Forever Autumn

"The summer sun is fading as the year grows old

And darker days are drawing near

The winter winds will be much colder

Now you're not here" - Justin Hayward 

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It is still pretty green here in SW Illinois, but there's a touch of color.  And more on the way.  This lead was hanging out on the roof of my dew covered car this morning.  I decided to go w/ an effected rendering.  There's another angle of the same leaf over at 365project.  

 click below for larger version:

In The Abstract

I've posted before about the Album Cover Challenges over at 365project  Well, working on a recent one, I decided on an abstract direction.  And while I'm happy with the result, I had a couple other choices that I really liked.  But neither fit the theme as well, IMHO.

But I figured I'd share them here, hope you enjoy:

This is intentional camera movement.   I really like this one, but thought it was too "high key" for this album cover.   Larger version here.  It's a stand of trees, overexposed.

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This is the ripples following a duck, in late (low angle) light.  With reflected clouds.  There was a strong lellow/orange cast due to the sunset, but I color corrected it.

Panorama from Monona Terrace, Madison, WI

Still a few images around from last weekend's trip to Madison.  This is looking NorthEast from the rooftop area at Monona Terrace.  This was when I was looking for the Otis Redding Memorial, which I did find (and have yet to process / post).

There's a (much) larger version of this over at panoranio.  If you look closely, you can see a few swimmers around the middle of the image, and a marker-buoy  on the right edge.  Madison was hosting an Ironman competition the next morning, I think folk were "warming up" or playing around, or something.

Lake Mendota, Madison, WI

A couple more images from last weekend's trip to Madison.  This is Marshall Park, just a little place we fond while wandering.  Clock on the images for larger versions...

Cool little cove, providing a protected place for a boat ramp.

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This one is over at 365project.org

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Sailboats moored outside the cove

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And a panorama from the beach, see also at Panoramio

Purple Flower

I have no clue what the name is, but it was pretty.  From the watershed nature center, Edwardsville, IL

Capitol Building, Madison, Wisconsin

Took a quick trip to Madison last weekend.  Had a nice time, took a few photos (stay tuned!), spent some quality time with the better half.    Saturday got a little crazy, with the Wisconsin Badgers' football game, a farmers market (at the capitol) and preparations for an Ironman competition.

This image was taken from the rooftop area of the Mona Terrace Convention Center,   The Ironman registration was taking place here, it was insanely crowded.

Larger version of this at 365project. 

Still Plugging on Photo-A-Day Project

 

I'm over 2/3 of the way through my 365project, and still hanging in there.  I haven't taken a photo EVERY day, but have only missed a handful.  And made those up within a day or two. 

Still enjoying it.  BUT, while my total number of images posted on line is way way up, I think my posting here is down.  I apologize for that, will try to rebound.

And The Flames Go Higher

Just a snapshot, but I figured I'd share. I was headed back to work from a late lunch, I saw a growing smudge of black smoke. When I saw flames over the buildings, I pulled over and took a few images. 

I figured it was one of the shopping centers, maybe Hobby Lobby, but turned out to be an apartment building just past that. About 3/4 mile (1.25 km) from where I was. Fortunately no-one was hurt but there was a lot of damage.

Kind of scary to see flames going that high...
Be careful out there.  

Really, Google Maps

So, I'm trying to research a potential trip from St.Louis area to Madison Wisconsin area.  Trying to budget the drive, I went to google maps and entered the cities.  And, along with the driving time, it gives me the time via public transportation.  No matter what I try, it won't clear the public transportation from the display.   Irritates the heck out of me.  I told Google Maps that I'm driving, why do they insist on showing me the undesired (and unasked for) option of public transportation??

If I was paranoid, I'd think they're trying their hand at social engineering.  Predictably, it shows that an easy 5 hr drive turns into a 13 hour ordeal combining 2 hrs of walking (5 separate stages) with stints on City-Buses, Subway and Megabuses.  They don't mention price, but I can only imagine.

No thanks, I'll stick with the drive.  Guess I'm a bad person.