ROUND THE BEND

Grandson Sammy and His Wooden Frog

2012-01-28T11:19:00.004-05:00

Friday's Fences

2012-01-26T19:01:00.004-05:00

I was out this past Tuesday taking some additonal photos of a barn I intend to post for Barn Charm on Monday. It so happened this fence post with its barbed wire and vines was in my field of view while trying to get the barn pics so I thought I'd use it for Friday's Fences. I really didn't like the composition at all but after playing around with it I added a texture and played with different blending modes to achieve what you see. It's growing on me.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead!
Linking to Friday's Fences.

Barn Charm

2012-01-23T18:46:00.001-05:00

This is yet another barn from my trip last October. That weekend trip has given me many weeks of photos for Tricia's meme. This one was sitting right alongside the rural two lane road we were traveling. Hubs pulled right up to this gate to let me take a couple of pictures. I love those mountains as a backdrop for this farm. I hadn't noticed before downloading that a train track runs behind where you see the newer shorter storage silo.

For those who visit me often you won't be surprised that the quilt square on the barn captured my attention right away. This photo is a little washed out but blogger kept wanting to post a better one sideways. I get so frustrated with Blogger. But, I digress.

This little structure sat just past the barn. I'm not sure what it was used for but I liked it. In the background you can see the 'manor house.' It was a huge old house. You can also see that we were indeed right beside the road.

Linking to Tricia's Barn Charm.

Ruby Tuesday and Midweek Blues

2012-01-16T14:24:00.002-05:00

These are my Grandson's boots. Little Sammy caught a virus at Christmas time and couldn't come visit Grandma and Grandpa as planned. However, this past weekend he arrived just after our first substantial snowfall of the year. His Mommy and Daddy had brought his snowsuit so he could go outside and Grandpa ran to the store to buy a sled.

Here he is being pulled by his Daddy for his first sleigh ride. Underneath that hood is a head of pretty blond hair to go with those beautiful blue eyes.

(click to enlarge for enhanced views)

Linking to Ruby Tuesday 2 and Midweek Blues.

Friday's Fences

2012-01-12T22:24:00.001-05:00

I took this photo back in October on the weekend trip Hubs and I took and forgot I had so I'm posting it today for Friday's Fences. The sky was somewhat washed out so I added a texture. The little white 'sticks' you can barely make out on the back mountain are wind turbines.
This scene would be altogether different today. As I type this it is pouring snow and we are expecting
two to four inches. It will be our first substantial snowfall of the season.

(click to enlarge for best view)

Linking to Friday's Fences.

Where Eagles Soar

2012-01-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

The week before Christmas Hubs and I were traveling to our daughter's home in Virginia. When Hubs is driving he doesn't see much along the side of the road. He concentrates on the road ahead. Sometimes I try to point out something I've seen. Usually for me it's the many hawks I see over one particular portion of our trip. On this particular day Hubs began saying 'bird, birds.' I turned quickly and looked alongside the road thinking it was a hawk I was looking for. Not seeing anything I glanced over his shoulder and was in awe. I didn't say anything at first then I blurted out 'eagles.' We were on a portion of four lane with a metal barrier in the median. Hubs said get out your camera. I asked him if he was turning around and he said yes. I dared to think they would still be there. Yet, they were.

Ever since Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman gave us The Bucket List I have toyed with my own idea of a list. One thing for certain was that I wanted to see an eagle in the wild. I guess I can cross that off my list.

Hubs and I were able to find a place to turn off and get fairly close to these beauties but my 250mm lens could only pull them in so far. Still, I was in awe at being given this opportunity to view them if only for a little while. On our return trip home they weren't there.

I suppose my new entry on my bucket list would be a longer lenses and another chance to "capture" them up close; but for the moment the experience and these images are more than enough.

(click on the photos for larger images)

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday.

A Ruby Barn Charm

2012-01-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

(as always click to enlarge)

The followers of Barn Charm know the excitement of finding the beauty in these old barns and we're always on the lookout. It seems fellow Barn Charm follower Dianna and I both found many of the same barns on a trip that we each took on separate occasions this past fall. She posted this same barn (here) but in snowy conditions due to an early snow storm. I believe my photo was taken a couple of weeks after hers. Mine is in the bright sunshine hubs and I experienced that day and is taken from a different angle. I like the low barn in the background on the right and the two short silos you see in the back on the left side. I hope another Barn Charm follower, Genie, enjoys seeing this view as she asked Dianna and I where it was so she could visit it when she was in the area. Of course I hope all of you enjoy it as well.

I was saddened to know Mary was ending Ruby Tuesday so it's nice to know it will continue with new hosts. Many thanks to them for their dedication to keeping that meme going.

Linking to Ruby Tuesday 2 and Tricia's Barn Charm.

A Valley of Fog

2012-01-04T18:34:00.001-05:00

(do click to enlarge for best detail)

Hubby and I left in the early morning hours a couple of weeks ago to spend Christmas at our daughter's home. We cross a couple of mountains at a fairly high elevation. As we topped one of those mountains and started down the other side on an overcast day this was the scene we came upon.
I can't see fog and not begin reciting Carl Sandburg's poem I learned years ago in Jr. High School.

"The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on."

As you can see it also sits below the mountains and engulfs the valleys before rising to the sky and fading away.

Linking to Skywatch.

Barn Charm

2012-01-02T16:08:00.000-05:00

This is yet another barn from the weekend Hubby and I spent in October in the surrounding countryside near Cass, West Virginia. Enlarge the photo to see the way the barn boards were hung on the diagonal. You can look through the hayloft opening and see the light streaming through the boards on the backside of the barn. A small glimpse of a built-in wooden ladder can be seen through the left side opening as well as some support beams.
Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year!
Linking to Tricia's Barn Charm.

Barn Charm

2011-12-18T19:53:00.002-05:00

The weekend trip Hubby and I took in October gave me many opportunities for barn photography. This is yet another of our finds that weekend.

It was a gray overcast morning when I took this photo not far from the entrance to Spruce Knob which is the highest point in West Virginia with an elevation of 4863 feet.

I added a texture to my original photo and played with different blending modes to achieve a much brighter photo.

(Click to enlarge and enjoy the detail.)

Linking to Tricia's Barn Charm.

Highway Wildlife

2011-12-16T23:48:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I were traveling down the interstate on the way to my Mom's house when he quickly started putting on the breaks and pulled over to the shoulder. I had been looking out my passenger side window so I had no idea what had possessed this behavior. I turned to him and asked what he was doing. He said it's a hawk. I always see many as we're driving along and depending on where we are he tries to stop for me so I can at least attempt to get a good shot of one.
On this day he saw the above guy on a wire crossing the interstate and started stopping. I was sure once I opened my door the hawk would fly. Surprisingly he didn't and I got two or three shots. This isn't an exceptional image by any means but it is a record of what we saw that day thanks to Hubby's quick response.

(I hope Blogger lets you click to enlarge.)

Linking to Camera Critters.

Skywatch

2011-12-14T00:02:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I had driven all day to get to our daughter's home in Virginia. It was the day before Thanksgiving. This was the scene from her driveway shortly after our arrival. This shot is just as I took it - straight out of the camera. It was a lovely way to start our visit!

Linking to Skywatch.

Barn Charm

2011-12-12T13:05:00.003-05:00

This little white barn was another barn I spotted on my weekend trip back in October. It is badly in need of some roof repair. I like how it is nestled there below the mountain. A view from the front shows it is storing round hay bales. If you look closely you will see a railroad track running directly in front. I took these somewhere close to Cranberry Glades, West Virginia.

Linking to Tricia's Barn Charm.

(click to enlarge for better detail)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-12-11T00:15:00.006-05:00

1. LESS IS MORE

My hubby got this little snowman for me last year. It plugs into a USB port and sits beside my computer and changes colors.

2. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

I just LOVE Christmas light bokeh!

Light painting using my Christmas lights on the front porch.

3.ORNAMENTS

This is one of about twelve glass bulbs I made quite a few years ago. I took the clear bulbs and dripped different color acrylic paints inside and swirled them around. Every year when I see them I tell myself I'm going to make more. Maybe next year!

4.CUP OF CHEER

"Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well, I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer...."

5.NATIVITY

When you turn on the switch on the back of this Nativity you hear the Christmas story.

Linking to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

The Cat and the Baby

2011-12-09T22:45:00.004-05:00

See Jack.

Jack is my son's cat.

Jack looks sleepy.

See Jack.

See Jack's wide open eyes.

What does Jack hear?

This is Sammy.

Sammy is my grandson.

Sammy likes to chase Jack.

Linking to Camera Critters.

Fly Me To The Moon

2011-12-07T17:45:00.004-05:00

The Monday after Thanksgiving I was at my daughter's home and had taken little Lily and Lucy out shopping. When we returned home this is what we saw in the sky. The contrails seemed to start at a point on the horizon and fan out. It was the same in two directions. The sunset was reflected in their vapor trails. It was quite a sight to see. As she lives near the Norfolk Naval Base it wouldn't surprise me that these were left by jets doing military maneuvers.As I finished taking pictures I turned as I walked through the front door for one last look. That was when I saw the moon among the trails. As I looked at these this week on my computer I started humming Frank Sinatra's song - Fly Me To The Moon.

"Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars" ...........

Linking to Thursday Theme Song and Skywatch.

Barn or Hangar

2011-12-05T11:23:00.003-05:00

This is another barn from our weekend trip in early October. It was across the road from the barn I posted with the ad on it. It sat in a huge field - no cattle or horses could be seen. There was a long stretch of bottom land on both ends. Look closely and you can see to the back of the barn an aviation windsock. Everything we saw led us to believe this was a short airstrip. We passed this barn both ways and could not see behind it. It would have been nice to know if a small plane or helicopter was parked behind.

Enlarge the image to see the windsock, the lightning rods and the lovely fall foliage.

Linking to Ruby Tuesday and Barn Charm.

Friday's Fences

2011-12-01T20:38:00.003-05:00

I have just returned from a Thanksgiving visit with my Granddaughters. This fence surrounds their back yard. The big white ball is an indication that little ones live and play here. They live along a main thoroughfare so playing with sidewalk chalk in the front yard is a safety issue. All little girls love to play with chalk so their Mommy's solution is to let them color on the fence. She says the rain washes it off so it doesn't do any harm. I took these the morning I left and it was sprinkling heavily. I'm guessing the abstract masterpiece has since washed away.I love the blurred color in the background of this one so I've included it as well.

(Remember to click to make the images big!)

Linking to Friday's Fences.

Barn Charm

2011-11-20T22:20:00.010-05:00

This is the scene Hubby and I came upon as we left the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park last month. We rounded a curve and I saw the barns and asked him to find a place to pull off of the two lane road. He really only could pull over on the berm so I took these rather quickly. It was early morning and the sky was white and overcast with a little fog.

You're probably wondering what that big dish is in the center of the photos. The dish is at the center of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank West Virginia. This radio telescope is the largest fully steerable dish in the world. I zoomed in as much as I could to capture the barn above. I love the cupolas.My camera couldn't bring in the back barn quite as well but it was enough to bring out the green and white silo and all the rolls of hay.The barns on the opposite side of the field were harder to get close shots of. It's hard to say whether they were all part of one farm or two. I zoomed in one the dish for a better view. We had passed the observatory on our way to Cass but didn't stop to visit. If you look closely you'll see a smaller dish to the left of the larger one.I little farther down the road I happened to look out the back window on the drivers side of the Jeep and saw another view. We stopped to get this view as well. One day we plan to visit and take the tour.
Blogger's new interface lets you click on the pictures for a much bigger view. Go ahead, make em' bigger!

Posted for this week's Barn Charm with Tricia.

Friday's Fences

2011-11-17T20:36:00.001-05:00

Today's fence is from a barn hubs and I spotted on our weekend away a couple of weeks ago.

The barn behind the fence is in need of repair but I liked the shape of the barn and the colors. I also liked that the shape of the gate imitates the loft door.

This is a closeup of the top of the barn with its sawtooth trim.
Do click to enlarge pics to their original size.

Posted for Friday's Fences.

Barn Charm

2011-11-13T17:20:00.002-05:00

If you've been visiting here the past few weeks you know Hubs and I spent a weekend in and around Cass, West Virginia. I was lucky enough to spot quite a few barns that hubby had to keep stopping for so I could take photos of all I saw. This first one was just off the highway on a side road. I love the washed out red paint. If you enlarge these you will see an advertisement on the end of the barn. The one word I could make out is Hermitage. There is an inn and restaurant named that nearby but I can't be for certain if there is a connection. Did you notice all the pigeons on top of the silo? The lightning rods atop the cupolas have little stars on them.

We decided to follow the little road in front of the barn for a short distance so I could get a photo of another barn below the road. The fields around the barn circled back quite a distance. I liked how the fall foliage on the trees and the green grasses on the bank of the roadway framed this empty hay wagon.

The fields had recently been mowed and I couldn't resist a shot of the rolls of hay. The sky was completely washed out on this particular morning so I've added a texture to this image. I like the painted effect it gives the photo.

(Be sure to click and enlarge these to their original size.)

Posted for Barn Charm and Ruby Tuesday.

While wandering in the forest.....

2011-11-09T12:12:00.001-05:00

....a little boy encounters the friendly ogre named Shrek. It was a day spent playing hide and seek among the giant trees....

This billboard sign posted for Signs, Signs.

Celebrating A First

2011-11-07T11:18:00.006-05:00

There is nothing like celebrating a child's first birthday. This weekend my youngest grandchild turned one. Sammy loved his 'smashcake!' His Mommy made it all by herself. Turns out Sammy isn't a cake in your face kind of guy so there wasn't much smashing but he enjoyed it anyway.A pensive look on the red carpet with a talking firetruck.Here he is posing for Grandma in his first birthday shirt while holding down the string of one of his balloons. Gotta love those beautiful blue eyes!

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and Midweek Blues.

Skies Over Snowshoe Ski Resort

2011-11-02T23:34:00.000-04:00

Regular readers know I recently spent a weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia. While there Hubs and I drove on up the mountain to the Snowshoe Ski Resort. Of course it was too early for snow but we enjoyed the views and the sky above us. Click on this first photo and scroll through the skies we enjoyed that evening.This second shot was taken seventeen minutes after the first one. Amazing how the colors and the mood can change so quickly.

As I turned to look behind me I saw the moon floating in a lovely field of blue.Twenty-four minutes after the first shot above this was the sunset we witnessed over the West Virginia Mountains - the words "Almost Heaven" seemed appropriate.

Posted for Skywatch.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign

2011-11-01T19:52:00.000-04:00

Last week I posted about my recent trip to the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia. Today for Signs,Signs I'm posting some of the many signs we saw that weekend. This first one is the state park sign in the middle of town. With blogger's new photo viewing I hope you'll be able to click and enlarge these for the best viewing.This is the company store. Inside we enjoyed a snack after our train ride.Our first stop on the ride was at Whittaker Station. I actually took this shot coming back down the mountain. The black smoke you see is from the steam engine. I had taken this photo when we stopped to have a snack on the way up. In one of my earlier posts I mentioned this piece of equipment but thought I would post a better photo of it. The centerpiece of the Whittaker recreated logging camp is this Lidgerwood tower skidder, one of only two examples left in the world. These huge railcar-mounted machines carried logs out of the woods on aerial cables high in the air and for distances up to 3,000 feet. The train stopped at the Oats Run Waterhole to fill the steam engines with water.We are almost at the top of the mountain. The bend you see in the track will bring us to the end of the trail.Upon reaching the top of the mountain we will be at 4700 feet above sea level.

If you missed my other posts they can be seen here and here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-10-29T23:17:00.001-04:00

MACRO

I happened to find this bloom on one of my Weigela bushes this week. There were maybe three blooms on an otherwise bare bush. The bush blooms full and beautiful in the spring so this was quite a little surprise.

TEXTURE

I captured this little squirrel on the oak tree outside my window. His soft furry tail is quite a contrast with the rough texture of the bark.

HOME

Welcome! Come on in and sit a spell! Heidi won't be greeting you though. She is very shy and will be hiding in the closet as soon as the doorbell rings.

COVER

The words I chose to quote on this image are from a song I used to sing many years ago at 4-H camp. Everytime I see blue skies I think of 'there's a blue sky way up yonder that's a cover for my head.'

TREE

Every fall I make a point to drive by this tree. It stands alongside a country road among little rolling hills. All the different colors of leaves on the one tree is breathtaking.
(I think blogger will let you click and see the last four enlarged. I think it is worth doing so.)

Posted for Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

A Soldier Bug and His Shadow

2011-10-28T23:43:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I was taking photos at my Moms and laid my lens cap on the porch railing. When I returned to retrieve it this little soldier bug grabbed my attention. I'm not sure if he was standing there singing Me and My Shadow or shadowboxing with himself. This small little critter and his shadow made me smile. I hope he brings a smile to you too!
Posted for Camera Critters and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Friday's Fences and Cass Railroad Part Two

2011-10-27T22:42:00.000-04:00

If you missed my first post about my ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad click here. In that post I didn't explain how the town came to be. It was founded in 1900 by the WV Pulp and Paper Company and built as a company town to meet the needs of the men who worked the nearby mountains cutting timber. Hungarian, Italian and Austrian immigrants built the railroad to bring the timber to the nearby band-saw mill . The town was named for Joseph Cass, vice president and company investor. The town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The above image is my entry for this week's Friday's Fences. These are some of the original company houses. At one time there were 52 houses on the hill. At present 20 have been refurbished and can be rented for tourist lodgings. Don't you just love the white picket fence!

I also like the wooden sidewalks - like a mini wooden boardwalk in the mountains. :)

Continuing from my last post our first stop was Whittaker Station about four miles up the track. Here a small replicated logging camp is set up. I know it's a little smokey but I wanted a photo before all the passengers disembarked. The piece of equipment at the very back on the right hand side is a Lidgerwood tower skidder, one of only two examples left in the world. These huge railcar-mounted machines carried logs out of the woods on aerial cables high in the air and for distances up to 3,000 feet. We spent about thirty minutes enjoying our surroundings before reboarding and heading on up the mountain.Hanging out of my car I took a photo of the 'front' of the train. Remember the engines are pushing us up the hill. Looking ahead of the last car you can tell the grade of the railroad is getting steeper.Shooting behind from where we had been you can see the two engines pushing us up.As the train gets to the higher grade you can see the pusher engine pumping hard and releasing the dark black steam.Shortly thereafter we needed to stop and fill the engine tanks with water. The water comes from a natural spring. The train uses a steam injector to suction the water to fill the tanks. We stopped going up the mountain and again going down.

