Day #60 Lets Get Wet

It was a leap day of rain, rain, rain so going to post a picture from the other day at the park.  This goose has been in the same spot on the lake since I started this challenge in January. I have quite a few pictures of him and really love his coloring. Guess you can see I'm getting too close and he's heading for the water... or is he a she ????

Day #59 Filler Up

Stopped by Brighton Dam on the way home from moms. I thought I had posted a picture of the dam last month but looking back I must have picked something else and I didn't walk down and get any pictures so guess I'll be stopping by again. Anyway last visit while leaving I noticed some very old looking gas pumps so I was back to take that picture. Focused in on the unleaded pump which is rusted out at the bottom . The hose and nozzle just look out of place on this pump because they are so new and modern.

Day #58 Sparrow

Got a couple little feathery friends shots today. I found two bird guides of the Eastern and Western Chesapeake, Maryland, DC, and Delaware area so I can try to now identify the birds I capture in my camera.
Looking at the pictures I believe this is a White-throated Sparrow.  

Day #57 Heron Today, Gone Tomorrow

Brookside Gardens celebrated today with Maple Sugar Festival 2012 so camera in hand out the door I went. Saw tree tapping, sap boiling, and the syrup. Was a great day in the woods. Also there is a conservatory with lovely plants and flowers plus a few ponds and gardens everywhere. Because of this wacky weather I saw daffodils and crocus in bloom. With a crowd in the thousands expected to visit today I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this Little Blue Heron (I think) at one of the ponds and he really let me get close. So once again with the intent to post a tree being tapped for syrup it gets trumped by this cute Little Blue Heron.

Day #56 Billy The Goat

Took a trip to Charlestown, W.Va. for my great nieces 7th birthday. Did I expect to be posting a goat picture? Heck No but it's the pic I decided on for my POTD. Took BD girl to the playground and noticed a house across street with a goat,and two ponies. Walked over to get a couple shots and darn if they didn't come right up to the fence to greet us. You'd think they were house pets.....Well, birthday girl did make the photo, that's her hand feeding the goat some grass. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXUS!!                            Ah to be 7 again .........

Day #55 Buried Pipe

What a difference a week makes.  Been watching the pipe progress and today on my way home from work I knew as I passed that I needed to turn around and get a picture .  Swung back around and pulled on the shoulder with my flashers on. Rolled window down and in between the traffic going by blocking my view I took a few shots. Why did I feel like a paparazzi and I better get my picture fast and leave. Guess I didn't want someone to walk across the road and ask for my camera card. lol    This photo is Part II of my Feb.15th POTD.....

Day #54 Learning and Laughing

  Out to lunch with friends weeks ago the conversation somehow got on the topic of crochet . One of my girlfriends really wanted to learn but had no luck with her first attempt being taught by a righty when you're a lefty. My childhood girlfriend mentioned she knew how and was left handed . So I volunteered to have them over for lunch and lessons. I'm also left handed and what the heck I'd give it a try. A third friend who ended up being a pro at it but hadn't picked up a hook in years came over with half a blanket in tow. Show Off, just kidding. It was a challenging afternoon but we finally got the hang of it and I think our teacher went home for an aspirin or drink... lol   Think I'll stick with learning my camera and the 365 photo challenge for now but it did give me my POTD.....

Day #53 Birdie Paradise

Found this awesome bird feeder at Black Hills park on Monday.Not much was happening at it because of family day at the park and just too many children running around. Went back today after work and oh my gosh, it was just me with my new feathered friends. Thought my yard was active but with so many feeders there it was like Bird Disney and it's only February. Can't wait to see what the next couple months are like...here is the picture I chose for POTD.... it's a finch feeder so I assume they are finches? Will look them up.....

Day #52 Tracks from the Past

Over three decades ago I took a picture of these tracks for my high school photography class. Decided after visiting with my mom who still lives in the house I grew up in I was going to try and recapture a memory. We used to drive over these tracks but now there is a new road (well it's been there a long time now) with a bridge that takes you over the tracks. The old road is still there but ends before the tracks at a small stream.Carefully crossing rocks and the stream I made it to the tracks . As I snap away and think back, the farm to the right is now a housing development. There's a bridge with street art spray painted on the supports and I'm holding a camera that has no film plus I'm not 15 anymore. Unchanged are the tracks that have survived the test of time and seem to have waited for my return.....

Day #51 Looking Up

Took a short ride to Black Hills State Park. There was a family day going on at the visitors center. Lots of families. Guess my solitary time there is ending as winter begins to come to a close. Did find out there's going to be a blue bird festive in May so I plan on attending. While taking a walk down one of the paths I came across these three trees that grew so close together that the trunks are attached at the bottom. It's like they're triples.

Day #50 Fresh Air

Enjoying a lazy Sunday just watching some movies on tv. Did go out back and took a couple shots but nothing really worth a post so I'll use one from yesterday. Remember the snow covered path ? It was such a nice afternoon yesterday that it had a lot of company and I was one of them. It's great to see so many people out enjoying the sunshine. While not quite warm enough to be dressed like the little boy ( kids will be kids) all you really needed was a sweatshirt. The temps are back to normal today but sure did enjoy the April day in February yesterday.

Day #49 Bay Bridge

Took a drive out to Sandy Point State Park this morning. Haven't been there in forever. During the summer this park is packed. In February you practically have the place to yourself. Two ladies gathering driftwood, another guy getting bridge pictures, geese, seagulls and two guys coming out of the water. Darn I missed that, it is only 40 degrees. We usually travel over the bay bridge a couple times a year and I did go across and get some pictures from the other side. It costs me a whooping eight dollars to cross and come back. Not sure that was a smart move.        

