Surfer Dudes and Their Shadows ...

While I was surprised at the snow that fell on the beach last week ...
I was even more surprised that the surfers were still out!

They didn't last long. After they braved the cold Pacific ocean for a while, they stopped to wash the salt from their wet suits ... and change into warm clothes. We couldn't help but laugh at some of the antics they employed to keep from, er, being "exposed" to the elements!

The late afternoon sun peeked out just long enough to catch some amazing shadows.

REALLY! It was the SHADOWS that I was taking pictures of!!!
Seriously!!!
Snicker.

It wasn't until I got home and was going through my pictures that I noticed the strange diffused and almost yellow lighting ... and realized that's what I got from taking the pictures from behind the screen door. (Now why would I be there???)
And they really are Straight Out Of the Camera!

To see beautiful shadows from around the world, visit Hey Harriet, and check out Shadow Shot Sunday.

To see amazing pictures taken Straight Out Of the Camera, visit Murrieta 365, and check out SOOC Sunday.

Mika and Bird Staredown!!!

Mika caught my eye, standing motionless on a branch at least 30 feet up the birch tree.
As I came closer, a slight movement on the other side of the tree ...
Revealed the reason for Mika's intense stare.
A red headed sapsucker - oddly oblivious to the imminent danger!

(If I didn't know better, I would swear the bird was doing this deliberately - it stayed on the opposite side of the tree from Mika for nearly an hour!)

But the bird finally flew away, and Mika climbed back down the tree ... a maneuver that was almost as funny as watching Mika watch the bird!

To see other wonderful pets, and to show off your best friend, link up with Pet Pride!

Time Out at the Beach ...

The seagulls were persistent ...
Even coming into the house to reach a dropped breadcrumb!

At times, it was almost scary to venture out onto the deck ...
Not that it would have been comfortable what with the SNOW and all!

"Mine!"

As we were preparing to leave the beach house that was our refuge for 3 days, I caught this picture of my sister and I in the coffee pot.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo, and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sissie and I had a WONDERFUL 3 days at the beach!
It rained, it stormed ... we saw wind gusts upwards of 50 miles per hour ...
And then it snowed.
Right down onto the sand.
A once in a lifetime event!

I have so much to be thankful for this day - I hope you do too.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!


To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts, and join us for Guest Heart Thursday!

Tree Frog Confrontations ...

The tiny green tree frog slept in the safety of the dark forest floor debris.

FLASH!
So bright it was to his eyes ...

Fully awake now, he turned to glare at she who dared wake him from his slumber ...

AND FLIPPED HER OFF for good measure!

It Was a Dark and Rainy Night ...

I didn't want to go out after dark, in the pouring rain ... but mom needed a prescription filled, so off we went.
I brought a book to read while I was waiting in the car, but soon became entranced with the glowing paths the rain's reflections made on the pages of my novel.

As I pulled into our driveway, I saw something I had missed before ...
Backlit by the lamp in the window ...
The angel that hangs on the curtain ...
Has hearts for wings!!!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo, and join us for Weekend Reflections!

To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts, and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I found this fun meme - Scavenger Hunt Sunday over at Ramblings and Photos by Ashley Sisk, where she provides 5 words/phrases, and we get to interpret them in photos!
I decided to give it a try ...
It took a while, but I managed (barely) to squeak in before the Tuesday deadline! The 5 words for this week are: 1. Self portrait; 2. Handmade; 3. Orange; 4. Candle; 5. Traffic Signals or Signs.

1. SELF PORTRAIT

This is actually a SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera) shot. I took a flashlight into a bathroom at the abandoned church across the street and shined it on my face in the broken mirror ... and took this shot. I kind of like it!!!

2. HANDMADE

I made these pants for my daughter after she found some in a magazine - where they were selling for up to $300. They took several weeks, and many many hours of labor ... but she loves them and that made it worth it.

3. ORANGE

I found this orange lichen in the pile of oak leaves by the driveway.
(I like the little white heart shaped spot, don't you?)

4. CANDLE

This is an ACEO/ATC (miniature art cards 2-1/2" x 3-1/2") that is made out of graffiti that I found at the abandoned church. Vandals had kicked in the drywall the graffiti was painted on, and I stripped off the graffiti from those pieces to make into art cards.

5. TRAFFIC SIGNALS OR SIGNS

Can a road be closed ... when there is no road? And if there is no road ... WHO IS GOING TO READ THE BACKWARDS SIGN?

I have had a lot of fun doing this Scavenger Hunt.
I think I will do it again!!!!!

Blueberry Leaf - Autumn's Treasures and Shadows

The blueberry leaves are showing their Autumn colors ... Reds ...

Yellows ...

Greens ...

Shadows arranged on the leaves whisper of what will soon be ...
Empty branches, awaiting Spring ...

To see shadows from around the world, visit Hey Harriet - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday.

A Walk on the (Not So) Wild Side!

Walking down our country road I spied something I have never seen before.
Peeking through the grasses in the ditch ...
Shhhhh, it's the elusive and delicate "Lipshade Tossitoutius" - and it's in full bloom! Look at how it uses reflections to blend in with it's surroundings!

I took a photo and went on my way ...
Paying careful attention now.
And look! Not 20 yards further ...

Three more "Lipshades"! Two were still in chrysalis stage!
One in the late stages of bloom!
What a day!!!

Leaving the "Lipshades", my attention was caught by a shade of orange not usually seen in the woods here. I went to investigate, and found ...

A very rare specimen indeed!
A "File-Drawer Vandelizeous"!
This one must have escaped from across the street - I've seen them there in the abandoned building! But I never would have expected to see one all the way out here in the woods!
Wow, my day just gets better!

Finally, I have found what I came to see ...

A "hearty foilus".
Tucked there in the grasses.

What a walk I have had!
What treasures I have uncovered!
I can't wait to go out again!

To see "hearty foilus" from around the world, visit Random Hearts - and join us for Guest Heart Thursday!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Mika Stands Alone ...

When I saw where Mika was standing, I couldn't help but think of a Sunday School song from my childhood ...

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that's the Book for me.
I stand alone
On the word of God -
The B-I-B-L-E!

I am honored to link Mika with Pet Pride! Come join us, and meet the special friends in our lives!

If Only I Had a Video Camera ...

No pictures today, because I don't have a video camera ... and nothing else would do.

Cipole Road is a curvy country lane between two busy highways. Several run-down businesses line the street; no parking lots, you just pull over alongside the road onto the grass and walk in ...

I was bringing mom home from the doctor's office, via the Cipole Road shortcut. As I rounded a corner, I noticed a car pulled over in the grass in front of a large hedge. The driver had a peculiar stance in front of his door that made me slow down and gawk - you probably know the posture I'm talking about. Both feet spread slightly apart, hunched over a bit at the shoulders, arms overhead ... the coat hanger in his hands stuck in the edge of the car window, which he was desperately maneuvering up and down - obviously trying to unlock the door from the outside.

I felt a moment of sympathy. I have been there, and know well that sinking feeling when I realized my keys were not in my purse, but locked in the car.

I slowly passed the poor locked out frustrated soul, hoping he got his door open soon.

Until that moment when I passed him, looking back in the rear view mirror ... at the poor guy with the coat hanger ... fruitlessly punching at the door lock ... while the passenger door of his car stood WIDE OPEN against the hedge ...

Mom and I laughed hysterically all the way home.