My Lens

Hey everyone, Since this blog is dedicated to how I see my world through my camera lens, I thought it would be a cool idea to tell you a little about my photography background and I can say this in two words........strictly amateur. In fact, I am taking my second beginning photography class right now. I'm also in an advanced class that involves going out on photo shoots. I looooove this class. I learn something each time we go out.
I have a Canon Rebel SLR which I bought as a kit....lenses included. Now, here is the story. I am on a fixed income and this is all I can afford or can ever afford. Unlike some of my photographer friends who are frequently updating and improving their equipment, I have to learn to make do. I always say that I have "lens envy" and that's the truth! Also, I really can't afford to travel so my photo shoots are limited to the area where I live. I do visit my children once a year in Myrtle Beach, SC and Overland Park, Ks, so I get some opportunities there.
Many of my friends make money shooting weddings, graduation photos or other events. I don't have the equipment or the energy to delve into this. I am retired and just want to have fun ;-)
So, I try to tell a story with my camera and am trying to improve the technical side as well. I used to take some pretty great pictures with my old Sony point and shoot so I think telling the story can be done without thousands of dollars in photo equipment. I do want to improve my creative side and also my post editing abilities.
No day is better than a day out shooting photos on my own. Just me and my camera.

PS:  If I won the lotto, I would be off to Camera Mart in a hot second.  ha!

Barn in Bridgewater Township

I love this barn! It's an old dairy barn which is made so beautiful by two Gothic style dormers. It has an earth ramp and the barn sits up quite high. You can see from the photo that at one time the barn was painted red. Love the bare tree. A perfect shot, I think. I got the barn from every angle except straight on. Love the weathered wood and the field stone of the ramp.

Barn #14 on the Washtenaw County Barn Tour.

Last of Autumn

Posting these last pictures of fall. Autumn is mostly over and the trees are bare of leaves. Sad. We are coming into the stretch of gloomy weather which will only be relieved by snow. That's right people...snow can be a beautiful thing.
Doing my very last phone banking today and I certainly have mixed feelings.....I will miss all the nice people that I have met but then again, I will have my life and my facebook page back. I also plan to take down my "other blog".
We are hoping for a huge celebration at the Obama Campaign Office in Wyandotte and praying that all our hard work has payed off. God bless America!

End of the Season

 Got it!

 Blocked it!

 Waiting

 Thinking

 Touch down run!

Liam has checks all the way across....that means he pulled a flag!

Phragmites

Pictured in the background of this picture(and one right in front) is Phragmites. I thought it would be interesting to tell you about these invasive plants that have literally taken over the marsh areas at Lake Erie Metropark. In the right foreground of the photo are the common cattails.
Phragmites are a perennial grass, a common reed that grows in wetland areas. It is a very invasive species and even though it looks attractive it is the bane of the marshlands. It chokes out other species and takes over the whole marsh. This picture was taken from the Cherry Island Trail. On the Fox Run Trail there are several look-outs that are totally obscured by these tall grasses. At one time you could look out over the marsh and see birds and water fowl but now the view is obstructed.
The park received a grant to have the plant sprayed and that was done this fall. They were sprayed from the air and by hand in smaller areas. Now, the plan is to burn all the treated areas in the spring. It will take several years for the marsh to recover and again grow in it's natural state. Any other plants or animal that do not survive the burning will eventually return.

Crack O' Dawn November

 Cold weather, warm hearts

 Ulanawa, Inge and Evan

 Bernie and Veronica

 Coopers Hawk (we think)

Well, next month we start our COD at 8am, a sure sign that winter is here. The weather this morning was a bit nippy, however our walk was really an enjoyable ramble. As you can see the sky was beautiful and everything was crisp and clear. The water level was really low and the marsh areas had hardly any water at all. Saw about 5 new muskrat lodges at the lotus pond area. They are all ready for winter. Will try to get back and sit (on a conveniently located bench) and watch for muskrat activity. Great company, great time, all in the guise of getting some exercise!

Morning moon

Photo Shoot in Washtenaw County

It was a cold and blustery day last Sunday when our class went on the Washtenaw County Barn Tour. The sky was beautiful but the light was not good, if that makes any sense. I got some great barn photos that I will be posting later but this is a start. We had fun and went out to eat after...great time.

 The neighbors threatened to call the police on us even though the barn is on the official tour. We were careful to stay off of the property but I wanted to get photos of this out-building that I took last time we were there.

 Some of out group pictured here are hard at work getting the "shot". I regret that I can't lay down like Lori pictured above. I'd need help getting up ;-)   It does give a different perspective on the scene.

 Shot this old church before as well and did some edits. Now it is in a frame in my living room. This is a rather gloomy building...maybe when it was in use God filled the space with light and happiness.

An example of a flat sky. In the other direction the sky was beautiful but it seemed that we were always shooting away from it.
 The class is going to a car museum in Kalamazoo this weekend. Will give it a miss as I'm just not into cars and it takes 3 hours to get there.
Have lots more photos to post. Crack O' Dawn this weekend.....hoping to see the sun.