28 August 2009 Photo(s): Alternate Universe

Bill thinks the first one looks like a star field. I just like playing with fire!

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.

26 August 2009 Photo: Fly Away Home

If you have ever read the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, you will understand why this photo reminds me of that story. It is one of my favorite stories about finding greater meaning in life. If you have not read it, check it out.

25 August 2009 Photo: Le Petit Moo

My Mini Moo Cards arrived and they are super cute. I took a selecion of my photos and put them on the moo cards with my info on the back because everyone keeps telling me I should think about doing photography on the side. So I figure this is a relatively inexpensive way to do it and see if I have any takers. If you want your own Moo Cards, check out there website here: http://us.moo.com/en/ They are great quality and you can get, mini cards, regular business cards, post cards and other things. They were started in England but the US store is based in RI - what could be better than that!

24 August 2009 Photo: Bendy Wendy House

Travel season is about to start and I am feeling like Wendy in Wonderland. I am about to slip down the rabbit hole to Road Warrior World. I will be sure to keep my eye out for the March Hare, the Mad Hatter and of course the Chesire Cat grinning at me as I make my way to the Study Abroad Tea Parties. Gotta go...I'm late...I'm late for a very important date!

23 August 2009 Photo: Blowing In The Wind

Wind chimes hang all over our yard much to Bill's dismay. It is not that he doesn't like them, it is just sometimes when it is very windy, they will wake him up. I love them in all sizes, sounds and designs! Here is the website of an amazing windchime artist: http://www.coastchimes.com/index.html

22 August 2009 Photo: To Infinity And Beyond

One of members in the Syracuse Photographers Association took a picture like this a few weeks ago and I really liked the image. When I was at the farmers' market this morning, I remembered it and took a few of my own. It was nice because I was there early enough that there were not very many people around. I love the infinite feeling of the lines. So thanks to Chris for scouting out an interesting photo op!

21 August 2009 Photo: Distorted Memories

So I today I found out that one of my photos had been accepted and won (something) for the NY State Fair. I am just thrilled. I don't know yet what it has won as it could be anything from honorable mention to first place. Whatever it is, I am so excited as there are many people that enter the fair contest. I remember the only other photography contest that I entered was in high school at our local library and I got an honorable mention for a photo titled Beach Fronds. It is ironic because the picture that was chosen and won for this contest is also taken at a beach. I guess the beach is truly a magical place for me both in reality and in photographs.

The photo chosen is actually a former "photo of the day" from back in January - it is the second picture here: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/01/27-january-2009-photos-serinity-by-sea.html It has been this blog that has really gotten me back into photography and has pushed me to really think about how I can make this hobby a more integral part of my life again. It also led me to joining the Syracuse Photography Association which is filled with amazingly talented people who share great feedback and advice.

So if you are in the area of central NY, come to the fair and check out the photo exhibit!

20 August 2009 Photo: Lazy Lady

Here is a ladybug haiku:

Little ladybug
taking a nap on the leaf
wind comes, she flies off

19 August 2009 Photo: Bless This Garden

The garden has been overrun by weeds. Maybe we if pray, they will stop growing. Probably not but Bill put this Celtic cross in the garden before the weeds came. Perhaps the clover is growing more because of the cross. I guess I just have to go out there and pull them!

18 August 2009 Photo: The Last Of The Lilies

Between this extended heat and the end of their season...my daylilies are just about spent. Here is one last one before they succumb to their end of days.

17 August 2009 Photo(s): Katy Or Charlie

So those of you who check out the blog regularly may recall when I was "Chasing Charlie" a couple weeks ago. I thought that Charlie was a grasshopper but I think I am guilty of mis-labeling this insect. After stalking these bright green creatures all summer (http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/search/label/grasshopper) I finally did a litte research because this latest one was making this strange clicking sound (singing) when Bill found it. Apparently it is related to the grasshopper so I wasn't completely wrong, but it is a katydid.

Anyway, Katy became my model and found herself on assignment in our yard. So do you think this is the same katydid whose picture I first took in early July and late July? I think I see the same sparkle in her/his eye. :)

To find out more about the katydid, check this out http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/true_katydid.htm.

Oh and the coolest thing...there are bright pink katydids. They look like flamingodids. http://scienceblogs.com/zooillogix/2009/02/rare_pink_katydids.php. I hope I find one of those someday!

16 August 2009 Photo(s): Fields Of Gold

I went to the sunflower fields in Camillus again this year. I went several times last year when they had the sunflower maze. This year, since there has been so much rain and less sun, the flowers did not get as tall so I think they decided just to have these amazing fields of gold. They were still gorgeous but not quite as tall as last year and no maze. But if you are looking for a cool place to see thousands of sunflowers, the Veterans Memorial Park in Camillus is the place to go. It is free to park and walk around and the flowers are at their peak right now.

15 August 2009 Photo(s): Photo Group Outing

Today I went on my first outing with the the Syracuse Photographers Association, a group I joined last month on www.meetup.com. It is a very active group of local photographers (some pros and some hobby photogs). The online connections were great but it was wonderful to meet people who are also obsessed with photography.

Today we went to the Seward House in Auburn, NY. It is a great museum of a house built in 1816 (just around the time our house was built). It is like stepping back in time to see the antique furniture and collections. You can check out more info here: http://www.sewardhouse.org/house/

The first 2 images are from the house and the last one is from an old abandoned factory I passed on the way home.