Evening at the feeder

My husband took this shot of a female cardinal waiting her turn at the feeder that's hanging from the dogwood tree outside of the kitchen window. The late afternoon sun was shining on the birds as they had their dinner and of the 76 shots he took, this one was my favorite. SOOC (straight out of camera) using a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300mm lens.

How I like 'em

I realized that I hadn't updated this blog all week. And because today is a snow day here in Maryland, I've made myself a nice little breakfast. I like my eggs (3 whites, 1 yolk) scrambled and with fresh salsa on top. And I'm loving this ginger marmalade I just bought. Have a beautiful day, all.
Photo taken with a Nikon D80 and 60mm macro lens.

Sandy beach

Beach along Sand Beach Road outside of Stonington, Maine. Hoping we can go back there this summer. Florabella's Vintage Summer seemed appropriate for this one.

Morning on the hill

Taken yesterday morning by my husband while I was still asleep. He used the 70-300mm lens and the gorillapod (our little bendable tripod). Florabella's 'sunlight' action applied at about 70% which added a little warmth.

Hatteras Inlet

Sometimes when I'm cold, I look in my photo files for warmth. I found this vintage photo in my 'Thanksgiving 2006' file. Not truly vintage, but it will do.
I shot this on my 50th birthday from the deck of the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry using our old Sony Cybershot camera which was our first digital point & shoot. This is a sandbar in the inlet between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands that had attracted thousands of birds. My husband was taking me on a trip to Ocracoke for my birthday where we spent a wonderful week in a place we love.
Florabella's Vintage Summer action applied.

Weekly dose of George

Here's the black & white himself sunning in the 40 degree temps today. Photo by husband. Florabella 's Platinum (warm) texture applied.

The Trusty Element

When it snows, my husband clears my car for me and gets it ready to go to work. Tuesday was my first day back to school (work) after having had over a week's worth of snow days. My husband got the car ready for me and shot this picture just after it had begun to snow. Again.

Back to normal after all the snow

I took this photo of a slate-colored male juncoe Monday afternoon just as it began to snow again. It snowed off and on through the night and we had another 2 or 3 inches this morning and I drove to work through a wonderful little snowfall. It's good to be back to work again.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300 mm lens

The Apthorp

The Apthorp is one of the rare New York City apartment buildings to occupy an entire city block. The Renaissance Revival building was designed by architects Clinton & Russell, was built between 1906 and 1908, and occupies the full block between Broadway and West End Avenue and between 78th and 79th Streets. The building is built around a huge interior courtyard. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and a City Landmark. ~ Wikipedia

Pansy after the rain

This was my final submission for Pioneer Woman's 'Shallow Depth-of-Field' photo assignment. It wasn't chosen as one of the finalists but I have no qualms about that. At all! The submissions she chose are absolutely breathtaking.
I'm taking a few days off and will be back after the weekend. Have a good one, all!

Diamonds on the tops of the trees

The bare branches of the trees glisten with ice as the sun shines down.
We've had two major snowstorms here in Maryland within the past week. I think it's beautiful.
les brumes texture/111 applied. Have you seen these? They are really cool and available to have fun with.

World of white

Taken this afternoon before the wind began. This is an epic snowfall here in Maryland. All is well, though.

Sparrow in twilight

It was a gray day today and I shot this photo of a sparrow out my kitchen window. Looking forward to a big TV night with Ellen as a new host of the Survivor Singing Show and Lost both on the same night. The excitement mounts. Even the dog is excited. But I think it's only because of his New Favorite Toy in the Whole World. That's why.

Mosaic Monday

I took these photos yesterday afternoon during the snowstorm. My husband took the one on the far right. I know I should be thinking spring, but I am just loving all this snow. This afternoon, as we were sitting out in the sunshine, my husband and I both agreed that if we were given a choice between this weather and the hot humid heat of the summer, we'd take this.
Mosaic Monday is hosted weekly by my friend Mary at Little Red House. Stop on by to see other offerings.

View from the driveway

I questioned my sanity after the decision to hike down our snow-covered driveway to the main road. Coming back was difficult as it's a third of a mile long and uphill but I got a few nice pics. I think it's time for a rest now. More snow pics on my other blog today.

Sparrows in snowstorm

My husband took this photo during one of his many walks outside this morning. We're in the midst of a rip-roarin' snowstorm and so far, life is good. Let's hope the power stays on.

Co-workers at school

I'd forgotten this photo and found it in my folder from this time last year. These are some of our lower school teachers outside the little break room by our lower school library. Everyone's got their coffee mug, I see. L to R: Cindy, Cheryl, Linda, Tara, Christine and Cat. Cat moved out west over the summer and she's still missed. I love my co-workers.

Weekly dose of George

He does love the snow. Let me know when you get tired of the weekly dose. Honestly. I see him every day.
Florabella's Platinum texture, overlay @ about 30% opacity for background.

Toasted Head

I have a thing about wine labels. I just find some of them very interesting. This offering from R.H. Phillips has always amused me with its playful fire-breathing circus bear. It doesn't pair very well with food, (the wine, not the bear) but is quite nice to drink at cocktail hour. If you enjoy a big, oaky Chardonnay, this one is pretty okay. (I meant that to rhyme).

Artwork along a street in New Orleans

I was looking through my photos of a trip I took last summer to see friends who live in Mississippi. We took a day trip to New Orleans and had lunch and walked around the streets. These framed paintings were so bright and welcoming that I had to snap a few pics. I loved the giraffes.