Family

The weather has been rather strange this week. One day it was so warm folks were running around in shorts. the next day folks were wearing coats and then the wind beginning to blow so hard that it was knocking things over. Tomorrow family members will start coming in and getting ready for the holidays. Some will stay here and others will stop here on there way to other family members. Its going to be a very confusing week for us but we will figure out a way to keep up with everyones schedules and how best to get folks form here to there and still get the cooking done and the packages wrapped. Its going to be wild. Won't be any time for working out in the Wilderness--photos will have to wait. Here's wishing you a Merry Merry Christmas! !

Pansy

Well this is a great day--not so good for photography though.  its rainy and stormy.  Seems I will be working inside today.  Lots to do anyway.  I've had my tree up for weeks now and I have already bought everything that I plan to buy with exception of a few gift cards and all that's wrapped.  I don't believe I've every been this far ahead of the game before. 

Husband went hunting and its not storming there.  My deer have not been here in over two months and since the RV Park is so busy of late I don't expect them to be coming back again.

I never did get Pansy planted maybe I will do that today.  It has stopped raining. Boy!  the birds are coming out to eat its rather late for them to be coming around but I guess since they not been able to get to there food they plan to take advantage of the time they have.

I think I too will go and take care of the Pansy.  Its suppose to be in the 70's most of this week so the Pansy will get a good start.  Its just nice and more plesant around a house when there is something pretty like flowers to look. at. 

Have a great day in the Wilderness. 

A Busy Month

As this been a wild month for me!

Girls Weekend Outing--  We had a great time in Eureka Springs, AR.  We stayed in a beautiful cabin with just enough room for 5 women.  We drove down the gravelly, winding road with a sign stating this was a "secret place" and it was with no cell phone service, Internet and barely a TV signal; they even gave you DVD/ VCR movies to watch.  It was nice to just lay back and enjoy the scenery.  Before we ever checked in we saw 6 deer in the garden just walking around and enjoying whatever they could find.  Then once we checked in we found our cabin which was close to the water (ponds).  There were boats and we could have taken them out or just went fishing.  There were several hiking trails in this place and they would have provided maps.  There were picnic areas for our use.  This place is used for weddings and family gatherings as well.

Mountain View Blue Grass Festival--A group of us went to my first Blue Grass Festival in Mountain View.  I've been to out-door Blue Grass music gatherings before but not like this.  It was great and I enjoyed the music a lot.  There were several singers I liked.  If the opportunity percent's itself I will go back.  This occurs every year the second weekend of November.  Make a mental note-- 2nd thought write it down!

Thanksgiving Week --My step-children are here from out-of-town plus my niece from PB. I hoping to be able to spend quality time with all of them since we don't get to see them much out of the year.  They all came in on Saturday and was here the whole week.  On Tuesday my niece and I went to HS to get Christmas Decorations and would return in time for church on Wednesday evening.   On Wednesday my husband and his two children headed for his mother's house in Fountain Hill.  On Thursday I headed to PB to drop off my niece with intentions of picking her up on Friday by 2pm and returning to LR before meeting up with her brother in JX and have an evening meal with him at the Western Sizzler.

And this is only the 23rd of the month.

I hope each of you will have a great Thanksgiving and will get to spend quality time with your family.  Remember its going to be a great week--weather wise--so get outdoors and have a great time in the Wilderness. 

All the Fall Colors

On Friday I went toward Harrison and around to Ponca and Boxley. The oranges, yellows and reds are bursting everywhere:

This is in the Maplewood Cemetary.  The colors are like this down every row.  Its beautiful and Jasper is the same way but then when you head further north mostly all you see is the yellows and a little red.  Its pretty but not what I expected. 

On Saturday, the Pioneers ( a group at my church) went to Mount Magazine and there was hardly any colors up there.  We could hardly believe it!

Today (Monday) I decided to go toward England, Scott, and Keo.    The color is there. . . . .

Guess what else I found not only color but a lot of Pelicans on the Arkansas River. I was able to get close to the river banks and get some pretty good shots. There was a large group of Pelicans (had to be close to a 75 or so)with a few egrets and coots mixed in.

Well I hope you have had has great a weekend in the Wilderness as I have! ! !

Trip to get Colors

Today I must go to Sheridan to restock my photos.  It wont be an enjoyable trip because I have to rush so.  This evening we will be leaving to go to Richland Creek.  We plan to leave around three which means we will be driving in the dark and will not be able to see all the beautiful colors that are up north.  From what I understand the color is exploding in the Ozark and I want to see it.  We will spend a day there before we have to head back but I'll be able to get a few photos. 

