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  2. Daily Photos

My Best Daily Shots

Thanks for stopping by to view my daily photo! I will post a new photo each day to this gallery. Typically, I will post early morning, and the photo will have been taken the day before. Sometimes the photo may be from sometime earlier in the week, but all the pictures posted will be relatively new. I hope you see something that makes you smile. Feel free to leave professionally appropriate comments. Here's a link to the SmugMug Daily Community.
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06/14/10 - Praying Mantis<br /> I took Joey to the doc yesterday, and he did indeed have strep throat. They gave him an antibiotic shot, and he should be back in school tomorrow. Whew.<br /> <br /> On the way home from the doc's office, I stopped at the Yates Mill parking lot to see if anything interesting was going on with the Coneflowers. I was delighted to find this Praying Mantis hanging out. I must have taken 50 shots of him as he moved from flower to flower. Then of course I had to scrutinize them for which one to show you. <br /> <br /> I took a few minutes to read this article about them on wikipedia:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis</a><br /> They have compound eyes which makes them appear to have a pupil sometimes. They are predators which means you might see them eating a butterfly or cricket. I can tell you that this guy had no fear of me and actually tried to attack my camera lens:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#900089481_2iSwi">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#900089481_2iSwi</a><br /> Too bad that shot was not in focus!<br /> <br /> I do have a shot that I took last year of a praying mantis eating a black swallowtail butterfly. You don't get to see much of the mantis, but you can see him in action. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Mostly-Moths-Butterflies/5380203_NQszu#329565523_LWXHJ">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Mostly-Moths-Butterflies/5380203_NQszu#329565523_LWXHJ</a><br /> The butterfly was already gone when I happened upon them.<br /> <br /> HOT here. Going to feel like 100 today. It was boiling when I was taking the mantis pics (the kids were cool in the car). It's that time of year when I can't step outside without getting at least 2 mosquito bites. At least we are getting showers to help with watering. I really appreciate it when I don't have to stand there with a watering can or hose and get bit up even more.<br /> <br /> Hope you all have a good week...<br /> Maryann
1771 / 2142

06/14/10 - Praying Mantis
I took Joey to the doc yesterday, and he did indeed have strep throat. They gave him an antibiotic shot, and he should be back in school tomorrow. Whew.

On the way home from the doc's office, I stopped at the Yates Mill parking lot to see if anything interesting was going on with the Coneflowers. I was delighted to find this Praying Mantis hanging out. I must have taken 50 shots of him as he moved from flower to flower. Then of course I had to scrutinize them for which one to show you.

I took a few minutes to read this article about them on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis
They have compound eyes which makes them appear to have a pupil sometimes. They are predators which means you might see them eating a butterfly or cricket. I can tell you that this guy had no fear of me and actually tried to attack my camera lens:

http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#900089481_2iSwi
Too bad that shot was not in focus!

I do have a shot that I took last year of a praying mantis eating a black swallowtail butterfly. You don't get to see much of the mantis, but you can see him in action.

http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Mostly-Moths-Butterflies/5380203_NQszu#329565523_LWXHJ
The butterfly was already gone when I happened upon them.

HOT here. Going to feel like 100 today. It was boiling when I was taking the mantis pics (the kids were cool in the car). It's that time of year when I can't step outside without getting at least 2 mosquito bites. At least we are getting showers to help with watering. I really appreciate it when I don't have to stand there with a watering can or hose and get bit up even more.

