Monthly Archives: December 2009

animals birds

Birds of the Pond

The weather was gorgeous today. Sun shining high with not one cloud in the sky. I knew I wanted to take some photos today. So, I took my new camera backpack I got for Christmas and rode my bicycle to a nice park near me. I rode up to the pond and their were birds everywhere on the ice covered water. Glad I brought my macro lens with me to get some good photos of these great winged creatures.

Birds can be really hard to capture in a photograph at times. Especially, when they are flying at the speeds they do. I took around eighty photos of geese and seagulls but these are the only ones I felt were the best. It was a good challenge and will do it again soon.

Christmas Holidays

Memories of Christmas

Waking up this morning I walked downstairs with one hand carrying the three gifts for my mom and the other hand carrying Callie. I always love Christmas morning. Just the wonderful thought in your head of giving and receiving makes my heart pound. I always wonder if my mom will like what I get her. Will she be pleased or disappointed. The thing is she is always happy and always tells me that it was thoughtful and its the thought that counts.

My mom loved her gifts this year. Put lots of smiles on her face. So, what did I get her? I got her this coupon book that has different things to make mom happy. For example, go to a movie together or clean your room. the second gift I got her was a calendar. She asked for it and I got it for her. Santa listened. The last and best gift is a painted cow that I knew she would love. There are huge painted cows in New York City that my mom always loved and wish she could have. So, I decided I would get her a little one painted with a garden scene. She loves it. Cant stop admiring it. I am happy about that because it was difficult choosing which one to get her. I wanted something she would love and I chose the perfect one.

Look I got a mustang for Christmas! Okay okay. It is not a real one but it is still awesome. It works for me for now. Makes me work on my dream to get one some day when I have the money. The dogs had some fun chasing it. So everyone meet my mustang sally.

Another thing my wonderful mother got me was a grooming table! I am so excited about it too. It means grooming the dogs will be so much easier. The pack wasnt so happy about it though. They gave me an evil look. Haha! Now you dogs cant run away from me while I am grooming you. I have to thank Princess for putting up with me while I was taking photos of her on my new grooming table. As you can see she was not pleased about the whole situation.

My last favorite thoughtful gift my mom gave me was a little camera backpack. The perfect gift for a photographer who likes walking and bicycling long distances and taking lots of photos. It will help me get a more variety of photographs. Thanks mom for believing that I could be successful in photography profession some day. Your the best.

Overall, it was a lovely Christmas. My Grandma came over and we had wonderful food. At least to me it was great. For an appetizer we had shrimp cocktail and then for the main course meal we had ravioli! It was delicious. I always love Christmas. Just a lovely thoughtful family holiday. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and had a joyful fun day. I am tired and goint to get some sleep soon. Peace.

Christmas family Holidays

Christmas Eve Plus A Birthday

We just dont celebrate Christmas Eve today in my family. Today is also my Grandpas birthday. Even though he passed away a few years ago he is never forgotten. We may not be partying down here but I bet he is partying up in heaven. Telling his jokes to everyone and eating cake. My Grandpa was my father figure to me and he was the sweetest guy in the entire world. Happy Birthday Grampa. By the way, the photo above is my grandpa and I.

So, today I wrapped the three Christmas presents I got my mother. Took me a long time since I cant wrap. I forgot how to partially but I tried my best. Callie had fun getting in my way and playing with the wrapping paper. Silly cat. Anyways, I hope she will like the three gifts. I think she will. Its really the thought that counts. Cant show you the gifts yet but I will tomorrow. Keep patient. Santa will deliver them soon.

Yes, the dogs and the cat have gifts for Christmas too. They are part of the family so of course they are on the gift list. The dogs are lucky I did not find any cute clothes that I wanted for them this year. Hehe. This year the dogs are getting some treats and toys. For Callie’s first Christmas with us she is getting little toy mice to bat around. Sorry Callie no real mice allowed in my room.

I took these two photos of the dogs today. Well, I took a set but I thought I would just share two and these are the two favorites of mine. I was thinking how we needed some pack portrait. So, here are two Christmas portraits of my pack. Amazingly they all stayed still and cooperated. What do you think of them?

Before you know it Christmas will be here. So, I will wish everyone an early Christmas just in case you wont be around tomorrow. My grandma is coming over for Christmas, which will be nice. Its always great to have the family together. Hope everyone has a joyful Christmas and has fun. I will talk to you all soon and will post my Christmas day adventure tomorrow night. Ho Ho Ho! Merry Early Christmas.

family Holidays photoshop

Spirit of Christmas

The snow on the ground. The loads of people rushing around to gather their last few Christmas gifts. The smell of gingerbread and all the lights express the spirit of the holiday. I love Christmas and its not just because of the gifts. Its because the holiday brings everyone together. Seems to bring the love out of the people you usually dont see that much love from. Christmas is a time to be with family, friends and have a smile on your face.