I plan to spend most of the day at Richland Creek.  There are several low lying branches hopefully in bright colors of orange and yellow and enough running water in the creek for cascades.   This is what I look for all year and I have a few places to go but none of them have any color and I don't think this will be the year for it.  I have a few barns with hardwood trees around them that will make beautiful photos if the color comes in.  This is how you use that calendar or logbook I told you about earlier. 

Well I must go.  Its a beautiful day here now but from what I understand the wind is suppose to get wild so I guess it will be a good day to be in the car traveling and not out in the Wilderness walking around which I enjoy a lot.

Have a great day!  

Its Monday!!

Today is Monday! ! !  This is the best day of the week.  Your starting the week off and you've got all week to get it done.  First thing today I went to Bedford.  I plan to put some of my photos in a little store in Sheridan and had to have some prints made.  These were some shot many years ago so I only have slides of them.  Before they can make my prints for me I wanted them made into digital negatives and then enlarged into prints so I could mat and frame them.  It's been awhile but I am finally getting back into the business.

It's a beautiful Fall day and so much is happening in the Wilderness. This past week I was at Hot Springs and the color is just beginning to turn. Lake Ouachita is just beginning to turn and in a couple of weeks the color in Mt. Ida will be great. I want to go back and re-shoot several of the photos I took last week

There were lots of places like this.  HINT:   When you find something that you think would make a great photo opt.  Take a picture.  In your calendar or log book write down the photo number and make notes as to when would be a  good time to come back and make a real photo of it.  That way you have photos to take all year long.

Also, your project for the year is:  pick out a particular place ie:  Mt. Magazine or
                                                       an item ie:  Old Places
Take as many photos as you can of that particular thing and then after all 4 seasons see what you have; maybe, enough for a book or calendar or notebook calendar-- you never know! 

Hope you have a great day in the Wilderness.  There lots to do at this time of year.

Columbus Day

Today is Columbus day--Hope you had a great day and was able to get out and enjoy the Wilderness.

Lots of folks are off today and with this type of weather nothing would be better than a hike in your area.  The Ozark Society's club offers several guided tours through out the year; nearly on a weekly basis.  I didn't know this until today but you do not have to be a member in order to go on these hikes and they have them all over the state  ie:  Hawksbill Crag, Steel Creek (two of my favorite places to go).  If you have never been to either of these two places then you owe it to yourself to go.  Check it out at ozarksociety.net.   The Ozark Society club is not the only hiking club there are several mention on the Internet and I'm sure you can find one to your liking.

If you don't do anything but take a hike around your neighborhood do that you'd be surprised at how much better you'd feel. Enjoy you Wilderness!

Snakes

 

It was such a beautiful day in the Wilderness that I thought I would go out into the woods and take some photos of the many different mushrooms I've been seeing around the yard. While exploring I found a turtle and took several pictures of him and got lots of photos of mushrooms of all color. I also found a copperhead luckily, my husband had a rake with him and could control him rather well. He told me it was because snakes react to heat and the rake was cold.

 

 

 

Doesn't he look friendly.  I thought so I ran and would not have come back but my husband said he would not let him get me and I was dieing (really) to get some photos. 

Later that day I got some good photos of birds but nothing matches those of the snakes!

See you in the Wilderness.

Day before Fall

Wow what a great day or maybe its the mood I'm in.  Last night was the night of our photo meeting at AOPC and I all wound up.  I WANT TO GO TAKE PHOTOS BUT I can't-- I've got company coming and a ball game to go to tonight--the SALT Game. 

In Nov. Tim Earnst will be coming to our club to show his latest photos but I want  get to go because that is our "Girls" weekend (no men allowed).  There is going to be a hot air balloon gathering in Hot Springs in Oct. and I want to be there  I got to get info on this and will  post it as soon as I get it.  ALso I've got to start looking for info on MAPSYSM in Eureka Springs.  Gee so much to do! 

Well, I guess I'd better get on out into the Wilderness if I going to enjoy any part of it to day.  The air is so clean and crisp today.  It has turned off cloudy just right for picture taking of  birds and small creatures.  I hope you're able to get out into the Wilderness and enjoy it some.  Have Fun.

Tim's Birthday

Happy 14th Birthday TIM

My grandson, Timothy Bowman, turns 14 today.  He is a wonderful young man and his grandpa would be very proud of him.  They were down last week and he really took good care of me.  One morning he  helped with put away the chairs and cleaned up the table after we had breakfast on the deck. He opened doors for me several times without having to be asked and I think he will make some young woman a fine husband--so watch out girls!