Hope you all have a good week...
Maryann

  • 06/24/10 - Flaming Sun<br /> I stopped by the Garden Hut yesterday morning for a few minutes. They have some sunflowers growing out front, and I wanted to try to take a few pictures of them especially since they had about 5 different pretty varieties to enjoy. This is my favorite of the pics that I took. Something about the colors and light coming through the reddish petals.<br /> <br /> I removed a hint of another flower in the far lower left, but otherwise it's unedited. <br /> <br /> We're gonna break a record at 101 today. Yep, you read that right...Raleigh is gonna have record heat today. We've been near 100 certainly with a head index of 100 for 3 days already. Whew! I haven't been out in that heat too much. You basically walk out the door and melt at those temps here with the super high humidity. But I love Raleigh weather and this too will pass. We did get a brief sprinkle yesterday afternoon for a welcome and quick 15 degree cool down. <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the Queen Anne's Lace shot from yesterday:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/23/10 - Summer Snowflake<br /> This is a shot of Queen Anne's Lace that I took last Friday. I like how the flower looks as if it's a snowflake. I also took the frame shot the same day a few shots later in the series. It was a mistake like many of my other background style shots, but I really thought the greens matched up very nicely with the main shot. <br /> <br /> I spent some time last night pulling out all the 'good' Queen Anne's Lace shots that I have taken over the last 3 years and putting them in a new gallery. 26 pics total. If you are interested, that gallery is here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Queen-Annes-Lace/12664870_LXHwS#910719862_7qyiP">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Queen-Annes-Lace/12664870_LXHwS#910719862_7qyiP</a><br /> <br /> My bluebird box at work has 4 healthy babies and 2 very caring parents working to feed them, and I actually have babies (5 eggs) hatching in a box in my yard right now. That's a first! Really hoping they can pull through these heat index days near 100 that we're having. It is warm in Raleigh right now! <br /> <br /> Thank you for your comments on the gull shot from yesterday...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/22/10 - Flying By<br /> This is another shot from the beach on Sunday. Some of you may remember that I like to feed the gulls and try to take close-up pics of them when I'm at the beach. Often, Joey is my brave helper too. <br /> <br /> This past trip was no different. I had leftover french fries from lunch, and the gulls were quite appreciative of the treat. I have several shots where they are touching the fry in my hand as I take the shot:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907942694_AQxyP">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907942694_AQxyP</a><br /> or making crazy faces at me as they zoom by in hopes of nabbing the prize:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907943378_S6X6e">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907943378_S6X6e</a><br /> I even got a few tongue shots:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907958157_EWccZ">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#907958157_EWccZ</a><br /> <br /> I guess I picked this shot to share as a daily because it's the most classic pose and best framed up of the shots. I ran a noise filter on it but it is otherwise unaltered.<br /> <br /> Johnny enjoyed hearing how brave he was in yesterday's shot. Thanks for the comments on that one. Still wishing I was back at the beach...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/21/10 - Wave!<br /> We did make it down to Wrightsville Beach and then Kure Beach yesterday. We started out by having lunch at The Oceanic overlooking the water on Wrightsville Beach. Collage of that lunch/view here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#908399326_A6oho">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#908399326_A6oho</a><br /> <br /> Unfortunately, there was just no way to park there, so we drove about another 20 minutes down to Kure Beach where we figured there would be less of a crowd and went down to the beach there. No real difference in enjoyment really except that there's no pier to get under for the occasional period of shade. Didn't really matter because for the 3 hours we were there we pretty much just stayed in the water. Very clean today, warm with a few colder currents from time to time to cool off your feet.<br /> <br /> This is fearless Johnny. Well, fearless as long as he could stay right where the waves were crashing on him. Scared if you tried to hold him out a few feet further and his feet couldn't touch. He'd rather be pounded than not be able to stand...just does not like that feeling of not being able to touch. Anyway, in this sequence, he knows the wave is coming and is excited, gets pounded by the wave, skip a shot which is mostly off frame and him down in the water, and then the 3rd shot here headed to the beach to dry his face on the towel only to run RIGHT back in again for the next wave. He'll be 6 at the end of July and weighs about 60 pounds at this point. Not bad at all for a little guy. I was not doing that at 5!<br /> <br /> Wish today were another beach day! I resist it being Monday and time to return to work!!!<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments yesterday on the sunglass stars:-) I crashed and burned early last night but will try to catch up on what I missed on the dailies today. <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> Late note: Fixed all my typos from this morning! Sigh...<br /> <br /> Also, what I liked most about shot #1 and shot #2 is that he seemingly has not moved...his right hand is outstretched in almost exactly the same position yet the water position has drastically changed.
