I love my view in Western Colorado.
Mt. Garfield & Clouds
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Cactus: Up Close and Personal
Shot with my new 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. Not getting it exactly right yet, but I’m having a blast.
Almost Summer
Look what I found in the driveway yesterday! Not one—TWO—pink blooms. I never see the buds, so when they show up like this, it’s such a wonderful surprise! I went out again, later in the day, to take pictures in longer, softer light and they had closed up.
There’s a bug enjoying the bottom bloom, too.
A New Adventure
I begin a new adventure on Monday when I report for work at a new job. I was awarded a part-time internship at a local accounting firm. This is what I have trained for and will finally have the opportunity to use that training. The dichotomy of the job search is that if you don’t have experience, you can’t get a job. If you can’t get a job, then you can’t get the experience. So, I’m excited (and a little nervous) to start and to learn. I know I will learn a lot.
I didn’t do it alone, either. There were so many people pulling for me, helping me, and teaching me. I owe so much to the people in my life—not just for this instance—but for all they’ve been and done in my life that brought me to this place.
Today, between other tasks, I took my camera out and put in the last lens I bought a year ago or so. It’s different. It’s a fixed lens and I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. I think it will take nice closeups, like the images below. Today I took pictures of cactus blooms, a pine cone, and a huge, open dandelion seed pod. (Is that what it’s called?)
I think they turned out really well and I can’t wait to take more.
Moon over Junction
I took this several years ago. No. I did not wake up on the 15th to take a pic of the red/orange moon. I was up at 2:00 letting the doggies out, but not up at 3.
Figures. 🙂 I love shots of the moon. This shot sported a cloud in the foreground. The only thing that would make this shot perfect is a bat and a witch on a broom.
Sunrise
Sunrise 031314
The sun is migrating from the south side of The Grand Mesa to the north side. Today it seems to be about halfway on its journey. This morning the sky was pink and I snapped this picture just before the sun peeked above the top of the mountain. Spring’s on its way!
Patrón Makes Me Laugh
I shot this video of my dog, Patrón, running maniacally through the living room. It’s kind of a noisy video and it’s not of very good quality. I was using the iPhone because that’s what I had handy when she burst into all that crazy energy. In the background, you can hear Red Hot Chili Peppers’ California, playing. And then, of course, I got to laughing pretty hard.
I’m laughing now as I review the video. She has been such a source of entertainment for me. I have videos in which she speaks to me and when she realizes I’m not planning to respond, she speaks louder with a more earnest look in her eyes while she shifts from left to right to left front foot. Eventually she barks. I’ll have to post one of those.
Goosed and Tweaked
Here’s a picture I took of a goose in Summer 2012 while on a bike ride. I love capturing wildlife, but not a lot of it will sit still long enough for me to get a good shot. At least these swam close by and didn’t move too quickly to get a good capture.
Goose
I used Lightroom 5 and Topaz filters on this to get the effect I finally liked a lot. I will, from this time forward, do a better job of documenting just how I got an effect. I am sure this was a mix of one of Trey Ratcliff’s Lightroom Presets and Topaz Labs’ Simplify, both of which I tweaked a little.
I have the most fun playing with photographs in various software to create something that pleases my senses.
Happy New Year!
I’m looking forward to great things in 2014 and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
I hope your new year is as good as I expect mine to be!
Happy New Year! 2014
I Love My View
It would be nice if I had a better lens for such shots, but this turned out pretty nice. I love my view. This is sunrise in the summer. I want it to be summer again, soon. I am tired of the cold already. Aren’t these clouds pretty?
Clouds
I’m done with school for the semester and I think I did well. I’m glad to be done for a few weeks. I worked hard, learned much, and enjoyed myself immensely. I’ve had so much fun learning and I met several women that I hope will continue to be part of my life for a long time to come. They have made such a positive impact on my life. They’re smart, full of life, and they inspire me to be better.
I’m looking forward to the next semester and what lies ahead.
Thanksgiving Day, 2013
I’ve read that on this Thanksgiving, we ought to be thankful for our many blessings. This, of course, is true. Our blessings are many, and today we should be thankful.
Harder to remember is that those same blessings exist every day of the year.
I don’t plan to post each day, those things I’m thankful for, although that is an excellent exercise. It does keep gratitude in mind when a busy and stressful day tends to beat it down. But this day I will spend considering my many blessings and how I will work to keep them foremost in my heart and mind all year.
A few things for which I’m thankful—
- Family that I love, without whom I really would be nothing.
- Friends who are my life’s family. They keep me centered, entertained, included, and loved. And I love them.
- My pups who make me laugh, cry, fall, cuss, and be responsible when I might otherwise not be. I love them so much.
- Education that has awakened my mind to its strength and piqued my imagination to possibilities still available.
- A job that I love that allows me to be creative and continue to learn.
- Interests that keep me entertained and creative.
- Humor and lots of belly laughs!
- Health that allows me to enjoy and be thankful for ALL my blessings.
What things are you thankful for today? Every day?
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Thankful for Beauty in My Life
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