At Close Range Photography

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

2012-02-02T16:14:00.023-05:00

The poor home/nature blog has been neglected. I have been busy shooting many of the Kentucky men's basketball home games at Rupp Arena. Click here if you want to check out some shots of the number one team in the nation. Go Cats!

With a family of 8, I am always looking for creative ways to save a few pennies. I came across a recipe for homemade laundry detergent a few months ago, but never got around to trying it. Well today the planets aligned and I have now successfully made my first batch of diy detergent. I combined tips from several different places including: Duggar Family Recipes, Fabulessly Frugal and Tipnut.

The ingredients were all readily available at my local Kroger and the whole process took less than a half an hour. As an added bonus, the house smells like I have been cleaning all day. ;) I also like that this should eliminate the need to wash my daughter's clothes separately due to her sensitive skin and allergies. She enjoyed helping me with the process. It was much easier than I expected.

Here is what you need to get started:

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

I followed this recipe, but chose to use an additional small bottle of All 3X free and clear detergent based on information I read. Some users were adding an oxy booster for white laundry loads and others did not like how the detergent would gel after sitting (gloppy). This was given as a solution to both of those problems. At less than $4 a bottle, I decided it wouldn't hurt. If you do not like the scent or have sensitive skin, Ivory can be used in place of the Fels-Naptha soap.

Next grate the bar soap and add it to 4 cups of hot tap water in a saucepan. I shaved off chunks with a knife and used my food processor until crumbled, others suggested using a cheese grater. You can microwave the bar for a few seconds first to soften.

Stir over medium-low heat until the soap is melted.

Now you will need a 5 gallon bucket. Fill the bucket half full with hot tap water. Add the melted soap mixture, Borax and washing soda. I also added in the bottle of All at this point (some have suggested adding this after the mixture has set up overnight. I am guessing it would get more of a gel consistency.) Mix well until all powder is dissolved. Fill the bucket to the top with more tap water. Stir once again. Most recipes say to cover and let sit overnight to thicken. You will then fill an old detergent bottle or other container half full with the mixture and half full with water. Using this method, the recipe will yield 10 gallons of liquid detergent.

After reading comments from several moms, I decided I was not going to dilute the mixture. I cleaned and filled a large container we had waiting for recycling and several other empty detergent bottles. I like the fresh scent as is, but you can also add essential oils once the detergent has cooled.

For less than the cost of 1 bottle of Tide, I was able to make 5 gallons of homemade detergent and still have extra supplies for future batches!

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads if diluted)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads if diluted)

You can add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften and brighten clothes, eliminating the need for fabric softener.

If you are short on storage space or prefer a powdered laundry soap, check out this great tutorial from The Thrifty Couple.

2011-11-01T13:45:00.005-04:00

We went out to do a little hiking to the river overlook at Raven Run this weekend. We made a couple of stops at some of my favorite farms along the way. It was a week late for most of the color, but still a beautiful day for a hike.

God's Country

2011-10-10T11:59:00.006-04:00

God's country. noun. 1. an area or region supposed to be favored by God, especially a naturally beautiful rural area.

I can't think of any better way to describe Kentucky in the fall. The hardwoods are starting to show their color and the wildflowers are putting on a show. Goldenrod is everywhere this year giving an extra pop of yellow.

I had an unexpected visit from a great blue heron. He made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do with me or my camera!

They were setting up for a wedding near here. Can you imagine the bride's portraits with this as a backdrop?

Green Anole

2011-09-26T15:33:00.001-04:00

I spotted this guy at a Georgia rest stop. He is a green anole, common throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

Black Swallowtails

2011-09-26T14:41:00.003-04:00

Our black swallowtail butterflies have started to emerge. We released this one over the weekend and had one emerge during the night. No matter how many times we witness this metamorphosis, it is always exciting seeing the butterflies.

"Love is like a butterfly, it goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes.
Love is like a butterfly, hold it too tight, it'll crush. Hold it too loose, it'll fly."

Butterfly Metamorphosis

2011-09-20T10:34:00.011-04:00

While it has not been as productive as last year, this butterfly season has been equally as fascinating. We have enjoyed caring for the eggs and caterpillars provided to us by our neighbor, Betty Hall. We even had a couple of surprises of our own, finding our first caterpillars on the parsley we planted last summer. Still no luck with our spicebush and new milkweed plants. We have had visitors so we are sure it is just a matter of time before we see eggs.

Our first "home-grown" black swallowtail.

At this stage they are basically eating machines so have lots of parsley on hand! Fortunately it doesn't last long as they slow down to begin their dramatic transformation.

Our Butterfly Factory

Sailboats/Catamarans

2011-08-30T14:10:00.004-04:00

These colorful boats dot the beach and are popular rentals for tourists. They also make nice photo ops. ;)

Morningstar Marina

2011-08-29T10:56:00.025-04:00

One place I would like to visit again is the marina. I stopped by on a very muggy, overcast day as a few raindrops began to fall. I first noticed the marina from our van as we traveled over the causeway. I snapped this shot through the window as we drove by.

Walking on the docks is permitted before 6pm, but the marina can be viewed from the surrounding piers anytime. I hear the view is gorgeous at sunset from the Coastal Kitchen restaurant, which overlooks the marina. I hope to take in a sunset from one of the piers across from the marina if I am lucky enough to return to the island again.

Peaceful Morning at Gould's Inlet

2011-08-26T09:48:00.005-04:00

Not as fiery as some of the other shots, but I love the soft pastel colors.

Beach Treasures

2011-08-25T21:35:00.005-04:00

We didn't make a huge effort to go shell collecting, but we did manage to find some beautiful souvenirs while playing on the beach courtesy of Mother Nature. We found most of the shells at low tide when they were left on the shore by the receding water. After boiling, bleaching and some elbow grease to remove a few stubborn barnacles, our treasures shined up nicely with a little mineral oil rub.

Knobbed Whelk

The Knobbed Whelk is Georgia's official state seashell. These shells can grow to a length of 12 inches, but most found are from 3-5 inches long. Minerals in Georgia's coastal waters cause striations on the sand-colored surface of these whorled shells.

The kids found many sand dollars. Most were returned back to the water, but we did find a few to bring home. Because they are so fragile, my husband carefully wrapped each one in a paper towel and then newspaper before leaving the island. We were happy to see they all arrived home in one piece.

"The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, yet echoes on in sweet, soulful refrains. For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains."

The Marshes of Glynn

2011-08-24T11:46:00.006-04:00

Marsh view from the John Gilbert Nature Trail

As you cross the causeway heading onto St. Simons, you are surrounded by beautiful marshes stretching out to the horizon on either side. The marshes are a fragile ecosystem, but some of the most extensive and productive marshlands in the world. Marsh grass and microscopic plants that support the food chains of shrimp, fish, oysters and crabs capture the sun's energy and nutrients from nearby rivers. Many land animals also breed and feed in the marshes. I saw a few marsh rabbits and white egrets.

In the 1870's, Georgia poet Sidney Lanier was inspired by the marshlands to write The Marshes of Glynn.

As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod,

Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God:

I will fly in the greatness of God as the marsh-hen flies

In the freedom that fills all the space ’twixt the marsh and the skies:

By so many roots as the marsh-grass sends in the sod

I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God:

Oh, like to the greatness of God is the greatness within

The range of the marshes, the liberal marshes of Glynn

I regret not exploring the marshes more and taking in a sunrise there, something I will plan on for my next visit. We did get some stunning views as we were driving. The bridge in the distance is named after poet Sydney Lanier.

Causeway view

View from the Sidney Lanier Bridge as we crossed to Jekyll Island.

Marsh view from Morningstar Marina

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center

2011-08-18T15:06:00.006-04:00

We took a trip over to Jekyll Island to visit The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. I snapped this pic. of the island's entrance through the car window as we were driving.

