Memorial Day 2015

The original purpose of Memorial Day was to remember those Union soldiers in the Civil War.  By the end of World War I the remembrance extended to all military who gave their lives in service to this nation.   Today we use the opportunity to remember every loved one who has passed on, regardless of the circumstances.  It is important to remember that Memorial Day is more that boats, beer, and BBQ.  It is more than the start of summer vacation season.  It is good to recall our history, our legacy, and those who had a part in forming our lives.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

It's been entirely too long since I participated in a Scavenger Hunt Sunday hosted by Ashley Sisk.

Mirror

This is one of my all time favorite images of "The Big Guy".  We took the family to Disney World in 2008 and I caught this image of our youngest grand child, and the only boy, during a  break at Epcot.  You just have to wonder what is going through his mind.

Stripes

Crisp

Even in Northwest Arkansas the winter temperatures can turn one of my favorite places into a combination of flowing water and "Crispy" water.  Okay, I know that's a stretch, but I'm going with it anyway.

Energy 

Of course, in the spring, there is an undeniable energy that comes from the flowing water and the sound of the falls.

Negative Space

I probably should have cropped this image closer to the Rule of Thirds and created more negative space to the right of the flower.  However, the dark green background provides negative space for the spectacular bloom.  I have no idea what kind of flower I'm looking at, I just know that we were in Victoria, British Columbia.

Fun With Filters

 Original Image

 A Little Stained Glass Filter

When the image is kind of monochromatic in color, I'm not sure that there is much difference between stained glass and mosaic filters.

A Little Crystallize Filter

This filter adds a feel similar to the watercolor filter.  In PhotoShop Elements you can control the size of the crystals.

Inspiration Thursday

Just Music Today

Wordless Wednesday

Fun With Filters

Everyone likes to take good photographs.  Some like for the image to be a perfect representation of the moment captured.  Occasionally, it is fun to wander into the filters and see what happens.  Here are a few examples of the texture of sports.  Click on any image to enlarge and get the full effect of the filter that has been applied.  Have a blessed day.

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Every photographer/picture taker has a favorite place to capture images.  This is one of mine.  Several miles from the house there is a small private lake (less than 100 acres).  This image is just down the stream from the spillway at the dam.  When it is hot and dry the flow can slow to little more than a trickle.  When there are several days of heavy rains, it can become a raging torrent.  When we get just the right amount of rain, it becomes one of the most picturesque places in all of Bella Vista, AR.  This week-end concluded one of those just right weeks.

I have photographed this spillway during every season of the year and in most every stage from trickle to flood.  Still, when it rains, you can bet I will load up my camera and head to this little piece of heaven on earth and take some new images.

One of these days I will put together a collection of my favorite images and share them with those few who choose to visit this little outpost in the blogasphere.

I'm thinking that one of these images just might make the final cut.  Eventually, I plan to print a seasonal series, frame them and display them in our home.  I can change them out with each season.

Ruby Tuesday Too

Here Fishy, Fishy

I have a small collection of antique fishing lures that I inherited from my Dad.  You can tell that this lure is old because the hooks are connected to the body with a metal fitting.  Most new lures are simply glued and screwed into the body.  The body of the lure is made of balsa wood, while most new lure bodies are some type of plastic.  I'm sure this lure has spent a lot of time in the water, but I have no idea how effective it was.  Now it's in it's own tackle box.  I sure it would be happier running through the water, trying to lure a fish to bite, but I won't risk losing it to some submerged obstacle.  It may not be worth much, but is is priceless to me.