By the Sea

 My last visit to the state park was all Great Egrets but this morning all I saw was the Snowy. They were cooperative posing for my camera. Overcast today but certainly warmer than Wednesday.

 Cormorants

at Brookgreen Gardens

Kingfisher

Lots of sun but no heat....

 

 It is very deceiving looking at this photo.....looks like summer but it was freezing today. Three jackets, hat, hood, gloves but I really needed a winter coat. Anyway,  I did enjoy my walk and later met up with the birding group and we went to the end of the causeway. So, today, I saw a Carolina Chickadee, and various other songbirds. Also saw Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Egrets, Gadwall Duck, Blue-Winged Teal, Forster's Tern, Lesser Yellowlegs Sandpiper, a Tricolor Heron and more that I can't remember. Next time I will be like my friend Rita and take pen and paper. Didn't see any alligators.
Wonderful seeing the ocean again and all the creatures that live near.

 

 

When we were on our way from the airport to my daughter's house my son-in-law spotted about 8 white birds in a field filled with wild Sorrel (sour weed). Got a quick picture and later identified it as a Cattle Egret. 

Hang On Sunshine, I'm Headed Your Way

 Last December, as I was driving into Huntington Beach State Park, I gasped when I saw the number of water fowl on the fresh water side of the causeway. I got to the end, hurried to park and headed out with my camera and binoculars. Wow, that was a great morning! Can't wait to hit the park, the ocean and Brookgreen.  Can't wait to eat at my favorite places, go shopping and most of all see my beautiful granddaughter and my oldest grandson (17 already). So, look out Murrell's Inlet, SC. here I come! Goodbye Michigan snow and cold....ugh!

Washtenaw County Barn Town

 We had a great photo shoot yesterday. Last fall semester, we shot this red barn from the road. (below)  We were lucky yesterday as the farm's owner was home and gave us permission to go on the property. I got some great photographs! Just don't have time for editing right now and will have to tackle the rest when I get home from Myrtle Beach. We had great skies and light as well. Had a great meal after in Bridgewater at the Bridgewater Tavern. Fun time!

Our photography class...our teacher, Jeff, on the end. He took this picture as well.

Sun and Flowers...please come again!

 These are photos that I took in my own garden last May. I think that I am going a little crazy with all the effects on the Picmonkey editing program but you have to admit that the rose below does look glowing. The first rose above is a climber next to my garage and the photo below is also a climber next to my front porch. Both of them bloom just once a year and both smell fabulous! The blue iris and salvia grow in my front bed...love the blue and the clematis  grows up the light pole. Can't wait until May!

Are we all not in the mood for some sun and color? 4 more days and I will travel to paradise (well, for me anyway). Can't wait to see all the flowering trees, azaleas in bloom, to walk on the beach and see the sun rise over the ocean and most of all to see my family. Have many plans big and little.
Leaving my home in good hands and when I get back spring will be here....I hope!

Mike and Tim

 I love finding old pictures. It's like finding a lost, favorite piece of jewelery under the sofa cushion.
This is a picture of my two sons, Mike and Tim, working hard to get an old stump out of my back yard. In 1996, I started on my garden and right in the spot where I wanted my little pond to be was a buried stump. It was a real challenge getting it out but by the photo you can see that they were victorious!
Well, my boys are in there 40s now and my garden has gone through many transitions and the pond is gone as well. But, the picture remains, as all pictures do, to remind us of times and memories gone by.

New Stuff on Picmonkey

Having fun with edits using the new stuff on the on-line edit program Picmonkey. This program is for dumb people like me who can't get the hang of Photoshop. One day I will learn it but it just seems like so much effort....maybe a class this fall?
This photo was taken at the DIA and with the radiance effect it looks like jewels....pretty.

Winter Shutterfly Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Victorian

 This Victorian style house sits next to the Flat Rock Historic Hotel. I don't know the back story nor have I been inside but I love the house and wish that I could visit someone that lives there on a Sunday afternoon.