30 July 2010: Girl Power

So the sisters were back together again. My middle niece had been home with her parents because she had a softball tournament while the other two were here staying with us or their grandparents. I finally got the three of them together and have decided they were like the Spice Girls - Posh Spice, Sporty Spice and Baby Spice and if Angelee was still her she could have been Ginger Spice!

I also got to do some photos of "Sporty Spice" by herself. Did I mention my brother in law better be nervous as these girls enter their teen years and beyond! We also went to fashion show of the oldest's Fashion Design Camp she'd been attending all week. She made that pink polka dot dress!!! Beauty and talent in everone one of these girls!

3 October 2009 Photo(s): Perfect Fall Day

After a VERY long week on the road and being sick, I finally had a day free to spend with Bill. We went to the Farmers Market, went to see a fellow photo enthusiasts show at a local coffee shop and then we went wandering about the area near our house. The trees are still not in full peak but we found some great photos around the Jamesville Reservoir, Fiddlers Green Park and the side of the road (while trying not to get hit by passing cars). It was a wonderful afternoon with my wonderful husband!

27 August 2009 Photo: Fall Is Coming

The humidity is finally gone and the fall seems to have arrived - at least temporarily. I woke up this morning with a chill in the air and mist coming off the water. I am eager for the fall as it is my favorite time of the year but sad to see the long days of summer come to end.

10 August 2009 Photo: "Beach" Blanket Bingo

I have my niece for a couple of days and today we went to the "beach" since it was the hottest day of the summer. Beach is in quotations marks because as someone who grew up at the ocean, I still can't seem to buy that water and sand at a lake or reservoir is truly a beach. I mean really...where are the waves, seaweed, saltwater? There are seagulls but they are just looking for dumb people who leave food open on their blankets so they can steal it.

5 July 2009 Photo(s): Fear Of Flying

After I said goodbye to my weekend guests this morning, the water was calling me. It was the first perfect day in over a week. No clouds in the sky, no immediate items to check off the list so off I went for a morning paddle. Kayaking was amazing as always and allowed me to relax and re-energize.

My first greeting was from a seagull which always makes me think of the book Jonathon Livingston Seagull. In the book Jonathon explains his theory...

"The same rule holds for us now, of course: we choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing , and the next is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome"

Next I came upon some baby ducks but the mama would not let me get too close. As I was watching them, I saw a heron fly overhead and land. I also was not able to get too close to this majestic bird but captured the photo above.

I love to watch birds in flight and dream of being able to do the same. The closest I have ever come to that feeling was the hot air balloon rides I have taken. Maybe in my next life...

4 July 2009 Photo(s): Yankee Doodle Doggie

Happy Birthday America! My very patriotic puppy insisted on being the photo of the day and since she was singing Stars And Stripes Forever while posing in front of the flag, I had to accommodate.

Later in the night we walked across the street to our neighbors to see the Ring of Fire. This is a yearly tradition the lakefront homes do every Fourth of July using flares. The rockets red glare bursted in air while we were watching as well. All in all a good birthday celebration!

14 June 2009 Photo(s): Magical Moments

By 9AM this moring, I had a pretty magical day. Bill and I went across the street to our neighbors who live on the water to watch the 6am balloon launch. When we got down there, the water looked so inviting that I decided to take the kayak out to watch the balloons take off. I love kayaking and love hot air balloons so it was a perfect combination. I put my camera in a plastic bag and off I paddled. The rising sun with the rising balloons...it just couldn't get much better than that.

Afterward when we got home, Bill was taking Mona out and came across a baby woodpecker who was learning to fly. I had come across the same scene last year so I knew the baby would be ok so I ran to get the camera and take some photographs. As we were standing around, the bird started hopping toward my sister and she kept moving back to let the bird have space but it continued to follow her. I told her to stand still for a moment and the woodpecker hopped right on her foot and started climbing up her leg while saying, "Are you my mommy?" We were AMAZED and enjoyed this magical moment until I removed the baby and placed it in the tree out of harms way. All this followed by a lovely morning under the gazebo reading the Sunday paper...I just wish everyday could start off so perfect!