The center is devoted to the rehabilitation of sea turtles as well as education and research programs. It provides state-of-the art emergency care for sick and injured sea turtles. We enjoyed the hands-on exhibits and learning about the sea turtle's journey from egg to adulthood.

Once we were finished inside, we headed out to the Rehabilitation Pavilion to view the sea turtles currently being treated at the center. The kids loved watching them swim around and reading about their history, injuries and care. This was a great educational experience for the whole family and worth the visit to see these threatened creatures in person.

This little guy's name is Captain.

Photog. tip: Flash photography is not allowed at the center and photos are a challenge. If you visit, take along a circular polarizer. It will help eliminate the glare on the water.

St. Simons Island Lighthouse

2011-08-15T09:28:00.006-04:00

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is one of the the island's most historic and beloved landmarks. It is located near the village and pier at Neptune Park and is one of five surviving light towers in Georgia. It is the oldest brick structure in the area, dating back to 1872. The original structure was built in 1861, but was destroyed by Confederate troops to prevent its use by Union ships. The lighthouse stands 104 feet tall and has 129 interior steps. Its light casts as far as 23 miles out to sea, and guides traffic entering St. Simons Sound. My sons and husband took a Ghost Encounter and were able to tour the lighthouse at night. They were told it is the third most famous haunted lighthouse in the nation!

If you love lighthouses, I stumbled across a neat blog. Lighthouse Explorations chronicles the Stewart Family's adventures visiting lighthouses around the country. They get stamps along the way for their Lighthouse Passport. I had never heard of the passport, but what a cool way to create some amazing family memories!

Christ Church, Frederica

2011-08-12T11:12:00.003-04:00

Christ Church, Frederica is one of the most serene places we visited. The grounds are gorgeous with more moss-draped live oaks, holly and cedar trees. The congregation at Christ Church traces back to 1776. Brothers John and Charles Wesley, considered the fathers of Methodism in America, once preached under the giant oaks. The first church was partially destroyed by Union Troops during the Civil War. The current structure was built in 1884 and is home to an active Episcopal congregation. The site is also home to a cemetery with graves of early settlers dating back to as early as 1803.

If you visit Christ Church, just across the street you will find the entrance to Wesley Garden, dedicated to John and Charles Wesley. I wish I could return in spring as this garden is home to 4000 azaleas. I bet they put on quite a show!

Island Palms

2011-08-11T16:22:00.003-04:00

“Some beach somewhere, there’s a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair. Palm trees are growing, warm breezes blowing. I picture myself right there, on some beach, somewhere.”

Free Digi Kit from Summertime Designs

2011-08-11T08:57:00.001-04:00

Summer Driggs of Summertime Designs is offering a cute new digi kit perfect for all those vacation and summer photo projects. The kit is called "FlipFlop-sicles" and contains papers, ribbons, beach elements and other embellishments. These can be used for digital scrapbooking, frames, collage embellishments, etc. Summer does amazing work and offers her kits for free for personal use. Enjoy!

Download the FlipFlop-sicles kit

Stop...

2011-08-10T19:10:00.005-04:00

Hands down my favorite sign on the island! Had to take a break from "island time" for some "Hammertime." lol

Mossy Live Oaks

2011-08-10T14:06:00.006-04:00

One of the first things I noticed on the island was the natural canopy made by the live oaks draped in Spanish moss lining the entrance. As the story is told, St. Simons was once home to a thriving lumber industry. Oak timbers from Cannon's Point were used in 1794 to help build the U.S.S Constitution. Island timbers were also cut in 1874 for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. On average of about 300 years, these trees provide shade and beauty to the island.

The "Avenue of Oaks" makes a grand entrance to the Sea Island Golf Club

Found this little park by accident

Across the street from the John Gilbert Nature Trail

Next time I hope to visit these when the lighting isn't so flat. I bet the morning glow is amazing at the Avenue of Oaks.

Gould's Inlet

2011-08-09T16:14:00.003-04:00

I had seen Gould's Inlet mentioned in the pocket guide. While out driving around, we decided to stop by and check it out. Good thing we did. The view was breathtaking! It seemed so vast with the sand and shoals stretching on for what seemed like forever and meeting the bright blue sky at the horizon. We even saw a great white heron stopping to hang out in one of the pools of water left behind by the falling tide. It was really amazing going back the next morning for the sunrise. It was high tide and I couldn't believe the dramatic transformation.

The Georgia coast is part of the Georgia bight, which is sort of like a giant funnel. Georgia is at the center of the funnel and at high tide, water is pushed by the shape of the coastline and a 6-8 ft. tidal change occurs. At low tide, the sandbars (shoals) appear and the waves virtually disappear. As the tide rolls in, the sandbars are covered and the waves get bigger and bigger. Water eventually covers most of the beach, all of the beach in some places. It is fascinating to watch. Visitors quickly learn to check the tide charts daily.

Life's A Beach

2011-08-09T12:56:00.020-04:00

Sunset at the Pier

I have an acute case of Post Island Vacation Syndrome. When my husband first suggested going to St. Simons Island, I have to admit I was skeptical. The thought of cramming 8 people, including 6 rambunctious kids, into a van and traveling from Central Kentucky to the Georgia coast did not sound appealing. As the trip neared, I tried focusing on the photo-ops. I imagined beautiful sunsets and a new family photo to hang on the wall.

In keeping with Rickert tradition, nothing ever goes as planned. On the morning of the trip, I dutifully handed out the Dramamine for the drive. Who knew we would have such a bad reaction? Three vomiting before we even left the state! I thought my nightmare was coming true. To my surprise, once we settled in the rest of the trip went pretty smoothly.

There is an old saying on the island, "Once you get St. Simons sand in your shoes, like the tide you will return again and again." After spending a week on its shores, I have to believe this is true. I can't imagine not returning and would go back tomorrow if I could!

I am not a morning person, but once I took in my first sunrise on St. Simons I was hooked. There is no better way to start the day than watching the first streaks of light dance across the sky and water. Add in the ocean breeze, birds chirping and the sound of the waves and it is just magical.

Sunrise on "our" beach near the King and Prince Resort

Sunrise at Gould's Inlet-Spectacular!

For your morning meditation, =) sunrise on East Beach, St. Simons Island.

2011-07-16T11:03:00.002-04:00

I had a little better luck with the butterflies this week when I stopped in the Arboretum. While there were lots of skippers, snouts and Orange Sulfurs, the "showstoppers" were noticeably absent. My only swallowtail image this season is from the Walmart garden center of all places. We found this Tiger Swallowtail there after a morning at Waveland, where the swallowtails had also eluded us.

This Buckeye butterfly has definitely seen better days!

Traffic jam...

We did see our first Monarch on our new swamp milkweed plant. Hopefully we will have some eggs to bring in soon!

New Dedicated Sports Blog

2011-07-10T15:09:00.004-04:00

My blog has been having an identity crisis for awhile now. I have been needing to divide my sports and nature photography and have finally started the process. The two attract different audiences for the most part so it seems natural to separate them.

The new sports blog is accessible from the main blog by clicking on the UK/Sports images link under the blog header. You can also find it directly at http://acrphotosports.blogspot.com/ If you want to receive notifications through NetworkedBlogs for the sports blog, you will need to subscribe to that blog separately.

Both blogs should post to the facebook page if you prefer to keep up that way. You can follow that page here: http://on.fb.me/qKlVnG.

Thanks for your patience while things get switched over. I apologize if you receive duplicate messages from NetworkedBlogs, etc. while I get the kinks worked out.

2011-07-06T12:40:00.000-04:00

I don't get a chance to do this often lately, but I stopped in the Arboretum to chase some butterflies. Only saw one butterfly, but everything looked so lush and summery!

