Swans!

Friday night, we learned from Facebook that there were swans out at Willow Lake! We are accustomed to seeing ducks, geese, eagles, hawks, herons, egrets etc.- but this is  the first we’ve heard of swans. So on Saturday morning we headed over to see what we could see. This would be my first walk in nature since my knee surgery, so I was pretty excited- so excited, in fact, that when we spotted the swans, I realized I had left my zoom lens on the kitchen counter! And what was on my camera, you ask? My macro lens! So I watched the swans as a hawk perched above them in a tree and a heron stood intently searching the water for his breakfast and tried to content myself with occasional macro shots.

After my genealogy meeting in the afternoon, we drove over again. The swans were starting to tuck their heads under their wings, but eventually all four swam around where we could see them  in the late afternoon light. I haven’t gone through all the photos yet, but here is a shot of three of them.

 

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Spotlight

The window light seems to have created a spotlight effect on the table in this hydrangea still life- as well as a bit of a refracted image of the grandfather clock which was behind.

Painterly effects added with Topaz Impression

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Hydrangea!

I took some time during the football playoffs last weekend to do some textures and still life photography. This photo was taken right by the TV during the Kansas City/Houston game (I love Patrick Mahomes…) and, although the photo may look peaceful and serene, I was likely cheering and possibly even yelling. Who me?

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Create!

I haven’t been out yet taking photos, except for a few documenting our snowfall, but I have started a new project. I am taking an online class in making textures to use in photography! So far I have created a set of textures painted with acrylic paint (still have to scan most into my computer) and a set of photographs of the textures on my cookie sheets and pizza stone. I used textures from both sets in the image below.

 

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Happy New Year!

I’m back- sort of! As of yesterday, I have my MacBook back from having a BIGGER hard drive installed!  It’s attached to my new monitor, so I’m now able to work on two screens- a fantastic bonus for both photography and genealogy! I’ve mostly recovered from my knee surgery (just have to get the knee stronger and more flexible), so I should actually be out taking photos soon. I’m determined that good health will be the hallmark of my 2020. Best wishes to you for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

 

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Merry Christmas!

I’m thrilled to say that our Christmas celebration this year is totally family-centered. Having kids and grandkids so far away, we really appreciate the times when we can all get together as a family. This year, we stayed in a Scottsdale resort for a few days, and our son’s and daughter’s families joined us! Our Alaska kids especially enjoyed swimming most of the day, and we all enjoyed playing with Caleb, the youngest grandson, who will be two in March. Sunday, our son’s family drove back to Southern California, and Monday afternoon we drove back to Prescott with our daughter’s family. And now- we are getting ready for Christmas!

We are so blessed to have these three little boys!

Here’s Caleb!

Henry started today by watching the Grinch and playing with Legos.

And as I write this, Miles is baking Christmas cookies!

My MacBook Pro is in the shop getting a new hard drive, so I am using my iPhone to post these candid shots.

Best wishes for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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