Beach Baby

Grandson Daniel, visited this week and got to play with grandma and grandpa...

Another Cardinal

What's that...?

Geese in the Sunset

Shooting the sunset last night and got a surprise - a flock of geese.  They must be lost as they're flying South...?

Black and White

A new keyboard lives at our house...

Cool Studio

This photographer's studio is in an old theater in New Prague, MN.  Cool place tyo have a studio...

Who Is This Guy?

Mom - who is this guy?  He keeps flashing that light at me...

Rainbow

On my drive to Minneapolis yesterday there was a rainbow right off of Hwy 18 before you get to I-35.  I just had to stop and take a photo.  Moments after I took this the rain started (again)... but, I did get the rainbow recorded.

Tagger's Canvas

Noticed this art on an abandoned railroad car.

Sky

The last bit of sun before the storm.  Have you ever played the "cloud game" where you see what you can see in the different shapes of the clouds?  I swear I see an Eagle coming out of the top of the photo with his talons ready to grab on to a prey.  What do you see?

Iowa League Credit Union Convention

I'm at the Iowa League of Credit Union's Annual Convention - last night we had food and entertainment at the River Music Experience Museum in Davenport, Iowa.

I do wonder why they call it the Red Room when the only red in the room is the sign?  Or, is a Red Room a take on the theatre's Green Room?

Female American Goldfinch

I believe this is a female American Goldfinch - I could be wrong...

Sunset 9/20/2010

First Day

Yesterday was Samuel Clayton's day of firsts - first day out of the hospital, first time in a car seat, first time in a car, first car ride, first day home - and probably several more firsts I'm forgetting (or shouldn't be mentioned)...

Grandma Helen Meets Samuel Clayton

We met Samuel Clayton today.  Grandma Helen will have an entire week to spoil him (and Mom)...

Glamor Portrait

Andrea #1

Andrea #2

Andrea #3

Andrea #4

I'm working on the last photo assignment for a Course I'm taking with the New York Institute of Photography.  The assignment is glamor, and to replicate a photo I've seen.  Here are 4 portraits I took last night of Andrea my step-daughter.  These are basically out of the camera with a little help from iPhoto on my wife's MacBook.  Thought I'd do a survey - vote for your favorite by leaving a comment.

Ouch!

I went to Cattle Congress last night - the 100th Anniversary.  I stopped by the Lumberjack Exhibition and managed to take a photo at the precise moment - well, let's just say that he split the log...

Samuel Clayton

Samuel Clayton was born yesterday to our youngest daughter Jessica and husband Tom.  He is our 8th Grandchild and the 3rd Grandson.  The boys are gaining on the girls...  We will be taking a trip this weekend to visit and my wife will be spending the week helping the new Mom and boy.  I'm SURE there will be additional photos.  This one was taken with a phone and emailed to me.  I fiddled with it (my new term for Photoshop) for his world's debut.

Splish Splash

Playing with water again - (idle hands ya know)...

Paper Hat Man

Short of subjects today - tired of bird pictures - and I need to practice with lights and some new software, so I set up, sat down, and, well, this is my favorite - if I have such a thing...  There is something odd about this hat - complete strangers tell me it looks cool, and one guy wanted to buy it.  The women at work have nicknamed me the "Paper Hat Man"...  In regards to the photograph the eyes are spot on, in focus, with the light ring in the pupil.  The subject is clear, the background blurred - now if we could get this guy to smile...

Old Autographic Brownie

I picked this up at an antique store then used my light box to take photographs.  I then added the sepia and grain for effect...  Photo below is "BF"  (before fiddling)...

Meat Ball

We had  a good old fashion church social yesterday to celebrate some volunteers in our Parish.   I had my eye on one of those meatballs, but since I was taking photos they were all gone by the time I got there.  Not to worry - there were plenty of other choices including my favorite beans and nothing can beat Janine's brownies for desert.

Bug Eyes

These are  two glass cutters - when I walked by them, however, they looked like a pair of eyes were following me...

Chubby Cardinal

It looks like this guy has been hitting the sunflower seeds a bit hard...

Stained Glass Butterfly

We visited our son and daughter-in-law's Stained Glass Gallery in Cedar Rapids yesterday.  Since I've been chasing butterflies recently this one caught my eye - and, besides, he didn't move.

Blue Sky

Typically I have my 400 mm lens with me (or at least close), but not last night.  There was a hot air balloon approaching the church and I wanted to grab a shot when it got close, but,  the camera bag I brought with me was without the 400 mm.  I took a few shots, disappointed in the fact I couldn't zoom.  When I got home and loaded the photos the sky just jumped out.  I had been concentrating so hard on the balloon and having a pity party about not having my big lens, that I didn't see the beauty of the sky right in front of me.  That little dot is the balloon but ignore that, and enjoy the blue sky and white clouds.

Multi-Tasking

I got sucked into making some modifications to one of my websites and before  I knew it was today...decided to take a quick photo of my one of my work areas in my home office...and no, 3 is not enough I also have 2 MACS...

