Yes, I know…
Self
… you’ve seen this guy before. And, yes, I also know he’s not as pretty as Tracy, but, believe it or not, he does have some good qualities. Here’s a couple of examples: 1) he’s easy to coax in front a camera, just offer him chocolate, 2) he does just about everything I think he should do and sometimes more, so the interactions good. Of course he’s not perfect and there are a few character defects that are being worked on. He does one thing that bothers me, though. After every shot he has this tendency to run around behind the camera and chimp the LCD looking at the histogram and his expression. He will sometimes grimace and make strange looking faces, maybe a grunt or two, then suggests we try it again. He could also use a haircut!
Colorado Snow and Hot Chocolate
Jon at Cameron Pass
The Rocky Mountain snowfalls provide some wonderful times for those who enjoy the winter season. There wonderful opportunities to cross country sky, down hill ski, sledding, snow shoeing, snowmobiling and for the hardy souls, camping. I’m not one of those! The day after a snowfall can have sunshine and warm temperatures allowing people to get out and about. The skiing, both down hill and cross country, is not my forte but the slow methodical snow shoeing brings a smile to my face and plenty of exercise. It also works better for me as a photographer. A fresh snowfall can present some wonderful light to work with. When you add a skier, such as Jon, magic happens. This image was taken a couple of years ago on top of Cameron Pass in north central Colorado, about an hour from my condo in Fort Collins. I ventured out on New Years day with Tracy and Jon. They did some cross country skiing while I snowshoed and sweated up a storm with a happy trigger finger. 
After an exhilarating day out in the cold a hot chocolate sure tastes good.
While on my walk….
Lamp
Sometimes when I arrive at our hotel I find a walk to be good medicine for relieving any stress. While on such a walk I found this lamp on the outside of the hotel as a simple yet interesting subject. How often do we walk by these simple objects and never see them?
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets
The Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus is a species of Australasian parrot found in Australia, eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In Australia, it is common along the eastern seaboard, from Queensland to South Australia and northwest Tasmania. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. I figured most of you would not be able to continue through your day unless you knew the above information. This image was take an year ago at the Columbus Zoo.
Today is my oldest granddaughters birthday, the daughter of my oldest daughter. Hope you followed that. So I want to say, “Happy Birthday, Abbie!” I love you!
Shenandoah Fall Colors
Fall Colors
This is from a couple years ago during a short visit to Shenandoah National Park. I had one day there and found everything shrouded in fog making for some interesting images.
Today is also my oldest daughters birthday, so I want to say “Happy Birthday Christine!” I love you!
New Opportunities
No Handle
In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.
Jiddu Krishnamurti
In the coming year we will face many doors of opportunities. Some will have door knobs to grab and some will not? We have the keys now we must find the doors with knobs. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!
Thankful and stuffed
Chocolate (Dark)
It seems a lot of people come up with a list of things they are thankful for during this time of year. There are so many things I’m thankful for but I’m only going to throw out this short and sweet list:
- Spirituality - A lifelong journey of discovery for me. I’ve come to believe the search for God will introduce us to ourselves and I’m liking what I’m finding
- Health – Physical and mental (which some may question) health. 2010 will be my 60th birthday so I do feel the stiff joints and hear the loud popping sounds from those same joints as I get up from a chair a little slower, but I still get up
- Family – Grandchildren who are now driving, hard to believe they have grown up so fast. My children, sisters and parents who all are gifts in my life. I love them dearly!
- Photography – At this point in my life, it’s a love affair. It’s one medium I use to express myself and helps me to see the world with new eyes. LightRoom 2 I’ll also include the community of photographers who enrich my life as a photographer and as a person, that’s you!
- Friends – I am blessed to have many, some who have been there to help lift me up when I’ve fallen and some who I have helped get back up. Distance and time have not deterred those friendships
- Work – Which provides a comfortable lifestyle and an extended family
- Chocolate – What more can I say, one of my crutches. I guess you can also include Thai food
I do wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope your day is filled with family, friends, turkey, stuffing,pumpkin pie and chocolate.
