Dogwood Flower

I think this is a Kousa Dogwood. Dogwoods are my all-time favorite trees. Just learned that the "flower" is the yellow center...the white "petals" are actually leaves.

The Calm After the Storm

I woke up in the middle of the night last night to a great storm with crazy wind and thunder--lots of crashing and thrashing going on outside...and then this morning was as peaceful as can be. Isn't nature wonderful? This is one of my new tulips, Tulipa Spring Green, that I planted last fall. Bought the bulbs at the Bailey Arboretum Bulb Sale.

Nature's Topiaries

There is something so grand about palm trees...

Cravings

Seaweed, glorious seaweed. All different kinds. Check out how my food matches the color of my legs.

A large breadcrumb is delicious too...as long as you can hang on to it long enough to eat it!

Or just gorge on a pile of this stuff. This resort sure does satisfy all of my cravings!

Recipe for Getting the Glow

Ingredients:  afternoon light bouncing off the walls, tunes crankin' and the warmth of an old comfy sweater...

All ingredients for a rockin' fun shoot and portraits a-glow! Thank you Sue!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Artic

Okay, I know. My Mom is wacked. Do I look ridiculous? I know it is only 5 degrees and windy out here, and it's really hard to sniff anything good, and I do have a serious heart condition...but do I really have to wear my fleece hoodie AND my down jacket? It's hard to move, and I can't even button the thing. Do you think the birds and squirrels notice?

She did say something about Valentine treats though. Hmmmm...t-r-e-a-t-s...Treats...TREATS!! Where are they? Can't smell any here, so they must be inside!! If only I could move a wee bit faster in this getup!

Valentine's Day is actually good for something!! It sure makes dealing with the arctic blast a whole bunch better. See you inside.

Together

It all started with a family walk in a favorite place.

An invitation to play...

...run...

...hang out... 

...sniff...

...chill...

 ...and be together.

Thank you Kim. Your family is beautiful inside and out!

Orchid Zen

Orchids are so zen. Even the stem has a zen-esqueness about it.

World of White

Supposedly a blizzard is heading our way this weekend, but I really don't mind being surrounded by white....peaceful, isn't it?

Screechie

I am a little itty-bitty screech owl. I usually have a lot to say...and well, why wouldn't I? I mean...just look at me!  Hey wait a minute, Hoo are all of these people staring at me?

Seriously, don't mind my stutter, but Hoo-Hoo are you?

A Family Tree

Many thanks to Lee for a truly memorable family shoot. Your family is amazing!! The primary reason for the shoot was to photograph the women in the family...create a women's generational portrait in a favorite setting, which in this case was Shelburne Farms in Vermont. 

It was a bit challenging before the shoot even started. About 50 feet from the entrance to Shelburne Farms, I hit a fawn, a seriously cute "Bambi" with spots and all. If anyone knows me, you know that even thinking about harming an animal kills me. Fortunately, Bambi bounded back up almost immediately and flew across the road into the woods, followed closely by its very large mother. 

And then it started to rain. Due to scheduling issues, we only had that afternoon to shoot, so we waited it out. Everyone was incredibly patient. But who would have a problem hanging out in that spectacular location? And then the rain moved west toward the Adirondack mountains.

It was still raining on Lake Champlain, but the light was sublime.

 And everyone was game to try different shots.

 Each person was completely comfortable in front of the camera...

...all in all--a perfect recipe for expressions that are priceless and captured forever.

Thank you. It was a dream shoot despite Bambi and the rain. You have a uniquely wonderful family tree.

Nature's Bobbins

Late last summer in the Adirondacks--driving around Essex county shooting with Phyllie.  

They might look like nature's big bobbins, but it was clearly too hot to "sow"...Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Wishing you...

...a rosy new year where you can say, "Everything's coming up roses!!"

I photographed this rose on November 17th. It is part of an extraordinary rose garden of 70 plants. The garden was still gorgeous, which is no surprise because the owner always puts a lot of TLC into it. On behalf of anyone who visits your garden, Lisa, thank you.

So what will you put your heart and soul into this year?