30 Minutes in the Life: July 2016

How time has flown.  This month 30 Minutes in the Life celebrates 3 years of blogging together.  It has been an incredible journey for me.  I have learned so much over this period for the photographers I have blogged with.  I have shared in the highs and lows of their lives, watched their children grow, and come to love the ladies and their stories.  Thank you to all of those ladies that I have journeyed along with, it has been a blast

I have just had foot surgery, which means I am not walking anywhere in any hurry for the next 5 weeks. In fact I am pretty much stuck on my bed for 99% of the day. So I prepared in advance for the 30 minutes in the Life because I did not want to miss out on this group.

So what I did was I took a drive down to the local sea life rehabilitation center and wandered through there.  Gumbo Limbo sits between the ocean and the Intracoastal.  It is a small rehabilitation center with two large reef tanks and some smaller specific tanks.

Walking into this center they had a display of crafted turtles.  I love turtles.  In the days when we scuba dived, it was always a treat to see turtles swimming by.  Beautiful graceful creatures in the water.

The display outside in the grounds of Gumbo Limbo

The display outside in the grounds of Gumbo Limbo

Inside the entrance area I spotted this tank with a gorgeous but venomous Lionfish.  The Lionfish has some a number of dorsal fins that will deliver the venom in the form of a sting.  A sting from a Lionfish is rarely fatal, but can cause nausea and  breathing issue and is extremely painful.

Some of the more poisonous fish

I headed up to the two salt water tanks thinking I would spend some time taking photographs of the fish from the top.  Fish, I have decided, are like butterflies.  Clearly they do not keep still.  The best I could get was a Stingray and a Turtle.

Stingray

Turtle rehabiliation

Inside one of the tanks

I headed downstairs to the outside of the tanks and started to meander around the building  looking inside.  That’s when I discovered something that I thought I could play with.  The reflections in the windows.

Sea Life rehabilitation center

I discovered reflections in the glass windows were creative looking double exposures.

I discovered reflections in the glass windows were creative looking double exposures.

Self portrait

Self portrait

Tank reflections

Tank reflections

Tank reflections

Tank reflections

I went looking for Dory today

Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Stacey Markel Photography | MD Family, Child & Senior Photographer and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

30 Minutes changed their name to Journey to an Artist.  If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page.  There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.

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

Share Six: July 2016: Kitchen

This months theme,  KITCHEN, was chosen by Erica of Woodsy Wonders Photography.  The reason she chose the theme KITCHEN was:

I chose “in the kitchen” because it is where I spend most of my days. Cooking and baking treats for the family. It is a place where families can get together and share a meal. The place me and my kids bond. It is the heart of the home

The kitchen is not my favorite place I have to be honest.  While I cook each day, I am certainly not passionate about it, nor do I really like my kitchen. It’s okay, but it really needs a face lift.  However, since our long term plan is to be out of this house sooner rather than later, I do not want to waste any money changing out an acceptable kitchen if I am going to leave it behind. In fact, in all the houses we have lived in, there has only been one kitchen that I loved.

However, I thought I would share with you a little bit about some of the things that are in or happen in my kitchen.

This is the story of my life. I have one cat that is diabetic. Twice a day she has to have insulin. Both cats are on special diet food and limited to what they eat. Moonshine is a sweetie and when faced with the choice I could not put her to sleep. So our routine is to wake up in the morning feed her, and give her the shot. Same routine again in the evening at approximately the same time. So long as you stay on track she is good. Signs that you may have a diabetic cat - it's head is constantly in the water bowl, it is urinating outside of her box or excessively in her box, it has a ferocious hunger but is rapidly loosing weight. Chances are it will have a urinary tract infection as well. It is so ironical that for someone who left school and was adamant that I did not want to do any form of nursing, I have nursed my husband, my son, and 2 cats. Added to that I work in a medical clinic environment. So is life.