Upcycled Kitchen Cabinets

2011-07-04T14:33:00.011-04:00

Our grandmother was an avid crafter. When she passed away, we inherited much of her craft supplies. I also have quite a bit of scrapbooking supplies. We were in desperate need of some inexpensive storage. I saw a post on the Scissors and Spatulas blog and the wheels began turning.

I loved the idea of upcycling old kitchen cabinets. I also got inspiration from this post on using recycled kitchen cabinets for garage storage: http://www.millennialliving.com/Activities/Renovation/Kitchen/reusing-kitchen-cabinets.htm

I stopped by my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I have discovered the best time to find cheap cabinets is on Saturday. They often mark down inventory and cabinets can be purchased for as low as $2.

I splurged a little and found two cabinets with glass fronts for $25 each. I knew from my frequent trips to the ReStore, that these are somewhat more rare than the plain cabinets. I decided on upper cabinets instead of base cabinets because they were going to be along a wall in a narrow hallway on the unfinished side of the basement. I needed about 12 ft. of cabinetry total and the glass doors would break up the monotony a little. The cabinets had been painted white, but they needed a little work.

I removed the knobs and stripped the cabinets. I used some mineral spirits to clean them up before priming.

With the stripping completed, I moved on to the other two cabinets. These were trash finds so total freebies, but I have seen them at ReStore many times since for as little as $5. They are solid birch cabinets and very well-made. We have these same cabinets in our kitchen painted a deep chocolate brown so I knew they were very sturdy and durable.

I removed the hardware and applied a deglosser, wiped on with rags. This cleaned the surface and prepared it for the primer. I primed the cabinets and gave them a fresh coat of white semi-gloss paint. After searching through my mismatched hardware box, I came up with some brushed nickel handles and some matching new hinges. I had to purchase a few more, but found them for less than a dollar each, including shipping on ebay. The next problem was the countertop. After wandering around the local hardware stores, I found white melamine shelving at Home Depot for a little under $13 a sheet. These were 72" long by 12" wide. They also came in different lengths. I needed two for my 12 ft. of cabinets.

I purchased some shelf liner for the glass doors. We used thumbtacks so that I can change the pattern whenever I like. You could also use fabric, but the shelf liner was rubber-backed and the stiffness helped eliminate puckering and wrinkles. I purchased it at Big Lots. We already had peg board in place for painting and camping supplies. I painted it the basement wall color and bought some peg board hooks also at Big Lots. I believe they were $7 for a large pack of various sizes.

We "installed" the cabinets last week. We did make a base for them since our basement floor was not level. It also raised them off the floor in case we were to get any water in the basement. We have a drain nearby that doesn't flood, but you never know! I still need to add some base trim and attach the countertops, but the project is almost complete.

It was difficult to get a good shot of the cabinets installed since the hall is so narrow, but you get the idea of how they turned out.

I am thrilled with how the cabinets turned out. They have a ton of storage, they are durable, and they were inexpensive. I especially love that I was able to turn an otherwise dead space into a wall of storage.

I decided to give my son some extra storage using the kitchen cabinet concept. I purchased these beauties for $12 total. Aren't they lovely? ;)

After some primer, a new coat of gloss black paint and a couple of new handles, he now has a desk with plenty of storage. We were able to find the black melamine top at Home Depot. I also made him a nightstand/video storage cabinet out of the top cabinet. I still have to cut the top to size and put the casters on, but it turned out great. You can't beat the price!

Give it a try. There is no limit to what you can do with these old kitchen cabinets. I love this idea for a child's play kitchen:

Frozen Tundra

2010-12-20T13:29:00.005-05:00

After a week of temperatures below freezing, the sun finally made an appearance to start the big thaw. I grabbed my camera and took a drive. I headed away from town and toward the Kentucky River. The shot above is from the property of a summer camp I worked at in college. It looked like it had been dipped in crystal. It was beautiful, but I think I prefer the days I spent there running around in my bikini down by the lake and pool!

Stopped by a horse farm you might remember from some Fall pics. I posted previously. What a difference a season makes!

And another farm:

I was less than a mile from the river so I braved the twists and turns and made it to the Valley View Ferry. A huge shout-out to the ferry operators who offered a ride and even an opportunity to drive the ferry. It was a little cold, but the ride across the river was an unexpected treat.

Ice Storm-2010

2010-12-17T11:45:00.001-05:00

This week we were treated(?) to a winter storm complete with snow, sleet and freezing rain. The ice accumulation in my area was somewhere between a quarter to a half an inch. While I am not a fan of the cold at all, the storm did force us to slow down a bit during this often hurried season. We are enjoying more time spent around the warmth and glow of the fireplace, skating on the driveway, and marveling at nature's creations.

I am looking forward to the sun coming out. From previous ice storms, I remember how the neighborhood would shimmer like a thousand prisms when the sun would hit the melting ice. The ice encapsulates everything and makes even the most mundane objects look interesting. Mother Nature can turn a trash can into instant art like in the photo above. The ice magnifies the beauty and acts as nature's jewelry.

It brings out textures and colors that usually go unnoticed once the fall leaves have passed and our thoughts turn to the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I can't say that I hope the ice sticks around, but I am trying to appreciate the beauty in it while it is here.

"Let those who go outside be solitary,
stifle the heart and see how this unknown and brittle world,

unreal and legendary,
was filmed in crystal for the mind alone."

Stopping By Woods

2010-12-14T13:13:00.017-05:00

Although the snow was still falling too much to be out taking pictures, I grabbed my camera and went for a drive. It was too icy to get far, but I managed to find a couple of winter escapes close to home.

The place below reminded me of a Robert Frost poem:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Hard to believe that photo was taken right off a busy road. Luckily the sound of the birds chirping as they swooped in for the winter berries drowned out most of the traffic noise. I was a muddy, frozen and soaked mess by the time I arrived home, but walking this peaceful path in the virgin snow was well worth it.

...The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Filmstrip template and tutorial

2010-12-13T12:51:00.006-05:00

So you have taken all those Christmas photos trying to get that perfect one for the Christmas card. Here's something fun you can do with some of those leftover shots.

Download a negative or filmstrip template. There are a ton of free ones available like this one from UneekResources.

Just click on the download link on the right side of the page. Here is the process I used:

1. Open filmstrip template in photoshop.
2. Open a photo you wish to use in the template. Select all and copy
3. On template, use the rectangle tool to select the window you want to use.
4. Under edit-go to paste-paste into. You might have to use free transform to adjust the size to show in the window if you didn't crop them smaller.
5. Repeat for the other windows in the template.
6.Flatten and save as a jpg.

You can find a more detailed tutorial at flyingsamphoto.com

This is great to do with outtakes or those silly faces shots. :D

Kings Gardens

2010-12-01T11:20:00.001-05:00

We had snowflakes here in the Bluegrass this morning, so I thought everyone could use a little shot of warmth and color. I took these on a trip to King's Gardens Garden Center. We stop by every year to see the giant inflatable pumpkin and to check out the Fall displays. They have a huge selection of gourds. I am always amazed at all of the unlimited shapes and colors Mother Nature provides.

I love this shape. They had some painted with little aprons and faces. The kids loved them.

Fall Scenes

2010-10-01T11:10:00.004-04:00

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."
Carol Bishop Hipps

The Greatest Show on Earth

2010-08-30T09:03:00.001-04:00

Some friends had tickets to the circus they were unable to use and offered them to us. It was interesting since I am still getting used to the new camera. The rules prohibited lenses greater than three inches, although many people managed to bring them in. I wish I had my 50-200, but I made do with what I had with me. A few things I have immediately noticed about the K20 over the K100-better performance in low light. I can really crank up the ISO. This will take some time to get used to and experiment with. Then there is the beauty of going from 6mp to 14.6 mp. The detail is amazing and makes cropped shots look so much nicer. The only drawback I am finding so far is the complexity of the shooting modes and customization menu. I have yet to figure them all out and to get comfortable finding the right settings for my needs. I am sure in the future I will love having so many options, but right now I find them a bit overwhelming.

