Gift. Ever.

2011-01-21T14:54:00.030-05:00

My family really hit one out of the park this Christmas. They gave me a book - a real, bound book - of my own photographs.

They raided my hard drive and my Flickr account and spent hours together sifting through thousands of photos and choosing their favorites. Then they worked together on the layout of each page and paired many shots with poetry from everyone from Shel Silverstein and Ogden Nash to Cookie Monster.

And as if that weren't enough, this is what they wrote in the front fold of the dust jacket:

The irony of the thing is that at that time I had pretty much put aside my cameras and given up on photography. It was a combination of frustration with the complex new camera and discouragement with never getting exactly the shot I intended. They could always be sharper, better framed, taken from a better angle ... just better. And I couldn't seem to do better.

I lost my mojo. Where once I had found inspiration in everything from a dead leaf to the water heater timer, nothing moved me anymore. I was so done with it that I was on the verge of deleting every photo I had ever taken.

And then, this. This wonderful gift. Not just the book itself, but of the care and time and effort and love they put into it. I was humbled and flattered that they thought my photos worthy of such a project - and a little embarrassed that they kept carrying it off to show around to coworkers and family. They were all so proud of it, and justifiably so.

I had never seen any of my work printed. I was shocked to see that most of the shots were really not so bad. And some were pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.

So I'm back. Still cussing and fussing from time to time, but back out there with a camera in my hand.

Along with that book, and all that love, they rescued a part of myself that was about to curl up and die. Now that's a gift.

Shadow Shot: Welcome

2011-01-21T11:27:00.004-05:00

The sun came out for a little while today, but it was still only 17 degrees out. I opened the front door a crack, took afew quick shots across the welcome mat, and went back to my hunker-down spot by the fire.

Meet other shadow hunters at Heyharriet:

Macro Monday: Grey Ladies

2011-01-17T12:36:00.008-05:00

Faded cyclamen blossoms trimmed from the plant and discarded. Beautiful, I think, even in decline.

And, a P.S. to the mysterious-looking shot I posted for Shadow Shots this week. Several people have written to ask how I did that, so here's the big secret:

I placed a bubble-glass paperweight close to a wall, turned off the lights, and shone a flashlight through it. You're seeing the shadow on the wall. (I was kind of hoping someone would notice the streak of light on the sphere, the "crack in the universe". Seems I'm the only Doctor Who fan in the bunch.)

Anyway. Here's another one. I may do a whole series, as the shadow changes so dramatically depending on the angle of the flashlight.

Check out more close-up magic at Macro Monday.

Weekend Reflections: Kaleidoscope

2011-01-15T01:12:00.007-05:00

Taken through the barrel of a kaleidoscope we've owned for years. I don't know why I didn't think to try this before now. The technique needs work, but I'm excited by the possibilities.

This was taken with my old G9, as it does much better up close than the Rebel without a macro lens.

Check out the rest of the entries at Weekend Reflections.

Shadow Shots: A Crack in the Universe

2011-01-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Shadows are in short supply in Indiana just now, so I had to make some of my own.

I'm sure others had better luck. Just click the logo to see:

Weekend Reflections: Silver

2011-01-08T19:57:00.001-05:00

Check out the rest of the entries at Weekend Reflections.

Macro Monday: Orbs

2011-01-03T10:49:00.007-05:00

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments is actually the skeleton of a leaf. Dipped in silver, with the light shining through, it assumes a ghostly, ephemeral quality; an almost-transparent veil of misty lace. Seen up close, it reveals intricate scaffolding as strong as steel.

Check out more close-up magic at Macro Monday.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T15:29:00.004-05:00

Hi! Just popping in to wish you all the best holiday ever!

Shadow Shots: Lamp Shade

2010-12-10T22:02:00.007-05:00

Thought it was about time for a photo with warm fuzzies. My husband and son made the lamp for me several years ago as a Christmas present, and it's my favorite. Here it creates both light and shadow.

For more shadow shots, just click the logo:

Shadow Shots: Frost Flower

2010-12-04T01:17:00.006-05:00

A feathery pattern of frost on a window, made of ice and shadow. It reminds me of the bearded irises sleeping under the snow.