Not long after we reached the peak of Bald Knob. Look closely and you will notice the pusher engine has broken away at this point. All that's left to see is the puff of smoke left behind as it descends back to the station. We will only need the one engine to get back down the mountain.The platform at the top of Bald Knob. The elevation here is 4700 feet. Here we enjoyed the view and ate our lunch.

Hubby and I had chosen a picnic table underneath the platform and this is a view through some of the railings. As I said before, the photos cannot do the scene justice. It was an amazing fall view. It's hard to believe that the weekend before (October 2) they had had eight inches of snow here at the top. This Sunday the train will make its last run for the 2011 season. I wish I could be on it!

Vintage Signs

2011-10-26T00:42:00.003-04:00

I have seen the Signs, Signs meme for quite some time and never seem to have the right photo to submit; but during our weekend in Cass, West Virginia we were driving around the countryside and stopped at a gas station to fill up. When I pulled up I saw these restroom signs that were straight out of the sixties and my memories of day trips with my family growing up. Back then we always needed to keep an eye out for a gas station when we needed to use the restroom. They were few and far between and the gas station was just that - a gas station. You could buy gas, get a tire changed or minor repairs and use the restroom. Sometimes you might find an old fashioned coke machine inside or an ice cream freezer. On our visit this station was being run as it had been for decades with simple services and amenities. The once helpful station attendant was long gone so hubby put gas in our tank, we made use of the restroom not knowing when we'd see the next one and we shared a really frozen ice cream bar. What we didn't find at this quaint little station was yesterday's gas prices!

Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass, West Virginia

2011-10-24T01:21:00.003-04:00

A couple of weekends ago Hubby and I spent the weekend in Cass, West Virginia. My brother has been taking my nephew to Cass for twenty-one years. My nephew has been fascinated with trains since he wasn't much more than a toddler. That being so my brother built a small cabin in the town of Cass where Hubby and I stayed.

The evening we got to Cass the last train had pulled out and the station shut down for the night. I took the photo above from the parking lot knowing that the next day the number of visitors and cars would distract from this quaint little station.Behind that now closed door were our tickets waiting for the next day's eleven mile almost five hour trip to Bald Knob at an elevation of 4700 feet. These two cars along the tracks were open for viewing. Their bright colors were enhanced by the fall foliage that surrounded the town.After a good night's rest this is the scene that greeted us the next day. The sun was bright and cheery and the colors glorious!We were taking the noon train but this is a shot of the steam escaping from the train that left before us that would only be going halfway. This is the number 11. We will pass it later on our way up the mountain.This train was our 'pusher' train. It would take this train as well as ours to get us up the grade of the mountain. You'll notice that this one was losing a little water because it was filled so full. Later, we would need to stop and let the train take on more water to complete our trip up the mountain. Those glowing red and yellow reflections are the cars in the photos above.This photo is a little out of focus and I apologize but remember the train is moving, I'm trying to stand and shoot from the opposite side of the car I'm in and everyone else is trying to get a shot as well. This is a train on the way back to the station. In order for us to pass there is a switchback and this train waits on a seperate nearby track.This is the device used to switch the track the train is on to enable it to go to another track.Here we go! Remember those engines you see are pushing the train uphill. My car is almost in the middle of the train. As I leaned out I'm pointing my camera to the cars behind me. A quick glance and you might think the engine is in front and going downhill.This is one of the vistas along the way. The photo doesn't do the scene justice but I have to say it was magnificent!! Be sure to click on this one to really enjoy the Autumn Splendor!

At this point we weren't even halfway up the mountain so I have more photos and more scenes.

I hope you'll come back Thursday for part two.

Posted for Mellow Yellow Monday and Ruby Tuesday.

Camera Critters

2011-10-22T03:07:00.001-04:00

"But Ms. Carletta, what happened to my spots!"

Posted for Camera Critters.

Weekend Reflections and A Reminder

2011-10-20T22:25:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago we went on a trip to Virginia to see our children and grandchildren. As we traveled up the curvy West Virginia Turnpike I saw this tanker truck ahead of us and reached for my camera. As you can see it is reflecting the road behind it.My hubby moved to the left lane so he could pass. With the speed of both vehicles I wasn't sure what I would capture as I pointed my camera and clicked.Upon downloading I was surprised to see that I actually captured the front of our Jeep even if it isn't very clear.

As this is a 'Reflection' post I want to 'reflect' on something important to all of us. As photographers whether amateur or professional our photos mean a lot to us. They are our link to experiences - tangible evidence to people, places, and things that have touched our lives. In this digital age they are always readily available. Unless. Unless a computer hard drive failure wipes it all away.

This past Sunday morning during some blog surfing my computer monitor went black with three words at the top - HARD DRIVE FAILURE. My heart was at my feet. The hard drive I was currently using was only a year and a half old. The photos I'd been meaning to transfer to my backup drive for months seemingly lost in cyberspace.

The good news - my wonderful dear husband worked hard and was able to retrive most of them to a backup drive. He hasn't tried yet to retrive anything else but nothing else matters. I was lucky and I know it. It was a lesson learned. This weekend I encourage you to 'reflect' on your own habits and back up a few of those precious files you might have been neglecting. Take it from me. The lesson I learned could have been a much harder lesson. Don't find yourself in my shoes. Just do it!
Posted for Weekend Reflections.

Hiding Among The Pine Needles

2011-09-23T02:33:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago Hubby and I were trimming a bush beside our front door when I noticed a Praying Mantis. I made a note of where he was so I could get my camera when we were finished. A little later I couldn't find him and was disappointed more than I could say.
This week we were putting down new mulch and there he was in a small pine beside the fron porch. This time we stopped and Hubby went for my camera. He's been hanging around for a few days now so I think he's taken up residence which is more than fine with me.
You should be able to click and enlarge the above image for a more detailed view.

Posing for his closeup!

Posted for Macro Friday and Camera Critters.

A Potpourri of Skies

2011-09-22T01:15:00.002-04:00

On a recent evening the night came closing in on what was left of a cloud covered blue sky.

When you were little didn't you love looking at the clouds and picking out the shapes? Don't you still love it? What do you see? I think Miss Piggy was floating around looking for Kermit.

Days after the Harvest Moon I was out trying to capture a photo for my little granddaughter Lily. She had seen the big ole moon and remarked to her Mommy that 'if that moon comes over here maybe I can sit on it." Ah, the mind of an almost four year old!

The moon seemed very big and bright but there were many clouds the evening I was trying and they kept getting in my way. When I downloaded this one it looked like the 'Man In The Moon' was posing for me.

I was able to get this egg shaped image before I gave up.

Posted for Skywatch.

Barn Charm

2011-09-19T13:30:00.001-04:00

I think this is a charming old red barn. Those of you who visit me often know I love these barns known as quilt barns for the painted wooden quilt blocks attached to the barn's siding. The name of the quilt pattern used here is Annie's Choice. It is one of several in a barn quilt trail in Roane County, West Virginia. The trail isn't far from my hometown of Spencer where I grew up.
Posted for Barn Charm.

Camera Critters: Say Ahhh.....

2011-09-17T02:53:00.003-04:00

No words needed - the cuteness factor says it all!

Posted for Camera Critters.

Macro Monday: Bee Pollen

2011-09-11T20:17:00.004-04:00

We have had some beautiful sunflowers this summer that are a variety of autumn colors. Since they are at one end of our garden and I can't see them often hubby cut some and I arranged them in an aluminum pitcher on my back deck. The bees love them. They are quick little guys darting in and out of the flower centers and hard to capture but I finally got a fairly decent shot.
The black and yellow colors of the sunflower center provide a lot of camouflage for the little bee. Look how full this little guy's pollen sacs are - amazing!
Posted for Macro Monday.

Twin Fawns

2011-09-09T18:40:00.000-04:00

The deer have been visiting for quite a few weeks now and when I glanced out the living room window a few days ago this is what I saw. I grabbed my camera and hoped I could quietly sneak out the front door. Luck was on my side and I quietly sat down in a rocker and watched this little beauty nibble away. I looked around wondering where Mama could be and noticed a pair of legs underneath the bushes by the nearby gazebo.

Soon a little twin joined his sibling. Though they have nothing to fear from me they don't yet understand that maybe they should be afraid so they were content to let me sit and watch them.

It wasn't long until Mama stepped out from underneath the overhanging bushes to see where her babies had wandered to. Upon seeing me her ears perked up, she pawed her hoofs and let me take her picture before she started running slowly away her little ones scampering off behind her.
Posted for Camera Critters.

Putting Up Hay

2011-09-08T01:01:00.001-04:00

Pat over at A View From The Edge started a new meme a few months ago for Things In A Row. I had told her I would join in and it has always slipped my mind to look for 'subjects.' On a recent drive Hubby and I came upon a recently mowed field of hay. From our viewpoint of the slanting land we could only see the middle third of the rows. Honestly the words 'crop circles' came into mind because you just couldn't see the whole thing and it looked rather strange not to see the whole row.

