Show Us Your Moves Contest Photo

I had some excitement on Friday night.  I got a phone call that I won one of the 6 prizes for a local photography contest with Fit and Healthy St. Mary’s, sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital called “Show Us Your Moves”.  The photos of friends and family were about people doing healthy activities to encourage the local community to live a healthy lifestyle.  The category for my winning photo was called Nature and Fitness (which wins a park entry pass for summer 2013 to Myrtle Point/Elms Beach County Parks and a full day kayak visit to Colton’s Point Marina near St. Clements Island).  My winning photo was sort of an afterthought, since I thought my other photo was better.

The photo was taken on Black Rock summit trail on short hike we love to take in Shenandoah National Park.  This trail used to be easy for my husband, but it was quite challenging for him this last June, especially with all those rocks!

I read a little about Fit and Healthy St. Mary's.  Some of the statistics in the Community Health Assessment from 2010 were eye opening.  It seems that an estimated 29.5 % of St. Mary's County residents exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week and we have one of the highest death rates for stroke in the state, Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) were 44 per 100,000.   They are trying to reduce the numbers.

Wildlife in St. Mary's County

I have heard that you can see more wildlife in the winter time when the trees don't hide the birds and deer.

Where are some of the good places to view wildlife in St. Mary's County?

I'm especially interested in bald eagles, whistler swans, blue birds and great blue herons this time of year.

I've mostly seen cardinals outside my house. I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my house. I knew there was a reason we put the bird feeder near a window! Here is my recent 3rd place winner from the St. Mary's County Camera Club recent competition.

Welcome to Calm Reflections Photography

Welcome to my new blog. I'm writing to you from beautiful St. Mary's County, Maryland. I plan to share my photographs, tourist information for St. Mary's County, photography suggestions, places to travel and local businesses in the South County. I love to visit America's National Parks, view nature (especially birds and wildlife) and lovely landscapes. I have been a serious amateur photographer for nearly 30 years and began a photography business in 2009.

My main goal this year is to share photographs on useful products, like mouse pads, mugs, note cards, and canvas. I am constantly learning new things about photography.