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2013-03-10 20:07:48 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

+SacredSunday™
The Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago Il
Had occasion to visit this beautiful sanctuary from the hustle and bustle outside it's doors.

2013-03-06 22:27:25 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

I have enjoyed a lively flock of these hardy fellows at my feeder this winter. This guy was kind enough to pose nicely for me.
Sharing today with #backyardbirdingmonday #birdloversworldwide (I know it's not Monday - I forgot to post it then!)

2013-02-26 22:00:46 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

There are so many amazing photogs on Google+ I rather hesitate to post this notice. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, so here goes.
I have posted my first ever Blog. Check it out, I would love some feed back. Too long? Too short? Too many images? Not enough detail? Any suggestions for improvements would be gratefully received. Thanks for your time and effort in critiquing this post.

2013-02-11 17:47:41 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

This little Redpoll decided to get away from the rest of his buddies at the feeder and checked out the sunflower heads in the garden. He was nice enough to put on an acrobatic display while he dined.

Sharing today with #backyardbirdingmonday +Celeste Odono and +Ricky L Jones and all #birdloversworldwide  

2013-01-10 16:05:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I have made a promise to myself that I will set up a web site over this winter. I got looking into it and oh boy its a tough decision on what to use. I am wondering if anyone out there has any recommendations for me. An added consideration is - I'm Canadian! Some providers charge huge shipping rates to Canadian destinations.
Thanks for any input!

2012-10-01 14:23:37 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

A lovely dawn on the Red Deer River at Dinosaur Provincial Park. Sharing today with #mirrormonday for +Gemma Costa and +Elizabeth Edwards as well as #landscapephotography for +Margaret Tompkins 

2012-10-01 14:04:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Week 40 - Colours

#2012Project52 for +Giuseppe Basile & +Kate Church with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler (hope you get your mojo flowing)

One more opportunity to enjoy the fall colours before they are gone and with forecast of snow for mid week that may be soon.

2012-09-25 16:24:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Week 39 - Negative Space

Oops looks like I'm a day late! Sorry! Here is my take on negative space for #2012project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church and moderated by +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-09-17 15:47:59 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Week 38 - Autumn

I'm fortunate to live in an area where a 40 minute drives puts me in the heart of Kananskis Country. Went out yesterday with friends for a picnic and to take in the beautiful scenery. This one for #2012Project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile & +Kate Church with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson  and one who always has a kind word to share +Sue Butler 

2012-09-11 23:08:54 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Week 37 - In the Garden
My contribution to this weeks theme for #2012Project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and last but never least +Sue Butler

There's a feeling of frost in the air in the mornings now so I don't think we will see these green delicacies ripen but their faster ripening companions were certainly tasty.

2012-09-08 02:52:47 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

#birdloversworldwide by +Robert SKREINER and +Walter Soestbergen

This beauty comes for his breakfast every day, so I told him if he expected me to feed him when he calls the least he can do is pose for an occasional photo. He showed me his good side!

2012-09-08 02:22:32 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

+Margaret Tompkins suggested I should share this with #landscapephotography and that sounded like a very good idea.

2012-09-08 02:17:54 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

A surf lesson for #FoggyFriday curated by +Thomas Russ Arnestad 

2012-09-06 03:31:34 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Week 35 - Sunset, a view from the summit of the Highwood Pass, Kananaskis Country, Alberta Canada

Closing in on being caught up for #2012Project52 +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church and moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-09-06 03:23:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Week 34 - Portrait

I was invited to photograph part of my lovely niece's wedding which took place at the top of a mountain - mode of transport to the top - a gondola.
Sharing today with #2012Project52 for +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church and moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-09-06 03:10:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Week 30 - The S Curve

Another in my "catch up" series for #2012Project52 for +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church moderated by +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-08-29 22:42:46 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Week 33 - Textures for #2012Project52
+Giuseppe Basile & +Kate Church and +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler

I had occassion to visit the Bar U National Historic Site during their old time ranch rodeo festivities - I found the leather, metal and denim this cowboy was wearing to be full of texture and character.

2012-08-29 21:52:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Another "catch up"! Also from my visit to Vancouver Island, this time on the west side in the town of Ucluelet. #2012Project52
Week 31 - Sillouette
+Giuseppe Basile & +Kate Church  - +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-08-29 21:31:14 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

I've gone back through my album and taken stock of missing weeks, since I was doing lots of shooting throughout most of those missing weeks I will try to fill in the spaces with images shot in the corresponding weeks and when completed with those will shoot new images to fulfill the challenge. That said, here is Week 29 - Summer/Winter for #2012Project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church as well as moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler

Summer holidays took us to one of my fav locations - Vancouver Island, where we happened upon these hang gliders sailing above the sea, sand and shore.