You can still see the rows in this shot even though they are the background blur. I really wanted to capture the tall grass left at the edges untouched by the farmer's blade.

The grass wasn't as defined as I wanted so I played around with adding a couple of different textures and blending modes and lighting to achieve the final result. Then I framed it and added a quote.

Posted for Things In A Row and Texture Thursday.

Wild Bird Wednesday

2011-09-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

I glanced out my dining room window to find this little lady preening herself on the wisteria vines before sipping from the feeder.

I've been telling myself I need to try to get some better shots of my visitors before they gear up to leave for the winter but on this day I was getting ready to leave the house and there wasn't time. I just pointed the camera and took a couple more shots as she flew to the feeder. I'm surprised this one even came out at all. It's a pointed beak in a flurry of wings. :)

Another quick shot captured a little ant escaping from the feeder and the spread tail feathers of the hummingbird.
Not well planned thought out photos but worthy at least to record this little visitor that has provided such pleasure and amusement during these past summer months.

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Barn Charm

2011-09-04T18:12:00.005-04:00

I posted this photo a couple of years ago on my photoblog long before Tricia's barn meme. I thought it was worthy of repeating here for those Barn Charm folks who appreciate these wonderful old relics of the American landscape. When it comes to charm this one fits the bill for me. It sits high atop a hill with wide open sky behind it with its bright red color contrasting beautifully with the green field of grass that surrounds it. The charming old fashioned lightning rods point to the wispy clouds overhead. The outline of three windows can barely be seen and my mind wistfully wonders what the rest of this little charmer looks like. The barn is adorned with a wooden quilt patch named Bold Star. Given the bold statement this little barn makes sitting high on the hill the owners couldn't have chosen a more appropriate pattern to adorn it with.

Posted for Barn Charm and Ruby Tuesday.

Ouch!

2011-09-03T02:20:00.004-04:00

(click to enlarge for best view)

On a recent drive hubby and I found some thistle along the road. I very carefully cut a couple to bring home and photograph outside on my deck. It's been almost six days so the thistle is no longer in pristine shape but I had my camera out and was happy with all the bubbles of bokeh I achieved with this shot.

While I was trying to position the jar to get the most of the light I noticed the mop head shadow in the dappled light.
Posted for Flowers On Saturday and Shadow Shot Sunday and Bokeh Saturday.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-30T23:20:00.000-04:00

Posted for Wordless Wednesday and Midweek Blues.

2011-08-29T15:25:00.004-04:00

Having unexpectantly felt an earthquake last week and then sat on pins and needles waiting for Hurricane Irene to move up the coast and away from our kids and grandkids, Hubby and I were finally able to relax and took a long quiet Jeep ride on Sunday. We were able to roll the windows down and enjoy the afternoon. Driving down a familiar road I knew a barn would be coming into view. I was quite surprised by the amount of growth around the barn as the field in front was very well kept.

The barn is in excellent shape for the age it appears to be. I wish I had thought to take a closeup of the lightning rods on top. If you enlarge the image you should be able to see them better. I just love these with the old ceramic balls on them.

I found a photo I took with my old point and shoot about three years ago of the same barn. Sure wish someone would cut away all the growth. The brick foundation is worth being able to see.

Both kids and their families are fine and were spared most of Irene's wrath. Our daughter is still without electricity having lost it before noon on Saturday. Her neighborhood is on the list to be back online by six 0'clock this evening. We're crossing our fingers.

Posting for Tricia's Barn Charm.

Ruby Tuesday: Rose of Sharon

2011-08-23T02:43:00.004-04:00

Today's ruby red is more of a dark burgandy or red wine color from the flowers on my Rose of Sharon bushes. They are one of my all time favorites to photograph. The buds start out very tight before bursting open to reveal just a hint of what's to come. It always amazes me that the tightly wound bloom is such a dark rich color.
As the flower opens more and more it reveals the deep burgandy in the center and the lighter gentle pinks of the outer part of the petal. As the bloom nears its end the veins in the petals become more prominent and take on the look of gauze. The ants love the flowers too as you can see by that tiny little fellow on the outer edge of the petal in the foreground.

Downloading photos often brings surprises as this particular image did for me. Doesn't that look like a little hand perhaps indicating to the ants and bees - 'I want you to stay away!' Or, maybe there's a little Smurf living in there. :)

Posted for Ruby Tuesday.

Sepia Scenes: The Haunting of Flinderation Station

2011-08-18T00:20:00.001-04:00

Flinderation Station is supposed to be a haunted railroad tunnel near Salem, West Virginia. The story goes that three men working in the tunnel didn't realize a train was coming or at least as fast as it was coming. One man could not get into the side cubbyholes fast enough and the train derailed. The Travel Channel has evidently filmed a spot here at some time. After visiting the tunnel and doing some research there is the story but not the facts to back it up. No news articles about the derailment, no names of the deceased. There are a few YouTube videos of supposed paranormal activity. I wasn't impressed with any I viewed. I took three of the above views in sequence from the same spot. I do that to make sure I get a clear shot and one that's in best focus. When I downloaded them I noticed what some would describe as an orb in the middle photo. If you enlarge this maybe you'll see it. It's to the left of the top of the opening in the back.

This is about only about twenty feet inside the one thousand feet tunnel. As you can see there was water. A couple of places I could tell the water would be halfway up my leg if I stepped in it. Without boots and a flashlight this was as far as I ventured.

Like any good viewer of Ghost Hunters I did my duty and announced that I was friendly and asked are you here. There was no reply. :)

Years of mineral laden water running down the walls have left them discolored from the once red brick.

I love the different layers eroded away on this section of wall.

Upon leaving I was sitting on a nearby picnic table. The tunnel is part of the West Virginia Rail Trail across abandoned railroad tracks and a pretty spot to take a break. Again I took three images of the same spot. When I downloaded them the third one had those two bright spots of light. I didn't use a flash. The white you see hanging from the ceiling is actually part of the ceiling that is falling. What were the lights? I couldn't say; but. I'm thinking Jason and Grant from Ghost Hunters could probably explain it all away.

I'd like to go back with a pair of boots and a flashlight and walk the entire distance to the other side. Oh, did I mention that there is a cemetery on top of the tunnel? I WILL only be going in daylight.

Posted for Sepia Scenes.

Camera Critters: Neighborhood Newbies

2011-08-13T02:20:00.005-04:00

This lovely little fawn showed up in my yard yesterday morning. I saw it run across the meadow between me and my neighbor. I have waited all summer to see them emerge from the woods. Toward evening hubs was going outside to bring in the garbage cans from the street and as he passed the sunroom he whispered for me to join him. I knew he had seen something and I knew my camera was in the sunroom. Here the little thing was in my back yard less than 50 feet from my deck. It was a little nervous and noticed my presence when I stepped out on the deck but it let me take a couple of pictures before scampering off. As was the case in the early morning hours when I first saw it there was no Mama Doe to be seen. I sure hope nothing has happened to her and I hope my little visitor returns in the days ahead.

Yesterday morning I also watched this young squirrel try every way he could to get to my bird feeder. He is much smaller than this image makes him appear and I think he is one of the baby squirrels from spring. The morning was quite pleasant and my sunroom door was open. Heidi the cat sat looking out the door not making a sound when I looked up and found this little guy sitting on the deck railing. I got this best of three shots before he discovered me and ran off to a nearby tree. I had seen him earlier 'steal' a walnut and start stripping it. I'm guessing that's a crumb laying at his feet.

For more animal antics and Camera Critters click here.

Summer Stock Sunday

2011-08-06T23:10:00.001-04:00

At the Park

Lily comes out of the slide tunnel with hair flying and a big smile on her face.

Lucy wasn't far behind!
Lucy enjoys a bouncy ride on the horsey!

Long dark curls and chubby fingers....hugs and kisses little girls!

Posted for Summer Stock Sunday and Ruby Tuesday.

A Perfect Ending

2011-08-03T01:05:00.004-04:00

"A sunrise is God's promise the world should go on; a sunset, His signature."

Posted for Skywatch.

Ruby Tuesday With Lily and Lucy

2011-07-31T22:30:00.001-04:00

My little granddaughters spent the 4th of July at Grandma's house. That is little Lucy on the left and big sister Lily on the right. Both are wearing their red, white, and blue dresses for the holiday.

I LOVE MY SISSY!

Lily also loves her dolly and Grandma's discarded cell phone.

Some of you might remember that old TV show Different Strokes. Sitting in Grandmas rocker Lucy smiles and Lily seems to be doing an imitation of Arnold Jackson with an expression of "what 'chu talkin' 'bout Grandma?"

It nears naptime and Lucy's pensive look tells Grandma the photo session is over.

The little ones are back home and I talked to them and their Mommy today. It seems like little Lucy is no longer so little. She decided Saturday night she was too big for her crib and climbed out. Sunday was spent changing to a big girl bed. As her Mommy said, 'another milestone.'

Posted for Ruby Tuesday.