This is the story of my life. I have one cat that is diabetic. Twice a day she has to have insulin. Both cats are on special diet food and limited to what they eat. Moonshine is a sweetie and when faced with the choice I could not put her to sleep. So our routine is to wake up in the morning feed her, and give her the shot. Same routine again in the evening at approximately the same time. So long as you stay on track she is good. Signs that you may have a diabetic cat – it’s head is constantly in the water bowl, it is urinating outside of her box or excessively in her box, it has a ferocious hunger but is rapidly loosing weight. Chances are it will have a urinary tract infection as well. It is so ironical that for someone who left school and was adamant that I did not want to do any form of nursing, I have nursed my husband, my son, and 2 cats. Added to that I work in a medical clinic environment. So is life.

The only time I cook breakfast is on the weekends, and that is only if we are both at home. Often Richard will cycle on the weekend and then I am just to lazy to cook for 1 person.

Daily routine – protein shakes. Each day I make a protein shake to take to work. Some days will be strawberries, some days blackberries, other days mango. This is how my day starts out.

This old scale has history. It used to belong to my grandmother. She had painted it white. If I remember correctly the basin had been glued back together. When we were kids, my brother and I would go up to my gran for a period of time. She lived about 5 houses up the road from our house. We would play shops. I seem to recall tiny boxes of cereal that we would open out and weigh out and sell each other. I do not think anyone ever ate the cereal and by the time we left my grandmother had a mess of ceral. Over the years after she died the scale sat in my mothers house. When we decided to move to the USA there were 3 things I asked me my if I could have, the scale, an old clock, and a washstand. I had the scale brassed but unfortunately being near water has tarnished some of the items. However, All of them grace my home, and the memories live on forever, over 70 years of history.

This tea cup is part of a 12 piece set that was given to my mother on her wedding day. She looked after that set and when the time came she offered it to me for my use. Tea is part of who I am. As a family we drank a lot of tea. Rooibos is my brand of tea. A unique flavor but once I got used to it I could not go back to "normal" tea.

This tea cup is part of a 12 piece set that was given to my mother on her wedding day. She looked after that set and when the time came she offered it to me for my use. Tea is part of who I am. As a family we drank a lot of tea. Rooibos is my brand of tea. A unique flavor but once I got used to it I could not go back to “normal” tea. Tea is also a routine drink for me before I go to bed. It goes well with the book I am reading.

Some years ago, while driving out the community with Richard, I noticed an art deco lampstand sitting in someones garbage. In those days the uniqueness of dumpster shopping was still new. Of course, I made Richard go and pick up the lamp. The lamp shade was broken but with a bit of work Richard turned it into a candle holder. This lady graces the half wall in my kitchen.

 

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six.  This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my my friend and fellow blogger  Katherine of Cobert Photography  and see what she has for you this month.  Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.

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

Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Kitchen throughout the month of July.  A new theme will come out on August 6.

Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix and #sharesix_inthekitchen.

You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com

We cannot wait to see your images on KITCHEN

Tell me a story: June 2016

Tell me a Story is live and this month the quote is from Deepak Chopra:

“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of, because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solutions” 

Solitude for me often comes when we go away to the beach.  While Richard burns his energy kayaking, cycling, and snorkeling. I on the other hand find my solitude and rest in a book, walking along the beach, and watching nature.  The sound of the waves is a balm to my soul.  Being on the beach allows me to gather my thoughts and contemplate the answers.

We recently went down to Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys.  We have not been there for a number of years and decided to revisit.  Here are a few of the reasons why the trip to the beach is my balm, and which helps me to be silent.

Time to relax, enjoy, regroup - on route to the beach at Long Key State Park

Time to relax, enjoy, regroup – on route to the beach at Long Key State Park

Long Key State Park: Marathon: May 20-23, 2016 0114

Once you hit the Florida Keys the calmness of the ocean begins to soothe your soul.

A place of rest and reflection.

A place of rest and reflection.

Seed pods at the beach.

Life relaxes and you begin to enjoy the beauty that creation has to offer you.

I love that I managed to capture the tiny fish in it's beak.

Nature at it’s best -catching what it needs for the day – pure simplicity.

Silent meditation can come in the way of fishing. Not me though.

Silent meditation can come in the way of fishing.

