Day 143

Gotcha! Would this not feel uncomfortable around your mouth? I think so. I'm also just glad I'm not a robin. 

Day 143

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/250, 280 mm

 

Day 113

Today I was walking around the backyard, and I couldn't find the bunnies! Finally off in a corner against the brick was a brave one, I caught his little eye peeking out. It was almost like those crafty books with the geometric shapes where you have to adjust your eyes to see the 3D figure..you know what I'm talking about? Anyway, once I knew what my eyes should focus on, I found 3 more hiding! 

I fell in love with this photo. I had another one from today, and even though I've posted bunnies, I had to post one of his peeking out from the grass. 

Day 113

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/800, 50 mm

Day 111

Finally a pretty day in Chicago, so I took the younger kids to the Brookfield Zoo. We had a nice walk, stayed for a couple hours, just talking and laughing. 

Has anyone else been watching the Decorah Eagle Cam? I've been addicted since there were only 3 eggs. It was fun to see them hatching, and now that they are getting bigger, what they're having for lunch.

So at the zoo, it was only fitting to capture a Bald Eagle since I was so close. I love them, they're so beautiful!

Day 111

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/250, 160 mm

Day 109

Ask and you shall receive! I didn't want to disturb them too much, but I wanted to see if I could get a good shot. It's decent. At least you can see them. 

When we bought this house, the previous owner told us that a momma bunny has babies every year in the backyard. We thought, well poor her, she won't anymore because of our dog...and kids... This yard wasn't used to a lot of activity, but we certainly brought that when we moved in. 

This has not deterred momma bunny in any way. She continues to have babies in our yard. She just adapts. 2 years ago, she had them in the planter by the swings. Last year, we didn't know where she had them, but we saw them scamper about. This year...AHA! As we were picking up the backyard yesterday, I went to grab a Nerf dart gun out of the Fisher Price plastic garden toy, and the ground moved. I realized there were a couple baby bunnies. I left the gun there as that was half of their cover under that slide. Taking a couple pictures today, I counted five! It has been raining like crazy for the past couple days, so we covered the side of the slide with some plywood. You can see the little one on the far bottom right is damp. Poor guy.. he's fine now!

So, Happy Easter week to all the bunny lovers out there. And, who says there isn't wildlife smack dab in the middle of Chicago? (Well, okay, usually me.... but this counts!) 

 Day 109

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.2, ss 1/60, 50 mm

mini fusion from MCP Actions

Day 103

Today was a whirlwind, but we made it through! My husband has an EMT class to renew, so he had to get a few blood pressure numbers. Whatever. I'm not EMT savvy, but the youngest got a hold of the stethoscope and went straight for the animals. You can see, the cat could care less. She had fun, and learned a little along the way. 

Day 103

Settings:

ISO 200, f/3.2, ss 1/6, 50 mm

Day 84

Well, let's not think we're the only ones who gain weight in the winter. I thought these little guys are usually scrawny by this time trying to scavenge for almost anything to eat. 

I was wrong.

This little squirrel looks like a bear.

Here is "bear's" nest in the same tree. I think he did really well this year. Good boy! or girl..  ;)

Day 84

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/250, 160 mm

Day 83

My daughter made me a little owl in her ceramics class. This was the second one finished as the first one exploded. She forgot to hollow it out inside. :) This is special to me because 1. she made it, 2. it's an owl! I really don't know what happened to me with this owl thing. 

When I was little, my dad was going to build a fire in the basement wood stove. He opened up the door, and started to throw the papers in. He normally didn't look around first, but peeked in there and saw two huge eyes staring at him. Just as he realized there was something in there, this baby owl took off flying over his head. It flew up the stairs, down the hallway, and into my room. We couldn't find him for a while, until I spied him on my dresser with all my stuffed animals! I threw a photo of that in under my photo of the day for you to see. Not the best photo, OH how I wish my mother had been a photographer! What a missed opportunity! ;)

Here's the picture of my owl in my kitchen. Isn't he cute? It's made with lots of love, and I think it's awesome!

Day 83

Settings:

ISO 100, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm

Day 62

Hello, my fellow 365'ers! I apologize ahead of time here.. I have had no extra time to look around on your blog lately. I've been swamped! I do look forward to each and every one of your photos when I get a moment to myself. Thanks for stopping by!

