Far Side of Fifty Photos

Sunday Stills: From the heart

2012-02-12T00:59:00.001-06:00

This weeks Sunday Stills Challenge was to be from the heart.

I don’t know if you have ever noticed..but Chance has a heart.

This is an old photo from 2008. He had just been groomed!

I took this photo January 06, 2012.

It was a rotten week ..however Chance is a patient model and last night we got a few photos.

I think this may be his best side! He is a dog with a big heart who loves everyone he meets, my husband and I Heart him very much:)

Macro Monday: Frost

2012-02-06T15:40:00.001-06:00

We have had a few days of hoar frost!

Check out more Macro Monday Photos here:)

Sunday Stills: Liquid

2012-02-05T19:45:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was liquid. I finally got something for this challenge today.

There was open water at the dam in town.

Chance is showing you what a pitiful amount of snow we have to turn into liquid:)

Sunday Stills: Nature’s Frames

2012-01-29T01:02:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge was to use nature to frame something. My trusty model and I went out to find something that would work for our photo shoot.

I have a patch of Little Bluestem that is in the yard. It was a little windy.. and Chance was getting bored.

Really bored..

We moved over to a different spot..

I managed to accidently frame part of his face with a weed. Have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Birds

2012-01-22T10:58:00.002-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was birds. What fun for me! It was a great excuse to go down to the river in town that is keep open by a stiff current. It is a place where Swans, Ducks and Canada Geese gather for the entire winter. They are fed daily by a fellow named Pete.
It was late in the afternoon before we got there on Friday January 20, 2012.

You can see the riverbank and how close I was to the open water.
It is pure heaven to have so many subjects! The pure white mature Trumpeter Swans are full grown. The Cygnets with grey are this years hatch, they will molt in the spring and their new feathers will be snowy white. They will have passed into adulthood.

One Trumpeter Swan was very interested in me!

If I had been really daring I would have laid on the river bank to get this shot..but the size of the Swans made me think twice about that.

This was my favorite shot of the day. Have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Corners

2012-01-15T14:48:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge was corners. I struggled with this one ..what to do..what to do..just grab the camera and go!

Chance at the corner of our back driveway. We got some snow last Friday.

Multiple corners at the woodshed. Have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Light Painting

2012-01-08T00:05:00.000-06:00

This week the Sunday Stills Challenge was to find some lights and move your camera around while snapping photos. It seemed really foreign to me, I am so used to being so still, however I though it was great fun!

I found a Christmas Tree in a local restaurant.

It had gold decorations and white lights.

I tried rotation both ways.

There were some packages under the tree decorated with lights.

What a fun challenge! Thanks Linda! Have a great week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Favorite Photo of 2011

2012-01-01T11:13:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to pick one of your photos as your favorite for 2011.

Big drumroll… I picked this one because this moment was over very fast. In it I captured the gentleness of my husband and his faithful companion who enjoys everything his master does.

Dragonflies cannot fly with wet wings..this one was rescued from the water. After this photo he was put on a branch to dry off and to fly away. The photo speaks to me..so that is why I chose it.

In 2012 I will just keep on keeping on. Taking and deleting lots of photos. I have thoughts of purchasing a new camera..I am undecided. Canon has a G12 that Ed says is really a great camera.

I will be looking for wildlife and flowers, sunsets and rainbows..and everything else in between!

Happy New Year everyone:)

The Best of 2011: Part Two

2011-12-31T16:50:00.001-06:00

Onward and forward with the best photos of 2011.

A dragonfly with wet wings that was saved by my husband and the ever faithful Chance. July 03, 2011 at Star Island in Cass Lake.

A bumble bee on my Liatris. August 07, 2011.

My ten year old grandson Adam..who always makes me smile. September 24, 2011

The moon and clouds on a stormy evening in October of 2011.

My daughter Jennifer. I took this photo on November 24 2011.

Chance in December 2011. I rarely take photos with a flash..but this one turned out quite well. The Christmas tree in the background does not have any lights on it..what you see is the light reflecting off of the hundreds of Shiny Brite ornaments that I collect.

Well that is the twelve photos that I picked to represent the best of my photography for this year..now to pick just one for tomorrows Sunday Stills:)

The Best of 2011: Part One

2011-12-28T22:07:00.001-06:00

Next Sunday on Sunday Stills we are supposed to pick out our best photo of 2011. I will be picking one a month and then picking a final favorite on Sunday..input is welcome!

Chance in January 2011.

Shell River leaving Shell Lake in February 2011.

The new Red Bridge on Fish Hook River in March of 2011.

A Mallard Duck in April of 2011 in the Fish Hook River.

A Baltimore Oriole in May of 2011.

A Chippy ( Chipmunk) that entertained Chance and I for hours in June of 2011.

I will be back with the next six photos soon:)

Sunday Stills: ‘Tis The Season

2011-12-18T10:54:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to photograph what Christmas means to you. If you love shopping and being a kitchen slave..perhaps you should stop reading now.

This is the leaning tree on Main Street in town 14 miles from our home. We check it every time we go to town..it looks like it could go over in a strong wind.

I like Christmas ornaments..I collect them. I scour antique shops for them. It is one of the only holiday activities I enjoy.

I like shopping in antique shops, flea markets and thrift stores. Other places no so much. Not many people appreciate gifts from my favorite shopping places. I hate shopping in other stores with their piped in music and Christmas “stuff” that is out before Halloween. I don’t like to cook or bake either..or wrap gifts or write cheery Christmas cards and letters. Bah Humbug..

I do shop and bake and cook..but only because of peer pressure, it is not something I look forward to or enjoy. Bah Humbug..

Now if I could just sit quietly after a potluck dinner on paper plates while someone read the Christmas Story and I could exchange a small hand made gift with someone..I would be more than happy to say Merry Christmas:)

Sunday Stills: Pets

2011-12-11T00:46:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to Sunday Stills on three great years! The challenge this week is pets. Of course I took a photo of Chance!