Sitting on the beach watching the Osprey soar in the sky is a time of contemplation for me. Watching it dive for fish is pure pleasure.

Sitting on the beach watching the Osprey soar in the sky is a time of contemplation for me. Watching it dive for fish is pure pleasure.

An Osprey with it's dinner.

Seeing it rise out of the water – goal accomplished is encouragement in itself.  You have to try to achieve.

Feel the sun on your face

Feel the sun on your face – rest, relax, breathe, contemplate, restore.

Clouds

Marvel at the simple things like clouds in the sky.

A Seagull doing a fly by.

Enjoy nature – appreciate the beauty of a Seagull flying by.

Lensbaby Composer Pro with a Sweet 35 optic.

Enjoy the evening as it begins to close on the day – marvel at the beauty that surrounds you.

Sunset at the bridge leaving Islemorado.

Chill, allow the stresses you brought away with you to fall away.

Sunset from the bridge leaving Islemorado

Let the day close, along with it any troubles that you may carry.

Lensbaby Composer Pro with a Sweet 35 optic.

Tomorrow is a new day, rise, shine, enjoy…

Sunrise - Long Key State Park.

It’s a brand new day, and a brand new beginning.

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a Story.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Mindy Sauvageau  and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

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

30 Minutes in the Life: June 2016

30 Minutes in the Life, June 2016 is due to go live in a couple of weeks and I was at a loss to where to go.  Boca Raton, is not like a big city.  There may be a few high building but honestly it is not like Seattle or Denver.  Like the rest of Florida it is pretty flat.  I decided to head on out and pick up some test results and then head on out to Mizner Park shopping area.  Mizner Park is on the east side of Boca and definitely the more upmarket side of town.  While the weather may look bright and sunny, it actually has a light shower of drops just after I took the first image.  The temps were incredibly high and the air is humid.  While I managed to walk Mizner Park without getting wet, I was not as lucky an hour later when the clouds came over, the wind picked up and it felt like a mini tornado was heading through the area.  Severe weather warnings, lightening in the sky, and apparently what appeared to be a water spout attempting to form.

In between the good and bad weather meander with me through Mizner Park……

The Amphitheatre at Mizner

The Amphitheater at Mizner Park.  What I do love about this place is they have a lot of concerts.  While you have to pay to go into the amphitheater, folks generally arrive and set up camp in the middle section of the street.  Yes, I have done it as well.  You bring your chairs, food and drink and you get to hear, not see, a free concert.

The Amphitheatre at Mizner

You want a photo in a big chair.  Just hop on up.

This fountain sits at the base of a golden lady just outside the amphitheatre.

This fountain sits at the base of a golden lady just outside the amphitheater

Make big plans, aim high in hope and work.... Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty ~ Burnham

Make big plans, aim high in hope and work….
Let your watchword be order
and your beacon beauty
~ Burnham

I walked down the center of the two roads for a while to get a feel for what I was going to be looking at.

I walked down the center of the two roads for a while to get a feel for what I was going to be looking at.

Lensbaby Sweet 35 in action.

I like to take the lensbaby sweet 35 out with me because I never know what sort of image I will get.

Preparing for the day ahead

Preparing for the day ahead

Waiting

Waiting, perhaps resigned.

I crouched down to take a photo of this curly tailed lizard and the next thing I heard was and exclamation " Ooh she is taking a photo of the lizard - I have never seen one this size before" Clearly a visitor to Florida.

I crouched down to take a photo of this curly tailed lizard and the next thing I heard was and exclamation ” Ooh she is taking a photo of the lizard – I have never seen one this size before” Clearly a visitor to Florida.

Reflections in the window

Reflections in the window

Street Photography

You want to win a new bedroom – drop your slip in the jar.

When I go out I try to take a couple of images with my Lensbaby sweet 35.

At the opposite end of Mizner Park. I am ready to turn around and head back to the car.

Down the street

South Florida in black and white.

A table with a view

A table with a view

Alone

Alone

Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger and friend, Stacey Markel Photography | MD Family, Child & Senior Photographer and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

30 Minutes changed their name to Journey to an Artist.  If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page.  There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.