Ladies and gentlemen..."Zing, Zang, Zoom!"

Elephant Brunch

2010-08-28T18:11:00.000-04:00

I took Miss N to the Elephant Brunch at a local park. The circus is in town and they always do an elephant walk down Main Street. This year Kroger donated all of the fruits and veggies for the elephants. Five amazing African elephants dined on lettuce, apples, bananas and watermelon just feet from where we were standing. Some circus clowns entertained the crowd while a trainer took questions from the kids. We really enjoyed the beautiful day and picnicking with the pachyderms.

Macro Monday

2010-08-16T12:47:00.000-04:00

This one's for Dayna. =) A young spicebush swallowtail caterpillar.

Getting to know the new K20D

2010-08-16T11:55:00.002-04:00

Took the new K20D for its inaugural trip around the UK Arboretum. :D I wasn't so much focused on comps. as I was on learning where all the buttons/bells and whistles are. I also got a feel for the different camera settings and operation modes. There will be a learning curve for sure, but I am really happy with this camera so far.

That one was a happy accident. ;)

Spicebush Swallowtail

2010-07-22T11:03:00.003-04:00

According to University of Kentucky Entomology, the spicebush swallowtail is one of the most common woodland butterflies seen in Kentucky. The caterpillar usually feeds on spicebush and sassafras. This is our first try at raising spicebush butterflies. So far we have had great success with the monarchs and black swallowtails. This is also our first experience raising one from the egg.

The caterpillar finally emerged yesterday. He is very tiny.

Hard to believe that in such a short time, he will become this big guy:

Yesterday this one turned an orange-yellow color and was hanging in his harness. When we checked on him this morning, he was in the chrysalis.

In about 10-14 days we should have a beautiful spicebush swallowtail butterfly.

"How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."

DIY Camera Bag

2010-07-21T12:34:00.003-04:00

Inspired by some recent posts over at 2Peas and needing a new camera bag, I decided to look around the lunch bag section. Lunch bags are insulated so there is often extra padding, many are made of durable water-resistant fabrics and they come in a variety of sizes and styles.

I usually have my 18-55mm and 50-200mm in my Crumpler 4 mil when I go out shooting. I have a large Targus bag I keep at home with the rest of my gear in it. I recently got the 100mm macro lens and decided it is a must have in my "walk around" bag but there wasn't room. I looked at the Crumpler 5mil and then I saw some of the 2peas posts. I looked several places and finally found a perfect little bag in the lunch bag /kitchen section at Meijer.

The bag is a nice heavy canvas similar to my Crumpler fabric. It is somewhat padded since it is insulated, but I had some dividers from an old camera bag that slipped right in for added protection on the bottom and sides. It has two long pockets on the sides perfect for two of my lenses and a small pocket on the front for batteries, memory cards, etc. Best of all it was only $9.99! They had much cuter fabrics in other bags, but this one had the pockets and stability I was looking for. Most of them were just one open compartment. I even got a free metal water bottle on a clip. :smile:

So here is the bag:

Inside view loaded with my Pentax K100D with 100mm 2.8 macro attached and hood. Side pockets are holding my 50-200mm and 18-55mm lenses. Front pocket has memory cards, lens wipes and some batteries.

The bag comes in other colors, but they only had the one I bought and a bright red at Meijer when I went.

It is called the Subzero Fashion Tote Lunch Kit Model # LK8442

Growing Native

2010-07-17T11:49:00.004-04:00

The largest butterfly I have seen in person was a giant swallowtail in the woods down at Lake Cumberland. This male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was even bigger and more beautiful. He was friendly and seemed unconcerned with me hovering around. He even let me touch him a few times.

I recently went to a seminar on the importance of native plants in the landscape and attracting butterflies and other wildlife to your garden. I have never really thought much about native plants. From Growing Natives:

"Native vegetation evolved to live with the local climate, soil types, and animals. This long process brings us several gardening advantages.

Save Water:
Once established, many native plants need minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall.
Low Maintenance:
Low maintenance landscaping methods are a natural fit with native plants that are already adapted to the local environment. Look forward to using less water, little to no fertilizer, little to no pesticides, less pruning, and less of your time.
Pesticide Freedom:
Native plants have developed their own defenses against many pests and diseases. Since most pesticides kill indiscriminately, beneficial insects become secondary targets in the fight against pests. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use lets natural pest control take over and keeps garden toxins out of our creeks and watersheds.
Wildlife Viewing:
Native plants, birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and interesting critters are “made for each other.” Research shows that native wildlife prefers native plants.
Support Local Ecology:
As development replaces natural habitats, planting gardens, parks, and roadsides with natives can provide a “bridge” to nearby remaining wildlands."

There is a native plant database you can search to find plants for your area. You can also search by light requirements, soil type, etc. Luckily for me, my new house had very few flowers. I had an empty slate to do whatever I wanted. Not only am I thinking about native plants more, but I am choosing them specifically over other varieties whenever possible. I am also planting more host plants for butterflies.

Many people are also unaware how important host plants are to attracting butterflies to your garden. Some caterpillars only feed on one or two host plants. If we do not grow them in our gardens, the butterflies have nowhere to lay eggs for the caterpillars. No eggs=no butterflies. Here is a nice article from Rose Franklin on why we don't see as many butterflies hovering around as we did years ago.

You can find lists of butterfly host plants on places like The Butterfly Website. It is nice to plant the nectar plants and have butterflies passing through. If you want them to stick around for years to come, you might want to think about adding host plants to your garden.

Macro Monday

2010-07-12T13:43:00.001-04:00

A Black Swallowtail butterfly just minutes after emerging from the chrysalis this morning. This one was reared from an egg my neighbor found.

Beauty and the Beast. =) Here is a locust shell I found on a tree in my yard.

Peepers

2010-07-07T09:40:00.007-04:00

As I mentioned, we went out to Waveland to do some portraits. As we walked up the front steps, we noticed something on the ground. We first thought it was a dead mouse, but it moved as we approached. It was a baby bird. It was shivering even though it was in the hot sun on concrete. It looked pathetic. We weren't sure what to do. We looked around and couldn't find a nest but did see a large ledge above the door. We figured he had fallen from there. We have watched baby bluejays and cardinals in our yard in the past. Compared to them, he looked too small to be a fledgeling and didn't even have all of his feathers yet. Since he wasn't really moving, we thought he was probably injured. We decided we couldn't leave him there on the hot concrete to die.

We searched our van for something to put him in. We found a ball cap and an undershirt. We gently used a plastic bag to scoop him into the cap. We took him into the shade and went a distance away out of sight to see if a parent returned to care for him. After nearly two hours and no parent in sight, we decided he must have been abandoned. We left and went straight to a local pet store that is good with birds. They told us a bird rehab. specialist would be in in about an hour but they thought he was probably too tiny for much to be done for him. Most birds that are hand-raised do not survive I was told. With the kids getting hot, hungry and tired, I decided to just take the poor thing home and see what we could find on the internet. Before I did, I stopped off at one more pet store near my house. A girl there helps feed baby birds for a rehab. specialist. She said the rehab. person was overwhelmed with the number of birds she was currently caring for and was not taking on new "patients." She told me to feed the bird a mixture of soggy cat or dog food blended with a little applesauce, but to be very careful since it is easy for birds to aspirate.

