Little Scraps of Magic

Joy Is...

Joy is...

 - being at Art & Soul in Virginia Beach

 - have 75 degree weather on March 1

 - getting to walk on the beach during lunch

 - playing with textures

 - getting to do it all over again tomorrow

Focus 52, Week 9

Currently...

listening to Seth over at Notes from the Voodoo Cafe

eating chips with cream cheese

drinking a diet gingerale (yeah, I know, doesn't make much sense, does it?)

wearing a long fuzzy pale blue robe, which I bought because my mother always made me wear pink while my sister got to wear blue and I always always wanted that blue

feeling tired...it's been a really long week

weather: anticipating at least a little bit of snow

wanting to go to Chincoteague

needing some steamed clams

thinking that I need to ask more for what I need because being enough does not mean I need to do it all

enjoying the thoughts of a long weekend with journal time and camera time, and a bit of photoshop as well

and sharing one last postcard....background taken at a winery overlooking Lake Erie, collaged with a bit of this and that

On Your Mark...

...Get ready...

 

...Get set...

 

...Go!

I've been editing photos, lots and lots of photos.

Because, despite my good intentions, I've let them go unattended except for a few here and there.

Way too few.

And I want to use them for Christmas gifts.

And time's running out.

Along with parent teacher conferences and trying to catch up on various school paperwork, I feel as if I'm on a treadmill.

And, someone's put that baby on high speed and I can't even try to get off because if I do, I'm gonna do a face plant!

At any rate, I came across this guy last night.

Back in October, Phil and I spent some time in Chincoteague, VA. We just caught a glimpse of him as we drove by, parked the car quickly, and I went running across the road, camera in hand.

Caught him just in time, snapping (oh, bad pun) away without really even focusing, holding my breath and hoping.

Not too bad, huh?

And, really, these turtles have been rather sneaky. I've seen two of them hot foot it across the road, and let me tell you, these babies CAN MOVE!!!!

I'm thinking the hare got hoodwinked. That turtle was definitely down playing his natural talents.

Lots of fun playing with the photos and doing some quick edits, but I'm not even halfway there. Wish me luck!

P.S. Isn't that tail ugly?

Papparazzi Paula

Oh, my...these two gentlemen have no idea they're appearing on my blog. Papparazzi Paula strikes again. (uhm, well...strikes for the first time...)

My newest career began a few weekends back.

The scene? A balcony overlooking Chincoteague Channel

The time? Early, early morning

The photographer? Yours truly, dressed in her nightgown

The plan? Run back inside and grab my telephoto and snap, snap, snap!

Why? Check out the fishing poles carefully - they're bungee corded to the piers on the pole!

Now, I can't quite figure out if these two gents are creative, lazy, or both.

What's your vote?

Missing the Light

I am missing the chance to drink in the light; I really, really am. You see, in the "real" world, I stumble to work in the dark. I spend most of the day closeted with 75 or so middle schoolers, and we really don't get to drink in the light much. Work and learning pack our days, and when we do get outside, it's mostly to get from here to there and there to here! (Lunch recess being the exception!)

I spent a great deal of last weekend happily standing on our beach balcony watching the light. I simply didn't realize how much it changed. Well, I knew that logically, but I didn't really "see" it until I began looking at photos of the same basic "shot" that I took at various points in the day. I love this shot above...the ruins of a pier (and why I am fascinated lately by ruins is a whole 'nother story...) in the late afternoon light. I am loving the browns mixed with the blues, and that gorgeous gorgeous light in the background.

We've got a busy weekend coming up - apples to be picked and applesauce to be made and canned. But I am promising myself time to drink in the light...my gift to me.

Early Morning Visitors

 
Up with the sun again, and I'm loving it. Each sunrise holds a surprise...more clouds today and the water's a gorgeous mix of pinks and blues.

 

I'm not sure if it's the utter stillness and silence, but when these guys land, it resembles the sound of a hippo dropping from the sky! Nothing to do with grace or elegance, just spot on their target and about their business!

