181/366 - "Trooper Training"

(F/16, 100mm, 2 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was having trouble figuring out what I was going to shoot tonight.  Then I spotted Jonah's LEGO Star Wars figures and had to search around for the action figure to play the parent.  It all came together once I found the old toy school bus.

180/366 - "Yellow Stars"

(F/4, 100mm, 1/40 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

We were outside playing tonight and in my neighbor's yard are these purple flowers.  I set up for some macro shots.  After I took a look in Lightroom it appears to me that the pieces that make up the eye look like little stars.

179/366 - "Jonah"

(F/4, 40mm, 1/30 sec, ISO 640, Canon 5D Mk II)

Tonight Jonah and I were sitting on the couch watching the Olympic Trials for swimming, and I was able to snap this one.

178/366 - "West End Overlook"

(F/8, 29mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Our Tuesday ride tonight went to the West End Overlook.  With this in mind, I brought my DSLR along for the ride.  I really wish I would have had my tripod, so I had to make the best of the situation.  Handheld bracketing for HDR is something I don't recommend.  It turned out okay, but I will be headed back with a tripod.  I love this view of the city.

177/366 - "Wasp"

(F/8, 100mm, 1/400, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

This shot is brought to you once again by my neighbor's backyard.  After work I went out and there were bees, wasps, and butterflies all over the place. 

176/366 - "Front Porch"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today we spent the majority of the day doing chores.  Washing cars, tending the garden, and tiring out the kids.  Sue also hosed off the front porch and since she cleaned it up, I decided to set up and take a shot.  It has been on my list of shots to get with the wide angle and I even made it an HDR shot as well.

175/366 - "New River Gorge Bridge"

(F/8, 22mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

On the way home today I convinced Sue that we should take a stop at the overlook so we could all stretch our legs, hit the restrooms, and so I could take a photograph.  This is from the lowest section of the overlook.

174/366 - "Morning Inlet"

(F/8, 21mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I woke up early this morning to get some photographs of Lake Carolina as the sun was coming up.  This is an inlet that is about half a mile from Karen and Pat's house.  

173/366 - "Monarch Butterfly"

(F/4, 67mm, 1/250, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today we went to the Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia, SC.  They had an outdoor butterfly exhibit which for me was the highlight of the visit.

172/366 - "Roundabout Houses"

(F/8, 21mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

As we have been driving around Karen and Pat's plan there are a few spots that scream take my picture.  This is one of these spots.  The entrance to their plan is a roundabout.  I love roundabouts and I feel they are under utilized in our country.  All around this roundabout are townhouse style homes of all different colors.  Makes you feel like you are at the beach.

171/366 - "The Map"

(F/4, 24mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today we went to the zoo with all the kids.  Upon entering they requested maps and they studied them as the parents cycled through the restroom.  When it was ready to go, they rolled them up like "The Map" on Dora the Explorer.

170/366 - "Isle Of Palms Pier"

(F/8, 24mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I woke up this morning before sunrise to get some photographs to use for HDR practice.  This is the one that I like the best.

169/366 - "Sisters"

(F/4, 105mm, 1/1600 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

The reason we came was so the sisters could have some quality time together.  The quality time on Sunday was spent at the beach.

168/366 - "The Pool"

(F/4, 105mm, 1/1600 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

We spent the day at the pool.  There is this giant mushroom in the middle that rains down water.  What a great day and a great pool.  All the kids and adults had a blast.

167/366 - "Along the Road"

(F/9, 24mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

The theme for today was "On the Road".  I spotted these flower beds along the road and eventually was able to stop, jump out, and snap a few shots.

166/366 - "Flag Day"

(F/4, 105mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today is Flag Day so I decided to take a photo of our neighbor's flag.

Guest Post - Jim

(F/2.8, 70mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 100, Nikon D800)

Today was a big day for Jim.  His D800 finally arrived so he sent me a few shots to pick for a guest post.  I will have to say that all the shots are great but I like this one the best.  Probably because I want to get a capture like this one day. 

165/366 - "Pale Yellow"

(F/11, 100mm, 0.6 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Tonight after the kids were in bed I walked out front and set up for some macro flower shots.  This is the one I liked the most.

164/366 - "Threads"

(F/2.8, 100mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 2000, Canon 5D Mk II)

Tonight Sue had to break out the sewing kit again.  This time to repair a caterpillar and a pillow pet named Bumble.  She had all the thread stacked on the table sorting for specific colors so I snagged a photo.

163/366 - "Dining Room"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I have wanted to take some photographs of the inside of our house for some time now.  The dining room is first, mainly because it required the least amount of work to get ready for photos.  Maybe I will post some of the other rooms later this year.

162/366 - "We Made It!"

(F/8, 24mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Our MS150 happens to finish on the shores of Lake Erie.  Here is a shot about 15 minutes after we finished.

161/366 - "Doggy on Board"

(F/4, 92mm, 1/320 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

After we finished I sat around the finishing area for day 1 and snapped some photos.  Every year this couple and their dog participate.  Usually they carry their pooch in a backpack.  I am guessing because of the heat, they decided to put her in a basket.  Either way I really get a kick out of the dog leading the way goggles included.

160/366 - "Ready to Go!"

(F/4, 40mm, 1/100 sec, ISO 200, Canon 5D Mk II)

Tomorrow is the start of the MS150 in our area.  This is my 8th year and I think this may be the most money I have raised for a ride.  Thanks to all those that have supported my ride!

159/366 - "Under the Needle"

(F/4, 100mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 200, Canon 5D Mk II)

Pluto had to go under minor back surgery tonight.  This is his second operation in the past month or so.  Hopefully he recovers well.

158/366 - "The Neighbor's House"

(F/8, 24mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I have shot several macro shots of flowers for this project in my neighbor's backyard.  Tonight I thought I would show you her whole backyard and her house.  It also gives me a chance to practice my HDR processing.

157/366 - "Nittany"

(F/2.8, 100mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 3200, Canon 5D Mk II)

Our cat Nittany is very elusive.  However, when dad or our friend Hillary visit he will show his face.  Tonight dad is at our house and I was able to get this while Nittany was hanging out on dad's lap.

156/366 - "Hydrangea"

(F/6.3, 100mm, 1/100 sec, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

My neighbors blue hydrangea is starting to bloom.  The blooms start out a very pale green and eventually turn blue.  The pale green color made for a really nice black and white conversion.  I am sure some color photos will be posted once they turn blue.

155/366 - "Hike"

(F/4, 80mm, 1/40 sec, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

This morning we went for a hike as a family, which was a first.  Usually, Jonah and I are in the woods without the girls.  The whole time Jonah was explaining to Harper all the stuff that I point out to him.  Every time I take Jonah to the woods I ask him if he would like his picture taken on a particular rock.  Without fail he always says no.  Today, he asked Harper if she would like to sit on the rock with him to have their picture taken.  I snapped a couple of quick shots so we could keep walking.  This is probably my favorite photograph of the two of them together.

154/366 - "Spider"

(F/4.5, 100mm, 1/125 sec, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was taking out the garbage this afternoon and spotted a spider web between two of our bushes.  I checked back later when I was grilling and the spider was back.  I grabbed my camera with the macro lens and took some shots.  I have no idea what kind of spider this is, so if you do let me know.

153/366 - "Friday Night"

(F/1.4, 50mm, 1/50 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Like most Friday nights Sue and I watch a little TV together on the couch.  This evening we started watching the Hatfield's & McCoy's series.  I had to break out some of my 8th grade West Virginia History class skills.