ABC Wednesday - Y is for Yoga

Y is for Yoga..........




 

A new activity for me - Yoga.

I started it back in October when the swimming for the season had come to end.

It has only been a couple of months, but the flexibility and balance I have gained feels so good.

I use a couple of videos I picked up, and I have a long way to go to ever get close to performing the poses the way the instructor does though.

But she is also at least half my age, so I don't have any misconceptions that I will ever be that flexible.

If you are looking for a gentle way to get some exercise, I would highly recommend Yoga - just take it slow and easy at first.

 

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

ABC Wednesday - N is for Nimble

N is for Nimble..........




 

Nothing like a good round of exercise to make one feel nimble.

The beginning is rough though - nothing nimble or even remotely feeling good about it.

But once it becomes routine, when a day gets missed, you feel it in another way.

You miss the ease of movement it gives you.

You miss the feeling of well-being it gives you.

And it really can lift a mood.

Mother Nature's own medicine - try it - you'll like it!

 

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

Swimming is Rough

Swimming is Rough







The winds have been up and the swimming these last two days has been so rough.

Today wasn't as bad as yesterday, but it was still quite a workout fighting the waves as we swam against the wind.

I would not have been able to swim yesterday if I didn't have a pair of flippers to use - I would have been completely swamped by the waves and swells.

I started out the season using my fins, but I gave them up over a month ago - it made swimming much too easy.

Not so easy on the legs, but I didn't have to use my arms, and I didn't feel I was getting all the benefits swimming provides.

I figured, if I was willing to brave the chilly waters, I might as well get the full body workout.

I do know one thing - I will surely miss this exercise once the water becomes too cold.

Hope it isn't for another few weeks!

ABC Wednesday - S is for Swimming

S is for Swimming............







Today is May 26 at 10:30 in the morning.

And it is already 84 degrees here in New England, and it is predicted to be in the mid 90's by lunchtime.

This type of weather doesn't come our way until July and August.

Just looking at that cool inviting water in the photo makes me want to run down to the lake right now and take a dip.

There is only one problem with that idea though.

The lake gets drained each fall and it doesn't get brought back up to level again until mid June.

Will have to just look at that water and "think cool"!




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

Bigger Flies for Fly Fishing

Bigger Flies for Fly Fishing







In my last post, I posted an image of hand tied nymph flies for fly fishing.

They are beautiful little works of art, but the larger ones are the ones that are really beautiful.

This tray holds flies that range from two inches to just about four inches.

They are so pretty, I think it is almost a shame to use them.

They can be reused once they have dried off, but they are never quite the same as when they were just created.

My stepson tied these beauties, and he and my son tied the smaller ones in the previous post.

ABC Wednesday - I is for Insects

I is for Insects............







Insect look a-likes, that is.

These are all hand-tied flies for fly fishing.

These little ones are called nymphs, and they are made to look exactly like the real ones.

Most fly fisherman will take their tie flying gear with them, and they will catch a real one to see what it looks like, and what the fish are feeding on in the area.

They will then duplicate it with their threads, feathers, fur, beads, and hooks so they can catch what is biting.

It is hard to fool the fish, so the fly has to not only look real, but act it too.

It is quite an art to tie and sculpt them into these little imitation insects.

These are the little ones that measure under an inch.

The big ones are the real beauties!




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

ABC Wednesday - D is for Driving Range

D is for Driving Range............







A glimpse from a summer past.

A hot July afternoon, a bucket of balls, and a golf club driver.

Trying to drive the ball as far as you can with some accuracy in the landing is the name of the game at the driving range.

The boys are pretty good at it, and try as they may to teach me the "hang" of it, I just can't grasp it.

But, put me on the putting green, and I will beat them every time!




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

ABC Wednesday - T is for Tees

T is for Tees............







Golf tees, that is.

These are the best kind - made of completely biodegradable wood that goes back to the earth when the golfers forget to pick them up.

We have also used them for crafts, and the most ingenuous use was one time while we were camping.

