Going, Going, Gone another Sunday Evening

Oh how I love to catch the Sun as it is going down on a Sunday evening... Maybe that is why Sundays are so special to me... I reflect on the past week and what was witnessed, done or undone and what I expect of the upcoming week.  So this past Sunday Hubby took me to The Memorial Park on the back side of Futon so that we could chill as we watch the sun going down over Copeno Bay. took 200 Pictures and tried to pick the three that would best capture this Sunset. Enjoy!

Truely magnificant Colors, photos are not touched up in any way.

Goloshes,the rain Gage and the Great pictures I didn't get!

So maybe they are not the real goloshes that we grew up with but they work just as well. I sure enjoyed slipping out of my slippers and into my  white shrimp boots to go check the rain gage this weekend on more than one occassion. We had a real rain event here in Rockport this weekend... over 3 inches. Hubby and I have been "rain gage readers" for COCORAHS  which in turns reports it to NOAA for the official rain totals in the area right at a year. The neighbors will text or call to get the official rain total... and around here that is an event that brings everyone smiles and cause for celebration Even though we did not have any standing water in the yard or driveway, it rained at a pace that allowed it to soak in and not just run off.
So Sunday afternoon, I assumed that the rain has subsided, anxious to get outside and take pics, I load up my cane, stool, camera & coat for my trip to the end of the property... you guessed it I get out there barely set down, get the camera open, and down comes the sprinkles, So my bird pictures will have to wait yet again to be captured. However I am hopeful that with the rain today and hopefully tomorrow as well that we will be on our way to seeing this sight once again soon. Water in the dry pond and lots of birds finding their way back to us.

Martin Dies Jr State Park, Jasper Texas

Ahh the Piny Woods of Texas, Jasper Texas that is. Martin Dies Park, Thanksgiving 2011. This was the first park where I could actually smell the pine trees and see birds and raccoon's running around in the evening.The animals were not afraid of the campers- just observing us as we were them. The highlight of our trip was to watch the front blow in, it's not often that we are able to just sit and watch without any obstructions. Once it hit the winds didn't stop for 24 hours, made cooking a bit tough but we did did it and about 5 packages of tarp to block the wind gusts in the shelter which were clocked at 68 miles an hour several times. Another one of the lessons we learned was always call the day of arrival to see what may have changed. 2 days prior, burn ban in full effect... day of Arrival- burn ban lifted... we had to purchase wood when we had a hundred pieces at home, oh well.  Truly a wonderful place to relax and we look forward to returning soon. Another first for me was to see red mushrooms, yep red mushrooms...

hidden under the fallen needles were these little mushrooms. We did a 3 mile hike through the park, Hubby canoed for several hours. Tons pictures and memories we hope to remember for many years to come. For our 1st non-traditional Thanksgiving away from Family and Turkey, we are a little embarrassed to say that we may have started a new tradition for us.

MY Photo Passion Reconizing Your Eye # 4

1. I found it hard to just select my inspiration file... do I chose by clairity of picture, Subject, on & on. However I did get several picked.
2. Themes- Well I already knew I was very drawn to water elements and nature in general no matter where I am.

2 b,c,d -As for Light & composition & elements of design, Well I am sure I fall short on all of those, but that is why I am taking these types of courses to learn more about it. Up until now I have taken pictures for the pure love of what I see. The more untouched it is the better.
2 e- AS for color I am big on BLING in my pictures... absolutly LOVE Colors. My daughter now 27, still crenghes when she thinks of the some of the colors I dressed her up in the 80's.

2 f-  I love being known as someone that is always happy and not afraid to be herself... that includes my wild colors too. Pictures, Decorating.
3. I know that I want to capture as much Nature as I can, even as a child I have feared growth and destruction on so many nature places and so afraid they would n't be there for my kids and grandkidos.

Pictures,
1- sunrise is right out my front door in Rockport Tx,
2- Azelias in someones yard in Fulton Tx,
3- Blanco State Park in Blanco Tx,
4 & 5 - were in Colorado last year.
6 Is for the pride that I have for all the freedoms we have here in America.

My Photo Passion -Familar Subject Photo Shoot # 3

Yeahee me, I was concerned - what was I going to take  50 pictures of... but I listened to my intitution and asked hubby to take me to the park behind the airport in Fulton Tx. I wasn't even set up when this Bird flew by and as if to say... here I am.  The Bird is that Little white dot way in the back before the marsh grass.
1. It wasn't any supprise to find myself going to the water for my subject.
2. As I took the 50 pictures I did try differnt settings, zoomed, sport setting, bright sun/beach pictures etc. Most people would rather take pictures by them selves... well I am the opposite I feel calmer and safe to concentrate on my picture taking when I know my wonderful hubby is near by. He always has my back.

3. The Bird in Flight & catching the Fish were my 2 prize pictures that I am so proud of. Pure Joy at being able to catch these moments.
4. I currently don't have any editing software and have never tried to edit them.
5. Excited would would be understatement.

6. I enjoyed listening to my intitution for my intention. Don't think I would change a thing. Can't really explain how much additional confidence this exersise gave me.
Thank you Kat and everyone else for the vote of confidence.

my photo Passion Inspiration Lesson # 2

We were suppose to resist Photo journaling about this lesson.. But I couldn't. I did enjoy this process which confirmed that I must be a fish out of water so to speak... I don't typically take people pictures...it all about nature for me, at least up to this point. I became acutely aware that I strive to get a water element in as many of them as I can, Sky & clouds over water, ponds, trees, lakes even birds. I have always needed to be near a water element for as far back as I can remember. My 1st trip to New Mexico, I felt lost until I finally came accross a stream up in Redriver. this Gal needs her H20, alted or unsalted, frozen or running.

My Photo Passion Journal Journey part 1

I am so excited to finally  futher my knowledge about photography.  I want to  acknowlege  that I have been blessed with the most supporting Friends and Family a person could ask for. I have literally wondered through this life going " what am I here for" "what am I suppose to be doing and on and on." I have dabbled in many arts and crafts and lose interest after a while...when I reflect back I to the very 1st digital Camera I owned (the kind that you had to put a cd in) I fell in love with the ease of taking pictures and being able to share them instantly. I love instant results in just about any project that I take on. Over the years I have continued to enjoy taking pictures and sharing, thus I am persuing my digital picture passion.

As I continue to blog on Wishcasting Wednesdays  with Jamie I have met some awsome artists of all sorts. I was finally able to realize that photography is also an art, and one has to have an eye for it.  Ginnys comments on wanting to learn more but not sure which direction to go so resenated with me. After emailing several times back and forth, she encouraged me to take this class and we decided we take this path together if it was meant to be. Turns out it was to be. Kat has been awsome about getting me set up for this part of my journey. We are to create our photo Journal online and write about a image that speaks to us. I had taken this picture back in January up around the Kerrville Texas area. It captures so very much of my life. Storms that I have been through and the Calm waters of my life now. The roots remind me of endurning strength to carry on and be strong in lifes storms. I had more comments on this piture than the blog it's self. That was the moment I realized that I wanted to learn and do more with my picture taking passion.
I encourge you to visit Kats blog and see if the classes are for you as well.