Purple Flower

Noticed this flower in my back yard...
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Pottery

Pottery store in downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Chasing the Sun

After a week of cloudy and rainy weather - the sun came out and I decided to chase it. I caught up to at a bend in the Cedar River in Cedar Falls.

The sun is setting...

It goes down a bit farther...

As it leaves the sky it does leave a gorgeous view. A perfect end to the work week.

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A Night Out

Balls, balls, balls. We went to the church softball game last night (we lost) and as always I had my camera in hand.

Glove on the fence.

After the game we went downtown Cedar Falls and I took a few (actually a lot) of photos.

While I was taking pictures my wife visited her favorite yarn shop. When I was done I went to find her and discovered several happy knitters. I don't if they were happy from their knitting or the almost empty bottle of wine?

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

Love My Macro Lens

Close...


Closer...


Closest...
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Raindrops on Pink

Since it seems to continue to be wet and cloudy outside I thought I would just continue with the raindrop theme of yesterday. Here are more raindrops - on pink...
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Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

It always seems to be raining this month - here is a close up of a rain drop...
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Clover (For Monday)

I could have sworn I did a post for Monday - evidently not since I don't see one... I continued the safari in the yard and here is a close up of a clover...
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James' Self Portrait

James by James

We had a family gathering to celebrate June Birthdays. James (our 11 year old Grandson) had one of his art pieces displayed, a self-portrait he made in school. I can't say he looks like this - but, I find his intereptation with colors and bits of paper amazing.
Art by James - photo of art by Grandpa Robert
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Guard Frog

I seem to see a lot of frogs standing guard duty in people's gardens. I think if a frog wants to work there is work to be had... This house must be a plumbers house as this frog has 6 plungers ready to go to work... (or perhaps they are faux balloons?) I prefer to think they are plungers at the ready...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Where Do Ducks Go When The Cross the Road?

I was walking the other night (with my camera in hand) when these 3 ducks decided to cross the road.


Traffic stopped to let them complete their journey. Then I wondered, "Where are they walking to?" So I followed...



This is where the ducks go when they cross the road (at least these 3).
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Yard Art

A new use for old beat up french horns - yard art...
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Mirror Mirror On The Wall

We went to a gathering last night and as I was standing around visiting I noticed this gorgeous (and unique) mirror on the wall.
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Someone's Tired

Someone is tired...




There is nothing as comforting as a mother's shoulder...
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Rose

Our choir director was given some roses after the service yesterday - since I seem to always have my camera handy I took this photo of the arrangement.
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Big Woods Lake

We just discoverd a lake in the area - Big Woods Lake in Cedar Falls. We never knew it was there. It was gorgeous, and quiet with a few fisherpeople... M-m-m-m-m-m - I wonder - do Eagles hang out here?
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Nap Time

I believe there are 4 baby Robins in this nest. They're warm and cozy and satisfied.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

The Outstanding Prize Award

Last December I entered the above photo in the 2009 Yamanashi Japan Sister State Photo Exhibition and Contest. The entries were displayed in a joint exhibition held during the 8th annual Yamanashi Citizens' Festival of Art and Culture.

There were 91 photographs entered from the State of Iowa, 17 from Chung Cheong Buk in South Korea, 16 from Saone-et-Loire in France and 12 from Minas Gerais in Brazil.

My photo, "Harvest Time" was awarded the Outstanding Prize and they sent the above pictured medal along with the certificate. It made my day...

Old Pump

I visited the Calkins Nature Area in Iowa Falls, Iowa and noticed this old well pump. It's more than decorative as it still works.
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knot

I don't know what to say about this knot - it's a knot in a piece of wood and it looked cool...
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Green and Blue

Not quite sure why I took this photograph other than I like the way the branch is framed and the color green against the blue sky.
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2 Perspectives

We visited a friend in Clear Lake, Iowa - here are 2 perspectives of their dock...


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Yet Another Yarn Shop

We found another NEW yarn shop in Lakeville, Minnesota. It seems I'm becoming somewhat of an authority on yarn shops and this one is pretty good. The owner is friendly, helpful and has a wide variety of yarns, books and needles. And, no - I'm not taking up knitting - I will however take photos of knitting and knitters.
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).


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

I acquired a new "toy" yesterday - a Flip Video Camera. I thought it would be fun to take quick videos here and there to add to a few of the websites I do. I don't plan to post videos here, but thought you might enjoy my first video - shot at the yarn shop. The above photos were taken out of the video and edited with PhotoShop.

In Bloom

The Peonies have started blooming.
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Peonies

The Peonies are just starting to blossum. They should be springing out any minute now...
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Now - Where did that Deck Go?

We had a deck on the back of the house that was in pretty bad shape - had to fix it or lose it. You can see the choice we made...
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Patriotism

Showing the flag at the Memorial Day Service in Waterloo, Iowa...


...moments before she placed a flag on her father's memorial brick.
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Memorial Day 2009

In gratitude for those who have served, and in sorrow for those who have lost their lives.
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Generation Gap

I don't know if it's a generation gap or a difference in perception, but... Yesterday my grandson came into the house and said, "Grandpa, I drew a picture of the Enterprise can you take a picture?"

Grandma always supplies the kids with chalk so they can draw on the driveway and as I grabbed my camera I was expecting a rendition of the USS Enterprise (aircraft carrier) and then I saw that it was the Starship Enterprise. It probably just means I'm not a treckie... an excellent rendition...hope it doesn't rain.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Statue of Christ

I went wondering around a cemetary and it seems there are a ton of photo opportunities.   This photo was just one.

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Well Fed

Saw this guy at a rest stop - appears to be well fed...
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What's In Here?

What's in here?
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Another T-Pot

This is not our T-Pot but our daughter's - m-m-m-m must run in the family.
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Colorful Cabin

A cabin in a field of yellow.
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