  • 06/20/10 - Future Hollywood Stars?<br /> Probably not, but they sure where darn cute. We walked into JCP, I happened to have my camera in it's usual spot around my neck, and in the blink of an eye they had seen the sunglasses display and had a pair on. I snapped the quick shot and promptly made them put them back. Just ended up being my favorite shot of the day. Who can resist those faces. <br /> <br /> Not to be confused, I had the boys wear their new Toy Story 3 shirts today too. Kindof a Toy Story 3 weekend.<br /> <br /> I really wanted a Hollywood Clapboard frame, but this filmstrip will have to do because after hunting for one for a while I struck out. This filmstrip frame is part of PhotoFrame 4.0.<br /> <br /> This is like the cutest must see video ever of the kids on the carousel at the mall in the tea cup.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#906752756_XFW9m">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#906752756_XFW9m</a><br /> The video of them in the race car and on the jumping thing are cool too. I suppose some people go to the mall to actually shop, but not usually us.<br /> <br /> Tried to destress yesterday by having a good time with the kids, and it was pretty successful for a while.<br /> <br /> No bug pictures today:-) Thanks for the comments on yesterday's shot. I was very bummed to see the pretty flower being eaten, but it was already too late when I got there, and not much stopping nature anyway.<br /> <br /> Off to the beach today for a day trip for Father's Day (2+ hours each way).<br /> <br /> Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/19/10 - Passion Flower and Cucumber Beetle (mcdonegal1 said Alien Space Invasion and I just love that title!)<br /> I was delighted a few days ago to find a very small passion flower vine growing on the dirt road leading up to the swamp. This has to be THE most alien like flower ever, and I just love it. I took a few shots that day, but they just didn't pop. Then yesterday I finally refound the vine and saw the flower and then saw the bugs eating it:-( However, I thought it made the picture more interesting, and I didn't take anything better yesterday, so I'm posting it. Notice lower right that there is at least one more flower soon to open:-) <br /> <br /> Cropped to 8X10 just to offcenter the fower and get ride of some extra green real estate on the left. Also used Picasa and the Lucky adjustment to improve the contrast and the richness of the colors a bit. <br /> <br /> Toy Story 3 was great. We laughed, got scared, and at least I cried. We saw it in Real D 3-D, and let me tell you, if you haven't taken in one of the new 3-D shows you're missing out on a cool experience. Because we were in a 3-D movie, we got all the 3-D trailers, and there are a lot more 3-D movies coming up between now and Christmas including the next one in the Narnia series. It was my husband's birthday yesterday, and the boys really enjoyed taking their dad to the theater:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#905860155_p56bX">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#905860155_p56bX</a><br /> And, yes, I made the boys' shirts:-)<br /> <br /> No luck on a better red-spotted purple butterfly picture yesterday although I did chase one around like a crazy person for a few minutes:-) <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the fritillary shot I posted yesterday...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> Late note: Fixed ID on beetle from potato to cucumber thanks to PaPa for the identify.
  • 06/18/10 - Variegated Fritillary<br /> I'm not 100% happy with this shot. I had to up the contrast a lot and then I still ended up using the laso tool to isolate her wings and make them even one notch darker. I tried to use late day light and a ditch to get some nice background colors, and at least that mostly worked. Cropped to 8X10 also. <br /> <br /> If she opens her wings, bright orange with some brown accents inside...much more orange on the inside. <br /> <br /> Almost had a shot of the red-tailed hawk last night. Ended up in the car right under him on that big dead tree. Had the sunroof open and fired off some shots through it, but at 7:30PM pointed up and kindof into the sun there's just no detail again. Close enough this time and just entirely the wrong light. He and his mate are there at nearly every visit now sometimes speaking up a storm at me seemingly telling me to leave the area:-) Nope! We will have to share. <br /> <br /> I am on the hunt to bring you a great Red-Spotted Purple butterfly capture. I am getting shots of them almost daily down at the swamp now, but I just don't have THE one yet. You know, sometimes with me I like to take pics of the same subject for several days and then pick the best one to show, so I'll try for a few more days and then post whatever is the best I have. It's a really neat butterfly. <br /> <br /> Thank you so much for the comments on yesterday's dragonfly shot too... <br /> <br /> Toy Story 3 opens today. You know where I'll be tonight:-) To Infinity and Beyond!