Deep Woods, Late Fall

Pleasant Ridge Park

Slice Of Life #5995

Random-ish image from lunchtime today.  Pleasant Ride Park.  Most of the leaves are down.  But some are still green....  

Slice Of Life #0137

While the east coast has been bracing for (and dealing with) Hurricane Sandy, we've had really nice weather in the mid-west.  Here's a humble cell-phone photo, taken during yesterday's lunch.  A short bushwack from the SW edge of St. Ellen Park.  During the worst of this summer's drought, the island on the right was no longer an island, as the channel was dry, but it's getting back towards "normal"....  Location is way off to the back right from this picture.

This shows (again) the limitations of the camera on my Blackberry, and the imaging software available on my work computer...  Note the substantial "Purple Fringing" on the bare trees.

Bassman

Last night we went to see TobyMac, along with Chris August and Jamie Grace.  Really great time, all three acts did a super job.  This is Toddiefunk, who is the bass player for TobyMac's band.  More photos here.

Sunset #5905

Yep, another sunset.  I can't help it, I like 'em.  This was taken yesterday evening, outside the Family Arean in St. Charles, MO.

Art?

I took this image at lunch last week, and it completely didn't turn out like I wanted.  But I decided to play around with it a bit and see what I could come up with. 

The result isn't too bad.  BUT, when I have to play with something to make it not-too-bad, that's a bad sign.

Here's another experiement...  actually an extreme close up frolm the same image.....

 

 

 

 

Searchin' For A Rainbow

A little snapshot from last Tuesday morning. Headed to work, I was treated to a very nice rainbow.  I pulled off on a side street long enough to (safely) take a photo... 

That's a nice way to start the day.

The title (of course) is from the Marshall Tucker Band song...

Leaf #784

Several years ago, I did a series of images of autumn leaves.  Usually photographed on black background. 
Example #1, #2....  Anyway, this is not one of those picture.  This leaf was still attached, and I stripped out the background manually.

But I should do a few the "right way".

Burst Of Color

Taken just outside the DesPlaines State Fish and Wildlife Area.  Right near here.

Stormy Weather

Looking across the prairie, at a storm rolling in.  From I-55, somewhere around Chenoa, IL.

Slice Of Life #5879

An alley in Springfield IL.  On the south side of South Grand Ave.  These buildings face South MacArthur Blvd.  Location here.

Cass Scenic Railroad

Last in the series, hope you enjoyed:

"A ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad brings to mind colorful and nostalgic memories of the great Stem Engine Era.  Resounding blasts from the melodious old-time whistle echo through the majestic and scenic hills of West Virginia.  Full steam ahead... for a ride into yesterday"

I've been experimenting lately with FineArtAmerica.  I've only uploaded about 20 images, still waiting to  see if I get any "action" before making any significant effort...  But I found a cool thing today, I can post a slideshow in my bolg!  Check it out:

I kind of like the site, hopefully I'll make a sale or two.  Then I can upgrede above "free".

Old Barn

Just a bit south of Odell, IL, along old Rt. 66

Number 5 in the series:

"West Virginia's State Capitol is considered one of the world's most superb examples of Italian Renaissance architecture.  Standing as a silent sentinel along the north bank of the great Kanawah River, its majestic blue and gold dome rises against the Charleston skyline.  '... a monument to West Virginias of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.'"

Buzzed

I used to have a 3rd-Party filter called Buzz-Simplifier.  The company went out of business, I lost the plug-in when I upgraded computers.  Every once in a while, I play around in Photoshop I(Elements) and try to recreate the effect.  Lately, I feel like I've been getting close...  Here's my latest try:

Another try was posted yesterday:  Here.

This is another from Pleasant Ridge Park...  Bright colors on a tree edging a deep shaded area. 

Riot Of Color

Taken 10/15/12, luch-time at Pleasant Ridge Park.  This was the same outing as this one.  Quite a bit of digital effects going on, hope it's to good affect...

