Day 151

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/4.0, 1/200 sec.

Day 151 - The Daily Raindrop

We woke up to what else, but more rain. I perused the acre all morning long looking for the perfect raindrop trying to catch the rain breaks in between gusts of wind. To say the least, there were some prtty awesome raindrops today.

This little beauty was sitting on the edge of the newly opened calla lily.

Day 150

ISO 200, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec.

Day 150 - Butterflies still getting the best of me

Today was one of those days that no matter what, I couldn't focus on the broad side of a barn if it were standing still and I was using a tripod and auto focus. Sheesh. If I couldn't focus on a building, what was I doing with butterflies?

Couldn't help myself. These guys have presented a challenge to me that I'm just not going to let go of. I bought myself a frequent flyer pass. One year for as many trips to Wings of Wonder that can fit in.

This time I was a tad bit smarter. Camera and macro lens only, minimal clothing as required by law and something to wipe my lens and glasses off as we acclimated to the greenhouse/sauna.

I walked out of there feeling like I just bought a season pass to a perpetual hot flash.

Hmmmm, this might require the new 100mm macro IS lens... wouldn't want to waste my season pass.

Day 149

ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0, 1/4 sec.

Day 149 - Yellow Spray

We have a garden that a succulent plant has started to call it's own. Today when I went out to my car I noticed these beautiful tiny star shaped flowers growing out of the plant. I'd love an ID if anyone knows what it is.


The spray of flowers.

Day 148

ISO 100, 100 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec.

Day 148 - The Object of My Affection

Everyone knows I love my dogs, but this guy, my Danny Bleu, is a real heart breaker.

We'll be wishing him a happy 9th birthday tomorrow.

Day 147

ISO 100, 100 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec.

Day 147 - Coming Soon

The calla lily is probably one of my favorite late spring/early summer flowers and ours is jus about to bloom.

This guy was a bit of a challenge tonight. It's really windy and the plant is right up against our white house. We have an oak barrel in that same garden, so I had to be a bit of a contortionist to get the oak barrel as a dark background. I was not inclined to set up the lighting outside and this is what I got almost standing on my head trying every setting the camera offered.

Day 146

Day 146 - They don't make 'em...

Like they used to. I have always loved old classic cars. I admit it, when I find one rusting out in a field, chills run up and down my spine with excitement.

This is the horn cap from a 1950 Plymouth Cambridge coupe. The detail of the schooner is awesome. Something the newer cars have replaced with things like air conditioning and automatic transmission.


This is the abandoned car from a field in March. The horn cap had already been removed and left to weather in the dirt.

I tucked it away for safe keeping for a night like tonight. I went to the dentist for a root canal only to find out that the root was cracked.

My best option was to yank the damn thing out. RIP little tooth.

Day 145

ISO 200, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/80 sec.

Day 145 - Oh My!

It rained today. [Detecting sarcasm in my voice]

This is a branch from our maple tree. I've watched those raindrops gather all month, but the wind has accompanied the rain. Tonight, sans wind, the raindrops gathered together once again just for me.

It's Twitter Tuesday.

Day 144

ISO 100, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec.

Day 144 - Tuckered Puppy

'Nuff said. Have a grand evening.

Day 143

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/32, 2.0 sec.

Day 143 - Cheering on Spring

The norfolk pine is just starting to get it's new growth.

After an afternoon of torrential downpour, we had some calm and balmy weather. 50°, no wind, no rain.

Some of the new growth looks like pom poms and I can only believe in my heart of hearts that the norfolk is cheering on a little more spring like weather, just like me.

Day 142

ISO 250, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/100 sec.

Day 142 - Butterflies are tough

Today we found a new treasure and another quality justification for web surfing. I randomly discovered that 23 miles west of us we have a live butterfly exhibit, Wings of Wonder.

We drove out there knowing it would be one of the few rain-free zones we could go to. Wow, what a great surprise. The butterflies were amazing.

The minute we walked into the exhibit, we were surrounded by butterflies. The electric blue ones were stunning. Almost immediately everything disappeared because our glasses fogged up as did my camera lens.

We wandered around as everything de-fogged and I was off.

Flying butterflies were nearly impossible to catch and really do them the justice they deserve. Most of the butterflies that landed were still a moving target, but it was a ton of fun. I have a whole new respect for some of the photographers that have great macro shots of insects.