With no running water, we kept a plastic jug filled with water and it had a hole towards the bottom.

The plug for the hole - you guessed it - a golf tee.

It worked as running water for washing hands, and the kids got a kick out of using it.

They didn't mind filling the water jug on that trip!





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

ABC Wednesday - K is for Kayak

K is for Kayak............







I couldn't resist a shot of these colorful kayaks stacked on a wood rack beside a local pond.

I have noticed that this sport has been gaining in popularity in our area - I see more of them on car roof racks these days than ever before.

It is tempting - I would like to give it a try some day.

Some warm, summer day, so when I inevitably tip over, it won't be too cold.

And of course, my trusty camera, that is just about glued to my shoulder, will have to be left behind.

I will sorely miss those great photo ops that can only be taken when viewing the world from one of these little vessels!





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

Friday's Photo Tip - Zoom vs Prime Lens

Friday's Photo Tip - Zoom vs Prime Lens










There are two basic types of lenses for DSLR cameras.

They are Zoom lenses and Prime lenses.

Both are great to have, and getting a chance to experiment with different ones is a lot of fun.

A zoom lens is the most versatile - with a wide angle to a telephoto lens being the most popular and favorite.

With them, one lens can accomplish both types of shooting with it's varying focal lengths.

When I took the above images, I was standing in the same spot - I hadn't moved at all.

The first image has a focal length of 30mm. I used the wide angle feature on my zoom lens to get the whole scene in the frame.

The second image has a focal length of 70mm. For this image, I used the telephoto feature on the lens to bring just a piece of the scene in closer.

As much as I prefer to use a prime lens, I must admit, I keep my zoom lens on my camera the most when I am out and about.

The prime lenses have a fixed focal length, and they come in all sizes and ranges.

The reason I prefer the prime lenses is that as a rule, they have a sharper, clearer focus.

However, if you are willing to spend the money, you can get a good quality zoom lens that has great sharpness and clarity.

With prime lenses, you need to carry a lot of gear around with you, and taking the time to change lenses is sometimes just not possible.

I purchased a couple of used lenses online a couple of years ago. One was Tamron prime lens that I had read rave reviews about, and the other was a Sigma zoom that also had pretty good reviews.

I was overjoyed with the Tamron - it lived up to all I had read about it and more.

The Sigma had me thinking that I was loosing my eyesight in a bad way. After reading more about the type of zoom I wanted in this range, I was pleased to find a great older zoom lens that had beautiful glass with sharp focus.

It's worth taking the time to research your glass. There are some great older ones out there that perform just as good or better than the new ones of today.

Friday's Photo Tip - Auto or Manual Focus

Friday's Photo Tip - Auto or Manual Focus







Even though today's DSLR cameras use auto-focus lenses, have you ever switched it off to do the focusing yourself?

When I became interested in photography, there was no such thing as an auto focus lens.

When they first started making them I was skeptical, and I stayed with my manual ones.

In fact, the first AF lens I owned was when I purchased my DSLR.

And I have to say, I keep my camera set to the "manual" focusing mode even on this camera.

At first I thought it was going to be great, this auto focus feature.

But then I started in with my macro images, and the lens would never quite get the correct spot in focus that I wanted.

And many times, if the light was insufficient, or the object too close, then the lens would just keep hunting for the focal point, and pretty much driving me crazy.

Just about the only time that I use the AF is when I am shooting an action shot.

Taking the above image was just about impossible without the AF.

The boys moved way too fast for me to manually get them in clearly, but the AF lens would follow them around and keep them in focus at all times.

I am a real stickler for depth of field (DOF), and the AF lens has no idea what I want.

This is my main reason for using the manual mode - I want the control.

So, do you use the manual or the auto focus on your camera?

ABC Wednesday - F is for Firing Range

F is for Firing Range.............







It was right before hunting season started, and the boys needed to sight in their rifles.

We live in the country - but it isn't rural enough anymore that we can just set up a target in the backyard.

