Nine State Road Trip

From April 29 through May 7, we were on the road again, this time visiting nine states:

The catalyst for our journey was an invitation to attend the wedding of my husband Eric's first cousin once removed, whom he had never met.  They connected through Ancestry.com. We were delighted to attend a real Tennessee wedding .. Fun!  The bride and groom were married in the shade of a huge old tree and we enjoyed BBQ and Jack Daniels at the reception.  Perfect!

We spent much of our Tennessee time in Franklin, learning about the Battle of Franklin which was fiercely fought there in November of 1865.  The tour guides were especially informative as we made our way through the Lotz House, The Carter House and the Carnton Plantation, site of the wedding.

 We enjoyed people watching at the indoor flea market in Bowling Green, KY.

 My husband gets to meet the most fascinating people through his job!

 We're not really Corvette people, but we couldn't pass up the Museum.  Some beauties here, as well as the poorly damaged cars as a result of the sinkhole.

 Abraham Lincoln's replica cabin where he was born is housed in the majestic building on the middle left. 

 We hit some weather in Indiana ..

 We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with my stepson Brian and his lovely fiance, Emi.  We'll see them again for the Florida wedding in October.  Looking forward to it!

 A farm in PA, on the road home.

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Trip to Idaho and Oregon

From April 9 through 14, my husband Eric and I took a trip out West to visit his Mom and to meet up with both his sisters for the first time in many years.  It was wonderful catching up with family, and taking time to tour some of the area.  Here are a few photos from the 800+ that I took during the trip.

The hills above Baker City, OR ..

 The quaint town of Joseph, OR.  Many of the shops hadn't yet opened for the season.

 The Elkhorn Mountains, as seen from Pilcher Lake, OR

 A bucket list visit to see the Oregon Trail.  The Interpretive Center was wonderful. 

 The landscape in Enterprise, OR

 Roadside farm with a dramatic sky and young crops.

 Coming back to Baker City in the late afternoon rain.

 Small towns like this one can look spooky or they can look comforting. It depends on your viewpoint.

 A vague map of our route.  We flew into Boise and made the three hour drive up to Baker City, OR.  Joseph is another hour and a half north of Baker City. Beautiful country out there.

To view my photography website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook photography page, please visit here.  Thank you!

2015 Teatown's Hudson River Eagle Fest

We spent this frigid Winter day, Saturday February 7th, in the company of good friends, admiring the many owls, eagles and other raptors being shown at the EagleFest.  It is a celebration of the Bald Eagle's winter return to the Hudson Valley.  Teatown's EagleFest is a broad collaboration of organizations united in their goal to promote appreciation of an environmentally healthy and vibrant Lower Hudson Valley. For more info:  Please click here.  Here are some of the images from the day, captured with my Nikon D7000 with Nikkor 70-200mm VRII 2.8 lens.

Master Falconer Brian Bradley with a Gyrfalcon in the snow.

Spectacled Owl

 Little "Mortimer", a tiny Saw-whet Owl who was found injured on the side of the road 15 years ago. He is blind in one eye. He is a great owl ambassador, having been seen by thousands of people. His handler, Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, expressed such gratitude to that man who took the time to stop and rescue him.

Brian Bradley with a gorgeous hawk.

Master Falconer Bill Streeter of the Delaware Raptor Center with a Golden Eagle.

A trio of Bald Eagles about a mile away.  Photo shot with my iPhone6 through the lens of a powerful Swarovski scope.

"Oona" the Snowy Owl

 

Barn Owl.

Screech Owl with lunch.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Brian Bradley's Gryfalcon caught the bait.

Master Falconer Brian Bradley with a hooded raptor.

Birders on the shore of the Hudson, viewing Bald Eagles far in the distance.

Beautiful cold winter landscape at George's Island, NY

To view my photography website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook photography page, please visit here.  Thank you!

Autumn splendor

Shot on a hike last month at Sterling Forest Lake .. A peaceful scene as summer winds down and winter begins.

To view my photography website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook photography page, please visit here.  Thank you!

Photo published in Bergen Record

For the second time recently, the Bergen Record newspaper surprised me by publishing one of my photographs in their Monday "Insight" feature.  This morning, they chose my pumpkin in the snow photo saying that "they had other entries along the same theme" but my photo "perfectly captured the essence of the moment." 
I'm very flattered!  (Click to enlarge and read caption).

October snowstorm photos from the front porch

When the weather turns as bad as it was this past weekend, taking photos from the front porch is an appealing alternative to going out.  Here are two .. click any photo to enlarge.

Nikon D40x .. ISO 100, f/3.5, 4 seconds, tripod. Shot just after sunset when the sky was still navy blue.  I like the pink and purple glow created by our orange pumpkin post light.

Nikon D40x .. ISO100, f/3.5, 7.1 seconds, tripod.  The snow plows idled long enough to get a nice long exposure and illuminate the 8" of snow.  I think this one looks like a Kinkaid painting.  Our neighbors, whose home is featured, love the shot.

For more event photos, please click here for Proof Positive Photography website ..
and find us on FaceBook here. 

Saturday snowstorm cancels Glen Rock Homecoming events

Northern NJ (and much of the Northeast) endured yet another aberration of Mother Nature, an October snowstorm on Saturday.  Pretty, yes, but it wreaked havoc on the plans of many, including events in Glen Rock.  The Tailgate Party and the Homecoming Game were canceled. Here are some photos from the day. 

The Glen Rock Panthers, the high school football team, was all ready to play their rivals in Hawthorne.  The announcement of the cancellation of the homecoming game due to heavy snow came just a few moments after this photo was shot. (Click on any photo to enlarge).

Shooting in heavy, wet snow presents challenges for cameras.  Had I thought of it, my lens shield, which I normally use in bright sun, would have been a great accessory for the lens.  Rather than risk moisture damage to my SB-800 flash, I used my pop-up, on-camera flash.

The cheerleaders on their way off the field.  These shots required light touch up in PhotoShop, due to snowflakes being caught in the flash.

The homecoming game has been rescheduled .. and at least the kids got to be together for a while, without having to be out in it all afternoon.  (They enjoyed the following Monday and Tuesday off from school due to downed trees and lines, and widespread power outages).   Please click here for the full article.

For more event photos, please click here for Proof Positive Photography website .. and find us on FaceBook here.

North Jersey gears up for Hurricane Irene

With Hurricane Irene due to arrive in North Jersey this weekend, I drove around town interviewing and photographing residents this morning for Glen Rock Patch.com.  (Click on any image to enlarge).

Stocking up at Kilroy's Market for the big storm.

State Farm Insurance agency ready to process any storm-related claims.

Ominous skies over Rock Road.

A resident has a message for Irene.

Story and more photos are posted on Glen Rock Patch.com. Click to see article.

Find more photos on FaceBook .. or visit Proof Positive Photography website.

Squirrel in the Snow

Just before sundown, I noticed a squirrel digging a hole in the deep snow out back.  He went so far down into the snow that only the tip of his tail was showing.  After a good half minute or so, he emerged with a nut!  Here he is, resourceful little guy!

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.