Check out more shadow shots at Hey Harriet's place. Just click the logo:

Shadow Shots: Shaggy

2010-11-20T11:22:00.009-05:00

Peekaboo.

Place a few stones on the driveway, and voila. The shadow of a neglected shrub is transformed into ... something else.

For more shadow shots, just click the logo:

Shadow Shots: Night Light

2010-11-06T13:25:00.006-04:00

Our first snow fell yesterday, and by evening this tree under the security light was glowing in the dark and casting long shadows.

I'm finally using my Canon Rebel T2i, but it's kicking my keester. I didn't expect a DSLR to be so much more complicated than the G9, as the G9 has many of the same features. I have yet to produce an image that satisfies me. Thank goodness I had the G9 first, or I'd be using the Rebel for a doorstop by now.

For more shadow shots, just click the logo:

Shadow Shots: Lost in a Fog

2010-10-01T12:25:00.007-04:00

Early fog bathes the woods in shadow. I wonder how it looks from the hawk's point of view. (Maximize this page for the full crop or click on the photo for the full view.)

I'm still using archived photos because I still don't have a camera. My G9 is on extended loan to my college kid for a class he's taking, and I'm buying my first DSLR.

I've settled on the Cannon T2i and a low-end telephoto zoom lens with IS, but I can only get as far as the checkout screen. I can't bring myself to complete the transaction. I know this camera is considered by serious photographers to be crummy beginner gear, but it's a big chunk o' change to me.

Maybe next week.

For more shadow shots, just click the logo:

Versatility, Great Blogs, and Getting Lost in Terre Haute

2010-09-19T00:27:00.075-04:00

I am honored to say that Cheri of the excellent blog The Yard Art Game has bestowed upon me The Versatile Blogger Award. Gawrsh. I'm blushin'.

If you haven't joined in the fun over there, then you are missing out. Cheri was recently interviewed and quoted in Home and Garden Magazine to explain how the game is played. I've mentioned it before, but here's the gist of it again in case you've forgotten.

When you spot a house all decked out in drek, you take a quick, sneaky snapshot and send it to Cheri. She scores it and writes a really funny narrative to go with, thereby providing the redeeming social value that was so sadly lacking in the original situation.

It is addictive, and you find yourself constantly scouting for points.

A few weeks ago, for example, The Hubby and I found ourselves hopelessly lost in Terre Haute. He had turned on the GPS Lady and then ignored everything she told him to do. A grim, sullen silence descended, each of them daring the other to make the next move.

And suddenly, there it was: a monster mess o' yard art. It had everything. A forest of gazing balls, a windmill, frogs, assorted whatchamathingies... a freakin' windmill ... gnomes. But by the time I stopped hyperventilating and got my camera set we were past it. The photo came out too blurry to see the details.

Normally, The Hubby is a good sport about circling the block in situations like this. But under the circumstances, asking for a course correction was clearly a very bad idea. So somewhere in Terre Haute is the mother lode of yard art. And I will never, ever, be able to find it again.

Anyway. According to the rules, this is a self-determining award, meaning there is no obligation for anyone nominated to play. I am now supposed to tell you seven things about myself and list seven blogs I recommend.

Things:

1. I am not a morning person.
2. I am a dog person. And a cat person. And birds. Maybe fish.
3. Chocolate is my favorite food group.
4. Flea markets and yard sales attract me like magnets
5. However, I hate to shop for clothes
6. I will read just about anything.
7. I am always on the lookout for signs and wonders.

For blogs I like, check out my follow list and the blogs in my sidebar. It's hard to choose only a few, but here are my seven. In keeping with the "versatility" thing, it's a varied selection:

Rambling Woods is a must for nature lovers. There is a weekly meme, too, Nature Notes. Tell Michelle I sent ya.

On the m104: Out and About in New York City, where Daryl's photos and happenings are as exciting as the Big Apple itself. Plus: Toonman!

Thyra has several blogs, all worth a visit. She is in Denmark, and her post topics range from daily life there to the lore and history of that magical land.

Finding Another View is Scott Law's photography blog. I love the sense of playfulness and exploration in it. Scott offers lots of tips for how he achieves his gorgeous photos and is wonderfully supportive of us point-and-shoot beginners.