The temps have changed quiet a bit here in the Wilderness.  The air is much cooler than it has been.  A nice breeze has been blowing.  This morning while out walking( with Molly at my feet) I could here the crickets and frogs.  And the birds were just singing like you would not believe.  The Wilderness is alive once again with not only music but color.  That rain (storm) we got the other morning made all the trees/plants come alive.

Its great to be out in the Wilderness just wondering around-- no cares nor problems to be concerned
about all is well and that's how it should be. 

September 1st the photo club will be going to Clinton, AR to the Chuck Wagon Races--See you there. 

Rain

Our Wilderness is "happy" today because of the little bit of rain we got yesterday afternoon.  We had to make a trip to Hamburg and got rained on just a little bit before we returned but when we returned and saw that it had sprinkled even just a little We Were So Happy!  The trees and flowers look so pretty today because of the rain.  I wish we could receive more just so the trees would not die.  God has a way of taking care of the trees and I'm so glad he planned it that way--when he build this earth--when trees are under a lot of stress they can shut themselves down; sure, some will die that's nature but not all. That's one reason I know there is a God--Man could not do such a thing.

We will he headed to the lake this morning (to meet our children) leaving Bailey in charge.  We will be back early because they only have 3 days and they have a lot to do in LR.  So it will be another "run-up and run-back--we never get to stay long anymore.

Hope you have a great day in the Wilderness!  Enjoy

Another day on the farm

Hey today's a great day!  We just might get a little rain; and, we are so happy about that.  The Wilderness is really dry and everything has to be watered daily.  I try to keep water in the birdbaths just so the birds wont leave.  The deer have been eating everything in sight including the apples.  We pick up all the apples we can and move them to be back so hopefully the deer will eat them and leave our apple tree and garden alone.  It seems to be working. 


I've been working on my photos from Ireland and will try to post some here so you can get a look at what it really looks like there--it's really beautiful and really green.  It rains at least once a day.  Wish they would share the rain.

Tomorrow I will be going to see the doctor hopefully for the last time with my hand.  It is doing so much better.  Its hard to believe where I've come from to now-there were times I didn't think I would ever be able to do some of the things I like to do like playing the piano.  I still have a hard time with a camera and a tripod but I'm getting there.  I know that I will have to continue my exercises for a long time yet but I am impressed with my improvement even if the doc or anyone else might not me.  Thanks for all the prayers. 

See you in the Wilderness! ! !  Hopefully it will rain.

Ireland Trip

I'm off to Ireland.  I'm really looking forward to this.  Hopefully, when I return my hand will be in much better shape and I can get on with my life.  I'm so tired of not being able to do things.  I can't really use my camera-- there is to many buttons plus the tripod--its hard to get everything set up.

I can't wait to get back into the wilderness.  The deer have come back and baby squirrels have been playing around the yard and eating tons of birdseed.  We have baby birds in our tomatoes plants and someone dropped off two 6-week old puppies--So I have lots I could be taking photos of if I could just get my hand to work, but; hey, I am typing and I could not do that till a couple of weeks ago so who knows what I will be doing in two weeks.  See ya in the Wilderness.

Happy 4th of July

Here's wishing you a happy 4th.

Return to the mill

Today I went to the Doctor and said to remove my cast and start exercising my arm.  Well this should do it.  I'm not sure I ready to remove it--it became a comfort thing to me.  At least if people hit it it didn't hurt so bad.  Last week I was in LasVagas and was thankful I had my cast on--there was lots of people there.  We had to attend a trade show.    I took very few photos but when I had the camera I sure did enjoy my self.  So maybe it wont be long till I'll be back to where I can shoot photos again.  Hang in there and look for things to shoot even though its so Hot!  See you soon in the Wilderness.

As of 5-24-12 I broke my lelt hand and will be unable to blog.  See you in July.

Mother's Day

May 14, 2012

Mother's Day weekend was a terrific week for me.  There was so much going on. My Son and his wife took me to Olive Garden which is my favorite restaurant in LR and when I opened my card from my daughter and her family there was a gift card to Olive Garden.  HA HA what can I say!    We had a family get together on Saturday and my brother Butch came (I haven't seen him since my 1st husband's funeral)  We had lots of people to show up and of course we took photos.  Then on Sunday my husband plus my kids took me to Western Sizzlins in Benton.  That was really nice too. 

This has been some beautiful weather to be out and shooting photos and I have  Although most of my time has been working on photos for Istock.  My computer also had sort of a melt down thank goodness for backup systems.  I use Passport and an extra external hard drive. If it had not been for them I might have lost everything.   External hard drives are as import as a photography using a TRIPOD but its hard to get folks to us either one.

