Category Archives: Photography

A Cold Day At The Beach

 

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly.  A few days ago, I ventured to the beach.  We had a brief respite between storms in my little corner of Maine, so I decided to get out and get some fresh air.  The snow was too deep to go hiking, even with snowshoes, so I figured the beach would be a safe bet.  It was cold, but not too bad.

 

When I got there, the snow drifts around the stairs (every set of stairs) to the beach was thigh deep.  I found that out when I tried to trudge through.  I made it, though, and carried on.  The beach itself was clear due to the tides, so I had no trouble walking along.

 

I took quite a few photos of ice formations on the rocks at the far end of the beach.  The icicles hanging over the edges made little caves that reminded me of Hoth (major nerd points if you get the reference).

 

Icicles at the Beach

 

Just as I was getting ready to head back to my car, I saw a woman and her dog walking along the beach toward me.  Luckily, the dog was extremely friendly (I’ve had my share of run-ins with dogs of the not-so-friendly persuasion) and well behaved.  Her name was Lexi Rose…the dog, that is.  Her owner told me that Lexi was a rescued Borzi better known as a Russian Wolfhound, and that she was only seven months old.  Seven months old and she was already almost up to my hip (and I’m a pretty tall girl).

 

Lexi Rose

 

So after taking a few pictures of Lexi (with permission, of course), and chatting a little with her owner, I headed back to my car, stopping to take a few other shots of ice encased seaweed and shells.

 

So, in spite of getting a minor sun/wind burn on my face, it was a rather pleasant day.

 

Don’t be afraid to visit the beach on nice days during the winter months, folks.  It may be cold, but it’s a whole new twist on familiar scenery.

 

 

Until next time…

 

~A.M.

A Not-So-Happy New Year

 

I’m sure my readers (all two of you) are wondering why there weren’t any blog posts the past two Mondays. Well, there’s a reason for that and it’s extremely sad. A horrible start to the new year.

 
On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. My 17 year old cat, Tigger, passed away. She had been with me, was my shadow, my comfort, my joy, my best friend since she found me and adopted me as her mom.

 
Her loss hit me exceedingly hard and is still weighing on my mind and heart. So my Monday blog posts were the furthest thing from my mind. Instead, I was taking some time to mourn. Then I began working on some projects to honor my cat’s memory and help me begin to heal.

 

 

TiggerRest well my beautiful baby girl. You will be forever loved and forever missed. I hope we will meet again in another life. I love you, Tig.  [-_-,]

 

 

 

 

 
~A.M.

Christmas Time

 

With all the political correctness being thrown about when it comes to the holidays, especially Christmas, I feel I need to make a little stand here.

 

Why should I have to stop saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Yule” (since I celebrate Christmas for/with the family and Yule for/by myself) in favor of “Happy Holidays” just because someone that doesn’t celebrate Christmas or Yule may possibly take offense to said greetings?  It’s kind of ridiculous if you think about it.  You don’t see me getting all bent out of shape when someone says “Happy Hanukah” (did I spell that right?) or “Happy Kwanza.”  In fact, I’d rather that happen.  Instead of getting offended by my “Merry Christmas” to you, I’d rather have you respond joyfully with, “Happy/Merry *name of whatever particular holiday/festival you celebrate*”.

 

Doesn’t that make more sense than pushing the whole “politically correct” thing on something so simple and innocent as a holiday greeting (or decorations since it‘s spilling over into that area too)?  There are bigger things out there in the world that should concern us than how someone extends a holiday greeting.  I know some of you out there agree with me, and those that don’t, well, this is just my opinion so no harm no foul! d_[^_^]

 

No matter what holiday, religious rite, or festival you celebrate, I think we can all agree that this is a time of year for family, joy, caring, and love for your fellow human beings.  Right?  I know!

 

That being said, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Yule, and a Happy/Merry everything else (to those that don’t celebrate Christmas or Yule)!  And since I can’t send everyone a card, I’ll offer up the digital equivalent!

 

Warm Wishes and Bright Blessings to you.

Warm Wishes and Bright Blessings to you.

 

Tis the season to be kind to others, regardless of your (or their) differences, whatever they may be!

 

 

Until next time….

 

[^_^]

 

~A.M.

Abstract Ice

 

A week or so ago, I took a hike through the trails of the nearest state park (which is a bit dangerous this time of year due to hunting season, but fear not! I had on my blaze orange!).  What interested me as I was hiking, was the fact that I came across several puddles that were frozen as well as several others in close proximity that weren’t.  It made me wonder why one puddle would freeze while another of the same size and depth relatively close by wouldn’t.  I‘m sure there‘s some fancy scientific reason for this, but damn it Jim, I‘m a photographer, not a scientist!

 

Anyway, the frozen puddles had some cool abstract designs flowing through them so I stopped and took a few pictures.

 

Abstract Ice

 

Art isn’t the only thing that can be abstract! [-_^]

 

 

Until next time….

 

[^_^]

 

~A.M.

Fun With Action Figures…Round 2

 

Those of you that read my blog on a regular basis (thank you for that, by the way! d_[^_^]) have undoubtedly seen a few photos of mine with toys as the subject. Ninjas, action figures, dragons, faeries….

 

Why do I do this? Well, the answer is simple.

 

Because it’s fun!

 

These photos can range from completely planned out/staged to utterly random. Usually, they take place while I’m out hiking or walking on the beach.

 

Recently, I was walking on the beach (yes, I still walk on the beach in winter…if the weather’s nice), and I had my collection of faeries with me. As I was walking along, I happened to look down at just the right moment and noticed a G.I. Joe type army figure in desert style gear. I decided to take the little fella home and as I was heading back toward my car, the sun was setting behind me and an idea struck.

 

I thought, it’d be interesting to do a shot or two of this army dude walking off into the sunset with the beach sand as a “desert”. So, I tried it, even making a little line of footprints behind him…

 

 

Soldier in the Desert

 

 

Then, I decided to add one of my faeries to the mix. My thought for this wasn’t a soldier walking along with a faerie, but a soldier walking along with a little girl dressed as a faerie. The message in that one? Well, I’ll let you glean whatever you’d like from it (but please share your thoughts, I’d love to hear…er…read them!).

 

 

Soldier with Little Girl in Faerie Costume

 

 

These photographs won’t be winning any awards, I know, but they’re still cute (in my opinion at least) and fun to make.

 

 

Until next time…

 

 

[^_^]

 

~A.M.