While all this was happening, the bird began chirping loudly, opening his beak wide and hopping around a little in the cap. We were shocked at the turnaround. The best we could figure is that in those couple of hours, the warmth of the shirt and cap had stabilized his body temperature. When he was on the hot concrete, he had to be frying, but he was shivering uncontrollably like he was cold. I guess he was like a newborn baby and had little way of controlling his body temperature. All we knew was that this little guy was hungry! He started getting very animated. It was pretty cute watching the kids' reaction to him.

We got inside the house. My daughter prepared a shoebox for him and started making him some food. Once it was the right consistency, we put it in a medicine syringe. As soon as we tapped it in front of the bird, he opened his mouth wide and gobbled it up. We repeated this until he lost interest. A few minutes later, he was calm and peaceful. He fell asleep and we placed some extra tissue over him to make sure he was nice and warm.

While he napped, I did more research online. Apparently it is actually against the law to keep a baby bird. You are supposed to contact a licensed rehab. specialist. I also discovered how long the road to rehab. would be for this little guy-feedings every 15-30 minutes from sun up to sun down for weeks. Oh boy! What was I getting myself into?

After a couple more feedings and careful observation, we noticed the baby bird did not seem to be injured at all like we had first thought. He was hopping a little and moving both wings some. We did more research, went through a couple more feedings and decided it was best to try and reunite him with his parents. We constructed a makeshift nest as instructed by several websites. We returned to where we had found the bird. By this time the kids had named him Peepers. ;D

Once again we looked around for a nest. My daughter noticed a dark area next to a shutter on the upper window. I used my zoom lens to get a closer look. Sure enough it was a nest directly above where we had found Peepers. We placed the new "nest" in a nearby window and hid quite a distance away in the garden area. We saw one bird approach the "nest", but quickly flew away. After about 20 minutes, we started hearing loud chirping. A mother answered with another chirp from a nearby tree. We discovered the chirping wasn't coming from Peepers, but from the nest high above. Peepers had a sibling still alive and well! We were thrilled because this meant his parents were probably nearby still tending to the other baby. What I didn't tell the kids in my research, was that sometimes mother birds will push a weaker bird out of the nest or will refuse to feed a baby she thinks does not have a good chance of survival. We will never know if he fell or was pushed, but he seemed feisty and unharmed once fed and warm.

A large percentage of hand-raised birds do not survive and if they do, they are not taught the necessary skills to survive on their own in the wild. I decided being reunited with his parents was the best shot Peepers had at survival. We watched and waited. When we had almost given up, we saw the mother return to feed the bird in the original nest. We were happy to see the birds were not abandoned at least. After careful consideration, we decided to leave him in his new nest and let Mother Nature do what she does best. We left a note in the new nest with Peepers that informed others that he had fallen from the nest high above and that his mother and sibling were nearby. We didn't want another well-meaning family to go through what we did if they found him. While we never actually saw the mother feed Peepers, she stayed nearby and was probably keeping an eye on us the whole time from what I had read. When we last saw him, he was warm and cozy and resting peacefully.

It was heartbreaking to just leave him there. My daughter took it the hardest, but I really think we gave him the best possible chance at survival with his mother and sibling. I had to fight the urge to go and check on him the next day. My husband was out of town and I feared walking up and the kids seeing something that would be devastating. They got so attached to that bird in such a short time. We don't know what type of internal injuries he might have had from the fall. We tried covering him the best we could and placed him up high enough to keep cats and other predators away, but a larger bird could have easily found him.

I really hope he survived. Although it was pretty stressful, it was a valuable lesson for the kids. I was so impressed with their empathy and so proud of how they lovingly cared for such a tiny creature.

Peepers in the ball cap for size comparison

The window Peepers fell from. It is much higher than it looks from this photo.

2010-07-01T13:42:00.001-04:00

I went out to Waveland to shoot some portraits. We ended up distracted by a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. That is a story I will share tomorrow. =) We ended up sitting around observing the bird and waiting for his parents to return for a couple of hours. In the meantime, I took out the macro lens and chased a few butterflies and dragonflies around the garden.

This is a Red-Spotted Purple. I feel like the same one is following me these days. ;)

Macro Monday-I've been mooned!

2010-06-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

Ok-so this is the backside of a beetle, but I thought it looked like a face.ha

These beetles have no shame. First mooning me and then getting a little summer lovin. =)

2010-06-27T09:59:00.002-04:00

Practicing with the new lens. This is a Red-Spotted Purple. I had never seen one when I was out shooting and then saw one at the Arboretum yesterday morning and one in my garden last evening. Not the greatest shot since he was only around for a second, but I was happy to add a new butterfly to my photo collection. =)

This American Snout has been hanging around my daylillies.

Pipevine Swallowtail

2010-06-26T10:15:00.004-04:00

I have a new baby! Ok-so it is really a 100mm 2.8 macro lens, but I am in love. We are still getting acquainted, but one shot and I was hooked. Thank you to the special angel who made this all possible. Your kindness means the world to me. I will be sure to pay it forward soon. ♥

My first shot was of my daughter because it was evening and I couldn't go outside and play. I was amazed at the sharpness and how natural it felt using it. I happened to have a Pipevine Swallowtail about ready to emerge from its chrysalis. I had been willing it to stay in until the lens arrived. Fortunately it obliged and I was thrilled to use my new lens to photograph it. So here are a few shots from my first day with my new "baby". ;) I also took a walk around my garden. I'll share some of those tomorrow.

Happy Birthday! The beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail shortly after it emerged. One of the most gorgeous butterflies I have ever seen in person. The blue is actually like a metallic and reflects a sheen when it hits the light. It was interesting to see the different ways the wings looked depending on how the light hit them because of the sheen.

Our sweet neighbor and fellow photographer Betty was kind enough to give us the caterpillar. She has a garden that features Kentucky native plants. She has many of the host plants for various types of caterpillars. We are very fortunate to have her nearby and to get a chance to witness this miracle again and again. I hope to add some of the host plants to my garden soon. Once the butterfly had a chance to dry its wings and prepare to fly, we returned to Betty's garden to release it. It flew up to a tree, but surprised us by returning for a visit on some nearby plants.

Shaker Village Hike

2010-06-22T10:22:00.004-04:00

We were hoping to go down River Road at Shaker Village to catch a glimpse of the Kentucky River Palisades. The road was closed and we decided on another one of their beautiful hiking trails instead. We really enjoyed the bird blind and rambling streams. It was scorching hot, but the views were worth it.

2010-06-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

A few random macros.

Baby Cardinals

2010-06-01T22:45:00.000-04:00

A family of Cardinals decided a bush in our yard was a nice place to call home. These little guys were less than 10 days old in this photo.

Custom Canvas Prints from Canvas on Demand

2010-05-13T13:36:00.002-04:00

I was recently contacted and given the opportunity to do a product review for a company called Canvas On Demand. They are able to take a photo you send them and turn it into beautiful canvas art. I chose the photo from yesterday's post of my daughter.

Canvas On Demand has many sizing and finishing options. I selected the PhotoRealistic option, but they also offer it in BrushStroke. Since my image was cropped in camera so close to the edge, I chose to have it gallery wrapped with a black border instead of stretching the image around the wooden frame. The Thick Gallery Wrap is substantial at 1 1/2". The ordering process is pretty straightforward. I did not encounter any difficulties placing my order.

Let me just say that I did receive my 16 x 20" canvas free of charge for promotional purposes, but it would have been worth every penny. It is stunning! The shipping materials were first rate. The canvas was thoroughly protected with corner supports, plastic wrapping and sturdy cardboard. In fact, I was getting anxious removing all the protective layers because I just wanted to see what it looked like. =) The canvas came packaged with all the necessary hanging hardware.

These photos do not do this canvas justice. It is just amazing in person. The quality of the canvas and printing is fantastic. Her hazel eyes just glow. I did lighten and sharpen my original photo a tad more than I normally would for a standard print. I am very pleased with the results.

