Sunset on the lake
Yes, the ground is now white in my neck of the woods and will remain so for many months, but I just discovered a folder of photos I never got around to sharing so I will be throwing some from warmer days in for a while.
So, there I was waiting for the boat to come to shore and take me out and I thought the sky was really pretty.
It didn’t take long for the sun to start setting. These two photos were taken 13 minutes apart. Amazing!
And 9 minutes later it was still beautiful! It was chilly out there, but I imagine now that lake is frozen, and unboatable. So here’s to remembering warmer days and reminding myself they will come again.
A story with a twist
Many, many moons ago (I think I was still in high school, early 80s), my aunt made me a tiny little doll. At the time I think miniature shelves were pretty popular and the doll was made to go on a shelf but really, I’m old, oh so old, and have forgotten the whys. But while I was going through things and reorganizing I came across my little doll and thought she would be fun to photograph.
I set about trying to find the best way to photograph her and finally ending up wedging her tiny feet into the top of my birdfeeder. I thought I would be telling about how my aunt hand sewed all of her tiny seams, little dress, and French knot hair.
But, the story I thought I would give with the photos quickly turned as I went around her to get all of her sides.
It was right about now that my 19 year old decided to get in on the action. He tried to eat her, but I wasn’t quick enough to catch that shot!
Doesn’t he look guilty?!
She now sits in Haden’s belly. I’m not so sure I want her back if she makes it back from her trip.
She was cute, and lasted many years. . . until my sons got ahold of her! But boys do keep life interesting!
Who’s playing in the park?
Have you ever wondered what happens in your neighborhood parks when there are no children playing? Well, I found out, that the toys are not wasted. . .
A Goldfinch swings.
A Bluebird contemplates becoming a monkey.
While another Bluebird looks on. As evidenced in that last photo it appears the birds play here often. Who’s playing in your park?
We’ll soon be on the road trip to Missouri, don’t forget to check out my giveaways!
Well ruffle my feathers
Isn’t that the cutest little butt you’ve ever seen?
How about his knot head?
The ring behind him is not a fart bubble {sorry dad (dad always said ladies did not use that word)}, but a raindrop splashing behind him.
You would think with the words Domestic and Goose in their name (I think this is a Domestic Swan Goose) that you would see them everywhere and they would be boring. But to be real honest the main geese I see are Canadian Geese and they’re the ones I’m tired and bored of.
We had a great day at the zoo in Minoqua on the day I took these, and this is the last creature I photographed before leaving the zoo, because while I was watching them, it began to pour. And as we entered our car it began to hail. And while we waited for the worst of the storm to pass we saw lighting strike very close and flashed red. So when I look at these, I think I will always think of the day we had.
Blaisdell Manor
This fountain greets you, after you enter the gate at the Blaisdell Manor (built in 1910) in Minneapolis. We were there for a wedding reception, and there were people milling around everywhere sipping champagne so it was hard for me to get shots of all of its beauty, minus people. But here are a few.
Many of the guests were from France, and this little French boy was just too adorable to resist snapping a photo of.
This is the chandelier in the foyer, entryway.
The cool light above the stairs.
I went upstairs, and no one was making use of this room.
And I looked down on the garden fountain. Like the photos of The Basilica of St Mary’s, these were all handheld and no flash. We ate dinner in the ballroom and I shared my dinner with you a couple of days ago. I had pork chops, and some cute little dessert. Each dish came with an orchid and I had fun playing with mine. You couldn’t tell, could you?
If you’re interested in seeing the ballroom or more of the wedding it’s over on our Newdae Photography Blog.
PS - If you are a blogger and crafty you might be interested in the post below this one. 
The Basilica of Saint Mary (part 1)
First up let me say that I feel like big fuzzy pink something-or-other has taken up residence in my chest. Yes, my grandson was so sweet and special to share his cold with me and breathing has become an effort. Well, when you can’t breathe, not enough oxygen gets to your brain, so you can’t think so well either. Luckily I prepared this post yesterday, before the oxygen deprivation began. But if the elephant doesn’t remove his tail from my lungs and lift his big furry pink butt off my chest I will be slow making the rounds. Please forgive me. Now on with the show.
Recently, I had the opportunity to admire The Basilica of St Mary, in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, up close and personal.
It’s 100 years old this year and was the first Basilica in America, and it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
But I really don’t want to overload you with words when I have so many photos to share. I tried to weed it down, but there were so many I liked or so many features I wanted to share. The place is huge! And beautifully intricate! And old!
I loved the shadow on the wall - see it?
All of these were taken with the Canon 40D, 50mm 1.8 lens, handheld, with no flash, ISO 640 and shutter speeds of 8-15. Yes, I hate using a tripod so much that I handhold as low as possible, even if I have to hold my breath. When I first started I was lucky to shoot at 30 without the tripod, now I can go down to 8. I don’t think I’ll ever top that.
Oh, btw, Happy Halloween!
UPDATE: Part 2 is located here.
Weird Black Bug
By now you know that my son is my biggest source of finding new and unusual creatures to photograph.
He came up with this weird black bug for me.
I was hoping I could photograph him through the Pom glass he was safely placed in, but as you can see the water spots got in the way. After a short time I gathered my courage and stifled my fear and allowed my son to release the ugly critter so I could try to get more proper shots.
Just look at him! Isn’t he terrifying?! His butt is so long and he can curl it or stretch it out, strange! I don’t think he has a stinger, but he has wings so I was extremely nervous the entire shoot.
He kind of looks like an alien, he’s such a freak! I’m so glad Haden kept a watchful eye on him and kept me safe!
What the heck is he?! And what will I do when my son no longer finds these weird mysteries for me to examine?
UPDATE: Through Pamela’s comment I found out what kind of critter this is. It is a female Pelecinid Polyturator or Pelecinid Wasp, they lay eggs directly on scarab larvae buried in the soil. Ew.
