Hiking through the Shadows

People who do not go hiking or walking in the woods certainly miss out on so much of the beauty of our planet. In 2012, take some time out and... 

“GO TAKE A HIKE!”

This post is linked with:

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 

Christmas in Black and White

White Picket Fence ~ Still Pond, MD

The reflection of the lights is in a long puddle of standing water in the driveway after a BIG rain. Since it was nighttime when I took these photos, I felt them only appropriate in black and white.

Fence and Reflection Puddle 1

Fence and Reflection Puddle 2

Just the Reflection in a Puddle

I was amazed at some of the detail I was able to capture in this shot...especially on the upper end.

After shooting the fence, I spotted this fallen branch with its beautiful reflection as I was walking through the neighborhood. When it rains there, it stays there. Guess that is life of the Eastern Shore.

This post is lined with Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections.

Driving through Baltimore

Vintage Signage in Baltimore, MD 

This post is linked with Signs, Signs.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge ~ 12-26-11

I am so sorry not to have been able to make comments on your blogs these past few days.We are in Maryland visiting my daughter and her family (3 BIG boys), and my son, his wife, and Eloise are here, too. There has been no time for computer fun other than to upload copious numbers of pictures. We leave to return home to Virginia tomorrow, so once there I will get caught up on my little notes to all of you. To those who commented on my black and white Christmas card and my post about the blue roofed barn....thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I hope all of you had a happy and joyous Christmas with family and friends.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Rock Hall, MD ~ 12-17-11

This post is linked with Watery Wedesday and Our World Tuesday.

Barn with the Blue Roof

Barn with the Blue Roof 
December 26, 2011
Kent County, Maryland

This post is linked with Tricia’s

Barn Charm. Thank you so much for 
sponsoring this wonderful get together
 each week. The pictures always put a smile 
on my wrinkled old face.
:-)                                 

Merry Christmas in Black and White ~ 2011

I love my family

And can’t wait for Christmas Day

Baga is coming.

As I grow older

Christmas with family makes me smile

They are a true gift.

Far away I live

I miss them all terribly

Some I will see soon.

Let the roads be clear

Back pain please leave me alone

Let me drive safely.

Baga is coming

And can’t wait for Christmas Day

I love my family.

This post is my Christmas contribution to

Weekend in Black and White.

Leaves on a Skewer in Color ~ Part II

Light 

Difference

Darker 

This post in not linked with any meme. It is just a different take on the shot I posted for Weekend in Black and White earlier. 

Leaves on a Skewer ~ Part I

These leaves are here to stay!

If you are curious to see what I did today experimenting with PSE 10, here is the link:

http://climbingthedigitalmountain.blogspot.com/2011/12/leaves-on-skewer-part-i.html

They are in color so I did not want to post them here on Weekend in Black and White.

This post is linked with Weekend in Black and White.

A Christmas Present to Myself

Kim Klassen's

Beyond Layers - Kim’s New eCourse

Photographic Art by Kim Klassen

Today I got my weekly email from Kim Klassen with news of her 2012 year long eCourse beginning on January 16th. I have already taken two of her courses and cannot wait to begin her third. I am a very slow learner and computer challenged when it comes to PSE and Lightroom, so the more class time I can spend the better off I am. If you sign up before December 31, 2011, you can save $20.00 which is a fine savings...the course will end up costing you only $1.00 a week. If you are interested be sure to visit her website:

http://www.kimklassencafe.com/beyond-layers

My Memories of "The Secret Garden"

“The Secret Garden” was one of my favorite books, and I adore the original movie. The remake was wonderful, but the old one continues to touch my heart. After taking these pictures and looking at them on my computer, all I could think of was that book. Maybe it is the dark circular spot in the bushes behind the gate that made me think of the book.

The Gate

 The Fence

The Home

The Old Barn

This post is linked with Friday Fences and the Creative Exchange.

Dawn Breaking on the Creek

I think there may be some hope for me. T’is hard to believe, but I think I’ve FINALLY gotten this straight...the white line across the sky is not a “jet stream” but rather a “contrail.” For some reason I had it in my head that when a “jet” flew overhead, the trail it left behind was a jet stream. Am sorry about that. As my mother used to always say: "It is hard to teach an old dog a new trick.”Her other favorite expression and belief was “That Sputnik is the cause of all of these awful Florida hurricanes and weird weather patterns." It has turned out to be a gorgeous day, and Buddy is OFF work for the 23rd and 24th for the first time in 33 years. That is a fabulous early Christmas present. We are off hiking tomorrow...goodie, goodie. Maybe I will get to see the red barn over by Seneca Falls in West Virginia.

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.

We LOVE our Trouble.
XOXOXOXO

The Maury River ~ 12-20-11

Three Views of Same Landscape from Different Perspective

Rockbridge Baths, VA

The building with the green roof is a church. The other is a home.

This post is linked with:

 Our World Tuesday

Watery Wednesday

Weekend Reflections

All Alone

I discovered this old barn and shed on a dirt road not far form the house. Neither of these structures appear to be in use...just sitting there in the elements waiting for someone to come and bring them back to life. There are a good many boards missing from the barn.  I almost got into trouble when I turned off the main road, parked my car, got out in the sprinkles and started taking pictures. Before I knew it there was a woman prancing out with her arms folded across her chest and a scowl on her face wanting to know what I was doing there. I explained I lived just down the road, was experimenting with my camera, and it was my bald headed husband that ran up and down the highway each day and then rode his yellow bicycle up and down the highway. At that point she calmed down, started chatting, and dragged me over to meet her “fiancé” ...a white haired, much older, shirtless man who was down in the creek washing his hair...we still have outhouses out our way. By now I knew it was time for me to get out of there...I did not which was worse - her being fussy or her being way toooooo friendly.

This post is linked with Tricia’s Barn Charm.

Maymont Zoo Footbridge ~ 12-18-11

 October 13, 2011 ~ Maymont Zoo in Richmond, VA.

This post is linked with Sunday Bridges and Creative Exchange.

Kitty in a Bucket ~ 12-18-11

Flowers Are Gone ~ Kitty Has Moved In

This post is linked with Your Sunday Best, I Heart Macro, and Macro Monday.