House In A Bubble

2011-07-28T20:40:00.003-04:00

I intended to take a short blogging break that has turned into over a month long absence. I went to visit my two Granddaughters for a week and then they returned to my house for two weeks and then we took them home and stayed another week. My time away was filled with Grandma duties and I had the most wonderful time. I'm still catching up on rest but thought it was time to begin sharing some of the photos I've taken the past few weeks.

The two photos above were taken as my daughter played with the girls making big bubbles.

I set out to capture the bubbles and was totally pleased with these results. The reflection you see in the bubbles is of my daughter's home. If you look closely in the first one that's me in the doorway taking the photos.

These are straight out of the camera with no cropping or extra processing. I intend to try more of these. In fact, I already bought the bubbles!

Because the house is white and fits the theme this week I'm linking up to Tara's LEM Photo Challenge and for Weekend Reflections with James and Alicia's Summer Photo Challenge (bubbles).

Edited: YEAH! I was picked as one of Tara's favorite's this week!

Thanks Tara!!!

Refreshing

2011-06-25T02:15:00.000-04:00

(be sure to enlarge to really see the detail of the water drops)

Round The Bend is on hiatus. Time to "refresh" the creativity and just take some time to enjoy the first couple of weeks of summer. See you soon.

After The Rain

2011-06-22T01:18:00.007-04:00

We've had rain for five of the past six days. However, last Thursday evening just before sunset the rain began ceasing and the sun shone brightly and we were rewarded with a big beautiful rainbow.

Of course I had the wrong lens on the camera and couldn't get a wide shot but there wasn't time to change it.
Rainbows don't wait!

Posted for Skywatch.

A Bug and His Shadow

2011-06-18T13:20:00.001-04:00

(enlarge for best detail)
Posted for Camera Critters and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch: Strawberry Moon

2011-06-16T00:50:00.001-04:00

Posted for Skywatch.

Wild Bird Wednesday: At The Feeder

2011-06-14T00:01:00.001-04:00

This weeks backyard visitors.

~ as seen through the sunroom window

Red-winged Blackbird

American Goldfinch

Cardinal

Blue Jay

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Summer Stock Sunday

2011-06-12T01:25:00.007-04:00

Summertime is.....

....sitting quietly in the pool

....wearing wet chalk eye makeup

....stealing kisses from Mommy

....marching in wildflowers with Papaw's brush.

You've just seen my two granddaughters, Lily and Lucy, enjoying the hot summer days in their backyard.

In my backyard the dragonflies are here for summer giving me a chance for some macro work with my camera. If time permits visit my photoblog by clicking on the link in my sidebar to see what I found.

Linking to Robin's Summer Stock Sunday.

(My regular readers may notice there is no music playing. I removed my Playlist because they began stopping the music and inserting audio ads. My music was for my enjoyment and yours and often tied into my post. It was not for someone to place unwanted ads that I wasn't being compensated for and didn't endorse so it's gone.)

Wild Bird Wednesday

2011-06-07T12:20:00.001-04:00

Encounters With Geese

I live on five acres of land as do my neighbors. A few of them have large ponds on their property so we are accustomed to seeing Canadian Geese almost year round. I often hear them honking as they fly overhead and I'm always inside and miss the photo opportunity. One day in early April I kept hearing a loud honk and went to investigate. This fellow in the above photo was in the field between me and my neighbor and almost in my front yard. I grabbed the camera hoping he'd stay a few more minutes. If you enlarge the image you can see him cocking his head looking at the sky.
He continued to walk back and forth honking as I snapped photos through the living room window.
He continued to honk and look up at the sky. I noticed he had a partner further down in the woods out of my camera's reach. I thought I could slip out on the deck and get some more shots but as I passed the sunroom window I saw them flying off. Our adventure lasted a little under three minutes.

A month earlier I snapped this photo along the riverbank where the Ohio and Muskingum rivers meet. There had been a lot of flooding and both rivers were way out of their banks.

These two appeared to be content to sun on the bank rather than swim.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday.

Macro Monday: Bugs Up Close

2011-06-05T22:00:00.003-04:00

A soldier beetle enjoys what's left of a daisy bloom.
Not sure what happened to this little fellow. He has a bent wing .

I was taking pictures of the flowers and this Green Tiger Beetle glistened in the sunlight begging for his fifteen minutes of fame. He and his mate hung around for quite some time and did what bugs in love do. No, not showing that one!

The Fly

Doesn't thinking of that movie make you cringe?

I kid you not that this little guy was about the size of the point of a needle.

Linking to Maco Monday with Lisa and Ruby Tuesday with Mary.

LEM Photo Challenge: Food

2011-06-02T23:01:00.005-04:00

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." ~ Ernestine Ulmer

(Enlarge image for mouth watering deliciousness.)

Posted for LEM Photo Challenge.

Wild Bird Wednesday

2011-05-30T21:15:00.004-04:00

I noticed weeks ago that a couple of squirrels were building a nest in a tree at the corner of our yard where it meets the woods. One morning last week as I went to turn on my computer I glanced out the sunroom window and noticed more than the usual two squirrels. Yep, Mama and Daddy had brought their three little ones to dine under the bird feeder. Later, Hubs put out a little corn for them which in turn brought out the birds in full force. Here a common grackle munches down. I watched them put the corn in their mouth and use their foot to stomp it trying to break it down.

I've seen this guy around a couple of times. The first time he was too far to capture a good image. I tried researching this a little and think he may be an example of a leucistic bird (in this case a grackle) or one whose pigmentation wasn't fully developed. If any of you knowledgeable birders can give me some insight please do see in a comment.

I see Blue Jays but not everyday so I was glad this guy showed up for lunch as well.

Of course I have to show you mama school chowing down. She needs all the strength she can muster to raise THREE babies!

One of the babies under my lilac bush. The grass really wasn't as long as it looks. He was just so small. I love how soft and furry he looks. His tail isn't as coarse looking as his Mama's.

Note: Since last Wednesday Blogger has had a problem with users being able to comment on some blogs. It seems to depend on the template and comment form of some blogs. If you visit and I don't return your comment it's because I tried and couldn't. Please know I appreciate your visit.

To my Wild Bird Meme friends Springman and Gary: I tried you two first because I couldn't comment last week either. I've seen both your wonderful posts this week. :)
Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday and Midweek Blues.

Wild Bird Wednesday: Turkey Vultures

2011-05-24T02:30:00.001-04:00

Returning home on a recent day last week we rounded a bend in the road and this is what greeted us. Hubs stopped so I could try to get a shot or two before they flew away. These first shots are through the windshield so my apologies that they are somewhat fuzzy. Notice the guy in front has staked his claim on the roadkill.

Hubs inched a little closer and this guy looked like he would take off at any minute. Actually I got a few more fuzzy shots and we inched a little closer.

He had actually walked away from his lunch and gave one last glance back.

He then decided it was time to go. We hadn't noticed the one hanging out up ahead on the guardrail.

At that point Hubs could steer to the left and I rolled down my window and got a fairly decent shot of this guy but he didn't hang around for more than one shot.

This shot is from my archives. I think the best way to enjoy these guys is when they are up high and soaring. That way, you don't have to look at their faces! :)

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-05-21T20:06:00.010-04:00

1. My Passion

...is my Grandchildren

Lily - age 3 1/2
Lucy, age 2
Sammy, age 7 months

2. Sound of Music

We heard the sound of music in our home quite often when our son and daughter were young. Our daughter played the violin and our son played the violin, the guitar, and the drums.He was part of a garage band in his high school years which practiced at our house - oh, the SOUND of MUSIC! This is his guitar with his pick left right where it left it. I took it outside in the natural sunlight and really like how the pick caught the sun and reflected on the headstock of the guitar.

3. Inner Beauty

The inner stamens of a lily.

4. Ethereal

I wasn't sure about this one but the more I looked at it the more I was really happy with it. This is a plume of my Smoke Bush. The little pin point yellow flowers have almost all fallen off leaving the smokey plume. The background just seemed to come together and give this image its fairytale colors.

5. Sharp

"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses."

Posted for Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

Weekend Reflections: Faux Aurora Borealis

2011-05-20T12:34:00.007-04:00

This is a glass bulb hanging in my Mom's flower bed. I loved the blue color and took the photo for an entirely different meme. However, when I downloaded the shot I saw the reflection. Looking closely you can see the steps to my Mom's front door, some plants, the highway, and the house across the street. What really got my attention was the way the colors of the glass and the sun working together made it look like an Aurora Borealis was on display in the sky above the neighbor's house.

Posted for Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch: Last Saturday's Sunset

2011-05-18T22:55:00.007-04:00

(from my front porch)

Posted for Skywatch.

Wild Bird Wednesday: Baby Bluebirds

2011-05-17T00:41:00.008-04:00

Saturday evening Hubs and I were out in our driveway finishing up potting some flowers when we heard the biggest ruckus coming from the bluebird houses. Mom and Dad were flying all around and screeching loudly. It was almost night time so our vision of the area wasn't entirely clear. Then Hubs saw a baby come out of the nest. My hands were wet and muddy from the potting so I ran inside and washed my hands and grabbed the camera. When I returned things were fairly quiet and I didn't see any activity.
About that time Hubs carried some potted plants to the deck and noticed one of the babies sitting still in the flower bed. It was almost night so it was hard getting a photo and these two are the best I could do.

