Scavenger Hunt Sunday 01-12-13

I had a little extra time this week, so I decided to participate in Ashley Sisk's Scavenger Hunt Sunday. This is one of my favorite photo challenges. I like it because Ashley picks a list of 5 photo prompts, and I get to take a photo that I think fits that prompt. It makes me think outside the box, and I like that. The photo prompts for this week are:

OUTSIDE
BACKSIDE
LITTLE THINGS

A CUP OF....

REFLECT

OUTSIDE

I sat outside hoping to get a decent shot of one of my favorite birds. Are you sick of my birds in flight 

shots yet? I hope not because the are one of my favorite things to shoot. Red bellied Woodpecker.

BACKSIDE

Tried to get a picture of a cute little bunny in the yard. All he wanted me to get was his backside.

LITTLE THINGS

My sweet little Grandson Brady. I love you!

A CUP OF...

I take a cup of tea to bed with me every night. Nothing is better than reading while sipping tea at the 

end of the day.

REFLECT

One of my favorite shots of the week. I was driving along the river when I spotted 2 swans. I 

liked how the swan was reflected in this shot as well as the trees around it.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 10-28-2012

Welcome back, or if you are new to my blog, Welcome! I can't believe how quickly time passes. Its already been a week since my last Scavenger Hunt post, and also 2 months today that I lost my best friend Maddux. It seems like just yesterday in so many ways, then again, it seems like forever since I have seen his face, and kissed that big fat squishy muzzle. I still miss him so...I love you buddy.

Anyway, I dont want to be depressing, nor do I want to get depressed, so on with my post. This week the weather was very uncooperative. My time out in nature, or with my camera at all, was short and sweet. I was able to have an hour here or an hour there, but due to no sun, and lots of rain, it was very limited. I had hopes for a bright sunny day with low wind, but that just didnt happen. So, I had to make due with what I was given.

For this week, the prompts were a bit of a challenge for me. Not because of subject matter, but because of me being limited on my out of the house time. Then you add in that I am basically a nature photographer, and couldnt find much in nature to use for my shots! No nature = challenging for me. They are as follows:

PATTERN(S)
MACHINE
SIGNS OR LOGOS
ROCKS OR STONES (darn, too bad I used my rock shot for stacked last week)
SPARKLE

And, here are my shots for these prompts:

PATTERN

I liked how the repeating pattern of the bridge was reflected in the water as well.

MACHINE

No idea what it is, but I loved the blades on it! Some kind of farming machine I assume.

SIGNS OR LOGOS

I had to go with this one, because its not often I see my name spelled correctly on anything, let alone a sign!

ROCKS OR STONES

Came across this quarry wall while out for a drive.

SPARKLE

Is it obvious why I chose this shot for sparkle? Kind of blinding me right now :)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 10-21-12

Hi! Welcome back to Scavenger Hunt Sunday. This week flew by, I honestly dont know where the time went. I was able to spend Saturday out in nature for a much needed soul cleansing. When I am down, feeling sad and confused, that is where I need to be. I can face the world after spending time in the 

woods. I dont know what it is, but I do my best thinking and planning while walking alone next to the 

river. I smell the smells, take all the sights and sounds in. Even the bugs dont bother me, I just snap a couple pictures of them! Anyway! The prompts for this weeks hunt are:

Orange or Pink (In honor of Breast Cancer awareness week)

Faceless Portrait (aim for a selfie)

View from the top

Cozy

Stacked

Here are my interpretations of the prompts:

ORANGE OR PINK

Imagine my surprise to see this beauty this late in the season.

FACELESS PORTRAIT

Ugh...I hate photos of myself! At least I didnt have to show my whole face!

VIEW FROM THE TOP

This is about as much from the top as it gets in Janesville.

COZY

Newest Grandson Brady, looking cozy in his chair.

STACKED

My favorite shot of the day, had some fun playing with rocks and the lighting was perfect.

Scavenger hunt Sunday 10-07-12

Yes! It is true, I have returned to Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I am trying, slowly but surely, to return to the land of the living since losing my best friend Maddux late August. I am better some days, and others, 

not so much. I do find that if I spend some time out in nature, I feel so much better. I have a clearer 

head, a lighter heart, and a better attitude! Seems like deep therapy for my soul. Anyway, here are 

this weeks prompts for the hunt:

Shadow
Keys
Smile
Unedited
Spice

Here are my shots:

SHADOW

I just liked the way the railing shadow looked against the concrete.

KEYS

Ok, I know the prompt was "Keys" I only have 1 worth taking a picture of, and this is it. They just dont make Keys like this anymore. This key fits this lock, and I think they are a piece of art! I set the lock and key on a mirror in front of my patio door. I quite like the effect.

SMILE

It is so hard to get a genuine smile out of my Grand daughter these days. She is always trying to do something crazy or just plain uses her fake for the camera smile. This one was genuine. Her first day of Preschool with her Mommy.

UNEDITED

Straight out of the camera, just the way I like them. Kim and I came across this snake on a nature walk. Not thinking, I laid down on the ground and got within 6" of this garter snake. Mind you, I am terrified of snakes. I seemed to forget all of that to get my shot....lol. At least we got a good laugh after we were done and the snake went after Kim instead of me. I would probably have at least wet myself had it decided to chase me instead of Kim since I was already so close to it. Makes me smile just to think about it!

SPICE

Those fresh Jalepenos added just enough "spice" to my shredded chicken taco. Yummy!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 4-8-12

Welcome back! I can't believe its already time for another Scavenger Hunt! This week flew by for me. It was a good one, I got to spend time with Kim, Jess and Ethan this week, since everyone is pretty healthy now. We have had it all from colds, to fevers and the flu. Not fun and no one wanted to trade illnesses, so we didn't see each other for a few days.
This weeks hunt has some fun prompts that can be interpreted many ways. I always like that, because I can bend the meaning to reflect something to do with nature. I am definitely a nature photographer. Here are this weeks prompts, followed by my pictures. Thanks for stopping in, I really appreciate it! the prompts are: New, Life, Fragrant, Pink and Obvious.

NEW

Kim and I decided to go out before dawn one day this week to see what we could see. We snuck back to the woods at 6 and sat and waited. This is the sunrise of a "NEW" day.

LIFE

Kim and I happened upon these Bluebirds with babies in this birdhouse. New life.

FRAGRANT

Wildflowers are everywhere right now.

PINK

If you look closely at this pink gazing ball, you will see me at the base of the tree.

OBVIOUS

The breeding color of this Eastern Meadowlark couldn't make him more obvious, could it?

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 4-1-12

This week was another wonderful week weather wise in Wisconsin. Lots of sunny days and in the 70's most days. Ideal weather for picture taking. I spent several days out by myself, and another full day out with Kim. We went back to the airport for breakfast and were joined by my Daughter Jess and Grandangel Ethan. He loves to watch the planes come in for landing. There were several this week so he was thrilled. After that Kim and I headed out to a new spot for her, and took some shots. Everything is in full bloom right now, and bugs and butterflies are starting to make a comeback, so we got some good shots. I love seeing all the new plant shoots, and the flowering trees are just beautiful right now. Makes me anxious for real spring/summer and all of the beauty and life that goes along with the warm temperatures. Have a great week and get out there and enjoy nature! Thanks for stopping by. Now, on to the Scavenger Hunt. The prompts for this week are: Clouds, Sun Flare, Seven, High Angle and Low Angle.

CLOUDS

Sun Flare

I wasn't even sure what a Sun Flare was, thanks Kim!

SEVEN

Seven sweet little dandelions my Grandangel Kileigh gave me yesterday.

HIGH ANGLE

Red Winged Blackbird

LOW ANGLE

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 3-18-12

Whew! Another week has come and gone. It was a lovely week, lots of time spent outside, which is so good for my soul! Kim and I had a great time outside, taking 100's of photos, learning new things and identifying new birds and insects and even picking up a few ticks! We always have such a good time and like to find new places to go. This week we spent a couple of days out wandering around in the woods, trying to find photos to fit the prompts for this weeks Scavenger Hunt. I always love it when there are animal or nature subjects to search for. Here are the prompts for this week's hunt:

1. Vintage
2. Word or Quote
3. Nature's Own
4. People
5. Photographer's Choice

And here are the Photos!

VINTAGE

Actual Pioneer log cabin built in the 1800's rebuilt in this spot in 2000

WORD OR QUOTE

So true!

NATURES OWN

Who knew there would be Butterflies in March?? Here are 2 rare species, a Coma and a Gray Comma Butterfly. They are drinking tree sap. 

PEOPLE

I sure hope these people didn't mind me taking their pictures! 

PHOTOGRAPHERS CHOICE

Sunset Friday night

Yes, 2 shots! Hey, it's my blog :)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 3-11-12

Did you miss me last week? I skipped yet another week (2nd one this year) because truthfully, I just was not inspired by the prompts last week. I know, I should have at least tried to complete the hunt. After all, it is good to have your creativity challenged and all that happy stuff! I promise, I will try harder next time!
We have had a VERY mild winter this year in Wisconsin. A week ago last Friday we got 6+ inches of snow, 3 days later it was in the 60's! Haredly makes any sense at all. Because of Mother Natures mood swings, you will see some pictures with snow, and some without and bright and sunny. I am not complaining! While we are in between seasons, not really Winter, but not really spring either, I am getting so anxious for permanent warm weather with bugs, butterflies and GREEN! I absolutely cannot wait. I dont think I will ever be home when its warm. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Here are the prompts for this weeks Scavenger Hunt!

1. WATER
2. LIGHT
3. CHOCOLATE
4. ANIMAL
5. CROWDED

WATER

Canadian Goose on the freezing water.

LIGHT

I thought the way the light was dancing off the water in the background of this shot was so cool!

CHOCOLATE

Time to make some chocolate chip cookies!

ANIMAL

This hawk hovered over me and let me take several shots of it before it flew away! Lately I see hawks where ever I go! 

CROWDED

The trees and telephone wires are crowded with birds! I love the expression on the bigger birds face. It looks like he is enjoying the sun as much as I am!

Well, there you have it! I hope you have a wonderful week. Check back next week for the next edition of Scavenger Hunt Sunday! I can't wait!!