It's just another Macro Monday! 18/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

Ready or not, it's coming!

Shorter days.  Cooler nights. Falling leaves and these!




To continue around the circle, start here with photographer 
and click on the link in each Macro Monday post until you get back here to mine.

It's just another Macro Monday! 17/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

My apologies to the arachnophobics out there!

No bigger than a half inch and yet they creep out so many people, myself included.  I can't even stand the though of walking through a cobweb and getting the spider's silk on me.  Ewww!

What I had never noticed before was how much thicker and stronger the silk is that holds the spider's next meal.  







 

To see what the other talented ladies found to shoot this week, start here with

Stacy  Heap Vitallo

and click on the link in each Macro Monday post until you come back here!



It's just another Macro Monday! (16 of 26!)

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

"Can't see the forest for the trees."

I was outside a few days ago looking for a subject for this week's Macro Monday post.  I was also looking for the elusive humming bird my husband swears is there or maybe even the hummingbird moth he's seen near my butterfly bushes.  Since the hummingbird feeder and the bushes are in close proximity, I camped out there with my camera.  I did see a few monarch butterflies, but I shot them a couple of weeks ago.  The only other flying creatures I saw were two whites moths, that is until this little guy showed up.  I didn't really think he or she was very pretty and it was definitely NOT was I was hoping for. So I waited and waited and waited. Then I thought, why not?  Take a picture.  What can it hurt? I had no idea of the details that would illuminate themselves once I put the image on my computer.  
Look at his furry little head and furry little body. Then notice his striped antennae and huge eyes.


 Come in a little closer and take a look!



I was so glad that he decided to stick around and that I finally noticed his beauty even though originally, I'd passed him by.

To see what the the other photographers have found for us this week, 
and her MM:16 post,
then click on the link in each post until you've viewed all of our images.

It's just another Macro Monday!

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

Can. Not. Wait.
 
If I'm shooting macros of my tomato plants at this point in the summer, I'm thinking I won't be seeing any edible tomatoes for quite a while.  Good thing my neighbors let me poach from their plants!




Don't get too excited for me with this last one.  It's smaller than a golf ball!

To continue around the circle and see what the other three talented ladies shot this week, 
and click the link in each post to see the next photographers images.

It's just another Macro Monday!

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 
Note:One of our photographers is unable to participate at the present time

Just hanging around...

I've been waiting for weeks to see a butterfly on my butterfly bushes.  The blooms seemed delayed this year, but with all the rain we've had I couldn't understand why.  I was ready to give up and think that the butterflies had gone the way of the hummingbirds, whose feeders I still even though I have only seen one or two in years. Finally, this week, I found hope.














   And a happy missed shot!


Check out the other awesome gals by started withe 

Baby "C" and his Baptism

I had the privilege of witnessing this little guy's baptism a couple of week's ago. It was a wonderful day, filled with family, friends, and a supportive church community. 

He'll be a blessed child of God!

Don't you just love how his little fingers are already folded? 

Sleeping peacefully before the service begins..

 Mom and Dad with Pastor John Inghram

The Godparents!

He barely made a peep! 

Baby "C's" mom has the most incredible voice. 

 I have no idea how she was able to keep herself together and sing "Find Your Wings".   

I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye in the sanctuary.

One of his grandmothers..

One of his grandfathers.

One of his great-grandmothers!

 Two more great-grandparents!

Two of his aunts and uncles!

At the reception after the service...

Two more grandparents!

This connection was melting my heart!

This is one of baby "C's" second cousins or something like that!  Their mothers are, each, one of three granddaughters to one of the great-grandmothers.  The three cousins were all pregnant at the same time and due within a few weeks of each, two on the same day.  One was born a few weeks early and these two came along a little bit later. 

It's just another Macro Monday!

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

While outside last weekend I found a few critters to keep my company.  I was weeding and replanting some flowers that had reseeded themselves in places I didn't want them to grow!  There was also the yearly task of removing the leaves and debris from the river rock that surrounds our house.  Many of these critters made their home in the moist, muddy environment.  




