Burrowing Owl

This little guy has been on my photography bucket list ever since I saw Michael Forsberg's image of one.  While not the quality of his by any means at least I finally was able to photograph them in their natural habitat not in a zoo.  We went this last weekend to the Sandhills of western Nebraska, specifically to Crescent Lake NWR and were blessed to see many, many burrows with the amazing little darlings.

Avalon Danielle

This little one had been prayed for by many people for a long time and she has arrived and is perfect.

Avalon Danielle Bradbury made her debut on

June 14th 2017

00:32a.m.  7.4#   20 3/4" long

Timeless Transportation

  This is a photo from a couple years ago taken on Mackinaw Island.  I thought it would make a nice classic painterly type photo.  I used Topaz Simplify, Impression and Detail on this one.

Jaxson Starts Track

Jackson started track and loves it!

Take 2

I found the masking brush!  That was a huge find, allowing me to mask on and off and adjust the amount of the paint I was putting on.  I knew the feature was available but trying to learn to navigate the program is taking a little time.   It's little things that excite me now days.

Learning Curve

There is a learning curve to using Topaz but I am determined, practicing on a photo from a few years ago. Two different units of the collection trying to see how they differ and how they are similar. I am trying to learn when and how to blend the two styles together. This will take some long nights and lots of You Tube videos to figure out!!!

 

Simplify

Impression

Simplify & Impression Used Together

Columbine

  Cody had planted some new flowers in their flower bed for Easter but had no idea what they were. I love all the detail and lavender was our color of the month,  I found out at forum that it is a Columbine. 

Easter Blessings!

What a wonderful Easter we had, we are so very blessed.  Cody and Chantell had everyone over for a cookout, Paiton was able to come home for her first 24 hour pass and we got some family photos!!! 

Raindrops on Tulips

So glad that Spring flowers are arriving, I especially love all the tulips that are starting to unfold and show off their beautiful colors.  I helped this one along with a spritz of glycerin and water mixer for that dew kissed look.

 

Lights, Camera, Action?

I bought a set of LED lights that are power and temperature adjustable and have been trying them out.  I like the fact they are continuous and I can see how the light is impacting my image but now I need to get a couple soft boxes instead of the umbrella to contain the spillage.

Seeing Red

The red ranunculus looked so very pretty in the containers as I rifled through them looking for the perfect bunch to take home.  Finally found the prefect bunch and away we went. They were so lovely with their different stages of opening buds, some tight just daring to start to peak at the world while others had full skirts that were twirling in the slightest breeze.  Little cups to captures droplets of water, beautiful rows of patterns and curly ques.  Just a lovely day of photographing these sweet beauties.  Then I uploaded the images to my computer and the hidden, evil, dark split personality was revealed!  The dreaded editing of RED, they all looked like they were on a trip in the 1960's with their acid pinkish, magenta, red whatever, it was a nightmare to get them looking like the original, thank goodness that once I was able to get one color corrected I was able to copy and paste my settings.  I will stick with my sweet, soft pastel flowers for awhile I do believe! 

Ranunculus Orange

Gift of Ranunculus

When your daughter brings you flowers that you have been waiting/looking to come into season you spend the day playing!!!  I love Ranunculus and have been wanting to find some but they are so expensive at the florist but Nikky found some for me and I am in love.  They remind me of a cross between a rose and a miniature peony, there are layers and layers of petals and as they start to unfold they just keep getting more and more beautiful.

One Mans Trash Another Girls Treasure

  When visiting my friends flower shop he tossed two sprigs of tea roses in the trash and I didn't hesitate to dive right in after them!  He said they were on their last leg but I knew I could coax some life out of them.  I put them in the refrigerator and was able to finally spend sometime on Saturday taking their portraits.  The blooms are only about a quarter in size, one sprig he had tinted with pink and the other was plain white.  I used my extension tubes, window light and had a marvelous time with my dumpster diving treasures.

Want to Borrow a Cup of Flower?

  One of our inspiration points this month was Cup Full of________!  I had a completely different idea I wanted to go with but it just didn't come together so decided on a play on the borrowed cup of

sugar concept...and this was just as sweet an arrangement as any sugar. 

Heartfelt

  I am off to a slow start for 2017, there is a lot going on but decided to take time out for a little
stillness which I needed.   I enjoy when I can just place and maneuver pieces and float fabrics until they speak to me and then when the light wraps itself around and caresses them, well it just does my heart good! 

Feeling Like A Third Wheel

  Somehow I neglected to post this image to my blog last fall even though it is probably one of my favorites from 2016.  I had way too much fun coming up with stories and scenarios with these three pears but it made for a great afternoon of photography.
 

Last Photo of 2016

My last photo for 2016 seems quite ordinary and lifeless but the path leading off in the distance reminds me that God has a plan and I just need to stay on the straight and narrow, the hay bales may represent gifts or obstacles but either way He will see me through.  Psalm 25:4-5 (NLV)
4 Show me Your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths.