Fun stuff...

I came across a blog I totally fell in love with called Kim Klassen dot com. http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/.  It is mainly about photography, but I love her subtle textures, quotes, and photo art.  She even has some tutorials.  I like this lady.  I leave her blog feeling better,  encouraged, and with a lighter heart.  I tried my hand at one of her "recipes" for adding a texture, then added my own quote.  

Then one more experiment with textures and quote.

I took these little daisy like flowers at the Smith Bird Sanctuary.  These are little...no more than 1/2 inch, but are they not the cutest flowers ever!

Out and about with a new lens...

What can I say, I wanted a new lens for my birthday...a wide angle lens (16- 35).  Since we have the cash back rewards from our credit card, we used them to purchase the lens.  It is always nice when you don't have to pay full price.  I got up early before church, and went to try it out.  I love it.

I loved the bokeh in this. (the dots of light)

Just a little different view. 

I was so happy to see some color and vegetation.  It has been so dry around here.  Obviously, these plants get watered.  (Pictures taken at Smith's Bird Sanctuary).

Holly's world...

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us, or we will not find it."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

While Holly was away on a trip, her wonderful husband took photos of their many flowers just in case she got home too late to enjoy them.  She sent me some of the pictures, and they were all breath-taking. I am always looking for photo opportunities, so I asked if I could come over and take some pictures of things in their yard.  I felt like I was in heaven.  Everything was so beautiful.  Here are a few of the flowers.

I think these are sweet pea vines, but I am not sure.

Loved the deep color of this Hollyhock

Mexican buttercup not quite open.

some kind of grass.

Lovely reflections

Sunset...

Gate to paradise

They have two Canadian Geese living on their pond, a male and female, who have set up housekeeping.  The male swims about while the female sits on the nest.

The male was keeping his eye on me making sure I stayed away from the nest.

Here is the female dutifully sitting on the nest...

While her mate swims around.  

Just living...

Right before Valentine's Day, I found this planter of forced tulips.  I thought they were so pretty, and knew they would look good on my dining room table.  After they opened a little more, I put them in front of a window which provided some nice natural light, and took about 50 pictures.  I always go over board when it comes to taking pictures.  What can I say other than I am obsessed with getting the right photo.  I loved the softness of the photos, added a texture to them, a wonderful quote, and I think I have a nice piece of art.  

God's canvas...

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Pablo Picasso

Beautiful and glorious Reds...    

The look of fall... oranges, and browns...

...with a sprinkling of silver bells...

Warren has gone to Dallas for a check up on his back, so I have had the day to do what I want.  I spent it trying to get caught up with my Family photo album for 2012.  I am on the month of July and am already at page 50.  Too many things happened this year.  My book is going to be huge.   Since I have the color of red at the beginning of this blog, I am closing with the same color scheme and a sneak preview of one of my July pages.

Proud to be an American...

Experimenting with some photo effects...

" A camera is a 'save' button for the mind's eye."--Roger Kinston


As an early birthday present, Stephanie, who is the granddaughter of Dr. Bond, and a wonderful photographer, (http://www.facebook.com/sd.photo.designs), gave me a pitcher full of interesting objects to use to create interesting photo effects.  I spent the rest of the afternoon lost in my own little world trying out all the feathers, crystals, beads, and nylon she had given me. What wondrous images were created!

Bird Yard Art

A Rose

Hollyhock

Bachelor Button flowers

I decided I would try out my new camera using the macro mode.  I loved my pictures.

Gerber Daisy?

Praying Mantis

I don't know the name of this flower.  I wanted to get the stamens that were on top.

Maggie