Oh Christmas tree ..

Christmas trees are so beautiful.  The best way to capture the warmth of their lighting is on a tripod.  Here is ours, a 19-year old faux blue spruce, shot with my Nikon D40x and Nikkor 18-70mm 3.5-4.5 lens, ISO100, f/3.5 for 0.8s.  (Click on photo to enlarge).  Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 21

Its always a magnificent moment to see a raptor, the most intense predator in the avian world.  This adult Sharp Shinned Hawk was in our side yard with its prey, sadly, one of our Sparrows.  I did not want to watch the carnage ... It did get pretty gruesome with feathers flying everywhere.  But the photographer in me would not allow me to look away. Shot with my Nikon D300s and 70-200mm lens.  (Click on photos to enlarge).

Space Shuttle Enterprise Title Transfer Ceremony at Intrepid

Sunday, December 11 
This afternoon, Intrepid President Susan Marinoff-Zausner and Board member Charles de Gunzberg welcomed NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garvey, Senator Chuck Schumer and other noted guests to the Title Transfer Ceremony which officially gives the Space Shuttle Enterprise to Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.  The Shuttle is scheduled to arrive in Summer, 2012.  (Click any photo to enlarge).

Senator Chuck Schumer addressed the audience assembled in Hangar One near the Information Desk

Senator Schumer and representatives from Intrepid and NASA gathered at the table, ready to sign the paperwork.

Lori Garvey, NASA Deputy Administrator adds her signature to a poster size Title Transfer document.

Senator Schumer gives the press his best "live long and prosper" sign, from Star Trek, the namers of the Enterprise.  Intrepid Board member Charles de Gunzberg accompanied him.


See more photos of this event at Intrepid's website and other Intrepid events at Proof Positive Photography website .. Go to Galleries .. Intrepid Events.

A halo around the moon

Saturday, December 10
On this night of the lunar eclipse, my husband spotted this ring around the moon.  I went out into the chilly air with my tripod and captured a few shots with my Nikon D300s.  Here's my favorite one.

Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Taylor at Mayo PAC in Morristown, NJ Jingle Bell Rock

Thursday, December 1
As mentioned in earlier posts, Eric and I have become friendly with rocker Eddie Money.  He is a supporter of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and a heckuva funny guy.  He and his manager invited us backstage for his Jingle Bell Rock performance at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ with fellow rockers Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Mickey Thomas of Starship.

It was an honor being there as they prepared for the show, and a unique perspective on their work as seen from behind the curtain.

Knowing that professional cameras would not be permitted at the venue, I only brought my "toy" Minolta point-and-shoot but was able to capture these two videos.  I posted them both to YouTube.

The finale .. about 2 minutes ..

And the encore .. Eddie Money performing "Shakin" .. about 4 minutes.  As you can see I was totally fascinated by the stage lighting!

A wonderful evening .. Thank you Eddie and Paul!

For more musicians' photos, please visit Proof Positive Photography under Gallery .. Musicians.  (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Patti Smith, Harvey Reid and others).

Update on my absence ..

A quick update on the gap in posting .. Two days after I photographed Vice President Joe Biden (see post below), I was taken by shortness of breath which resulted in a 2-day hospitalization for multiple blood clots in both lungs and one large one in my leg.  Medically speaking I had "multiple bi-lateral pulmonary emboli" and "deep vein thrombosis". 

Its my great good fortune to say that I am fine now .. as fine as possible.  I may be on blood thinners forever but I'm free again to take my photos and make my stained glass windows, to love my husband and my friends, and continue writing blog entries.  Life 2.0 is good!!