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

Seattle City Scenes

When I first heard that my brother was coming to the US, my head said I wanted to be with him, my heart said I wanted to visit my daughter in Macedonia.  Richard however, said we were going to Seattle.  I was so torn.  We went to Seattle, and I have to be honest I fell in love with the city.  There was so much to do, so much to see, and we did not even get to see all of it. We walked Seattle from one end to the other and each night my feet ached but I felt like it was well worth it.

When I came to editing the image I was so drawn to editing in black and white.  I had to force myself to go to color.  Seattle was a little drizzly, a lot gray, and bustling with people.  We stayed in the city.  We walked to Pikes Market.  We walked to the Library.  We walked to the Columbia Building.  We walked to Chinatown.  We walked to Olympic Park, and we walked to Capital Hill.  We caught the monorail to the Seattle Space Needle, but we could have walked.  We ate happy hour, and Chinese, and seafood.

I had the opportunity to meet up with a special lady and her son, the mother and brother of a good friend of mine, who is no longer with us. They drove us around the city one evening and I managed to get some really low light images at night, since I had not taken my flash with me when we went to dinner.

I hope that you enjoy my birds eye view of Seattle, the city scenes…..

 

Seattle City Skyline

Seattle City Skyline

Seattle City Center

Out on the streets of Seattle

Symmetry inside the hotel.

Symmetry inside the hotel.

Scenes from Seattle City Center

Was the wheel missing or just taken for safety?

The Troll under the Bridge - Freemont Seattle

The Troll under the Bridge – Freemont Seattle

The road we traveled up to see the Troll under the Bridge - Freemont Seattle

The road we traveled up to see the Troll under the Bridge – Freemont Seattle

Waiting at the bus station. I totally missed the shot but the conversion I kind of liked.

Waiting at the bus station.

The Seattle Skyline from the Freemont District area

The Seattle Skyline from the Freemont District area

The Space Needle at night taken from the Freemont District area

The Space Needle at night taken from the Freemont District area

While we did not see a lot of this, there were definitely places where we did see overnight outdoor sleeping by homeless people. Talking to a friend, he said this has become more of a problem in recent years.

While we did not see a lot of this, there were definitely places where we did see overnight outdoor sleeping by homeless people.

The Seattle Art Museum with the huge mechanical statue outside its entrance.

The Seattle Art Museum with the huge mechanical statue outside its entrance.

The Mechanical Statue outside the Seattle Art Musuem

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

Reflections of a city

Seattle City Streets

Late Winter in Seattle.

Seattle window shopping

Seattle window shopping

Musical Instrament in Seattle

Musical Instrument in Seattle – because you need them for the group 101 ways to shoot…

Seattle City

Another exit route

The Tat too parlor on Jackson Street.

The Tat too parlor on Jackson Street.

Caught the tourists doing the touristy thing.

Caught the tourists doing the touristy thing.

Inside a coffee shop.

Inside a coffee shop.

Downtown Seattle

Heading back to the city from Chinatown.

Seattle City streets

Back streets and alleyways of Seattle

Seattle City streets

Dragons

The two Africans peering into the Tango Zulu shop

The two Africans peering into the Tango Zulu shop

Outside stairways

Outside stairways

City Bus stop

Waiting at the bus station

Seattle is definitely worth the visit.  I enjoyed every minute, minus the sore feet, of the time I spent walking the city.

You can find the blogs to the Chihuly Gardens inside and out,  to Pike Street Market,  the Seattle Waterfront and Ferris Wheel, Bainbridge Island,  Seattle LibraryColumbia Building and Chinatown by clicking on the highlighted names.

Keep a look out for more of the upcoming blogs, Olympic Park and Capital Hill.  From there we head off to the Orca Islands and to Leavensworth.

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, and Instagram

Share Six: June 2016: Earth

It seems like time flies.  How did we already get to blogging for June.  This is the 4th month of Share Six and it has been so good to get to know my fellow bloggers and also to get to know the photographers sharing through their images and their participation in the group.