Can't wait to go back.

Day 141

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/30 sec.

Day 141 - Raindrops and roses

The unruly aphid bush is about to bloom. I'm not really sure why because it certainly has not seen much sun this week.

Here's a newsflash, forecast for this week-end... more rain. Shocking.

If anyone has any extra spring they are not using, please send it to Oregon. Apparently whoever is in charge of the weather inventory missed putting spring on the order form.

Day 140

IOS100, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec.

Day 140 - Curly-Q

This spring during clean-up, the yard guy cut our unruly, out-of-control pampas grass back. New sprouts are just beginning to come in amongst all of the curly-q's.

Day 139

ISO 100, 100mm, f/2.8, HDR 1/100 sec., 1/400 sec., 1/25 sec.

Day 139 - Pining for a sunrise

The skies were vivid this morning (we paid for it later with high winds and sideways rain).

I made a mad dash out to catch the sunrise, which was quite pretty above the roof tops.

I had been working on a project early this morning before heading into work and when I turned around to rush back into the house, I noticed that the grove of cedar trees behind our house were on fire. What a sight. Within minutes they were back to a very dull dark green.

Day 138

ISO 100, 100mm, f/14, 1/2000 sec.

Day 138 - Edgy

The sky was quite animated tonight after work. Forecast calls for... rain. How original.

Day 137

ISO 100, 50mm, f/2.5, 1/250 sec.

Day 137 - Nope

We have three greyhounds that are litter mates and today was their 8th birthday. To say the least I spent a lot of time over the week-end trying to take their pictures.

It rained for most of today so I thought we'd do a little lighting thing inside tonight.

This was my response. Nope.

In all fairness to their beauty, here's the link to their birthday post. Itsa Greyt Day

Day 136

ISO 100, 100mm, f/11, 1/6 sec.

Day 136 - Henline Creek

One of my favorite places to visit is the Opal Creek Wilderness Area about one hour east of Salem.

We didn't spend to much time up there today, but we did get a chance to see what the spring run-off was doing.

I was standing on a bridge about 40 ft. above the water. In another six weeks this cascade will be non-existant, Henline Creek will be just a trickle.

Day 135

ISO 100, 200mm, f/4.0, 1/320 sec.

Day 135 - Too close for comfort

We went over to the duck pond at sunrise this morning to see how all of the little babies were doing. The babies that entertained us last week were twice the size this week and there were more adorable babies.

I was mostly entertained by a pair of killdear running along the edge of the pond, flying off, flying back and singing all morning. As I walked along the edge of the pond one of them landed in front of me and behaved in a way I thought peculiar, but as I would get closer she would fly off and come back and do it again.

I looked it up when I got home only to find out that she considered me a predator. Apparently she had a nest nearby and she was pretending to be injured so that I wouldn't harm her babies.

She was an excellent actress, she's got a great look of fear in her eyes and every time she went into her act she was looking back at me.

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/4.0, 1/160 sec.

This feather was laying in the grass near the pond.

Day 134

ISO 100, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec.

Day 134 - Cute as a bug

It is so windy tonight, I wasn't sure I was going to find something to to make me happy. This little guy flew into the unruly rosebush to check me out.

I was on manual focus and the challenge got very interesting as I wove back and forth trying to hold the branch steady with one hand and hold the camera and find a focus with the other.

Glad this little guy was curious for a minute because he didn't stay around for very long.

One of the best parts of my 365 project is Twitter, I have interacted with many people and admired the talents of several photographers.

I started following an incredibly talented photographer @thetrudz. I love her work and her blog. I was honored when she wanted to interview me and today it was posted.

Here's the link. Thanks Trudy! http://blog.trushots.com/2010/05/female-photographer-spotlight-terri.html

Day 133

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/32, 5.0 sec.

Day 133 - Strawberry Fields Forever

Several years ago we planted a few pink strawberry starters. We gave them the usual "you are on your own" speech before their roots hit the soil.

They have really spread nicely. I don't normally pay to much attention to them. The strawberries are incredibly sweet and delicious, but they are also very small so we usually let the birds and the squirrels feast away.

I couldn't believe how delicate the blossoms were once I got up close to them.

Day 132

ISO 100, 100mm, f/7.1, 1/100 sec.

Day 132 - Relaxn

They had a car show on campus today. Somehow it gives me great pleasure to know that some people pay more for their toys than I do.