I'm not sure why they came out of the nest so late in the day but I probably would have missed them otherwise. I carefully walked the backyard and found three little ones. They were hopping around and not flying and the coming night had me worried. I left the area so Mom and Dad could do their job.

Dad was always nearby keeping an eye on the youngsters debut.

The next morning I again walked the yard and found one clinging to the side of my big old oak tree but as I approached it the baby flew off leaving me with the satisfaction that at least one of the three had made it safely through the night. I hope the others did too.

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday with Barn Charm

2011-05-16T01:35:00.003-04:00

I saw this little barn from the interstate the first year we moved back to West Virginia. It sits down in a little valley and unless you know it's there you don't see it. We've passed it many times but never remember exactly where it is in order to stop. A couple of weeks ago while driving the route that goes by it I grabbed my camera and told Hubs to slow down that I thought I knew where it was and I was right. He pulled to the side of the rode and I shot down the hillside with my zoom lens to capture this little beauty.
I'm not sure what it is used for but I suspect collectables going by the many signs I can see on the left wall. You can hardly see it but there's a rooster weathervane on top and the exhaust pipe of a stove. The fence you see in the back surrounds the yard of the nearby house.
I love it's charming whatever it is used for. Of course, the quilt block is a big bonus. What I like about this quilt block is that it is actually painted on the barn and not a piece of wood painted and tacked on.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and Barn Charm.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-05-14T22:40:00.015-04:00

1.Bring Me Flowers

This is my little Granddaughter Lily showing me the bouquet of Azalea and Fleabane I let her have. She LOVES to pick flowers so she has to be taught what to pick and what to leave alone. She picks them and anxiously runs to give them away.

2. Visual Contrast

I chose to show visual contrast between natural/man-made. The wooden barrel, the ironwork and the wooden siding give lots of texture with the plant and I almost think it's too much but the image is slowly growing on me.

3. Friendship

This is the dangling part of a metal bookmark that my friend Doris made for me and sent to me on my birthday after I moved 500 miles away. Her friendship is very dear to me and I hope she knows just how much she means to me.

4. Before and After
Fiddlehead Ferns

5.Dark

The photo is from my archives of the supermoon. I added the quote for the scavenger hunt prompt of dark.

Posted for Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

Morning Sunrise From My Front Porch

2011-05-11T23:37:00.003-04:00

Posted for Skywatch.

Mourning Dove Fledgling

2011-05-10T10:30:00.001-04:00

Some of you will remember this 'butt shot' of a Mourning Dove on the nest that I posted about a month ago.

A couple of weeks ago I had taken my camera outside to take photos of my cherry tree and as I walked toward the gazebo I took the above photo of the little fledgling walking around in the violet dotted grass.

As I got a little closer I could see it hadn't been long since the baby had left the nest. I didn't see Mom or Dad anywhere near.

I took one more closeup photo before retreating so as not to put any stress on the little guy. Don't you just love those feathers!

I stepped up into the gazebo to check the nest and as you can see a little sibling remained alone high up in the rafters. Hubs was getting ready to mow the lawn but left a large bit of yard around the gazebo unmowed so as not to disturb the youngsters. The next morning I returned to the gazebo to find the one in the nest had disappeared but I didn't see either of them. Walking around to the backside I found the two siblings huddled together underneath a bush. As I had to leave town the next day I didn't see them anymore but hope they survived and are living somewhere nearby.

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Ruby Red Azalea Buds

2011-05-09T00:45:00.000-04:00

From this....

to this!

I took these a couple of weeks ago when my azaleas were beginning to bloom. It is a very small bush that the deer like to browse on during the winter so I never get many blooms and the plant suffers and never gets to grow properly. I enjoy the deer and have come to accept the fact my plants probably won't ever be full and lush. However, this ruby survivor is certainly a beauty to admire.

Posted for Macro Monday and Ruby Tuesday.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T00:50:00.000-04:00

Photo taken near Palestine, West Virginia.

LEM Photo Challenge: Bunnies

2011-04-21T23:30:00.000-04:00

I could not have planned this shot if I'd wanted to for today's LEM Photo Challenge which is Easter, bunnies, etc. Tuesday evening I was walking through the house and glanced out the sunroom window when I saw this little bunny nibbling on the corn we had thrown out for the doves and turkeys. I usually see one or two bunnies wonder around the property from spring into summer. I think it was quite magical that he decided to appear during Easter week and he gave me the perfect photo I needed. I thought I'd be posting marshmallow bunnies but instead I got the real thing!
Posted for Tara's LEM Photo Challenge.

Wild Bird Wednesday: Strutting Turkey

2011-04-19T02:50:00.008-04:00

(Enlarge photos for optimum viewing.)

A couple of weeks ago I posted the wild turkey hen that had been feeding underneath my bird feeder. I knew it would only be a matter of time before other guests would follow her lead. I've watched this little dance for three years now.

At first the Old Guy stays pretty close to the cover of the nearby woods and doesn't come as close to the house as his harem does.

The old guy has two fellow gobblers that are more likely to take care of their stomachs first before performing for the ladies.

(I really do believe there are three gobblers that are visiting. The Old Guy is much more interested in the hens and pretty much struts constantly when he is around. The two you see in the above photo usually walk right up with the hens and help themselves to the bird seed. Only one of them does a little bit of half-hearted strutting. The dark edges in this photo could have been cropped out but I decided to leave them. They are the edges of the window I am shooting through and shows just how close the turkeys are to the house.)

These two remind me of two old men meeting up on the street corner stopping to chat.

One day in the evening sun. I really like their glistening feathers.

This is 'The End' of the story for now; but 'The Dance' continues. Stay tuned!

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Viburnum: From Bud To Bloom

2011-04-18T00:15:00.004-04:00

Viburnum Buds

(enlarge for best viewing)

(Does anybody else see a strange looking green butterfly?) ;)

Viburnum Blooms

The buds began to blossom and popped out almost all at once. We had lots of wind and rain for a few days so it was hard to photograph them and they are beginning to turn brown on some edges and will soon be gone. I wasn't pleased with the photos I had taken so I've added a texture to this one to give it a much softer 'artsy' look.

Posted for Macro Monday and Ruby Tuesday.

Camera Critters: The Birds

2011-04-16T02:42:00.010-04:00

There have been a lot of birds at the feeders the past couple of weeks so I thought I'd put together some of my better 'through the window glass' captures and share who's been visting my yard. We'll start with the cute little Hairy Woodpecker who visits the suet feeder every day almost all day. I have both male and female and have seen another female come to the feeder and be challenged by the other. It has been fun to watch them chase each other around the deck pole the feeder is on. Before going on two regular guests will not be getting their fifteen minutes of fame today. The Grackle and the Cowbird. Both are lovely but they will eat everything in the feeder if allowed. Moving right along - the finch feeders have been swamped! In the left photo doesn't it look like they are all staring at me? I love their shiny yellow feathers. Often times it's a wait for a chance to sit down for a meal so someone usually has to wait patiently amid the buds on the oak tree branches.

I believe this beautiful little birdie is a Purple Finch. I've seen maybe one or two over the last three years. It isn't a great shot by any means but I was thrilled to at least get a picture of it before it flew away.

The Mourning Dove was overheard to say, "Does this nest make my butt look big?"

She's nesting in the rafters of our gazebo. I hope we'll be able to record the happenings in the nest.

You gotta love the pose of this little guy! I think he's a White-throated Sparrow but I'm not a hundred percent sure. I've only been bird watching seriously for about a year so I still have lots to learn to be able to identify some of my feathered friends. If you know what he is tell me in the comments. Hubs thinks he looks like a little hawk from the back. You think he pretends to the ladies?

A Red-Bellied Woodpecker grabs some corn and off he goes. I've seen him on more than one occasion eat a few bites, grab a kernel, hop up the oak tree and then fly across the adjoining field with his treasure.

And a final shot again of Ms. Hairy.

Hope you enjoyed the birds here Round The Bend. They aren't nearly as scary as the Hitchcock kind! :)

Posted for Camera Critters.

Texture, Texture, Texture

2011-04-13T20:33:00.012-04:00

(click to enlarge to see greater detail)

This little wagon was the wagon that both my son and daughter played with when they were growing up. Both of them have children of their own now. The wagon is pretty old but you can see they took good care of it. Here it sits on the porch of our little garden shed filled with really big Easter eggs. Texture Thursday is hosted by Audrey at The Daily Wyatt. Link up your photos with added texture or texture naturally there. My photo this week has a little of both. There is lots of texture in the gray board siding of the shed as well as the wood plank flooring of the porch. The wagon is covered with the texture of peeling paint and rust that you can't see on the handle. I've added a Kim Klassen texture as well to my original photo and played around with different blending modes to achieve the look you see in the image. Hope you enjoy!

Posted for Texture Thursday, Theme Thursday, LEM Photo Challenge .

Wild Bird Wednesday: Doves In Motion

2011-04-12T02:40:00.009-04:00

Three little doves perched on the feeder......

According to the Internet site All About Birds, the Mourning Dove is a graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove that’s common across the continent. Mourning Doves perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground. Hmmm....maybe I should have a talk with the ones that live in my backyard. It makes no difference how much seed we leave on the ground this is how we see them more often.

One flew away then there were two.