Prairie Greeting Cards

prairie greeting cards

At Fine Art America

Giving It All To The Wind

Old barn, new wind turbines.  Just a bit north of Odell, Illinois.  The post title is (of course) a reference to the very cool song by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

A Beautiful West Virginia Mountain Lake

#4 in the series:

"Like a glittering, blue jewel wrapped in green - the clear, cool waters of this mountain lake reflect the tranquil beauty of West Virgina's sccenic surroundings.  'Mountaineers' are proud of the beauty found throughout their state and justifiably so."

Colors / Dance

Another image from Milliken Lake, just NW of Wilmington, Illinois.  I rather like this one more than the previous post....  Larger version here.  Thie title is from the George Winston song, from the album "Autumn".  I thought it fit the mood of the moment.

Take It As It Comes

Driving home from Chicago yesterday, I found a interesting spot.  This is Miliken Lake, in the DesPlaines Stae Fish & Wildlife area.  Just off the Kanakee River.  Only a 2-3 of miles from the area I explored on my last Chicago Trip, but on the other side of I-55.

One of the great burdens of my life is that I have to take images as I find them.  I almost never have a chance to wait for the pwerfect light...  the bright blue skies with puffy white clouds....  This was juist a bit before the rain started...

#3 in the series of old WV notecards:

"Blackwater Falls, near the little town of Davis, West Virginia, is just one of the many beautiful tourist attractions in the rugged 'Mountain State'.  Blackwater Falls is symbolic of the ruggedness of 'West Virginia Mountaineers', a quality that enabled this state to endure the great struggle of the Civil War and emerge into a 'free-thinking, independent state'.  West Virginians are proud of this beautiful state"

Spruce Knob - Highest Point In West Virginia

Continuing the series of old WV note cards:

"Autumn in West Virginia is more than a season, it is an achievement.  It is a color spectacular only nature could stage as evidenced by this view from Spruce Knob, highest point in West Virginia (elevation 4,860 feet).  Indeed, teh beauty of fall found throughout West Virginia is something for which 'The Mountain State' is world famous"

Legendary Seneca Rocks - West Virginia

Scanned from an old note card I found doing some cleanup.  Probably late 60's or early 70's.  There's 6 different scenes, I'll post them all:

"Picturesque and awe-inspiring Seneca Rocks tower majestically over peaceful farmlands in the eastern part of the state.  the greatest natural scenic beauty combined with rugged rock formations symbolize the strength of freedom loving West Virginians.  It is with this strength that the people of West Virginia look to the future."

On A Country Road.....

Another from Washington State.  This about 8 miles west of the Spokane Airport, and about 1.25 miles west of Fairchild AFB's runway.  A bit north of Medical Lake.  Larger version (and location) HERE.  I rather like how this one turned out, it is currently my Facebook banner.

The title is from the James Taylor song.

A Muddled Mess

I took this one along the shore of Medical Lake last week, not far from Spokane, WA.    As all too often happens, it didn't quite come out like I hoped.  I almost didn't post it, but I fugured "Hey, why not?"

Hope no one's too offended.

A better image from the same session is scheduled to post over at Happenstance Wednesday afternoon...

Very Punny - Album Edition

For whatever reason, I found myself thinking about abum titles that are puns, or wordplay.  Some are kind of clever.  More (most?) are cringe inducing.  Some examples from my collection:

• Luna Sea - Firefall
• Sound Affects - the Jam
• Point Of Know Return - Kansas
• Setting Sons - The Jam
• Leftoverture - Kansas
• Second Helping - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• You Can Tune A Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish - REO Speedwagon
• Thrid Reich 'n' Roll - the Residents

Of course, there something about "live" albums that really brings it out:

• Made In Japan - Deep Purple
• One More From the Road - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• One For The Road - Kinks
• Live Stock - Roy Buchanan
• Tripping The Live Fantastic - Paul McCartney
• 4 Way Street - Crosby Stills And Nash
• DeLIVErin' - Poco
• Left For Live - John Entwistle
• It's Alive - Ramones
• Bring It Back Alive - Outlaws

Fluff

On my recent trip to SE Washington, I dicovered a interesting little park in Medical Lake, WA.  Actually at Medical Lake....  I managed a few photos that I like, they'll appear here and over at Happenstance.

