Female Mallard/ SOOC

YAY, March!! Better swimming weather will soon be here

To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com

The Two of Us/ Camera Critters

Having a friendly chat over the fence

Such lovely report, the two of us enjoying the late February sunshine together. The bovine was all ears, enthralled by everything I said.

But look at those nosy neighbours in the background eavesdropping!

To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

My Best Shot?/ Ellipsis Monday

About to snort, hoot and holler with laughter

Carly at Ellipsis Monday has challenged us to "hit" her with our best shots. Bwahahaha! I HOPE I haven't taken my best shot yet. I'm still a beginner! I took up photography about two years ago when I discovered how cheap digital "film" is much fun taking photos can be.

Who knew I'd so thoroughly enjoy searching for photogenic subjects? Who'd have guessed I like talking in pictures (in addition to words)?

What I like to shoot best are subjects people pass by but don't really "see." Macro shots are my faves, but in December, January and February tiny white and brown subjects get old, old, OLD fast.

So this winter I have challenged myself to see the bigger picture, so to speak: landscapes, skies...

So what about my best shot? Would you believe the horse ate it? I didn't think so. Stay tuned - it's yet to come.


To find out how others handled last week's assignment, check out http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Hillside and fences/ Sky Watch

Lines: fences, trees and even the clouds

Are you beginning to see a trend in my photos lately? I seem to be fixated on fences. And truly they do fascinate me, especially this time of year when they show up so well in the snow. They create lovely lines, as do the the trees at the edges of fields.

To see tons of gorgeous skies from around the world, visit the Sky Watch Website and click on Mr. Linky: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Winding Lane/ Sepia Scenes

Fenced driveway up to stone house

Don't you wonder what secrets are hiding in this house mostly hidden by a hill and trees at the end of this lane ?

To view other Sepia Scenes visit MaryT, theTeach at http://sepiascenes.blogspot.com

Spring? / My World

Nope! Not spring yet

To visit other blogs celebrating That's My World, please visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com

Vine, Grass & Fence/ Monochrome Maniacs

Through the Grapevine

To find other maniacs crazy about monochromes, visit Aileni at http://aileni-calonyddaear1.blogspot.com

Masked Bandit/ Camera Critters

Friendly, young raccoon

Apparently not camera shy, this raccoon has seen people before and is not afraid.

A bit groggy after being spotted and rudely awakened

Raccoons don't hibernate in winter, but they do sleep a lot to conserve energy.

To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

Four Swans A Swimming/ Ellipsis...Monday

Mom, pop and two young'uns from last year out on a family outing

This week's Ellipsis...Monday Photo Shoot assignment (due Sunday night, February 22) is "bird."

To find out how others handled last week's assignment, check out http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Fodder for Thought/ Sky Watch

A few fields have not yet been harvested

Out catching the sunset, we noticed these corn stalks standing tall against the sky. Early snow last fall prevented many farmers from harvesting all their fields.


To see tons of gorgeous skies from around the world, visit the Sky Watch Website and click on Mr. Linky: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Field of Bales/ Sepia Scenes

Hay Bales in mid February

I love the texture of the soil and stubble showing through the melting snow, and the random placement of the hay bales on the hill's gentle slope.

To view other Sepia Scenes visit MaryT, theTeach at http://sepiascenes.blogspot.com

Geese and.../ My World

Family Day in Ontario

Today is "Family Day" in Ontario, a fairly new holiday our government initiated to help break up the winter doldrums. And as you can see a family of Canada geese is celebrating, swiming this creek even though there's still ice and snow. (See the sheets of ice in the shrubs and snow on the far shore.)

But wait. Someone else is celebrating too. It's...
a swan! So Mom and Pop Goose climbed up on some ice to greet their visitor.

To visit other blogs celebrating That's My World, please visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com

Garden Shadows/ Monochrome Maniacs

Shadows in the Garden

To find other maniacs crazy about monochromes, visit Aileni at http://aileni-calonyddaear1.blogspot.com

Pink and Gold/ SOOC

Pink and gold sunset over corn field

This time of year winter is feeling rather blah and old so I seem to be relying on sunsets for colour.