Last Monday I sat watching them fly up and down from the feeder. I decided to see if I could get any in flight. For new readers please know I shoot through my double paned sunroom window so sharpness is an issue. Once I saw in my viewfinder I had caught this one in flight I kept shooting. The following images were some of my better captures.

Making a left turn for a landing.

Coming in for a landing.

If I'm angelic looking enough maybe they won't mind my company.

Suspended in air....

For more Wild Bird Wednesday click here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-04-09T23:20:00.007-04:00

MOTION

(enlarge for best detail)

Last Monday I sat at my sunroom window and practiced trying to capture a bird in motion. This one of a Mourning Dove getting ready to land on the bird feeder was one of those attempts. I have a few more I'll be posting on Wednesday.

'WAITING TO CLICK'

I live in the country and am very accustomed to seeing deer cross my property. Each time it is a joy to see. To get a good shot of the face I have to be patient and wait for the moment when she stops nibbling on the grass or bird seed and lifts her head to stop, listen, and look to see if she's still safe to stay and keep eating. Then I click.

IN FASHION

I'm not really one to follow fashion trends. Give me a good pair of jeans and a T-shirt and I'm good to go. The one item I do love is a nice purse. This is a detail from the purse I carry in the summer. It is denim blue and has a bright red lining - perfect with jeans! For me you can't go wrong with the always in fashion Tommy Hilfiger. A little secret though - I shop discount and never pay full price.

ANIMAL'S PERSPECTIVE

"A little toad hopped through the grass and came upon a magic mushroom....."

MANY

The Easter Bunny will soon be coming to town!

For more Scavenger Hunt Sunday click here.

Skywatch: Wednesday Evening Skies

2011-04-07T00:34:00.003-04:00

I glanced out my front door last evening and thought it looked like there was going to be a lovely sunset. The day had been warm with temperatures in the mid-sixties and by evening the wind was warm. I grabbed my camera and proceded to go out through the garage door. The image above is the sight I saw as I walked outside. I know my jaw dropped. The texture in the sky was unbelievable. I wonder if this was the kind of sky that influenced Van Gogh when he painted "Starry Night"?

Seven minutes later I caught the sun dropping behind the trees. My goal is learning how to take sunburst images and if I had remembered to change the aperture on the camera I might actually have gotten more than a one-sided one. :)

An additional seven minutes later the sun had dropped over the hill out of my view. Soon the dark horizon would meet the light blue sky and blend effortlessly into night.

Posted for Skywatch.

Wild Bird Wednesday

2011-04-05T13:08:00.004-04:00

I'm accustomed to seeing turkeys wander through my backyard. The yard backs up to acres and acres of woodland. Since moving here three years ago I've seen them off and on year round. It's been a few months since any visited; but last Thursday afternoon in the pouring rain I looked out and this hen was eating the birdseed spilled from the bird feeder.

She paraded around outside my sunroom window for over a half hour eating as much as she could find.

Soon she wandered off and I missed in which direction she had gone. I've seen her two more times this week. Last year I was lucky enough to have a strutting gobbler in my backyard and for the past two years I've been able to watch baby turkeys grow up. I'm hoping this is a good sign of things to come. As always these were taken through my sunroom window so be sure to enlarge them for best viewing.

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday

2011-04-04T00:20:00.000-04:00

Many readers who visit my blog regularly will know that just over a couple of weeks ago we had quite a bit of flooding in the area. The Ohio River crested six feet above flood stage in some areas. This is one of the images I took during that week. Thankfully I wasn't affected in any way.
I was standing in a grocery store parking lot above this tree full of red berries looking down over the embankment and zoomed in on the tree. Its trunk is probably about four feet under water. It had been planted on a sloped bank by the street.
I really like the late afternoon sunlight glistening on the water and reflecting the blue sky of that afternoon as well as the two shades of water. The clearer water is over where the actual street is buried underneath. The brick wall in the background separates the street from a local college stadium.
The river has been back to normal, we've had snow as recent as last Thursday night and we're hoping for temperatures in the mid seventies today. I so hope that weatherman is right!
For more Ruby Tuesday join Mary here.

Weekend Reflections and LEM Photo Challenge - A Different Perspective

2011-03-31T19:50:00.004-04:00

It's been rainy and gloomy here all week so reflections have been hard to find without the sun. Right now as I type this there is a rain and snow mix falling as evening begins to descend in my little corner of the world. I was out in the yard at the end of February when I took these photos of our small fish pond. I love the reflected stone of our water fountain. I hope you'll enlarge this to get the best view. When I sit and look at it intently I want to be transported to the fairytale world it seems to emanate from.

When I moved to the end of the pond and looked back I was able to catch the sky that had fallen into the pond and imagine that this was the scene the fairytale world was looking out at.

I hope you enjoyed this little escape from reality with me.

For more Weekend Reflections join James here.

Midweek Blues: The Grackle

2011-03-29T00:31:00.009-04:00

Lovely iridescent colors of blue and green on his head. Look at those feathers!

As always this was taken through my sunroom window. I love the colors on the grackle. When they turn into the sunlight their feathers glisten and shine.

Ground feeders? Nah, not always!

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday. Posted for Midweek Blues.

Project 64: Tickle Me Pink

2011-03-28T00:55:00.003-04:00

The color out of the Crayola box this week is Tickle Me Pink. A few weeks ago I bought some ceramic eggs at my local craft store. One happened to fit this week's color . Although we had an inch of snow on the ground Sunday morning when we got up the sun came out and melted it all away. I took the egg outside and found a nice green patch of grass to do my photo. I really like that the egg is mottled just like taking the crayon and coloring on a white sheet of paper. For more Project 64 click here.

*****************************************

(click to enlarge)

Taking the egg out into the sunlight altered the color somewhat so I've included this shot I took indoors. I used a scarf knitted and given to me by my daughter-in-law a few years ago. I had thought it would look like an egg in an Easter basket. It does but it also seems a little bit busy although I'm still torn between the images. However, I'm happy that my outside shot looks like the Easter bunny dropped an egg in my yard.

Today's Flowers: More Daffodils

2011-03-27T01:14:00.009-04:00

My last post was daffodils but I love these first blooms of spring so I'm still playing with my camera and my photo software. The above photo was taken late in the evening with just the soft light of my dining room chandlier. I really like the blue jar in contrast with the yellow bloom.

"On The Fringes"

A little macro work.

Although I strive to get my photos right in the camera as I'm taking them I have also really been enjoying working with adding textures to my photos. I like how the texture in this gave it a more old fashioned look.

I'm posting for Today's Flowers.

LEM Photo Challenge: Spring

2011-03-25T01:35:00.001-04:00

Spring is starting to bloom in our yard. Yesterday when Hubby went to the mailbox at the end of our long driveway he came back with a handful of daffodils. I told him I hoped he hadn't picked them all and he said we have LOTS more to bloom.
Since I shot them against a white background with not much natural light left in the gloomy day I decided to pop it up a notch by adding a texture and then erased the texture from just the center daffodil. This one is my entry for the challenge this week with the prompt of spring.

I've included this photo for the purist of you photographers out there who enjoy the original image.

For more Spring pics join Tara at Live Every Moment.

Sky Watching In March

2011-03-24T01:05:00.000-04:00

March is one of my favorite months to enjoy looking at the sky. Lots of crisp windy days with a lovely blue covering overhead. To me there is something romantic about a daytime moon. It's always a surprise to look up and see one.
“The future is like the daytime moon, a diffident but faithful companion, so elegant as to be almost invisible, an inconspicuous marvel.”Robert Grudin

That same day provided wispy clouds above the trees and a perfect day to capture contrails.

"What was most significant about the lunar voyage was not that men set foot on the moon but that they set eye on the earth."
~Norman Cousins

The Supermoon on the 19th.

For more Skywatch click here.

Ruby Tuesday: Pileated Woodpecker

2011-03-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

Sunday afternoon I glanced out my sunroom window toward the edge of the woods and saw what I thought was a crow and wondered what it had in its mouth that was white. The crows have been building a nest in the nearby woods. The 'crow' moved and I noticed the red head. I was so excited but knew even my zoom lens could not pick up what I realized was a pileated woodpecker. Hubs came in and we watched it fly away. As hubby walked to the dining room he said it was on the trees near the dining room window. I grabbed my camera and the above image is that attempt. You can see it was still far away. I went back to my computer and saw it land on a tree just outside my window. I grabbed the camera and again it took off.

I hurried to the living room window hoping and there it was on a small tree trunk. This time success even through the dirty window.

Near that small tree is a dead tree trunk and a perfect spot to grab a snack. She was all around the bottom of the tree trunk and I just keep clicking. Here I caught her with her wings out and was able to capture the white markings on her wings. At least I'm fairly sure it is a female. Even though the photos aren't super I don't see the red line from bill to throat that would indicate a male.

This profile shot is my favorite. Hubs teased me that I chased her all around the house. I started out just being happy I had even seen this beauty at the edge of the woods but my persistance paid off and I have photos to prove she was really here.

For more Ruby Tuesday join Mary here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-03-20T01:40:00.007-04:00

CAMERA PHONE

Taking a picture of forsythia blooms now showing on my photoblog. If you'd care to see click on the link in my sidebar.

