CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-24 19:35:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Did you know there is a G+ community lending team for +Kiva ?
+G+ers for Kiva - it looks like activity has stagnated, but I know there are people in my circles who support Kiva. Maybe we can infuse some enthusiasm back into the group! :)
 +Carmelyne Thompson

2013-05-22 20:00:19 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

WE'RE BAAAACK! 14 days, 6174 miles, 15 states, and a good time was had by all! ~ We're home from our vacation. We had great visits with family, saw a lot of scenery and various critters, ate a bunch of good food, and had safe travels. I'll be gradually sorting and sharing photos and stories. :)

#roadtrip  

2013-05-22 04:54:02 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Oklahoma...

2013-05-19 12:00:23 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

This is my alternate shot #3 for last week's project theme of "Framed" - I call it "Frog Prince." The heart-shaped sign that it looks like he is holding is just the reflection of his chin. I actually did minimal processing of this shot, mainly cropping and making black & white, and then adding the words. 

Project 52 B&W Week 20: FRAMED 

Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-18 14:28:56 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Sometimes it's all I can do to come up with the one image for our weekly project. But other times I have more photo ops, or am just more creatively prolific. This week I ended up with four images to choose from. I already posted my "official" submission for this week's theme of "Framed." Here is alternate shot #2, "Mercedez Peek-a-boo."

Project 52 B&W Week 20: FRAMED

Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 
and tagging +JoAnne Longacre 

2013-05-18 01:21:00 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

New Google+ Users: Meet The New Google+
Everything "+" on one post (expand the post)

1. The new Google+
Meet the new Google+: A stream with style and smarts 
Google+: Related Hashtags
Hangouts: Conversations that last, with the people you love
More: googleplusproject.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-google-stream-hangouts-and-photos.html

2. How-To Google+ Videos
Google+: How to get started 
Google+: About circles
Google+: Fun with Hangouts
Google+: Reading and responding
Google+: Sharing
Google+: Set Up Your Profile
Google+: Find people you know
Google+ Communities: A place for whatever you're into
Google+ Events: Introducing a new way to get together
Google+ Photos: Great photos, in less time
Bring your conversations to life with Hangouts
Google+: Share photoa... more »

2013-05-17 11:49:22 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 52 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 20: FRAMED

FREEZE-FRAMED
Green scent of summer
Framing a moment
Of youthful freedom

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

I saw this window framed by tree branches in the park, and set up to wait for the perfect picture to appear in it. Just after the duck hopped up onto the rock, the little girl moved into the frame, and there was my moment. Taken with my Canon PowerShot and processed for contrast and exposure and black & white.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-16 02:13:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

A little birdie told me that it's thank +Alan Shapiro day. I hope this offering approaches being "Alan-worthy" - and thank you sir for all you do for the photography community, even for us novice schmucks. :) 

2013-05-15 17:04:43 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

For my crafty girls, +Cindy Norris +Bonnie Shackles +Lindy Norris +Jeanne Shackles +Elisa Collier , I saw these and thought, "What a cute idea, my girls could make these, but even better!"

2013-05-14 02:22:33 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

This woman celebrated her 100th birthday today by skiing a run at ABasin. There was a huge party there cheering her on. Amazing!

2013-05-11 03:27:30 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 53 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 19: FOOD

BOVINE LIMERICK
There once was a cow named Bossy
Her attitude being quite saucy
She asked for some hay
Then munching away
Declared that she felt like a hossy

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Complete silliness this week! :)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-09 03:40:33 (9 comments, 3 reshares, 40 +1s)

PRAIRIE THUNDERSTORM
A golden sunbeam
Pierces tumultuous clouds
The sharp scent of rain

A ray of afternoon sunlight illuminates a distant farmhouse beneath the gathering darkness of an approaching thunderstorm; Eastern plains, Colorado, USA; taken with my Canon PowerShot.

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

2013-05-08 04:08:34 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 27 +1s)

GREAT BLUE HERON ~ Fishing along the shores of the Colorado River. We don't see this kind of bird here very often, he was a beauty! 

2013-05-07 01:38:55 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

LIGHT BUBBLES ~ Another version of the daisy I posted earlier, this one in color, close-up, and with floating bokeh bubbles. :)

2013-05-06 15:26:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

OPEN HEART ~ It feels like everyone and their uncle has done a version of this shot. But I love daisies, and the way the light was hitting this caught my eye. So Happy Monday - may your heart be open to all that is good in your life today. :)

For #MonochromeMonday (+Monochrome Monday) by +Hans Berendsen , +Jerry Johnson , +Steve Barge, +Dominique Hilbert , +David Orr and +Martin Heller

2013-05-05 01:55:53 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Hey +Zach McGregor and +Denni McGregor  - Just thought I'd mention that The +Piano Guys are going to be doing a concert in Modesto on June 15. :)

2013-05-04 19:42:26 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 35 +1s)

FAMILY OUTING ~ My dad just sent me this picture of a family of geese out for a stroll past his house. :)
Jacksonville, Florida, USA

