Timed Exposure

I was playing around with a timed exposure and here is one of the pictures. The red and white streaks are cars that passed though while the lens was open.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Another Moon

The Moon seemed to line up perfectly - as if the remains of this tree were pulling it down.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Moon Painting

The moon was out again last night. This time I waited until it was dark before taking photos. I wasn't happy with the top picture, but then decided to play around a bit. I opened my aperature wide open, set the shutter speed to BULB and held the aperature open while I moved the camera around. The results are below. I added the color in Photoshop for effect... I call it "Moon Painting".









(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

No Eagles But Found A Moon

Went in search of Eagles [again] at Lake Alice and found the Moon [no Eagles (again)]...



It was a very narrow window of opportunity as the clouds rolled in and there was no visible moon for the rest of the night.
(Click on the photo(s) to view a larger image).

Palm Sunday Snow Storm

OK, really now, is THIS the last snow? The poor Easter Chick got really cold in the 5" of snow we received on Palm Sunday.
(Click on the photo[s] to view a larger image).

Appliance Wall

The appliance picture wall is complete.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

LittleTokoyo Restaurant

Ok - 2 pictures in one day. My youngest daughter is visiting from Minnesota and we went to the Little Tokoyo Restaurant where they cook your meal in front of you. A good time and good food. I took my camera and snapped a coupple of photos - here's the best.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Cookies

Perhaps I can get out of the kitchen after this - probably one more picture when this one is added to the wall...

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Peter Piper Picked...

It seems that I'm still in the kitchen taking pictures. Here are a few more peppers...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Bell Pepper

Playing around taking some food pictures...

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Eagle Search

Continuing the Eagle Search my wife and I went back to the park. This time we did find a tree with about 20 Eagles. They pretty much stayed there and didn't give me much of an opportunity for a photo. I snapped the one above as an Eagle was coming in for a landing. Now - I'm lusting after a 100 mm-400 mm Zoom lens with a 25 mm extension tube so that I can get close with the camera - without being closer physically.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sincerity or Sarcasm?

I drove by this coffee shop yesterday and took note of their sign. As I thought about it I had to turn around and take another look. I don't know these people so I can't make any guesses as to whether or not they are being sincere, "Thanks for All Your Support", Or, Sarcastic, "Thanks for all your support we are now closed!" Perhaps they are just victims of a bad economy and bad spacing on their sign.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Framed

Here are my appliance pictures from last week printed, matted, framed and hung in the kitchen. You may pick up on the fact we like the color red.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

A Snowy Spring Morning

Woke up this morning to snow. Perhaps this is Old Man Winter's last feeble attempt to hang on. (one can only hope).

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Antique Butter Churn

This is my wife's antique butter churn. Every once in a while she makes butter with the grandkids so they can learn about the past and the effort it takes to put food on the table.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Mr. Toaster

...continuing with the "kitchen" theme here is the toaster (and yes, it really is red).
Click on the photo to view a larger image.

Mr. Food Processor

I seem to be making my way around the kitchen. Here is Mr. Food Processor AKA Kitchen-Aide. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to Mr. Toaster and perhaps on Saturday Mr. Microwave. Actually - I'm printing all of these, framing them, and doing a display on one of the kitchen walls (I imagine that will be photo of the day too.)

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

I'm A Little Tea Pot...

I'm a little tea pot, short and stout...

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Concrete Frog

This frog stands guard at our front door. To understand where he comes from follow this LINK.

(Click on the photo view a larger image).

Yellow Tulips

Oz Girl, a fellow 365 Blogger, gave me the idea to use poster board as a background. My wife had brought home some tulips for a center piece, and put them in a red vase - it just screamed "photo op"... I ran to Hobby Lobby, purchased some foam core board, ran home again and took this picture. I softened it a bit in photoshop - but, I like it. Do you?

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Inaugural B-B-Q

We had a birthday party for our oldest daughter and my mother-in-law and the spring weather was so nice we broke out the grill, cleaned it up and had the first B-B-Q of the season.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

First Day of Spring

Do we dare put the snowblower away for the season?

(Click on photo to view a larger mage).

Bird(s)

I had heard that there were Eagles near a lake in Waterloo and thought I'd go out and take a picture. Perhaps I thought that since they are our national symbol, that they would just strike a pose. Well... no Eagles - but I did see a gull, a hawk, a robin and a sparrow. I wasn't about to come home without any pictures, so here are 4 bird pictures [perhaps I am over-compensating for no Eagle pictures]. I'll keep trying for the Eagles...

(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Cross

We had choir rehearsal last night and this was the sunset behind the cross. God was painting.

(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Foot

Someone (my youngest daughter) didn't want her picture taken. Here's a picture of her foot...

Brief survey- I have posted this photo at a lower resolution, so when you click on the photo you do not get the screen filling version as I have previously posted. Which do you prefer, larger version, this version, or does it make a difference? It doesn't make a difference to me... post a comment and let me know... thank you (1) for visiting, and (2) for the comments...

Happy St. Patrick's Day

An interesting builing in Mendota Heights, MN - I added the green tint because it's St. Paddy's Day!! The normal color appears below.





















(Click on the photo for a large view of the image.)

Car On Ice

58 Degrees and melting... Not so sure I would drive my car out onto a frozen (and melting) lake!! But, hey - those Minnesotans are a tough bunch when it comes to ice fishing!!

(Click on the photo to view a larger image before the car sinks).

3 Kittens Yarn Shop

For years my wife's favorite (or one of her most favorite) yarn shops has been 3 Kittens in Mendota Heights, MN. They used to be in a much older building that seemed to go on forever with nooks and crannies everywhere. They recently relocated to a new building. As in the past I took my camera to shoot pictures while she browsed (and bought) the yarn and assorted knitting "stuff".

A Button Display...

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Barn Door New Prague, Minnesota

We are in New Prague, Minnesota staying with my youngest daughter. We're going to celebrate our Granddaughter Ania's 12th birthday today. The daily photo must continue - here is a picture of a barn door in New Prague. I obviously can't read...

(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Blacks Building

Black's Building in downtown Waterloo was completed in 1914 and is part of the skyline in Waterloo. People in NE Iowa know this building. The Department Store is long since gone and now it's an office building. I understand that there will be a new "fancy" restaurant on the top floor. I was downtown yesterday and took a picture.

(Click on the photo for a larger image).

Here is an older image I found online...

What A Difference A Day Makes

We had an extreme drop in temperature yesterday. Our flooded area is now an ice rink.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Wet Feet

Apparently not all ducks take to water. It appears that she doesn't want to get her feet wet..

(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Spring Flooding

This is the park behind the Credit Union - not a lake, although it appears to be one. Last year in June the water was 20 feet deep and we had to evacuate. Everyone is anxious as the water is rising...

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Photo Competition

I belong to the Linn County Area Photo Club and we have monthly photo competitions. This month's theme was Still life and/or Glassware. The photos are peer judged.

At this month's meeting my photo Relax was judged a 1st Place photo.

Stone Fountain

Here is a fountain from a home show. I often wonder about the work it takes to set something like this up. This was one of MANY working fountains and stone displays...

(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Cosmetic Universe

We went to our Grandson's 11th birthday party and I noticed this painting on the fireplace mantle. I inquired and discovered that James had done this painting as an art project at school. When I asked what it was [grandpas always have to ask such things] he told me the name of the painting was Cosmetic Universe. So, here is a photographic reproduction of Cosmetic Universe by James M. Cummings.

(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).