More Silver Falls....

Both of these are HDR images (I combined 3 differently exposed images with special software). I can't remember the name of this waterfall. I saw other photographers taking pictures of the signs and I now realize they were doing it to keep track of which names belong with which waterfalls. Smart idea! I will have to remember that for next time.



It was a little windy when I was trying to take a photo of the South Falls, but I kind of like the motion blur of the ferns and how they frame the picture.

Silver Falls

Larry and I went to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon with the local photography club. It was amazing! We saw many beautiful waterfalls in perfect weather and enjoyed scenic hikes. I think we hiked about 15 miles total and it was mostly uphill or downhill - rarely level. We are both a little sore, but it was worth it to spend some time alone and capture some amazing photos. Larry earned the nickname "Sherpa" from other photo club members because he was kind enough to haul my heavy camera equipment around on the trails.

This photo an HDR image which means I took 3 differently exposed images and combined them with special software. The effect is cool, it's certainly unlike anything I've ever used. More to come soon!

My adventures....

I recently had the opportunity to take a trip to Toronto again, here are some of the things I did on my days off.....

Niagara Falls has fireworks every Friday, Sunday and holidays during the warm season. This time, the fireworks are real (not photoshopped)





If you can take your eyes off of the amazing water anomaly, you'd see a bustling little town.


These next 5 are at the same place, Casa Loma. It's an incredible castle with secret passages, a rich history and creepy underground tunnels.








This is the view from one of the windows...


I told the boys about a haunted old house, which might not be too far from the truth. I was driving around the country side and decided to take a road which had a sign next to it saying "Warning: road unrefined" and it looked like no one ever used it so I took a chance and drove in a little way. It was like a tunnel, lots of trees all shading the road. A little clearing through the trees revealed a dilapidated old house (completely empty). I had to walk through grass that was almost as tall as I was to get pictures. Here is the front door...


I visited Palmyra and the Sacred Grove, this photo is literally a miracle for me. It had been raining a lot during the first couple of days of my trip and my only chance to go would be Sunday. I checked the weather report and it was raining when I decided to leave. It would take 3-4 hours to get there so I hoped and prayed that there would be a little sun when I got there. Although there were clouds, the sun peaked out for about 45 minutes while I was in the Sacred Grove. I was able to get some amazing pictures. As I was driving off, the clouds rolled in again and it rained again.



And this creepy black dragonfly was amongst a dozen friends when I walked around the corner, but they all flew off. This one might be mentally retarded because it let me get within inches to take as many macro shots as I wanted.

True Love

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.



**sniff** Larry has a mistress. Oh well, I do have my camera... it's only fair. And I can't complain about the steak, it's better than any restaurant we've ever been to.

My birthday boys

Larry and David share a birthday today, I can hardly believe my youngest is 6. What a fun age to be! I feel bad for kids who have birthdays in the summer time because they don't get to celebrate with their classmates in school. I did send cookies to school with him on Tuesday so he wouldn't feel left out.

It's a tradition to take a picture of the birthday boy on his birthday so here are today's shots. David loves the camera so I'm always able to get the sweet shots that I need.





6 things I love about David

*His smile lights up my day
*His playful personality - he loves it when I chase him
*His sense of humor and laugh
*He loves music - I love that he plays his guitar for me and sings his made up songs
*He likes to cook and is interested in helping me, he can almost make his own macaroni and cheese
*He is always concerned for the wellbeing of others around him, it's very sweet

Long overdue

I seem to have blogging phases where I'm on top of it or allow myself to become too busy to post. I need to get better at this as it has been years since I wrote in a journal - this is essentially an online family journal for us. Each year I put a book together and have a hardback printed of the past year's events straight from this blog. Of course, I add things to the real book - details I wouldn't type here for the public.

Here is a picture of Jared on his baptism day with Larry. I forgot my camera (gasp!) when we went to the church so this is the best I have. Jared sure was excited that day and we were happy to be apart of it.

Weathering the storm

I guess this blog title applies to both things happening right now. Last night a storm rolled through and it was amazing! I caught some lightning with my camera, although not as cool as the pictures I got 2 years ago - still, I had a lot of fun on my back patio trying to predict where the next strike would happen. Here is my best....



Early this morning around 5am, I got another call from the hospital. They wanted me to be prepared to visit with a family and do remembrance photography for a newborn who has or will pass away. I wasn't clear on that details, but they will call me later today. I've been told there are two other babies on life support right now so this is 1 of 3 Angels whom I could be visiting very soon. It's the most I've ever had to worry about at one time. Normally I get them spaced out a few months apart. It still may be spaced out because I don't know how long these other two on life support will be in their current state. I am praying for a miracle for both of them.

My first Quinceanera

I finally put the finishing touches on my first Quinceanera photo shoot. I had a lot of fun, it was a fabulous party and the young lady was just beautiful! Here is a link to my photo blog for more.

This one is my favorite of the bunch, she looks like a princess.



A little back story, I wanted to try something new and asked a couple of my Hispanic friends if they knew anyone who would let me come and shoot. I offered to do it for free so I was sure to get something quick. May was a "blah" month for me so I knew I could fit this in. With only a months notice, I did book one and I'm so glad I had this experience.

Are women born this way?

I swear we are!



This made me laugh today, enjoy!