Back to Longwood...

I went last Sunday in search of the Blue Himalayan poppies that usually 
adorn on of the conservatory gardens this time of year. 
Unfortunately they weren't in bloom yet, except for one pot, but that didn't stop me from
walking around and soaking up some "spring time!"





















Frosty March mornings!

We've had our share of cold, snowy, icy mornings in the last few weeks.
As I headed out to the gym on Saturday I noticed the frost patterns on my car's windshield. 
Snowflakes and frozen bubbles have eluded me so far this winter and the promise of spring on the horizon sent me back into the house for my camera.  There'd be another class at the YMCA later in the day!  




On to the Philadelphia Flower Show!

Most the displays at this year's show were inspired by movies.
Many, if not all of them, Disney movies!  
Here are some of my pictures.
If they inspire you, at all, you should try to go at some point!
It's one of those bucket list things!




















Spring has sprung!

At least it has at Longwood Gardens!  
I spent a few hours there last Sunday morning while it was snowing, sleeting, with a little freezing rain thrown in for some extra fun on the drive home.
All is well though and worth every minute I spent there! 














A Black and White Challenge

Day 3

 Black & White Challenge
I've been challenged to share a black and white image each day for five days, mentioning my challenger and also tagging others to join in. Denean Melcher, Marc Konchinsky, and Kristen Herzel tagged me into this challenge. 
 

A Black and White Challenge

 Day 2

 Black & White Challenge
I've been challenged to share a black and white image each day for five days, mentioning my challenger and also tagging others to join in. Denean Melcher and Marc Konchinsky tagged me into this challenge, as did Kristen Herzel. 
Thankfully the picture doesn't have to be new, but this one is newly edited!


A black and white challenge!

day 1

 Black & White Challenge

I've been challenged to share a black and white image each day for five days, mentioning my challenger and also tagging others to join in. 

D

enean Melcher and Marc Konchinsky

 tagged me into this challenge. 

Thankfully the picture doesn't have to be new, but this one is newly edited!

Upside down.

Supermoon

Supermoon...

happens when the moon, at it's fullest, also coordinates with it's closest orbit to the earth.
Simply put, it looks bigger!




July 4th and Fireworks

It's been a tradition for years to head out to Nottingham County Park
for fireworks on the 4th of July.
The Herr's Snack Co. sponsors the display every year. While over the years the length of the fireworks has probably shortened somewhat, the patriotism and pride of the local community shines through brightly! 















And the giant American flag is hoisted by a crane as part of the finale!





Project Create 9/26

Project: Create 

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographer(s), is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

 I'm not sure which of my friends is onboard this week.  This is a busy time of year for the professionals.  I exclude myself from that statement!  

 I pulled out the Lensbaby again at Longwood.  
I really tried for some different, and my different I can talking oof and with broken rules of photography.
Just have to change things up once in a while.
Maybe you like.  Maybe not.
But for today, I do!







To look to see who else has posted start with Denean...

Dandelion Days!

The weed-n-feed is on order, so I had no choice but to try to get some shots of the dreaded weed.
Well, I dread looking at them in my nice green lawn, 
but I love the challenge of capturing them creatively!



Project: Create 8/26

Project: Create 

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographer(s), is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

 Pink Dogwood Blooms!

 I pulled my macro lens back out again this week. 
 I couldn't resist the beautiful morning light falling on my pink dogwood tree when I was walking 
the dog.  Of course, as soon as I grabbed my camera and got back outside, the sun was behind the clouds.
Patience paid off!










I almost forgot!
Click on this link to see what the other photographer(s) created this week!
Denean Melcher

Project: Create 7/26

Project: Create 

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographer(s), is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

 I'm back this week for a few images taken, not with my Lensbaby but, with my macro lens, instead.  Sometimes to stay inspired you just need to change things up!

 I am ever so glad I did!  I have several pictures to share this week!  
I am, beyond, excited for a few of them!












To see what the other photographers have in store, start here with
Denean Melcher

The poppies were here! The poppies were here!

The orchid extravaganza at Longwood Gardens is also host to  

When I met my friends from Berks County, out at Longwood, recently, 
this displaywas the first one I visited! 
The blooms were towards the end of their growing season, 
but still beautiful!
I found out the the flowers are harvested from Alaska in the fall, 
and forced to bloom here in the spring by Longwood's staff.








Project: Create 6/26



Project: Create 

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographer(s), is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

 Articulture
was an interesting theme for this year's Philadelphia Flower.  
Horticulture inspired by art. 
Famous artists.
Local artists.
Live artists.
Deceased artists.
Contemporary artists.
Everywhere you looked you saw something inspired by art.

 Here is my take on the Flower Show through my Lensbaby.  I challenged myself to shoot with only one lens for the whole day.  It worked, until driving out of the parking garage, then I lost my bet with myself!





These artists were dancing horizontally, suspended from cables, using sculptures, that were suspended vertically from the ceiling, as their floor.  If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I'm not sure I would have believed it!


Dreaming of warmer weather!


A sculpture of a famous Marilyn Monroe pose!


And the WWII Kissing Sailor scupture made quite an impression on everyone@


"STOP THE CAR!"
On the way out the parking garage, on the very top level, this is what we saw!
Breathtaking!




To see what the other photographers have in store, start here with
Denean Melcher

Project: Create 2014

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographer(s), is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

I spent a few minutes down at the waterfront in Wilmington a few weeks ago. 
I friend lent me some accessories for my Lensbaby.
I tried out, what I thought was, her wide angle lens, instead I used her macro lens.
It was a windy, windy day and since I didn't want to change lenses outside and risk getting dust, or heavens know what on my sensor, I just rolled with it!  

Here are just the few images I took! 



There was something about these pilings that drew my eye.  I'm not sure if it was the details showing their age and character or if was simply the way they were wired together!




Start the circle here with photographer