Kim chose the theme EARTH this month.  Part of her thoughts that resonated with me were “therapeutic, calming, relaxing ….connecting to the natural world in a meaningful way”.

I had my thoughts on the topic but decided to go ahead and look up the definition of earth – “the planet on which we live” and “the diversity of life on earth”  Both are pretty broad topics.  I am an outdoors person when it comes to vacations.  We camp a lot.  Typically we head to the beach.  Recently we were in Seattle.  The earth is vast and made up of cities and open spaces, beaches and mountain, humans and critters, sunrises and sunsets and all sorts of various other criteria.

I love critters. Living on the edge of the Florida Everglades I see a lot of critters.  This past weekend I managed to rescue a mouse from the jaws of terror, aka Moonshine the cat.  I quickly discovered that cats get lockjaw when they have a mouse in their teeth. I had to push my finger in her mouth and slowly ease it so that she released the mouse.  Poor little mouse had eyes as big as a small bead.  It took off so fast as it was released that Moonshine did not get a chance to catch it again. Then I heard Simba doing his cat growl.  Oh yes, when I looked through the slates of the deck the opossum was back underneath there sleeping.  Last year she had babies, which we never got to see because she is nocturnal.  All I needed was to look up in the tree and see a raccoon.  I have done that before.  Between these critters, the squirrel who comes to the fence each day, the birds, the gators, and even a bobcat, I have learned to appreciate what this earth has to offer.

This past weekend I took a bit of time to go and sit outside on the grass and enjoy the late afternoon light.  My idea was to snap a few photo’s of dragonflies.  This is what my brief time out there looked like before the mosquito’s arrived.

Sitting on the edge of the grass are these tiny weed.

Sitting on the edge of the grass are these tiny weeds.  Annoying to some but in my mind beautiful because all of the earth has various elements of beauty.

Dragonfly

The Four Spotted Pennant Dragonfly is a common sight out on the back canal.  I love dragonflies simply because they are one of the most interesting insects to look at.  Added to that they eat the mosquito’s that summer brings.  They are also food for the baby chicks that are being born in the area.  So is the cycle of life.

White Ibis.

I had some bread to throw away and so when I went out, I took it with me to feed the fish.  It does not take long for the rest of the feathered variety to arrive.  This White Ibis grabbed a couple of pieces that landed close to the edge of the water.

Boat Tailed Grackle

As did this Boat Tailed Grackle.  Grackles are a common sight out back and at times they will arrive in droves.

Great Blue Heron

And who should wander in to check out all the activity but Big Blue as I commonly call our resident Great Blue Heron.  After 30 minutes of watching and waiting he finally got into stalk mode.

Great Blue Heron

Big Blue dove into the water but came up short.  No fish for him at that attempt.  By now the mosquito’s were beginning to bite and it was time for me to go back in.  I love sitting outside and enjoying the activities of nature.  This is what earth represents to me.  The beauty of creation.  The diversity of life and living beings.  We are here for such a short time.  Enjoy what planet Earth has to offer.  Take care of it.  Respect it. Love it.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors

We borrow it from our children

~ Native America Proverb

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six.  This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my my friend and fellow blogger  Erica from Woodsy Wonders Photography and see what she has for you this month.  Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.

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

Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Earth throughout the month of June on our Facebook page.  A new theme will come out on July 6.

Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix and #sharesix_earth.

You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com

We cannot wait to see your images on EARTH.

