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Nightmare on Planet X-citable

My weekly photo group starts next week, and at the end of the year we were given the topic “Excitable” as a topic for the first day of the semester. There was some debate over what that meant- exciting? Something that made the viewer excited? Someone or something that was excitable in the image?  Who knew?

When we were at the Petrified Forest in June, I kept remarking that the landscape looked like that of another planet, and I immediately got the idea of creating some sort of fantasy composite using some photos I had taken in a novelty shop in Jerome. I got partway finished and abandoned the project, hoping for that special shot that I would take over the summer. That special shot never materialized.

So here we are on Planet X-citable, which will likely be my first image of the year- unless that special shot materializes over the weekend. . .

Posted by  |  August 17, 2018 | Categories: digital art | 1 Comment

Low Tide

We were lucky to have a great view from our little hotel in Homer. I especially was fascinated by the beach at low tide, which is displayed in this evening view of the Homer Spit with the mountains and glaciers in the background.

Posted by  |  August 16, 2018 | Categories: travel, landscape | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Lensbaby Lavender

Just having fun with the Velvet 56 and the lavender in the front porch pot. . .

Posted by  |  August 15, 2018 | Categories: flowers | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Summer Bouquet

another shot of just the flowers from last week’s still life

Posted by  |  August 14, 2018 | Categories: flowers | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Backyard Bad Boy

I have been home a lot for the last couple weeks and have enjoyed getting out in the yard to watch the hummingbirds. We’ve had more than usual, but the prettier ones (I won’t even attempt to name the species)tend to leave the yard when I go outside. The feeder at the kitchen window attracts several hummers who sometimes (but not often) will feed at the same time. Our larger feeder out on the patio has been dominated by one hummingbird who sits on TOP of the feeder for over an hour at a time, preferring to guard it rather than feed. I have known children with that same personality trait!

Posted by  |  August 13, 2018 | Categories: birds | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

Glacial

One of the highlights of our trip to Alaska was seeing glaciers. Many glaciers. And a few up close!

This was our third visit to Portage Lake since the kids moved to Alaska- but the first time we have taken the boat ride across the lake to see the glacier! While Caitlin and Lonnie were buying tickets, the boys and I walked down to the water’s edge, and I was able to take this shot featuring one of the large chunks of ice floating in the lake.

Posted by  |  August 9, 2018 | Categories: black and white, landscape, travel | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

White on White on White

A little multiple exposure fun with my Lensbaby Velvet 56

Posted by  |  August 8, 2018 | Categories: flowers, lensbaby | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Green

One of our most memorable excursions in Homer was a hike through the nature preserve, a verdant and lush forest area, which is home to bear and moose (it IS Alaska. . .). In fact we saw a moose before we turned into the parking area. We were told not to go down the animal trails (us? no way!) and to stay on the paths. The path that began as a flat board walk quickly turned to uneven ground with tree roots every 8-12 inches. It took a week or so for my knees and feet to recover- but it was all worth it.

There were ferns and wildflowers everywhere- and it was so GREEN! I put my Lensbaby on my camera and had a great time shooting wildflowers (and yes, even dandelions). I’ll post more another day!

 

Posted by  |  August 7, 2018 | Categories: flowers, travel | Leave a comment

Farmer’s Market

I dragged last weekend’s haul from the Farmer’s Market back out onto the kitchen counter for a quick still life. Yes, the cute flower bouquet came from the market as well.

I used a black background- a departure for me- and deliberately underexposed to add a little vegetable drama.

Posted by  |  August 6, 2018 | Categories: still life | Tags: , | 1 Comment

We’re NOT moving!

These two sleepy otters were not the least bit perturbed by the approach of the Anna D. in the harbor at Homer!

 

Posted by  |  August 2, 2018 | Categories: animals | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Fireweed Impressions

Fireweed had just begun its bloom when we were in Alaska. I used a slow shutter speed with my iPhone to create this impressionist style image.

Posted by  |  August 1, 2018 | Categories: flowers, ICM, iPhoneography, painterly | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Homer From Above

We took a morning drive above the town to get a different perspective. Here is a view of Kachemak Bay, the mountains and glaciers beyond, and the Homer spit.

Posted by  |  July 31, 2018 | Categories: travel | Tags: , , | 1 Comment

Fish and Chips. . . and a Hound Dog

Another interesting sight on the Homer Spit . . .

 

 

Posted by  |  July 30, 2018 | Categories: travel | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wooden Boat Society

I came upon an amazing sight as we drove along the Homer Spit- old, rickety boats tied up or sitting amidst the wildflowers by the path along Kachemak Bay. After we ate dinner one night, I had Lonnie drop me off so I could walk along and take photos. At least one of the boats looked like someone lived in it or had lived in it. There was a small sign that said Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society, so I googled it and discovered it is a non-profit organization “dedicated to sharing the history, preservation, and creation of wooden boats and maritime traditions. ” So cool! They have a wooden boat festival on Labor Day, but I don’t know if these boats are part of it or not.

I found this boat particularly appealing.

 

 

 

Posted by  |  July 26, 2018 | Categories: travel | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

On the Spit

One of the features of Homer, Alaska is the Homer Spit- a narrow strip of land extending out into Kachemak Bay. It is lined with shops and places to eat, and has a harbor where fishing boats take off and return all day long. Here is a view of one of the rows of shops and eateries.

Posted by  |  July 25, 2018 | Categories: travel | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment