Just a lucky shot

Paul and I were out at the Jamestown Wetland area in North Central Kansas and we heard what we thought was an Eagle, but upon closer inspection, we saw a Hawk. I was only looking at it through the 300 mm lens and thought, well, I will snap! I am amazed how cool this looks! Double click on it and you can see it much larger!

Showdown at the County Fair

"This Town aint big enough for the both of us!"

These two mean hombres met in the street.

Notice the one on the right marking off paces for the duel at High Noon.

Then he stops, lifts his shirt and says,
"Just don't aim anywhere in this area -that's where my vital organs are"
The other fella agreed.

Before the great duel, the two posed for these last couple of photos, just to show us how big, bad and mean they really were. I'd say the fella in the green shirt won!

Oh wait, that's not mean-ness, that's a smile! Oh, I'm sorry, wrong story, these guys were on their way to the Rodeo!! I guess I got a little carried away! Fair week does that to a photographer!

On Golden Pond???

OK...so Jamie and I go out to scope out scenery to take pictures of. For me, it is great company, for Jamie, it is a nice change from her daily routine of Portraiture. We shoot several pictures of a barn ready to fall over (see below) and then we see this pretty pond. As I am taking pictures, I see something very large moving in the distance, and I mean LARGE, but it took me a second to realize it was a front end loader with it's scoop raised all the way up working in the field behind this pond. But it was so funny to see the peacefulness of this pond at sunset interrupted by a large piece of construction equipment. Jamie teased me that it was the Loch Ness Monster. When he was gone, I took this picture.

A pond ripples in the sunset

Well, you've seen one sunset, you've seen them all.......but I never tire of them. This pond was around the corner from the barn where Jamie and I went to take photos.

Wind-battered barn has seen better days

Jamie and I got "caught" on this property taking pictures, but we got out in time before getting in trouble.

Will that barn fall over?

My fellow photographer Jamie Bloom and I went on a little photo-excursion tonight. I told her, "let's find some neat structures" to take pictures of. This barn wanted one last photo of itself before it falls over. By the sound of the occasional creeking, I would not be surprised if it were no longer standing next time we go there. The funny thing is to see that ladder up to the hay mow. Who would want to trust climbing in?

Same Ad, latest revision

This is the latest revision of the County Ad. It is looking really neat with some additions a member of the committee suggested. I LOVE the big KANSAS word with "Clay County" pasted on it....that came from the Son-in-Law of one of the committee members. Very talented man. That same committee member suggested we add the races photo....those kinds of things really attract people...the Ad shows a lot of the variety that we have to offer.

We've got a place for YOU in my County!

This is just a sample of something I am working on for the County I live in. If they like it, they may use it. As you can tell by my blog, I love Kansas. Does this make you want to check it out?

Dad and Daughter - Teamwork!

If a fella is looking for a good woman, find one that, while she was growing up, helped her Daddy on the farm! This girl and her sister were clearly a big help to their Dad the day we visited their farm.

Little cuties-down on the farm!

These little ones bear a striking resemblance to their mother and to one another.....gee you can not tell if I am talking about the lambs or the girls!! Actually, BOTH. These cuties (the human ones) are the daughters of one of my co-workers. They were gracious enough to let Paul and I come out and watch them take care of the (lamb) babies on this day. The (human) girls really do look a lot like their mom!

The past gives way to the future

The windmill on the right is dwarfed by it's new, mighty, modern, cousin. In fact, it has lost it's blades somewhere along the path of history. This turbine can be found in Cloud County, KS.

Paul and I had a teriffic day .... after visiting a farm full of newborn lambs, we then did some work for the Storm Spotters ham radio network in this area. We traveled a lot of country roads, marking the highest, best viewing sites in Clay County for where a spotter can go in severe weather to aid the weather service, local responders and our radio station in spotting. Then we kept heading West to see the recently built Wind Farms. Very cool!! (no pun intended!)

A farm long gone

This old building has seen better times, but that old limestone has withstood the test of time!

Looking into the past

I love the old-film look to this photo. Just having some fun with photography!

Isn't it obvious???

There is a group here in Kansas whose mantra is "Dare to do Dirt". I have chosen it for myself, as well. On this particular day David and I dared to do dirt and went exploring...thought this sign was pretty neat. I love to take my camera out and just enjoy the scenery, find interesting out-of-the-way places, buildings and landscapes. I will tell you a secret, this photo is enhanced using Photoshop Elements 7. I am enjoying getting to know that program. Paul bought it for me as a Valentine gift!

What Christmas surprises await.....

It was a real joy to have our grandchild with us (and her mommy and daddy) at Christmas!

A still summer night on the Square

OK....I think I should have used a different White Balance setting here, but you've got to hand it to me on this image.....1600 ISO, 1/5 of a second -hand held!!!!

Yeah Baby!!!

A simple message!

I just LOVE country life.

You see these "signs" all over the place, but not to worry, there is plenty of public walk-in hunting land all over the place.

What the heck is that horse doing???

At this rodeo, we were all surprised to see that this horse was clearly not wanting to be rode. He wanted OUT OF THERE! Notice the look on the man's face!!! (hint...click on the picture and it will enlarge so you can get the full effect)

A strolling minstrel

This young man asked me to do his senior photos. I thought this one was kind of cool. It is not the one you would post in your yearbook, but I like the solitary feel of it.

A Love that endures

I normally do not put pictures of people on my blog, but I think I will start doing it more often. Especially when the people in the community I live in have a bit of a story. In the case of this couple, she lives in a nursing home because he can not care for her totally himself. But every day he is able, he goes tp pick her up and bring her home for a visit...which is almost every day. It is not a short drive. And as he makes that drive he checks in with his fellow Ham Radio Operators who know his route and his routine. They look out for him, and he looks out for her.

Peace, where you can find it

While the work I do in my day job can have some stressful moments, it cannot be said of me that I live a highly stressful life. That may be because I find peace as often as possible. Very often I find it peering through my camera lens. I found it in this photo while driving some backroads.