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...

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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).

Quilt

The Grout Museum has a WW II Quilt Display and this is a quilt made entirely from Navy Petty Officer Chevrons.

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

Cute Kid

This has not been "photoshopped" other than cropping the photo.  I was horsing around with some of my "rejected" pictures and cut myself out of a couple and stuck them on this photo.  As I was contemplating a picture for today I thought - why not take a picture of me in front of me. Yes, the baby is me at 13 months.  The note on the back from my mother indicates that the picture was taken July 10, 1952.  The other two were taken the day I got my wireless remote for my camera.

(If you'd like a larger view you can click on the photo).

Coffee Pot

We love our coffee!! The downside being we go through a lot of coffee pots. We had a Bun for awhile, but it finally died after years of loyal service. We've had subsequent pots and either they poured poorly or had other issues - like dripping slowly or burning up. This is our recent acquisition - a percolator. The sound takes me back to my childhood and the smell is glorious. One question - why do they only give you a 6 inch cord?
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Wall Writing

I don't read graffiti so I have no idea what this says - but, its style captured my attention.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Mother Nature's Ice Cubes

Mother Nature has left her ice cubes laying out next to the Cedar River...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Fountain

This was a sculpture/fountain in the lobby of the Continuing Education Building on the Kirkwood Junior College Campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.





















here is another view...
(Click on the photo(s) for a larger view of the image).

Moon Shot

There was an interesting moon last night at dusk. I played around with getting a picture. This photo is not quite what I was looking for, but it does have some interesting shades of blue. It was cold (23 degrees with a wind chill putting it near zero) so I took this picture quickly not taking the time to frame the photo without the electric wires.
(Click on the photo for a larger view).

Vase

On Thursday nights my wife at times has to work late at the Grout Museum for a family night. I tag along and roam around looking for picture opportunities. Last night I took a picture of vases she has for sale in the gift shop.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Sunset

A gorgeous winter sunset.
(Click on the photo to view a large image).

Fat Tuesday

My Church, Trinity Episcopal Parish, in Waterloo, Iowa, flew in 100 lbs of Louisiana crayfish to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Our standard fare for years has been pancakes and this year one of our youth suggested something different. It was a Fat Tuesday celebration (minus the debauchery found on Bourbon street in New Orleans!!)
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Little Guy

Saw this little guy guarding a pond at the home show - loved the eyes...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Hands

My daughter-in-law's hands as she foils a piece of stained glass at the Home Show in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

New Gizmo

This is a photo of my Canon 50D with a new Wireless Remote Shutter Switch. I have been wanting one for some time but the Canon brand was pricey. My favorite photo store, Porter's in Cedar Falls, Iowa has started to handle a 3rd party (RFN3) Wireless Remote Switch at a most reasonable price. So, I finally bought one. It's cool - I can set the camera up - go across the room and hit the button and the shutter fires. I can hardly wait until it is warmer out and I can setup outside and get a picture of that cardinal that always seems to know when I'm going to hit the release...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Izzie

I was invited to Izzie's 3rd birthday party last night - had to take my camera - here is the birthday girl getting ready to blow out the candle...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Old School House

One room school house in Cedar Falls, Iowa. No internet, no computers, no overhead projectors - how did they ever learn? With teachers and chalk...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Iowa.com

You will probably pick up on the fact that this photo was not taken today or yesterday since it is February in Iowa and there is green grass (and no snow) in the photo. This photo, along with 2 other of my photos, appear on a new website www.iowa.com in the section CaptureIowa. I submitted several photos last fall and received a note yesterday that they are on the site.

Besides the fact some of my pictures are on the site - it's a cool site promoting Iowa.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Street Art

Cedar Falls, Iowa has such cool street art.
(Click on photo to view a larger view of the image).

Pens

For as long as I can remember I have loved pens and pencils. I had a cigar box filled with them while I was growing up. My collections have varied over the years and it seems that my more recent taste is a bit more expensive then when I was a kid. This picture reflects a few of the pens I have...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Snow Clings On

The sun has been shining and it has been relatively warm, but some of the snow just hangs on...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

A Rose

Paid a return visit to Crazy Girls Yarn Shop in Cedar Falls and of course took my camera to take a few pictures. They had a gorgeous bouquet of roses so I took a picture. It seems, however, that I'm not the only person taking pictures in the yarn shop...




















This is Linda taking a picture of one her projects that she will add to the website www.ravelry.com.
(As always - click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Tree Rings

There is an area behind the Credit Union where I work called Hope Martin Park which is prone to flooding. When the creek overflows its banks the flood gates are closed and the park fills up with water. Last year there was 20 feet of water covering the entire park. With the recent snow melt the creek started to rise and the flood gates were closed. The weather changed, it became freezing again and the flooding stopped. When the gates opened this is the view - a frozen ring of ice indicates how deep the water had become overnight. Rings on trees - a perfect valentine picture. (ok - that might be a stretch).
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Melting Ice

As the sun shines the ice on the creek melts.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Flooded Basement

The complete story can be found on my other blog "The Windmills of My Mind." There have been better days

Psychotic Clown

I was "clowning around" (pun intended) last night running around the house looking for "photo ops" and took this picture. Now, I'd love to tell you how I composed the photo, the exposure, ISO and all the technical stuff, but the fact of the matter it's a mistake. But, I like it. It has an ominous and ghost like feel to it and is a little scary. Even mistakes make good photos (sometimes).
(Click on the photo for an even larger view of the psychotic clown.)

Snow Melt

We had temperatures in the 40s yesterday and we're supposed to hit 50 today. The next picture is how it looked a month ago.




















I'm trying not to enjoy it too much because I know there is more snow to come...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Prairie Grass

I belong to a photo club and once a month we meet at a nature center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is a picture of the prairie grass which surrounds the place.
(Click on the photo to view a large image).

Night Light

I took this picture of the moon last night (no flash) with a high ISO (Light sensitivity). It has an eerie feel about it. The next picture was taken a minute later with a flash - it was dark outside and it's amazing the amount of light the flash put out.




















I like the colors on this one.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

Volunteers

The Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa sponsored an event last night called, "A Night of 200 Lincolns." I was there, camera in hand and took over 100 photos. The challenge was to find one picture to represent the evening - a picture of people in Lincoln hats?, the musicians?, or the artist who was cutting silhouettes? I decided that this picture represents the evening - volunteers ready to help everyone have an enjoyable evening. This is (L-R) Janine, Samuel, Christine and Jo - 4 of many volunteers who helped make the evening a successful one. I will post other photos on my Flickr page.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Typewriter

Long, long ago before people used computers to compose letters and fill out forms there were machines called typewriters. This is my favorite of ALL typewriters. It is the IBM Selectric. You can change type faces by changing the "ball" that presses against the ribbon. When I went to my first school in the Navy I learned to type on a Selectric an when I joined the Fighter Squadron on board the USS Forrestal I used a Selectric. There is something about the sound I find soothing. I acquired this model about 5 or 6 years ago and I use it in my office. There are forms that are easier to fill out using a typewriter. Long story - but it's what makes this photo.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Pipe Organ

This is a photo of the pipe organ in our church, Trinity Episcopal Parish. I'm sure there is a colorful history that goes along with the instrument, but I'm not familiar with the story. I'll have to ask... In the mean time enjoy the photo. It's an old organ so I used an "antique browning" to convey that in the photo. The photo below is the original (before I played with it in Lightroom2).




















Oh no...that's 2 days in a row I posted 2 pictures for the "photo" of the day. It's OK today though 'cause technically it's the same photo - just different effects. At any rate enjoy...
(Click on the photo(s) for a larger view of the image).