I have a piece of news for you. And here it is: Caron's witty writing never fails to crack me up.

Sweet Repose, because I love, love, love all of her charming old stuff. And the poetry is nice, too.

Serious Grouching, in which little serious grouching occurs, but beautiful gardening photos and posts do. Joco and her blog are wonderfully friendly and kind.

And there you have it. If you'd like to participate in this little meme, have at it. Or not - and no offense taken. I rarely do award memes myself, but it's been a while since I've had one and there were all these great blogs to share. Do visit them, OK? You'll be happy you did.

*PS: Blogger ate the first version of this post, so it had to be done over. Which is why you might have seen the earlier one. I don't think there's a lot of difference, but just in case you were wondering, that's what's up.

Shadow Shots: Fading Fast

2010-09-18T14:59:00.002-04:00

For more shadow shots, just click the logo:

Reflections: The Way We Were

2010-09-11T11:34:00.009-04:00

Once upon a time, automobiles were works of art as much as they were machinery. According to its sign, this restored 1933 Auburn is the last of its kind. And that's a cryin' shame.

Check out the rest of the entries at Weekend Reflections.

Let There Be Pie

2010-09-10T16:02:00.003-04:00

Newsflash: Libby's WILL have canned pumpkin this year!

I just got off the phone from calling the 800 number on the back of the can I hoarded away from last year. Per one of their lovely phone reps, we should see Libby's pumpkin on the shelves by the end of this month. Thanksgiving is saved. And they are sending me coupons.

I don't know what they do to it, but nothing tastes like Libby's pumpkin. It's the only ingredient on the label, so I don't know what the magic is. I've tried pies from other brands and from fresh pumpkins, and they were pretty awful.

So. Libby's is back. Can I get an Amen?

Shadow Shots: Summer's End

2010-09-04T19:50:00.005-04:00

Solitary bird
Silent above silvered grass
Soon there will be snow

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Shadow Shots: Creepy

2010-08-07T09:52:00.005-04:00

Say hello to my little friend.

(Get the whole story at Havenwood.)

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Macro Monday: Flower Power

2010-08-02T07:35:00.001-04:00

How "sixties" is this guy?

This little moth was only half an inch long, and it appeared to the naked eye to have mottled stripes. Imagine my surprise when the macro shot revealed a secret garden of tiny black and white flowers.

I don't generally hold with collecting wild life to get a photo, preferring to take my best shot with the wildflower still dancing in the wind, the bug attempting a getaway. But I would have made an exception in this case if the window hadn't been on the second floor. I wish I could have netted this pretty fellow and held it for a while to see what these wings looked like open.

Check out more close-up magic at Macro Monday.

A Taste of Summer

2010-07-31T00:45:00.005-04:00

(I seem to be back, more or less. We changed to a new Internet service. It's still slow, but much better and more reliable. Uploading decent sized photos is still a challenge, though, so this one is from a few weeks ago.)

Look closely into the wine glass and you'll see green grass, blue sky, the line of pines sighing softly in the breeze at the edge of the property, and a white string hammock. What more could you ask for, eh?

There's a lot more to see at Weekend Reflections.

Reflections: Frog Legs for Dinner

2010-07-10T12:09:00.006-04:00

*Re-posted for July 16, as I missed the boat last time. Hope that's ok. My Internet connection continues to range from none at all to snail-paced this week, so please forgive me if it craps out before I can visit you back.

This is my first entry in the Weekend Reflections meme. The frog is on the outside of the kitchen window; the kitchen is reflected in the glass.

Moths and other insects are attracted to the windows by the lights inside, making the window a popular frogger buffet.

Check out the rest of the entries at Weekend Reflections.

Shadow Shots: The Light Within

2010-07-03T15:53:00.005-04:00

My favorite glass paper weight (it was my mother's) with the last of a summer day's light pouring through it. I loved the long shadow it cast on a crumpled paper bag.

For more shadowy fun, visit HeyHarriet:

Shadow Shots: Here There Be Dragons

2010-06-25T21:00:00.007-04:00

There be a LOT of dragons, actually - dragonflies bigger than the hummingbirds. Dozens of them. This one obligingly posed on the deck railing for a shadow portrait. Gotta love those gorgeous wings.

