Thematic Photographic 64 --- Big!

The Thematic Photographic theme this week over at Written, Inc. is BIG! The interpretation of that is endless. I have photographed truly big things, big events, big moments, and big mistakes. Then there are the little things I photographed to look big, and the big things I made look small. But some of my favorite subjects are the big animals at the zoo.

This fellow here is one of my favorite giraffes in all the zoos I've visited. He resides at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Everything about him is big, from his big neck, big spots, big horns to those big brown eyes laced with big long eye lashes. I think he is also a big ham because he seemed ready to pose for all who approached. One thing is for sure, he brought big smiles to a lot of faces, big and small.

Join in the big fun and show us your BIG! Just jump over to Carmi's Written, Inc. for the rules and links to others' big photos.

Thanks for stopping by!

Barb

In God We Trust

It Takes Patience to Photograph a Turtle.....

.... but, surprisingly, they can get up quite a head of steam!

Behind our house is a half acre hill that is nothing but thick green grass. Usually I see crows, squirrels or the occasional rabbit out there. Yesterday morning, though, the crows were showing curiosity about a brown lump. At first I couldn't tell what the lump was, but was afraid it might have been a dead critter. The crows weren't picking at it and soon lost interest. I grabbed my camera and used the zoom as a spyglass and discovered this ambitious mud turtle.

This is quite a steep uphill climb, but by the time I set down my nice hot cup of coffee and went down the steps from the deck the little guy was nowhere to be seen. How far can a mud turtle go in just a couple of minutes?

Soon I spotted him near the chain link fence that keeps our dogs from running off and other critters from getting in. Even mud turtles.

I went outside the fence to get better photos and "phlup!", in went head, feet and tail for protection.

Turtles don't come with periscopes, so he had to peek out every now and then to see if I was still there. I was. Patiently waiting.

But like every self-serving photographer I needed better light, so I picked him up and moved him over into the sunlight. He became a little more curious about the lens moving back and forth, so I did get a couple of good macros.

Well, considering I was running around the yard in my jammies, bath robe and slippers, plus I have snoopy neighbors, on top of soaking my slippers in the morning dew, I went back inside the fence to let him go on his way. But he didn't go away. He was back at the fence trying to get in.

He would get his head and legs through, but, of course, not his shell. I couldn't hear it tap against the metal. Not being one to give up easily, he slowly moved over to the next opening and tried again.

Tenaciously, he tried four openings before giving up and sauntering away.

Head held high, he continued his journey.

By the time I went back up to the deck he was out of sight! My guess is he was scooting along the retaining wall toward the front yard.

This might not have been his first visit here. I found a mud turtle about the same size at my front door one day. So, maybe I'll see him again.

I'd Like to Thank the Judges......

Hey, everyone, if you haven't checked out Mike's blog Ozark Photos you are not only missing out on some spectacular photography, but also stunning views of our beloved Ozarks of SW Missouri.

Mike recently hosted a contest to take high noon photos. We all know that high noon can put some very stark lighting and sharp shadows on our photos, but what a challenge to get some shots that really work. I took him up on that challenge and showed some of these shots here. I sent Mike the photo above for the contest and found out this morning that I won first place!! What a great way to start the morning! There were many great photos submitted so be sure to check out Ozark Photos to see them.

Thanks, Mike, for the fun challenge.... what's next? Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and I hope your week is wonderful!

Barb

In God We Trust

Presenting the Newlyweds!

I just couldn't wait to show off my brother and new sis-in-law!! I have sent them some photos already so I just had to take one and blog it. Aren't they just radiant?

You would never believe what a fairy tale story they have had. Let's just say my brother endured a shocking event in his life, followed by an eye disease that was taking his sight. Then along came this beautiful angel who brought him back to life, so to speak, has been there through thick and thin, and has been his eyes while he has undergone several surgeries. The miracle that is not so obvious here is that on this day he could see his bride more clearly than ever --- and she is a beautiful woman, inside and out. The miracle she gave me: she gave me my brother back.

The wedding day was one of family, friends and good times. Not the usual stress of a wedding, and yet the most beautiful one I have ever seen. I still well up as I go through the photos I took one week ago today!

God bless you, Andy and Beth!

Thematic Photographic #63 -- Summer

It is time for the Thematic Photographic of the week. Carmi has chosen summer for this week's theme.

My camera has been very active this summer, but no more than last weekend. Last weekend was a very happy event in our family --- my brother's wedding. To commemorate how they met, the bride and groom preceded the evening wedding with an afternoon motorcycle ride through the back roads of Iowa. It was pretty much the same drive they took two years ago. I am certainly glad they met in August because this ride came at one of the prettiest times of year. Everything is so green and the corn is as "high as an elephant's eye". Great photo ops!

So my entry for Thematic Photographic was taken from our truck as we followed the bikers and 4-wheelers --- there was even a 3-wheeler --- through the beautiful Loess Hills of NW Iowa. Though the skies threatened rain we had just a few sprinkles, and cooler than normal temperatures for August. What a perfect day!

There is plenty of time to join in the Thematic Photographic. Just pop over to Written, Inc. for the rules and be sure to take a look at all the other entries. You'll be glad you did!

Where To Start With 700 Photos!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but what a blast! Everything has been leading up to my son's homecoming from the Middle East deployment and to my brother's wedding, complete with family reunion. I took over 700 digital photos! Yes! That's a lot of pixels! Many will hit the recycle bin, but most of them are great memories of a glorious event.

Tonight I am putting in pics of some of the kids near and dear to me.... I do have pics of all, but here's a sampling.

My son Scott with one of his favorite beverages.

My niece Alexis and one of the pics from a photo shoot I did for her.

Grandniece Sienna waving at the wedding guests.

Grandnephew Zander -- a kid and balloons: recipe for a perfect picture!

Grandnephew Dylan who was cutting teeth and not very cheerful, poor little guy.

Niece Kelsie taunting me with a DQ Blizzard!

The wedding included a motorcycle ride (4-wheels welcome, also) to commemorate how my brother and his bride met. With Carmi's Thematic Photographic starting with a summer theme tonight, you just might see some summer sights from the Iowa back roads.

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!

Barb

In God We Trust

Country Roads

It is hard to believe that we have lived here in the Ozarks for nearly two years. Arizona is a fond memory now as we love it here. Let me show you why.

Just a short half mile from our house is this part of the country road I drive from and to home all the time. The canopy of trees will soon be turning all shades of reds and yellows as fall approaches.

All of the photos in this post were taken at high noon in response to a challenge by Mike over at Ozarks Photos to capture images with the sun at its highest. The photo below is my favorite of the day!

Just a few steps away from the road are thick woods and ravines, spring-fed watering holes which often host deer and other wildlife, wild flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, and meadows. There is even a dilapidated milking shed that sits within feet of the road but because of the thick woods it is often not seen unless you know exactly where to look. So, with just occasional words of explanation, here is life on my country road:

Around a bend and up a hill, the canopy opens up to reveal the ridge on which we live. The view of neighboring ridges and ravines is spectacular any time of year.

Then in my own front yard are splashes of color around the front porch, bordering on a thick green lawn.

The best part is that all of this grows freely and without need for sprinklers or irrigation. There is enough rain and ground water to maintain this beauty.

Thank you for taking this jaunt down our country road. It is really gorgeous in person when you can smell the freshness of the trees, watch a bright red cardinal fly from tree to tree, hear the sounds of the woods, and take in the silence. To answer the question, "When a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound?" I don't know for sure --- I've never heard one.

The weekend is coming. I hope you have a great one. Find a place and take in the silence --- you'll be surprised what you hear.

Barb

In God We Trust