There are still lots of flowers and birds to take photos of.  Look around and see the other things nature has to offer.

Well I must get back to restoring my photos--See you in the Wilderness

What a Week

Wow has this been a busy last two weeks.  Sorry its been awhile since you've seen me here but I been out exploring in the Wilderness and hasn't it been great.  Its not often I get to travel this much and take as many photos as I have.


On Friday, I started the day out at 6 am headed for the AR River spent approximately 2 1/2 hours there looking for whatever I could find.  Flowers and geese and people were plentiful.

Then I headed for the Ozarks.  I had a class that I had to attend on Saturday so I was going up to make sure I was there on time it started at 6:30 AM at Steeleman Creek and I had no idea where that was and from reading my email I thought sure it was close to Deer.  Not So!  It was over 23 miles away from Deer and I was 15 min late.  But those men were very forgiving.  There was eight of them and one of me.  That could have had something to do with it.  But before that I had tried to find a motel room--who would have thought the very weekend I was going to be there so was over 200 Father&Son Canoe members and a Motercycle group coming through (approximately 150 members) 10 minutes before the lady at the restruant I was in had called to ask if anything was available (all the hotel/motel/KOA's had a telephone chain to tell if anyone had a room/place open for the night or weekend)  and There Was NONE to be Had BUT just seconds before she called for me (just todouble check)  a cabin became open and I got it but it was 28 miles from that point.  I ask where Steelecreek was a man told me to go back to Deer and turn right at the road and go about 3 miles back and I would come to the creek so I was all set for tomorrow.  The next morning I got up and drove the 28 miles back to the restrurant and then the 11 miles to Deer to find out that that wasn't SteeleCreek.  It was 6am at that time.  Franticly, I called the house of the instructor and told his wife my problem and she told me to go back to 174 (34 miles) and turn left and go till I ran into the BIG sign telling where to turn.  (The sign would have the words plus an arrow on it telling me where to turn)  I ask her to call her husband and tell him I was on my way.  I was only 15 min. late.



It was worth all  the trouble I went through: Having to stand in the creek, Having wet feet all day, Sitting inside on a beautiful day,  All the great barbecu we had to eat and the HOT HOMEMAD Oatmeal cookies we had to eat.

They were Great!


Then around 5pm I headed back toward Little Rock.  While driving back I thought about all I had heard and the seen in just those 10 hours.  In the first 10 minutes I had learned to do something that made me feel like this whole weekend was worth every penny I had been out for this class.  I had learned a new and easier way to set my focus on my camera and I was excited to try it out.


Early the next morning (around 6) I headed back to AR River and guess what was visiting.  I never expected to see NOT One but Seven Pelicans. 







Can you believe this in ARKANSAS!







The rest of the week I shot photos of Birds and Flowers and it has been a very relaxing time which I was read for.

Have a great week in the Wilderness!

VR Lens

Today has been a very windy day in the Wilderness.  I plan to go down south to shoot birds and/or flowers but that sure got missed up.  I've really been getting some good shots of late.  Its almost like the birds know I'm here to shoot a series of photo and they're all for posing.   I'm thankful for all the rain we've gotten of late and hope we will get more as the summer comes but it can sure miss you up when you have outdoor plans.  Because of the rain I've been reading a lot of my old photo books trying to learn more about Lightroom.  One of the things I read was that if you are using a tripod then you donot want to use a VR Lens unless of course you turn the VR off.  This lens is great if you are hand holding you camera but not if you are using a tripod.  I did not know this.  And yes I've been using a VR Lens and a tripod at the same time.  Guess what my photos are a little soft looking so I will not be using this combo together anymore.  I don't use this lens much but from now on I will have VR turned off.  WHY DIDN'T SOMEBODY TELL ME THIS BEFORE NOW.  I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE MOVEMENT OF THE VR. 

A friend from my photo club called and we plan to have a meal together just before our 3rd Thursday meeting for this month.  It will be nice to talk to some who likes photography as much as I do. 

If things go as plan I will be heading south to take photos.  Hubby gone for the day and I thought it would be a good day to get out in the Wilderness to have some lone time since we had company for the past two weeks.  Everyone needs time to them self. 

The weather is suppose to be great tomorrow so I hope you are able to get out and do something you enjoy, something that is special to you.   Have a great day and enjoy the Wilderness whenever you can. 

Lost Valley Trails

Sorry I've not posted in a while but we got guest from Mexico staying with us.  I have been able to get out into the Wilderness and see whats going on.  Most all the flowers have stopped blooming.  In the Wilderness I noticed that blackberries are blooming.  This must be what they call "Blackberry Winter".  Its to early for that but then its to early for most of the stuff to have bloomed in March.  Also the honeysuckle vines are loaded with blooms and I know they don't bloom till May.

