Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

      Baby in a Stocking (1 month old)

A Wee Bit of Christmas

      Pottery Barn Kids Window at    Westfield Mall in Annapolis

    Pretty Tree Decorations 

Christmas tree lights at Homestead Gardens

We stopped by Homestead Gardens last week while returning from a trip to Annapolis.  Pretty!

Bald eagles in flight

This past week I spent a fair amount of time making some new products for a little Christmas sale at my church, some mini picture frames and some small colorful lanterns with electric tea lights.  The sale well received.

I took a few interesting pictures of a visiting bald eagle pair in flight that you might enjoy seeing.  A recent wildlife lecture suggested that the best bird flight photos have their wings up.  What do you think?

     Bald eagles flying

Longwood Gardens Holiday Display Visit

While in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, we spent a lovely day at Longwood Gardens.  We had lunch, watched the children at the miniature G sized trains, sang holiday songs at the sing-a-long, toured the magnificent organ pipes, visited the conservatory, admired the lighted trees and watched the musical colored fountains. Oh, and we visited the gift shop too!

I would definitely recommend a visit this year.

     Conservatory

     G trains

     Organ pipes

     Hibiscus 

      Hibiscus

     Anthurium

     Orchid

   Orchid  

     Orchid

     Orchid

     Orchid room behind glass

     

     Pitcher plant

     Bird of Paradise

      Children's fountains

     Christmas trees

     Wreath

     Holiday Gifts

Raptors at Nature Visions Expo

We attended the Nature Visions Photography Expo in Manassas last week.  Joe McNally was the most well known presenter this year, a photographic generalist.  

Besides learning some interesting photogrsphic lessons, we signed up to photograph some disabled refuge birds.  The birds can no longer live in the wild due to injuries and mental difficulties.  1 pm wasn't exactly prime photography time,  so I tried to reduce the harsh shadows on the birds with a neutral density filter (darkens the bright sun) and a fill flash to lighten the shadows.

Here are the best results:

     Red tailed hawk

     Red tailed hawk

     Harris hawk

   Harris hawk

     Peregrine falcon

     Peregrine Falcon

     Peregrine Falcon

     Peregrine Falcon

     North American Kestrel

     North American Kestrel

     North American Kestrel

The Kestrel was my favorite, only about 6-8 inches tall or so.  

Which ones do you like the best?

Winning photos for the St Mary's County Camera Club

I got 5 winners this year!

Congratulations to all the End of Year photo winners from the St.Mary's County Camera Club! 

Digital – Novice

1^st – “Socks At Loch Buie” – Steven Thoman

2^nd – “Back In Black” – James Kwong

3^rd – “Bryce Sunrise Pano” – Steven Thoman

HM – “Niagara Falls” – Kimberley Tomlinson

 Digital – Intermediate

1^st –  “Lisa” – Warren Salmon

2^nd – “Vintage Silk” – Katherine Norris

3^rd – “Angel” – Dave Briggs

HM – “Landscape” – Dave Briggs

HM – “Strawberry” – Dave Briggs

HM – “Chapel” – Dave Briggs

Digital – Advanced

 1^st – “Baby Gorilla” – Joanna Macaulay📸

2^nd – “Windansea Sunset” – Anh Nguyen

3^rd – “Bald Eagle Pair” – Joanna Macaulay📸

HM – “Boardwalk” – Jack Goodman

HM – “Brooklyn Bridge” – Anh Nguyen

HM – “Halawa Beach” – Joanna Macaulay📸

HM – “Niagara Ice” – Emily Baldwin

Digital – Theme

1^st – “Fire Orbs” – Dave Briggs

2^nd – “Pink Waterlily” – Joanna Macaulay📸

3^rd – “Rick” – Nikki Goodman

HM – “TIMEs Square” – Stefie Bartley

HM – “Snow Mail” – Tonya Freed

HM – “Taking a Ride” – Dave Briggs

HM – “Night Bloomer” Joanna Macaulay 📸

HM – “Sand of Time” – Anh Nguyen

Print – Advance/Intermediate

1^st – “TJ Memorial”- Stefie Bartley