Last Portion Of My Trip Back To The States (as well as some shots from when I finally returned to Northern Ireland)

The 4th had me shooting a potential new project.  Nothing impressive or special, just a shot that on its own looks like a standard but decent image.  When combined with other shots from the project, though, you might acknowledge the Fairy Tale roots of the images.  Also, I intend to use a painted style for this project.

My wife didn't really like the apple shot.  She is normally a good judge of my work, but this time I disagree.  I like the apple.  Perhaps it isn't that great.  In case it isn't anything special, the 4th gets a second photo...photo albums.  We spent some good time going through very old albums on our vacation.

I used my father's antique radio for my Thursday photo.  

I drove around Lancaster County for a little on Friday morning.  This is Lancaster County in a nutshell...Farm animals and old school houses.

There was a campfire on the 7th.  There was a face in the campfire.

My wife wanted to spend a lot of time with our cat. (he had to stay back in the states with her parents)  She got to do so on the 8th.  He somehow injured his right eye.  Now he is blind in that eye.  Poor thing.

The 9th.  My last full day in the States.

I am like a Snow Goose.  I leave my current location and head to Lancaster County when winter comes 'round.  I stick around for a little, then head on to my next destination.  Later, Lancaster County. 

Here is New York City from above.  The glowing golden lights of the Big Apple.  Taken on a plane on the 10th.

The 11th was a confusing day.  My shot from that day portrays that confusion perfectly.  Our plane landed at 5:30 am.  We then took a two hour bus ride from Dublin to Belfast.  We then slept late into the evening.  Apparently at some point in time I held my camera up to the window and focused on something. (a wall with strange windows, I later realized)  This is the only photograph I had from that day...hey, at least I didn't forget to get a shot!  What is most strange is that there is very little post processing/photoshopping on this shot.  Yes, there is some....but really, not as much as you would think an image like this would require.

This was taken yesterday in a greenhouse.  Going from the cold air outside to the warm greenhouse air caused my lens to fog up...making the shot softer and brighter.

And for today.  Some peculiar Belfast Graffiti.  Enjoy.

Back in the States

So.  Research (plus a small desire to see family and friends around the holidays) brought us back to the states.  My wife needed to do some raiding of the US archives for her masters degree in Northern Ireland...It doesn't sound too legit, but it is.  really.

Friends and family...and constant travelling...sure occupy much time.  Especially when everyone wants to see you all the time...I would have thought that three months is an okay amount of time to be away, apparently parents feel otherwise.  So I've been busy.  Very.  I still got my daily photo...It's just been a long time since I last posted.  So here is all that has happened since the last post.

A trip to Central Park in New York City

I got back to Ephrata just in time to see one of the older buildings in the town being brought to its knees.

Saw a father and son doing some late night fishing at Middle Creek.

Saw the close to empty Speedwell Forge reflecting some beautiful setting sun light

Set up some Lionel trains around the Christmas tree with my brother.

Christmas!

Day after Christmas! (last day I feel like I can get away with Christmas-related photos)

In the key of T(ea)...My brother and I have spent much time jamming, passing the string, key, vocal, and now washboard duties back and forth.  Yea.  He got me a washboard for my birthday.  Best present ever.

  

My 70-200 F4 L series lens arrived today.  My Christmas/birthday present to myself.  I only had a minute to try it out, but a quick handheld shot of the moon produced this, so I am more than happy with it.  Expect a review sooner or later.

Farewell To Middle Creek

My internet keeps dying so I'm going to make this quick and hope I am actually able to post today...

This is my farewell to Middle Creek, my home away from home.  This upcoming year of overseas traveling will be the longest amount of time that I will have gone without making an evening drive or weekend bike ride to this wonderful little place filled with wildlife and great hiking trails.  Longest sentence ever.  Tonight was a nice farewell...we saw some beautiful stars over the water and a mink bounding past on the little driving loop.

Dipping into the Water

It looks like the Big Dipper is dipping into the water.  The evening clouds really helped keep this picture from being too standard.

Golden Fields and Purple Skies

The way my car's headlights lit up just the field allowed me to get an interesting contrast between the sky and it.  The end result seems like a painting of sorts.

Busy

Today is my wife and my anniversary.  This means that besides the little hike that we took this morning, there was no time for photography.  We have spent much of the day preparing for our big move to Northern Ireland, figuring that instead of spending much money on ourselves by going somewhere nice, we can save that up and have an even nicer anniversary in a year from today.  Perhaps we will go to Paris for our next anniversary, or perhaps the little cottage in Ireland where we spent our honeymoon...decent possibilities, methinks.

Just a Tree

Not a bad tree...but it's just a tree.  I have better things to do today than to shoot...such as a cheap, (but delicious), dessert at our local diner.

Bald Eagles

I was meandering around Middle Creek with my new wide angle lens.  I got some decent stuff..nothing special.  Luckily, I also had my telephoto with me.  When my wife pointed out the window of my car as we were leaving, and said she saw two bald eagles, I grabbed my camera, swapped lenses, and took some photos.  We were really far away, so this shot really isn't that good.  But it is of two bald eagles...that must count for something.

Bald Eagles

These two majestic birds were just sitting there preening their feathers.  A 300mm lens is just not good enough.  I need a 3000mm lens.

Elusive Birds of Middle Creek

Today, my wife and I took a trip to our favorite place to hike and see wildlife.  I always get so frustrated by the pamphlets that can be found there.  Basically, the photography of the animals and landscape is pretty poor, in my opinion.  I feel I could do much better, but never get around to offering my services. Perhaps it's a good thing I'm yet to do so.
Normally the photos I get from Middle Creek are quite decent.  Today, though, I came across two birds, slightly hidden, and I realized there might be a reason that the photography isn't as good as it could be.  It was hard for me to get the shots I wanted, and the results really are less than fantastic.  But they remind me oh so much of the pamphlet photography.  Here they are:

Pheasant

I did not do this beautiful bird justice.  Let it be known that it was hiding in a grove, avoiding me and my camera.

Canadian Goose

I like the way the bushes frame the goose.  I don't like the fact that sometimes I can't move around and get my subject from the direction that I'd like to get it from.

Reptiles and Birds

Fantastic weather today.  I was told it reached 86 degrees.  So of course my wife and I made our way to Middle Creek.  We created some delicious sandwiches, threw our bikes on the back of my car, and made our way to the wonderful wildlife management area.  We saw tons of Great Blue Herons flying around building nests, and then when our gaze fell from the sky back to the earth, we found a cute little Eastern Painted Turtle.

Roosting in the Trees

Though it isn't the best picture of herons, this should give you an idea of what all the trees surrounding the lake look like.  Back and forth these big birds fly; straw and branches hanging from their beaks.

Hidden

This Eastern Painted Turtle had no desire of coming out for my wife and I.  Perfectly content right where he was, at least he provided me with easy photo opportunities.

Abstract Shell

In that the turtle wasn't going anywhere, I had the chance to get some nice shots of his shell.  The nicks and scratches add to the image while the shininess allows for different hues throughout it.