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/17/10 - Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly (as best as I can tell)<br /> This dragonfly is very small. I guess maybe the size of a quarter if you drew a circle around him. Much smaller than the Halloween Pennant I showed on Tuesday. He does hang out in the same area as the pennants do, though.<br /> <br /> Cropped just a bit to remove some area on the left and make it an 8X10. If you view in larger sizes, you can see a fair amount of detail on his face.<br /> <br /> The flower in the lower middle is Queen Anne's Lace going to seed. I take pictures of Queen Anne's Lace all the time but was looking back at my first year of daily pictures and realized that I never posted a picture of it. How could that be?!? It's really a flower not to be overlooked for it's interesting geometry and wonderful insect attracting powers. <br /> <br /> Shortly after this shot, it rained:-) We got great rain overnight too. I am so thrilled not to have to water my flowers. <br /> <br /> If you'd like to see a collage of all the cool nature things I took pics of yesterday, that is here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#903495667_4kuJa">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#903495667_4kuJa</a><br /> I had trouble choosing today because I had lots of shots I could have enjoyed talking about and sharing with.<br /> <br /> I also caught a shot with amazingly creepy detail of one bug getting ready to have lunch on another bug:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#903487091_ocz58">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#903487091_ocz58</a><br /> In larger sizes, the eyes are so cool and the detail is just, um, maybe too detailed:-)<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on yesterday's shot and hope you enjoyed the trip to the swamp with me:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/16/10 - Life Is a Journey<br /> Let me start by saying that is was an incredibly good feeling to see that so many of you enjoyed the dragonfly shot from yesterday. Thank you for taking time to review the shot and leave comments. I am constantly inspired by all the great shots on SmugMug each day, and your positive feedback is great encouragement to me to continue to improve my photography and share the best possible pictures with the group. <br /> <br /> This is one of those spots I travel that evokes a special feeling in me. It's hard to put into words, but there is something very touching about driving/walking under the sunlight filtered by the trees especially this time of year. Last year this time, and a few times this year, I stopped to take pictures of this bend in the road when the light seemed so inspiring. That said, it's also one of those locales that's hard to do justice to in a picture. If you aren't standing there smelling the woods and hearing the birds off in the distance and even seeing the occasional butterfly flutter past, you may not be able to feel the same thing I feel when standing there. Even if you were actually there, I'm sure the feeling would be different for each person. But, I had to try to capture it. <br /> <br /> This is a grunge setting in PhotoMatix where I used 3 bracketed images to create the HDR. I compared the ones I did yesterday (vertical and horizontal) with the ones I did on 6/5, and I found that I liked the specific angle and spot of how I captured the bend in the road best on yesterday's version. So, here it is. I like it, but at the same time, it just doesn't quite convey what I'd hoped I don't think. Always good to try new things, though, right? <br /> <br /> This locale is 1/2 mile past my swamp area. I've gone past the swamp, turned around, and am coming back to it. I'm sure at this point in the road I'm wondering if I'll see a turtle or the red-tailed hawks. Will today be the day that I get THAT picture? Guess I'll find out if I keep going.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/15/10 - Halloween Pennant<br /> Up the gravel road from my normal swamp area, soy beans are planted on both sides of the field. They clean up the edges of the road every few years, and then various plants start to grow back like bushy sweet gum trees where song birds nest, Queen Anne's Lace, and soon morning glories. There are always a lot of sticks in this area, and this time of year, there always seem to be a lot of Halloween Pennant dragonflies perching on them. I guess this variety is suited to a slightly less wet area because there's not much water in this location. At any point, this guy hung out on the perch for quite some time, and I took a bunch of pics of him. I have cropped this just a bit to 8X10 size, but otherwise it is SOOC from my S3. I chose this one for the green background tones and detail.