09-OCT-2010
October 12, 2010 - Making a feeble return
A lot has happened in the last 6 months - since I posted a photo last. I had a 95% blockage in my heart - a heart cath and stent put in around late April. In late May my son was in a terrible automobile accident and received brain trauma and injury. We spent 58 days at the hospital with him. He is home and recovering now, but has some deficits. So needless to say, my photography has been limited. However, by the grace of God, we are pushing towards normalcy now (whatever that is.) Kourtney asked me if I would take her senior photos, and this is one of them. She is a beautiful young lady both inside and out. It was fun to get to do this for her.
02-APR-2010
April 2, 2010 - Spring is springing
Very warm today, with highs near 90 degrees. After the long cold winter, today was a little rough to take. I haven't been at this for awhile, with winter dragging on and my concentration on losing weight. I have dropped between 85-90 pounds. But I took time today to look for the blood roots, and they were up and blooming - a sure sign of spring. I'm very thankful for that.
30-JAN-2010
January 31, 2010 - Isolated Sparrow
A bright sunny day today with highs near 30. It was very cold this morning (around 6 degrees at my house). I shot this one yesterday of a white throated sparrow. I liked the fact that the snow made a great background, and the little branch sticking out of the snow made a kind of frame. Also glad the little guy cooperated.
30-JAN-2010
January 30, 2010 - Winter returns
Cold, snowy day, with highs around 20. We got about 6 inches of snow today, and the birds were visiting in force today. This cardinal looked really cold, and through the snow I thought it made a good winter shot. I couldn't stay out long, because it was so cold.
24-JAN-2010
January 24, 2010 - Another surprise visitor
A wet, windy day. Highs in the 50's. Not good shooting light today, but I managed to slip around and get a shot of this fox squirrel that came to the feeders this afternoon. He really pigged out on the corn and sunflower seeds. There isn't much for them to eat in the woods, so it's good that he's found a source of food. I expect him to return.
16-JAN-2010
January 16, 2010 - Visit from a Carolina Wren
We got a break in the weather today, with peeks of sun and highs in the 40's. Finally get a little snow melt. I was watching the feeders this morning when this little guy showed up. Haven't seen much of the wrens this winter, and it was good to see him come in and get his fill of berry suet.
January 11, 2010 - Mourning Dove
Very cold this morning, but warmed a little today. Getting snow flurries this evening. Highs around 30. I shot this mourning dove that had come into the feeders. Whole flocks of them come in and they're like vacuum cleaners with the seeds. I liked this one because of all the different colors on it.
10-JAN-2010
January 10, 2010 - White-Throated Sparrow
Very cold this morning, with lows around 10 degrees. Expected to get into the low 20's this afternoon. I got a chance to shoot a few more birds, and a couple of white throated sparrows were among them. They are busy birds, and difficult to catch still long enough to get a shot. This one held still long enough.
09-JAN-2010
January 9, 2010 - Female Cardinal
Cold and snow flurries today, with highs around 20. The birds are really hungry, and we've had lots and lots of them at the feeders. I shot this lady right after the sun went behind a cloud, which made it a little darker than I wanted. But she was still a stately looking lady.
08-JAN-2010
January 8, 2010 - Wilson the Psycho Cat
Very cold today, with snow showers and highs in the teens. I was getting ready to get on Facebook this evening when Wilson joined me. We call him the psycho cat because he embodies most of the peculiarities that you expect from a cat. He is unpredictable, unapproachable unless it's his idea, grouchy at times, happy and contented other times. He never lets you pick him up, but sometimes he gets up into your lap. That's what he did this evening for a little while, and then he sat on the tower of my PC. That's when I got this shot.
January 6, 2010 - A surprise find
Cloudy with snow showers again today, with highs in the low 20's. This is another barn I found while out exploring. I stopped to take a photo of one Mail Pouch barn, and looked up a little side road and saw this one sitting on the road bank. Glad to have made the find, and get a shot now, because it appears that nature is beginning to do its work on this old billboard barn.
January 3, 2010 - Treat yourself to the best
Another very cold day today, with little peaks of sun and highs around 19 degrees. I took this one yesterday, and I really had a good time search for Mail Pouch barns. I found a couple that I didn't know about. I had seen this one before, and I thought the black and white suited it.
02-JAN-2010
January 2, 2010 - Roane County barn
Cold today, with a few peaks of sun. Highs were around 20 degrees. One of my two New Year's resolutions is to take (and post) more photos this year. I kind of got away from it with my work and my health issues, but I'm going to redouble my efforts this year to do my photography because I love it so. It is something for me, and I hope others enjoy what I've enjoyed in being there and taking the photos.
