A Visit with Baby Mila

I made another visit to the hospital to see my new great niece, Mila yesterday. Now that she's out of the incubator she gets to be held a lot more, so I wanted to make sure the new parents had lots of not-from-a-cell-phone photos of this amazing time.

This one had to be the catch of the day:

I

I'm so happy to have gotten it. I can't imagine a more perfect first family portrait. It makes me so happy, except that it makes me sad that I don't have a similar photo of my family. But, I think I'll just choose to be happy for them and link it up for my Sweet Shot this week.

You didn't think you were going to get away with looking at only one photo when a baby's involved, though? Did you?
Needless to say, I got lots more.

I got some one-on-one's with mom and dad, too.

Dad got busy taking care of her needs:

Then I captured this sequence while he wrapped her back into her blanket.

While I was there, Grandma and Grandpa showed up and then Aunt Kacie and Uncle Ryan. We had to take turns seeing her since there are only 4 guests allowed in her little area.

 

Mila had the hiccups, which got a big reaction from these two. Cute and cuter.

Ok, I have more, but I'll leave it at that lest I tire your scrolling muscles. Maybe I'll post a few Mila portraits tomorrow.

More Birds

Couldn't resist adding a few more bird portraits to my list. I've become quite addicted to seeing not only what we can see and identify, but also whose picture I can nab while they're there. As Moose Peterson, wildlife photographer, says, "They get food, I get a picture. That's the deal."

White-breasted Nuthatch

It's like a video game that I can't stop playing. If anyone notices me buying so much bird food that I can no longer feed my family, you have my right to intervene.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker coming in for a landing

... and where there's bird food, there are squirrels... and this guy was totally posing for me.

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday..

Tweet Shot Tuesday

I've been having quite the time for the last few months capturing bird photos via a well-stocked feeder. It's like a game, or like hunting, I suppose. But, without the mess.

Nico has been enjoying helping me to identify any species that we didn't previously know and because of that I know there are many more birds out there which I haven't managed to get a good poses out of yet. So the fun continues.

Here is what is probably my favorite so far of a Tufted Titmouse eating suet at the feeder...

 

So I'm putting it up for my Sweet Shot this week.

Here are some of my other favorites:

Female Cardinal

...and her mate...

The Black-Capped Chickadee:

A Song Swallow, who cleans up the mess left by the others at the feeder:

The White-Breasted Nuthatch, who walks face-down on trees (and logs):

... and just for good measure and variety... and because I put a handful of birdseed and peanuts on this stump, which is very near my patio

Snowy Sweet Shot Tuesday

Another year means lots more Tuesdays. I'll forgive myself when I look back at this and notice it's posted on a Wednesday since I'd rather have more images even if they're misnomers.

Looking through the many images that I took of the boys sledding, this one stood out.

Just a random look back at me and Bam... Look what I got.

The Moment

The boys had their first in a monthly Creek Biology class today. It was quite a treat when, as soon as we walked over to the creek, the teacher noticed this guy:

I was very glad to have my camera with me. He stood still for a great swath of time, seemingly waiting for his prey to pass by.  But, then he made a few motions and plucked something from the water. 

I came home with a whole lotta frames full of this guy, but this stands out, not only because of his gesture, but, for the observant among us, there's a wee bit o' humor there too. Happy hunting.

What did you, sleep with that thing?

In an early morning try out of my new lenses, I managed to get some great lifestyle shots of the boys eating their breakfasts. (Poor things... nothing's off the record. )

I thought I'd post one for Sweet Shot Tuesday:

Love the way he's looking at me.  Good thing he loves me so much. ha ha

Heterochromia

The boys and I ventured this past weekend to a living history event. It was a many-topic-ed thing, but we were there mainly to see the civil war re-enacting because their friend would be part of the union troops that took part in the battle. Fun!

Before the skirmish started we ventured into the medic's area. There was a very interesting man playing the medic and telling us about the medicine and medical procedures used on the battlefield and off. While we listened, I noticed that he had two different colors in each eye! Wow, I couldn't get my mind off of it, and as interesting as his talk was (really, it was) I kept thinking, 'When he's done, I'm so asking to get a portrait of him."

