Tag: vacation

Black and White Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

When I saw the theme for this week on Sonel Corner’s blog, I knew I had to post a response.  If you click on the link to her blog you’ll see a wide variety of families from a musical instrument family to a family of Plovers and also a family of Vervet Monkeys.

I took this photo of my family over the 4th of July weekend when we were with Erika’s parents at Smith Mountain Lake Virginia.

Then converted it into black and white for the challenge. Certain shots seem to look better in Black and White. This one has minimal white.

ISO 100 f 7.1  1/400 with Canon 70-200 L series lens on a Canon 5D MarkII

Family at lake

Boy’s Best Friend

Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.

Michael talks to 3 month old Henry, (the Airedale Terrier puppy) on the boat.

Henry wore a life jacket and did a bit of doggy paddle with the family but was glad to get out of the water and shake off.

Henry is losing his black puppy hair on his face and as Mark said today, he is looking more “Airedaley”.

Boy's Best Friend

One Minute It’s Summer- Now the Pool’s Drained

 

Officially summer on the calendar but nothing like Back-to-School to bring it to a close. Summer vacation has been wonderful. Relaxing and lots of time with the family. Reading a book, flipping through a magazine, lazing about on the hammock, getting things done or not. Fresh sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. Summer’s grand.

Then school started with meetings and room set up and although it was a short week of actual teaching(2 days), the back to school feeling is in earnest and a new cycle has begun

A bit hot and muggy tonight from the rain, I can’t hear the cicadas but the change of season is impending.  The earlier sunsets. Something about the feel of the air.   Today we saw swarms of students shopping for wastebaskets and bedding, eating ice cream as they crossed the street.  The city has a different feel since they’ve returned to campuses.

I converted both images to black and white to unify them for the thought of swimming in summer and then a different pool, just drained for the season.  You get ideas. Some work. Some don’t.

Swimming at Aunt Linda’s neighbor’s pool-

 

 

 

St. Basils on Brownsville Road in the background.  Phillips Park Pool in Carrick.  Shot at the Corn Festival.

Popping Bubble Wrap

Lots of people enjoy the satisfaction of popping bubble wrap. Even the virtual kind.  On one listing for a computer game  it’s called the ultimate time waster.  There are apps with popping bubble wrap games. Some people find it a stress reliever and like hearing the pop.  Lately I have been receiving packages with a different kind of plastic with air trapped inside and they aren’t nearly as fun, just half heartedly filled with air and don’t make a good POP! More of a fizzle.

You don’t have to explain the rules to this activity. Here’s Maura on Aunt Linda’s back porch, concentrating on the task.  A detailed post of various methods of popping bubble wrap has been published over at 1000 Awesome Things( #840) so check it out here. There’s a photo of someone jumping on a big sheet of it! And there are various size bubbles.

Maura was popping the bubbles one at a time and it was fascinating to watch her take her time.  It seems a skill that’s a natural one.  Pick it up. Squeeze. Pop!

 

 

 

 

and Jack has found another use for bubble wrap

“It’s Annoying Now, But Later You’re Glad”

Laura’s 29th birthday.  She says it is her FIRST 29th birthday.  The family gathers on the front porch because most of them are nearby.

This year I didn’t run around and get in the photograph. Just wanted them.  I’ll put it on the fridge.  Look at it until we’re all together again. In the middle of winter I’ll glance at this August evening, celebrating Laura’s birthday and be glad I have the picture.

Not too many people really want their photo taken. Maybe a few.  The family allows me to photograph them one more time.

They’re gracious and they love me and they know it’s what I like to do.

They probably wonder when I’ll get tired of wanting to photograph them but they don’t complain. Much.  Photographing them while they ignore me is easier.

Of course, I want the shot where everyone is with me and looking pleasant on this occasion.  Ha. Erika says to me, “Good luck with that!”

I get it the best I can.

Don’t want to drag it out too long, make it quick, Just SHOOT!

Thanks family.  Matthew is the one who said to his friends at his college graduation ” This is what my mom does.  It’s annoying now, but later you’re glad.”

Penny the Golden Doodle with Lala and James on their front porch.

And Maura and Murphy pose for Mark. Caught them from the side as he got them to look at his phone.

Black Widow Adds a Lot of Screams to the Park

Back and forth, as a pendulum.

Spin round and round simultaneously.  Not to mention the height.     Oh my.

I shot this angle at dusk.

No, I did not ride it but was fascinated by the long lines of people waiting to get onto it and be scared out of their minds.  The screams rated high in decibels.

You can read a great article about it and there is a video link to view as well.  Plan a vacation in Pittsburgh and take the Black Widow at Kennywood.