Waiting by The Sea

Playing around with natural light and special affects. This is my favorite art piece, "Waiting by the Sea" It sits on our hearth...

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New Diners

The squirrels which eat at the little feeder we put out are not neat eaters as they spill a lot of corn on the ground. This has attracted the attention of these 2 ducks who roam the neighborhood and they dine beneath the squirrel's table.

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The Color Yellow + A Few Others

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Ducks

I went to choir last night and these ducks were visiting. They let me get close and allowed me to snapped a few photos...and then...

...that's enough...we're outa here.

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Orange Flower

I love the colors this time of year...

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Old Treasures and Memories

I used to spend a week each summer with my Aunt Helen, Uncle George and Cousin Tommy. The chicken coop was the land of adventure. Tommy is older than I am by about 6 years so he was wiser and more experienced and had already begun his journey to aerospace engineer. The coop is where he invented a tornado machine, rocket fuel, and was the hub for his communications as he strung to every building so he could transmit morse code (not sure he ever found anyone to receive it, but he sent it). The building has been on fire at least twice and was filled with treasures when I was a kid and is still filled with treasures at age 58.

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Peek-A-Boo

I'm sure he's convinced I can't see him... because his next move was...

...to take a bite out of the corn on the cob I left out. Perhaps he'll stop raiding the bird feeder...

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Old Pump

We had a chance to visit our old family farm yesterday. It was my Grandfather Myers' farm, which passed to my Uncle George and has since passed to my cousin Tom. It will be a century farm in a couple of years and I am embarking on a journey to get photos from each season, and then combine them with photos I have from my mother. I remember this old pump - it always impressed me that Uncle George had his own gas tank.

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One Bleeding Heart Plus the Interloper

A rain drop...

This guy came back - he just won't give up. If he's not careful he's going to take an unplanned bath...

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More Bleeding Hearts

I know Bleeding Hearts are a favorite of many - here are 2 more...

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Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts in our front yard.

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Bashful Cardinal

My cardinal sightings are sure increasing. This bashful guy stops by at about 7:45 PM after all of the other birds have left for the evening. I've seen him in the morning a couple of times but he's nervous and doesn't sit still for very long.

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The Acrobat In Search of An Easy Breakfast

Please excuse the multiple pictures in this post, but this series is precious and I just couldn't do it over a 5 day span - so, here it is - "The Acrobat" in search of an easy lunch.

Publish Post

In this photograph the "Acrobat" takes his position in search of an easy breakfast...

He twists and turns, grabs on with his little paws, and with a little luck the he will realize his dreams of a tasty breakfast...

But, he failed in his endeavor. The tasty treats were just out of reach. So, back to the drawing board...

This he assumed would be an easier task to master. Just climb on the roof of this little house and grab the food. It looked easier than it was...

He got to the roof all right, and was holding on for his little life. But, it took about 3 twirls before gravity through him off. The last I saw of this "acrobat", was with his tail in the air scurrying across the street in search of an easier breakfast.

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Books

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Needs a Weight Program

This guy could stand eat a little less and exercise more - seems to be on the heavy side. He is also a bully as he pushes the little ones out of the way...

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Sure Sign of Spring

Train Trestle over the Cedar River

This area is one of my favorite places to photograph. As I was taking the photo of the trestle I noticed the fisherman in the water. The sun may be shining, but it was a bit "nippy" and the water has got to be cold. Must be spring - people are fishing...

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Hey....who's this guy in the window?

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A Surprise Visitor

I've seen probably 2 cardinals flying around our house in the 10 years we've lived here. Yesterday as I was setting up my camera to monitor the bird feeder this cardinal flew in to visit. He surprised me, plus he didn't stay long, so I barely had time to focus.They're not perfect photos by any means, but I will work on that - I just hope it won't be another 10 years before the next cardinal stops by to visit.

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M-m-m-m-m What are these?

It's a joy watching a little one discover new things. Daniel is discovering fingers...

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Morning Bath

This is perhaps why they call it a bird bath.

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A Grandma Sponsored Easter Egg Hunt

We had a Grandma sponsored, Grandpa financed East Egg Hunt yesterday. In stead of candy in the 74 eggs hid, we had coins - ranging from pennies to dollars. It seems the coins were a greater motivator than sugar.

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Happy Easter

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Bird Chatter

Seems to be a lot of conversation at the feeder.

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Daffodils

Let spring begin.... The daffodils are blooming, the sun is shining and I have my daughter, son-in-law and 4 granddaughters visiting for Easter. Even if it rains today it's a great day!!

Robin

A satisfied diner. I'm enjoying the bird feeder probably more than the birds. I think I'll investigate a feeder that will attract humming birds.

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Grumpy or Thinking?

Working with setting up lights - strobes or/and continuous lights. Since I was in the basement by myself, with no one to shoot - I got in the chair. I'm not my favorite subject. As photographs go - still a bit dark, glare in my glasses and I was looking for more of a dramatic shadow on the right (as you are looking at the picture). I have grand children visiting this weekend, so perhaps I can get one of them to sit in the chair...

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Rose

The colored rose is the rose my granddaughter received from her father.

This is the same rose after I played around with it in LightRoom2.

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Now I Know It's Spring

The colors are transforming from snow white, to dark brown, to light brown, and now to green. Before too long red, yellow and blue will also be in the mix.

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Katharine's 10TH Birthday

Katharine gets ready to blow out her candles - 10 of them... I would need a fire extinguisher to blow out mine. She was successful!!

This character [Japanese cartoon character Totoro] showed up as a guest [gift]. He was always trying to get camera time...

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Crow Vs Red Ball

I have mentioned earlier that one of the photo contests for the Linn Area Photo Club is to photograph a red ball(s). My Red Ball wandered outside yesterday and was exploring the bird feeder, minding his own business, and this crow swooped in and tried to bully him away from the feeder. My Red Ball held his ground and the crow had to play nice...

The crow was clearly not happy that this interloper stood his ground. The crow didn't stay long. He swooped away moments later and I saw him fly across the street to the neighbors feeder where he was able to bully another, smaller bird.

This little guy was grateful and tried to thank Red Ball - being modest Red Ball simply bounced away...

What's In Here?

Interest continues...

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Breakfast Guests

Word must be spreading through the bird population as we had several guests for breakfast yesterday. There was even a morning dove in the bird bath and the occasional black bird who would try to bully the little ones into giving up their space. They didn't give in... Seems there are bullies every where.

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Following A Bit Close

So - what happens if the guy up front stops suddenly? A good reason not to follow too close.

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Photographer in the Wild

Spotted this photographer in the woods. She had her sights set on a young couple who were sitting on a rock. Lunch? Probably not - portrait is more likely...

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Snow Fence Comes Down

It must be spring - the snow fence comes down...

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