Charlie Brown tree

Yup, I found a Charlie Brown tree at the park. Be careful, very, very careful this tree will eat your kite.

Desert Resident

Trying to catch this hare with the lens was like trying to snap Superman. As soon as I could get close enough it would take off down a hidden path.

Two

Two birds sitting at lookout in the desert. Photoshop allows me to adjust the colors any way I want. Sometimes you really can go to extremes. Occasionally, when trying to adjust colors, I am amazed that the cactus I need to alter the yellow to get the right color. However, the sky is both blue and cyan. Sometimes it is fun to just go nuts with the color. This gives me a better appreciation of the colors we enjoy. I am glad a green sky only exists in Photoshop.

Another contest

Sharp and Delicate

Edge of the desert

Mountain Sunrise
McDowell Mountain preserve is running a photo contest to get photos to encourage people to enjoy the desert. I love the desert. I love the cactus, the flowers, the bugs, the heat, and I respect how lethal the environment can be. Always bring your own water. Just East of Scottsdale the beautiful hiking paths encourage you to enjoy the desert.

Spots - I don't see spots

This is an example of what not to do. My eyes do not see these spots on the landscape. You know those weird looking hoods for camera lens, well they help prevent these by shading the camera lens from the sun. I was shooting into the sun without sufficient shade on the lens. I liked the winding path but not the spots. Shooting at 90〫to the sun also helps to prevent these ghostly circles that your eyes don't see.

Back of Beyond

Hiking and taking pictures for a project on the McDowell Mountains I was able to get this shot of Four Peaks. I won't use it for the project, since it is the wrong set of mountains, but I am very happy with how it turned out.

Abstract

In this small space I sometimes struggle to get the gist of the picture. The eye can not see this. The camera captures the most minute details but lost when shrunk down to fit on the web page. Water and sunlight make an incredible combination.

Suspended

This spider appears to be suspended in mid-air. The camera didn't pickup the delicate threads that hold up the spider.

Shy

Can you find our shy little friend in the first picture? The little guy wouldn't move so I wandered around until I could find a clearer view. Sometimes when the subject won't or can't move, as a photographer, I move myself to another position until I get a different angle. If you don't like a shot, move.

Sleep

I was impressed that Momma duck was willing to go back to sleep while I stood on a little wall taking pictures of her ducklings. Apparently I have been there enough I am becoming part of the safe background.

Yellow

Subject line says it all.

Cool

Every once in awhile, I take a shot because I know the combination is right. My eyes could not see this image, but I knew that sprinklers, sunshine and trees had real potential for something I like. I think I hit it right.

Eye to Eye

Thanks to the zoo handler that allowed me to be up close and personal with an eagle. I did not need my telephoto lens. I was thankful to be there at the right time, at the right place, with my camera ready.

Service

Glamor day brought together people that wished to lift the hearts of families effected by catastrophic illness. A little fingernail polish, a little time, and faces transform to smiles.

Hopekids Event

Last Saturday I spent several hours at a Hopekids event taking pictures of Mothers and Daughters Glamor Day. I enjoy watching so many people sharing their talents to brighten the day for someone else. Hopekids is my way of being involved with community sharing my talents. I won't post the pictures of the kids which are amazing. Their parents will be able to download files to get the pictures. Check out their webpage http://www.hopekids.org/

Chillin'

Wandering I found a shot that just needed to be captured. This person looked so relaxed. I have no idea who it was.

Lines

The mind draws in information to identify an object using our senses. The camera can isolate a single feature that our eyes may not see because of all the other in put coming in.

Sharing ideas

Sharing ideas with other photographers is one of the bonuses of taking classes. I decided I could still do this with photographers on line. One of my widgets is by Joe Decker he created a series called "Signatures of the sun." I decided to try my hand at the park lake. Check out Joe Decker at

http://www.rockslidephoto.com/gallery.php?gallery=7

What the fish?

Sometimes you need to get more of the picture because less changes the context of what a person is seeing.

Back to sending portfolio

These pictures are part of my Urban Nature portfolio that I sent out for a possible photo opportunity. I love how people enjoy mingling with nature on their terms.

Think cool

First part of May and I am already thinking of cool winter months. An image from January to help with cool thoughts.

Marching

I totally cracked up when I saw the way this duckling was marching a long the edge of the lake. He didn't have the usual waddle and I had to get a picture. I could imagine a whole line of them like a duckling parade.

Hey Mom

....check this out. Can I eat it?

More Glass

Court yard heading into the Bellagio in Vegas.

Chihuly chandelier in the Bellagio. There is a book out on this since the glass was so heavy it became an engineering feat as well as a work of art.

http://www.amazon.com/Chihuly-Bellagio-Book-DVD-Dale/dp/157684160X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272860775&sr=1-1

Flotilla

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=flotilla

S: (n) flotilla (a fleet of small craft)

I immediately thought of this word as I watched the ducklings stretch out across the park pond/lake.