December 10, 2012 Chance was seven years old back in October.

He can show off that intense Border Collie stare while waiting for me to throw a ball!

One front foot is held up ready to go!

As you can see we don’t have very much snow.

Chance and one of his favorite kids our Granddaughter Madison. He is a much loved dog.

I took this photo Thanksgiving Day it was 50 degrees..I kinda like global warming:)

Sunday Stills: Backlit

2011-12-04T01:44:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to take a photo of something backlit.

I went to my archives this week. I found that I do not take photos that are backlit very often.

In some cases I am forced into it..wrong time of day..and in one of my favorite spots.

or in a garden..

Wanting to get a great shot of a fern. Have a great week everyone:)

Sunday Stills : Bokeh

2011-11-27T01:31:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was bokeh. Simply stated bokeh is the out of focus part of a photo.

This was my best shot outside..the wind was howling like a banshee again yesterday.

How about some summer shots?

Liatris and a bee in August of 2011.

Lupine with Veronica Blue Bouquet providing the bokeh. Did you know that bokeh and bouquet are pronounced the same..BOH- kay.

Sometimes I get accidental bokeh. Like this photo taken in September of 2011.

Sometimes I get Chance bokeh!

Have a great week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Portraits

2011-11-20T12:35:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to take a portrait. Ok.

I tried..and I mean tried to capture my Granddaughters cat. This is my best shot.

Skittles November 15, 2011 He belongs to Miss Paige.

This morning I attempted a photo of Chance..sometimes he is just a pain, he yawns and blinks his eyes.

Chance on November 20, 2011

Yes we have snow here..it has spit snow all week..I think winter might be here. Have a good week everyone:)

Macro Monday: Frosty Raspberry Foliage

2011-11-14T10:08:00.001-06:00

I love the early morning frosts.

Check out more Monday Macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Potluck with a purpose

2011-11-13T01:17:00.001-06:00

I delete lots of photos too..I only keep the best ones. Well what I think are the best ones. This week the Sunday Stills Challenge was to critique your own photo.

A big problem I have is the horizon line..in landscape photos. Especially if I just grab my camera for one quick photo.

I took this photo this week.

As you can see my horizon line is off. In order to save this photo I have to take it into my photo program and straighten it up.

Like this…same photo

Gotta love technology! However it wastes valuable time..and unless it is a photo I am smitten with..I will delete it instead of fix it.

Another problem I have is patience. On Wednesday we were out and about. The moon was up and almost full.

Yes the moon is there..but you have to search for it.

This photo taken 20 minutes later was much better.

Horizons and patience both things I could improve on. Have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: In the Dark

2011-11-06T00:06:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week for Sunday Stills was to take a photo in the dark. Chance and I ventured out. He was on lead..because a few weeks ago we had a skunk in our yard after dark.

This is Chance and the Bluestem that is on the east side of the house.

I got some of those solar lights and a scarecrow to scare off the skunk. Chance will remain on lead after dark until it snows and the skunks go into hibernation. We don’t need our Border Collie herding anymore skunks:)

Sunday Stills : Vanishing Point

2011-10-09T00:03:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was to take a photo that has a vanishing point.

This is a center vanishing point. The highway nearby that heads to the west. I took this photo on October 07, 2011.

Multiple vanishing points on the left. This was Bass Lake earlier this week on October 03, 2011.

A vanishing point to the right. This is the creek that runs out of Round Lake. I took this photo Saturday October 08, 2011. Most of the leaves are gone from the trees.

We have to go back to September 29, 2011 to get real good Fall Color and a vanishing point. This was taken on the Hanna Ore Trail, one of my favorite roads to meander along in the fall.

Have a great week everyone! :)

Sunday Stills: Water Droplets

2011-10-02T17:59:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was Water Droplets.

Here are some drops on my lawn ornament that is made from silverware. It didn’t rain..I had to take a squirt bottle outside with me. We need rain desperately. I took this photo today.

I have a few watery shots from my archives.

Chance loves to play in the water!

In September I took this photo of a Gull taking off. This was our last day out on the pontoon for the year.

I got a little wild and crazy with this watery shot!

Have a great week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: First Signs of Fall

2011-09-25T08:20:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was First Signs of Fall. The very first sign of Fall happens right in my yard.

The Virginia Creeper that grows wild in the woods turns red. It grows up many of the Oaks in the yard. I took this photo September 10, 2011.

I took this photo last night, my daughter, my son in law and my two grandsons were walking along the back driveway. Fall is here. I don’t mind Fall..but winter can stay away for a long time yet! I will have more free time now, I will finish up my summer job this week. So I hope to be able to participate in more of the photo challenges again:)

Sunday Stills: The letter “B”

2011-08-21T00:53:00.001-05:00

I can do the Sunday Stills Challenge this week!

Meet Odda..she is a Bernese Mountain Dog. She is big and beautiful and she lives nearby.

Bee on a Blue flower ( Globe Thistle)

Bye..have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Macro

2011-08-14T01:25:00.001-05:00

This weeks Sunday Stills Challenge was Macro.

This is a Armenian Basket Flower or Centaurea macrocephala.

From start to finish.

See it looks like a basket.

Then the basket blooms.

This plant is a hardy perennial in Minnesota. It thrives in my wild gardens:)

Sunday Stills: The letter F

2011-07-10T00:40:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was the letter F..no archives.

We went out for a ride last evening after supper. We were searching for some F’s.

Wait just a minute..we have a Ferris Wheel Seat right outside the door. Chance graciously sat for a photo. My husband bought a number of these seats in Wisconsin and restored this one..it is a great place to sit and read a book..or just relax.

We headed for the fields.

The crop sprayer was flying over the potato fields. These potato's are made into French Fries the ones that stand up straight in the box.