<br /> <br /> I also took some pics with Dad's 40D and a borrowed Canon 300mm lens. You may remember that I was not satisfied at all with the pics from the camera/Tamron lens. Here is the best from that camera:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#901480267_UkdAa">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#901480267_UkdAa</a><br /> The detail is about the same or not as good IMO, and I just didn't compose the shot at an angle to get the green background. Instead, I got brown. Great for a science journal but not necessarily as a POTD.<br /> <br /> Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I really must find some new varieties maybe at a new spot. The only variety that I haven't shown yet this year that I've seen in my usual spot is an Emerald.<br /> <br /> In other news, Dad is finally leaving rehab tomorrow. He's excited. I am a bit concerned but hoping he will do well. He went back to the heart doctor who said that his heart had gotten stronger since the test in the ER that had us all so worried. Hopefully Dad will stay strong and be able to enjoy some of his normal activities like trips to the library and meeting a friend for chess or a movie. <br /> <br /> Also, Madi's Dad, Danny, was handed a builders magazine yesterday and was flipping threw it and saw a picture I took at the Museum of Life and Science about a year and a half ago where Madi and Johnny are running down their wetlands boardwalk. I had given the museum permission to use the picture and had sent them the original at one point. I knew they had used it on tent cards at the museum, but I didn't know about the magazine layout. How cool is that! Madi holding up the magazine for me:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#901690135_Vp9ic">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#901690135_Vp9ic</a><br /> I need to try to find a couple of other copies of that magazine!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/14/10 - Praying Mantis<br /> I took Joey to the doc yesterday, and he did indeed have strep throat. They gave him an antibiotic shot, and he should be back in school tomorrow. Whew.<br /> <br /> On the way home from the doc's office, I stopped at the Yates Mill parking lot to see if anything interesting was going on with the Coneflowers. I was delighted to find this Praying Mantis hanging out. I must have taken 50 shots of him as he moved from flower to flower. Then of course I had to scrutinize them for which one to show you. <br /> <br /> I took a few minutes to read this article about them on wikipedia:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis</a><br /> They have compound eyes which makes them appear to have a pupil sometimes. They are predators which means you might see them eating a butterfly or cricket. I can tell you that this guy had no fear of me and actually tried to attack my camera lens:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#900089481_2iSwi">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#900089481_2iSwi</a><br /> Too bad that shot was not in focus!<br /> <br /> I do have a shot that I took last year of a praying mantis eating a black swallowtail butterfly. You don't get to see much of the mantis, but you can see him in action. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Mostly-Moths-Butterflies/5380203_NQszu#329565523_LWXHJ">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Mostly-Moths-Butterflies/5380203_NQszu#329565523_LWXHJ</a><br /> The butterfly was already gone when I happened upon them.<br /> <br /> HOT here. Going to feel like 100 today. It was boiling when I was taking the mantis pics (the kids were cool in the car). It's that time of year when I can't step outside without getting at least 2 mosquito bites. At least we are getting showers to help with watering. I really appreciate it when I don't have to stand there with a watering can or hose and get bit up even more.<br /> <br /> Hope you all have a good week...<br /> Maryann
  • 06/13/10 - Bath Time!<br /> I was so excited to show you a shot from our trip to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham yesterday...that is until this female Cardinal decided to take a bath in the bird bath just outside my kitchen sink window while I was cooking dinner. She stole my heart. Low light and through a window and her moving caused this to be a tad less sharp then I'd like, but I still love it. I adjusted the contrast, upped the sharpening a smidge, and did a slight crop. Another small bird joined her for a bit, but I didn't get a shot off or identify. After her, a Black-<br /> Capped Chickadee took his bath. I love this bird bath! See:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.duncraft.com/index/page/product/product_id/520/category_id/177/category_chain/8">http://www.duncraft.com/index/page/product/product_id/520/category_id/177/category_chain/8</a>,177/product_name/Multi-level+Clamp+on+Deck+Bath<br /> <br /> Pictures of the splish splashing series are here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#898664465_anLdL">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#898664465_anLdL</a><br /> <br /> I put