I just loved this baby worm!  
 





We are halfway through our challenge for this year.  To see what the other talented ladies found, 
and from there you can check out Denean and Faye's images!

Project Life 365-day 178

"#some_day"

I have know this "some day" would come for years.  My baby is out of college and on his own in New York City.

I am so proud of the man he has become, what he's made of his life, and how he has accomplished his goals.

I hope his "some_day" brings him joy and the realization of his dreams!

It's just another Macro Monday!

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

It's week 12 and hard to believe that we're almost half way through this challenge.  I have, only, two images to share this week.  Neither was planned, not exactly anyway.  I started to go for the new flowers that were blooming in my yard when the buds I was focusing on, got a visitor.
Those visitors became the focus of my images!



To see what Denean, Faye and Stacy found this week, start here with Stacy's post!

We are not all linked, yet today.  So if you don't see someone's post, be sure to check back!

It's just another Macro Monday!

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

Rain drops keep falling on my head....
that's been the song in the back of my mind all spring long, so when I woke up to rain, again, this morning, I knew exactly what I wanted my post today to be.
I just love how the view in droplets is upside down.






I almost missed this little drop!


To see what the other ladies found this week, start here with Stacy Heap Vitallo

It's just another Macro Monday!

  Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are!
This Monday project sneaks up on me.  I have two weeks to think about shooting, but the procrastinator in me has the upper hand.
The flowers are beginning to bloom in my yard, but unfortunately for me, this morning, the rain clouds had decided to make an appearance.  
I really did hope it would come out later in the day but took the break in the downpours to grab a few of the flowers that are currently blooming in my gardens.  
So, while the light is not pretty, the flowers and the buds are.
There's no such thing as an ugly flower.
I read this quote earlier this week.
I think the meaning behind it is much deeper than the words seem to be, especially when you take a minute to consider the possibilites.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” -Buddha

 





 To see what the talented Faye, Denean, and Stacy have chosen to share with us this week, start here with Stacy's blog and click the link in each post to go the next one. 

It's just another Macro Monday!

  Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are!
____________________________________________________________________________________

This week's post is dedicated to my youngest son.  
On Sunday, May 5, 2013 
Kevin graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Finance. 
As I was sitting in the stands of Bryce Jordan Center, I took a few pictures of some of the little things, that are part of a graduation ceremony.
There are, also,some pictures of some things that were important to him over the last few weeks. 
There are some images of some Penn State memorabilia that I found at the house where was stayed.
I couldn't be any prouder of Kevin, but there's a part of me that still doesn't quite believe it.
Am I really this old?
Interesting enough, I heard people offer Kevin their condolences.  Literally.
Instead of saying "congratulations" these kids were saying "my condolences" to each other.
They didn't want to graduate either! 
There's more to the story but you'll have check back to find out. 
 I'll share the rest of the images as I get time to sort through and edit them,
and when it's not a macro Monday!
For today, here are just a few.  Some you will understand. Some you'll question, but don't ask.  Those are probably the ones that are special to Kevin.
 
























and just because it's so incredibly difficult not to give you a flower, here's two taken at the arboretum on campus!




To see what the other three talented photographers found, 
start here with Stacy  Heap Vitallo.
From her post click the link to the next photography and the next.
Four in all!


.

One flower, five ways...

On a recent trip to Longwood I met up with a fellow photographer from my Photoshop group.  
To say he's a talented artist is an understatement.
His work hangs in the halls of Longwood Gardens and in the Bradywine River Museum, which also hosts the works of Andrew Wyeth.
He's a quiet, unassuming man.
He doesn't have the best camera or the most expensive lenses.
He does have a passion for art.
He's self taught.
I would love to just follow him around and watch him work.  
To see just how he shoots.  
To figure out what he sees.
I was fortunate this day.
He shared with me, some of the things he does.  
The things he looks for, like the way shapes flow or bend.  
Some of his techniques for creating an image.
That he likes to watch how people create an image too!
That he shoots, truly, for himself.
Yes, there are rules, but he looks for the beauty.
The interesting.
Regardless of the rule,
He looks for the light.