On our way back home we saw a far away fawn and her mother.

Field, forest and a fawn ..have a great week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Sepia or Black and White

2011-06-26T00:10:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge was sepia or black and white. Here are my best shots!

One of my “wild” gardens near the house. That is an old windmill frame in the distance. The cedar fence post is covered in lichens.

Here is Chance in sepia..my husband was playing ball with him.

Have a good week everyone:)

Here is the “wild” garden in color! :)

Sunday Stills: Birds and Bees

2011-06-19T00:02:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was Birds and Bees.

I found some bees…

Flying near the Lupine.

Then one evening after a rain I caught this one with his wings folded over whilst he was sucking the nectar out of a Centaurea montana ‘Blue’ ( A perennial Bachelors Button).

Since we got leaves on the trees the birds in the yard are harder to photograph.

I did manage a photograph of some Canada Geese with their babies. They are such good parents.

Have a good week everyone!

Summer officially starts this next week and the days get shorter. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! :)

Sunday Stills: Yellow

2011-06-12T23:07:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was yellow. Now yellow is one of my favorite flower colors. But other than dandelions..and a water lily about to bloom..yellow was scarce this week.

I tried to catch the triple reflection in the watery ripples..this was my best shot.

My Grandson was fishing.

His fishing rod was yellow. I took this photo this afternoon, it was a cool day to be out on the lake:)

Sunday Stills: Potluck

2011-06-05T00:54:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I have really missed the Sunday Stills Challenges. I am going to try harder to make time for them. I am working almost full time, and my “fun” time is limited to late nights and early mornings. Thanks goodness it is seasonal and come October 01 I will be footloose and fancy free again. I accepted a position as Executive Director at a local Historical Museum.

The Museum May 18, 2011

Now on to the potluck challenge!

Chance and I were stalking a chipmunk, of course he wanted to kill it, I just wanted to get some great shots..I liked this one.

And now for some real potluck..

Have a great week everyone, I will try to get around and see some of your photos this week! :)

Sunday Stills: Wildflowers and Flowers

2011-04-24T00:06:00.000-05:00

The challenge this week was Wildflowers and Flowers. Fine. Nothing is blooming. We still have snow in the woods. The lakes are frozen. It is freaking cold..The high Saturday was 42 degrees.

I found some pussy willows ( Salix discolor).

I had better luck at the grocery store.

One look at the pollen and my husband started to sneeze…we worked too many years in the greenhouses. We don’t allow any flowers in the house.

Happy Easter everyone..it is supposed to be 60 degrees above zero for us..we will see..I am not holding my breath:(

Sunday Stills: 4 Compass Points

2011-04-10T00:04:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was to take four photos standing at the same spot, but capturing all the points of the compass.

We are dreary and brown here in Minnesota. But we tried our best..Chance helped!

North

South

East

West

This is a spot at the bottom of a hill that is about two miles from our house. Have a good week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: The Color Blue

2011-03-27T00:04:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge was something blue..but not sky and no archives. I took all of these photos on Saturday March 26, 2011.

My husband likes blue..so we have lots of blue dishes.

I have a glass cutting board..it shows up really blue. I have lots of Loons in the kitchen..it is a Loony Bin. This is a mystery item for you to ponder..it is blue..my husband uses it since he had surgery to repair a cut tendon in his left hand. What do you think it does? I will leave the answer in the comments:)

Sunday Stills: Canine Companions

2011-03-20T01:21:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week is Canine Companions.

This is our Border Collie “Chance” he is 6 1/2 years old. We got him when he was an eight week old pup. We just went to “look”..and one little pup just walked right up to my husband and sat by his feet. My husband picked him up..and never put him down. My husband always wanted a Border Collie..they are best friends. We hardly ever leave Chance alone, he goes with us everywhere. He is very spoiled. He is very friendly and he loves people..especially children.

Chance loves to play ball. Border Collies must have jobs..Chance’s job is to play ball many times a day and to keep squirrels and chipmunks out of the bird feeders.

I took these photos of Chance on Saturday March 19, 2011 during one of many daily ball playing activities. He is very photogenic and I have many more photographs of him than either of my children. Yes, we still have snow. Some areas of the yard are muddy..but we still have plenty of places to play ball without getting muddy.

Some places in the yard are melting..Chance loves the ice cold water.

My husband and I have always had dogs, we both grew up with dogs. Before we got Chance we were dog-less for three years. We took the death of our last Sheltie “Captain” very hard and neither of us knew if we wanted to go through that again. ..that has been the only time in our lives that we have not had a dog. Chance has been a wonderful addition to our lives:)

Sunday Stills : The Letter P

2011-03-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

The challenge this week was the letter P. Perfect…

A Pink Peony..from last summer.

Purple Petunias from last summer.

It is still winter here..no flowers..only snow and ice.

This is Miss Paige, I am her Grandma. Paige plays Hockey. Paige was pouting in the penalty box. Poor Paige..I took her photo anyway:)

Sunday Stills: My Favorite Place

2011-03-06T12:26:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was to show everyone your favorite place. Someplace where you feel at peace and can relax.

April 2010

I asked Far Guy “Where is my favorite place?” He replied “Shell Lake.” He knows me well!

May 2010

I have gone to this lake for almost sixty years. One of my favorite Uncle’s lived high on a hill overlooking this lake. My Grandfather built a small cabin across the road from the lake after he was widowed for the second time. My Mother used to bring us swimming here on hot summer evenings back when no one had air conditioning. I can still feel the coolness of the water on my skin and the sand underneath my feet.

February 2011

I like to visit in the summer evenings..there is usually a brisk breeze coming off the lake..it is even brisker in the winter when the lake is a sea of snow..except for the outlet to Shell River where the current keeps the water open.

August 2009

There is always something to see…Canadian Geese and Great Blue Herons..Ducks..Swans and sometimes Loons. I believe that the photo above is a Great Blue Heron..and beyond him is a patch of Wild Rice.