No idea what these weed / thistles are, but I thought they lloked cool:

Any Colour You Like....

I was afraid we wouldn't have any fall colors at all this year, after the drought we had all summer.  But I was (thankfully) wrong.  Beautiful day taody, and I snuck off to Pleasant Ridge Park for some lunchtime colors.

Post title has nothing to do with Autumn.  It is a reference to the the Pink Floyd instrumental from Dark Side Of The Moon.

Palouse Barn

I found this one just outside Albion, Washington.  About 7 miles from where I spent last week.  Mostly in business meetings, mostly in business meetings.  But I did sneak a few shots.   This one is more of a "snapshot", the photo I was focused on is here, from the same spot, but lookig the other direction.

Actually, it seems that I've done quite a few barn shots through the years....

Barn in B&W

Although I'm featuring my B&W over at Happenstance Photography, I decided to post this one over here.  This barn is near the Washington / Idaho border, just outside of Moscow. It's has long been a favorite landmark, and one I've photographed before.

And It Makes Me Wonder.....

Why is it that you cannot use a cell phone in an airplane, but you can wifi access for your computer??  Why is it OK for me to "chat" with my daughter via facebook, but not call her?  Yes, I'm somewhere between Spokane Washington and Minneapolis as I type this.

Call me cynical, but I gotta wonder if the fact I'm paying extra for that wifi has anything to do with it...

This is an older photo, but also taken on a trip to/from Spokane.....

Wide Open Spaces...

 About 15 miles west of Spokane Washington, along Rt. 2.  Not too bad for Cell Phone camera (blackberry) tweaked in Microsoft Office Picture Manager....   It's be interesting to see what I have on my digicam....

Chicago Skyline at Night

A series of images, taken from a tourboat from Lake Michigan.  Click on any image for a larger version...

Illinois Photos

One of the sites I've been experimently with is Fine Art America.  I've only been posting a few weeks, but so far ir seems pretty cool.  They do lots of interesting things.  Below is a link to images from Illinois.  Mine shoulld show up in there somewhere:

illinois photos

I really like this kind of image.  It's certainly not dramatic.  Not going to win any contests.  But I still like it. 

Like this.  Or this.  Or this.  Or even this.

Chicago Abstract

I Chicago Skyline, from Lake Michigan...  Intentional camera movement, and effects in Photoshop.

When The Creeper Come Along......

I believe this is Virginia Creeper.  Of course, I've stated many times that I'm no botanist.  Another from Pleasant Ridge Park.

Semi random, the title is from the Molly Hatchet song...

Chicago #5355

Another image from last month's trip to Chicago, where I had the rare opportuntiy to do a little relaxing. I had promised to dribble out more pictures bit-by-bit, but I didn't say how quickly!!

This is not the tour boat we were on, but it is similar.  I liked the juxtaposition of the folks riding the boat vs the ones walking across the bridge...

Here's a zoomed-out shot, showing more of the scene...  Click for larger version

Another Barn!

ABout 1/2 mile north of the barn from "Trouble in these Fields", along I-55 in Illinois.  Which was about 3/4 mile north of the barn from "Quonset Barn"...

Wildflowers Don't Care Where They Grow....

Taken at the same time as this one.

Anybody know what they are?

Sunrise, Sunset?

Another photo of this morning's sky.  This is pretty much "straight from the camera", except for a crop and a little straightening.  Reality wasn't quite so...  brown.  This looks a bit more like a sunset.  But it's pretty cool all the same.

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One Fine Morning...

I had to drop my son off early this this morning for a scout event.  The payoff?  This very nice sunrise, seen on the drive home.

Almost Again....

All too often, an image doesn't quite come off the way envisioned.  This is another one of those cases:

Another from the deep woods at Pleasant Ridge Park.  I thought this fallen tree looked really cool, stretching out from the heavy underbrush.  With all the main branches in the air, as this is along a strream-bed.....

But it doesn't quite work, IMHO.  It's all just a little muddled.