Day #48 Great Falls

Had planned on taking off to the beach for the weekend but with a possibility of shovelable snow on Sunday I changed my mind.  Instead I had a great late morning early afternoon at Great Falls. I had never been there and boy will I be going back. Got some wonderful pictures and it was so hard to pick my POTD.
I think it should be called Amazing Rapids ....Olympic kayakers come here to train and I was lucky enough to be able to watch one as he practiced....

Day #47 Drip Drops

The weatherman predicted rain today and by golly he was right. Decided to see what kind of picture I could get using the rain. Grabbing my camera and umbrella out in the yard I went. Did learn I need to figure out how to lock the focus once it has auto focused so I can frame my shot. Turning it off doesn't work if your free hand is holding an umbrella. Speaking of umbrellas you also can't always get as close to your subject as you want either. After two trips out in the yard this is the picture I choose for my POTD.
My gate lock going into the backyard....

Day #46 Hut one Hut Two Hike

There's a new house development being built on my way to work. Right now the lots are marked off but it's just dirt and pipes.  I have been passing this huge pipe that faces the road for about a month now. Had my camera with me and decided as I passed that if I didn't get this picture soon it would be gone and buried. Does it look like a football center to you? Don't know if I captured it but I'm glad I finally stopped and tried.

Day #44 Happy V Day

                    I now know Valentines Day is the 44th day of the year, leap year or not.Thank you 365 challenge. I believe this is the 36th valentines with my special valentine. I'm one lucky girl.  Looking forward the our favorite pizza from Zio's which Bob is bringing home from work.  Roses are Red , Violets are Blue , Happy Valentines from Me to You

Day #43 Nuts for Peanuts

Was a stay around the house kind of day today. Put some peanuts out and yelled lunch time......didn't take long before the visitors arrived. Got a couple shots so flipping a coin this one is my POTD. Rocky just can't decide eat it now or save it for later. Of course he choose to eat it now.

Day #42 Happy but Sad

Went to a best friends daughters baby shower today. She will never see her new granddaughter having lost her battle with cancer almost two years ago. I miss her everyday. Hope she was looking down and smiling at the happy event. This little one is my next door neighbors granddaughter Mya, she's having a great time with the bouquet of balloons. It was a mixed feeling kind of day.....

Day #41 Snow Kissed Trees

Week seven comes to a close and still going strong
   Woke up to white...It snowed just enough to coat everything but the asphalt which I guess is to warm. It was beautiful and I knew I needed to get out quick before what I was looking at disappeared. Plan was to head for the parks but as I drove by the hiker/biker trail down the street I knew that's where I'd get my picture and hard to believe I did. Looking back I have a similar picture on Jan.22th but this is further down the trail . As you can see I wasn't the first person walking the trail this morning.....

Day #40 Portal to the Moon

Okay technically I took this late last night but I have to put this in 365 project so lets say it was todays picture in China...The clouds were amazing with the moon so at 9 p.m. I went back to my sculpture at the park. My guess is clouds look so cool because shutter is open so long. This 365 challenge is one of the best things I have decided to do. Wonder if months from now I will feel the same way?

Day #39 Dusting

Woke to a clear sky with the sun coming up. Having the day off decided I'd run to the park before starting with all the chores for the day. So glad I grabbed my gloves and winter hat because it sure is cold at 7:30 in the morning. With only a dusting of snow yesterday it always makes nature so pretty. Well here is the photo I choose for POTD. Hope my day is as bright and peaceful .......

Day #38 Black and White in Color

Went out in the backyard with my camera, tripod, and umbrella this afternoon the get pictures of the snow falling. The flakes were little and the pictures just weren't what I pictured in my head. But the umbrella now that I liked so started focusing on it. Standing in the overhang of the house with the umbrella on the ground in the yard I got this shot. What's up with going out for one picture and posting another? Guess that's another challenge.

Day #37 Chilly

As I take a peek out my bedroom window this morning the whole front yard is a field of frost. Maybe my POTD will happen before 8 a.m. No wind but by the time I come back inside my fingers and toes are freezing... The color Blue is associated with cold so gave my picture a blue tint....

Day #36 Geese On A Log

                                                                      Not much happening out back so took a short ride to Black Hill State Park.What'd we DO ?

Day #35 Snowing

Guess Phil was right because this afternoon we got SNOW. Although we're not suppose to get more than a dusting. Spent the afternoon at another Chinese New Year Celebration. With my camera loaded with pictures from the event I head home in light snow flurries. As I pull into driveway our tree/bush catches my eye. So pretty I stop car, get my camera out of bag, roll down window and start shooting. Days POTD was a complete surprise.

Day #34 Playground Art

Noticed this from a distance at the state park. Parked car and off I went to the playground. This isn't what I remember my childhood playground looking like.  It was truly a piece of functional art. Although I didn't do more than photograph it . It sure looked like fun.....

Day #33 Shadow

As Punxsutawney Phil emerges from this home will he see his shadow? A groundhog has been predicting since 1887. While his prediction rate varies depending on who you ask, he did see his shadow today so six more weeks of winter. There hasn't been much of a winter in Maryland this year so if that holds seeing his shadow might not be too bad.
                                                         HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY

Day #32 Leap

Did you leap into February today? Didn't feel like February first with the temperatures coming close to 70 degrees. Julius Caesar introduced Leap Years in the Roman empire over 2000 years ago. What will I do with the extra day this month. Guess I will wait and see...........