24-DEC-2009
December 24, 2009 - Are you being good???
Sunny today with temps in the low 40's. Some of the snow is actually melting. After all the snow last weekend and the lack of electricity resulting from it, it's good to have a sunny, somewhat uneventful day. Expecting folks in for a Christmas Eve dinner, and hoping that everyone has a great and peaceful Christmas.
15-NOV-2009
November 15, 2009 - Church time
Yet another beautiful day, with sunny skies and temps near 70. We were getting ready for church this morning and I got the girls to pose for me. Madison was sporting her black eye from a fall at school.
14-NOV-2009
November 14, 2009 - Surprise (and no bull - frog)
Another beautiful day, with sunny skies and temps near 70. I was raking leaves this afternoon and uncovered this big ole bullfrog. He had buried himself down in the leaves. After I took the photo I put him back underneath the leaves. Hope he doesn't freeze.
November 13, 2009 - Barn at Crummies Creek
A beautiful day today, with sunny skies and highs in the mid 60's. I took this one a little earlier in the fall, and I thought I finally got a decent photo of this barn. For some reason, it has been tough to get a decent shot of this one. I thought the colors were nice in this one.
06-NOV-2009
November 7, 2009 - Seasons change and colors change
Chilly again this morning, but highs expected to be in the 60's. I have a wedding today, a missionary from Brazil to meet with, and church and business meeting this evening. Welcome to my world. I took this one yesterday. The finches have pretty taken on their winter colors, but you can still see a little yellow here and there on this little guy. I have flocks of finches that visit my feeders.
06-NOV-2009
November 6, 2009 - A frequent visitor
Chilly this morning, but warming up some this afternoon, which highs around 55. A took the day off from work today, and got a chance to sit awhile and watch the birds eat. I, of course, sat with camera in hand. This little guy kept coming back and coming back. There isn't a lot of food in the woods for the animals and he knew when he had a good thing. Lots of little birds today ( and a few wild turkeys sailing through).
October 14, 2009 - Lick Branch
Overcast this morning, and the rain has set in. Expecting some snowflakes by the weekend. Highs today were in the upper 40's and temps held steady or dropping slightly through the day. I have revival services going on this week, so didn't get to do much with my camera. So I decided to post this one I took Monday of Lick Branch in the Cranberry Backcountry. This little stream holds some significance for me, because it was a photo of this little branch that was my first published photo. This one is from a different angle, and I liked the results.
12-OCT-2009
October 13, 2009 - Around the Bend
Cloudy again today with highs expected in the 60's. I got a chance to go to the Cranberry River backcountry yesterday, and I'm happy to say that my stamina has recovered to the point that I walked 10 miles yesterday. The leaves were at pretty well peak color, and starting to fall. I figured it up yesterday, and I've probably been going to the Cranberry for over 50 years. Around every bend in the river, I half expected to see my father standing and casting for trout, even though he went home to be with the Lord over 20 years ago. Very good memories.
11-OCT-2009
October 11, 2009 - Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn
Cool but bright sunshine today, with highs in the low 60's. I saw this barn a couple of weeks ago when I was travelling through Wirt County, and decided to go back this afternoon and shoot it. The light wasn't what I wanted it to be, but it still turned out to be a decent shot. Notice in the upper opening, there is tobacco drying. We do have some shade tobacco farmers in West Virginia.
22-SEP-2009
September 22, 2009 - Rush Run Baptist Church
Rain this morning then partly sunny this afternoon. Highs around 80. I took a photo of the Rush Run Baptist Church for a friend, and while I was at it, I converted this one to black and white. I think it enhanced the clouds.
19-SEP-2009
September 20, 2009 - Little Spike
Cloudy today, and we're expecting rain and highs in the 70's. I went out looking for deer yesterday evening, and came across this little guy feeding in the edge of the field. There isn't much for them to eat in the woods, so he was more interested in eating than what I was doing.
18-SEP-2009
September 19, 2009 - Homecoming 2009
Warm and sunny today, with highs around 80. I got to go to the homecoming game last night, and got this little devil to pose for me. She wasn't sure whether she wanted her photo taken or not, so she has an interesting expression. I had fun taking shots of the kids and the game.
10-SEP-2009
September 10, 2009 - Pink Beauty
Partly cloudy today with highs near 80. I saw this rose while I was walking recently and got out to shoot it this morning. I really liked the morning light in this one.