 

And just a few hours later these guys came to visit! Not the best shot for sure, but it holds a gorgeous memory for us. How can you beat watching the dolphins play while your eating breakfast on the balcony? What a gift!

Packing up now, and we're getting ready to hit the road. It's been perfect...life is good indeed.

Snapshot

 
Lunch on the balcony yesterday, talking to my brother on the phone, when these folks came paddling by...an explosion of color and energy.

We had a day filled with wandering around looking for photo ops and sitting on the beach watching dolphins and sailboats.

Life is good.

Good Morning, Sunshine

 
I woke up to this...glorious! I stood on the balcony in nightgown and bare feet, dancing a little jig now and then,a result of some cold toes! But, how could I resist? Watching the sun climb, listening to the ducks dive bomb the channel as they landed (Graceful and light of foot they are not!), hearing the gulls cry. Every sense was on overload.

 
Turning slightly right, I watched the sun climb to the top of this tree. Photo after photo...snap, sanp, snap!

Phil and I are at Chincoteague and staying right on the channel Capturing the light as it changes throughout the day, the reflections of broken piers, and even phone/electircal lines in the water...I'm every so happily occupied!

We just finished breakfast on the balcony. A fleet of kayaks glided by, all the different colors popping agains the water.

We're off to go do some exploring, hoping for some great shots. Then, the beach with a packed picnic lunch. Dinner back here along with watching the sunset. (Our balcony wraps around, so we enjoy bot sunrise and sunset!)

Enjoying my long weekend and some down time...what a gift!

Allowing the Eye to Rest

Earlier this week, thanks to Kat's blog, I found another wonderful photography blog, called Mortal Muses. I lingered there for quite awhile, working my way backwards through post upon post, just lost in beauty. If you love photography and/or just want to improve yours, head over to both blogs.

 
The theme? Negative space. Negative space allows the eye to be drawn in and just rest a bit.

 
Phil and I enjoyed our first sailboat ride...a moonlit one!...just a few weekends back at St. Michael's in MD. We sailed using "partial sails" due to an unsettled weather system, and I can only imagine what full sails must be like. I felt absolutely drawfed, but at the same time completely enthralled.

 
While wandering through part of western NY, I glanced down to see this crushed, but still beautiful, fern.  Mom (mother nature) really does know what's best in the sense that she provides space, and along with it peace and beauty. We just need to pay attention and "see."

 
Allowing a bit of that blue sky on the right really helps that red lighthouse roof to pop.

 
I shot this abandoned boat so many times. Something about it haunted me, and I wished I knew its stories.

 
In a bit closer, and if I remember correctly, pretty much nearly flat on the road's shoulder while Phil stood guard. I'm sure I created no end of amusement and bafflement, accompanied by headshaking as the motorists whizzed by!

 
Taken the morning we left Chincoteague. He seemed so lost in thought.

I tend to focus in tightly, but was pleased as I wandered back through recent photos, that I used this technique as well. I've learned so much from both blogs, and I'm really beginning to figure out what makes certain photos work!

Into the Night

Over at The Kat Eye View of the World, "Share Your View, Night Photography," is rapidly coming to a close. Gorgeous, gorgeous shots from so many talented people. So much eye candy and so much to learn...

I have to confess, I don't do much night photography unless I'm at the beach and trying to capture those glorious sunsets. I've photographed the same bridge over and over. Sadly, that bridge was torn down this year as a new one tooks its place.

 
I'm using my telephoto lens here and in all of these, shooting from the third floor of a hotel that sits on the bay. It was a late December afternoon here, with that glorious light that signals the approach of evening.

 
Just a few minutes later and look at that shift in color and how the clouds are backlit. I love it, just love it...the colors changing before my eyes.

 
Really zooming in here, and the pace has picked up!

 
Nearly there, and such a gorgeous shilouette.

 

 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...all within a few minutes, worth every minute of shivering on the balcony, wishing I had my tripod.

August Break 2011

Day 30