What A Week!

Whew! What a week we just had! Early in the week we experienced a 5.8 earthquake here on the East Coast, felt by millions of people, including me! I was sitting at my computer thinking "why do I feel dizzy", then a loud roaring sound which I was sure a big truck was close by. I kept asking myself "what is that?" when I began to feel the floor moving. Living in California for a year back in the early 80's made me quite aware of earthquakes, so I knew at that point was going on. California has earthquakes ALL THE TIME, if they are not big enough or news worthy, they do not get noticed by the media. The quake lasted about 25 seconds and it was over. Luckily, we are about 150 miles from the epicenter so we have not felt any of the aftershocks. Panic set in all up and down the East Coast mainly because we never have earthquakes and I am sure this scared a LOT of people!
The end of the week brought in Hurricane Irene. We are about 2 hours west of the ocean so we did not receive hurricane strength winds but we did get the tropical storm winds. They seemed to last a lifetime as far as I was concerned and when Irene finally departed, she left a lot of destruction in her path. A lot of people lost power, had trees fall on their houses along with water damage and lives were lost. We never lost power, which really surprises me, others were not as fortunate, 4 days later some are still without power! These pictures only represent one small subdivision surrounding the lake. Multiply this damage around a 35 mile lake!

More Lake Life

When I go fishing, I do not really fish...I take pictures. My idea of fishing is to hold the pole and reel one in if I catch it. I do not add or much less touch the bait, someone has to do that for me! I also do not touch the fish! So, if one is caught someone ha to take it off the hook for me. As you can see, I am not a fisher woman! I think I will stick to photography and enjoy the scenery around me instead! Even though I have many pictures taken that day, I only touch a fraction of our lake. We may have traveled three or four miles when this lake is 35 miles long! I still have a lot to explore!

Lake Life

I have been wanting to get out on our lake this summer to take pictures. Every time we went to launch the boat something was broken. Off to the repair shop to get it fixed, then something else would go wrong. So this summer has been spent land locked! My husband and a couple of friends were going fishing so I tagged along to take pictures. The houses are just a small sampling of the huge houses you can find along the lake. You know the ones..the one most people we can only dream about!

Rustic Life

A friend of the family recently taught me how to shoot a gun. This city girl now living in the country had a fear of guns. I respected them but I didn't want to touch one! This couple had many many acres of land and being a retired law enforcement agent he talked me into coming out to his range to learn how to shoot and handle a gun. Being the photographer I am, I first noticed all the old buildings on his land then the old rusty equipment. I very seldom go anywhere without my camera so before I had my first gun lesson I was taking pictures instead! Yes, I did have my first gun shooting lesson and I will have to admit...I didn't do to bad! Pretty darn close to the bulls eye on every shot! I still like my pictures better though! I still have a very large respect for guns but I still do not like them! Give me a camera any day and I will be happy!

Baby Swan Meets Child

This baby bird, actually a baby swan was so adorable. Walking behind a caregiver as if the caregiver was his momma. The baby swan seemed to love people and children in particular. This little guy wanted so badly to gently touch the baby and help him along. Jacob was surprised how soft his fur was. Nothing touches me more than the gentleness of a child with an animal. The baby swan did not mind at all but could he move fast!! Those skinny little legs had him moving at record speed which made catching a photo opportunity of him difficult.

A Model In The Making

During one of our earlier photo shoots, Emilee and her family arrived and walked through the door. We said our hello's as I had every thing set up to begin their photo shoot. Camera sitting on table, lights ready to adjust and in front of the backdrop I had placed a bench for everyone to sit on but Emilee saw it as an opportunity. She kicked off her shoes and socks (had to get comfortable) and immediately ran to the bench, laid down and propped herself up like a beauty queen ready to "play" with the camera.

One of My Favorites

I really like this picture even though she wasn't too fond of hugging a tree!  I thoroughly enjoy outdoor photography and all it's beauty which seems to enhance photography. Simple bark from a tree adds texture and warmth to a photo and brings out the beauty and shows emotion. I find using nature for backgrounds brings more color to the photographs too as you will see in my next few posts.