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Click the Photo, Build a School

2010-06-23T11:37:00.006-04:00

*Oops. Too late. They're already over the 50,000 view limit. But you can donate directly and get a few grins by visiting StillerStrong.org.

For every view this photo receives, Yahoo will donate a dollar to Ben Stiller's project to build schools in Haiti. To help, click here: Headbands for Haiti.

"For every view the photo receives, Yahoo! will donate one dollar (up to $50,000) to Ben’s StillerStrong charity. StillerStrong is raising money for the Haitian School Initiative, an effort to help provide temporary schools for Haitians displaced by the earthquake in January 2010.

"Click the photo to help us reach our goal!"

Macro Monday: Butterfly

2010-06-22T01:17:00.004-04:00

This tiny fellow may be the first butterfly whose antennae and eyes are more interesting than the wings - though I never got a good look at the top side, as it was gone in a flash when it flew.

Sorry I haven't been around much. Internet troubles again.

Check out all the cool closeups at Macro Monday!

Shadow of a Shade

2010-06-06T15:17:00.009-04:00

This turkey vulture is sunning himself today on the barn roof next door. They have a wingspan of five to six feet and make an impressive sight, standing with their wings out and turning slowly to let the sun clean their feathers.

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Macro Monday: Peach Pit Boat

2010-05-31T12:50:00.010-04:00

It's Macro Monday! And here's my entry for the week:

Here's one from my archives. It's a little boat carved from a peach pit, purchased by my uncle when he served in the Korean War. There are several interesting things about it, aside from its size.

First of all, those windows actually swing open and closed. Secondly, there is something written on the underside in tiny, tiny characters. I suspect it is the story of the Eight Chinese Immortals sailing to a banquet, carrying the peaches of immortality.

And thirdly, this photo - MY photo - has been snagged and used all over the Internet. Go ahead. Google "peach pit carving" and see what you get. Some link back to my Flickr page, and I guess I'm OK with that though I would have appreciated a request or a credit. There was one place, though, that offered this item for sale! For $400! I wrote them about it and the site disappeared soon after, though I never got a reply.

I always thought I'd be flattered to have a photo good enough to be stolen. But it really doesn't feel so hot.

Anyway, here are a couple more shots that show the amazing carving and the relative size. And if you are coming in from Google and want to use any of these, PLEASE ASK?

Shadow Shots: Light Hearted

2010-05-29T13:01:00.004-04:00

Another random camera shot in the ongoing Phantom Photographer experiment begun last week.

Look deep into the crystal ball ... is there a future in this project?

** P.S. May 30 ** Would you be interested in participating if I made a meme out of this? I'm thinking about it, since it seems to have struck a chord with some of you. Leave a reply in comments, please, as I rarely check email. Thanks!

* But Wait! There's More! Coming in from a photo meme? See the rest of this blog.

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Shadow Shots: The Book of Marvels

2010-05-22T10:29:00.009-04:00

It occurred to me one day to wonder what my camera sees when I'm not paying any attention to it.

I carry it around a lot, just in case something interesting happens along, and it gets set down in all sorts of places. As an experiment, I'm beginning to turn it on and press the button without moving it. It's showing me some surprising things.

Here it's sitting on a book that's lying in front of my bedside alarm clock. The front of the clock is curved, and it's given such a funhouse flair to my bedroom that I can't even recognize much of what's in the reflection.

Best of all, look at the book. The title is THE BOOK OF MARVELS. "THE BOOK" is right-side up. "OF MARVELS" is upside down. How cool is that?

(I suppose this isn't really about shadows, but the mood is shadowy, so. It is what it is.)

* But Wait! There's More! Coming in from a photo meme? See the rest of this blog.

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

It's Aliiiiiiive!

2010-05-21T13:11:00.007-04:00

U.S. scientist have succeeded in creating the first artificial life form.

They've used laboratory chemicals to create synthetic DNA modeled on that of a simple bacteria, modified it, and inserted it into an existing cell. The lab-created genome took it from there, and the new organism is happily replicating itself.

The hope is that organisms can be engineered to produce new fuels, clean up oil spills, produce vaccines faster, and eventually even to interface with computers. (Apparently, these guys missed the whole Matrix trilogy. I'd hold off on that one.)

