Project 52 Week 36: Watchcat

On September 17, 2012September 17, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography2 Comments

On Saturday morning my husband and three of our friends ran in the Kansas City Zoo Run – a 4-mile run to benefit the Sumatran Tigers. After running 4 miles, we got free tickets to the zoo, so we walked about 4 more miles looking at all the animals. Even though I don’t have kids, I love going to the zoo because 1) I love animals, and 2) there are great photographic opportunities. My photo tip about zoos is to use the largest aperture (smallest number) you can, so the fences in the foreground are blurry and less of a distraction.

Thanks to the TV series Meerkat Manor, I bring you a photo of one of my favorite animals.

This meerkat, despite no chance of threat in the zoo, kept watch as two young meerkats wrestled below.

Project 52 Week 35: Faces of Innocence

On September 10, 2012 By LindyIn family, photography, portraits

We had a big family get together at my parents’ house this weekend, using my cousin’s 30th birthday as a great excuse to hang out. With 10 little ones in the family, we were grateful for a gorgeous day so we could play outside. As usual, I couldn’t pick one favorite photo. All of my cousins are so cute!

Baby Samantha, 3 months old, likes to stare me down. (Maybe it’s the camera.)

Blake, 1 1/2 years old, was my buddy for the day.

Izac always looks like he is pondering something.

Emily loves to climb and dangle from trees, reminding me of a monkey.

Irish Shenanigans

On September 6, 2012 By LindyIn photography, street photography6 Comments

Here are a few “street photography” shots from the Kansas City Irish Fest last weekend. It’s one of the best places to people watch.

Green, green, and more green (and a cute baby).

The band Millish put on a great show. I’d describe their music as Irish jazz.

I’m glad I wasn’t any closer, or I may have learned what they really wear under their kilts.

Not your typical Irish Fest spectator. Notice her dainty hat and the run in her hose. 🙂

The authentic and the eccentric…together as one.

Streets in downtown Kansas City are closed off for Irish Fest, which brings huge crowds each year. Notice anything amusing about this photo?

Project 52 Week 34: Union Station, Another Angle

On September 3, 2012 By LindyIn night photography, photography

On the long walk to the car after this weekend’s Kansas City Irish Fest, I grabbed my tripod for a shot of this Union Station sign. Photos of the front of Union Station are pretty common, but this angle is a bit different. If you twist my arm I may post some street photography shots of Irish Fest later this week – it’s a great place to people watch!

The back side of Union Station in Kansas City.

A world with less breast cancer…

On August 28, 2012 By LindyIn charity, photography

… is a world with more birthdays. Last week I was asked to photograph the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast in Kansas City. It was held at Arrowhead Stadium and it’s a great cause, so I was happy to help out. Making Strides is an American Cancer Society 5k walk benefiting breast cancer. There are events all across the country, so if breast cancer is something you’re passionate about, check out makingstrideswalk.org.

We arrived at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast well before sunrise.

The breakfast was held at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Attendees grabbed breakfast before the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer presentation.

About 300 guests attended the free breakfast to learn about the Making Strides walk.

Emcee Davo, from Mix 93.3, along with American Cancer Society staff person Lauren, hosted the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer breakfast.

Two women’s health physicians had a great presentation about signs of breast cancer, what to expect during a mammogram, and going through breast cancer treatment.

Future Making Strides team captains talked with Society staff after the event. Staff will stay in contact with team captains from now until the October 27 walk.

Project 52 Week 33: Miles-Smiles

On August 27, 2012 By LindyIn photography3 Comments

My second-favorite cat, behind my beloved Esme, is my sister’s cat Miles. I like to call him Miles-Smiles. What I love about him is that he just sits and stares at you while you snap his photo; he isn’t a blur like Esme. (But I guess he is about 12 years older than her.) Should I have posted a more traditional head-on shot, or do you like this unique crop?

My sister’s cat, know (by me) as Miles-Smiles, tries his best to ignore the camera just inches from his face.

Project 52 Week 32: Translucent Life

On August 20, 2012August 20, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography6 Comments

Can you tell what kind of flower this is? I noticed its leaf looked translucent when the sun was hitting it a few days ago, so I dropped what I was doing to snap a few photos.

This flower looks prettier than usual when the sun shines on it.

Nature is so amazing; look at how the sun shines right through this leaf.

Project 52 Week 31: We party with balloons in the Midwest

On August 13, 2012 By LindyIn photography

This weekend my husband and I went to the Great Midwest Balloon Fest with our families. I went to the balloon fest a couple of years ago, but it’s gotten huge with 50+ competing hot air balloons, many thousands of attendees, and a Clay Walker concert. it’s no big surprise I couldn’t pick a favorite photo. Can you?

Three paratroopers dropped from the sky at the beginning of the festival – this one carrying the American flag.

We had a great spot to see the hot air balloons taking off right above us.

All the balloons lit up at dusk for a balloon glow. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite dark yet.

Clay Walker put on a great concert! I knew way more songs than I thought I would.

The crowd went crazy for Clay Walker’s interactive concert with streamers, confetti, beach balls, and flying guitar picks.

Project 52 Week 30: Cutie Patootie

On August 6, 2012 By LindyIn baby, photography5 Comments

After taking well over 700 photos at Glacier National Park, I slacked off on photography a bit this past week. (By the way, my Glacier photos had the most views of any post on my blog – times about four!) I did snap a photo of this adorable little guy at my nephew’s birthday party this weekend.

Benjamin had a great time beating on the kiddy drums at his big brother’s birthday party.

Project 52 Week 29: One of the most beautiful places on Earth

On July 29, 2012July 29, 2012 By LindyIn night photography, photography, travel14 Comments

I just got back from a family vacation to Glacier National Park! We flew to Seattle and took an Amtrak train to the park. I’ve traveled a bit and seen many beautiful places, but I think Glacier is the most underrated national park in the US. It’s so unique because of the way the colorful mountains were formed by glaciers, along with all the wildlife and flora. It saddens me to think that the glaciers will be gone by 2020, mostly due to global warming. We got so lucky with temperatures in the 70s, clear skies, and almost no wind. Today it was 105 degrees in Kansas City; I already miss it!