To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com

Feeling Crabby?/ Ellipsis...

Crab apples in February

Only a crab apple could feel crabby on Valentine's Day, right?

I can't believe the birds have left these on a neighbourhood tree. Maybe they're saving them for dessert?

This week's Ellipsis...Monday Photo Shoot assignment (due Sunday night, February 15) is "red."

FYI: Camera Critters is the post below.

To find out how others handled last week's assignment, check out http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Puff the Magic.../ Camera Critters

Magic in a field next to the road

It's not every day you get to meet a dragon! Driving on a country road north of EG we happened on this friendly metal fellow standing in a field fairly close to the road so, of course, I HAD to take his picture to share with you.

To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

Favourite Food/ Photo Scavenger Hunt

Juncos at feeder

Today's Photo Scavenger Hunt challenge: favourite food.

True, you can't see the seed inside this feeder so you'll just have to trust me that it's there. But you can see two greedy hungry juncos. And there are many more juncos and chickadees in the nearby cedars, looking out for dangerous critters and waiting their turn to quickly fly in to partake in a share of the feast.

By the way, this photo was taken a few days ago. Most of our snow is now gone...temporarily. Luckily, the next batch will not last three months like the one that landed on us in November and Mother Nature kept topping up.

FYI: Sky Watch is the post below.

More Photo Scavenger Hunt photos can be found at View of You Photography, http://viewofyouphoto.blogspot.com

Sunset Over Old Silo/ Sky Watch

Roofless Silo at Sundown

The barn is gone but the silo remains, part of it anyway. And isn't the sky stunning behind it? I LOVE it when I'm in the right place at the right time!

To see tons of gorgeous skies from around the world, visit the Sky Watch Website and click on Mr. Linky: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Old farmhouse/ Sepia Scenes

Farmhouse at a country crossroad

I like the way the boards are weathering and the porch roof is rusting. I am also intrigued by the shape of the upstairs window and the warped porch roof. And -- I cannot believe I'm writing this, LOL -- I'm enchanted by the maple keys still on the tree (better on this tree than in my neighbourhood - every spring I go crazy weeding out myriad tree seedlings in my gardens).

This is half sepia (or my version of it). Using two layers and leaving the bottom one untouched, I converted the top layer to sepia, then changed the opacity to 50%. Then I flattened the layers to make it one photo

To view other Sepia Scenes visit MaryT, theTeach at http://sepiascenes.blogspot.com

Not Too Rinky Dinky/ My World

Guerin's Ice Palace

I didn't make the name up. This is really called Guerin's Ice Palace.

No one was skating the day I took this photo (yesterday, Sunday). Saturday we had our "January Thaw." Yep, a few days weeks late and much, much too short. Everything turned to mush in the heat warmth (7°C or 44°F) but by Sunday was beginning to freeze over. I bet the ice will be smooth less bumpy when skaters are allowed back on the pond.

As you can see by the red-framed nets, this is a rink for playing hockey, a place for would-be Wayne Gretzkys to play and live the Canadian dream.

To visit other blogs celebrating That's My World, please visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com

Winter Ride/ Monochrome Maniacs

Bareback in the forest

To find other maniacs crazy about monochromes, visit Aileni at http://aileni-calonyddaear1.blogspot.com

Herald Road/ SOOC

Sunny day, chasing the clouds away...

To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com

Mmmmm Good/ Camera Critters

Who are you calling Miss Piggy?

To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

My Dog Ate.../ Photo Scavenger Hunt

Mailbox. Yep, really!

Just pull down the handle on it's chest and it opens.

Remember the old excuse why you couldn't turn in your homework? (My dog ate it.) Wouldn't it be nice to tell the bill collector the same thing...and get away with it?

I hope this mailbox made you laugh...or at least smile. Today's Photo Scavenger Hunt challenge is "laughter."

More Photo Scavenger Hunt photos can be found at View of You Photography, http://viewofyouphoto.blogspot.com