SmugMug > popular > Other > daisy plus
07/09/08

i liked this daisy with the buttercups behind it. the buttercups were growing over two feet off of the ground, perhaps the longest stems on buttercups i've ever seen, and the daisy was close to three feet tall
SmugMug > popular > Other > Self portrait
SmugMug > popular > Other > March 12, 2008

You Never Know Who is Watching

It is officially springtime around here.  Yesterday afternoon I saw a cardinal fly out of one of our vines and thought it would be so neat to find a nest and watch for babies.  We've enjoyed  several generations in the past few years but never have seen them until they ventured down to the feeder.

Very carefully I poked my head into the bushes and started looking, trying not to disturb anything I might find.  As I leaned back to move to another area, this is what I saw.  Not one, but three ribbon snakes, and they were about 18 inches above where my head had been. (I still can't believe that I didn't jump and scream.  What WAS I thinking?)

They even had the good manners to sit and wait for me to get the camera, switch to the macro lens, and come back outside.  I took about a dozen photos with different settings before they decided they'd had enough and slipped away.  I'm sure I'll see them again but probably not all at one time like this.   

If there was a bird nest in this area, I'm afraid the outlook for babies is not so good.  Maybe the bird was just resting and will find a better place to raise a family. I certainly hope so.
SmugMug > popular > Other > my mother-

a very good mother and a very good person-

she has pancreatic cancer but has a great attitude-

thanks mother for all you've done for me-

thank you for loving me when I was unloveable-

thank you for loving your daughter-in-law and your grandchildren-

thank you for being there when we needed you-
SmugMug > popular > Other > hydrangea with ladybug
07/24/08

got down to do laundry today so snuck over and nabbed a snap of the neighbor's hydrangea while it was cycling. hydrangea flowers look so odd but i've always loved them. very bummed out; was going to be down visitng sis and b-i-l and also had permission to shoot the 'tour de peaks" bicycling event but just too weak from this ##$%^#% CRUD!! such is life but there's a very good chance i'd've had some paying photos plus the fun of going with family. i'm not working yet again today but friday i'm going in if a have to drag myself down the street with my lips! can tell i'm finally getting better because actually have the enrgy to be frustrated. thanks yet again for all the kind thoughts words and prayers, forgot to mention the other day DOD says same. he's hanging in and still in good spirits. it helps that he gets plenty of calls and visitors. hope this finds you and those you love doing as well as can possibly be. i'm putting the tour de peaks link in case anyone is interested.
http://www.tourdepeaks.com/
SmugMug > popular > Other > Illustrations >  _DSC5692-1
SmugMug > popular > Other > life is so glorious!

"hard times don't bother me, life is so glorius.
 so you try and fail at first, try again avoid the worst...
 life is one experience, that only a fool could refuse."
 from 'hard times don't bother me' by joe higgs
06/30/08

this is my sis's camera bag. she designed and sewed the decoration, taking the line from the joe higgs song and the lion from an ethiopian coin. it is a sentiment i completely agree with! had dinner with DOD and fam as planned. DOD is getting used to his electric wheelchair and new breathing assist device and is in his usual good spirits, despite being tired and unable to leave the house. we thank God for each extra day we get... life is SO glorious
SmugMug > popular > Other > Sign At Shem Creek
SmugMug > popular > Other > Copy of Frank Frazettas Death Dealer, done in oils on canvas board.
Copy of Frank Frazettas Death Dealer, done in oils on canvas board.
 > Copy of Frank Frazettas Death Dealer, done in oils on canvas board.
Copy of Frank Frazettas Death Dealer, done in oils on canvas board.
Photo by: Bob Schneider (DerAlt) · see photo in gallery