Nature's lessons

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/60, f4

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

----Albert Einstein

Buttonwood Farms Sunflower Festival

I took a camera club roadtrip yesterday afternoon to Buttonwood Farms in Griswold CT to photograph the sunflowers which they have every year as a fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. http://www.sunflowersforwishes.com/
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for us, and after about only 20 minutes of shooting, the skies opened up and it poured. And it poured. And it poured......with thunder and lightning. After taking shelter in the car for about 45 minutes, we realized that the weather was not going to let up. And it didn't. The whole way home. The roads were flooded. My cousin Betty who was in the backseat was quoted as saying "I'm glad I didn't die there because I would not want my obituary to say that she died while taking pictures of sunflowers. " :-)
Honestly, it was that bad. We gave a good fight but Mother Nature certainly won this one. The best part of the day was the ice cream. All I can say about that is yum and you must go visit here for the ice cream alone. Amen.
Now, on to the photos.
Wish I had more time to explore this old stone barn. Just look at the character! The stone and weathered old wood, along with the meandering old stone wall, fit right in with the type of subjects I am drawn to photograph.

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/80, f9

This next image is my favorite sunflower image of the day. I wanted to get the "S" curve of the path to lead the eye of the viewer along into the image.

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/60, f8

WHERE'S WALDO????????

This was one of the last shots I took before the rain came down. The president of my camera club, Larry,  is in this image.

A. Can you find him?

B. Look at that sky!!!!

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/60, f9

Beware of the trees!

I'm not sure if anyone else in the group noticed this yesterday or not. It could just be me and my paranoia. But, as I was walking along the trail in the woods at Luddam's Ford Park, I couldn't help but get the feeling that someone was watching me..............perhaps there were two faces watching me.........Do you see them???

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/15, f6.3

We also came across this roadblock, which was easy to navigate under. Short people like me really didn't need to duck under, and the rest of them just had to do a little duck of the head and they got by just fine.

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/50, f5.6, -1/3 ev

This photography thing can be quite spooky at times. :-)

Luddam's Ford photo walk

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/50, f11

I attended a photo walk this morning at Luddam's Ford Park in Hanover MA. It was led by my friend and very talented photographer, Greg Lessard, http://blog.greglessardphotography.com/ and it was sponsored by the Hanover Arts Council, a member of the MA Arts Council.

Although the skies were grey and the light was flat, we still managed to find some good photo opportunities.

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/1250, f2.8, -1/3 ev

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, f2.8, 1/1000, -1/3 ev

The Pickerelweed growing at the edge of the pond was a nice subject to find.

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 320, 1/200, f3.5

Anytime to be out with the camera gear is a good time!

Environmental Portraits

What a beautiful weekend here in New England, huh? I hope those of you readers who are local are able to get out and enjoy this weather. Last night Mr. S and I went to Genarros in Quincy for an early dinner (Thanks Matt for the gift certificate!)  The meal was amazingly deliciousness. Not sure that is proper English but it's the best way to describe the Chicken Parmesean, Eggplant Parmesean, Fettuccini Puttanesca made with freshly made fettuccine that I ordered. The leftovers are sitting in the fridge right now just waiting for Mr. S and I to devour it for lunch this afternoon. After dinner, Mr. S agreed to accompany me to meet up with a few camera club members in Quincy to photograph shore birds. Mr. S is such a trooper.....or as my friend Andy likes to call him......."the long suffering one".
I used the Nikon 70-300 mm non VR cheapo lens last night. The results were "eh" with this lens. I stopped it down to f11 (the lens sweet spot) and jacked the ISO up to 500 to get the desired shutter speed.
We went to a marsh in Squantum near Wollaston Beach where many different varities of shorebirds can be found. Last night there was slim pickings with only a couple different birds to be seen.
Here is a Yellowlegs. I *think* it's a Lesser Yellowlegs, but if I am wrong and it is a Greater Yellowlegs, please feel free to correct me.

The other species we saw were the Killdeer:

Now, how many hours is it until lunch time??????????

The Homecoming

Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, 1/320, f2.8

It's a very happy day!!!!

After 9 and a half weeks of being hospitalized, my father came home.

I picked him up at the rehab, and Mom came down to the door to greet him and welcome him home.

Panasonic LX3, ISO 80, 1/200, f2.8

What a roller coaster these past few months have been. We honestly thought this day might not ever come. There were many low days. At one point, I thought God must have a very strange sense of humor. But, one thing's for sure.............God said "Nah.......not yet!"

Welcome home Dad!!!!!!!!!!

The colors of Summer in Vermont

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/800, f8

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/320, f10

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 500, 1/60, f10

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, 1/400, f10

Catching the train

Nikon D90, 18-200 mm lens, ISO 200, f5.6, 1/500, -2/3 ev

Mr. S and I had a little getaway to VT this weekend. The weather was great, and it was nice to get away.....even just for a weekend.

This image was taken along Rte 5 in Barton VT. I frequently pass by this area, and in the past I have taken some pictures here during other seasons........Fall, and Spring. In fact, I'm sure one or two of those images have appeared here on the blog at some point. The reflections in the water are what usually attract me to photograph at this site. Yesterday was different.......in a very good way. I was fortunate to have the train there. The added interest of the train is just what this scene needed to turn it from a nice image into a very good image. (In my opinion)

I hope you like it as well!

By the way......did you notice the countdown to Fall has begun at the top of the page? :-)

Got Lobster?

Nikon D90, 17-55 mm lens, ISO 500, 1/15, f5.6, -2/3 EV

Hope you had a safe and happy 4th of July.

Happy Birthday America!!!!!