Photo Phun

If you have a camera and an industrial plant available to you, I highly recommend taking a few pictures.  I took a little while this morning and touched up a few photos I took the other day.  I approched each one a little differently.

Below, I liked the green from the fluorescent lights and so I used that and enhanced the greens to get what you see below.

I also tried a little gem that I'd never noticed before...see how it warped the photo above?

And sometimes black and white, with an appropriate amount of contrast, is just the right thing.

Same here.  Except, I need to remember to bring a tripod next time.

The next one is just a part of the original photo.  I think I modified it enough to give it a Sci-Fi feel.

I always like to add contrast.  I like these.  I think they would make a good set.

Last night, we had my family over and had a great time with them and playing Wii.  The new game we have offered a lot of options for group play!  It was a lot of fun!  See Cora's site for some pictures!  Or, look at colormehome to see the kids coloring some of the potential dragons.

It Started With Sunshine...

Dinner was in the oven.  Cora was exploring the internet with the Wii (don't ask me why, because she has a Laptop and a phone that gets the internet).  I had just finished drawing a dinosaur for one of our next coloring books.  The sun began to shine.  It was fairly mild outside.  I looked at the dogs.  They looked restless (I am sure Cora will tell you they were laying down sleeping or something).  I said something like, "Wanna go up on the hill and let the dogs run?"  but, what I really meant was, "Hey, let's get some family time out in the good old outdoors!"  Cora replied with something like, "Do I have a choice?"  Which really meant, "OH, YEE-ESSS! I love creating memories and getting out and hiking and letting the dogs run FREEEE!!"

After a little bit of driving on questionable roads...well, Cora was white knuckling it...we made it (O.K., I need new shocks and it might have felt a little more frightening than it was, O.K. I was clenching, a little too).  The weather had changed just a little:  The sun had gone.  

Still, Cora enjoyed herself!  We decided to get a family portrait...and realized Toby was staying out of the picture...

So, I held him up and Gypsy hid...figures!

The wind was blowing, but Gypsy was hot.  I like this picture.

And the camera never fires at the exact moment you need it to, still it's a dynamic photo...

Cora might as well be searching for Toby, who would run off in one direction and return from another after descending out of view.  We were on top of the hill and he would inevitably turn up from a direction we did not expect.  I doubt he ever stopped the whole time, except to mark every other sage brush and bunch grass he could find.

I enjoyed it and I think Cora did, too.

Spring is, without a doubt, here.  Below is a balsam root.  A plant the Native Americans used to travel to harvest each year.  Now they are simply a pretty spring flower.

Have I mentioned I love Macro?

Toby and Gypsy investigating a suspected Gopher Park.

Happy Easter All!  I hope you are enjoying it as much as we are!  Ham is about ready, potatoes are boiling and broccoli is almost done!  Bring on the full tummy!!

Merry Christmas ALL!!!!!

Merry Christmas from Cora and me! I hope you all have had a chance to enjoy family and friends! Oh, and presents...lots of presents!!!!

The Dogs were ecstatic about the chance to go for a ride...they sat in the car for 30 minutes because they came out and the door was open. They crawled right in! So we left them there until we'd packed the car.

The family was waiting. We had a great Christmas Eve!

Even the little things made us happy!

Just taking a picture made Cora happy!

But having family nearby was the best. Look at the SISTERS!

but, they weren't the only ones having fun! Here I am with my SIL and BIL. (one of us is carrying a parasite...)

I'll let you decide...the picture below might give a hint...see the distended features of this guy? He is obviously in pain and maybe he's a little constipated!

The dogs had loads of fun...Toby was completely dragging this morning...see his eyes?

When we got home Gypsy and Toby both were dog tired...literally! They both just laid down and slept for about three hours each!

Cora and I took the time and opened our own gifts and relaxed. It was a wonderful Christmas. I want to thank our family for that...and Cora. The day was a good one. We appreciated family near and far, wishing for our loved opnes who could not be there to at least feel our love. This evening, Cora and I are playing Wii and enjoying each other's company.

Life is good.