Tree of Light

- The tree of light at the Garden of Lights display at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. This section of lights was sycn'd to the holiday sound track broadcast on a low power FM radio station. The light show is worth the trip and the $10 buck a car admission. Canon 7D, 1/20 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Star of Bethlehem

- The star-shaped flowers of the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum arabicum) are a delight of the holiday season. Canon 40D, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 800, 100mm macro, LED Litepanel.

Holiday Sasha

- Miss Sasha is enjoying the holiday decorations. Canon 40D, 1/40 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Sleigh Bell

- Added a few gold and silver jingle bells to the garland surrounding the front door. Not only goes it give it a cool look but the doorway now has that sleigh bell sound as you come and go. Canon 40D, 1/80 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Lighted Deer

- The lighted deer have arrived for another season at Grammy and Grandpa's house. Robert and Sherlock are delighted. Canon G11, 1/3 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 100, camera on a railing with 2 sec delay timer on the shutter.

PEZ Patrick's Day

- I got together with some of my Pez pals to celebrate PEZ Patrick's Day. We all got greened up and broke out the Guinness and Harp. These guys really know how to party. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, zoom at 44mm, on camera flash with two LED litepanels for fill.

Valentine Rose

- Roses are incredible flowers and I always photograph them when we have them in the house or in the garden. This white rose was close to a pink rose which cast its color into the picture. Certainly red roses are the Valentine's Day tradition, but the white and pink together were extra special for my Valentine. Canon 7D, 1/500 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, LED light source.

The Red, Pink & Blue

- A bright blue sky and a red and pink Valentine's Day flag make for a cheery seasonal morning. Don't forget your Valentine next Monday! This year let's all try to do something original from the heart for your love rather than just contributing to the greeting card, candy and flower concessionaires. Write a love letter, yes with pen & paper - no emails or Facebook posts, make a card or fix a special homemade meal or desert. Just break the mold and be your romantic self. Canon G11, 1/1600 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 100.

Back in the Box

- There goes the holidays back into the box and into the attic until next year. It always makes me sad to see them go. Canon G11, 1/80 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400 in macro mode.

Snow Hat

- My neighbor's holiday ornaments had nice little snow hats on today. I liked the way they picked the reflections of the tree's shadows on the snow underneath. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200, 200mm focal length.

Candy Cane Twine

- Candy cane twine, who knew there was such a thing. I ran across this delightful holiday spool at Beach Scrapbooks in Virginia Beach, Virginia today while out shopping with my wife. Blackberry Bold, 3.2MP camera, no flash.

Ornament

- Th1s paper ornament was decorating the tree at Beach Scrapbooks today. It was unusual so it made s good subject for today's seasonal photo of the day. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800 in macro mode.

358 - 'Twas the night before Christmas

From 365 Project

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
. . .
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night. —Clement Clark Moore
Canon 7D, 1/15 sec @ ~f/4.0, ISO 800, Lensbaby Composer with home made Christmas Tree aperture disk.

356 - Holiday Honors

From 365 Project

2500 wreaths adorn the graves of fallen veterans at the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton Virginia. The wreaths were placed as part of the Wreaths Across America project and honor veterans from the Civil War to the present who rest at the historic and beautiful Hampton National. Canon G10, 1/200 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

354 - Holiday Reflections

From 365 Project

Glass blown Christmas ornaments were invented in Germany in the mid-1800's. Today's mass produced versions still add sparkle and shine to the holiday celebration. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/25 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 50mm macro.

348 - LED for the Holidays

From 365 Project

This year has seen the full scale introduction of LED (light-emitting diode) lights into our holiday decorations. They use far less power and thus give off lower heat than standard holiday bulbs. This has allowed designers new flexibility in creating light sets. This set of layered globes looks more appropriate for a summer time deck party than the holidays. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/60 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 400, 50mm macro lens.

347 - Pretty Packages

From 365 Project

It is always magical when the presents begin to appear under the Christmas tree. Today was rainy so there was a lot gift wrapping going on at our house. Our resident Santa's helper was hard at work and her efforts brought more of the season into our home. Canon G10 2.5 secs @ f/8.0, ISO 100.

339 - Star Light, Star Bright

From 365 Project

Star light, star bright,
May I take your picture tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Take a great picture tonight.
Canon XTi, 1/100 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 50mm macro.

331 - Black Friday

From 365 Project

Today is "Black Friday" the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping season. We made a trip to Virginia Beach's Pembroke Mall this evening and found no crowds. This giant wreath hangs just outside the food court. The term "Black Friday" originated in the mid-1960's by police and bus drivers in Philadelphia referring to the traffic and congestion brought on by the crush of holiday shoppers. Canon G10, 1/100 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400.

330 - Monopoly Plant

From 365 Project

This perennial symbol of the holiday season begins to appear everywhere around Thanksgiving. Until the 1990s, the Ecke family of Encinitas, California, had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a cultivation secret that made it difficult for others to compete. The secret was discovered and published by a university researcher and the plants are now cultivated by other producers. However, the Ecke family still controls about 70% of the U.S. market and 50% of the worldwide market. - Wikipedia Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, 1/8 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200, in macro mode.