up a blog post about the museum here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2010/06/bubbles-galore-at-bubble-blitz.html">http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2010/06/bubbles-galore-at-bubble-blitz.html</a><br /> There are a couple of collages that sum up the best pics of the day. The museum usually point to my blog posts from their home page after an event, so I try to do an extra good job writing up our experience. The one from the Butterfly Bash is still listed:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ncmls.org">http://www.ncmls.org</a><br /> <br /> Some of you saw on Facebook last night (Maryann Tia Engel Goldman) that Joey was quite sick with a 103 fever. He's up for the morning and playing his video game, and I'll go see how he's really doing after we both wake up more:-) <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/12/10 - The Swamp<br /> Many mornings after the kids are where they need to be, I drive a mile or two to this spot to take pictures. It's hard to get a great shot of the swamp itself...the sky never seems to come out right. Still, with the lilies there this time of year, it's an extra nice view. There's more or less water depending on the time of year and how much the farmer messes with what the beavers are doing just across the street. <br /> <br /> There were actually 2 red-tailed hawks yesterday. A first! Here's a lousy picture at over 100ft. showing both of them very close together in a big, dead tree:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#897410082_ApoUH">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#897410082_ApoUH</a><br /> I will mourn that tree when it falls because of all the great birds that will no longer have their perch and my photo ops of them disappearing. The tree is just off frame to the right in my swamp shot in the middle of the collage above.<br /> <br /> I lucked out and got a black swallowtail yesterday. I was excited about that. I didn't look up the blue dragonfly, but probably a skimmer or dasher. I know the lower dragonfly is a female widow skimmer. <br /> <br /> I just love this spot and really wanted to share in it's entirety the special time I had down there yesterday morning with this collage. Often no cars come by, no other people, and just me and the dragonflies, beavers, and hawks. I like!<br /> <br /> The kids and I are supposed to head to the Bubble Blitz at the museum in Durham today, but Joey is not feeling 100%. I am trying to resurrect him to go.<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the daisy from yesterday... As always I appreciate you stopping by to check out my daily.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/11/10 - Gerber Daisy<br /> I took this shot yesterday in Danny's garden (Madi's yard). It was cloudy...AGAIN...sigh. Sometimes that's a good thing. Often it's irritating to me. The color is very true I think, and I just really like the center and petal ruffles. Danny has many wonderful things in bloom in his garden right now, so more shots may be coming.<br /> <br /> The company I work for got us into the Durham Bulls for Family Night last night. It's always great to spend a night at the ballpark at least a couple of times a year. It was hotter than we would have preferred, but we had a lot of fun anyway. My girlfriend Debbie, Aunt Debbie, was able to meet us there, and we were all very glad to see her. The Bulls won and even hit a grand slam during the game. Here's a collage of the best shots from last night (lots of technical issues):<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897102474_E8hEh">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897102474_E8hEh</a><br /> When The Bull has smoke come out of his nose, that means someone hit a homerun or better:-)<br /> <br /> Something else interesting. This is a close-up of just the bull:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897072049_Zf9nd">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897072049_Zf9nd</a><br /> And this is a version I put through the Standard Standalone Noiseware software and then worked on to blend the seems and paint in the sign:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897091834_F9FvQ">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Durham-Bulls-061010/12509614_4ugeB#897091834_F9FvQ</a><br /> It could use a bit more paint blending work, but it's better at least. If you've ever had a very noisy shot that you wanted to clean up, that Noiseware software really does seem to do a great job. Betsy Foster Breen had recommended it to me, and every time I use it I like the results.<br /> <br /> Thanks for all your congrats and support on my 365 days. I will try very hard this coming year to bring you fresh and exciting things and not just a repeat of last year although I am sure there will be some similarities as the seasons change.<br /> <br /> Oh, and I turned on watermarking in a few albums and probably will turn it on in more. Hopefully it's not too distracting. I had created the watermark quite some time ago but at that time had decided not to use it.