I just read where Lost Valley Trails are now open to the public.  I hear complaints about the US Forestry burning a lot of land in the Ozarks and that the smoke can really get to you so if you have allergies or asthma you might take extra medicines.

I have lots of bird feeders out and on Friday I refilled everyone of them.  Two of them are the type that don't have covers so it is easy for the squirrels to get into them.  I used the last of my feed and just knew this would get the birds through till Saturday where I would have plenty of time to go to town to get more.  Sunday morning when I got up there sat a squirrel in each one of them and by the time I got home from church the feed was completely gone.  The feeders build to keep the squirrels out had worked but only small birds can get into them, the larger birds will have no feed for a week unless I go and get it which at this point I just don't have time.  Needless to say I was ready to kill some squirrels.   Our Mexican friends will be going home after Wed so maybe I can then.

The wind is still here and there is an overcast due to rain coming in tonight so this might pan out to be a good day for shooting in the Wilderness. 

The Cardinal

Boy! it's been a while since I been on here.  Hope you missed me.  Yesterday I shot photos of cardinals in a dogwood tree.  I've been trying to do this for a while now and it just wasn't happening.  The birds would not sit still long enough.  But Yesterday this bird perched in the perfect spot and just sit there begging for me to take his picture or so it seemed; anyway so it seemed.  I got 3 shots I really liked and I must have taken 100 of him not really but I was having fun.  And then he came back this morning but would not sit still for a second--he knew what he was doing. 

Here comes the geese.  They are flying over and are going to land in the pond right in front of me. Usually they come around 7ish but today I guess they had to go to market first before coming here to swim.    I love hereing them when I am not trying to sleep.

Today, I will be going to Hot Springs.  We will be checking out the barg and then maybe we will get to go out for a little while.  Our friends from Mexico will be here on April 7 for a mission trip; and, we hope to have a chance to take them fishing during that week.  

On Friday our youngest son will be coming home for a few days.  There is a wedding planned in LR and we will all be attending that.. 

I love this time of day early morning --the wind is not blowing. Its a perfect time to get out and walk around and admire nature.  This weather is crazy but its great to be able to get out in the Wilderness and go anywhere and expect to see flowers, birds or trees to shoot photos of --I love it and I hope you do to. 

Windy Day

The Wilderness has been very windy today. I had plans to go to the Old Mill in Lakewood to see if I could improve on my photo from last week but it was just to windy. In most of the photos you can see a dead branch but by taking it in "Portrait" style you can't see it.

I spent most of the day shooting in my backyard trying to get some good photos of birds and flowers but that didn't work so well either.  As you can see it was windy there as well.

I promised you a photo of the old house I shot in Star City.  I've not been able to work on it or anyother photos since I started this whole thing with getting up early and getting out before the wind gets a holt of the Wilderness and I can't do anything with it.

Arn't these nice.  The colors really show up--like I said in the old house photo I need to do something with the grass but other than that I think I can make a great photo out of it--Beautiful Skys.  I have a photo of this same house about 20 years ago.  It has a great story behind it and someday I'll tell you about it. 

Well its starting to get dark here and I guess I'd better get off; the birds are calling for me and I need to get some feed out for tomorrow.  I plan to shoot bird photos and that means I will have to get up early.  It seems the geese come over about 6:30 no matter what type of weather we have--- wind or not.   And then by the time I get out to the feeders the birds are ready to attack before I ever get sit up--but what they don't realize is I have a lot of patience.

Hope to see you out in the Wilderness.

Spring is in the Air

This has been a very busy week for me.  This past weekend I had to go to Fayetteville which meant I had to miss the trip to the zoo made my my photo club.  So with in the next few weeks I need to go and take photos of the zoo animals.  Today would have been a perfect day what with it being cloudy and all but it has a damp feel to it and I don't want to have to shoot being bundled up. 

In the Wilderness popcorn trees, Wild Plums and Redbuds are coming alive.  The Dogwoods are just starting to bloom out.  The woods are just full of them and I'm so thankful I am were I can enjoy them.  This morning I noticed wrens building a nest in our old drain pipes just under the porch, I can't wait to see the babies.  Blue Birds are starting to build in the boxes out front and hopefully there are nest being build in the big 8 hole birdbox out front.  There's going to be all kinds of new life here before long.  Even the squirrels are busy at it.  Spring is a wonderful time of the year--one of my favorites. 

