ABC Wednesday - N is for Night

  N is for Night............




Night photography for me is a rare thing. Even though I have the correct equipment for it, I really never was able to get the knack for it. In the days of film, it was so expensive to keep developing the useless images, that I gave up on doing it. Digital has made it more affordable, but I rarely get out at night these days. And with the gas prices the way they are, I don't see any unneeded excursions in the near future.




This is the eighth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Balloon Glow - My World

Balloon Glow - My World






This image was taken during the summer during a hot night in August.

There is a small park in a small town about 45 minutes from our house, and this attraction draws big crowds from many states.

The balloon festival lasts for a weekend, and weather permitting, the hot air balloons take off at 6 AM and 6PM over those days.

This was the first time I had seen the Balloon Glow, and it was just grand.

There were tons of people everywhere and my husband stood guard over the tripod so it didn't get knocked over by the hundreds of passers-by in the dark.

Some of the more rude ones actually stood right in front of my camera.

I was quite lucky to get some decent shots of these beauties!

ABC Wednesday - F is for Fireworks

F is for Fireworks............







Did you guess what my "F" word would be this week?

Since I had been posting about being at the fire works for the last few posts, it was just perfect to use one of the images for the "F" post.

Now, I have tried in vain over the last few years to capture fireworks with my camera, but they have only been so-so at best.

Well, this year I finally had some success.

I'm am not sure exactly why, perhaps it was because we moved to new location to watch them - a bit farther away rather than right under them.

Whatever the reasons, I was quite pleased with the results.

This was the first one of the night, and when I looked at it in the photo - it reminded me of a Tiki Torch.

It didn't looked like this in real life though.

The camera caught the trail of the firework as it was shooting upwards, and I must have stopped taking the photo at just the right time to catch the explosion before it completely burst out.

Kind of cool, I think, and in the next post I will explain how I actually took the photo and the settings I used.








This is the seventh round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Pink Lining - My World

Pink Lining - My World






While waiting for the fireworks a couple of weeks ago, the sun was making a glorious departure from the sky.

It was setting behind me, but it was casting such gorgeous color on the clouds in front of me.

The photo can hardly do it justice - the colors were so bright and vivid.

We were set up right beside a cornfield, and the corn was about waist high at the time.

There is a church steeple in the distance that is just barely visible behind the trees in this small image.

It was such a pleasant evening - a few bugs, but not chilly at all.

I have an image of the clouds behind me that I can't wait to post next time.

Don't forget to come back - it will be so worth it!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!







Our country is another year older and it's time to celebrate.

This is a shot from last year's fireworks display.

One of these days I will capture them just right, but this one came out pretty good nonetheless.

It reminds me of a dragonfly.

Hope all my US readers are enjoying this holiday.

Stay safe and have fun!

ABC Wednesday - M is for Moon

M is for Moon............







I wasn't expecting to catch this view when we headed out to the ocean one morning during the summer.

We usually head back home before dark, but the boys wanted to stop for one last chance of catching a fish before we left.

Had I known all of this, I would have grabbed my tripod or monopod.

When all else fails, setting the camera on a picnic table to avoid any motion works just as well.

Now if we head anywhere outside our immediate area, the monopod goes in the car - no matter what!





This is the fifth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Dusk Falls Over the Harbor

Dusk Falls Over the Harbor








It was a cool peaceful evening as the sun began to set over the harbor.

The day had been hot and the coolness that came along with the dusk was most welcomed.

The boys were relaxing by the water's edge, their fishing poles cast out into the currents of the incoming tide.

As I carefully picked my way over the slippery rocks, I watched several gulls fly over head, greedily eyeing the little crabs that were scurrying away from my feet as I passed by them.

A lone Heron stood motionless in the water - his sharp eyes scanning the depths for his evening meal.

As the day drew to a close, a lobster boat was coming back to its mooring in the harbor.

I watched as it glided across the water, its HID boat lights, and its slowly chugging motor announced its presence in the twilight.

After it moored, I could once again hear the comforting sound of the gently lapping waves.

The Heron was still standing vigil, and the gulls found a new interest with the lobstermen on shore.

Once everything had settled down, I was finally able to capture my photo. The boat was unmoving and creating the perfect silhouette for the slow shutter speed on the camera.

I never was able to capture an image of that Heron. Perhaps next season when we both return to the ocean my opportunity may arise.

Full Moon Rising

Full Moon Rising








We lingered just a bit too long at the ocean on one of our trips, and what a surprise I got.

The boys were casting out their fishing lines, enjoying the last few minutes before we had to leave.

I was watching a Blue Heron along the rocky shore. It was too dark to get a photo of him, but he had me laughing.

We had spent a couple of hours here, the boys fishing the whole time - catching only a few crabs nibbling on their bait.

In no time flat that Heron caught a big fish. Turning to look at me, he flicked it lengthwise, and down his throat it went in one gulp.

I thought for sure it would get lodged in his long, thin neck, but he had it all under control - he was real slick.

I couldn't help teasing the boys about how that bird was such a skilled fisherman. It earned me some dirty looks, and only encouraged them more - the fish were obviously there.

I took a walk along the other side of the park, and as I looked up - there it was - a beautiful pink moon that was huge.

Disappointed that I didn't have my tripod, I used the only thing available for still shot on a long exposure - a picnic table.

After a few shots, and many adjustments, I was able to capture a few good ones. The horizon was off as the picnic table was on a lean, but photoshop quickly took care of that.

The power plant is not an overly pleasing subject, but it does have a different atmosphere in the dusky light.

Even though it didn't have all the ideal conditions for a beautiful full moon rising image, I was just too happy to see it and be able to capture it at my favorite place - the ocean.