Star Filter

I was poking around at Best Buy today and found a "Star" filter which when added to a lens puts a "star" around any light source.

I darned near missed the sun going down so I stuck my head (and camera) outside and took this photograph.  Kinda cool - I'll try it some other lights and see what I get.

Braille Menu?

Anybody ever wonder how the blind read a sign that is posted behind a piece of glass that tells them there are braille menus available??  They’re in luck if they go with someone who has a gluten allergy…

Don't Lose Them

We have a collection of marbles.  These marbles are the "special ones" and if the grandkids want to see them they must look at them while sitting at the table.  At one point we had 100s of marbles in a big container in the playroom - but, it seems over the years the supply has diminished (most into the vacuum cleaner) and under furniture in the basement.

Oh no - hope that doesn't mean we're losing our marbles?!?  Ok - that's pretty bad, but it's early morning.

Oofda

Oofda - it's what my dad  would say,  I had to step back - away from the monitor and take a breath.  It's not to bad - yet -  but this is the busy time of year for me - end of month, end of quarter, end of year, W2s, re-set spreadsheets.  Ok - back to work...

Warming His Feet

Ceramic Bird

Happy Member at the Credit Union

Happy Member

Fire In The Sky

Fire In The Sky

New Years Day 2011

Waterloo Eagle

As has been my custom the last couple of years on New Years Day I go out hunting for Photo Opportunities to record a photo for the beginning of a new year.  The sunrise - while colorful, was boring.  The sun was bright - the sun glistened - there were white clouds and steam in the air. It was a January morning - cold - blood freezing cold, 112 degrees below zero windchill cold.  Hanging onto a metal camera was freezing my hands....

I was about to call it quits when I decided to drive down by the Cedar River for one last look for a photograph.  Then an Eagle flew by...  Yes, an Eagle.  I gave chase and found him and a buddy sitting in a tree next to the river.  I took some photos and then sat there waiting for them to take flight.  They didn't - they seemed content to sit.  I imagine they took off as soon as I left and I went straight to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy better gloves!!

A good start to 2011...

Content To Sit

Hello 2011!!

Hello 2011!!

Greetings 2011!!  I've been doing a photo a day for 730 days - haven't missed one day.  There was a day in 2010 where I was so sick I took a photo of my feet with my phone - but, hey - I posted a photo that day.  And, another a couple of days I posted multiple photos 'cause I wimped out and couldn't pick just "one".

For 2011 my photographic goals are:

1. ...to shoot more and improved Eagle Photos.  In January I'm off to Keokuk, Iowa for Eagle Days and will hopefully get some action photos of Eagles.
2. ...I'm also going to take more people "Faces" photographs.  While I love birds, bees, bushes, berries and squirrels - I would like to capture more faces.
3. ...I plan to experiment with light - more light, less light and shadows.
4. ...to remember to try and show you the world in a way that you have not seen before.
5. ...to also remember that you are in the photograph with me.

Almost Nailed

I need to pay closer attention - almost got nailed by the bus.  I could see the whites of her eyes as she zeroed in...

Just dawned on me that this is the last photo of 2010 - come back next year...

A Snowy, Foggy, Frosty Day

Snowy, Foggy, Frosty Morning

It's Getting Deep

Piling Up

Sow is piling up - but it's supposed to be in the 30s today and 40s tomorrow with RAIN...  whatssup?  Saturday is supposed to be back into the teens.

Can we say Ice Rink!!

Frosty Morning

A Frosty Morning

Puzzling

It Takes Many Hands To Puzzle

Puzzling is a favorite activity in this house (except for me) and most everyone works on the puzzle.  I believe Grandma received no fewer than 9 puzzles for Christmas - so we know where we'll find her.  Fact is she's so good at it will probably take her a week to do them all and then save them for next year...

The Little Gentleman

Samuel Clayton's First Christmas

We had a houseful for christmas - all 5 kids, 4 of their spouses (we have a son-in-law serving in Iraq), 8 grandkids, Helen's Mother and Sister, my sister, and me.  The Turkey didn't last long - or the presents under the tree.

