Last night Wendy and I enjoyed standing together on our dock watching the fireworks over the bay. I captured this shot and thought it a worthy celebratory photo for this holiday. We are so grateful for this land, the freedom we enjoy, and the precious blood of heroes and heroines who sacrificially provided it to us over the years.
God, bless America.
This was one of my favorite photos from all that I took in Scotland. We were at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. It was a sunniest day we’d experienced during our time in Scotland so we were all enamored with the sunlight and its warmth. There was this gorgeous tree with pale golden leaves, so pale that they almost looked white. I noticed that the sunlight through them made a gorgeous glow in contrast to the dark limbs. I stepped underneath the boughs and clicked the shutter at just the right moment to catch the starburst of sunlight. This photo is untouched and appears just as I shot it.
Yesterday I posted one of my photos of Dale Chihuly‘s gorgeous glass artwork from an exhibition at the Denver Botanical Gardens. Here are several more that I shot last week at the exhibition (you can click on any photo to see a larger image). I can’t get over how beautiful and thought provoking I found the juxtaposition of the glasswork within the natural surroundings of the gardens. I’m only sorry we couldn’t have stayed until the evening when the glasswork is illuminated. I can only imagine how enchanting it is.
Photos taken with Canon EOS 6D
Yesterday Wendy and I welcomed Wendy’s sister, Becky, husband, Courtney, and baby Lydia (waiting to make her official entrance in October) to the Playhouse. We see Becky and Court far too seldom and it is good to see them. They arrived in time to throw some burgers on the grill. It was a GORGEOUS Fourth of July evening and we ate on the deck, then sat and enjoyed the company and conversation. The official fireworks at Captain Ron’s isn’t scheduled until tonight, but since fireworks are legal in Missouri there were plenty of fireworks going off all around Buccaneer Bay. We enjoyed a non-stop display of fireworks late into the night.
I caught this shot of Court and Becky enjoying the view.
We plan to make a short visit to Bear Bottom today and then back to the Playhouse to enjoy this evening’s “official” fireworks. Beck and Court are on their way through to Iowa to visit family and we’re glad it worked out for them to spend a few days with us.
Wendy, Taylor, and I had the pleasure of attending our friend, Kennedy’s, dance recital. We were in the back of the auditorium so I was forced to shoot with my 300mm telephoto lens which is never ideal. Nevertheless, I was able to capture a few shots that made me happy. This is, perhaps, my favorite. The girls in their classic ballet costumes reminded me of a Degas painting. I was struck all evening, as I zeroed in on Kennedy, just how joyful she was in each dance. I thought this pose of Kennedy’s captured it beautifully. Watching Kennedy grow up and knowing her heart, I felt that her eyes at this moment were lifted heavenward to the Lord of the Dance, whom had to be pleased with His young dancer.
A few weekends ago we were at the lake with our friends Kev and Beck. Kev was at the grill on the deck prepping dinner and called me out to view this thunderhead that was brewing above the tree line across our cove. I grabbed my camera. I love the way the sky can endlessly create such drama and beauty.
The Vermeer Mill is about three block from our house, and during Pella’s annual Tulip Time it is a huge attraction. I’ve taken a lot of pictures of the mill over the years. This year Wendy and I were only in town for the final evening of Tulip Time and a storm had rolled through in the afternoon. I was standing in line to get a plate of poffertjes from one of the stands just below the mill and I snapped this picture with the storm clouds above. A little digital enhancement brought out a dramatic effect which I liked.
While in Colorado for Thanksgiving, Courtney and Becky sprang for the whole family to spend the afternoon at the Denver Art Museum. Taylor mentioned that she loved this particular piece of artwork which consisted of long panels of sheer pink fabric with strips of gaudy sequins. When she caught me taking her picture in front of it, she went into “ham” mode and gave me a couple of blissfully enjoyable shots. This is one of my favorite pictures from that weekend.
Last week I had a chance to spend an hour or two at the McNay Art Museum while in San Antonio on business. I snapped this shot of a dragonfly resting on a flower in the courtyard fountain. I loved the brilliance of the lavender flower in bright sunlight against the green hues of the lily pads and water.