August 2009

This lake has beautiful sunsets

June 2010 Shell Lake with Chance and Far Guy.

Sometimes my visits are all alone, sometimes I have my two best friends along.

Growing up I always thought that this would be a wonderful lake to live on. I have explored its shoreline..I know where all the best wildflowers are, I know when they bloom, I know what time of day to drive on over to catch the best light. I look at the for sale signs..and dream about what it would be like to live out the rest of my days along this lake. However I am too old to move, and I have too much “stuff.” I like my home in the woods..and as long as I can still visit my favorite place when ever the mood strikes me..I am happy!

I had a very hard time selecting photos for this challenge..I had so many to wade through:)

Sunday Stills: TV Shows or Movie

2011-02-27T12:27:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge was to capture a photo of one of your favorite TV Shows or Movies.

This is one of my favorite shows. I was watching it last night while relaxing on the couch.

It should be easy to guess now:)

Challenge : Bridges

2011-02-23T23:24:00.001-06:00

Every month I try to enter a photograph in The Retirement Chronicles Photo Challenge..last months challenge was Bridges.

I was an honorable mention with this photo that was taken in Park Rapids, Minnesota. You can see the winning photo here. This months challenge is Old Barns..anyone can join in by sending Joan a photo and following the rules for submission:)

Sunday Stills: Old Churches and Graveyards

2011-02-20T01:04:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was Old Churches and Graveyards. I used Ed’s suggestion and converted my photos to black and white, it was a dreary day anyway.

I am not sure how old this church is but it is right down the road.

This is St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, services are at 8:30 AM…you can see the cemetery in the distance behind the snow bank. I remember when this church was built..sometime around 1958.

This is St. Theodore’s Catholic Church up on the mission..that is what it used to be called..it is on the Pine Point Reservation, which is a tiny reservation that is part of White Earth Reservation. The church was built in 1917 at the cost of 1,700 dollars, 1,000 of which was donated by a rich lady from New York a Mrs. Theodore Tack. The church was named for her deceased husband. On August 14, 1917 the first Mass was offered in the new church for the repose of the soul of Theodore Tack, and the next year on July 01, 1918 the church was blessed and dedicated to St. Theodore:)

Sunday Stills: Spring Preview

2011-02-13T12:35:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to use our archives to come up with shots of spring and summer. Chance is a very photogenic dog..and needless to say I take many photos of him.

June 28, 2010 Chance with our Grand Dogs Miney and Little Elvis. Chance is a Border Collie, Miney and Little Elvis are both Shetland Sheepdogs. Miney is a Sable color, and Little Elvis is a Tri-Color.

Chance enjoying the water July 25, 2010.

Chance in the flowers June 15, 2010.

Chance and I both long for the warmer spring and summer days with green grass, lakes that are not frozen and flowers that are blooming:)

Sunday Stills: Emotions

2011-02-06T16:13:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge was to take a photo that covey an emotion to the person viewing your images.

You can tell me in your comments if I was successful or not..any emotions? :)

Sunday Stills: Circles

2011-01-30T12:23:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills challenge this week was circles.

This is the old school turned community center up on the Reservation. This entire structure is supposed to look like a bird. The circular auditorium at the left is the body of the bird. The wings of the bird are the classrooms on the other side of the building.

This is the head of the bird..is he upside down or right side up? I always thought of him as being belly up..but I am not an architect. Circles are a big part of the Native Americans Culture.

Chance found some more circles at the Firehall.

What ever this doohickey is..it has lots of circles:)

Sunday Stills: Green

2011-01-23T19:07:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills challenge this week is the color green. I have some green that is highly accented with white.

If we didn’t have Evergreen trees here in Minnesota we would be devoid of green in our winter landscape:)

Sunday Stills: Macro

2011-01-16T12:07:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was macro. I do like macro photography..here are a few that I took recently.

This is a latch on antique photo album from the late 1800’s. I bought it in an antique shop..it isn’t full of photos..but it contained quite a few. On my Forgotten Old Photos blog..we are going through it one page at a time.

January 15, 2011..fresh snow on the Sedum.

Sedum..September 05, 2010..it was just beginning to transition in color from green to pink.

Have a good week everyone:)

A Winner!

2011-01-13T10:52:00.001-06:00

Every month I enter a photograph in a photo contest..last months theme was Nostalgia. I entered this photo!

I won! Thanks Joan at The Retirement Chronicles for this monthly challenge! Anyone can join, just follow the rules..this month challenge is Bridges. Here is a link to all the Nostalgia entries.

I took this inside the old teenage hangout in town..it is no longer a hangout for teens. It is now a place for old people like my husband and I who used to go there all the time when we were much younger:)

Sunday Stills: W

2011-01-09T00:03:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge was the letter W. I chose the old water tower in town.

It is not used anymore..I wonder when they will tear it down.

If you look closely you can still see the word PARK on this side..RAPIDS is around the bend. It has been in town as long as I can remember.

Sometimes in the sunset colors of a spring evening..like in April of 2009..the light makes it look pink.

Interesting! I thought so too..it just goes to show you how light can show you something different from time to time:)

Bloggers Community Photo Challenge: White

2011-01-06T22:51:00.001-06:00

I took this in the yard today..the Big Bluestem in the yard has succumbed to the snow. This is my entry for the Bloggers Community Photo Challenge:)

Sunday Stills: Best Shot of 2010

2011-01-02T10:15:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was to go through your archives and pick your best shot. If you are interested here are the links to the Best Shots of 2010 Part One and Part Two where I narrowed the choices down.

This is the photo I have chosen as my best shot for 2010.

