Puppies Make you Smile!

How can anyone resist smiling at puppies! How about a kiss ?

Which way did they go?

You hold her down while I sniff her ear!


Back at you!

If we show her our teeth , will she give us a treat??

School Days

At Shutter Sisters today, they are talking about our children heading back to school.

It has been a long time since my boys had their first day of school. Each year it seemed like it rained. Often they got to play with their bubbles while they waited for the bus to come.

Another pastime waiting for the bus was to play with the kittens.

Tornado in a Glass

If you keep your eyes open, you might just see a tornado in a glass. No , I wasn't drinking, just stirring some sugar into some fresh iced tea. I happened to place the glass where the light was coming in from the window. Once I saw it, I had to grab my camera.

The first couple of shots I didnt get the spoon out of the glass quick enough.

I changed the angle and changed the settings on the camera.

Pretty soon I found just the right spot.

Today at Shutter Sisters they talk about looking and finding something special.

I found it in a glass with some sugar and iced tea.

For you at home with children, try this, get a glass, put about a tablespoon of sugar in it, add some Monopoly houses and make a tornado with your kids. Of course the light was gone when I came back to do this! For some reason , the tornado effect is better with sugar in the water.

Summer water fun

Over at Shutter Sisters today they discussing water fun.
You can tell by the swim suits these were taken quite a while ago. The boys growing up enjoyed the cold creek water.

They also enjoyed anytime they got to spend with their grandparents!

Super Hero Photo Challenge at shutter Sisters!

Light makes all the difference. Bright light can add detail

It can outline flowers

Diffused light makes colors pop

Light adds interest.

Beautiful Witchhazel!

Winter blooming Witchhazel is a bright spot in a cold dreary day!
Coated in snow, the flowers are sure to cheer anyone .
Beautiful is the word this month at Shutter Sisters

Change is Good!

Change is part of life. While change is often not easy, it is often part of life. We get used to one thing,

Then something changes.

If we are lucky , we emerge on the other side, stronger , better able to handle life.

Then once again, change comes, and you shed your old skin.

Softly Slurred

When I photograph dogs most of the time I am looking for sharp crisp focus. But action happens, instead of ruining the pics , it makes them seem more alive, capturing the movement in the pic so it celebrates life!

Weather Challenge at Shutter Sisters

I love ice, especially if I am not having to go anywhere.

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!

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.

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.

Twilight time!

Today at Shutter sisters the superhero challenge is twilight , how we see it.

These pictures were taken at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. From the beginning to the end it was an awesome experience, actually the prettiest being at the very end. The Moody Blues say it the best and as soon as I heard the challenge the song popped in my head so I had to find the lyrics

Twilight time, to dream awhile,

Unveils a deepening blue.

As fantasy strides, over colourfull skies,

The form disappearing from view.

In twilight time, dream with me awhile.

A nightingale plays a dark mellow phrase,

Of notes that are rich and so true.

An aerial display by the firefly brigade,

Dancing to tunes no one knew.