Busy A a Bee

Shot while I was at the Minnesota State Fair with my Canon 100 mm F/2.8L Macro Lens.

Butts

I went to the Minnesota State Fair today with my daughter, and my other daughter's spouse.  We arrived early (cooler and fewer people).  One of the stops we made was the animal barns.  As we were walking through there was a variety of cattle, steers, bulls, and cows.  As we walked the rows all I could see was cow butts, and then I noticed another "Butt" sticking out as well.  I couldn't help myself I just had to take a photograph.  Now if you're curious about what he might be doing with that hose....  He is preparing the cattle for show and vacuuming off excess straw and dirt...

Cow Cupcake

Today there was a baby shower for my youngest daughter, Jessica, who is expecting her first baby within the next few weeks.  Ania (our artist in training) made these cupcakes which featured a cow (don't ask - I don't know why Jessica likes and collects all things cow) but Ania went to the Internet and found a cow likeness she liked and constructed these sugar cows which sat upon a patch of green frosting.  Quite good and quite clever.

Cracker Barrel

We are on our annual pilgrimage to Minneapolis, MN with our Son and Daughter-in-law.  It's always difficult to keep up with the photo a day, but since I haven't missed in nearly 2 years I couldn't start now.  We arrived late, and unfortunately my spouse is ill and didn't get to enjoy her favorite restaurant.  I took this out of our hotel window (we stay close so we can eat there)... and pushed the limits of my camera's light sensitivity and hand held it (tripod is in the car)...not bad.

Tippy Toes

Standing on his tippy-toes to see over the feeder..

Still Chasing the Red Bird

Still chasing the cardinal...  I think he's glaring at me...

Snow

Ok - I didn't take this photo today, but it's been so doggone hot and humid I wanted to think cool...  enjoy the snow!!

Cloud Cross

An interesting view with the cloud behind the cross.

Portraits Using Flash

R. Allen

I was working with lighting and backdrops and had no one to pose - so, I posed my self.  That's a bit challenging to get, not only the lights right, but to sit in the right place, smile, and remember to keep my head down to avoid glare in my glasses.  I shot at least 100 photos until I got 3 that were ok - which turned into the one above [I didn't dress up].   I was rescued by Andrea, my oldest step daughter who agreed to sit and pose while I putzed...  much better looking than the original subject!!

Andrea Beth

Mr. Blue Bird

Our friends in Mount Vernon, Iowa live in the country and I felt like a kid in a candy store with only  dime to spend - what do I take a picture of - there were sooo many gorgeous images.  This little bird and I played hide and seek.  It turns out I was a bit more patient then he was 'cause he gave up and decided to have his supper.

Hay Making

Making Hay Mt, Vernon, Iowa

We are visiting with friends in Mount Vernon and this was the view near sunset.  Good friends, good food, good time, and excellent coversation.

Nectar Tea

On our trip to Galena we visited a couple of eclectic shops filled with a host of "stuff".  In one shop there were four t-pots - three were silver and the 4th red.  I changed the photo to black and white - with the exception of the red t-pot - it seems to fit better...

Ms Lady Cardinal

Ms Lady Cardinal visited today.  She is normally very skittish, but today she stayed long enough for me to go and get a camera, turn it on, set it up, focus and shoot.  She stayed still for a couple of poses - as if posing for a portrait.  No if I could only get Mr. to sit still...

Riff-Raft

Floating Down the Mississippi

Helen and I went to Galena, Illinois [to discover a lot of the shops are closed Mondays and Tuesdays], and then on to the Port of Dubuque where we visited the recently renovated river museum and aquarium.  As we were purchasing tickets the girl at the desk said, "$36 please".  I inquired about a military discount and she said they had one for active duty, and asked if I was active duty.  I was flattered to think that she thought this old fat fart was still on active duty, but I told her, "No, but that I did 30 years of active duty".

"Oh my...", she said, paused and then continued, "It's a stupid rule - $12 please."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep...enjoy the museum."

I will say she was the highlight of the day.  We watched the 4D Film on Sharks and that was, well, interesting.  Oh - what is the 4th D?  You feel it - when the sharks get close, in addition to the 3D effect - the seat wiggled and water sprinkled...!!  I do wish they had forewarned me BEFOREHAND as I had a camera in hand and didn't appreciate getting it wet.  Helen threw her body over the camera to protect it, so all was well. [I'm kidding about Helen throwing her body...]

Boy - did I digress from the photo - the couple pictured is floating down the Mississippi on the "Riff-Raft" and canoes.  They stop along the way to explore, camp and meet people.  Their craft doesn't look very river worthy, but they seemed determined.

Barn At Golden Hour

Barn Precisely At Sundown

As we driving back from Des Moines the Sun was setting so I quickly got off of the interstate and took this photo - note the golden glow on the barn, grass and plants.

Barn 1 Minute Later

Not one minute later the golden glow had subsided... 

Juggler

Juggler At Iowa State Fair

I tried to get all 3 in the air but never quite got it...