Football Berries

We were at a church softball game last night and as always I was looking for photo ops. I was looking up into a crab apple tree and was going to take a macro shot of a crab apple and I noticed something very odd... I zoomed in on what I that was an odd looking crab apple and this is what I saw...
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Parking

Is it me, or shouldn't the car be pointed in the same direction as the arrow?

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Quiet Day

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Flowers (again)

We went to Cedar Rapids yesterday afternoon to help celebrate our daughter-in-law's 40th birthday. They have some gorgeous flowers growing around their driveway - so, with camera in hand, here are a couple as seen through my eyes.
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Fat Cat

There are 2 cats, a dog, and several birds at my mother's nursing home. It is apparent that at least one of the cats is getting a few "exra" snacks. I don't know if the cat and the bird are friends and are just visiting, or if the cat is contemplating lunch... I suspect lunch.

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Black and White

I took some photos yesterday using the monochrome setting in my camera.
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Hair Trimming Accident

Before trim...

After trim (take off a little here, a little there, no...a little more here...and, a little more there) - end result - no hair!!

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Touchdown

Coming in for a landing...feet down...


Down...


What?
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Birthday Girl

My Mother celebrated her 94th birthday. She is in a nursing home and is "pleasantly confused" . She always recognizes my wife and almost always thinks I'm her brother. Once reminded, however, she seems to recognize that I am her son. She got that one candle out and my sister had to help with the rest.
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Grass

Nothing special here - I just like the photograph.
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Uploading Issues

There seems to be "issues" with uploading. Will upload today's photo as soon as they are resolved...

Reflected

Not sure this works - but I took a picture of myself taking a picture reflected in a pair of sunglasses...
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Drain Cover

I was attracted to the color and shape of this drain cover. If the drop hadn't been 10 feet or so I would have jumped down and moved the leaf.
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Amana Colonies

The photo club I belong to went on a photo shoot at the Amana Colonies. I took a lot of photographs (really a lot) so choosing just 1 is impossible - so here are 3.


This little guy was "busy as a bee"...


I simply call this "Red".

Face On The Wall

While I was taking pictures in my friends flower garden I had the feeling I was being watched. Turns out I was... here is her face...
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Flower Photograph

While I was visiting my friend's flower garden in Cedar Falls I took a lot of photos. I like the perspective on this one..
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Euphoria

Big Step... I stopped by a friends house last night to take some pictures in his flower garden (quite a site) and while I was shooting noticed this yellow jacket collecting pollen.


Busy, busy... He was quite busy and intent on his task.


Ahhhhh... After he licked (do they lick?) the nectar from the pestal, he just rolled over on his back as if he was on a "necar high".
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Mushrooms

I was visiting a friend last night and she had all sorts of interesting mushrooms in her yard. I wanted a unique perspective, and believe I found one.


Anybody know what kind of mushrooms these are?



Anybody home?

Unique Candle

We went out to eat yesterday (yes, I had my camera) - and this candle was on the table. It looks like a stack of glass ash trays with a candle in the middle - m-m-m-m-m I wonder if that is the design the artist was intending?
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Straight Rows

Love the color green...


Iowa beans are doing well...
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Colorful Fence

This fence was in front of a Habitat for Humanity exhibit at the Des Moines Arts Festival. Kids had a chance to "paint" the fence.

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Quiet Moment

A quiet moment along the Iowa River in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

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Moon Rise

The Moon rises above the Iowa River in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

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Fireworks

Fireworks are difficult to photograph - tripod, bulb setting, open the shutter when you hear the "pop" and then hold it open until they go off. You do ge some interesting effects.
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Red Flower

Moments after I took this photograph a red humming bird flew up to the flower - and as soon as I raised my camera he (or she) took off. He's probably been talking to the eagles and is taunting me... (note previous post).
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Eagle

Frequent visitors to my Blog know that I have been trying to take a photo of an Eagle. Every time I see one they are out of range and every time I don't have a camera I see them - it's as if they are taunting me. We visited Calkins Nature Area in Iowa Falls and there was a stuffed Eagle on display. I couldn't help myself - so I took a photograph. I'm still chasing a live one, but in the mean time here's an Eagle.
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Caught In The Web

Taking a useable photograph of a spider web is difficult because the web is so fine and transparent. The light was perfect on this spider web and I managed to get a pretty good shot of the web and its victim.
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Little Beetle

While walking out to the crash site in Clear Lake Iowa where Buddy Holly, Richard Valance and the Big Bopper were killed I saw a flash of orange in the grass. It was this little beetle (I still love my macro lens).
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The Day the Music Died

While visiting friends in Clear Lake, Iowa we visited the crash site of where Buddy Holly, Richard Valance and the Big Bopper were killed in an airplance crash.
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Sunrise Reflection

A sunrise reflection on Clear Lake, Iowa.
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Clear Lake, Iowa Sunset

We're staying with friends in Clear Lake, Iowa and photo opportunites abound. Here is last nights sunset.
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Grandpa

Grandpa explains the finer point of throwing a football. If you'd like to read my point of view on this photo visit HERE.
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