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!

My nephew looks out the train window as we travel through Washington.

A three-mile hike through patches of snow lead us to a spectacular view of Hidden Lake.

This little lamb was just one of many sheep we saw on the Hidden Lake trail. The animals in the park clearly have no fear of humans, as they just grazed near the trail and ignored the hoards of people photographing them.

An early morning view of Swiftcurrent Lake in East Glacier.

There are many beautiful wildflowers throughout Glacier National Park; I thought this was one of the most unusual.

A view from the top of our four-mile hike to see Grinnell Lake. The hike was supposed to be eight miles and take us to Grinnell Glacier, but unfortunately half of it was closed due to hazardous snow and ice. The lakes in the park are turquoise due to the glacial ice melt and the sediments it leaves.

We woke up to a large black bear grazing on berries about 50 yards from our cabin! This was the third bear sighting of the trip.

The wide-open Montana sky led to the perfect opportunity for me to photograph stars (a first). I took this photo around midnight as cattle trucks were unloading cattle a few miles from the park.

A one-hour time exposure of stars passing over the Montana sky.

Tattoo, the guard llama at the alpaca farm were we stayed, blocked the driveway as we tried to leave the last morning.

Project 52 Week 28: Take Me Out To the Ball Game

On July 22, 2012 By LindyIn photography

Thanks to some friends of ours, we had the opportunity to experience a Kansas City Royals game up close and personal Friday night – just four rows behind the dugout! Sometimes I zone out during baseball games … but not with seats like these! (I won’t mention who won the game.)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar.

Project 52 Week 27: We’ll Always Remember

On July 16, 2012July 16, 2012 By LindyIn charity, night photography, photography

Friday and Saturday was our annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life. During Relay we celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Remembering is the hardest, most touching part of the evening. It’s been just over 2 years since we lost my aunt Jill to pancreatic cancer; so many others were missing their loved ones that night too. It’s not too late to make a difference – our Relay is raising money through August 31. You can make a donation here.

P.S. My canvas print of this photo sold for $90 in the Relay For Life live auction … I was beyond excited!

During the luminaria ceremony, we walk the dark track silently as names of those who’ve had cancer are spoken.

Project 52 Week 26: Country Lovin’

On July 9, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography7 Comments

Thursday evening I ventured out around sunset to capture some photos. I was feeling down on luck when a baby calf and pony weren’t in a field I’d seen them in earlier in the week, so I shot some disappointing photos of corn fields. And then … I came upon this. Perfection.

A cow grazes at sunset on a nearby Missouri farm.

Project 52 Week 25: An expensive weekend

On July 2, 2012 By LindyIn family, photography6 Comments

This weekend we traveled to my in-laws’ to celebrate the 4th of July a little early. Holidays are ranked as follows in this family: #5: Birthdays. #4: Easter. #3: Thanksgiving. #2: Christmas. #1: 4th of July. In fact, we had our very own $600 fireworks display. My father-in-law says, “This is a man’s holiday. We get to drink beer, eat, and blow stuff up.” I hate to burst his bubble, but this female really likes the holiday too.

Since I was in the driver’s seat on the way to my in-laws’ Friday evening, I pulled over to snap a few photos of the sunset.

Another shot of a beautiful sunset in Southeast Kansas. The sun looked bigger than I’d ever seen before!

Nephew Caleb, very serious about shooting his bubble gun.

Niece Beth, acting a bit embarrassed about having her photo taken, but secretly loving it.

Fireworks from our family display Saturday night.

Project 52 Week 25: Biker Blur

On June 25, 2012June 25, 2012 By LindyIn photography

Wow, last week was such a busy week! I had a tough time deciding between photos of a triathlon, Grandma’s birthday, drag queen bingo (I can admit to it since it was a fundraiser), or two pool parties with friends. Oh … or the gorgeous rose vase we received as a wedding gift, shattered in a thousand pieces after a cleaning incident. I actually cried.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a creative photo, so I thought I’d take a chance with this one. What do you think? Is it creative, or just a big blur?