I created this years Christmas card in photoshop. It was fun and I enjoyed making it. What do you think of it? Anyways, I hope everyone is excited for Christmas and is ready to get and give gifts to the ones you love and care about. Stay warm and full of Christmas spirit.

dogs

Snowy Sunday Romp

It snowed all day yesterday which gave us 3-5 inches of beautiful white snow to play in. Lets just say the dogs had a blast romping around, while I froze my tush off. Since the dogs felt like running and jumping through the snow I grabbed my camera and starting photographing the acttion…

There goes Oliver starting the playtime by getting lady to chase him. Look at that boy jump!

Lady is the least fond of snow so she just plays for a few minutes and then stands on the porch to watch. Doesnt she look cute in the christmas collar?

Oliver just kept jumping over that branch as if it was no difficulty. He would be so good at agility if he could keep focus for more than a second.

Oliver zooming by to see how fast he can go. Go Oliver go!

The opponent… Princess.

Oliver takes his jumping moves all over her. She stands strong.

Princess tries to bring Oliver to the ground. She fails.

Next, Oliver turns and slows down the Princess with his skilled moves.

Since Princess is middle aged the two opponents decided to take a quick break together before turning against each other.

Oliver stretching and showing off his cute Christmas shirt that says fleas navidad.

Look at that messy snowy face he has. Thats a face of fun.

Before going after Princess Oliver decided to see if Lady wants to join in…she refuses.

Now look at Princess’ face. She is showing off all the snow on her face. She wants to win the contest of most snow on face. You win girl!

Oliver trying to shove Princess out of the way because he thinks he has the better singing voice. I will let Lady decide on that one.

Oliver got what he wanted. He got Princess after him again. The challenge is back on.

Both standing strong. Who will take out who?

The race is on. Run!

A cropped version of the phoot above. You can see how serious Oliver is about winning. Making sure Princess wont pass him.

Ah, and Princess won the race! Dont worry Oliver there is always next time.

Yoda Princess romping around to celebrate.

Princess is hoping you all enjoyed the action and photos.

Stay tuned for the next challenge when the dogs decide to romp around again.

Peace.

nature Snowflakes Winter

10 Beautiful Snowflakes

Snow is falling here this weekend and it gave me the idea to share some great photos of beautiful snowflakes I found on flickr. Its pretty cool how every snowflake is different and unique. Enjoy these ten photos of snowflakes that were captured through the lens.

(via buddymaxx50 )

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Reflections

Hold On To Time

Running and jumping on the playground at my elementary school is a memory that seemed to happen just yesterday. I started out as a Kindergartner there and now I am senior in the high school. It makes me realize how time can go so fast and the memories that you keep. My favorite memory from being in the elementary school is the parent visit day in 5th grade. My mom came in my class and was sitting next to me when she said we are going to visit this dog up for adoption. I can still feel the big grin I made on my face that day and it is an unforgettable memory since the dog she told me about became part of my family and Mills will never be forgotten.

Time flies by and memories are made, but I am going to recommend trying to hold on to time as long as possible. Dont just let it pass. Endure it. Do something before you lose the time to make memories. Memories are important to have to make us alive and to share with friends and family. You might regret not using the time right in the past, but do everything you can now that will make good memories for you.

animals pumpkins

An Eaten Pumpkin

Winter is just around the corner and the eaten pumpkin on our front steps is the proof. The squirrels took all the inside of the pumpkin before winter comes. They need to gather all the food they can before it goes scarce with the snow and really cold weather. Stock up squirrels.

dogs princess

Playground Princess

It was freezing today but that did not stop Princess and I from going to the school playground near my house. I took my camera and camcorder, which means I got a few photos and video clips. There was no one there so we had it all to ourselves and got some important bonding time. Princess and I definitely need to go on more adventures together.

nature

Look Up

Most of us are in such a rush to get where we are going in life, we miss out on one of the spectacular beauties of the sky. Stop. Take a breath and look up. You will never see the same clouds as the day before. Some days it looks like an animal of some sorts. At times the clouds can look just like a random odd shape but then other days the clouds can look like a painting on a big blue canvas. The beauty of nature is all around you, under you and above you.  So, my question of the day is what was your favorite cloud formation you have ever seen?