Day 627 - Migration

Due to some other obligations, I missed the photo trip with my Meetup group to photograph the monarch butterflies on a local ranch last week.  They didn't see any.

However, as I pulled into my driveway this afternoon, they were all over my neighbors tree.  Had my camera, so shot a few pictures.  Here is some more information on the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Texas.

Such a beautiful day in Austin. 

Day 626 - Beginning and Ends

Day 625 - Making a Splash

The high school swim season begins!

Day 624 - Can we call it a night?

I am not sure I have had an emotional 72 hours like the last.
Things are geting a bit back to normal and everyone is safe. 
Thus the title of this post....

Day 623 - Unexpected Support

What can I say, but "thank you" to the university who supported my son and our family in a time of great stress this past week when the house my son and his friends were living in burned to the ground in an early morning fire.  Everyone is safe, but words cannot express how the university was immediately there in supporting these students in getting them basic needs.  Thank you to the Office of Student Affairs, you were amazing.

Day 622 - Press On

My world has been "rocked" the last 40 hours, but fortunately all has turned  out okay.

Material items can be replaced, but family and friends cannot, and pictures of those important people and times in your life are so important...thus I will "press on".

Day 621 - A Handheld Vacation

Also, first time to post from my iPhone.

However, my thoughts are in New Orleans tonight not with my camera.

Day 620 - Light Painting

30 seconds, f/14.0, 70 mm, ISO 200

Went with on a photography tour of Longhorn Canyons this morning.  A good exercise since I don't shoot as much in low-light situations that I would like.  Thank to Mike, our tour guide (also a photographer) for taking the time to show us great spots and "painting: some light on the formations as our shutters were open for periods of 15-30 seconds.

25 seconds, f/22 .0, 27mm, 400 ISO

Day 619 - TGIF

What a week at work!

Day 618 - I LOVE OCTOBER

I bought a ceramic bowl for Halloween ten years ago (way too expensive then for me....but I bought it anyway) that is still one of my favorite purchases today. This is one of the ghosts on the bowl. Good purchase.

One last word today, I know that history has a place for Steve Jobs and his impact on how we interact with our world, but my thoughts are with his family tonight.   He was more than "Apple", "iPods", and "iPhones" to them. 

Day 617 - Celebrate Music

I live in the city that claims to be the "Live Music Capital of the World"...I would agree that we have great live entertainment here.  However, my favorite bistro is right next to the Texas Music Museum , and I have never been there.  However, I have always loved the mosaic in front, and have thought I needed to get a shot while I was driving by.  So tonight as I was waiting for a friend, I had my chance.  Glad I did.  Happy Wednesday!

Day 616 - Waiting

Day 615 - Foodie

My laptop is not cooperating tonight so a little tough to download pictures from my camera, so to stay true to the goal, I am posting from my iPhone a picture of my delicious dinner.  New recipe with articokes, red onion, tomatoes, and tuna.  Will use more tomatoes next time.  Overall, delicious!

Day 614 - Product Shot...Day Two

So...next time I pick up ANY magazine, I will appreciate what the effort it took to get those "product" shots as well as the people shots.  Not easy.  I have a new respect.  I learned a great deal this weekend.  Thanks to Andrew and Kim for letting me give it a shot!  Liking the "brushed metal" much better....these reflections were tough!

Day 613 - Product Shot

Still working on that "product" shot for my friend.
Quite challenging shooting for someone else. 

Day 612 - Stay Sharp

SAT Tomorrow for Chris

Day 611 - Evening Lights

Day 610 - Brothers

Missing my brothers tonight.

Day 609 - Simple

A simple object with light, texture, and placement can be amazing.
Sounds like a recipe to follow in life.

Day 608 - Tree Trim?

Day 607 - Road Trip

Safe Travels for sure, and thankful for that.  Good visit for sure, and thankful for that.
However, glad to get my butt out of that car and home!

Day 606 - Will Rogers and Soapsuds

Saddle Tramps, a spirit organization at Texas Tech are known for wrapping the Will Rogers & Soapsuds "Riding into the Sunset" statue in red crepe paper before each home football game. The statue is also wrapped in black crepe paper to mourn national tragedies.

