Frosty Morning

We had a foggy, foggy night and as a result we have a gorgeous frosty morning.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Fence

The perspective on this fence caught my eye. It's not a special fence, doesn't really protect anything - just sits there and looks cool - thought I'd share.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Frozen Falls

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN


I've taken this picture before, but it was a different time of day, and with another camera. Thought I would pay another visit.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Water Droplet

I read an article today, I guess now it was yesterday, about water photography and the techniques to use in photographing a water droplet as it hits the water or shortly thereafter. That's one good thing about digital photography is that you can get an immediate response and can adjust your technique and exposure. It took me several attempts and I really only got the one good splash. I'll keep trying and experimenting - but, for my first one it didn't turn out to bad.
(To view a larger image click on the photograph.)

Abandoned White TRUCK

I saw this abandoned white TRUCK in back of the Methodist church in Sperry, Iowa. The white on white with a clear blue sky caught my attention.

I read a quote today from Ansel Adams, "There are always two people in every photograph. The photographer and the viewer." I will remember that as I look through the viewfinder.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Another Diner

This little guy was enjoying lunch along with all of the other diners...
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

Lunch Buddies

I don't know enough about birds to know what kind of bird the tail belongs to sitting on the other side of the feeder - but it must be good food!!
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sunrise Over Burlington, Iowa

Sunrise (yesterday) over Burlington, Iowa.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

Cardinals

Gorgeous cardinals all over. Tom and Linn live on an acreage and have been feeding the birds for a long time. In Waterloo I'm lucky if I see one cardinal a YEAR and trying to get a photograph is, well, as difficult as my getting an Eagle picture has been. But, yesterday I saw so many cardinals, male and female, that I was like a kid in a candy store with only a dime to spend - what do I shoot (photographically)? We're in Iowa so this is heaven and this acreage certainly reflects that beauty.

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

Thanks to My Friends Tom and Linn

For those of you following my blog you know I've been trying to get a photo of an Eagle. Every time I would see one in Waterloo/Cedar Falls I either didn't have a camera, or it wasn't an Eagle at all. We're visiting our friends Tom and Linn in Burlington and Tom took me out Eagle hunting and I snapped the above picture. I was thrilled. I asked Tom to pull over so we could wait and perhaps I could shoot some more pictures - but, "No," he said, "We're going to the Lock and damn." Well - damn... take a look at the picture below - a tree full of Eagles.


A Colony...


I have my Eagle picture - thanks Tom and Linn!!!
PS I'll be back for more pictures. Excuse my early post to January 10, 2010, but I just couldn't wait. Tomorrow morning will bring another bird...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Drift

This is a view of the 4 foot drift in front of the house. The wind does make some awesome structures - glad I don't have to shovel this one.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Missing Pipe or the Leak Is Found

We have been battling a leak for years - and now finally it's been found. The top apart of the pipe is flat out gone, missing, not there anymore. It wasn't the deck (now gone) it wasn't frozen pipes, it wasn't draining down from the roof - it was a rusted out pipe. On one hand I am very pleased we have found it - on the other hand - part of the wall is now missing and there is a mess to clean up and a plumber to pay. This guy earned it though because he found the source.

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

iMac Photo Booth

Sometimes getting a photo day is difficult. Yesterday was hectic and busy and I didn’t get any photographs taken. So, here I am this morning with no photograph to post. Then I thought – hey – there’s a camera on my iMac so I took a photo using Photo Booth, played with some of the effects and here is the result. Now I have a photo to post.

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

A Cold WInter Day

A Cold winter day - I kinda like the beauty of winter (as long as I don't have to be outside very long). It looks like we're going to have 6 more inches of beauty by Thursday.
(Photograph taken with my iPhone) - is that cheating?
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Consolidation

I have waaaaaaaaaay to many sites and a goal of mine in 2010 is to consolidate my Writing Blog, "Windmills of my Mind", Flickr, FaceBook, this Project 365 Blog and my RALLENHILL site.

I am experimenting with Wordpress. For the time being I will be publish photos to both this blog and my new WordPress based site. If you wish to view the photos on the new site click on the BLOG Link on the right hand side of the page. To follow the new site via RSS Feed click on the link towards the bottom of the page.. Here's the link: Photosbyrallenhill.

Ice Everywhere

Ice is everywhere as temperature drops below 0...

Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Grandma Auntie Carol

Somewhere along the line one the grandkids who was struggling with the concept of a Great Aunt, called my Sistier-in-Law Carol, Grandma-Auntie Carol - and the name stuck. Here Grandma-Auntie Carol gets to know Daniel...

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

Bath Time

Grandson Daniel getting a bath in the kitchen sink - he has just been taken out of the warm water...

He's warmer now and is looking at his Daddy and ignoring the old man with the camera.

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

Sunrise January 1, 2010

Sunrise 01-01-2010

While I was out and about this morning I drove by George Wyeth Park and saw the female eagle again (closer), and I swear she was posing. I'm still waiting for the male to show up - 2010 is going to be my year of the eagle.

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

Ice Fishing

Happy New Year!!! Ice Fisherman are a hearty folk. One has to love fishing to set up housekeeping on a frozen lake and then drill a hole in the middle. The only part of fishing I like is the end result - pan fried.