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/10/10 - Day 365<br /> Yep, I started posting a daily picture on 6/11/09, so today is the 365th day that I've posted. I've been thinking for about a month what to post today. Should I post another coneflower shot that I took yesterday when I went back to the Yates Mill parking lot, or should I post something special for the day. I chose to show you the photo book that I put together about a month ago at:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.artscow.com">http://www.artscow.com</a>. <br /> <br /> A friend sent me a link to a special deal, I loaded up the 340 or so pics I had at the time and set about creating a 30 page album highlighting my favorites from the year. I printed 5 of them and am keeping one for me and giving the other 4 away to my closest friends who were extra supportive of my daily project this past year. <br /> <br /> I should be able to share a link to the entire book with you, but the links just aren't working. Sorry.<br /> <br /> I was very pleased with their online process for creating the book and how the book turned out. Of course there were a couple of things I'd change, but overall, I was pleased.<br /> <br /> The butterfly on the left is some sort of Fritillary. An American Copper in the center. And American Lady on the right. All taken sometime last June/July. <br /> <br /> An extra special thanks for all the time you spent looking at my galleries last year and leaving comments. You guys are the greatest!<br /> <br /> See you tomorrow!<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> OK, looks like if you go here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.artscow.com/share/365-Project-j6728o9tvyjr">http://www.artscow.com/share/365-Project-j6728o9tvyjr</a><br /> and if you click the link to install Microsoft SilverLight you can see the entire book. I certainly don't expect you to do that although the install was a plugin that just took a minute or so to go on.
  • 06/09/10 - American Lady on Coneflower<br /> I stopped by the Yates Mill parking lot on my way home from work yesterday. I'm not used to trying to capture butterflies in late day light, but I thought I'd give it a go. I got some cool shots of bumblebees on the coneflower and even some shots of milkweed bug, and then finally I found a few butterflies to chase. I've featured an American Lady several times before in my POTDs last spring and once this spring and often in my other galleries. It's an easy favorite. Today's framing up of the flower and butterfly is different than I've done it before. It caught my eye how the light was coming through the butterflies wings in this particular shot. <br /> <br /> I have edited the green background and cropped to 8X10. If you want to see the original, it's here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#894740028_YLGHv">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#894740028_YLGHv</a><br /> I don't usually pp butterfly shots, but I think it was the right thing to do in this case.<br /> <br /> The picture taking at work yesterday afternoon went fine. Hopefully when I send them the link today they will be pleased. <br /> <br /> Thanks for the time you invest each day to visit my POTD...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> Not sure what I did to lose the xif information for this particular shot. That was not intentional.
  • 06/08/10 - Juvenile Red-Bellied Woodpecker<br /> I opened up the window in my home office yesterday for a few minutes to try to take some shots of the birds at my feeder area. All I have out right now is red hot pepper suet, and all the birds just love it. Pictured is a juvenile red-bellied woodpecker. I'm not sure if it's male or female. I know the adult male has a full red cap and the adult female has a red cap that does not come fully up to the nose. I see both at my feeders. There are two juveniles coming right now that look pretty identical, and this seems to be their father as I've seen him putting suet in their mouths:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#893376776_xk5RtTo">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/June-2010/12400102_x8pU2#893376776_xk5RtTo</a> <br /> To me, his eye is stunning in that shot but not much of his body is shown.<br /> <br /> I would prefer to have gotten an on the tree shot vs. on the suet, but I do like the lighting and detail enough in this shot to show it to you.<br /> <br /> Thanks to all of you that took the time to look at the pictures I took this weekend on our mini vacation. I really do appreciate your time and interest.<br /> <br /> Today I get to be the photographer at our Fun in the Sun activity at work. That should be lots of fun!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/07/10- Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers Etc.