2012-08-26 16:31:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Had a great time shooting kayakers practicing their skills a few evening ago turns out to be a good topic to share with #sportssunday +Jörg Seidel and +Mike Criss  as well as #splashsunday and +Christy Martin 

2012-08-26 16:11:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

They are not pros but they are pretty intense anyway in this Family Dodge Ball Grudge Match - Kids vs Older Kids for #SportsSunday curated by +Jörg Seidel and +Mike Criss 

2012-08-24 17:03:44 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Here's a pair of lovely Irises to share with #FloralFriday. It's been so long since I've been around I sure do hope that +Tamara Pruessner is still curating one of my fav themes.

2012-07-28 21:41:14 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Some people just don't think the rules apply to them. For #SignSunday curated by +Jonathan Davis and +Lori Carey 

2012-07-22 02:26:42 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Here's one for #StoneSaturday curated by +Antoine Berger and +Jen Baptist 
The "Big Rock" near Okotoks AB is the world's largest known glacial erratic. At 15,000 tonne this quartzite boulder is a destination for photographers and climbers alike.

2012-07-22 02:07:41 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

It's been awhile since I had anything new to share with #RuralSaturday, hope to get out searching for blooming canola fields this week - in the mean time here is a shot taken in the spring, for +Mario Cerroni 

2012-07-18 16:29:57 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

#birdpoker - mostly white head curated by +Phil Armishaw 

2012-07-09 22:01:33 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

I think I have slipped rather behind in my submissions (June is always a busy busy month) and now I am away on holidays. I dragged my poor husband out early the other morning looking for Fisgard Lighthouse as per +Andrew Willard 's recommendation but they don't open the gates until 10:00 a.m. Made a swift change to plan B and was happy with the results.
#monochrome52 curated by +Shane Raynard and +Linda Villers 

2012-07-02 22:57:46 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Week 27 - Red, White, Blue for #2012project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church Moderated by +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and of course +Sue Butler

Canada Day celebrations on July 1st - so I decided to have a go at fireworks. Learned lots and looking forward to another opportunity (without waiting a whole year!) to improve. One important lesson I learned was to carry a small flashlight so I can see what settings I am changing to!

2012-06-25 20:21:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

The Highwood River that runs through my town is usually a lovely spot to enjoy a little respite from the heat of August or catch a trout or two in the evenings but in the spring it can be a totally different creature. With water coming down from the mountain snowpack Spring run-off and above normal rainfall our friend has turned into a dangerous and threatening torrent of muddy water.
#2012Project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-06-22 16:36:09 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 9 +1s)

I managed to catch this Harris Hawk at the moment she hit her handler's hand - more a matter of good luck than good management. When I tried to catch it again it turned into a disaster. Moral of the story - be satisfied with what you got the first time, sometimes it is the best you are going to do.
Sharing today with #birdpoker "Best Shots" curated by +Phil Armishaw 

2012-06-16 18:40:21 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Sometimes we make things harder than we should. I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with something novel for this weeks theme then last night we decided to enjoy a fire out on the patio. Our Springer Spaniel settled into a chair near her dear master and gazed lovingly at him. Couldn't resist, pulled my phone out and got this shot.
Love for #project522012 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church  with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler 

2012-06-15 17:09:14 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Meet Snoopy, a permanent resident of the Alberta Bird of Prey Recovery Centre in Coaldale AB. Somehow I missed putting this shot into my last post. Sharing to day with #BirdPoker "scavengers" for +Phil Armishaw 

2012-06-15 17:03:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

This is Snoopy, he's a Turkey Vulture and a resident of the Alberta Bird of Prey Recovery Centre located at Coaldale AB. You may recognize him from the opening scene in Shanghai Noon where he was nibbling on Owen Wilson's ear. Visiting the center provided a wonderful opportunity to photograph numerous birds of prey, practice techniques and to learn more about some of the lessor known raptors and scavengers as well the their more famous relatives.
#BirdPoker "Scavengers" curated by +Phil Armishaw 

2012-06-08 15:34:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

#BirdPoker "snow or sand" curated by +Phil Armishaw
This Northern Shrike flew into my patio window and immediately got himself up into a nearby tree to regain his senses. That gave me an opportunity to change lens, fire off 50 shots and get my bird identification book out. After reading about this fellow I was glad to see him leave my yard (never to return) and leave the visitors to my feeder alone.