He pointed me towards a basket of flowers that was high on a pedestal. "Look." he said.  "Walk around. What do you see?" he asked.

This is what I saw:





I owe this man a debt of gratitude!

It's just another Macro Monday!

  Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are!

__________________________________________________________________________________

"The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah 
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah 
The ants go marching one by one, 
The little one stops to suck his thumb 
And they all go marching down to the ground  
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"






One day last week my son told me that there ants in the candy bowl in my family and in my dining room, which is on the other side of the house.
No where in between, though.
I found one ant in the candy bowl, dumped the candy in the trash, and washed out the bowl.  My son took care of the ants in my dining room.
Problem solved, or so I thought.
A few days later I threw a bag of Tootsie Rolls in the bowl in the family room.   
Over the next couple of days I ate a Tootsie Roll or two, until Thursday.  On Thursday, I ate a Tootsie Roll and thought it tasted kinda funny.  I grabbed another Tootsie Roll, unwrapped it, popped it in my mouth, started chewing, and screamed when I realized it wasn't just a Tootsie Roll.
Yep, you guessed it...the ants were back.  
I get ants every spring. No big deal.
 A few on the kitchen counters.  Maybe a couple around the dogs bowl.  
We treat the perimeter of the house.  
The ants disappear.   
Now, that I'm positive, or at least fairly certain, I may have ingested some of these little creatures ( I still have this funny feeling in the back of my throat when I look at these pictures) I am on an all out mission to rid my house of their presence. 
I realized after I calmed down that an opportunity had just presented itself to me and I grabbed my camera.  
This is the last I hope to see of these things!  












 To begin your journey through the circle of other photographers, start here with photographer 
and check out her MM8 post!
After seeing what she has to share this week, find the link in her post to what 
Denean Simon Melcher and Faye Kingston have to share this week!
I know you won't be disappointed!
 

 


Project Life 365-day 44 "steps"

During a recent trip to Washington, DC, I took this picture of the steps of the Jefferson Memorial from the opposite side of the tidal bassin while the Cherry Blossum Festival was in full swing.


Project Life 365-days 107 and 108

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be able to complete this project.  It should be fun, but one of the things about learning a new craft is that you realize that you can do better. Be better.  Nothing is good enough. 
I really need to get out of that mind set.
It's killing my creativity.
I work as a substitute in a school, but rarely havsome re a day off.  Today is one of those rare days, so I sit here in front of my computer looking through  the pictures from last week's trip to 
Washington DC. 
(I really should be cleaning, but, hey, I have priorities!)
As I was scanning Facebook, I saw an update from the main group of Project Life and decided to check out today's theme, in case I had a picture that qualitifies. It just so happens that I have one for yesterday too!  Who knows, maybe I'll be back later with more.  

Day 108/365-"Hello, oh hi there!"


Day 107/365-"symetry"

Did you know that butterflies are symetrical?  


It's just another Macro Monday!

 Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are!

Spring is finally springing in my neck of the woods.  The last two days have been relatively warm, at least compared to the last few weeks. 
This is one sign of spring that I don't usually look forward to .
It means work.
It means hours on my knees with my gloves on my hands yanking this stuff out of my garden.
Now that I have a macro lens, I may feel a little differently
because
in the right light, even a weed, in this case the beginning of some chickweed, can be
beautiful!









 To begin your journey through the circle of other photographers, start here with photographer 
and check out her MM7 post!
After seeing what she has to share this week, find the link in her post to what 
Denean Simon Melcher and Faye Kingston have to share this week!
I know you won't be disappointed!

and now for the rest!

One of my most favorite place to take my camera is Longwood Gardens.  It doesn't matter how dreary, cold, miserable, hot, humid, or even nice the weather outside is, it's always warm and welcoming inside.  
I've decided to try something different on each of my trips.  I want to only take one lens. I think this will force me to see things differently, to take risks, and to grow as a photographer. 
First up, my beloved 105!




































You can see a few more of my pictures from Longwood on my previous Project 365 post!