I must plan a trip up to the Ozarks.  With all the rain that we've had and will be getting over the next 3 days the waterfalls should be great.  If you've never been hiking it's something you must try.  There are several good hiking books out.  A good one I like to use is "Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids & Families" by Pam Ernst.  It gives a lot of information pertaining to the trail-like how long it takes and what to expect plus they are short trips which makes it better if you don't live in the area. There are lots of books with all kinds of information--Get you a notebook and start your own--everytime you go: list the time, date, weather, whats in bloom or not, what you see.  Over the years this will become very helpful information to you.  Anytime you are out driving around you should note in a notebook/calendar book information pertaining to the things you see--not only list them on the date you saw them but also turn to the date you think you should return to take photos of it.

Well, it's time for me to go hiking around the Wilderness in my area.  There is all types of flowers for me to take a photo of -- the Mayapples are in full swing.  Hope you have a great day out in your Wilderness.

Rain! Rain! Rain! means Waterfalls

Rain!  Rain! Rain!  Will it ever Stop

I know what rain is good for besides the everyday use of it!  Waterfalls==at least to Tim Ernest.  He has published several books on waterfalls and in the springs goes and looks for new ones plus check on the hundreds of the ones he already has great photos of.  In April I will be attending one of his classes and I can't hardly wait to see what we take photos of.  He has for the last few years brought books to sell at our AOPC club.  If you like waterfall be sure and get one of his guide books showing you where some of the waterfalls are in the Ozarks.  Your money wont be wasted.


Tuesday while in Monticello I saw an old house with lots of flowers and a redbud tree which was just beautiful.  Its all I could think about last night and could not get any sleep.  I kept thinking about it over and over and finally at 6:30 I just got up and headed that way.  It was a good thing I did go early.  I got there before the wind picked up and got several good shots. It was a cloudy day but after about 8:30 the wind went to blowing so hard and with so many trees around the house and plus the flowers I'm sure my shots would have been blurrrr..d  If you know what I mean.

Tomorrow I will head for Fayetteville to see my 3 month old niece.  It will be the first time I've laid eyes on her and am really looking forward to seeing her.  

I told you that the "Wilderness" is all over Arkansas.  Hope you are able to get out and enjoy the WILDERNESS!

Ashley County

Today after church I will be heading south to the big town of Hamburg, AR.  Visiting family; but, while there I will be out exploring as well.  You never know what you will find in these small towns.  When I return I'll try to have some photos of what I saw.  The wind has finally stopped blowing so hard.  I just don't even try to take photos when the wind has been like it has been--not even my tripod will withstand that type of wind.  Its going to be a beautiful day so try to get out and enjoy some of natures own beauty in the Wilderness. 

Grand Canyon Trip

See where I've been-- The Grand Canyon.  I went to a convention that my husband had to attend and on the way back we stopped by the Grand Canyon.  Boy! what a site.  Its beautiful! !

  We stopped in Ok to spend time with family.
   His first grandchild "can't you tell"









On the way up to Las Vegas we got into two snow storms--One seemed pretty bad (it was at night and lots of traffice) It took us two hours to go less than 40 miles. The other one was mild but still it frighten me to no end.

While John attended meetings, I stayed in the room and read books and then we would go out at night and take pictures and eat at some of the nice resteraunt and look at the shows and sites they had to offer -- Lots of Walking

Las Vegas Night Life

Anniversary

Today is my 2nd year anniversary to John--its been a great two years,  And just as it was doing the year we got married its SNOWING although it did not snow the day of the wedding; we has record breakers the week of.
We plan to go to SIN CITY sometime this week on a business trip.  LasVagas is what you make of it and we will not be doing any gambling or anything else that God would not approve of.
I plan to take lots of photos and will be starting a new blog when I return since you can not post pictures to this blog site nor organize your folders the way you think they should be.  It will be connected to my web page "southernnaturephotography.net" so you can still read it and view the photos on there.  Please if you visit my site leave a note so I'll know that you been there.
When I woke this morning there was a nice dusting of snow all over and the sleet came which is just what the weather man said would happen.  I wondered around out in the Wilderness and decided that I would have to go further into the woods before I would be able to find any creatures.  With the snow so soft I knew I might be able to sneak up on some animal but with everthing so white I knew they could see me for miles before I got there.  Birds where everywhere and I had but fresh birdseed out so they were really hitting it.
 Its a great Monday and a good day to be out.  I hope you'll be able to get out and enjoy the wilderness.