So, upon calling the local police, we discovered that the recycling center for our town had the outdoor facilities for the state and local police to train and practice.

We just had to fit ourselves in around their schedules, get the correct signed permissions, and we use it.

They really had quite a set-up down away from the where the public goes to drop off their trash and recycling.

Aside from these stationary targets, there were a couple of buildings and blinds that were also used.

Off to one side, there was a whole course with jumps, fences, and tubes set up for training the police dogs.

It was really kind of cool to see all this set up.

The boys accomplished their sightings while I combed the area with my camera.

I got some strange looks from some of the locals visiting the dump since it isn't the most prime spot for taking photos, but the stock photographer in me couldn't have cared less at the time.

The boys were having fun, I was having a ball, and we were all cleaned up and out of there before the next round of troopers arrived.




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

A New Blog

Frugal Healthy Choices








I started a new website a couple of weeks ago.

I have decided that it is time to take a serious look at my physical condition and really do something about it.

The idea of having to be on medications for things that I can control has me quite determined to discover a more healthy lifestyle.

It's not about any particular diet - Lord knows I have tried enough of them, and it's not about any particular exercise program.

It's about discovering what works for me, and doing it without spending money on fancy foods, gyms, and programs.

A calorie counter, BMI calculator, and several interactive gadgets are in the sidebar of the website for my readers to use.

I will be posting about health, nutrition, fitness, and many tips that I find along the way.

I have also included weight charts for women and men and a slide bar along the bottom to track the pounds as I loose them.

I would love to hear about any stories or tips that you have to offer, or any interesting info you have found or heard about.

It's all about making the right choices for a healthy lifestyle - all on a shoe string budget.

If you get a minute, please check it out at:

http://www.frugalhealthychoices.com/

I thank you, my friends!

An Active Teen

An Active Teen








In this day and age of technology, I am glad that my son still enjoys the great outdoors and keeping himself active in a variety of activities.

Now, I am not saying that he doesn't enjoy video games as much as the other boys his age, but he does put them in their place.

And he doesn't mind that we still only have a Playstation 3 unit - saving his money is also important to him. He enjoys the old Sega unit once in a while too - you can't find some of the old video games for the newer units.

He does like to read about the newer systems and games though, so even though he doesn't play them all, he keeps up with video game news.

And he also keeps up with the newer lacrosse and fishing equipment - and don't even get him started on cars and engines.

I am glad he has such a wide variety of interests and spends his time wisely so he can enjoy them all.

ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quiver

Q is for Quiver.............







It's not easy to see in the photo, but if you look closely, you can see the quiver that is attached to this bow.

The bow is a camouflage color, and it is really blending well with its surroundings - not what I was hoping for when I took the photo.

This style of quiver holds the arrows upside down with the feathers or fletchings hanging down.

I had never seen one attached to the bow itself until I saw the setup my husband uses.

Most of us think of the quiver that Robin Hood used, with the feather ends of the arrows sticking up behind his back so he could just grab one from over his shoulder and fire away.

One of the benefits to this style is the whole unit is together, so you just need to carry one thing while walking through the woods.

It does increase the weight of the bow, and throws the balance off slightly, but it is not in the way for aiming or using the bow, and the hunter gets used to them being attached.

Once he finds a back style that he likes, my husband will retire this quiver and use the kind that Robin Hood did, as that is what he prefers.

If you click on the photo, it will bring you to my website where you can view a larger size to see the details of the bow and quiver.





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

Overgrown Mini Golf for Green Thumb Sunday

Overgrown Mini Golf for Green Thumb Sunday







Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll

How to join Green Thumb Sunday


For the last couple of weeks, I have been posting images that were photographed at an abandoned miniature golf course.

It had been left unused for a year as the owner had passed away and there was no interest in keeping it running.

We stopped in before everything was completely dismantled, and this image shows the condition of it as nature began to reclaim it.

The plot of land is still for sale, but for developers only.

Our family enjoyed many outings here over the years, but as always - change must come.

ABC Wednesday - P is for Paintball

P is for Paintball.............