Happy New Year everyone:)

Best Shots: Part Two

2010-12-31T23:32:00.001-06:00

“Chance Playing In The Water” July 14, 2010

“Sunflowers” August 04, 2010

“Fall Colors” September 22, 2010

“Olivia’s Fish Face” October 09, 2010

“Eagles In The Field” November 28, 2010

“Waiting” December 30, 2010

Well I think that these twelve photos pretty much showcase the things I like to photograph. Now to pick my favorite one for Sunday Stills:)

Best Shots Part One

2010-12-30T13:14:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge next Sunday is your best shot of 2010. To help me get to the challenge I have been going through all my photo archives and picking my favorite shot each month..it is really hard to do.

“Getting The Mail” January 30, 2010

“Turkeys In The Corn” February 06, 2010

“Spring Melt” March 11, 2010

“Fireman” April 06, 2010

“Avenue of Flags” May 30, 2010

“Minnesota’s State Flower, the Showy Ladys Slipper” June 13, 2010

Stay tuned for part two:)

Macro Monday: Two Little Birds

2010-12-27T00:05:00.000-06:00

I bought two little birds at a Flea Market.

What do suppose they were saying? Do you suppose it was confidential from one ornament to another? You can check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Hats

2010-12-26T13:59:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was hats..Noah was out playing in the snow.

Typical shot for me..his eyes are closed..

Now his eyes are open but his hat is almost in the way. He was climbing through a hole that he and his cousin Madison made through the snowbank.

Madison hung her hat in a tree..it was a nice warm day to play in a snowbank. Have a great week everyone! :)

Sunday Stills : Holiday Decorations

2010-12-19T10:23:00.001-06:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was Holiday Decorations. Here are a few some are old and some new.

Jesus is the reason for the season..

I am allergic to indoor plants..too many years in the Greenhouse..but I enjoy seeing them in the stores.

One of my old Shiny Brite indents complete with an old string.

A retro Shiny Brite on the right..that I purchased last year. Merry Christmas everyone:)

Macro Monday: Poinsettia

2010-12-13T01:00:00.001-06:00

This is a macro of a beautiful poinsettia. Did you know that the colorful parts are actually the bracts and the flowers are tiny and in the center of the bracts? Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills : Pets

2010-12-12T01:17:00.001-06:00

Well the challenge this week was pets..easy..my best model is Chance our six year old Border Collie. He is a wonderful dog..who is a great addition to our family.

Here he is with a snowball on his mouth. December 04, 2010.

I was sitting in the dining room at our daughters home on December 09, 2010 and happened to catch Miney one of our grand dogs and Chaucer the grand kitty with Chance in the living room.

Later on I caught the beautiful Miney who is a Shetland Sheepdog or a Sheltie keeping watch in the foyer. I am a “dog person” I have always had a dog or two or three or four ( four was the max) in my life, I like dogs better than some people:)

Macro Monday: Christmas Ornaments

2010-12-06T17:02:00.001-06:00

I collect old Christmas Ornaments. The kind that used to be on the tree when I was little. They are called Shiny Brites and I have a bunch of them. The tree is not up yet so this photo is from last year..next week perhaps my really tall tree will be up and decorated. That tree only gets decorated with Antique Ornaments it goes upstairs where the really tall ceiling can show it off proper.

Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills : Potluck Photos

2010-12-05T00:59:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge was a potluck..I had a hard time choosing.

Eagles beak to beak last Sunday afternoon..November 28, 2010. That would be a deer carcass, these eagles had been hanging around this carcass which is in the field across from our driveway..then they left..last weekend when the lake froze over they returned to feast.

This is my best Whitetail Deer photo this week. I took this one through the windshield on Friday December 03, 2010 in our driveway.

I took this one last night, Saturday December 04, 2010. We attended a dinner to raise funds for a young couple that lost their home and all their belongings in a house fire this Fall. He was a Fireman, as is my husband…I used to be a volunteer Fireperson too..now it is best left for the younger generation as far as I am concerned. ( The cause for the fire might have been a brand new malfunctioning gas furnace in a newly built home..the fire followed all the ductwork throughout the home..luckily no one was hurt.)

I put my gloves on the hood of the car to steady my camera..it was snowing..I liked the reflection of the fire trucks lights in the hood of the car. The fire truck was parked out near the road at the Fire Hall where the dinner was held:)

Macro Monday: Ice

2010-11-29T20:30:00.001-06:00

I took this photo ten days ago at Cedar Lake..this clump of weeds at the shoreline is now completely frozen and covered in snow. Ready or not..Winter is here:(

Check out more Macro Monday posts here:)

Sunday Stills: High Tech/Low Tech

2010-11-21T00:20:00.002-06:00

The challenge this week was to put a high tech item and a low tech item in the same photograph. Here are some….

TOASTERS!!

The top toaster is from the 1920's to 1930's. Back in a time when you had to still slice your own bread.

Happy Thanksgiving later in the week everyone:)

Sunday Stills: Coffee Cup

2010-11-14T12:46:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week was to photograph your favorite coffee cup. Here is mine.

I don’t drink coffee anymore, it makes my blood pressure all wacky. Sometimes I drink hot water out of this cup. Yes, that is snow you see out my kitchen window, it melted off of the patio but is staying in the grass. I guess winter is here:(

Macro Monday: Aster

2010-11-08T17:11:00.001-06:00

The last of the Asters have bloomed..It was very sad..now the photos will be filled with frost or snow..or brown seed heads. Fall is leaving us and winter is coming. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: A Meal

2010-11-07T00:10:00.000-05:00

I am not much of a cook. However Chance usually eats well…in fact he eats pretty darn good. He eats his main meal the same time we do at suppertime..his kibble is usually enhanced with Science Diet canned food and some kind of vegetable..peas, carrots and spaghetti squash are some of his favorite vegetables. This is a sample plate of his favorite dog foods/treats.

He gets a special custom mix of Science Diet and Purina Pro Plan which is Lamb based. Custom meaning we buy a bag of each and mix them half and half! He gets a Milk Bone Dog Biscuit every morning.