Groundhog Day

Today would have been my sister 67th birthday.  I don't know but one other person who was born on Ground Hog Day and he goes to church with me.  So Happy Birthday Linda.
The Wilderness was full of birds today and I was able to get several good shots.  Early in the day the sun was not out bright; although later it got pretty warm.  Lots of rain is expected tonight and tomorrow so we will have lots of good flowing streams as well as waterfalls,  I love going to the Ozarks to look for waterfalls and maybe a chance to flo--w down the Buffalo.  The pond behind me is running full and has a nice overflow to it.  The sound of the water is so soothing-- it almost makes you want to take a nap but I have so much to do. 
As soon as I can figureout how I plan to insert some photos of the things I've been shooting.  I'd love to share some of the wonderful things I've been experiencing in the Wilderness of late.  Its such beautiful weather.  I hope you're able to get out and enjoy these georgeous days.   

The Sunroom

The Wilderness--it does not know if it is suppose to be Winter or Spring.  Todays temp is 70 a far cry from last week.  This morning I woke up the birds just a singing and having a great time.  The chimes were just a clanging.  What a way to start the day.   Oh how I wanted to be out in the Wilderness but I new I had to get to work on the Sunroom.
I get tickled at John,  He says its a sunroom with no sun because its on the "north" side of the house.  It is finanlly starting to come together.  My son got the floor finished.  Next will be the chairs which are now white--they're out having the seats recovered.  The cabinet is almost finished its painted light green and the hardware is painted blue--it will be put together tomorrow.  The small table is another story but its getting there.  Before I could get started on the sunroom I had to go into town and you know what that means and it did just that.  Instead of spending 1 hour getting what I went after it took 3 hours which means my whole day was just waisted.  I went after a shower gift knowing I was going to get a mixer but when I went to get a mixer like I was ask to get it cost was a lot more than I planned to spend so I decided to get some mixing bowls to go with it but the store did not have porcelain bowls only glasss and that would not work.  So I ended up going to 3 other stores before I found some but at least now I don't have to worry about that anymore.  Maybe now I can shoot some photos of the birds. 
 Because of the tinted glass I can no longer shoot off my porch (sunroom) but thats OK I will come with another way. 
Well this is the last day of this month It doesn't seem like I been on this blog for a month but I have-- time goes by fast.  I hope that you have enjoy reading this as much as I have doing and hopefully you will join in next month.  See you in the Wilderness.

The Fog

Yesterday was a very foggy, rainy day.  It was so thick it was hard to see what was in front of you and I hate driving in rain like this.  Due to the fog there wasn't much I could do.  It was really to cool to be out and about expecially with all the rain.  The Wilderness will just have to wait. 
Today is a beautiful day.  The sun is so bright you just have to be outside doing things.  How people can go to a mall and shop is beyond me.  The Wilderness is alive with all types of sounds and I want to be out among them.  There is lots of things that need to be photographed.  Today I will be going to Hot Springs up to the cabin and hopefully I will see some of God's creation.
The creeks are flowing really well right now; the water is running clear.  The Wilderness just needed a little rain to get its creeks flowing and then a little time to let the dirty water settle.  Tomorrow will be a great day for photographing waterfalls, creeks and old homesteads left behind.  
The photo club will be going to HS just off Hays Road on Saturday morning to photo the Swans.  If your in the area stop and say "Hi" you'll know which ones we are "We will have the cameras sitting on the tripods"  Have fun and enjoy the Wilderness. See Ya!

Recap for the Week

Boy!  Have I been busy the last few days.  Last week I shot photos of Longhorn cattle that a friend of mine has.  There were several cows and two bulls with Lon---g horns on them and there were times I was scared but I was re-ashured that I had nothing to be afraid of.  I will be taking the shot sheet to them today and hopefully they will be able to find something they like for there cards.  There's a lot of good shots and I hope they enjoy them as much as I did.
The next day we went to Prim, AR and shot photos of the Eagles.  On Thursday I went to HS and shot photos of the Swans and then my photoclub met and our guest speaker, Terry Boyd, shared a lot of photos concerning Alaska and what he does there.  He is offering photo tours there at special price which I just may have to take advantage of.  He too likes to shoot landscapes.
Saturday we had a birthday party for an 80 year old beautiful lady who goes to church with us.  We had a lot of fun. 
Last night, Sunday,  we had terrible weather here in the Wilderness--lighting and thundering--it was really bad not to mention how bad the rain was. 
Today I traveled down south but really did not find anything that I wanted to shoot--I got a late start and came back just past dark.  It had to be a fast trip.  Tomorrow does not look like it is going to be any different.  I told you--you don't have to leave your state to have a ball.
Well its Monday the best day of the week--because its a new beginning.  Tomorrow is suppose to beautiful.  I hope you have a wonderful week--get out in your Willderness where ever it might be  and enjoy it.

