Wisconsin Fog

- The early morning fog burns off a valley near Spring Green Wisconsin. This fog went from completely dense to gone in about 20 minutes as the morning sun rose above the hills and burned off the fog. Thanks to Cindy for dragging my butt out of bed to capture this image. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 100.

View to Infinity

This bridge leads to the Highway 23 Scenic Overlook which allows for a great view of the Infinity Room jutting out into the Wisconsin sky from the House on the Rock. Canon 7D, 1/1600 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Shining Brow

"Shining Brow" is the literal translation of "Taliesin" the Welsh name Frank Lloyd Wright gave to his 1911 country home and studio in Southwest Wisconsin near Spring Green. Wright positioned the home on the "brow" of a hill, a favorite of his from childhood, rather than on the peak so that Taliesin would appear as though it arose naturally from the landscape. Canon 7D, 1/60 @ f/16, ISO 200.

House on the Rock Resort

- We are staying at the House on the Rock Resort in Spring Green Wisconsin for a few days. The resort is is a very cool building built on a hill side over looking the golf course. This view is from across the 1st fairway lit by the late afternoon sun. Beautiful blue sky day in Southwest Wisconsin. Canon 7D, 1/15 sec @ f/22, ISO 100.

West Wing

No it's not "that" West Wing, this is the West Wing of the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Each of the four compass point corridors at the MOA have different architectural stylings. I like this one the best because of the way the ceiling and structure is exposed. It reminds me of an old style warehouse or arena. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400 converted to B&W using Silver Efex Pro 2 plugin with Lightroom 3.0.

Ground Out

- Minnesota Twins third baseman Luke Hughes grounds out to end the third inning just as he did to end the second inning. He didn't have a good day going 0 for 5 against the Indians. The Twins woes continued as they dropped their seventh straight game at the end of a season that leaves them with the worst record in the American League. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, 220mm focal length.

Minnehaha Falls

- Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis Minnesota. The falls are located near the Minnehaha Creek's confluence with the Mississippi River. The name comes from the Dakota language elements mni, meaning water, and ȟaȟa, meaning waterfall. Thus the expression "Minnehaha Falls" translates as "Waterfall Falls". Canon 7D, 0.8 sec @ f/22, ISO 100, mounted on a tripod.

MoA Skylight

One of many skylights at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. The mall is really big. It has a Microsoft Store located right across from the Apple Store. The two stores have different personalities like Jobs and Gates, need I say more? Canon G11, 1/640 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.

Grasses

- Tall grasses add elegance and beauty to the perennial garden at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Canon 7D, 1/640 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro

Watching & Waiting

- This skimboarder was patiently watching and waiting for a few more waves before darkness fell at Sandbridge Beach. Canon 7D, 1/100 @ f/8, ISO 400, 70mm focal length.

Harvest Moon

- Tonight's harvest moon rises from the southeast over Virginia Beach, Virginia. The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Since there is no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise, the harvest moons is said to help farmers working to bring in their crops. Canon 7D, 1/8 sec @ f/32, ISO 100, focal length 540mm (400mm zoom with 1.4x teleconverter, all mounted on a tripod.

Sandpipers on the Move

These sandpipers were moving quickly along the shoreline at Sandbridge Beach, Virginia this evening. Canon 7D, 1/4000 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400, zoom at 200mm focal length.

Wide Open

- The 17th Street surf shop in Virginia Beach isn't just open its WIDE OPEN. iPhone 4 using Camera+ 2.3.1.

SOM Handywork

This photo was taken inside the Virginia Beach Convention Center designed by the renown architectural design firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago. You know their work, the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Tower in Chicago, the Air Force Academy Chapel, and the new Liberty Tower, aka World Trade Center One in New York City. Canon G11, 1/60 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Daniel Fire-Cloud

- I have long had an interest in old cemeteries and for the past five years I've been fulfilling photo requests for the Find a Grave website. Today I had occasion to stop by the small cemetery on the campus of Hampton University for a photo request but I was unable to locate the grave I was looking for. I did however spend some time walking among the graves of Native Americans who were students at what was then Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The "Indian School" existed from1878 through 1923 and many young Native American men and women from western tribes attended the school. Some like Daniel Fire-Cloud a Sioux from South Dakota died while attending school. His grave is marked by a traditional stone and a more fitting massive cedar tree. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 200, converted to black and white in Lightroom 3 using the Silver Efex Pro 2 plugin.

Lashes

- Lashes to die for. My grandson Robert carefully studying the route back to Grammy's house after his first day of preschool. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400 in macro mode.

Tonal Range

- When making black and white photos I look to capture images with a wide tonal range, from pure black to pure white with shades of gray in between providing the shape, depth and texture to the image. This unusal white flower provides a nice image for black and white conversion. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/10, ISO 100mm macro lens.

