Patient Pets

I am blessed with two wonderful models for my work. I got new lights and once again it is time for Molly and Pilgrim to get to work.

First pics are fine, then boredom enters the picture.

Revealed!

You never know what you might find ! This is Catherine furnace, one of many iron ore furnaces in Virginia. The first time I saw a furnace I thought it was a Mayan temple.

The stone work on the furnaces is incredible and looking closer you can see the way each and every stone contributes to the strenght of the building.

The forest service capped this furnace so freezing and thawing wouldn't erode the structure.


I loved the lichens that had overrun the darker corners. When I happened to look up at the iron supporting beam, I was suprised.

There , long ago when the beam was cast in sand, someone had put their handprint in the sand before the pig iron was poured. It remains there today, a silent reminder.

Sunrise, Sunset

Some days start out beautiful. some days end with an incredible sunset, some days have both!

Learned in 2008

Over at Shutter sisters today's post is about what we learned this year and one picture that we feel shows what we learned. After thinking about it for years, I finally took a lighting class. Once I did I found I loved it and now have three lights. I use the lights for many different photo shoots but this is one of my favorites from the lessons I have learned. I love the way the lights light up

Molly's eyes!

Christmas lights are nice, but they only last a season!

Christmas lights only last a few weeks , but other things that light

up our lives are there for the long haul!My husband Terry is the major

light in my life. My two sons and their wives also add light all year.

Molly, my JRT, is always there, adding her special light to each day.

I am very grateful for the lights in my life!

No longer alone!

Sometimes we find ourselves alone, wishing for friends.

Then we gather together, finding solace in friendship,

security in numbers, soulmates in others.

Office with a View!

Up to my office , ready to begin another day , I stop to enjoy the view. Not many are lucky enough to have the view I have and each day is different. Enjoying where you are is one of life's many pleasures and my pleasure is plentiful!

Enjoy the Little Things!

Christmas is not about the gifts we give
but about the joy we get from little things.
Today, take the time to look closely and enjoy
the little things about the season!

Christmas Light Painting

Last night it was 62 degrees at eight o'clock
so I took advantage of the warm weather and
went out to take some pictures of our christmas
lights. Usually I am freezing trying to get pics so
this was perfect. I remembered a post at a blog
about light painting and gave it a try. With a long
exposure and the camera on a tripod, you merely
move the tripod head back and forth to paint!
My favorite is the last one, tho the first picture
shows our window in the house which I liked.

Bird Bath time!

Birds need baths and a tidal pool is the perfect place for the shore birds.

Photo Styling, to do or not to do?

For years the pictures I took were just what I saw. At Shutter Sisters

today the post was about photo styling.

I find that I am not above removing the dead sticks that ruin a picture.

I am not above moving a flower that was close by into the photo

The fallen branch that blocked the waterfall didnt mind moving a few feet out of the way.

Haiku Friday

Transformed overnight

To those braving winter's cold

Beauty is revealed

Seek and you shall Find!

In our frantic day to day lives, we often forget to stop and take a closer look. Today, take a break, step outside, and see what closeup beauty you can find!

I got the idea for the posting today from

Shutter Sisters