CAMERA

This is my Mom's Brownie Camera that recorded all of my childhood memories.

SHOES

I know, I know, many people think they're ugly. I totally agree that they can't compare with the red soled Christian Louboutins or trendy Manolo Blahnik stilettos but hey; I'm old, I have terrible knees and they are the most comfortable shoe I've worn in a long time and this teal blue goes from spring to summer!

CHAIR

This little primitive wooden chair was my Grandma's. I don't recall her letting us sit in it. She didn't want it to get broken. It sat beside her bed and held her flashlight within easy reach in case she needed to get up in the middle of the night. When she broke her hip she needed to be moved to a nursing home and I asked if I could have the chair. She happily passed it on to me.

The original seat is gone having long ago been replaced with a scrap of wood. One arm is only half the size of the other. It retains much of its original red paint. Grandma cherished it and now so do I.

IMPERFECTION

"If you look closely at a tree you'll notice its knots and dead branches, just like our bodies. What we learn is that beauty and imperfection go together wonderfully."

Matthew Fox

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

To see others interpretations of the prompts join Ashley here.

LEM Photo Challenge: 'Anything'

2011-03-18T01:00:00.001-04:00

The theme for Tara's photo challenge over at Live Every Moment this week was 'anything.'
Mr. and Mrs. Downy Woodpecker come to dine at our back deck daily. Usually one comes and then the other. A couple of times this past week I found them both dining at the same time. Usually the Mrs. hanging around on the deck floor picking up dropped crumbs. It was a matter of waiting patiently to capture them both on the suet feeder together. Here they are enjoying each other's company for a late afternoon snack. They don't always seem to get along. Yesterday I saw the Mr. being a little 'peckie' towards his mate when she got to close to his side of the feeder. They need to be kind to each other. I want to see baby Downys!
To join in the challenge visit Tara here.
For more Camera Critters visit Misty here.

Project 64: Out of the Box - Plum

2011-03-14T00:10:00.001-04:00

This week's color out of the Crayola box is plum. When you hear plum don't you almost automatically think of the fruit? I know I do so I decided just to go with a literal interpretation of what I know as the color plum.
Grab a crayon and color with us here.
Since plum is a reddish purple I'm linking to Ruby Tuesday.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-03-13T01:30:00.000-05:00

VANISHING POINT

These steps lead from our downtown area to a park on top of the hill. If you aren't into making the climb the good news is you can drive around to the top.

I've added a texture and played with different blending modes to achieve the look.

SQUARE CROP

While out driving around yesterday in our 62 degree weather we saw some daffodils and I had to stop and take a quick shot. We were in the middle of the road and the midday sun was extremly bright so I had to play with the levels to try and save the shot but it's the first daffodil I've seen and I wanted to share. Yeah Spring!

UNDER

"One Nation Under God"

"WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE"

This is a mural my son put on the wall of my grandson's nursery. The plain white shiny wall seemed to need a little something so I added a texture and then erased the texture from the monkeys.

JUNGLE #2

These are from my archives from October. Hubs and I passed it sitting on a trailer in front of a sporting goods store. I didn't ask!

CALM

Now that my post is finished and ready I think I'll have some!

For more Scavenger Hunt Sunday join Ashley here.

LEM Photo Challenge: Orange

2011-03-10T18:05:00.006-05:00

This week's photo challenge over at Live Every Moment is orange. I fully expect to see lots of images of oranges in one form or another. I had oranges in my fridge and believe me it certainly crossed my mind. I had hoped to find something different and Ms. Cardinal sitting on a limb and waiting for her turn at the bird feeder gave me a perfectly natural orange to capture. Unlike her counterpart, the bright red male, her brightest feature is her orange beak. She became my orange inspiration this week.
To join in the challenge visit Tara here.

Barn Charm on Ruby Tuesday

2011-03-07T19:30:00.002-05:00

This is another of my found Quilt Barns. For new readers here it is a Quilt Barn because of the square quilt pattern painted and hung on the barn. They are all over our country. If you aren't familiar with the history click here for a link that explains their beginnings. The lady responsible was born here in West Virginia just a few miles from where I grew up. It was a rainy misty day last July when we passed by this barn and lighting wasn't very desirable; but I think you can still see the beauty it beholds.

This is a closeup of the quilt pattern. I tried finding a name for the pattern but haven't been successful so far. Hubs and I have a two story barn-like detached garage that I hope will have its own quilt pattern square sometime this summer.

For more Barn Charm join Tricia here.

For more Ruby Tuesday join Mary here.

For more Midweek Blues join Rebecca here.

Project 64: Out of the Box - White

2011-03-06T18:47:00.010-05:00

The color out of the crayon box this week was one we didn't have to think too hard about. The extra challenge was to photograph white on white. That turned out to be harder than I expected. The above macro of egg shells is my official entry this week because it most closely fits the white on white challenge.
I liked this one for the natural light shining through the dining room window. .
I didn't like the white plastic cartons because they were just so shiny and smooth. I really liked the texture of the gray paper cartons so I painted one.

Little bits of shells.

One last attempt.

Bring your crayons and come join us here.

Since all of these are macro shots I'm joining Macro Monday.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-03-06T00:45:00.004-05:00

DIPTYCH

"A diptych is a photograph that uses two different or identical images side by side to form one single artistic statement." I had a lot of ideas for this one and will continue to play with this idea from time to time.

BOOK

A few months back my Mom was discarding some books she didn't want anymore and going through the box I found this one with the name of my blog. It was published in 1951 - long before blogland was even a thought. It's a keeper for me!

FILL IN THE BLANK

This one was so hard for me this week. I couldn't get a clear idea in my head with what to fill in the blanks so last night it came down to this:

"When I think about how life is in the movies, I just have to make popcorn."

I can't wait to see what everybody did with this one.

A TASTE OF ITALY

On the other hand this one was easy. Hubs and I love Italian bread and it's about all we buy. In fact, this loaf was only a dollar at a local discount store and it is very fresh. Yum!

REMINDERS

This is a battery operated recorder that is smaller than my cell phone and fits easily in my purse. My hubby got this for me for Christmas. I can leave myself messages to remind myself about what I need at the grocery, a blog idea that hits me, an upcoming birthday, a phone number, in short, anything I want to remember. It is so much better than looking for a pencil and paper.

Now, I'm off to see what everybody else found in their hunt this week.

Come join us at Ashley's Ramblings and Photos.

Watery Wednesday: Sepia Colored Water

2011-03-01T22:35:00.004-05:00

(I think all pics will enlarge for a better view.)

Some of you will remember this image of abandoned locks on a nearby river. Hubs and I visit it frequently when we're out on a leisurely drive. I took the above photo in October.
Notice the old concrete wall of the original locks. Sometimes the river is low enough that there are no falls and fisherman fish from the top on the concrete shaped disks you see under the water.
In this photo you see the part of the locks where the boats would have gone through to get down river. I stood at the corner of this walkway to take the above photo.

This was the scene that greeted us yesterday. Yes, very high flood waters. The water in the foreground is usually where we park. The steps up to the walkway are covered.

I stood at the top of a small hill to take this overview of the scene. I could have gotten closer but I didn't want to get too close to this raging river. The end of the walkway that you see is where I usually stand to look across the river and take my photos. This is the highest I've seen this river in the last three years.

Lots of flowing muddy water. I wanted to try a slower aperature speed to capture the flow of water and this was my first attempt. I think I like it but want to try some more attempts when I can get closer in a somewhat safer water environment.

This is one more slowed down. Not as crisp but the high midday sun wasn't helping my efforts and I really was too far away. I do like the abstract look of this one and that almost blue strip of water in the foreground.

For more Watery Wednesday click here.

Hoping Mary won't object to my using the natural sepia tones of the last two shots I'm joining Sepia Scenes here.

Project 64: Out of the Box - Lavender

2011-02-28T00:10:00.000-05:00

This week's color out of the 64 box of crayons is lavender. The Crayola crayon color is not the color most of us think of as lavender. I think of light purple. Taking the crayon from the box and coloring on a piece of paper you find it is more a pinkish purple. Above is my entry for this week. It is a compote dish of reproduction carnival glass that my mother-in-law gave me years ago. I love the iridescent surface shimmer and the rainbow or 'oil-slick' highlights. One of those highlights is a pretty close match for Crayola's lavender.

Hubby brought home flowers from the grocery store this week as he often does and I immediately noticed a lavender stripe or two in a carnation. A few macro shots later really brought out the highlights.

Grab a box of crayons and come color with us here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-02-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

CAPTURING THE SKY

Not many days of pretty skies lately. This was taken February 13th. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this kind of sky being the norm instead of the exception.

EVERYDAY

Enough said......

FURRY

The weather Saturday morning brought out all the critters to my yard. These little guys have been hiding this winter. I took this through a double-paned window and wasn't happy with it until I cropped it and added a texture. Now I'm glad I didn't delete the image.

LIFE (new life)

Saturday I walked around my yard looking for signs of new life emerging and found more than I expected. This is a macro shot of a bud on one of my bushes. I'm hoping it's not too soon. To see what the bloom will eventually look like click here.

BLURRED (bokeh)

Who doesn't love Woody in Toy Story!

For more Scavenger Hunt Sunday join Ashley here.