The Eyes Have It

- It hard to win a starring contest when your adversary has compound eyes. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/5, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Bare Bulb

The lowly much maligned incandescent light bulb is scheduled to be phased out in the US by 2014 due to its relatively high energy consumption. Much more efficient compact florescent and LED light bubs are targeted as replacements. There's just something much more attractive and warm about the old incandescent. When placed in clear globes and used in groups they can produce a stunning effect. Image this fixture with compact florescent bulbs - yuk! Canon G11, 1/4 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800.

1 Down 2 to Go

- One down and two to go on tonight's wine flight at Back Bay Gourmet in Virginia Beach, VA. These are three wines from McLaren Vale in South Australia. Number 1, gone by the time this photo was taken, was Coriole Chenin Blanc. Number 2 wins for the best name Vinaceous Snake Charmer Shiraz and number three the Coriole Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon had the most amazing aroma. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800 in macro mode.

Fear Factor

- I know a lot of people have arachnophobia and fear spiders of any kind. I hope this photo doesn't creep anybody out or cause a panic attack. When I got into macro photography I began to see the beauty in spider webs and appreciate the spiders themselves. Spiders are good subjects for macro work because they generally remain very still as long at the web is not disturbed. This large spider builds its web just outside of our back door. One must remember at night to look for her and the web before taking too many steps outside. Canon40D, 1/15 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2.

Plastic Rainbow

- The rainbow of colors from a plastic Slinky. Canon 40D, 1/1000 @ f/4, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Your Move

- Canon 40D, 1/8 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100, 85mm prime lens.

Spoon

- This is actually a really big spoon, about four foot long hung on the wall at the Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt store on Colley Avenue in Norfolk Virginia's Ghent neighborhood. The sense of scale is completely lost with no visual reference point in the photo. Droid X using the Vignette app.

My 409

- She's real fine my 409
(409, 409)
Well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
For I knew there would be a time
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
When I would buy a brand new 409
(409, 409)
When I take her to the track she really shines
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
(409, 409)
from 409 by the Beach Boys, Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/9, ISO 800, focal length 27mm.

New Toy

- Here's my new toy. It survived Irene parked safely in the Westin parking garage at Town Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Droid X, Black & White using the Vignette camera app.

Rain Gear

- I put my G10 in his rain gear for the passing of Hurricane Irene over Virginia Beach today. I did not get many good pictures because there was not much to photograph. But the G10 does look mighty fine in his rain gear. Canon 40D, 1/13 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

Charlie's Challenge

- My boss, Philip Shucet, dives into the Charlie's Challenge - eat a 12 egg omlete and 8 pankcakes in an hour. Charlie's Cafe is located a block from our office in Norfolk Virginia. Philip tweeted last week that if HRT's opening weekend ridership on the new Tide light rail exceeded 75,000, he would attempt the Charlie's Challenge. He made good on that pledge this morning. After a noble effort of eating all the eggs and 5 and half pancakes he was done, falling just short of finishing. Before this morning 47 others had tried and failed and only 2 had succeeded in completing the challenge. Today's winner was the Foodbank of Southeast Virginia who benefited from donoations. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/2.5, ISO 800.

B&W Wildlife

- Just finished reading an article on making black and white images of wildlife. I took this picture of the West African Crowned cranes at the Virginia Zoo. I know - not exactly "wild". These birds are so photogenic. Canon 40D, 1/325 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens fully extended at 400mm on a monopod. Converted to black and white using Lightroom 3 with the Silver Efex Pro 2 plug-in.

Crepe Myrtle

- Crepe myrtle trees line countless streets in the City of Norfolk. They kindle found memories of my childhood visits back to Norfolk each August to see my grandparents. Even today as you fly into the Norfolk airport, the streets appear as double pink and red lines from the sky. The crepe mytles were one of Fred Heutte's many contributions to the beautification of Norfolk beginning during the depression and continuing for four decades as superintendent of Norfolk Parks. Canon 40D, 1/13 sec @ f/16, ISO 400, 100mm macro, mounted on a tripod, LED Litepanel.

Young Minds

- Young minds are easily influenced so one must carefully consider what you expose them to so they grow up right. I wish I had been exposed to such a fine German automobile when I was this age, maybe then it wouldn't have taken me almost 57 years to get one. I'm giving my grandson the chance to appreciate and understand the values of being a true car aficionado at an early age. As first he couldn't understand why grandpa would buy a car without a top, after one ride - he totally gets it. Canon 1/20 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Einser

- Got a new "used" car today - a BMW 135i convertible. The new Bimmer is great fun to drive and the trademark orange instrument panel shows its built for speed. I'm sure it's Black Sapphire Metallic exterior will soon be a featured photo on this blog. Canon G11, 1/3 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800 in macro mode.