<br /> It's easy to get lost for hours looking at and taking pictures of wildflowers in the NC mountains. We'd stop at a scenic overlook, and the majority of people would enjoy the breathtaking view. I did too, but mostly I was too caught up in studying the flowers and insects and taking pictures of them. <br /> <br /> What you're looking at starting lower left:<br /> Oxeye Daisy<br /> Galearis Spectabilis<br /> Purple Clover with Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus nittanyensis) butterfly<br /> Flame Azalea<br /> Small's Ragwort<br /> Wet Leaf<br /> Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail<br /> Fire Pink <br /> Blue-eyed Grass (center)<br /> <br /> Also taken but not pictured:<br /> Buttercup<br /> Spiderwort<br /> Goat's Beard<br /> <br /> Websites used to help in the ID:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pbase.com/plantsman/native_wild_orchids&page=all">http://www.pbase.com/plantsman/native_wild_orchids&page=all</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflies.htm">http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflies.htm</a><br /> <br /> I was on the ground knees and elbows for that tiny butterfly shot. That is the only shot that's cropped a lot. I went in for one closer macro shot, and he flew. I was trying to see if these butterflies closely resembled the ones John Bennett was taking in the nature reserve in the UK. That has to be the smallest butterfly that I have captured to date...smaller than a dime.<br /> <br /> It was a great road trip weekend. Very much wishing it wasn't Monday and back to work today. I hope we'll get back to the mountains again later in the year. <br /> <br /> I posted a collage from Day Out with Thomas and a picture of Grandfather Mountain when I got home late yesterday.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/06/10 - Grandfather Mountain - POTD #2 of 2<br /> After spending a good part of Saturday (6/5) at Tweetsie for Day Out with Thomas, we went to Linville and went on Grandfather Mountain. Left is the view from the bottom. See that high peek on the left side, well, that's where I'm standing on the right. Yep, out on the point 1 mile above sea level on what seemed like the top of the world. My hair gives you a good idea of how bad it was blowing! Where was my hair tie!!! Although, it was blowing worse on the swinging bridge in the gap between the two ridges than it was on the point. Fun!<br /> <br /> I'm uploading all the pics now including more of Grandfather Mountain, the Swinging Bridge, and wildflowers from along the Blue Ridge Parkway.<br /> <br /> I really felt like I needed Dakota or one of the other landscape photographers with me to properly do these landscape shots! I HDR'ed the mountain, but the lower limbs are moving so fast in the breeze that it was kindof useless. <br /> <br /> Late note:<br /> I didn't hike to the top! We parked at the Swinging Bridge parking area and then climbed a few flights of steps and walked out to the point which was not THAT far. I had to walk the steps twice because stupid me did not carry my camera case and my batteries died right when we got to the bridge, but other than that bit of extra exercise, no hiking involved. I had like 4 sets of spare batteries in the car at least... I know better than to not carry that darn camera case!<br /> <br /> Later note:<br /> You can see and hear the wind in this video:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Tweetsie-Railroad-DOWT-Trip/12455799_AzgAF#892614716_R3Pud-A-LB">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Tweetsie-Railroad-DOWT-Trip/12455799_AzgAF#892614716_R3Pud-A-LB</a><br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 06/06/10 - Day Out with Thomas at Tweetsie Railroad - POTD #1 of 2<br /> With Father's Day coming up, I made sure to capture some nice pictures of the boys with their Dad. Upper left on the Tweetsie chair lift. Middle left boarding Thomas. Lower right on Thomas. Bottom middle panning for 'gold'. <br /> <br /> This was our first time to Tweetsie, but our 6th DOWT I think. Tweetsie was a great place to go for DOWT with all the other rides and attractions not to mention being so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tweetsie is near Blowing Rock. <br /> <br /> Late posting due to no internet. Home now.<br /> <br /> Late note:<br /> A video of Thomas chugging down the track:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Tweetsie-Railroad-DOWT-Trip/12455799_AzgAF#892525793_uksD7">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Tweetsie-Railroad-DOWT-Trip/12455799_AzgAF#892525793_uksD7</a><br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann

  • irishmurr

    on June 17, 2010

    Good eye to spot this -- wonderful catch!

  • Blink32

    on June 15, 2010

    Awesome! I think I would drop my camera if I saw this in real life. Great details and dof on the very cool insect.

  • Andrea Kaus (ChaosGraphics)

    on June 15, 2010

    kewl!

  • Gene Hyder

    on June 15, 2010

    Outstanding shot. Thanks for the comment.

  • ljn335

    on June 15, 2010

    excellent shot of his pose - awesome detail

  • Kerry Milkie Photography

    on June 14, 2010

    OK, creepy bug - great shot!

  • Lgood

    on June 14, 2010

    This is THE MOST INCREDIBLE photo! Stunning. 10 stars!!!!

  • AmyBarkerPhotography

    on June 14, 2010

    Love this!! Great capture. I hope Joey gets well soon!

  • Howard's Photography

    on June 14, 2010

    Amazing catch Maryann! Would be easy to miss, he blends in so well.

  • Deborah Irene Glessner

    on June 14, 2010

    Mantises fascinate me! A friend told me yesterday that one bit her when she was trying to move it off the road so it wouldn't get run over.
    Great shot, Maryann.

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