After he eats his supper..and he will not touch his food until we both say “Amen”..anyway after supper IF he cleans his dish..then he gets some bacon looking formed thing that makes him drool. The little bone things are extra treats that were in his drawer. Yes he has a drawer in the kitchen..it holds his treats and his grooming supplies..and he has been known to lead small children and some of his favorite adults to the drawer.

Most dogs we have had in the past have eaten their food with no problem. Chance must be coaxed to eat. He has a dish of his kibble available night and day..and the only time it gets touched is when other dogs come to visit. Sometimes he refuses to eat until you throw his ball, after it has been thrown a few times he drops it next to the dish and finishes his supper.

No, he did not eat everything on this plate..he was only allowed the bacon thingy, the milk bone and one of the little bone things ..and he turned his nose up at his real food.

Check out more Sunday Stills meals here..perhaps you will find some real cooks:)

Blogger’s Community Photo Challenge: Autumn Color

2010-11-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

The challenge was Autumn Color. Our Autumn color has passed..we are now brown until the white comes.
Here is one of my favorite photos from September 26, 2010. It was taken in Minnesota:)

Sunday Stills: Halloween

2010-10-31T05:59:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week was Halloween. I knew who I wanted to visit. My daughter..because she always has really cool decorations..she loves to decorate for Halloween.

It only got better…last night.

A Pumpkin Snake..who woulda thunk it?

Happy Halloween everyone. Tonight we will get about eight trick or treaters I have my witches hat all ready:)

Macro Monday: Painted Lady

2010-10-25T10:09:00.001-05:00

This beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly was perching on some White Profusion Zinnias. They are fantastic bloomers and bloom till frost..lucky for the Lady!

Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Fall Foliage

2010-10-24T00:30:00.001-05:00

This weeks challenge was Fall Foliage. I have missed the last couple of challenges..just not enough time in the day to keep up!
This year our fall foliage lasted just about ten days..it was short and sweet. I did manage a few outings.. but not nearly what I had hoped for.

A peek into the fall that is happening across a local water hole on September 22, 2010.

Just a hint of the color to come on September 22, 2010.

September 28, 2010 Chance has found some fall color.

Classic Minnesota color across a small lake in North Central Minnesota on September 28, 2010.

Happy Fall Yall! My leaves are now safely tucked into the woods for the winter where they are breaking down and composting instead of killing my sparse grass. It was a heck of a battle but after many skirmishes I can declare victory:)

Sunday Stills: Red and Green

2010-10-03T01:06:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week was red and green together in the same photo.

These are leaves from a Northern Pin Oak. They turn red slowly..lucky for me..the red veins must signal the rest of the leaf to turn color. We are past peak for viewing leaves here in our yard. The Northern Pin Oaks are slow. The Burr Oaks have turned brown and fallen off.

On the left is a Northern Red Oak Leaf, on the right a Northern Pin Oak Leaf. They are in the same family and are just like sisters..both a little different..unique in their own way. Have a good week everyone:)

Macro Monday: Dahlia

2010-09-27T11:30:00.001-05:00

There are still a few flowers blooming..but not many..and it was near freezing this morning. I captured this Dahlia in the garden of a very kind gentleman who said I could photograph his flowers any old time I wanted to! Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: “S”

2010-09-26T08:33:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was to photograph things that start with the letter “S”

Sandhill Cranes in the neighbors field.

Signs

Have a good week everyone! :)

Macro Monday: Fungi

2010-09-20T08:59:00.001-05:00

The leaves are falling and fungi are sprouting! Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Flags

2010-09-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

This weeks Sunday Still Challenge was Flags. Well..here is one flag.

I have a flag pole just outside the door. I have a number of flags and I change them throughout the year..whenever the mood strikes me. That orange ball is just one of many that belong to Chance. I took this photo on September 15, 2010.

I took this photo last month at a local Pow Wow. The Eagle Staffs and the Flags are always the first into the dancing area, the dancers then dance around them.

The flags are from left to right:

US Navy, US Marine Corps, KIA America Remembers, POW- MIA and Native American Vietnam Vet. Have a good week everyone:)

Macro Monday: Sneezeweed and a Friend

2010-09-13T11:33:00.002-05:00

A pretty little bug ( bee?) on the Helenium autumnale or sneezeweed. Can you tell by its real name ..what time of year it blooms..LOL..gotta love the proper scientific names sometimes. I made a mixed bouquet of wildflowers one day..and then I had a blast catching lots of little bugs for some cool macro shots. Check out more macro here:)

Sunday Stills : Glass

2010-09-12T11:45:00.002-05:00

This weeks challenge was glass.

This is an old gravity feed visible gas pump, you could see the gas (was it clean or dirty) and what amount you were getting. The glass cylinder would hold the gas that was hand pumped up from a tank in the ground. These are out in front of an old country store at a local Pioneer Farmers Park. I took this photo a few weeks ago.
So you don’t think that I am always out in left field..I did manage a photo of something else this week a glass garden decoration..a whatchamacallit!

Have a good week everyone:)

Macro Monday: Zinnia

2010-09-06T01:24:00.001-05:00

A red zinnia, one of my favorite red flowers..the petals on this one are super stacked! Have a great Labor Day everyone..check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Boots or Shoes

2010-09-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge was boots or shoes. The photos I chose are empty boots..soldiers empty boots.

These were at The Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial a year ago from my archives.

I took this photo a few weeks ago at a local Vietnam Memorial Ceremony.

This is the “battlefield cross” a fallen soldiers helmet, rifle, boots and bayonet which are no longer of use to him. This is what replaced the flag covered caskets that we used to see on the nightly news. Don’t kid yourself, the flag draped caskets are still coming back..we are just not permitted to see them:(

Macro Monday : Sunflower

2010-08-30T00:09:00.001-05:00

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers to photograph, I anxiously wait every year to find a whole field of the beauties. Check out more Macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Sculptures

2010-08-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

The challenge this week was sculptures.

Sometimes beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In this case I thought perhaps they were out standing in the corn field too long in the summer sun.

At least this guy or gal had a sense of humor. These sculptures are in a small town in Minnesota called New York Mills:)

Macro Monday: A Rose

2010-08-23T11:26:00.001-05:00

This is one of my climbing roses, William Baffin (if I recall correctly) a Canadian Rose..no fuss no muss ones..I give them no care what so ever..they do well all on their own. I have old metal wagon wheels for them to climb..they do not like the heat of the metal. So they grow more out than up. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Metal

2010-08-22T00:34:00.001-05:00

This weeks challenge was metal..and Ed suggested we come up with something that no one else would think of. HA! How about Razor Wire it is made of steel !

There are a few cars in the background..oh wait most cars are pretty much plastic any more…How about those fence posts!

How about some little False Sunflowers to perk up the razor wire a tad? Now I suppose you are thinking where in the world did I find razor wire? In Minnesota of course. The Bunker Hill Vietnam Memorial has added razor wire to their hillside. Yesterday was the changing of the flags..my husband and I try to attend every year..we are reminded that freedom is not free. More about this Vietnam Memorial can be found on my main blog.

I wonder how many other razor wire entries there will be in the Sunday Stills Challenge? :)

Macro Monday: Birth of a Sunflower

2010-08-16T09:07:00.002-05:00

I took this photo on Friday in a local sunflower field. I looked at it and thought that the perfect caption for this one is “Birth of a Sunflower” with three or four anxious Aunts looking on. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Fire or Smoke

2010-08-15T00:10:00.001-05:00

This week my photos are from the archives. The Sunday Stills Challenge was fire or smoke.

This is the scene of an abandoned building that was on fire. It was arson. My nieces husband, Hunter is showing a new recruit how to safely handle a fire hose. I didn’t have time to grab my tripod, but the photos still turned out pretty good.

My husband is on the local Volunteer Fire Department. I used to be a Volunteer Fireman/EMT too, I put in my time a long time ago..it is very hard work and dirty and very cold in the winter, I do not like house/building fires. I don’t like forest or brush fires either, or vehicle fires..I just don’t like fires. Camp fires maybe, but I make sure they are completely out with a couple of gallons of water.

This is a plume of smoke that was about to move over and obscure the windmill at a control burn ( practice for firefighters) in our area. Have a good week everyone:)

Macro Monday : Walking Stick

2010-08-09T08:21:00.001-05:00

This is a Walking Stick, it was on my dining room screen one day..peeking in. If he would have stayed a long time I would have named him “Tom” as in peeping tom, but after an hour or so he moved on.

His little eye shows up so well! Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills:Clouds

2010-08-08T02:10:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was clouds. I like clouds and I have lots of photos of them.

I took this one at the neighbors this past week.

This one I took last June, the clouds were really weird. It was like they were all full of holes..I have never seen anything quite like it. There was no wind or rain, just these strange looking clouds. Have you ever seen clouds like this before? Have a great week everyone! :)

Macro Monday:Bellflower

2010-08-02T08:57:00.000-05:00

This is a Creeping Bellflower or Campanula rapunculoides that showed up here at the edge of the woods a few years ago. It is a non native Minnesota plant..but it is very pretty. These perennial plants are about three feet tall and the blooms are found only on one side of the stalk. More macros can be found here:)

Sunday Stills: Graffiti or Street Art

2010-08-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge was Graffiti or Street Art. We rarely have any graffiti around here, we have no train tracks or trains..and not many old buildings..so the art is limited.

Some people did paint this in town.

I photographed this in Duluth last fall.

Far Guy and I went scouting all the ramshackle places we could think of where graffiti would be present..with no luck so these photos will have to do. If I ever get to the big city I will have to take some photos of graffiti:)

Macro Monday: Daylily

2010-07-26T20:58:00.000-05:00

This is one of my Daylilies..I love its bright eye..

Check out more macros here. Have a great week everyone! :)

Sunday Stills: Rule of Thirds: July 25, 2010

2010-07-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

I really need to work on this Rule of Thirds..it helps me to be a better photographer..so I was up for this Challenge! I just need the place and the time..well we needed to eat lunch yesterday and the weather was lovely.
When using the Rule of Thirds, the main subject is placed off center, away from the middle of the frame. Off center photographs are more pleasing to the eye. This rule uses two horizontal and two vertical imaginary lines trisecting an image with four intersecting points.You place your main subject where the lines intersect rather than centered in the frame.

A sailboat on Leech Lake. OK that went pretty well...

Add in a few flowers..

How about some wildflowers all by themselves! Fireweed and Culver's Root.

Oh and a squawking bird! Have a great week everyone!
Imaginary grids...I have made these out of typing paper and have them the same size as my photo program display on my computer. I pop them over the image and see how I did..I know..it is a bit anal..what ever works for you..my camera also has a grid function:)

Macro Monday: Pansy

2010-07-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Last week when we were out and about with our grandson Adam, I spied this beautiful Pansy amongst the Coleus. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills : Summer

2010-07-18T10:08:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was Summer! Here in Minnesota, I enjoys my grands, the dogs and all the flowers blooming in the summer.

Grand-girls and dogs having fun in one of our 10,000 lakes.

Madison and her windswept hair during a recent boat ride.

I like to focus on one flower at at time..but these were too tiny.

A bee, he is totally into his summertime work.

I love the long evenings and the slower pace in the summer..trying to enjoy each and every moment..before the snow flies)

Macro Monday: Rudbeckia and Friend

2010-07-12T11:59:00.000-05:00

My Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer' is beginning to bloom, this one had a daddy long legged friend. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Shadows

2010-07-11T08:17:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week was shadows..I wanted to find something really interesting..well that didn't happen . So here are some shadow shots I did get this week.

Chance and the shadow of the grain bin to his left and the wagon wheel and weeds to his right.

Chance was so cooperative..he should get paid..

Hey this one is me! My shadow is outstanding in the field and waving at you! :)

Macro Monday: Johnsons Blue Geranium

2010-07-05T16:10:00.000-05:00

This is Johnsons Blue Geranium, it is one of my favorite perennials because it is not fussy and just blooms off and on all summer long. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Frame It!

2010-07-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week was to frame a view. Thanks Linda!

This is one I framed this week. We watched our local crop dusting helicopter refill his tanks. They spray after every rain...not sure what they spray..some smelly crap.

This one is from my archives, Far Guy framed by branches covered with snow on a clear cold twenty below zero day last January. Have a great Fourth of July everyone:)

Macro Monday: Peony

2010-06-28T12:48:00.000-05:00

I found me some peonies last week, this was almost my best shot. I cropped it, to make it better. I love the fragrance of a peony, it brings back memories of Sunday morning flowers at church, and the little old ladies shaking the ants out of the beautiful plump heads. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: History

2010-06-27T12:53:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was history or something over sixty years old. I have lots of old stuff but none of it inspired me. Perhaps it needs to be a photo with a powerful history.

A tiny bit of who I am and what made me an animal person revolves around this sign. Bob and Ruby owned this gas station, my Mother would drive up and Bob would come out and put gas in the car, check the oil and wash the windshield.

You see Bob and I shared a dog, her name was Patsy/Princess. I named her Princess, Bob had named her Patsy. We lived over four miles from this gas station. One day a German Shepherd showed up at our farm. I was forbidden to feed her, so I snuck her food out my bedroom window. I climbed out my window and joined this dog in the grass on summer evenings, I told Princess all of my secrets, and she listened patiently, sometime sighing as she laid her head in my lap. My Mother could not figure out why this dog kept coming back, as she would chase it off. Princess visited off and on all summer, she and I were good friends. She would be with me for a few days and then she would disappear. As it turns out, one day when we stopped for gas at Bobs Texaco Station, she came running out to the car to greet me, licking my face and wagging her tail. Bob was shocked. He had purchased her as a night watch dog, the only problem with his Patsy was that she took off every few days to parts unknown. From then on she was tied up at the station, I visited her..but it just wasn't the same.

This Texaco sign still stands at the old gas station, every time I drive by, I can feel the old ghost of two dear friends..Patsy/Princess and Bob. Ruby is still alive, she always recalls our shared dog story with a smile. To this day, I miss that dog, even though she wasn't mine to miss..we had a connection, a powerful one.
Texaco first put up these signs beginning in 1938:)

Macro Monday: Clematis

2010-06-21T13:10:00.000-05:00

I believe that this Clematis is the one called "Will Goodwin". I took this photo on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Far Guys Cousins..she has beautiful gardens!

Check out more macros here. I missed Sunday Stills yesterday..it was just a really busy day:)

The Bloggers Community Photo Challenge: Flowers

2010-06-17T12:13:00.001-05:00

How could I pass up a challenge that has flowers in it! This is my entry for The Bloggers Community Photo Challenge, by the way, you all do a wonderful job..thank you!

This is a photo I took on June 13, 2010. These are the Minnesota State Flower, the Showy Lady's Slipper, they bloom every year in mid June around Father's Day. This photo made me smile with the little bug peeking over the top of the flower:)

Macro Monday: Showy Lady's Slipper

2010-06-14T10:44:00.000-05:00

I took this photo yesterday at the neighbors. This is the State Flower of Minnesota, the Showy Lady's Slipper. This native orchid blooms a short amount of time in June every year in ditches and on the edges of swamps. This flower has no smell, nothing to attract pollinators, I suspect that the markings on this plant may look like a runway to bees and other bugs. Check out more macros here:)

Sunday Stills: Eyes

2010-06-13T13:27:00.000-05:00

My Grandson Adam decided he would be my eye model if I would give him a Tootsie Roll Pop sucker.

This one made me smile..he was working on that sucker.

His Mother giving him the evil eye.. as he was opening his eyes very wide for a photo.

Here it is, my best shot of Adam's eye, eight year olds are wiggly, and hardly ever sit still especially after you have bribed them with a sugary snack. Check out more Sunday Stills here:)

Sunday Stills: Black and White

2010-06-05T23:58:00.001-05:00

The Sunday Stills Challenge this week was Black and White. I managed two photos this week. Check out more photos here.

Ferns in the forest....

and a tick carrier:)

The Bloggers Community Photo Challenge : Color

2010-06-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

I learned how to do something cool in my Photoshop Elements program last winter. It is a very old program, but it suits me OK.

This is what I did.
1. I went into my program and opened up the image I wanted to work with.
2. I duplicated my image. ( Just in case I messed up!) Then I closed out my original copy.
3. Then I went to layer, then to duplicate layer..when it pops up name the layer black and white.
4. Then under enhance..select remove color. Just like magic your image should turn black and white.
5. Then select your eraser tool, and erase the parts that you want to turn back to the original color. I zoomed in and selected the appropriate number of pixels to erase at one time. Erase..erase..
6. Save your new image! Crop it if you desire.. I cropped mine and made it a square photo.

Here is my original image.

I am sure that there are more fancy smancy programs out there. I only learned this much Thanks! to a Sunday Stiller called Wild Black. It was a great way to practice and make this entry for The Bloggers Community Photo Challenge:)

Macro Monday: Hummingbird

2010-05-31T08:28:00.001-05:00

Last week one day, a Hummingbird hit our window ( even though I have lots of pretty crap hanging up in the windows). My husband rescued the bird and held it until it recovered enough to fly off by itself.

The feathers on his throat were beautiful.

It was a wonderful experience to see him up close and personal.

Check out more macros here:)