It reminded me of some of the Christmas dinners we used to have on my mother's side in the 1950s and 1960s (The Myers') with all of the Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and the cats - I remember a lot of cats (not in the house), but running around all over the place on the farm.

Yesterday was a bit chaotic, with noise and kids running here and there, a spill or two, a tear or two, one sick grandchild, 12 inches of snow, but there was love all around.  Grandpa doesn't always have a smiley face 'cause he's looking through a viewfinder - but his heart is warm and is smiling.

This was Samuel's first Christmas and he was dressed for the occasion.  This was just one of many outfits as Sam has a tendency to, well, puke and other things...  But, all of his outfits were smashing.  Merry Christmas to all!!

Silent Night Holy Night

Happy Birthday To Christ The King

As Seen Through Helen's Sharp Eye

Strange Looking Pineapples

Christmas Lights

We went on a drive last night to look at the lights - this house was my favorite.

We drive by this one every year to see what's been added.  Love all the activity.

Price of Fuel

I like this price of fuel...

Angel

I was playing around with still life, depth of field and colors.  So take 1 wooden angel, 1 blue backdrop, and several ornaments and here ya go...

Santa Takes Flight

Santa Prepares..On Prancer...

On Donner and Blitzen...

Ornament Display In Target`

Ornament Display At Target`

Believe

We Believe...

Snow Covered Breakfast table

Cold Place For Breakfast

We Three Kings

One of Kings Could No Longer See The Star

The Christmas Card Across the Street

Neighbor's House

My House

We're getting more snow this evening -  the neighbors house is always gorgeous this time of year.  We added some greenery and Helen added the red bows - God added the snow...

An Experiment in Shapes and Sizes

Shapes and Sizes

A Little Snow, but -10

It's pretty - but r-e-a-l cold!!

North Pole Express

North Pole Express

Come Back!!

Come Back Here!!

Sun Raises Into the Fog

I got up early to go watch the sunrise and hopefully spot an eagle which has been hunting around our church.  It was a gorgeous sunrise - but the fog was coming in and the sun just kept rising and disappeared into the fog.

I ended the day at the Credit Union Annual Holiday Party....

Helen and I have joined the Cedar Valley Singers - an A Capella group and we surprised everyone at the Holiday Party by showing up in our garb...  Helen sings alto and I sing bass...  no one knew we were going to be part of the program.

Ship Ahoy

This is the model ship which hangs on my office wall...

The Squirrel Gang

This little guy hangs out at the credit union.  He is fearless.  He comes to the front door, and I swear knocked on the door.  When he is busy he just looks over his shoulder and gives you a "look" like, "Yeah, what do you want?"

He sometimes has friends over and they are the same way - it's the squirrel gang - and you don't want to cross them...

I took the photo quickly because I figured the other members of the gang were going to sneak up on me...

Stained Glass Butterfly

Stained Glass Panel

Firey Sky

Sunrise Yesterday

What'sThat?

He Heard Me Coming...

Foraging

Foraging

The weatherman grossly overestimated the snow fall - the "7" to "14" inches of snow was a mere "tiff" of snow.  It made for easy foraging for my little buddy...

Tomato Ornament

Fired Up and Ready For Action

Ready to Go...

We're supposed to be in the path of 7-14" of Snow - I'm ready!!!

Christmas Tree Ready for Grandkids

Ready for Grandkids (Grandma too!)

The House With the Red Door

The House With the Red Door

So...the question is - should I continue my Photo A Day into 2011?  On December 31, 2010, I will have completed 2 years or 730 Days, and will have taken approximately 35,000 photos -  oofda...

Cold Chair

Good Thing He Has A Furry Butt!!

Mrs. Pickle

Mrs. Pickle

Looking Thru The Tree

A View Thru The Tree

Berries on Our Tree

Berries On Our Tree