Didn't hurt that he was in the shade of the structure and looking into the light. Can you say "catchlights!" (You must say it with the exclamation point in effect. They were awesome.)
Also doesn't hurt that the man obviously knows how to pose. 

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday.

The 'Burgh

It was a dark and stormy day...

But, we had a long awaited field trip on the big boat and we weren't going to let that spoil our fun. Including my photo-taking fun. Once I was actually taking the shots I realized that they'd probably be a lot more interesting with all the drama in the sky.

I wasn't disappointed:

Luckily the boat has an 'inside'.

Linking this to Sweet Shot Tuesday

The Sweetest of a Sweetie

I'm so lucky to have been asked by my niece to photograph her pre-Homecoming Dance festivities. Any student photographer should be so doggone lucky. What a fun way to practice the craft.

As one would imagine I've got a whole folder of favorites from the afternoon, but I figured for my Sweet Shot Tuesday, I'd challenge myself to choose a very favorite. Not easy, but here it is:

 

As always, light trumps everything else, and the light in this photo is just amazing. Fits perfectly with her classic beauty.

Hawks - Sweet Shot Tuesday

Ok, I'm apparently the only one who still thinks it's Monday. But, whatever. I guess I'll celebrate a short week like everyone else with a Sweet Shot Tuesday post.

Each day at about 4:30 there's a group of hawks (?) wait... a gaggle (?) 'flock of hawks' doesn't seem right. Oh, google to the rescue... a CAST of hawks that surveils the park across the street for their dinner. I enjoy watching them and noticing their routine. I've tried a few times to get them to pose for me, but well, you know how hawks are. Right?

I've tried shooting from behind my window and also by heading outdoors, but, seriously they are camera shy.

Today I seem to have managed stealth from my office window and captured them three in the frame:

Best part is a storm was coming to add a dramatic backdrop. Maybe they wanted to get dinner in before the rain and weren't worried about the likes of me.

So here's my Sweet Shot

Sweet Shot Tuesday - Blue Skies and Water Slides

I took my camera to Sandcastle Water Park last week. I wanted to be able to play while the boys were in the water.

I expected my favorite takes to be the ones that contrasted the bright sunny yellow umbrellas with the railroad bridge that transverses the river, which is just a few hundred feet away. But, I was surprised by how much I like this:

Considering my boys aren't the thrill-seeking type, I've only seen the underbelly of all of the tubes and slides that bloom in the park, but, once my camera is in my hand, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Puppy Eyes - Sweet Shot Tuesday

I have this photo in a folder called, "Boys playing - various days." Kind of a slightly more descriptive way of saying "Random," which was already used for this month.  Sometimes I just grab my camera for the sake of practice, but don't expect to get much out of the session that makes it to the record books.

But, sometimes I'm surprised.

I think my camera was trained on doggy when Enzo suddenly popped into the picture nestled her face and had a moment with her.

I love the diagonal created by their eyes and the scene was almost black and white without any processing, so, I knew it would work.

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday:
 

Music at the Market

The now-ready-for-prime-time trio that is my banjo-playing sons and their bass-playing dad had their first paid gig this past weekend. They were asked to play in front of a fish market.  It's a family-run business, which likes to have a fun and interesting atmosphere for shopping.

I, naturally, was at hand with my camera.

I took lots of shots of the three of them and tried to capture the crowds, but this close up is my favorite of all those I took. Love his expression, the beautiful light in his eyes, the color and the dimension of context added by the sign. (Freckles and hat don't hurt either. :-)  )

I'm sending this up for my Sweet Shot Tuesday.

 

Here are a few of the pull backs of the scene.

Love people who enjoy the little things and react to the music

Yay! I caught his eye. :-)

From across the street. You can see how this market believes in attracting attention with the bear and the tombstone.

Love when they interact

...especially if it's a moment of fun between them.