Monarch

The monarch reigns supreme at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Butterfly House. This Saturday morning is the annual Monarch tagging and release by the Butterfly Society of Virginia. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Zebra Swallowtail

- A beautiful Zebra Swallowtail photographed at the Butterfly House in Norfolk's Botanical Gardens. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

A First

- This is a first for my daily photo blog - a picture I didn't take! After 630 straight days of posting my pictures, I took the day off - well kind of. You see today was my birthday and we went to Sandbridge Beach in the late afternoon with my grandson Robert. I did take a bunch of pictures but then I asked a young lady sitting next to us on the beach if she would mind taking a picture of the three of us. She was a bit intimidated by the Canon 7D and confessed she didn't take very good pictures. I told her not to worry, just point and shoot. She took four pictures while we were trying to convince Robert to look up at the pretty girl when a big wave hit us from behind. Lucky for me, she got the money shot. We were pretty soaked but it was great fun as you can tell from this picture. Canon 7D (The Intimidator), 1/1000 sec at f/10.0, ISO 400, 45mm focal length.

My Buddy

- We went to have dinner at Brian and Kristal's yesterday and I got to spend some time with my grandson Robert. While it was a disappointing day for us Redskin fans, seeing him in his Chris Cooley jersey and hearing his "go Skins" cheer made the day a winner. BTW - the tangerine chicken from the Bobby Flay Grilling book was outstanding. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 190mm focal length.

Blue Diamond

- The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team flew right over me in their classic diamond formation. They were performing as a part of the 2010 NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach, Virginia this weekend. Canon 7D, 1/2000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 200mm focal length.

Jackson

- Andrew Jackson, 17th President of the United States, was one of the country's more colorful presidents. He took the oath of office in 1829 with a saber slash scar on his forehead and two bullets embedded in his body. One bullet lodged near his heart and came from a duel with Charles Dickinson whom Jackson killed in the duel. This picture was taken at President's Park near Williamsburg Virginia. The park is a collection of giant 18 foot tall busts of the first 43 presidents. The park is reported to be closing at the end of the month so we paid a visit today. It was pretty surreal. Canon 7D, 1/1600 sec @ f/4.p0, ISO 100, 80mm focal length, converted to Black & with with Silver Efex Pro.

Take Time . . .

- to smell the flowers. One of life's best lessons was reinforced to me today by our new kitten Sherlock. Watching him investigate and explore melts my stress away. Everything is just so interesting again and thanks to Susan for the great cut flowers! Canon 40D, 1/640 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 1600, 50mm prime lens.