Project 365 – For mothers just like me…is a group of moms with young children who graciously allowed me to tag along with the group as an accountability group for taking photographs.  Both of my children are much older and living out of home.  I hope to continue with this group as I have enjoyed every moment of my time spent with them and getting to know each family.

 

Day One:  January 1, 2015

While sitting on the deck drinking coffee this morning I was looking at the creeper on the fence.  This little shoot was heading off into the sky.  What I love when I edit is finding what the natural eye does not normally see.  Tiny little bugs crawling on the shoot and spider webs.

Day 2: January 2, 2015

I like to hang out on the deck in the morning and have my coffee and talk to the critters.  Today was an interesting day.  I generally put peanuts out for the Squirrel but of late the Blue Jays have been picking them off faster than the Squirrel.  Today we had a new bird join the mix although I cannot say it actually got a peanut.  I am not particularly fond of the Boat Tailed Grackle.  They tend to swarm the canal.  However, the one thing I do love about these birds is the color of their feathers with the sun shines on them.

Day 3: January 3,  2015

Walking in the wetland is always a pleasure for me – right now I cannot walk far, but I wanted to attempt it.  I got as far as the entrance to the wetland when this little lady caught my attention.  It was the first time I had seen a Juvenile or female Ruby Throated Hummingbird in the wild.  I have seen one at the Butterfly World but never out in a natural environment.  It was such a thrill to see and be able to photograph this bird.

Day 4: January 4, 2015

It has been a quite day today.  I wanted to rest after paying the price for yesterdays brief walk in the wetlands.  So today I hung around at home and in the afternoon I went outside on the deck to hang out with the Squirrels for a bit.  I love these little critters.

Day 5:  January 5, 2015

I had to laugh at this little guy this morning.  He was so busy scratching himself I am convinced he has fleas.  However at the point that I took the photo he had started playing with his tail.  Seemed like he was fluffing it up.

Day 6: January 6, 2015

Waking up in the morning is not something I am very good at.  However, it is always good to wake up to a pretty view.  When I went outside to feed the ducks this morning the mist was rolling along the banks and gathering at the end of the canal.

Day 7: January 7, 2015

Sunsets out back are always something worth stopping and watching.  This photo was taken as the sun was setting when they sky was still a little yellow and before it dipped below the line of view.  I always like to watch for reflections in the water.

Day 8, January 8, 2015

I have decided that Blue Jays are wise birds.  They have learned that the Squirrel gets 5 peanuts before I go to work.  Tag team Blue Jays have worked out that if they hit the loot after the Squirrel has got his first one, then they will get them all.

Day 9:  January 9, 2015

I love to walk in the wetlands and look at all the animals and birds that live there.  However there are times when I go looking for something different.  Today was one of those days and this vine caught my eye as it hung against a tree.

Day 10:  January 10, 2015

Today is a little chilly.  There is not much out on the canal.   However, you can count on the Mourning Doves to be around.  I love how they puff themselves up as the sit in the cold.

Day 11: January 11, 2015

Another early morning routine is to feed the Mallards.  I put a scoop of bird seed in a dish on the dock.  Today I was running a little late and so they were waiting patiently for me on the bank to bring their food out.

Day 12: January 12, 2015

In winter the days are dark before I reach home, so often on my drive home I am watching the sunset as it forms, and if I can find a good spot I will pull off and take a photo.  This was one of my stopping points this particular day.

Day 13: January 13, 2015

Early morning breakfast shoot before heading off to work.  Big Blue was outside wading in the water fishing.  I love how he has a feather sticking up on his back.

Day 14: January 14, 2015

I knew that today was going to be one of those hard days to meet my 365 challenge so I stopped in at the local grocery store and bought myself some tulips.  They are always so pretty.  Today I experimented with black and white.

Day 15: January 15, 2015

This was another road side opportunity.  I had been out at one of our clinics all day.  My camera was on the car seat and I was stopped at a traffic light.  I could not ask for a better photo op – a Cattle Egret sitting on the railing.

Day 16: January 16, 2015

Today was my first short walk in the wetland, post surgery to my foot.  The weather was warm and breezy.  Obviously the turtles were enjoying basking in the warmth.  I just love the positions they managed to get themselves into.

Day 17: January 17, 2015

It is Saturday, and Richard is desperate to try out his new paddle board, so off to the park we go.  He heads out on is board and I sit in the warmth of the day watching a father and son playing on a jet ski.

Day 18: January 18, 2015

My tulips are dying but even in death they are beautiful.  It feels like a Hallelujah chorus as they open out to cast out new seed, which in turn begins new life again.  Unfortunately they were in my office, so there was not a lot of new life happening.

 

Day 19: January 19, 2015

Seeing a raptor out back on the canal, is always a thrill for me.  They are never that close that I can get a great photo, but I really enjoy hearing them call out

Day 20: January 20, 2015

Another morning breakfast run as I head off to work.  My little Squirrels were out to greet me.