September 9, 2009 - Just Hatched
Rainy off and on all day today, with highs in the 70's. I didn't get to shoot today because I had doctor's appts. So I decided to post this little guy who had just hatched when I came across him. He's a hardshell snapping turtle, and he was only about an inch long. His tail was the longest part of him. I got him over out of harm's way after taking a couple of shots.
08-SEP-2009
September 8, 2009 - Milestone for Madison
Partly cloudy day, with highs around 80. This was a big day for Madison - her first day to pre school. She was so excited she woke up at 6:00am this morning. She's not a baby any more - she has started to school.
01-SEP-2009
September 1, 2009 - Aniversary
Another beautiful day today, with sunny skies and highs in the mid 70's. Today was our 31st wedding aniversary, including roses. Ours is an unusual feat in this day and time.
August 31, 2009 - Little poser
Beautiful weather today, with sunny skies and highs in the low 70's. You could certainly feel autumn in the air today. I took this one while in the mountains. I was trying to get a shot at a butterfly that I had never seen before, and this little guy came over and posed for me. So I shot him instead.
August 26, 2009 - A narrow Fellow in the Road
Warm and mostly sunny today, with highs in the 80's. I had tests being run on me today, so I didn't get to go out shooting. I guess they will keep looking until they find something. I caught this little fellow while I was walking down to chase butterflies and bees. He wasn't very big and he just stayed motionless, hoping I wouldn't see him. I took a couple of shots of him and then ran him into the weeds before a vehicle came along and flattened him.
August 23, 2009 - Busy Honey Bee
A mixture of clouds and sun today and much cooler, with highs in the mid 70s. I was chasing butterflies when this little honey bee came in for his share of pollen. I had to take several shots to get one of him somewhat still.
August 22, 2009 - Upper falls of Holly River
A cooler day, with less humidity and mostly sunny. Highs around 80. I decided to post this one of the upper falls of the Holly River. I believe it has an indian name also, but I don't remember what it is. With all the rain we've had this summer, it had plenty of water, which can be a problem for this falls in the summer. It is an easy walk to this one, and it is the same falls that Madison stood in front of in an earlier post.
Madison looking for mushyrooms
Rain this morning, then clearing today. Highs around 80. I had some medical tests run today that the results were fairly good - no real surprises. I decided to post this one of Madison. She was walking around our cabin in the mountains looking for "mushyrooms." We found some that she thought looked like crabbie patties. She's been watching way too much spongebob squarepants.
August 18, 2009 - Happy Accident
Stormy today with occasional rain and muggy. Highs in the low 80's. I was getting ready to shoot this flower when this butterfly showed up and posed. I had to wait until he turned around so I could get a clear shot of him, but the wait was worth it.
10-AUG-2009
August 17, 2009 - Gaudineer Knob
Another hot, sunny, humid day today with highs near 90. I shot this one off of Gaudineer Knob in Randolph County. This area is named for Donald Gaudineer, an early forest ranger for the Monongahela National Forest, who was killed while trying to rescue his children from a burning house. It is a beautiful, quiet peaceful setting.
August 16, 2009 - Madison's visit with us in the mountains
Hot sunny day today with highs near 90. We spent the last week in the mountains, and Madison came to visit us while we were staying in our cabin. She loved the waterfalls, and we got her photo in front of one of them here. I love waterfalls too, but her enthusiasm was contagious.
08-AUG-2009
August 8, 2009 - Peeking finch
Cloudy early this morning, but the sun is trying to come out now. Highs are expected to be in the 80's. I slipped out for a little while this morning and got this shot (while feeding the mosquitos). He was peeking around the limb at me before moving into the feeders. We've been slammed with yellow finches lately. They are eating me out of house and thistleseed.
August 4, 2009 - A splash of color
Expected to be partly cloudy today with rain this evening. Highs expected in the low 80's. I really liked this flower shot because of all the color in it. It seems to be a very cheerful flower scene. We all need that from time to time, and most times we walk right by something like this and never take notice.
August 3, 2009 - Allie's Wedding
Expecting a dry day today with highs in the 80's. I shot my neighbor's grand daughter's wedding this weekend. I really like this pose with the existing light. I try to get this shot at every wedding I shoot. I also think that the use of black and white enhances the mood of the photo.
August 2, 2009 - A rose for a new beginning
Heavy rains this morning, then partly cloudy this afternoon, with highs around 80. We're starting a new Photo a Day When I Can gallery with this entry. I hope to be able to do better than the last one. I love roses, so it's kind of fitting that we start with this one. I took this the other day, and it helped remind me that I don't have to invest a lot of time in order to see something beautiful.