Happy New Year!

Wishing you Happy Holidays!

From Sarita and the Macaulays from Calm Reflections Photography

Flowers and Such

We visited the Holiday Displays at Longwood Gardens while the temperatures were still comfortable.  Here are some highlights.

From the Greenhouses...

      Hibiscus

      Anthurium

      Orchids

      Holly

     From the grounds....

      Bold squirrel

      Reflections

      Curves

For the holidays....

    Holiday Displays

See Calm Reflections Photography Facebook for more fountains and holiday displays.

New Holiday Collection from Calm Reflections Photography

If you still haven't bought that special card or gift for Christmas, consider an item in my new  Calm Reflections Photography Holiday collection.  They are lovely and unique.  http://www.zazzle.com/collections/holidays-119896736982878728?rf=238947150999120775

Congratulations to the End of the Year St Marys County Camera Club 2016 Winners

All of the monthly winners for the year are competed in a final yearly contest.  Here are the results.  

Digital – Novice

1^st – Leon Smith – “St. Mary's Chapel"

2^nd – Leon Smith  - "Sunset over Potomac"

3^rd – Leon Smith – “Cardinal In Snow"

Digital – Intermediate

1^st – Katherine Norris – “Locomotion”

2^nd – Kimberly Tomlinson - "Factory Graffiti"

3^rd – Kimberly Tomlinson - "Flower on the High Line"

Digital – Advanced

1^st – Joanna Macaulay - "Michigan Sunset"

2^nd – Joanna Macaulay – “Gerbera"

3^rd – Joanna Macaulay - "Eagle Pair Flying"

HM - Kathy Weigel - "Sculpture Close Up"

HM - Warren Salmon - "Blue"

HM - Warren Salmon - "Life Boat"

HM - Warren Salmon - "Rusty"

Digital – Theme

1^st – Joanna Macaulay - "RoseWine"

2^nd – Scott Cote - "Train Arriving"

3^rd – Warren Salmon - "Old Glory"

HM – Warren Salmon - "Smashing"

HM – Warren Salmon - "Selfie"

HM - Roger Strickler - "No Worries"

HM - Emily Baldwin - "Scottish Squat"

Print – All

1^st –  Kathy Weigel - "Colorful Copenhagen"

2^nd – Kathy Weigel - " Two Sleepy Heads"

3^rd –  Leon Smith - "Eiffel Tower"

Photographer of the Year

*Determined by total 2016 points accumulated

Novice - Leon Smith

Intermediate - Katherine Norris

Advanced - Warren Salmon

Owls from Nature Visions

Most years, we attend the Nature Visions conference in Manassas VA to listen to lectures and learn about nature photography.  I saw lectures about impressionistic photography and hands on flower photos.  I also attended a workshop to photograph injured owls.  Tom Till was the keynote speaker sharing photos of America's Southwest (beautiful).

Here are a few owl pictures for you to enjoy.

     Barn owl

     Barred owl

     Eastern screech owl-red, tiny

      Eastern screech owl-gray, injured eye

To see more, visit my Calm Reflections Photography Facebook Page.

Autumn Reflections

I spent an afternoon photographing fall leaves in St. Mary's County.  I love reflections of leaves in water.

      Reflections

     I can't resist a red boat.

     Nice curves

     Panorama with a wide angle.

     Three beautiful Australian Shepherds

     Trinity Church Road

Way Too Funny Sarita (Our Toy Poodle)!

My sister has a cat door to her basement.  Sarita had to try it out.

      Cat door!  Cool!  A way out.

     I think I can fit.

     Help Mom!  I'm stuck!

Photo craft sale through Friday!

Zazzle is putting some of my photo crafts on sale through Friday.  This is the first time they sent me a notice specifically about my little store.  You need to add the word BLACKFRILOVE to get the discount!  Check it out!

http://www.zazzle.com/calmreflectionsphoto

My Winning photos from the End of Year St. Mary's County Camera Club

Last week we had our end of year competition.  The monthly winners are competed against each other.  I am still waiting for all the results because I prefer to congratulate everyone instead of just sharing my winners.  I will post all the winners names when I receive it.

For now, here are my winning photos.  

First Advanced Digital-Michigan Beach Sunset

Second Advanced Digital- Gerbera Daisy

Third Advanced Digital-Eagle Pair Flying

First Theme-Rosé Wine (Adult Beverage theme). All themes are competed together with advanced, intermediate, and novice all together). I can thank my sister for this one.  She gave me the black plexiglass for Christmas 2015.

HVFD Craft Fair Sunday Nov 20th

Come support local artisans at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Dept Fall Craft Fair by the Ladies Auxilliary.  All crafts are homemade and lots of good Christmas gifts can be found.  The Annual fair will be held this Sunday, November 20th, 10-3.  Admission is free and food is available.

I 've been a participating vendor for several years, offering my photography crafts.  This year, I have new pendant/ornaments.

For more information see

http://www.hvfd7.com/apps/public/events/eventView.cfm?Event_ID=414

Community Bank of the Chesapeake Photo Exhibit Reception Friday

You are invited to meet the St. Mary's County Camera Club photographers showing their work in an exhibit at 

The Community Bank of the Chesapeake in California, MD.  The reception will be held Friday, November 18th, 10AM-12PM.  This show runs from 

October 5 - January 1, 2016 and is accessible during bank hours.

I have about 8 photos on display, and my friends have some of their best photos too.  Most photos are for sale, but we'd also love to see you just enjoy our work.  Please share this information with your friends.

 

22730 Three Notch Rd

(north of Chipotle Restaurant)

California, MD 20619

301-862-1900

Visiting Point No Point Lighthouse

We tried out our new used Wellcraft boat for a short distance on the bay.  It was getting cooler, but we wanted to see how it runs before storing it for the winter.

It rocked and rolled some, but seemed fairly sturdy with winds less than 10 mph.  We drove around the lighthouse twice in the late afternoon.

     A little reflection

     Backlighting

     The outhouse

     What is it?  It reminded me of a bear with paws up.

     Some type of iron support, but I wasn't quite sure.  A davit to pull boats up?  You can see it on the first photo too.

     Time to return.