Tell me a story: May 2016

Tell me a Story is live.  Each month we are given a quote to base our photographs on .  The quote for May is:

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself,
and know that everything in this life has a purpose.”
~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross.
One of the best places for me to silence myself is to take a walk in the wetlands.  I typically go in the middle of the day when there is not too many people around.  This time, however, I actually went early.  I was out of the house by 7:30am.  Downside about that, is, so is everyone else.  Between the photographers and the speed walkers, the area got a little hectic.
I have a tendency to zone out.  I just want to meander at my own pace and stop and take in the beauty. The wetlands is one of the places where I see that everything in life has a purpose.  The dragonfly eat the mosquitos and bugs, the lizards and birds eat the dragonfly, bigger birds and gators eat the smaller birds and so the cycle of life goes on.
Walk with me as I meander, clearing my head from the busyness of the previous week.  I am quiet and I am methodically slow.  In my head is a small list of images that I am looking out for.  Other than that I am doing my best to be quiet.
Walking in the wetlands - Tricolored Heron

The first Bird I come across with an adult Tri-colored Heron.  It is nesting season in the wetlands and so the first thing I am looking for is whether there are babies.  Sadly there were not so I meander on.

Woodstork and chicks

The Woodstorks have taken over at the first rest pavilion area.  In previous years the Great Blue Heron’s would nest there however over the last 3 years the Woodstorks have moved in and not left much space for other birds to build their nests.

Walking in the wetlands - spider web

I am always fascinated by spider webs, spider definitely less so.  The colors in this image really appealed to me.

Walking in the wetlands - An Egyptian Goose

I don’t often get to see an Egyptian Goose, however, I recently had one visit my back canal a few weeks ago.  These bird bring back memories of my youth and a friends mother feeding them.  They are beautiful birds and a pleasure to see.

The Ignuana is an alien species to the wetlands.

The Iguana is an alien species to the wetlands.  Whenever we visit the Florida Keys they seem to be in abundance.  In the wetlands there are less of them.  This one is a small iguana.  There are definitely some that are much bigger.  The interesting thing about iguana’s is that they change from this green color to orange color when in mating season.

Walking in the wetlands

Wildflowers and bees are hard to catch because the bee barely sits still for two seconds.  I think I probably took 20 images just to get this one.

Wild flowers amidst the various shades of grasses.

Wild flowers amidst the various shades of grasses.

Walking in the wetlands

This is one of the most interest plants I have seen in the wetlands. The Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush) is apparently part of the coffee family.

I love this walkway and today I pulled out my lensbaby composer pro with a soft focus optic, to see what I could get. I do love the effect of the lensbaby images.

I love this walkway and today I pulled out my Lensbaby composer pro with a soft focus optic, to see what I could get. I do love the effect of the Lensbaby images.

Finding the light

I spotted this small frame of light and remembered that one of the group I am in focuses on finding the light.  This one worked for that theme.

There are new chicks on the block. Three Tri-colored Herons were hanging out today . This little one was sitting all by iteself. I love how it's legs are all stretched out in front of him.

There are new chicks on the block. Three Tri-colored Herons were hanging out today . This little one was sitting all by itself.  I love how it’s legs are all stretched out in front of him.

And here is the previous Tri-colored Heron's partners in crime. These babies are a welcome sight at the wetlands.

And here is the previous Tri-colored Heron’s partners in crime. These babies are a welcome sight at the wetlands.

This Cormorant hangs out in the wetlands, and while I am not as close as I seem to be, it is not afraid when you walk past it. It watches you with it's beady until but never flys away. The beady eye of the Cormorant is a beautiful turquoise.

This Cormorant hangs out in the wetlands, and while I am not as close as I seem to be, it is not afraid when you walk past it. It watches you with it’s beady until you pass but it rarely flies away. The beady eye of the Cormorant is a beautiful turquoise.

Walking in the wetlands

I spotted the outer petal of the pond apple flower lying on the wooden railing.  The narrow depth of field is one of my favorite styles of taking an image. I love the sharpness with the contrasting blur.

This Stilt had created a nest in a "dry" spot due to low levels of water. However, we have had some increase in the water level. She laid and was nesting on 4 eggs. Friday I got to see them which was a rare treat. Sadly a young resident gator must have discovered the nest on Friday afternoon or Saturday. By Saturday mid morning the Stilts had gone and the 4 eggs had disappeared and the gator was hanging out.

This Stilt had created a nest in a “dry” spot due to low levels of water. However, we have had some increase in the water level. She laid and was nesting on 4 eggs.