This is being hailed as the dawn of a new industrial revolution by some and the Beginning of the End by others. Amazing and promising as it is, even Craig Venter, the head of the team, allows there are safety issues and potential for abuse. (Ya think?)

Read all about it at the BBC World Service and at Science.

What's your take on it? I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

Shadow Shots: Butterfly Morning

2010-05-15T07:36:00.005-04:00

These little guys were all over my driveway yesterday. I don't know what they found so attractive in the gravel there, but I had to go slow to let them fly up and away without running them over or having them hit the windshield too hard.

My internet search turned up no matching images, so their name is still a mystery.

* P.S. Further research indicates these are Red Admiral butterflies. This particular one stayed on my windowsill for most of the day, so it's a male defending a territory and waiting for a lovely female to come by. It kind of spoils the magic, but they feed on bird droppings, which is probably the big draw in the driveway. More about them here: Animal Diversity.

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Macro Monday: Who Ya Gonna Call?

2010-05-09T22:35:00.022-04:00

Dust bunnies: Ignore them at your peril. Leave them alone long enough and evolution kicks in, unleashing an infestation of Moses-knows-what.

(Nah. It's just a thistle seed head from last year.)

For more close-up photography, visit Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday.

*Note: I apologize for not getting around to everyone who commented last time. It was an extraordinarily rough week. I love that you all stop by and visit, and I promise to do a better job of checking out all your great blog entries this week.

Shadow Shots: A Little Sip of Sun

2010-05-09T20:10:00.006-04:00

Mothers' Day on the deck: lying in a hammock in the sun with a glass of wine within reach, a blue sky above, and family all around. Hope all of you had a day this good, too!

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Macro Monday: The Best Things Are Free

2010-05-02T11:19:00.012-04:00

A flower was offered to me,
Such a flower as May never bore;
But I said "I've a pretty rose tree,"
And I passed the sweet flower o'er.

Then I went to my pretty rose tree,
To tend her by day and by night;
But my rose turned away with jealousy,
And her thorns were my only delight.

-- My Pretty Rose Tree, William Blake

Violas have escaped from someone's flower basket or border, slipping away to dance in the grass.

The number of deer and groundhogs in my area make flower gardening impossible. However, all is not lost. The woods and fields abound with wildflowers, and I spend many happy hours finding and photographing them. They are tiny, most of them, and seem so impossibly fragile. Yet they thrive, needing nothing from me, and they are riches aplenty.

Sometimes, even leaves are a treasure.

*Note to LifesHighway: This one's for you. Sorry about the spider. ;-)

For more close-up photography, visit Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday.

April Showers

2010-04-28T23:34:00.004-04:00

The first burst of spring is fading like a firework just past its full glory. Petals shimmer and swirl through the air, their brief moment finished. Some pause to pose, hoping to be admired one last time before joining the drifts on the curb.

Macro Monday: Hiding

2010-04-25T22:27:00.008-04:00

I'm hiding, I'm hiding
And no one knows where
For all they can see is my toes and my hair...

- from Hiding, by Dorothy Keeley Aldis

This little spider reminded me of the children's poem I learned long ago.

For less creepy entries, visit Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday.

Shards of Shadows

2010-04-24T01:09:00.004-04:00

I'm boring myself to death lately with my ho-hum pics, so I thought I'd try fiddling around with some special effects. These beams cast some serious shadow patterns, and I liked the image even better after desaturating it and boosting the contrast way up. What do you think?

Click the logo to find more shadow shots:

Only Five Months Til Halloween!

2010-04-22T20:18:00.002-04:00

Just imagine what you could do with a set of these. I'm thinking something Pandorian, blue and furry, with gold cat eye contacts, long claws, fangs and a mane made of something that chimes when you walk.

Macro Monday: Holey-er Than Thou

2010-04-18T22:29:00.005-04:00

Imagine the ages it took for a river to tunnel its way into the heart of this little stone. Someone took it away from its source, with other stones that had lain beside it for eons, to lie in the mud of an Indiana driveway. I wonder where it will be ten thousand years from now.

Check out more up close and personal entries at Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday.