Day #335 Enter The Night

Clouds were pretty interesting about one o'clock as I left work. Decided driving home I'd get some things done around the house and then head out to Blackhills for some sunset pictures. Took a few bird shots just in case the sunset bombed because clouds come and go. Well the sunset was Da Boom and it took me longer to chose the picture than to take them. I have learned that sunsets change minute to minute. Make sure you stay for the whole show because sometimes the finale is amazing although my choice was the beginning............

Day # 334 Light The Light

Woke up at five a.m. and thought wonder if I can see the moon?  Looked out back and there it was shining through my trees. Took a couple shots outside the slider and then moved back inside and took some shots out the picture window next to the slider.  Turned the lamp on to get everything set up and took a practice show. The lamp is the reflection in the window. Thought it looked pretty cool and was different so chose this one for my POTD.

Day # 333 Jupiter Stalks The Moon

The moon has been awesome the last couple of days. Goggled what time it would rise and walked out of the house at five ( rise time) and no moon. Did talk with the next door neighbor who was walking her dog. Tried again a little later and here it is with Jupiter. Still low enough this it hasn't totally cleared the trees. Have a shot with it behind lots of limbs but like this just touching the moon better. Jupiter looks so tiny but you can fit 1,000 earths inside it.

Day #332 Tis The Season Of Giving

Okay not a great shot but it was a first for me so I had to put it in my project. Walked out of work to the bell ringing Salvation Army greeter. It's a cold and rainy day out today. I thought he really fit the picture with his look and hat. He's right outside the front door so the only way to get a shot would be to ask. Had my camera in the car so as I walk to it I keep telling myself to grab the camera and go back and ask. Well got in the car and drove by the front telling myself park and ask, park and ask. Why this is so hard for me I don't know but I DID IT. Walked up and asked him if he'd mind me taking his picture.  Only took two shots . Think I was still in shock that I asked and he was happy to humor me. Dropped a donation in his bucket . He said bless you and I said thank you.

Day #331 Twilight Moon

Out getting my POTD when I happened to notice the moon . Scrap the pictures already in my camera because it's a cloudless sky and the moon sure looks full. The sun is starting to set behind me and is adding colors in front of me.

Day #330 Rockin The Rail

Glanced out the slider this morning to so much bird activity that I decided to grab the camera. Took quite a few pictures before heading back to my now cold cup of tea and oatmeal. Still a pretty cold day outside so decided I'd just stay indoors. Still hoping to get the motivation to put away the Thanksgiving decorations.

Day #329 Depart

Looks like Lisa choose well for her flight home because the crowds haven't arrived yet. I walked her in while Bob circled round to pick me back up . Another Thanksgiving has gone by too quickly. Hope everyone that traveled for the holiday arrives back home safely.

Day #328 Light The Night

How did the week go by so fast? Lisa heads back to Houston tomorrow. Went to see the movie SkyFall this afternoon . Bond James Bond ..The mall was packed with shoppers for Black Friday which I guess is great for the economy. Stopped by Brookside Gardens on the way home just after sunset.  They have turned it into a wonderful walking christmas light paradise. Lots and lots of different displays and I think this one was my favorite. First try at christmas lights with a DSLR camera.

Day # 327 Hawk Alert

                                                                           I took a short break from Thanksgiving preparations when two crows caught my eye out the slider. I pointed them out to Lisa and OMGosh what's that ? There sits the hawk I saw the other day on a branch by the crows. Quickly grabbed the camera, changed the lens and very slowly peeped over the couch to try and get a picture. Success this time and I even was able to get close to the window without spooking him/her. I am thankful this hawk has made it into my project and I even got a shot of him flying to another branch. 

Day #326 Spin

With the help of a friend I found a playground merry go round, thanks Arline.  Thought I'd go try and copy a shot I saw with Lisa as my helper. Since Thanksgivings tomorrow I grabbed one of my turkeys to be the star. It took a while and a ND filter but I got it. Lisa went to the swings as I fooled with the camera and noticed a rainbow in the fountain of the pond. You had to be standing in certain spots to see it. Will go back so I can try and add a rainbow to my project. Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving tomorrow...