2013-05-04 17:42:41 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

JUST HORSING AROUND ~ This was my runner-up shot for this week's Project 52 B&W Week 18: SPEED theme. It's not my official entry, so there's no poem to go with it - try to contain your disappointment. These horses were spotted on our drive around the Rifle Gap area last week.  ;)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-03 06:01:38 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 61 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 18: SPEED

BEING ME
Do not judge my journey
By the speed of yours
For we shall both reach the same end
In our due time

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

I admit this is an unusual interpretation of the theme, but speed can simply refer to a measurement of velocity, and doesn't necessarily have to mean fast. I was also in a bit of a rebellious mood this week and wanted to do something that was a different take on the theme. I love the look of fierce determination on this little guy's face - he might not be first, but he'll get there!  :)  This is a box turtle, photographed in his home at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens with my Canon PowerShot, edited for exposure, contrast, and black & white.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by+Tis... more »

2013-05-03 05:08:58 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I've been watching for the most recent +Chrysta Rae Scavenger Hunt reveal. I thought the hunt was in March or April? I had to sit this one out, but have been looking forward to seeing the reveals. Can anyone clue me in?

2013-05-03 00:07:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Steaming Along

#photosquared  +PhotoSquared 

#Rustedrailimages  http://bit.ly/10vhlNT

2013-05-02 14:58:04 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

TEDDY-BEAR CHOLLA   Cylindropuntia bigelovii
As we dig out from the foot of snow that fell on our house yesterday, here's a sunny image from our visit to Grand Junction, Colorado last week, where it was 85F degrees. My mother-in-law and I visited the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, and I loved how this cholla stood out against the backdrop of the still-snowy Grand Mesa.

For +Cactus Thursday  by +Evelin Inauen  and +Natascha Schröder  #cactusthursday  

2013-05-02 04:35:29 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Good-night to the Googlesphere. The snow is still coming down lightly.  Bentley and Cheyenne were keeping an eye on the birdy buffet outside, but they weren't willing to wade through the foot of snow to get closer.

2013-05-02 00:07:39 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

OVER A FOOT OF FRESH SNOW SO FAR TODAY, AND IT'S STILL SNOWING! ~ If you ski or ride, you'll want to catch first chair tomorrow morning at +Arapahoe Basin  or +Loveland Ski Area - talk about epic spring snow! Watch the time lapse below and see the snow pile up, starting at about 3 AM. The downside is that with the deep snow comes increased avalanche danger, so be smart, be equipped, and stay alive!

2013-05-01 18:29:08 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

BIRDY BUFFET ~ The snow keeps coming down, and the poor little birds are swarming my feeders. I cleared a spot on the deck railing for them, and have put seed out three times already today. The photo is blurry because of how thick the snowflakes are coming down!

2013-05-01 14:09:18 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 22 +1s)

Happy May 1 from snowy Colorado! ~ We have six inches of fresh snow, and it's still coming down. Robin is not amused.

2013-04-29 03:21:01 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Goofing off at Augusta's Tea Room  with my sisters +Cindy Norris and +Bonnie Shackles.

2013-04-28 14:56:00 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

I interrupt my regularly scheduled black & white photos to bring you this splash of spring color. :)
RED BIRD ~ A red finch hiding among the flower buds on a blossoming tree.

2013-04-27 03:55:31 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 17: NIGHT LIGHTS

LAMPPOST
Boiling clouds in darkest night
Thoughts in tumult filled with fright
Through the mist a beacon bright
Enlivens hope for morning's light

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-04-24 17:35:56 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Frisco, Colorado ~ Just playing around with pencil sketch editing. :)

2013-04-24 13:48:58 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Golden Couple - my digital painting

- I use Photoshop & Intuos04 Wacom for all my digital paintings.
- On the average, it takes me about 50 hours to complete a painting.
- What is digital painting? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_painting
- How did I learn this?  Google free tutorials.  Study, Practice & Repeat! :)
- Links to some free tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/arpabz6

2013-04-24 04:41:37 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Moon rises over the barn

Took this as I was leaving for the night. Good night everyone!

2013-04-24 04:23:58 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

I love +stacy taylor's whimsical paintings! This little ski bunny is coming to live with me. :) Check out her other paintings at www.stacysartstudio.etsy.com.

2013-04-22 16:23:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ~ This one is mainly for the Front Range and Denver Metro areas, with some spill-over into Summit County.
This afternoon through tomorrow morning, snow will develop and become heavy, making travel on the I-70 corridor difficult. NOAA is discouraging unnecessary travel. Expect poor visibility, snowy roads, traffic delays, and road closures. The foothills and metro area could see 6 to 12 inches, with 3 to 8 in the mountains. It sounds like this could be winter's final fling, with clearing weather and the great spring meltdown beginning on Wednesday.

Thanks to +Joel Gratz at OpenSnow.com for the photo share.

2013-04-21 01:48:17 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 35 +1s)

ABOUT TO FALL ~ This sheet of snow, complete with icicle fringe, had crept glacier-like over the eaves. About five minutes after I took this photo, the whole thing slid off and crashed to the ground.