Today it is a home game, Texas Tech vs. Nevada.
Wreck 'em
(Update, Texas Tech came from behind to win 35-34....Guns UP!)

Day 605 - Brownwood Find

Happened to visit this deli as we were passing through Brownwood, Texas.
If you get the chance some weekday (not open on the weekends), you need to make this a destination.  The food is delicious and the atmosphere is charming.  Check out their link!

Day 604 - Office View of the Sun

Day 603 - Shoot...It's your memories!

Tonight, I am thinking of my parents and a picture that was taken over 50 years ago when they were in high school.  I treasure the shot.  I do not know who took this picture, but I thank them.  So while in this world of fast moving videos just stop and take the "shot".  You never know which one will truly be the "memory" for you...or your kids.

Day 602 - Man's (or Girl's) Best Friend

Day 601 - Flamingo Freedom

No, I did not take this picture today, I took it on Saturday when we had some wind and rain at ACL.
Nice.
However, no time for photos today as I got back to work. After 600 days no time to go back on the goal now...so the cheese grater was taken this evening with my iPhone as I made dinner...simply unamazing which is why I like the flamingo!  Just saying day 601 of taking a picture is accomplished.  Not pretty, but done.  Sometimes getting it done is all you can do.

Day 600 - I was sixteen once...

However, I did not have near the accomplishments of Ruby Jane, this talented Austin artist I watched at ACL this morning.  She is just 16, but so talented.  Check out her website.  What a great show once again this morning.  Enjoyed it! 

Day 599 - Thanks for Sharing

Today was the second of three days of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  The artists who come to this event always seem to give their best.  I stopped by to see the Belle Brigade's performance this afternoon, and their lead guitarist's enthusiasm simply awesome (so was their music!).  Also, a member of the band was intently focusing on his keyboard. Caught that in his glasses!  A little different perspective.

Day 598 - An ACL Evening

Overlooking Austin and Kanye West Stage during the opening night of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  Coldplay was playing on the opposite stage from Kanye.  Nice.

Day 597 - Layers

Day 596 - Wilting

Rain, we miss you.

Day 595 - Favorite Things

Will agree...cheap shot this evening.  I bought my son this puzzle tonight, and shot the picture of the top of the box.  However, just thinking that the food, wine, restaurants, and cat were just so much of my favorite things in one picture!  Kudos to whoever took the original shot!

Day 594 - Sunrise on the Downhill

Tough getting up this morning for a run, but as I was headed home, I was treated to this beautiful sunrise on the downhill!  (taken with my iPhone)

Day 593 - Take Care of Your Freedom

Day 592 - First Shots

I have a great friend who has these "kitchen friendly" compost
cans for sale.  Took my first pictures today for him. 
Have ideas how to improve.
Tomorrow is another day!

Day 591 - College Caps

Miss them!
But they are off being amazing!

Day 590 -- Peachy

Day 589 - One-Eyed Jenga

Taken with my iPhone..
Love both of these guys!

Day 588 - When in doubt, PAINT!

Need a change?  Paint is cheap!

Day 587 "Tri" Austin

Went to Town Lake (not Lady Bird Lake, thank you) to take some pictures of the triathlon that was taking place this early morning.  Played with some long exposure with my 35mm 1.8 lens.  Was looking for that "smooth" water.  This was 30 seconds at f 1/20 at ISO 100.  Used a fence post as a tripod (which I had left in the car).  I like the reflections of the light posts on the bridge in the water...nice.  Must work on this!

Day 586 - Simple Bloom

I like the blurred background on this, shot with 35mm 1.8 lens.

Day 585 - Charlie and Sage

Ran too late today, it was hot!  However, I stopped by Mayfield Park afterwards to spend a little time with my camera.  Met these two young girls with their grandparents gathering peacock feathers.  They had so much enthusiasm for their quest, it was infectious.

Forget the heat...just go do something that inspires and energizes you today!



Day 584 - Friday Bloom

A bright start to a long weekend!

Day 583 - Fresh Faces