Russellvile

Today was beautiful day and I just had to get out in Wilderness.    I've been wanting to go to Mt. Nebo in Russellville.  I took a photo of the nuclear plant there but it was so hazey

Moving On to 2017

Nothing like starting the day with rain, rain, and more rain.  Yesterday was Christmas Day and what a way to start celebrating Jesus birthday then by going to church on the first day of the week as he commanded his children to do. My family was coming here from OK and would not arrive till after 5 pm which meant that my husband and I as well as my son and his wife would be back in evening service.  When we all got home then we would celebrate "Christmas" by eating a meal together, opening present and visiting and enjoying one another's company.  That what "Christmas" means to my family

Today I had plans to take photos of special ornaments that hung on the tree.  I am trying to set up a card display and need special shots to display what style of cards I plan to create and try to publish.  And since everyone will be gone by Wednesday then I plan to start this by coming up with  the different backgrounds and special effects in can incorporate with different ornaments.

Today as been so gloomy its hard to think of different ways to display photos for a website. 

My Birthday

A lot as happened to me since my last post.  A tree fell on my house-right thru the middle.  I had a couple of meetings I had to cancel because of it plus a planned 7 day trip I could not get out of which delayed everything because my husband and my son decided they would rebuild the house.  Which so far it has turned out looking pretty good 3 months later--its almost complete. Also my computer got hacked and I lost nearly everything.  It pay to backup you computer because one they got you its to late to do anything but unplug your computer as fast as you can and hang up the phone if you called.  Which of course I did not. 

My seven day trip was for my birthday from my loving husband.  He know how crazy I've become about horse since our last trip to Wyoming--you remember the photos I posted-how could you forget?  This time he took me to Shackleford Island in North Carolina.

 There were lots of horses but there was this beautiful black and white lighthouse with a board walk that went around and to the back of the Island.  There were lots of birds and crabs and different types of flowers.  You ride a ferry out to the Island and you can stay for several hours or till the next ferry comes by--its up to you.

The horses will walk within 25 feet of you but will not allow you to get to close.  They are wild and unpredictable; so, you need to keep your distance if your smart.  I actually got to be there on my Birthday which made the whole trip special.  We visited several places but you will have to wait to here about them.  Hope you can make time to be out in the Wilderness. 

Stoney Point Ranch

Yesterday we told the family about our purchase of the land and that we plan to move in approximately one year.  You could have heard a pin drop,  Its only 2 1/2 to 3 hours for most of you and you'll be able to stay overnight--there'll be plenty of beds.  We plan to have a couple of horses and we will still be close to Lake Ouachita--but Oh No you'd thought we were moving to the end of the earth.. 

Stoney Point will give me several more opportunities for photography as well as a way to be able to accomplish things without having to leave home so much.  It seems I'm always starting something to find I only get to do half of it. 

I've already taken several photos that I just love and can't wait to see this place in the different season.  Its going to be great and they'll come    See you in the Wilderness!  Have Fun.

Three Key Sharpness

Three Key Sharpness Tactics to be Used Together

l.  Keep the Shutter Speed Up
    Using shutter speeds that are too slow is one of the leading causes of unsharp images.

2.  Focus on the Eyes 
      Always use a single AF point in the viewfinder.  If you keep all of the AF points activated, the 
      lens tends to focus on the closest object, which may be the shoulder of the duck, rather than
      the face. 

3.  Use Excellent Technique
      Always use a tripod and ballhead for steadiness. 
     

Mother Nature

Nothing perks up a dreary workday like slipping out for a quick dose of nature, especially when nature is bubbling over with wildflowers.

Last week when we were on the Stoney Point Ranch' land wildflowers were everywhere.  There were several that I could not even name which tickles me because I will get to know them.  The problem is the hay will be cut first of June and with the wedding and everything else that's planned I may not get to take photos this year but there will be years to come. 

While I was out walking around on the land I notice these little bubble things on several of the plants While reading the paper my husband noticed a picture of this and said, "guess what-- those bubble things you been talking about are called "Spittlebugs or froghoppers" there a little bug that lives in there called a nymph that spit is for protection".  While I never heard of such but there it was in the paper.  Someone else was also curious about these bubble on this saw-toothed mountain mint plant only he was at Carl Hunter meadow garden at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.  To me that nymph looks like what we call a Wood-bug. 

Well I guess I'd better get busy there is lots to do but I just had to talk to you about the Wilderness.  I miss being out there.  Hope you get a chance to get outdoors and visit with mother nature some--there's no better place to be.  See Ya!  

Mother's Meadow

Well were going to the land in Pine Ridge tomorrow.  I've purchased a few bags of flower seeds and plan to claim one of the many fields as "Mother's Meadow".  It will need to be mowed first and then I will throw seeds all over it.  It will not be mowed again until just before the winter season sets in.  Can't you just imagine what 224 AC will look like covered in white snow with no tracks running thru it.  That's what I always hated when I went to take photos of some place covered in snow --It seemed someone got there before me and just had to put tracks everywhere and missed it up for the rest of us.

I can't wait till we move there. Once the house is build I'll be there.  It will definitely be a new Wilderness to explore.  See you there.

New Land to Roam On

Today we purchased 225 acres near Lake Ouachita. Other than building a house on it I don't know what we will do with it.  Its called the "Stoney Point Ranch" I love it.  Hopefully I will have photos soon to show it off. 

See you in the Wilderness and at the Ranch.