2013-04-19 19:55:41 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

I just downloaded this awesomesauce by +Peter Hollens and  Jonathan Wong. All sounds made with the human mouth and voice!  Download link:  http://ldr.fm/UXvFx

2013-04-19 06:01:06 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 47 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 16: FADE

WATCHED
Blending to the background
I sit unseen
And watch
The things that will happen
When no one knows
I'm here

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Bentley playing in the snow. Taken with my Canon PowerShot set on manual black & white, exposure post-processed to achieve camouflage effect.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-04-15 15:25:32 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 41 +1s)

DARK-EYED JUNCO ~ (Junco hyemalis)
Taken with my Canon PowerShot and post-processed to "pencil sketch" style.

Prints: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/dark-eyed-junco-karen-shackles.html

#monochromemonday  +Monochrome Monday by +Hans Berendsen , +Jerry Johnson , +Steve Barge, +Dominique Hilbert , +David Orr and +Martin Heller 

2013-04-14 15:19:38 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

IT'S A SPRING POWDER DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS! ~ In the words of +Joel Gratz , meteorologist extraordinaire, "Go skiing. Go skiing now."

We measured six inches in town, and up to a foot at the higher elevations, with lots of drifting. As you can see from the photo, the municipal plows are out, churning up the "ice chunk berms of doom" across driveway entrances. Our full crew is out, so we'll have everyone cleaned up soon. If you have a special need, give us a call, the office is open today.

The sun is out, but it's still windy, so dress accordingly when you go out to play. It's a sunscreen and goggles day. Snow reports for the resorts still open: Beaver Creek with 15", Vail and Copper with 13", Breckenridge and Aspen Mountain with 12", Loveland and Aspen Highlands with 11", and Winter Park and Snowmassw... more »

2013-04-15 15:34:12 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 63 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 15: FLOWER

TOKEN OF AFFECTION
Coiled petals unfurl
Perfectly imperfect
Like him

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)
Prints: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/token-of-affection-karen-shackles.html

It has been snowing off and on all week, and short of stalking the floral arrangements at the grocery store, I had nothing to shoot. I had just decided to take a picture of a pinecone when +Steve Shackles walked in and gave me some lilies. Taken with my Canon PowerShot set on manual black & white, ISO 100, F4, 1/30 exposure, with lighting adjustments and soft focus added in post-processing.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-04-12 17:46:54 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

"BERLIN" ~ new original composition from the +Piano Guys.

2013-04-12 02:46:52 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

My personal trainer gave us a recumbent exercise bike, and we rearranged the living room. The rule now is, if the TV is on, one of our butts has to be on that bike. :)

2013-04-09 15:51:57 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

SIGNS OF SPRING ~ It is still snowing, but the robins have returned, along with the bluebirds, jays, red-winged blackbirds  and osprey. This is how we know it is spring, as we look out the window at snowflakes coming down and a yard that still has a foot of snow on the grass. :)

2013-04-09 03:38:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

What's spinning on my Google Play right now .... this is such a great album.

2013-04-08 16:35:23 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTY ~ Peaks of the Gore Range, Summit County (central mountains), Colorado.

Taken with my Canon PowerShot. It was a gray stormy afternoon - although our skies do look like this at times, in this photo the purple tint was done in post-processing.  Shared for +Mountain Monday by +Michael Russell. #mountainmonday  

2013-04-07 23:00:52 (9 comments, 4 reshares, 36 +1s)

FIRST BLUEBIRD 2013 ~ I was driving along when a flash of blue caught the corner of my eye. I pulled over, and sure enough - there was my first bluebird sighting of the year. Even though we're under a winter storm watch for the next couple of days, this is evidence that summer is getting closer! :)

2013-04-07 02:03:59 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

SUMMER DREAMS ~ Dry docked sailboats waiting im patiently for the ice to melt on Lake Dillon. Another six to eight weeks until sailing weather. :) 

"Sailing" by Christopher Cross:  http://goo.gl/fLO9j
Well it's not far down to paradise, at least's not for me
If the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see, believe me

It's not far to never, never land, reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see, believe me

Sailing, takes me away
To where I've always heard it
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
Soon I will be free

Fantasy, it gets the best of me when I'm sailing
All caught up in the reverie
Every word is a symphony,w... more »

2013-04-06 00:21:24 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 46 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 14: TRANSPORTATION

TO BOLDLY GO
Curiosity burns
Adventure calls
Imagination soars
          Power invades

We yearn to go
To see
To explore
          To plunder

Will we learn
To respect
To share
          Not destroy?

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Transportation - from foot to steed to all the incarnations of the wheel and engines, to wings. Mankind has traveled far - and sadly many great migrations and inventions of travel have been made or used in the act of invasion and war. May our next steps be peaceful.
Taken with my Canon PowerShot on a semi-overcast afternoon, ISO 100, F5, 1/800 exposure, cropped, and processed to black & white.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curatedby +Tisha Craw , ... more »

2013-04-02 17:56:21 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Congratulations to +Ellen Kobach +Heather Carew +Brian Birch and +Martin Tirado for your recent promotions in the Snow & Ice Management Association! As a snow plowing contractor, and an Association member, we appreciate all of your hard work in behalf of our industry.

2013-03-31 07:00:19 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

My beautiful cousin got married today. :)