Day 21: January 21, 2015

When I went out to put the duck seed out this morning this White Ibis walked right up to me.  It is very unusual because they normally fly away.  Perhaps he is the Ibis that cleans up after the ducks have finished with their seed.

Day 22: January 22, 2015

Big Blue was hanging out again this morning.  I see his feather is still sticking up 10 days later.  I am always pleased to see his face when I head outside.

Day 23: January 23, 2015

I decided that I wanted to do something different today so I headed outside with my macro lens, which I really do not use often enough, and started focusing in on tiny little plants.  It always amazes me when I can zoom in close enough to see the tiny hairs on the stems of the plants.

Day 24: January 24, 2015 

I love my little Squirrels and I really like the colors of the background lately.  The blurry effect is also a favorite of mine as well.

Day 25: January 25, 2015 

Sunsets out back can be spectacular and today was no exception.  From here the colors changed to magenta’s.  The end of the day just took my breath away.

Day 26: January 27, 2015 

Early morning and not much critter activity but I do think that this was left over from the glorious night before.  Love to wake up in the morning and see the pink in the sky.  It makes the routine of getting ready for work so much more enjoyable.

Day 27: January 27, 2015 

This is one of my favorite kinds of photography. The topic of narrow depth of field.  I have blown up a couple of these images and am really happy with the final outcome.

Day 28: January 28, 2015 

Out back this morning was really life less, except for this Boat Tailed Grackle sitting up in the palm tree.

Day 29: January 29, 2015 

This photo of the Blue Jay is not technically correct.  I would call it fantastically flawed. However I do love the motion in this image.

Day 30: January 30, 2015 

I walked in the wetlands today, and since I went looking for this kind of photograph, here is my narrow depth of field for today.

 

Today starts the beginning of a new year and the beginning of a new challenge.  The goal of this group is to challenge oneself to pick up their camera and take a photograph.  There will be some days when I will want to experiment.  There will be days when I am out and something catches my eye. Many days it may be a case of just sitting out on the deck communing with nature and drinking a cup of coffee.  Today was one of those days.

 

Day 1:  January 1, 2015

Today was my day to hang outside on the deck drinking coffee and enjoying nature.  This little guy visits me for breakfast each morning.  He gets a couple of peanuts and a photo shoot.

Day 2: January 2015

Today I walked around the garden looking for something new – I was specifically looking for the topic fresh for another blog when this caught my attention.  I really loved the mottled colors that the macro lens created.

Day 3:  January 3, 2015

Today I was going to attempt a short walk.  I have not walked any distance since my surgery and I have been itching to get out.  So off I went.  I did not walk far and paid the price for walking but the view was spectacular and it was a real thrill for me to see a Bobcat and her kitten in the wild.  Mom was lazy and disinterested in me, but I could hardly contain my excitement.

Day 4:  January 4, 2015

Today I made the decision to stay at home and rest my foot in preparation for going back to work tomorrow.  My photo was taken late afternoon when  went to sit outside on the the deck.  The Squirrels came out to play.

Day 5:  January 5, 2015

Just keeping it real. First day back at work since surgery, and I am moving into a nice new big office. But this is kind of what it looked like when I started my day. By the time I left it was a little more organized but I need book cases and some drawers. And a working computer That said I am extremely grateful to the guys that moved all the furniture in and then moved the furniture around. They rock!!

Day 6: January 6, 2015

Driving home from work is an hours drive, and when it is in the middle of winter, it is not fun.  By the time I get home the sun has set and it is dark. So I could not resist a detour when I saw the sky come alive this evening on my home commute.

Day 7:  January 7, 2015

Sunset out back on the canal changes from day to day and as we go through the year you will see the different colors out back.  Tonight was mild but I always love to see the ducks floating on the water.

Day 8, January 8, 2015

Morning routine feed time, is to give the squirrels some peanuts before heading off to work.  Not too many but a few.  However, the Blue Jays have discovered free food, and this particular day there were about 5 of them flying in and out stealing the peanuts from the squirrel.

Day 9, January 9, 2015

Early morning raindrop is what I enjoy seeing outside on the plants and we have had a bit of rain just lately.

Day 10, January 10, 2015

Today I was sitting on the deck.  There was not much going on outside except the two Mallard ducks who had finally made their way up to the edge of the dock.  When one was eating the other kept it’s beady eye on me to make sure I was not creeping closer.  I liked the effect of the blur of grass in front of the duck.

Day 11:  January 11, 2015

This morning my Squirrel did not rouse himself until just before 10:30am.  The weather has been a bit chilly the last few day and I have noticed that if it is too cold they do not come out.  But it is always a pleasure to see them when they do.