Stilt sitting on what looks like 4 eggs. She kept getting up and turning them this morning

While I was watching the female Stilt, she kept getting up and moving the eggs.  My understanding was that they were due to hatch within a couple of days.

This Stilt had created a nest in a "dry" spot due to low levels of water. However, we have had some increase in the water level. She laid and was nesting on 4 eggs. Friday I got to see them which was a rare treat. Sadly a young resident gator must have discovered the nest on Friday afternoon or Saturday. By Saturday mid morning the Stilts had gone and the 4 eggs had disappeared and the gator was hanging out.

Sadly a young resident gator must have discovered the nest on Friday afternoon or Saturday. By Saturday mid morning the Stilts had gone and the 4 eggs had disappeared and the gator was hanging out.  It is a rare treat to see a Stilt up close and I was saddened about the loss of the eggs.

I do believe that this Aligator was the cause of the demise of the Stilt eggs. The good news is the parents are building a new nest. The bad news is that the silly things are building it in a similar area.

I do believe that this Alligator was the cause of the demise of the Stilt eggs. The good news is the parents are building a new nest. The bad news is that the silly Stilts are building it in a similar area. I guess they did not learn.

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a story.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Beth Williams and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

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

30 Minutes in the Life: May 2016

For the past number of years I have attended a 1 day seminar at this location and I have always been impressed with the lines in the conference room section of this campus.  The campus belongs to one of the large churches in South Florida.

Since our vacation in Seattle, I have found myself drawn to black and white images, whether it is street, architectural or people.  Today I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and go for images that are really a lot more edgy than I would normally do.  I tried to incorporate lights and darks, as well as grains and blurs.

I hope that you enjoy my 30 Minutes in the life this month.

 

Skylight

Stairwell

CF lines

Stairwell

Potted plants

Blur

Skylight

Changing perspectives

Resource room

Time to lounge

CF lines

 

Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger

Jasmine Keath / Melbourne and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

30 Minutes recently changed their name to Journey to an Artist.  If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page.  There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.

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

Seattle: International Chinatown District

When I was in San Francisco I really wanted to go to Chinatown and that did not happen.  So before we even got on the airplane I voiced that the one thing I wanted to do was go to Chinatown.  We walked from our hotel the Chinatown.  It was probably a 20 minute walk from the city center, but I was happy to do it knowing that I was going to the one place I had wanted to go.  Did Chinatown live up to my expectations – yes and no.  I guess I expected to see more Chinese monuments and buildings and statues etc.  I felt like I was stepping into a different part of Seattle.  The streets seemed less tidy, the buildings a little grey. There were so many overhead tram cables that it made it really hard to get a clean image without some kind of power line in it.  On the flip side there was the beautiful entrance into Chinatown, there was the dragons that are so synonymous with Chinese culture.  The people that we passed smiled and hurried on.  I found myself wanting more but at the same time enjoying what I was seeing…. Meander with me.

Heading to Chinatown

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

Catching the Amtrack

Seahawks Stadium-Seattle

Seahawks Stadium-Seattle

The entrance to Chinatown.

The entrance to Chinatown.

Dragons at the entrance to Chinatown

Dragons at the entrance to Chinatown

The dragons of Chinatown

Entrance to Chinatown

Chinatown windows

Unity Earth, the center element, represents unity. Unity of values enables our community to preserve and share our heritage with future generations. The four stages of community endeavor - Vision, Accomplishment, Reflection and Renewal - provide continuing opportunities for indivuduals to sustain this unity. Pathways to Pride 2002 In the late 1800s, first waves of hopeful sojourners, seeking refuge from poverty and war in Asia, journeyed to this area, seeking opportunities for a fresh beginning. From distant lands they came, each holding dearly to memories of the life they left behind, each moving quickly to embrace dreams of a better life. They staked their claim by building a flourishing neighborhood on what was once tideflat land. These streets and buildings now overflow with the riches of diverse people, commerce and culture

