Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Snowy Potpourri

I took a drive up to Au Gres, MI a couple of days ago, in a nice light snowfall. I came across a number of scenes, and met a few critters, that warranted pulling out the camera.

No kids, these deer cannot fly. They are a couple of whitetail deer outside Bay City.

PC217315

I stopped for lunch by the breakwall at Au Gres. It was all quite pretty in the snow.

PC217323PC217326

I found this hawk by the road on the way home. I do not want to know what it is eating.

PC217332

Ok, someone needs to tell Percy the Possum that it is winter, and he should be sleeping.

PC217350PC217356

I hope you enjoyed my photographic rambling. Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

‘Tis The Season

Here are a few visual Christmas songs.  Enjoy!!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

PC127203

“Deck the Dogs (with red ribbon bowties)”

PC167234

“Pretty Paper” (note the fashionable duct tape ribbon)

PC187238

“O Christmas Tree”

PC187249

“Silent Night”

PC187255

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Christmas Carol Walk

On Friday I joined Wendy at Dow Gardens, in Midland MI for their annual Christmas Carol Walk.  Numerous choirs and other groups are located throughout the gardens, performing holiday music.  The paths are lit with luminaires, trees, buildings and bridges are lit up, and it is a beautiful setting.  Wendy was with the Delta Flute Choir, in the Conservatory, performing.  Here are just a few shots from that evening.

Performing before the flute choir was an interesting group, calling themselves “Just Trombones”.  Self explanatory.

Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010

Next up was the Delta Flute Choir.  They performed for about 45 minutes, and they were wonderful.  The music sounded great in the greenhouse, and the people walking through really seemed to enjoy them.

Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010

The Conservatory was beautifully decorated with poinsettias and other colorful flowers, as well as other decorations.  The highlights were the nutcrackers and the poinsettia tree.

Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010

Dow Gardens Carol walk 12 10 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Santa Claus is Watching You!

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I ‘m telling you why – Santa Claus is coming to town.  Actually, he is already here.  Actually, he is EVERYWHERE!  My wife Wendy loves Santa.  I mean she really LOVES Santa, and has built up quite a collection of Santa figures.  And they are everywhere around our house.  Here is a portion of her collection:

He has taken over the buffet…

Wendys Santa Collection 2010

And found a split level tea cart….

Wendys Santa Collection 2010Wendys Santa Collection 2010

Even the china cabinet is not safe.

Wendys Santa Collection 2010

He knows if you are sleeping….. because he is monitoring the stairs.

Wendys Santa Collection 2010

Yes, he is in every corner.

Wendys Santa Collection 2010

So in my house, I must be good, because Santa Claus is watching me!!

Monday, November 29, 2010

My Weekend Walk, pt. 2

Here are a few more pics from my weekend walk by the river.  Just some interesting shapes and textures.  I hope you like them!

PB277061PB277067PB277069PB277072PB277086

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A chilly walk

Hello Friends!  It has been too long since I came on to share my pictures, but with the holiday and work, I have found myself rather busy.  But then, I am sure all of you folks can appreciate that.  This morning I decided to brave the cold air and overstuffed belly and take a walk down by the river.  It was just a short safari, but I was able to capture a few good shots.  The air was cold, and the wind was brisk, but the sun was shining bright.  I stalked the majestic eagle, and snuck up on a lone mourning dove.  The geese had taken flight, and the moon seemed reluctant to give up his place to the sun.

PB277000PB277033PB277017PB277060PB277066

Thanks for visiting!  I have a  few more, but I will save those for tomorrow.  See you soon!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Leftovers

Here are a few pics from previous excursions that did not make it online the first time around (ok, the sunbeams actually are from today).  I have not had a chance to get out and take new pics, so I am hitting the archives again.

Enjoy!

PA306846PB116909PB116920OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Foggy, Foggy Morning

For three days straight, Bay City’s mornings have been shrouded in fog.  This morning, it lay like the proverbial pea soup.  I felt a trip to the river was in order to see what mysteries were lurking in the fog.

The Riverwalk foot bridge, deserted, disappears into the fog.

PB116904PB116908PB116911

Normally bright and cheery, the trees of the park stand like sentinels at the edge of the fog.

PB116910

Further down the river, the remains of the shipwrecks appear like ghosts in the mist.

PB116979

At last, the mysterious presence is revealed.  A small hawk hides in the shrouded tree, eyes alert for danger.

PB116964

I hope you will forgive my poetic mood.  Fog does that to me.  Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Sometimes, my job has its perks

Today my job sent me out on some back country roads, looking for a particular store.  I have learned when this happens to take my camera with me.  I did today, and was glad.

First, I came across a small flock of wild turkeys in a field, quite close to the road.

PB046893

PB046883

Later, I spotted a white tail deer at the very back of a field.  It really was too far away for a good picture, but I gave it a try and come up with this.

PB046896

It is not perfect, but I finally got my buck!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A few more…

Here are a few more pictures from my weekend safari.  Nothing special, I just thought they were kind of cute.  Enjoy!

PA306867PA306855

He will never see me!  I am hidden behind this tree… I am invisible!

PA306865

Awwwww, he blinked.

PA306864