If you want a real show-stopper and something that will last for generations to come, you can't go wrong with a canvas like this one. Canvas On Demand exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend their service to my friends and clients in the future. This one is staying with me and will become a treasured heirloom!

A Study In White

2010-04-16T10:46:00.001-04:00

With all of the gorgeous colors of Spring, it is easy to overlook the beauty of the white flowers blooming all around us. These were taken at Waveland State Historic Site. The second one is witch alder-one of my favorites. ;)

2010-04-14T10:38:00.003-04:00

Working the Angles

2010-04-13T15:35:00.001-04:00

Often when I am at the tulip garden, other photographers are also roaming around. I enjoy going on flickr and other photo sharing sites and seeing the garden through their eyes. I love seeing how we all work the angles to get some variety in our shots. I usually walk through a location first to see what catches my eye, then I will circle again several times as I shoot. I also try to vary my perspective by standing on higher ground or getting down low for a different view. Sometimes on a second pass, the lighting will have changed so dramatically that something new stands out at me. I linger around far longer than I should waiting for the light to get a certain way or a shadow to fall where I want it to. It is part of the fun and challenge for me. On glorious mornings like yesterday, who wants to rush it anyway?

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

2010-04-12T16:58:00.001-04:00

Spent the early morning walking around the tulip garden at The Lexington Cemetery.

I found some twin tulips last year and kept my eyes peeled for another set. I found a pair of fiery ones this morning. Not quite as delicate and feminine as last year's beautiful pink set.

Cherry Blossoms Adrift

2010-04-08T10:25:00.010-04:00

Cherry Blossoms Adrift

Pink petals passing
Scents above so high
Painted porcelain perfection
Blossoms caress the sky

Pastel hues falling
Slow fluttering grace
Pink petals passing
Lining streams in lace

Pink petals passing
Smoothest transit by
Soft essence floating
In most subtle lullaby

Inducing springtime slumber
Upon a satin shore
Sailing with the current
Pink petals pass before

Mary Fumento

Spring Glory

2010-04-06T08:53:00.000-04:00

"Cotton Candy Forest"

2010-04-05T00:21:00.002-04:00

This scene just never seems real. It is like some magical place out of Candy Land. The kids call it the Cotton Candy Forest. =)

Happy Easter everyone.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone,but in every leaf in springtime. ~Martin Luther

Cherry Blossom Lane

2010-04-03T19:06:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again. I patiently stalked The Lexington Cemetery waiting for the cherry trees to bloom. I don't remember ever seeing them so beautiful. I arrived just after the gates opened, and was very surprised to have the lane all to myself for almost an hour. That is a rare treat. My goal this year was to try to capture them in the early morning light. I was happy to get some nice light between the cloud cover. As soon as I arrived home the wind picked up and a light rain came down. Good thing I went when I did. Here is a little sneak peak. Happy Easter everyone!

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

2010-03-06T20:01:00.001-05:00

With sunshine and temperatures in the 50's today, we decided to do a little hiking at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. The hike was about 2 miles or so but it felt so much longer with all the twists and turns. We took the Red Trail first to the Kentucky River Overlook. It was a beautiful hike and we were rewarded with this gorgeous view:

I think that kayaker had the best view of all! We took a little easier path back to the Nature Center along the Blue and Green Trails. This leads through the meadow area. It is so peaceful and reminded me of something straight out of Little House on the Prairie in places. =)

Before and After

2010-02-25T08:56:00.006-05:00

Once all the snow melted away, we had a day in the 60's last week. You couldn't help but turn your thoughts toward Spring. This morning I awoke to another coating of the white stuff and another snow day for the kids. Luckily I have my pictures from last year to keep me going. The Spring transformation thankfully doesn't stop with the landscape. It is also a total makeover for my state of mind.

Now:

Ahhhhhh....And in a few short weeks:

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

~Mark Twain

Winter Guests

2010-02-19T10:54:00.002-05:00

A few Cemetery residents have decided to stick around and enjoy the balmy weather. =)

This Northern Mockingbird dove at me and nipped my coat!

I wonder if it is a mama protecting a nearby nest?

Snowmageddon 2010

2010-02-17T11:58:00.003-05:00

Some shots from around my yard yesterday.

My Etsy shop was featured

2010-02-17T09:58:00.002-05:00

I just found out my Etsy shop was featured on the popular Krafty Max Originals blog for the Trusted Thursdays feature. You can visit the blog and find the mention here:

http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2010/01/trusted-thursdays_28.html

Be sure to browse around a little. Krafty Max has some unique and beautiful items and also features handmade goods from many wonderful Etsy artists.

Thank you so much Krafty Max for featuring my prints!

Wake me when it's Spring

2010-02-16T09:30:00.004-05:00

Haven't been out to shoot much since the snowmageddon. It is hard with the kids out of school to get much done with 7 of them around. Our court and the surrounding streets are just awful. We have been watching people fishtail, doughnut and slide through the stop sign for two days. Free entertainment for the kids. =) I would love to venture out and shoot for awhile, but I am not familiar enough with the new neighborhood to know good places to go on foot. I had a big creek and wooded area near my old house so I guess I was a little spoiled.

Here are a few from the Lexington Cemetery. This was the remainder of last week's snow before the "big snow" fell.

I blew the exposure on these guys, but I liked it anyway.

I don't know what these trees are, but I love the formations that just grow up out of the water.

Since it is here...

2010-02-15T10:18:00.008-05:00

might as well get a few photos. =) We have 4-6 inches of snow predicted by tomorrow. We definitely have several inches out there now in my back yard. I ran out early this morning to get a few shots of our new house and neighborhood all decked out in the snow. I love seeing it before too many footprints and tire tracks have spoiled the serenity.

And a touch of Orton for old time's sake. Never tried it on snow before. =)

Textures by Shadowhouse Creations

Lexington National Cemetery

2010-02-15T08:30:00.011-05:00

"These heroes are dead. They died for liberty - they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars - they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. "

~Robert G. Ingersoll

I have been to the Veterans Memorial many times, but I have rarely been in the winter. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I thought the snow gave it a more solemn feel and really brought out the precise placement of the headstones.

Cherry Trees-Winter Edition

2010-02-14T13:22:00.011-05:00

I had an hour to kill after dropping my daughter off at her Strings class so I stopped in the Lexington Cemetery. I took a drive down "Cherry Tree Lane" and it is hard to believe the transformation they will make in a month or so. This is how the trees looked yesterday:

and at the end of March:

This photo just doesn't do them justice. I took this after they had peaked on a bright afternoon. This was the closest I had handy to the same composition.

Just Saying Hello

2010-01-31T11:31:00.001-05:00

Taking a little unexpected break. I had what I am sure was pneumonia for a couple of weeks and now six of us have gone through a wicked stomach virus., two ended up with Strep and one ended up in the ER. Crazy start to the new year. I hope everyone is staying well. I can't wait for Spring!

Since I haven't been able to take anything new, here are a couple of shots from last year's ice storm that didn't make the cut for the blog:

And one that did...

Getting Closer

2010-01-19T13:48:00.009-05:00

My hawk friend is starting to get a little more tolerant of me after several encounters over the past week or so. Seems he finally got the crows off his back and I went outside this morning to find two bluejays giving him a hard time. This guy swooped down and nipped at his wings. That is one brave bluejay! The hawk is looking at him like, "Seriously?!"

I am using my 50-200mm lens and so far he hasn't been close enough to get a really good shot, but I'm sure I'll get him soon now that I am getting familiar with his feeding times and patterns. =) Looks like this guy is some type of buteo. Probably a young red-tailed hawk.