Prim, Arkansas Eagles

On Thursday, we were up bright and early.  We had a two hour drive ahead of us and we wanted to get there while hopefully the eagles were still roosting.
  At our photo club last year I had hear about a group of eagles that like to roost in this area and would pretty much stay there all day long flying around.  So I marked my calendar for 2012 so I would not forget and sure enought I didn't.  I have found thats the best way to do it.  I  always keep an extra sheet of paper in my calender book (one with every month) that way when I here, see or learn of something thats going on this month and will be most likely happening next year I write all the information on it that I can get.
I got the directionsto Prim, AR and decided to go.  I know enought about birds to know that if you don't get there early or just before the sun goes down you will have missed them.  They like to leave their roost before the sun gets warm.  and even though you may see one up high in a tree they're not going to let you get to close to them.  Yesterday was a pleasant beautiful day for looking for eagles.  The temp high was 45f but it was so exciting looking for the eagles and watching them sore I really did not notice how cold I was.  A lady saw up trying to take pictures of the eagle and told us we could walk down thru her pastures and could get a better shot but they were flying so high that we decided to stay on the road. 
On the way home in Prim, AR we stopped and ate lunch at this Mexican Restruant.  The mexican food was pretty good and mine was really good I had a good old american hamburger.   
All and all it was a terrific day and we both know we will be going back to Prim, AR 

Heber Springs

Yesterday was a busy day for me--so much to do.  First I had to take my tower down to have a driver that would allow me to download photos onto a CD-DVD whatever.  This would allow me to send things to other people and they would be able to look at my files.  For the last two years I have not been able to do this and did not care that I could not but others wanted it this was so like everyone else I must catch up with the times.  Second. at 1 am a friend and I had to go up to Heber Springs and take photos of the swans and I must say I got some good shots.  It was almost like they were posing for me.  She & I both wanted to be back in time for church so we left at 3:40 and had plenty of driving time.   The wind blew all night and I could here my wind chime making beautiful music whenever I'd wake up.  This morning when I woke for the last time thinking I should get early and do something productive I heard the music from the wind chime and laid there thinking how lucky I am to be able to start my day this way. 
I'm sitting here watching the birds flying back and forth and they're having such a good time, I want so badly to get out into the wilderness and take photos of them but knowing that the wind is blowing as hard as it is it would be just a wast of my time and photos to because the little feathers on their heads would be standing up. 
The temps today did not get very hi and the wind blew hard which verifies what I've always said about having a good tripod.  They may be heavy and hard to carry sometimes when your hiking but hey you building muscles in your legs and that a good thing.  Get out and enjoy the WILDERNESS--I do. 

Yucky Day

Today is very gloomy.  There are lots of birds out at the feeders acting like they do when a snow storm is coming.  Not much else going on today.  I don't really feel like shooting photos today.  It is suppose to rain all weekend and then turn cold and it looks like it just may do that. Oh Well !!

This will become a record for me as to where and when I photographed.  Plans on when to return to make a better/different photo.  I will try to record things that happen or things I've seen while out photographing.  Today the temps are going to be in the high 60's so I doubt that I will be outdoors much.  We will most likely be raking leaves today.  Bailey our black lab loves to play in the leaves when someone is raking so maybe I will get some photos of that if so I'll post one.  Soon I will be planning a trip to Prim to take photos of the Eagles.  Eagles have been spotted around Lake Ouachita and If I did not have the "Pioneers" on Saturday I would head there then but obligation keeps me here.  I have to many things that I need to do and Its time for me to divide my day into fourths and assign one item to each forth and work on it each day until I have completed that task or at least am happy with it.  Normally I am very organized but since retirement I have put things off until its almost to late.  One of theses mornings when its cold enough around 20 degrees I'm going to go look for "Frost" flowers.  I will have to drive because no where close to here is it damp enough for them to produce and they don't last long so it will have to be a well planned trip.  Well I must go my husband will be here soon and he will need lunch before he starts raking leaves.  See Ya.  

Today I plan to wander out into the Wilderness to see what new adventures there are to be photographed.  It will be great to get out and see the place after being busy with family matters.  My son got my 4wheeler running and so i may just get it and ride as far into the Wilderness as I can.  Last night my husband, John, spotted a deer in the back yard, hopefully, they will return.  During this past year a group of seven would come around periodically feeding on the corn we had out for them.  We had some men build our porch into a sunroom and add a deck with a swing on it.  Having them here for such a long time seems to have scared them away(that and Deer Season).   Its hard to believe that its 2012 already and I plan to make this year count in my photography business.  This is just the beginning.  I hope you too will start something new and see it threw till the end.  Happy New Year.