Here is my shaded silver persian. Frodo. For my photo today, I had two choices. I wanted just his one eye, but then the two different lighting effects on him were kind of cool. The window is on the photo's left side, and the artificial lighting on the right. Looks totally different on each side. I almost used just the left side of the photo, cut down the middle, but left it all together. I'll get creative later..

More budding! My tulips were hiding under all the leaves. Found 'ja!

 Day 62

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/50, 50 mm

Daffodils

 Sedum

 Lilac

Tulips!

 Maple Tree

Day 26

This Peregrine Falcon was yards from our house last night. Yes, I confess. First time in 25 days I couldn't use the photos I took that day. I just had to add this! I thought he was so cool. Imagine me slip sliding all over the sidewalks chasing this thing from tree to tree..gotcha! 

  

Day 26
Settings:
ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/30, 300 mm, no flash

Day 23

Today was "Go Bears!" day. It's not turning out so well for the orange and blue. Not quite over, but it's "over" my husband says. He was excited about it at first, and so was the cat. She snuggled in with him just knowing he'd be hanging out there for a while. She was actually laying down sideways, but I turned the photo so you didn't have to turn your head to see her. I caught her eyes in the light. I absolutely love her bright green eyes when you can catch them. I tried my best, but sometimes they don't always cooperate.

Day 23 

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm, no flash

Day 20

Again... I got nothin'! Do you have days like this? It's my fault, I realize. I know there are a ton of sites out there with ideas. I just don't seem to remember anything I've seen. Today I just drew a blank. So, in my last ditch effort, I layed on the floor and zeroed in on my sleeping dog. I guess I will get some repeats through the year, like more than one dog shot, and more than one cat.. etc. 

I did skip looking at more photography today. Does homeschooling count? One can only see so many adjectives, nouns, and spelling lists. There ya go.. a spelling list!

And, a special thank you to everyone who is commenting and being so kind! I appreciate it! And, I really don't mind some constructive criticism. That's why we're all in this, right? To learn things that sometimes you just can't see it yourself. 
See ya tomorrow! ;)

Day 20

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm, no flash 

I did have to lighten up her face a little with Touch of Light/Darkness (free action from MCP)

Day 13

What if I can't decide which photo to put up for day 13? I liked them both, and everyone (in my family) I asked, was divided. So, here I am posting 2! Is that even allowed? Will beat 365 come and give me a ticket? Oh well. I'm doing it! I've tried to be so good.. it's not working. At least (for now..never say never) I am taking each photo on the day it is supposed to be done. Those are the rules, right?

I froze at the park today, but only for a few minutes. There were so many cool things up for grabs.. here are a couple, then I can't decide between the last two.

Hey, if I'm not "following" you and your blog, please post your site address in a comment so I can find you. Sometimes when I click on the name/photo of someone who commented, I don't see their site, only those they are following or sometimes nothing. Thanks! And, I SO appreciate the support from all of you. You're the best!

 Just for fun

Settings: 

ISO 200, ss 1/150, f/5.6, 300 mm, no flash

added a little color pop

 Can't decide Day 13?

Settings:

ISO 200, ss 1/100, f/4.5, 75 mm, no flash

I used the saturate sponge to bring out a little more color.

 

Can't decide Day 13

Settings:

ISO 200, ss 1/2500, f/1.8, 50 mm, no flash

I darkened up the trees and creek bed with the burn tool.

Day 12

This is Frodo! He's my little Hobbit cat since he has hair on his toes! :) Really, I had him named before I met him. My husband is a big LOTR fan. Since I came up with one of those names, I'm pretty sure that helped cinch the deal! 

I also added my photos to kara's 365 flickr group. Add yours too!

Day 12

Settings: 

ISO 400, f/2.8, ss 1/25, 50 mm, no flash

Okay, I'm not gonna lie, this was hard to do! I couldn't get the lighting right. The ISO on 100-400 still came out too dark for my taste. My room was a little dark, but natural light was still present. So I added a light texture to this and lightened it a bit. Love it now, but so frustrating to do on it's own. Any thoughts?

Day 8

Look at me! Getting my picture out early today! :) Our dog was tearing apart her duck, and having a bawl. I saw the mess she was creating and thought, perfect! I liked some of the other shots better, but this one was funny with her tongue hanging out.

Again, lighting is what I am still working with.

Day 8

Settings: 

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/200, 50mm, no flash