Sunshine For The Soul

2010-01-13T11:51:00.004-05:00

I thought we could all use a little sunshine. I pulled these from a folder taken a couple of summers ago. I guess they never made the first cut. =) I can't wait to see color like this again!

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful;

they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."

~Luther Burbank

Ice Ice Baby

2010-01-10T22:00:00.002-05:00

Bird Season

2010-01-10T18:09:00.004-05:00

Winter is the perfect time to chase the birds with my camera. They can't hide behind the leaves and they are all too eager to get to the feeders. I also love it in early spring when the buds have emerged. It makes a beautiful backdrop for bird photos.

I have been chasing this little woodpecker for a couple of days now. I finally got a shot of him, but I will keep trying for a better one.

You might remember how much I loved the hawks that visited my old house. I had one crazy Coop who would let me practically walk up to him. I was so excited the day we were over here cleaning and getting ready to move in the new house. I saw a hawk in the back tree. He is around frequently, but unfortunately I rarely get close to him because he is harrassed and run off by the giant crows. They dive at him and nip at his wings. While I was chasing the bluejays today, I heard a racket and looked up to see this overhead:

Not So Blue Moon

2010-01-03T11:34:00.004-05:00

We had too much cloud cover to get the moon on New Year's Eve, so here is my "day late and a dollar short" moon as viewed over central Kentucky.

Taken with my Pentax K100D

2x manual teleconverter, 50-200mm lens

f5.6, 1/125, ISO 400, hand-held

Snowflakes

2010-01-02T18:18:00.002-05:00

This was so fun last year that I had to give it a try this morning when I saw some gently falling snowflakes. Here is a compilation of some of them:

If you want to give this a try, just put down a dark colored fabric and shoot away. I didn't even use a macro lens or filter this morning, just my 18-55mm kit lens. I used my point & shoot last year and my focus was a little better, but you don't need any fancy equipment to give this a try. You will get more detail with a macro lens or by putting your p&s in macro mode.

Top 9 of '09

2009-12-24T14:54:00.005-05:00

Every year over at 2Peas we do a top 5 of our favorite images of the year. It is always difficult narrowing it down to 5 so this year I was thrilled when we made it 9 for '09!

So here are my favorites from this past year, in no particular order. These do not have to be your technically best images, just your favorites for whatever reason.

#1-I had a good time pulling out the point and shoot to get a few macro snowflakes.

#2-The birth of my nephew gave me lots of opportunities to get in some newborn practice.

#3-I actually really liked a different view of this little waterfall, but I'm going to include this one as a favorite because it was published in our local paper. Getting published is always so exciting!

#4-Ring-tailed Lemurs at the Louisville Zoo.

#5- Twin tulips. I have never seen tulips joined together like these two. I thought they looked so beautiful and romantic.

#6- More tulips from The Lexington Cemetery. I loved this one for the way the tulips just glowed in the sunlight. I spend hours down there in the Spring and looking back over these photos, I remember why!!

#7- I'm going to cheat a little on this one and post a slideshow. We spent days watching the monarch caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies.

#8-Bubble landscapes because they are just too fun!

and #9- This one was one of my most viewed Fall images. I hope to shoot this spot again next year, only not in the mid-day sun. =)

I guess that is 9. I hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I did taking them this past year.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T10:04:00.004-05:00

From our house to yours...

“May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, the warmth of Christmas grant you love.”

Christmas Cactus Blossom

2009-12-18T20:26:00.011-05:00

My kids brought home a Christmas cactus from a Boy Scout event and we got our first bloom yesterday. I almost waited until later to snap a picture to share. I'm glad I didn't because it had wilted down quite a bit by later in the evening. I can't wait for the rest of the buds to bloom.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

Kaleidoscope Christmas

2009-12-14T10:55:00.004-05:00

Last year I decided to try a bokeh shot of my Christmas tree. You basically just shoot wide open and throw your shot out of focus (you'll have to take it off auto focus) until you get the look you like.

Here is my image from last year of our Christmas tree. I think I probably used a 28mm 2.8 lens.

This year I decided to try a homemade shape filter. My paper punches are packed away so I had to freehand my tree. Here are some instructions for making the filter: DIY bokeh filter

I was browsing different bokeh images on flickr and came across this one using a tree shape and it inspired me to give it a try last night: stephendl photostream

Here is the result with the tree filter on and shooting the lights on my Christmas tree:

I tried another tree shape:

The more you throw the focus out, the bigger and closer together the shapes become.

Moon Halo

2009-12-06T12:20:00.005-05:00

The moon has been so big and beautiful the past few nights and mornings, too. Thursday night I looked out and noticed a white ring around the moon. It is attributed to refraction in high altitude ice crystals.

Arboretum Cottontails

2009-11-29T21:53:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am very thankful for all of my internet friends. Thank you so much for all of your support and encouragement during my first year of my photo blog. =)

Here are a couple more Arboretum residents I chased around after the birds had enough of my intruding on their bath time.

Bathing Beauties

2009-11-25T10:06:00.011-05:00

My son Jake had his Confirmation this weekend. We had friends up from Tennessee. Aren't old friends the best? It was nice just hanging out and spending time with them.

Here are a couple feathered friends. I love watching the birds play around the pond at the UK Arboretum. There were a couple of cardinals, some sparrows and a very curious mockingbird on this day I visited. =)

Peaceful Pasture

2009-11-20T10:31:00.005-05:00

Between trying to get the new computer all set up and lots of painting and home improvements, it has been a very busy week. And did I mention I have 6 kids and an extra precocious almost 11 month old nephew running around? Whew. =) No time to find my way around CS3 so I know these look a little off without my usual processing, but here are a couple of friendly Kentucky residents I stumbled across on one of my drives.

I totally blew the exposure on this guy, but I love the peaceful scenery.

The Noble And The Brave

2009-11-12T09:43:00.020-05:00

I finally broke down and bought a new computer. I have spent a couple of days getting to know my new friend and getting everything transferred. Elements is not up and running, but I was finally able to install CS3 again. Boy that will take some getting used to! In the meantime, here is one I wanted to post yesterday from a recent trip to The Lexington Cemetery. I made adjustments using Adobe Camera RAW (a first for me) and added the watermark in CS3. Hopefully this looks ok to you because I also have a new monitor and everything looks so much brighter and sharper. I think I'm going to have to do something to get it calibrated properly so forgive me if something looks wonky while I adjust to my new toys. =)

The Noble and the Brave:

A Veteran's Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,

These brave ones raised a hand;

No hesitation held them back;

They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;

They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.We salute every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.By Joanna Fuchs From other visits:

And one from the Eastern Tennessee Veteran's Memorial in Knoxville:

God bless all of our veterans and those currently serving and their families.
Thank you for your sacrifice.

Frosty Morning

2009-11-06T12:49:00.001-05:00

We had a hard frost this morning. I ran out to get a few shots of some leaves from the yard just as their icy blanket was beginning to melt off. I can't do any real macros right now since my arm is still weak and I have trouble getting crisp focus. Luckily the fall landscapes have been keeping me occupied. ;)

Majestic Borders

2009-11-05T10:54:00.004-05:00

Nothing says Kentucky like the classic rows of wooden fencing framing many of the local horse farms. Sometimes it is white and elegant like that of Calumet farm, but often it is black plank fencing gracefully winding its way around the rolling hills. I didn't set out to get images of the beautiful fencing. I should probably make a drive of that in itself one afternoon. I noticed looking through a batch of recent images, that I often sneak bits and pieces of the fencing into my shots. Here are a couple more:

Kentucky's Scenic Byways

2009-11-04T09:55:00.008-05:00

I promised the little ones we would go for another country drive yesterday and the weather cooperated. We started out down one of Kentucky's designated scenic byways and it didn't disappoint this time of year. We got lost once or twice, but somehow were able to make it home. I refer to these as my "Snap and Dash" trips. The horse owners are not generally very happy about anyone stopping near their horses. I have been shooed off a couple of times. The shoulder is also not the safest place to stop on some of these tiny back roads. I usually jump out, shoot a couple of quick shots (usually over and through fences) and quickly jump back in the van and make my getaway before anyone notices. =)

Halloween Treat

2009-11-01T19:49:00.013-05:00

Trick-or-treating usually begins as it is getting dark and runs from 6-8pm in our city. This year the time was changed to accommodate the UK football game and an additional hour was added beginning at 5pm. This worked out great for the little ones. They tired out just as the sun was beginning to set.