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

Last, Last, Last Post of 2009

A fitting end to 2009 - a Blue Moon. I took this photo at about 6:00 PM and nearly froze to death... Blue Moon, not in reference to the color, but to the fact that when there are 2 full moons in 1 month, the 2nd full moon is called "Blue Moon". A Blue Moon is also when in a season there are 4 full moons and then the 3rd moon is called a "Blue Moon."

You can perhaps tell from the masthead of the blog that I intend to continue my Photo A Day for the next 365 days. I plan to do more with film in 2010, study a bit more about composition, lenses, lighting, and print making and will share daily via this blog. This IS my last post of 2009 and I plan to get up early tomorrow and go in search of photographs just waiting to be made.

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

Last, Last Post of 2009 - 365.5

I posted my last entry - went out to clear the driveway and what to my eyes did appear? But, a sunrise. God must have sensed my disappointment in not having a sunrise to post for the last day and said, "Here...how's that?" I'd have to say perfect in every way!!!

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

Last Post of 2009 - 365 of 365

A snowy night last night. I love how the snow flakes show up when a flash is used. I would have loved to have shot a sunrise this morning and end the year as I started it by posting a sunrise - however, I know the sun came up 'cause there's daylight - but, no orange or yellow cast in the sky - just grey...

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

I plan on doing a year 2 of my Project 365 - so, please, join me tomorrow as I venture into 2010.

Why The World Needs Proofreaders

Ok - not the best photograph I've ever taken, but take a look at the top line. Now, imagine you are a buyer for a large retail chain who just received thousands of these plates for your Christmas Season... I assume the manufacturer missed the typo (it was made in China - really!!). I don't know if the buyer had a chance to review the product or not, if he did he's probably not a buyer any longer.

In another life I taught freelance writing classes and tried to impress on the students how important it is to pay attention to the details. Imagine for a moment you are writing, or editing, or proof reading a document which discusses medications and you miss the fact that the document refers to a dosage of 10 grams - instead of 10 mg. A typo that can kill...

Ok - got sidetracked there - the plate's a hoot - with a matching "Chritmas" cup. The retailer (who shall remain nameless) destroyed all of the the product. I just happened to acquire my set before they caught it...

Tomorrow is the last photo of the day for 2009 - my thought was to photograph the last sunset in 2009 since I started my Project 365 with the first sunrise. It sounds like the weather will not be cooperating so I will have to find another photograph to put my 2009 Project 365 to bed.

Chime Players

Concentrating on playing the chimes - it takes skill, musical ability, coordination, vision, and a sense if rhythm. These ladies have what it takes.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image)

One Last Look

One last look at our 2009 Christmas Tree.

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

3 days left on my Project 365 - to continue?

Snowy Sunrise

A snowy sunrise this morning - a couple of inches on top of a couple of inches on top of ice. The streets are pretty clear, but walking is at times difficult.

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

Merry Christmas Aftermath

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Filled With Love

Stocking were hung (OK - laid) by the chimney with care. And, Santa filled them with love...

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

Nanook of the North

Yesterday we had family traveling from Minnesota, land of ice and snow, and everyone arrived with no travel incidents. The photo is Ania, my oldest granddaughter in her winter hat - I affectionately refer to her as Nanook of the North......

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

Waiting Room

Taken with my iPhone and manipulated with the iPhone application PhotoShop Mobile - all while I was waiting in the Exam Room for my turn to be seen by the physician.

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

Different Seasons

George Wyth Park in September,,,

Same bench in December...

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

Ice

An extremely large chunk of ice hanging off the roof at our church. It was knocked down after I took the picture.

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

Chilly Picnic

It would be a bit chilly for a picnic....

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

Hope Martin Park

Hope Martin Park in Waterloo.

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

Snowy Tunnel Different Look

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

Snowy Tunnel

I was driving around yesterday and came across this view - a gorgeous winter tunnel. Winter may be cold - but it does provide some beautiful opportunities for photographs.

(Click on the photograph for a larger image).

I also caught a glimpse of an eagle - I was driving the wrong type of vehicle to get any closer, so using my 400 mm lens I took this photo of what appears to be a female eagle. I'm still looking for that perfect eagle photo, but this is a start (at least I saw one).

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

HDR

I've been experimenting with HDR (High Density Resolution) techniques and I worked on a photograph I took last Memorial Day. After transforming it to HDR I added some color effects - an interesting look.

(CLick on the photograph to view a larger image).

Aunt Andrea

Aunt Andrea holding Daniel... I do understand that he doesn't sleep all the time...and exercises his lungs in the middle of the night.

(Click on the photo to view larger image)

Baptism

Daniel Mason Cummings was baptized yesterday. Here James is holding Daniel while Katharine anxiously awaits her turn...

17 Days to decide if I am going to do a second year of a daily photo... It's kinda become part of my daily routine. I'm undecided at this point, but I am leaning towards doing a second year.

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

POPS Concert

Yesterday afternoon and evening Helen and I sang in a community chorus which performed with the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony. I took this photo with my iPhone of the Harp Players providing background music before the concert started.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image)

Snow Covered Pine Trees

The view out my back door.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

After the Storm

Our concrete frog was buried during the blizzard... Still smiling though...


I believe he's much happier now that he can see...
(click on a photo to view a larger image).