We are lucky enough to live in a rural area where this game of paintball can be played pretty much in our backyard - or I should say - the woods surrounding it.

My son set up a "lean-to" in the woods that he could use as a shelter when playing this messy game.

You can see all the green colored paintballs in the hopper on the top of the gun.

A cylinder with CO2 is loaded on the bottom of the gun, and that is what launches the paint balls through the gun and into the air.

When the ball hits you - it makes a big splatter of green.

He has special clothes that he wears so he doesn't soil his regular ones.

The paint is water soluble, so it hasn't stained anything. It is also bio-degradable so it doesn't harm the plants, animals, or the environment.

Surprisingly, as long as you are covered with clothes, the balls don't really hurt. On just the skin though, they don't feel too good.

The face is well protected, and since they have played responsibly, there have been no injuries.






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

Black Powder Season Has Arrived

Black Powder Season has Arrived








Black Powder season opens tomorrow in our region, and the boys are beginning to gear up.

My husband and I have already taken several hikes in the woods these last few weeks since bow season opened earlier.

We have been exploring some new places - while the boys track, I hunt down the light - looking for just the right amount for a good photo in the dark woods.

Most of the leaves have fallen so that lets in more light for photos, but it makes it noisy for hunter's footsteps.

So that means we will find the right spot - usually on a rock wall or fallen tree - and we will watch and listen.

That is when the scopes and binoculars come out so the boys can get a better view.

I use the lens on my camera to look around, but I would rather have a pair of binoculars. With the Nikon ATB Promotion that is now running, I might pick up a pair so I can get a great view too.

I am sure they would be cheaper than the lens and tripod I would like to get so my camera can capture those good views also. Besides, the woods are too dark for that kind of lens.

Perhaps Santa is listening - I will have to help him find a great deal!

Hunting Season is Drawing Near

Hunting Season is Drawing Near








The leaves have turned and many have began to fall and dry on the ground.

The boys have been talking about hunting and are on the computer checking the dates for the various game seasons.

Bow season has already opened, and we have done some walking in the woods around our home to check for tracks.

This early season is my favorite as the weather is still gorgeous and we are not all bundled up in layers to keep warm.

For the boys, the bow is also a lot lighter to carry than their rifles. All the accessories they need to carry that goes along with their black powder weapons is included in belt packs and vest pockets.

They still carry their knives and other hunting gear, but the bows and arrows are lighter to lug around.

Of course all the shooting I do is with my camera and I don't bring any extra lenses with me - the woods are too dark for my longer, slower ones. I am so used to carrying my camera with me everywhere I go that I hardy even feel the weight of it any more.

As soon as the black powder season opens, the boys will be retrieving their weapons from the gun safes and readying them for their morning hunts.

They are very meticulous about their rifles. They thoroughly clean them after each time they are used, and at the end of the season, they are oiled and stored safely away.

They go through them again at the beginning of the season. They also prepare their bullets, as they use black powder which needs to be measured and packed correctly.

Then there is the sighting to make sure the scope is aligned correctly with the barrel. Any bumping or even just leaning against the scope can throw it off.

I always look forward to these hikes with my boys in the woods. Nobody seems to mind that they do not find anything when I'm with them.

Of course I find a lot to shoot - the trees, the mushrooms, and the woods with it's unique light.

ABC Wednesday - H is for Hoop

H is for Hoop.............








The court had just been cleared for the upcoming fire works, and I sneaked in around the back to grab this shot.

There had been a steady game of basketball going on since we arrived at the park, and I didn't think I would have an opportunity to take any photos of the hoop.

As the clouds parted, the sun peeked through the opening, and I just couldn't resist going back in around the fence and snapping a few frames.

Even though we were being told to clear the area, nobody said anything to me, and I quickly left before they had a chance to.

The fireworks shots came out really lousy. I was later surprised by this image when I saw the effect of the sun looking like a ball that had gone through the hoop.

I was hoping for a nice silhouette shot, and was pleased to end up with this one instead.





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