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

Hollywood VFD Craft Fair (St Mary's County)

Please come see me at the upcoming craft Fair on Sunday, Nov 22nd.  All the crafts are home made.  I think I will be right near the entrance door again.  You can get some lovely Christmas gifts for family and friends.  I will be selling cards, photo trays, cups, prints and other photo crafts.

Autumn in St. Mary's County

More autumn photos, from St. Mary's County , MD this time.

And fun with morning light...

Autumn in Virginia 2

I noticed some pictures from our Virginia trip were missing and found my missing SD card.  Here's some more lovely autumn pictures from Shenandoah.

     Fell cottage at Skyland

     Masanutten Lodge 1

     Masanutten Lodge 2

     Overlook sunset 1

      Overlook sunset 2

     Gray Eastern screech owl 1

     Gray Eastern screech owl 2

     Gray Eastern screech owl 3