Day #325 Sisters and Friends

Got a couple of good ocean shots from early this morning but it's nice to be able to add Lisa to my project. Before we headed back home I grabbed Lisa and my tripod and headed to the water. For ten days every year we are the same age at least that's what we would argued about growing up. I would say no you're not and she would say yes I am...... funny memories

Day #324 Weathered The Storm

Did a lot of walking today. My pedometer says 8.2 miles. A good bit was the boardwalk and so much repair is going on because of super storm Sandy. So many streets down that way are lined with big dumpsters and ruined household propery. It's just sad and I couldn't bring myself to document it with a picture. Was pretty surprised to see this cement pier survived .

Day #323 View From The Top

My sister and I headed to Atlantic City today. First stop was the Absecon Lighthouse. It's New Jerseys tallest Lighthouse at 171 feet tall and the third tallest masonry lighthouse in the US. After traveling up 240 steps you have an amazing view of Atlantic City. This is one view from the outside at the top. The lighthouse sits about a block and a half from the water and hurricane Sandy brought the ocean all the way to the lighthouse bringing sea water into the bottom of the lighthouse.

Day #322 Barn in a Field

This could definitely be a filler day if I did that but 322 days in I'm not going to start now. We picked my sister up from the airport today . Hurray but liked this barn drive by better than the quick luggage carousel picture I snapped looking for her. Thought maybe I would get some pictures at the Landon House Ghost Civil War tour that we went to tonight but that was a bust to. Oh well tomorrows a new day and Lisa and I take off for two days in Atlantic City.

Day #321 Seeing Red

I noticed two trees yesterday reaching their peak in fall color. Most are nearing the I'm bare for winter stage at this point so they really stood out. I sure enjoyed autumn this year. Wasn't sure which tree to choose but red won over yellow today. This tree really brightens my neighbors yard across the street.

Day #320 Easy Pickings

Well, there was some kind of hawk on the deck this morning. So excited and boy was he pretty. Grabbed the camera and guess he saw me as I tried to get his shot through the window. Oh well maybe he'll be back . Put some birdseed and peanuts on the rail and got some pictures of the birds.

Day #319 Help I'm shooting WEEDS !!!

  I have passed by these gone to seed for at least two months now. If the sun is shining it's a pretty stunning view for weeds. They are right beside the road with a cornfield in the back drop. I kept telling myself you should try and capture this so today on the way home from work I finally stopped. I really need to start cleaning the house but here I sit again in front of my lap top.....

Day #318. Eat More Chicken

Can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. I though I had one more week so I better step it up because I have hostessed thanksgiving dinner forever. I put Tom Turkey in the yard right before dark hoping it could be my POTD. Funny story behind Tom .

Years ago my husband and younger son were out and passed a yard with a Tom Turkey sitting in it. My son turned to my husband and said thank goodness we don't have one of those sitting in our yard only to pull on our street and come face to face with my Tom. They were laughing so hard as they walked in the house. A year ago I wouldn't have thought to shot from the ground looking up.

Day #317 Field Trip

Another trip out of Blackhills this time to Bombay Hook Refuse in Delaware. It's hunting season so two sections were closed. We didn't hear any gun shots till the sun was setting. Saw plenty of shore birds, geese, heron, and quite a few eagles. The place is wonderful and the trees still had some color. It was hard to pick a shot but it's been a long day so eenie,  meennie, miney, mo.

Day #316 Honoring All That Serve

Bob and I took a drive to Arlington to lay flowers at his fathers grave. His dads site is just to the right of this picture .  There is no one in this area but us which was a little erie. They have closed this area because of the wreath laying ceremony. When President Obama came out to lay the wreath a guard came over and told us we could go around and up to the service but couldn't stay where we were. Bob's dad was a retired Lieutenant Colonel Tank Commander and served in WWII, Korean War and an adviser in the Vietnam War. If he was still with us I'm sure you would have found him handing out Poppies at the Giant today. Happy Veterans Day Dad.........

Day #315 Conquering The Falls

It was a perfect November day to be outside enjoying the fresh air . Decided I'd head to Cunningham Falls located in a State Park in Thurmont, Md. Was a nice drive and a half mile walk to the falls from the parking lot. Thurmont must have really got hit hard by Sandy's winds because I noticed quite a bit of damage driving to the falls. There is a nice big sign warning you not to climb on the rocks because serious injuries could occur. It didn't seem to be making a big impression because it only takes a few to try and the rest will follow. This father and daughter started crossing the rocks right in front of me. She was one ball of energy and I couldn't believe when she decided to fly into her dads arms. She was so close to him I thought they would both end up in the water.

Day #314 Explode

Another quick stop at Blackhills today. Had a girlfriend come along and she pointed out this very large seed pod . I was concentrating on the wildlife and didn't even notice it till she pointed it out. Having my 300mm zoom lens on I was pretty happy with this close up. We walked through the woods following deer trails in think to try and get a closer shot of the heron but all we got was muddy shoes and a lot of scratches from the sticker bushes. Looking forward the a wonderful weekend of great weather.

Day #313 Morning

Looking out my bedroom window this morning no snow and a cloudy sunrise.  As the sun clears the trees is looks pretty cool with the sun trying to shine through so I go grab my camera. Raising the window and screen I start taking some shots. Don't tell Bob since it's in the thirties and the heats on and here I am with the window wide open and in no rush to close it. Knew I had my shot when it got photo bombed by this great bird. I dropped the bug off for it's repair after Mondays fender bender and stopped by Blackhills.  The ducks are starting to come back and the blue heron was watching them from the shore. Off to Volleyball finals. It's going to be a very short or very long night....

Day #312 Red

Okay couldn't come up with a good title but was so happy to get a shot of the cardinal.He's one camera shy fellow.  It's pretty cold outside and had no shot in mind for the day so I put some bird seed on the rail and waited. We may get a tiny bit of snow later so maybe there will be some kind of picture tomorrow marking the first snow.

Day #311 Excerise Your Right

Today is the long awaited day to vote and see who will be living in the White House in January. Think this is the seventh visit to the elementary school my sons attended to vote. This is the first time I walked in to find wall to wall people. Bet the wait was over an hour so I turned around and headed home. I returned 3 hours later to no line and cast my ballots.The polls close in a couple of hours, it's going to be a long night before the outcome is known.

Day #310 Stripes

Hopped in the bug today and headed to the zoo. For some reason it had a hard time turning over. Thought maybe it's time for a new battery but maybe it knew we were going to get rear ended at the red light a mile from the zoo. Poor bug now has a cracked bumper and a little damage on the side. Exchanged information and continued to the zoo. It sure is empty when the temperature is in the forties.Got a pretty good picture of the zebras which I've had no luck with on my past visits so that's the one I choose. SOOC 

Day #309 Walking Toward The Light

Spent the day at my neighbors granddaughters third birthday party. It was at a farm that had all kinds of storybook character exhibits, pony rides, hay rides, and pavilions with tables. Thank goodness the sun was shining and there wasn't really any wind because I think the temps were in the low 50's. Didn't seem to bother the kids but lots of red noses by the end of the party. We have all just gotten off the hay ride and are heading to the tables for pizza and cupcakes.....

Day #308 Raining Leaves

Was a lazy day till I decided on some manual labor to get my picture of the day. My yard is a sea of leaves and Bob has already raked them once so before he grabs the rake again I head out to make a big pile. Not getting the picture I want I head in another direction. Using the tripod and setting the timer I ask Bob to help me because I don't think I can set myself up in time so I have him push the button. It's harder than I thought to hold your legs straight at a ninety degree angle while I wait for the shot to go off.  Think it would have been easier to head out for a picture. lol

Day #307 Peep a Boo Moon

It's volleyball playoff time and we had a double header tonight. The good thing is we won and will play in the finals next Thursday. The bad is I left there at 11:15 p.m. but the view of the moon and Jupiter as amazing. Home at 11:45 and grabbed my camera and tripod to try and get a picture from the driveway. The clouds have rolled in and the moon is playing peek a boo with me. Took some shots and came inside. Got ready for bed, looked out window and clouds had cleared a little bit so back out I went. This shot really isn't very good and doesn't do what I was seeing justice but how offer do you see Jupiter and the moon? Got it at 12:15 and the alarm went off at 5 a.m. SOOC except for the crop...

Day #306 Across The Pond

Met my girlfriends for lunch then thought I'd take a drive to Brookside Gardens since the mums should be blooming. Was cold and overcast with just a few drops of rain. The conservatories are beautifully decorated for fall and they have so many different varieties of mums blooming. Hadn't planned to walk the grounds but I had dressed warmly and it wasn't raining. What a surprise to still find so much color surrounding this lovely pond.