Bashful Spider

I had a spit second to focus and fire - he then disappeared into the plant.  I waited - but, he didn't come back.

Safe At Home

Ity-Bity Purple Flower

I love the new macro lens...this flower is smaller than the nail on my pinky finger.

Grandma's Helpers

Grandma has a lot of help in the kitchen...

Lakeside Bird Condo

Even the birds have their condos t Clear Lake...

Macro Red Flower

A Macro red flower...

Blue Flower

I took this at a friends house in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Perhaps Mother Nature could tell me what kind of a flower it might be...

Behind the Scenes

Art in the park at the College Hill Art Festival - is that behind the scene, or behinds in the scene?

This Guy Won't Give Up

He keeps coming back - 

Calkins Nature Center

I visited Calkins Nature Center in Iowa Falls, Iowa yesterday working on an IFHS Class of 1969 Project.  I used a Neutral Density filter, really for the first time, since I was taking photographs in the middle of the day in harsh sunlight.  It softened the light a bit and kept a blue sky blue.

I didn't go inside the TeePee as it was 95 degrees outside with a humidity of at least that...  I have no idea what the heat index was but it had to be 1,000 (I exaggerate for effect).

Macro Flower

New Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens

Chief Ted E. Bear

The "Chief" helped me out this evening and modeled for me while I tried out a new light meter and background.  Had a particular difficult time with skin tone and the Chief just wouldn't sit still.  Patience persevered...

Saddleback Dragonfly

My grandson James called the other day and wanted to make sure that I brought my camera when I picked him up for his week long visit.  It seems he had discovered a dragonfly in a spider's web and he wanted me to take a picture.  The above is a "painted" version of the photograph - both James I think its cool.

For the purists here is the original photo.

Young Construction Worker

This young construction worker was helping his Dad on a Habitat for Humanity Project.

Red Pepper

Back in the isle at HyVee (Grocery Store).  

Foul Ball

Unfortunately the catcher caught it and she was out - the 3rd one for the inning.

On Your Mark...Get Set...

Go...

Eyes

Eyes -

A Few Damp Moments

The Day was wet and rainy - skies cleared for the fireworks, but...it was damp now and then.

Fireworks

This year my photos are better than the last several years. I have learned a new technique or two and they seemed to work - you be the judge.

July 4th fireworks at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. Here is a link to the other photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rallenhill/sets/72157624426418602/

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Color Yellow

The color yellow...

Out of the Park

She packed a whollop!!!

A Near Miss

The Mouser

This Keylie (I imagine I misspelled her name) - the shop cat. She has a reputation as an avid mouser...

Who's Watching Who?

He just flew up to the window and sat and watched...

Recovered from 2008 Flood

We have been driving by Saint Patrick's Catholic Church for years. It was pretty much devastated by the 2008 floods. This past weekend we had the chance to take our Grandson James to an Eagle Court of Honor so we finally got to see the inside of the building — it was gorgeous.

Shadows

Iowa Capital

Always a beautiful sight - especially when the sun hits the gold.

Everything Must Be Perfect

A member of an American Legion Color Guard. Everything must be perfect.

Church Softball

Having fun at the church softball league..

More Color

Shiny or sparkly - I imagine there is a technical term, but I think it's cool.

Colors

Colored yarn...

The Kathedral

A little over a month ago while we were in Des Moines to see my son-in-law off to Iraq we were having a bite to eat in a coffee shop across the street from this building. It intrigued me and since I had a camera I went over to take a few photographs. While I was taking photos a man pulled up in a nifty convertible and asked if I wanted to go inside to take photos. I couldn't at the time, but I did contact him and I went last week to take some photographs on the inside of the building. Here is a link to my Gallery where there are additional photos: http://www.rallenhillphotography.com/rallenhill/Gallery/Gallery.html

I believe I will make this a 2 year project and follow the progress over the next couple of years, and perhaps I will be able to photograph the completed project. Here is their website: http://www.thekathedral.com. Stay tuned...

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

Father's Day Bar-B-Que

A bit raw for my taste...

Yellow Rose

Wind Power

Friendly

I went out yesterday morning to change the corn and this little guy sat right above my head and watched. Perhaps he was debating whether or not he should be fearful - he must have decided I was ok because he didn't jump on my head or gouge my eyes out. I went into the house and grabbed my camera and thought I see how close I could get. He let me get right up and personal - did not run away. I asked him to smile, but he refrained. He must have decided that if I feed him, I must be ok (I didn't zoom in as I was close.

Shapes

Not sure this one works, but the perspective and different shapes intrigued me.

Como Park Zoo Penguin

Took this when we were visiting Como Park Zoo in St. Paul, MN

Picture Sold

I came home today to a check in the mail - it seems that "Grit Magazine" has accepted my photo for publication in their July/August issue, page 7 (not yet available).

The Color Yellow

Hanging On

Out of the Park

Out of the park!!!

Red Winged Visitor

What Can I say - I like Yellow!

I really like this one...