Day 131

ISO 250, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/80 sec.

Day 131 - Ahem, a little privacy please

We have a wild rose bush that is really unruly this year. It is covered in buds, and much to my surprise, it is covered in bugs.

I followed these two ladybugs around for a few minutes, but I didn't see the aphids until I uploaded.

Now, I'm itching all over. Hope those ladybugs have a hearty appetite.

It's Twitter Tuesday on Tasra.

Day 130

ISO 100, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec.

Day 130 - Cat's Eye

This is Juliass. As a small kitten he wandered into our yard and was so friendly. We are surrounded by feral cats, but not this guy.

He is less than cooperative for the camera though. Still, his emerald green eyes are captivating.

Day 129

ISO 100, 100 mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec.

Day 129 - Smokin' Rose

In a desperate attempt not to let the smoke signals get the best of me, I set out tonight to make another image of smoke.

I picked up a set of incense cones this week-end, called "rose cones." I was pleasantly surprised to see a rose in this smoke pattern. A little adjustment in Photoshop and tada! A smokin' rose.

Day 128

Day 128 - Here's looking at you kid

ISO 100, 200mm, f/7.1, 1/320 sec.

We went to the Clagget Creek Wetland this morning. The momma ducks were with their babies and while I was busy shooting them, a pair of geese flew in and walked right up to me. Any closer and they would have been too close for my long lens.

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/100 sec.

This evening I was frantically trying to get a prime lens shot in. I just happened to catch Skirvee watching the sunset or giving me the hairy eyeball because I was trying to take his picture, again.

Day 127

Day 127 - Crimson Fields

I had to go out to McMinnville for work today and came across a stunning field of red flowers, there were acres and acres of these beauties.

ISO 100, 100mm, f/7.1, 1/100 sec.

Upon closer inspection, they looked like clover, but we had no clue what they were until we got home and looked them up.

ISO 100, 105mm, f/4.0, 1/8oo sec.

They are crimson clover, an annual that is planted in the fall as a cover crop.

Day 126

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/500 sec.

Day 126 - A fly on the wall

Doesn't everybody wish they were at least once?

Day 125

Day 125 - Oops

Just one of those days. Horribly windy outside, have to take the POTD inside. Not a problem. Go for smoke, had good luck before. Note to self, mustn't get cocky.

Set up the flashes, damn, the second flash isn't firing. Where's the manual? No clue. Incense cone is lit and burning, burning really hot tonight.

Smoke is all over the place, tough to focus on.


Finally get the second flash to fire, incense almost burned down and then, an earth shaking crack (not really, but it could've been.)


The crystal ashtray I was using to hold the cone split apart in five pieces.

The burning cone fell onto my fluffy robe that I was using as a black back drop. Burned a hole in the robe. Oh, surprise, it is too hot to pick up with bare fingers.


Oops. Oh what a night.

Day 124

ISO 100. 100mm, f/2.8, HDR 1/6 sec., 1/25 sec., 0.6 sec., 1/5 sec., 3.2 sec., 0.8 sec., 13.0 sec.

Day 124 - The olde apple cart

We have an old apple cart rusting beside a pile of bricks underneath the apple tree. It is begging me to pull it out and plant some nasturtiums this year. Hmmmmm, maybe.

It's Tasra's Twitter Tuesday

Day 123

ISO 250, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec.

Day 123 - The blue and gold

This is just another one of those beautiful, random flowers that grows in our yard every year.

Day 122

ISO 100, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec.

Day 122 - Finisher

My two daughters, Holly the blond and Megan the brunette (this week anyway) ran the half-marathon in Eugene.

Of course, we had to go and cheer them on at the finish line. This was Holly's first big race and was especially exciting for her. She must have been looking for me on the sidelines because she spotted me right away.

Salty and sweaty, meet my daughters.

Day 121

ISO320, 200mm, f/4.0, 1/1000 sec.

Day 121 - Fire in the hole

We went to a Civil War reenactment today. I am neither a history buff nor a war buff, but I thought of the potential for pictures. It was awesome, better than I ever imagined.

This was taken from the war reenactment.

ISO100, 100mm, f/10, 1/80 sec.

After the reenactment, we spent some time with Tim, a confederate soldier. He was great to talk to, but best of all he humored me while I took my 100mm prime shot.