2012-06-06 16:30:04 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Sorry I'm late posting - I have lots of excuses I won't bore you with.
Got this shot of a Harris Hawk while visiting the Alberta Bird of Prey Rescue Centre. Visiting a location like that gives you a wonderful opportunity to practice that would take months in "the wild".
#Monochrome52 curated by +Shane Raynard and +Linda Villers 

2012-06-06 15:48:03 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

We've been having some dramatic weather around here lately so I headed out during a break in the action to see what I could shot.
#widewednesdaypanorama curated by +Ken McMahon and +Lucille Galleli 

2012-06-06 15:00:09 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

#BirdPoker - Posts - curated by +Phil Armishaw
This lovely Mountain Bluebird was taking a little breather from supplying food to his nest of hungry babies.

2012-06-05 02:46:59 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Week 23! How is that possible already?
I wish I had framed this fellow a little better but the heart gets beating a little faster when trying to get the shot in what time your given.
#2012Project52 curated by +Kate Church and +Giuseppe Basile with moderators +Gretchen Chappelle +Greg Berdan +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and last but by no means least +Sue Butler (who always has a kind word to say - Thanks Sue)

2012-05-30 17:43:07 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

We had rain yesterday so when the weather broke up nearing sunset I headed out to see if I could catch some interesting skies. The colours were awesome but I was curious to see how the view would look in B&W. I like the results - hope you do too.
#Monochrome52 curated by +Linda Villers and +Shane Raynard as I am a little late posting this I guess I can include #bwlandscapewednesday curated by +Francesco Gallarotti

2012-05-30 17:48:31 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Went out shooting last night when there was a break in the rain and headed to a high point hoping to see some interesting skies. Didn't have long before it started to rain on me but I did get this pano. Hope you enjoy.
#widewednesdaypanorama curated by +Charles Lupica

2012-05-29 03:39:27 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

On the morning my son was getting married I decided to head down to the beach to get a shot of the sunrise. On my way I saw this beautiful reflection and had to stop and see if I could capture it for #MirrorMonday curated by +Gemma Costa and +Elizabeth Edwards

2012-05-29 03:30:29 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I took some liberties with the project this week. The amended theme being something that represents us - I really struggled with that as there are a number of things that are deeply important to me. So I got toying with an image of me and building on it until I ended up with this composite of myself, my family, some friends - doing things I love like travel, enjoying nature, my country and my photography. Hope this is okay with you +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church for #2012Projects52 and moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler

2012-05-24 20:03:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

This juvenile Red Bellied Woodpecker was getting anxious to try his wings. I'm not sure I would be in such a hurry to leave this tropical locale.
#BirdPoker, Juvenile curated by +Phil Armishaw

2012-07-07 14:00:18 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I had the good fortune to travel to Playa del Carmen a couple of weeks ago and it is just a few hours drive to Chichen Itza so a group of us hired a van to take us there. Very neat! Very hot even in May! Also very old - so I am posting this image for #HistoryThursday curated by +Matt Shalvatis and #travelthursday curated by +Laura Mitchum.
My first glimpse of El Castillo was through some trees but I started shooting immediately anyway and I found that I liked the extra something that the trees gave the image.

2012-05-27 18:25:14 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Thanks to challenges of the Project52-2012 I had experimented with long exposures in obtaining night shots. In this one I also played with the aperture setting much to my delight. Life is one long lesson.
Sharing today with #longexposurethursday curated by +Le Quoc and +Francesco Gola

2012-05-23 15:30:21 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

I would like to share this image with #waterfallwednesday curated by +Eric Leslie. It is my first successful attempt at blurring the water as it drops over the edge of the fall. I had to composite two images as I did not have a ND filter and it was a bright day so I couldn't slow down my shutter speed without blowing out the rest of the image. I think it worked - what do you think?

2012-05-22 15:32:04 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

I felt an invitation to sit and relax in the shade of this wonderful old tree during a visit to the Nikka Yuko Gardens in Lethbridge AB over the weekend.
Would like to share the experience with #TreeTuesday curated by +Christina Lawrie

2012-05-22 02:16:20 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

A visit to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge over the weekend was an enjoyable and peacefully way to spend some time with my daughter.

#Monochrome52 curated by +Shane Raynard and +Linda Villers

2012-05-22 01:26:46 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Week 21 - Mostly White
#2012Project52 curated by +Giuseppe Basile and +Kate Church with moderators +Greg Berdan +Gretchen Chappelle +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson and +Sue Butler

We are just into blossoming trees this past week and as I was out shooting I realized they are "mostly white" I realize that's not very inventive but I love shooting blossoms.

2012-05-15 22:32:54 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

True confessions, I did not go out shooting with the intent of going monochrome but as I walked around Chichen Itza I couldn't help but wonder how these pyramids would look finished this way.
#Monochrome52 curated by +Shane Raynard and +Linda Villers