Unity
Earth, the center element, represents unity. Unity of values enables our community to preserve and share our heritage with future generations. The four stages of community endeavor – Vision, Accomplishment, Reflection and Renewal – provide continuing opportunities for indivuduals to sustain this unity.
Pathways to Pride
2002
In the late 1800s, first waves of hopeful sojourners, seeking refuge from poverty and war in Asia, journeyed to this area, seeking opportunities for a fresh beginning.
From distant lands they came, each holding dearly to memories of the life they left behind, each moving quickly to embrace dreams of a better life.
They staked their claim by building a flourishing neighborhood on what was once tideflat land. These streets and buildings now overflow with the riches of diverse people, commerce and culture

The dragons at Seattle's International Chinatown

The dragons at Seattle's International Chinatown

I made it to Hong Kong :)

Walking through Chinatown I noticed that the street names are in English and Chinese.

Walking through Chinatown.

Passing a resaurant in Chinatown

Walking through Chinatown.

Bruce Lee: From what I have read Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco on November 27, 1940 and was raised in Kwaloon untill his teenage years. After getting caught up in street fights his parents moved him back to the USA to live with an older sister. In 1959 he moved to Seattle. In Hong Kong, May 10 1973, Bruce Lee collapsed while shooting the movie Enter the Dragon. On July 20, 1973 Bruce Lee Died. His body was returned home to Seattle where he is burried at the Lake View Cemetery. I did not get to see his home or visit the cemetery but interestingly enough we met up with a friend at a local pub called The Pine Box. Turns out that the Pine Box used to be a mortuary - Butterworth Mortuary, 300 East Pine St, Seattle WA 98122. It was from here, we were told, that Bruce Lee was moved to his final resting place.

From what I have read Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco on November 27, 1940 and was raised in Kwaloon until his teenage years. After getting caught up in street fights his parents moved him back to the USA to live with an older sister. In 1959 he moved to Seattle. In Hong Kong, May 10 1973, Bruce Lee collapsed while shooting the movie Enter the Dragon. On July 20, 1973 Bruce Lee Died. His body was returned home to Seattle where he is buried at the Lake View Cemetery.
I did not get to see his home or visit the cemetery but interestingly enough we met up with a friend at a local pub called The Pine Box. Turns out that the Pine Box used to be a mortuary – Butterworth Mortuary, 300 East Pine St, Seattle WA 98122. It was from here, we were told, that Bruce Lee was moved to his final resting place.

An alleyway in Chinatown

The train station at the entrance to Chinatown.

Train lines near Chinatown.

Narrow Depth of Field in Seattle's International Chinatown.

After walking around Chinatown it was time to head back to the hotel.  I have to be honest I really enjoyed walking to and around Chinatown but the thought of walking all the way back again had more poor feet complaining. However, you do what you have to do and enjoy it while you can.

You can find the blogs to the Chihuly Gardens inside and out,  to Pike Street Market,  the Seattle Waterfront and Ferris Wheel, Bainbridge Island , Seattle Library and the Columbia Building by clicking on the highlighted names.

Keep a look out for more of the upcoming blogs, Seattle the city, and Capital Hill.  From there we head off to the Orca Islands and to Leavensworth.

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, and Instagram

Share Six: May 2016: Green

This months topic, Green,  was chosen by Brandi Hansen. Late last year I purchased a Lensbaby.  I fell in love with the way it blurs images.  I have had a lot of fun with the sweet 35 optic and in fact recently won a competition on Lensbaby.com under the category Travel with my image of the Space Needle in Seattle.  As you can imagine I was thrilled.  Over the months I have looked at the effects of the different optics and the one that I was looking at was the Soft Focus Optic.

Today I chose to shoot with my new Lensbaby Soft Focus Optic and my Macro 100mm 2:8L lens.  I hope you enjoy my take on Green.

Green.

Green dice

Green Vase and Straws

 

Soft focus lens

Run and Walk images

Green straws in a container

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six.  This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my my new friend and fellow blogger  Katherine of Cobert Photography and see what she has for you this month.  Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.

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

Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on facebook at Share Six and come and share your images throughout the month of May on our Facebook page.  A new theme will come out on June 6.

Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix and #sharesix_green.

You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com

We cannot wait to see your images on GREEN.