I mentioned how beautiful sunrises are here in central Kentucky in November and the winter months. Well the sunsets can be even more spectacular. I know we were a day short of November, but this sunset was one of the most amazing I have seen in a long time. At the far end of our street, I noticed a warm, hazy glow starting to fall around us as we walked.

As we turned toward home, the clouds were starting to glow. They were very low in the sky and the cloud formations were incredible. By the time we got back to our end of the street, the sky was almost other-worldly.

Flickr friend and fellow photographer Rebecca Higgins also captured some fantastic images of the Halloween sunset. I am always inspired by her work!

What a Halloween treat!

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T16:46:00.003-05:00

Four of the older kids spent Halloween hanging out and trick-or-treating with friends so we only had the youngest two with us this year. I added it up and I have put together more than 60 costumes over the past 13 Halloweens! I was sort of happy three of the kids decided to skip the costumes this year. I played with a few of the pictures for the kids. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Lady N was supposed to be a kitty cat, but changed her mind at the last minute and decided to be a witch like her big sister because she wanted to "scare people." I think she was way too cute to scare anyone. =)

Glorious Greeting

2009-10-30T12:10:00.002-04:00

I have captured some of my best sunrises and sunsets here in central Kentucky during the winter months. November seems to be particularly beautiful. If the gorgeous colors we have had the past couple of days are any indication, this November will not be an exception. I saw the sky after the kids left for school and had to grab my camera. My neighbors must think I am crazy out there shooting away in my jammies. =)

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leave you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing, and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."
- Max Lucado

Kentucky Splendor

2009-10-29T08:29:00.007-04:00

I mentioned I went back to the Valley View Ferry to try and recapture what I missed with the forgotten memory card. Here is a shot I was able to get this time around:

This fiery red caught my eye driving past Central Baptist Hospital. It is on the edge of their parking lot. I believe it is UK housing. Just goes to show you can find beauty anywhere.

I used to work as a counselor at a summer camp when I was in college. Camp Woodmen is just before the river so I stopped by on my way to the ferry. This is the view from the driveway looking back toward the river.

Kentucky farms have some of the most beautiful entrances with their stately gates and tree-lined drives. This one is particularly gorgeous in the Fall.

Autumn Glory

2009-10-27T11:14:00.003-04:00

Looks like I did a terrible job of resizing and sharpening these for the web. I'll get the hang of this new format eventually. =)

Peaceful, Easy Feeling

2009-10-26T08:51:00.011-04:00

With temperatures in the 60's, clear blue skies and Fall color everywhere you turned, I had to get out and do a little shooting. We stopped in at The Lexington Cemetery first. Apparently every photographer in the county had the same idea. =) It was packed with people shooting and just enjoying the gorgeous weather. My favorite tree at the foot of Henry Clay was just beginning to turn, but this one was hard to miss with that fiery color:

I'll share more from there this week, but next we headed back to the Valley View Ferry. I managed to get the shots I had wanted when I forgot my memory card and got the added bonus of seeing the hillside all dressed up for Fall.

After spending some time with a few friendly ducks and one wayward rooster, we reluctantly headed for home. On the way back, we couldn't resist a few stops. We met this beautiful Kentucky native:

And this driveway took our breath away. It was stunning. I wish I could have waited around for the sun to get lower in the sky. I bet it just glowed.

I couldn't have asked for a better day spent appreciating the natural beauty around me and hanging out with the little ones.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." ~Anne Frank

My Old Kentucky Home

2009-10-21T11:28:00.003-04:00

I feel so blessed to live in Kentucky where I can take a short drive and see beautiful scenes like this one.

"The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb"

In Search of Color

2009-10-20T16:47:00.005-04:00

It was so beautiful here in central Kentucky today. A little sunshine brought temperatures in the 60's. I decided to go in search of a little Fall color. The leaves weren't quite there yet, but I managed to find a few patches of color.

Kings' Gardens

2009-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

We finally had a break in the weather so I took my youngest out to King's Gardens to see the giant pumpkin. They had such a variety of gourds, squash and pumpkins. I loved all of the colors and textures. We also ended up buying a bunch of plants thanks to their clearance section. I can't wait to see my new rhododendron and hydrangea bushes in the spring.

Curious Sightings Along Interstate 75

2009-10-13T11:06:00.000-04:00

On our trip to Knoxville to celebrate a friend's birthday, we noticed some curious road signs along Interstate 75.

Apparently Christmas is so big in the South that you can get that Christmas spirit all year long at places like the Christmas Inn and numerous Outlet Malls along the way.

I have no idea what this dragon is helping to sell, but he caught the attention of the kids. Nothing says patriotism like a giant dragon.

One stop shopping here. What's not to love about a place where you can pick up some pottery and get a little propane while you're at it!

Fireworks and fudge. A natural combination. And don't forget to check out the World's Longest Truck while you're there. =)

And my personal favorite:

Adult World! Don't know what exactly goes on at adult world, but it sure looks like a really classy place. =)

And immediately following Adult World to keep things balanced out:

Kentucky Backroads

2009-10-12T12:33:00.005-04:00

I have been in such a photography slump lately. I just can't get motivated to go out and shoot. I'm hoping the fall colors will help me get my mojo back. I am so picky about my photos. I take hundreds and only share a handful. Here are a couple that didn't make the cut from last Fall for various reasons. I thought I would play with them and add a touch of Ren's "Glow" for a slight Orton feel. These were taken out near Military Pike I believe.

Photoshop Friday

2009-10-09T10:17:00.002-04:00

I haven't done a Photoshop Friday post in forever and what better time than with all of the fun Halloween costumes around? Here is a composite photo of my nephew. Isn't he the cutest little lion ever? =)

New Look

2009-10-07T13:31:00.010-04:00

I am working on installing a new blog template. Please be patient if links and items are not working properly. Hopefully I will have it all up and running smoothly soon. I am really excited about the new layout. Not only will links be featured across the top, but the extra space will allow for larger photos! =)

Valley View Ferry

2009-10-05T10:13:00.021-04:00

After a week of sickness and being cooped up inside, yesterday seemed like the perfect day to go for a country drive to check on the Fall color. I thought I would take the kids down by the Kentucky River and make a stop at the Valley View Ferry.

After the long and winding drive and a short stop at the summer camp I used to work at in college, we arrived at the river's edge. I started snapping some shots and it was gorgeous. The sun was shining and the sky was a perfect blue with low, puffy white clouds. Some of the trees showed a hint of red. I noticed a red flashing icon in the corner of my camera. I had never seen it before and ignored it and kept right on shooting away. I was feeling it, too. I knew the shots were going to come out great. Until... I decided to check my histogram to make sure I wasn't blowing out the sky and was upset to find that I had left my memory card at home in my card reader. I just recently started using a card reader and that is a mistake I won't be making again!

Luckily my 8 year old daughter brought her $40 point and shoot with her and was able to capture a couple of images of the ferry. I converted them for her and added a touch of "Glow". I am bummed about not getting my shots, but we had a beautiful drive and nice time watching the ferry taking its passengers back and forth across the river.

Here is some information about the historic Valley View Ferry.