Day 12: January 12, 2015

I drive the same route most days, and for the longest time there has been a hedge across the front of this property.  Suddenly one day the hedge was gone and this run down old building was in line of sight.  I passed it for a couple of days and then one day I pulled over on the side of the road and decided to take this shot.  The very next day, graders were in clearing the land. Interestingly they cleared all around the house.

Day 3:  January 13, 2015

Sunset out back on the canal varies from day to day, but I am never really disappointed.  It was nice to see my Great Blue Heron wading in the water.

Day 14: January 14, 2015 

I love tulips. My aunt died a year ago February, and I did a whole photo shoot as a blog remembrance of her beautiful life. Shooting these two made me remember her all over again.  How I miss the voice at the other end of the phone that gave sound advise.

Day 15: January 15, 2015

I always get pretty excited when I see a raptor.  I was driving home from work when I spotted him sitting on the powerline.  However, I was already passing him, so I went on a bit further, did a u-turn and headed back the way I had come, did another u-turn and drove up to where he was.  I pulled off the side of the road and started taking photo’s.

Day 16: January 16, 2015 

Today I took a walk around the local wetlands.  I love to do this.  It relaxes me and I really enjoy nature.  One of my favorite inhabitants there is this iguana, which is apparently an invasive species to South Florida.  Most people dislike them but I think they are pretty cool, especially when they puff up their flap at their neck.  This iguana is in it’s mating colors right now.

Day 17: January 17, 2015 

We headed out to the local lake so that Richard could play on his new paddle board.  I took it easy and did some armchair photography.  Today I experimented with black and white, negative space and blur.

Day 18: January 18, 2015 

The tulips I posted a few days earlier had finally died but even in their dying they looked beautiful.  I could not resist taking this photo.

Day 19: January 19, 2015 

This particular morning I headed outside to feed the ducks.  I always take my camera outside and it was such a beautiful foggy morning.  The ducks had to wait for their food while I snapped my photo.

Day 20: January 20, 2015 

My little buddies were around this morning to have breakfast.  I always enjoy their antics when I go out there.  What I love about this particular photo is the blur all around the Squirrel.

Day 21: January 21, 2015 

Heading to work each morning, means I have a limited chance of capturing photo’s.  By the time I get home it is already starting to get dark.  Today, Big Blue, as I named my Great Blue Heron, happened to fly on in as I walked out.  It always gives me a thrill to see him out there on the bank.

Day 22: January 22, 2015 

Again Big Blue was out there and this was just a gorgeous morning.  I think he thought I was nuts when I got down level with him to take this photo.  I loved the colors, the little bit of mist and most of all Big Blue.

Day 23: January 23, 2015 

I wanted to do something different today, and I have these Lilies sitting on my window sill.  I decided to take a photo using natural light.  I loved the color version but I really enjoyed seeing this in black and white.

Day 24: January 24, 2015 

We occasionally will get woodpeckers out back.  Today was one of those days.  It was hanging out at breakfast time with the Blue Jays, Squirrels and the Boat Tailed Grackles.

 

Day 25: January 25, 2015 

Today was an overcast chilly winters day.  I had gone out and on the way home, I had stopped to take a photo of a swing.  When I go home I went outside to see what the sunset was doing.  I got an okay photo and thought that was it.  5 minutes later I saw the sky turn orange and then magenta and this was the final photo I took tonight.

Day 26: January 26, 2015 

I love my mornings out back.  I typically catch a few minutes with these guys before I head off to work.  They always bring a smile to my face.  I do think that God was thinking of me when He created the Squirrel.  I could watch their antics all day.

Day 27: January 27, 2015 

Raptors are not your common every day occurrence.  So I am pretty excited when I manage to catch one in a photograph.  This Red Shouldered Hawk was just beautiful.

Day 28: January 28, 2015 

Work days are really hard to get photo’s.  By the time I am nearing home it is already getting dark.  There is nothing really inspirational around our office, so I have got into the habit of looking out when I am driving to or from the office.  Tonight it was the sunset on a little canal off the main road.

Day 29: January 29, 2015 

Another catch en-route home.  This Osprey was sitting on this dead tree as I was driving past.  I quickly did a u-turn and headed back in it’s direction.  I love seeing these raptors.

Day 30: January 30, 2015 

I am part of a group called 30 Minutes in Life and this week I got to pick the topic.  I choose “Narrow Depth of Field”.  On the weekend I get to pick my favorite 5.  So today I walked around the wetlands looking for a little bit of inspiration, and some narrow depth of field images.

Day 30: January 30, 2015 

Today I was not sure if I preferred the color or the sepia.  So I did both.  I do tend to lean towards the sepia to be honest.

I hope that you have enjoyed my first month of my 365 project.  Look out for the next installment at the end of February.

This is a circle blog, so please take the time to head over to my friend Francesca and see what she has for you.  She is new to photography and will hopefully be challenged to pick up her camera as often as possible to take a photo a day.

If you are interested in seeing more of my photography take a look at my Facebook page or my Flickr Page.