Abstract

- Sometimes when looking through the viewfinder or at the LCD screen on a camera you see something unexpected. What to do, why press the shutter of course. Droid X using Vignette for Android.

James River Twilight

- Twilight over the James River from the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. The image is a little soft beacuse of the long exposure and vibrations from the ferry's engines. Canon G11, 15 secs @ f/8.0, ISO 100,

What a Day!

- Today was the first day of service for HRT's the Tide, Norfolk's light rail system. After almost four years of effort and controversy people finally got to ride. We planned for a big turn out, but were blown away by the crowds. The planned peak service of six trains all day gave way to adding two more trains to get to a total of eight by early evening. Lines at stations, standing and "crush" loads on every trip, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Free service has been extended through next Sunday August 28th, come join me for a ride on the Tide. Canon G11, 1/100 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

Standing Load

- The Norfolk Tide leaves the MacArthur Station with a "standing load" for its first official trip following this afternoon's ribbon cutting. Come out starting tomorrow at 6:00am and ride free with us as we celebrate all weekend. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

Dirt Shirt

- My grandson Robert in his "DIRT" shirt. Droid X using Vignette for Android.

Reflected Power

- Yep, its a power pole reflected in the back window of van stopped in front of me. Not much else to say about this one. Canon G11, 1/100 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Inspired

- I was inspired by fellow photographer Cait Wade's doggy portraits from her blog. So not having a dog, I enlisted the help of my good buddy Sherlock. He's always willing to get a little attention even if it means modeling for a few minutes. He has pretty dramatic blue eyes so those are the focus of this portrait. Canon 40D, 1/30 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 100mm lens.

Out of This World

- The Death Star? Well not exactly but Keegan Bradley would recognize the pattern. Canon 40D, 1/1000 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 800, 50mm macro lens.

Flip Flops

- Who knew you could get a string of flip flops lights? Flip Flops Grill & Chill that's who. Flip Flops is one of our favorite Virginia Beach causal dining spots. Canon G11, 1/3 sec, F/8.0, ISO 400, camera supported on the table with a pack of Splenda used to get the right elevation.

The Big Easy

- Yes I'm a sucker for neon signs and I always take pictures of them. This one is at the Big Easy Oyster Bar in Norfolk Virginia. The oysters were great! Canon G11, 1/160 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Katydid

- Up close and personal with the katydid munching on my roses. Canon 40D, 1/100 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

The Tube

- Entering the Downtown Tunnel westbound from Norfolk to Portsmouth Virginia during rush hour. One of the area's legendary traffic tie-ups. This section of I264 appeared as #17 on a list of most congested highways in America. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ F/4.5, ISO 400.

Catenary

- This catenary is a system of overhead wires used to supply electricity to the Tide light rail vehicle in Norfolk Virginia. The first such system was demonstrated by Werner von Siemens in 1881. The company that still carries his name, Siemens Mobility, built the new modern S70 light rail vehicles for Virginia's first light rail system in Norfolk. The onset of worldwide use of electric traction power for trains began in 1889 with the Richmond Union Passenger Railway in Richmond, Virginia. Canon G11, 1/2000 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400, converted to solarized black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 in Lightroom.

Twilight Tide

- The Tide light rail vehicle (LRV) #407 at the Newtown Road station in Norfolk Virginia. Got my first ride with Rail Operator Bill Foss tonight. This project that has almost completely consumed Hampton Roads Transit over the past four years. The Tide opens to the public with three free days beginning August 19th. Canon G11, 1/6 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Curves

- Today's photo is of some smooth stainless steel curves on on lamp in our house. Post processed with Silver Efex Pro 2 to have a Holga like effect. Canon 40D, 1/320 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800.

Mum

- Had a wonderful dinner at our friends Susan and Duane's house tonight. Susan always has a variety of amazing cut flowers around. This mum was on the kitchen table. Thanks for a great dinner guys and letting me always take pictures around your cool house and yard. Canon 40D. 1/100 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro, LED Litepanel.

Cobra Jet 428

- The 1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500-KR, the KR stood for King of the Road, was powered by a 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet engine with a horsepower rating of 335hp. The Cobra Jet emblem looks really cool on this beautifully restored black Shelby Mustang. I have a soft spot for classic Mustangs. My first new car was a 1973 Mustang Mach I powered by the 351 cubic inch "Cleveland" engine. Unfortunately it had an automatic transmission beacuse at 19 years old I couldn't afford the insurance on the 4 speed manual. I got a great deal on that Mustang during the 1973 oil crisis because everyone was wanting the just introduced 1974 Mustang II - what a wimp car that was. Canon G11, 1/640 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.

Lotus Bees

- A lotus flower always attracts my camera's attention. This one was being worked hard by two busy bees. Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/32.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens.