Photo Blogging Challenge (July 2017): Point of View

Crap! I have 11 hours to put together this post. I have been on vacation and away from my computer so let's see if we can get this point of view started!

After fireworks, I noticed the bridge all lit up, since I had my tripod with me I decided to take a bit of a long exposure.

I was able to help some old friends out on a short film they were producing. We had planned on driving through this old railroad tunnel but a gate has recently gone up. No worries, the UAV provided the Point of View necessary.

My 12 of 12 this month was all about Point of View, down in this case.

I got a new GoPro to replace my waterlogged one. Testing it out from the pool.

And the reason I'm so late and needed the new camera: I've spent the last 10 days on Grand Cayman and under the sea. This is a still taken from a video and then edited some so it's lost some sharpness. Eels are cool! Link to the video is here, the eel shows up around the one minute mark.

No time for chit chat, I need to get this posted!

Photo Blogging Challenge (June 2017): Different lens/camera

I haven't used this mirrorless Lumix in quite a while. Lately, the iPhone has been my main camera with my old 5DMkII when I remember to bring a "real" camera. I bought the Lumix in 2014 for our first trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. It is WAY lighter than the 5D. Last time I brought all sorts of solar recharging goodness that never worked right and weighed a ton. This year, I ordered three more batteries, charged all five fully and didn't get through three in the 12 days. My iPhone was still used quite a bit, just more easily accessible but these were all taken with the Lumix. I carried a long lens with me as well and never pulled it out of the bag. I hate when I carry things for 12 days and 60 miles and then never use them. Anyway, here's a selection, you can see all my photos as well as those of my crew mates over at flickr in my Philmont album.

This first one is at the opening chapel. Philmont holds several chapel services every night, they have a separate chapel available for many different religions. This was from the Protestant chapel. The only rain we got for 12 days was during the chapel service. This was just after the rains.

This was taken at Crater Lake, the Tooth of Time is seen in the background. We came through here in 2014 but didn't get to stay. I was glad we had an overnight here this year. The staff put on an excellent campfire show.

The first staff camp we visited that I hadn't at least been to before was Black Mountain. Here the boys did blacksmithing and got to shoot black powder rifles. Here is Will at the forge. 

Here we are at Cimmarroncito Resevoir with Cathedral Rock next to it.

In 2014, John was just 13 and out of the 8th grade, that is the minimum age for a Philmont trek. He always said he looked terrified in our photos at the top of the Tooth of Time so he wanted a photo that showed more confidence this time. I'd say this does it. You can't get any higher on the Tooth!

This trip was very special in that both of my boys were able to participate this year. It was also special because it could really be my last trek to Philmont. Crews are 12 people max and I need to make sure other folks have the opportunity to participate. We did around 90 miles last time and stayed primarily at trail camps. The 60-ish miles and more staff camps was a completely different experience and I might have enjoyed it a bit more. I know I liked the part where we did 5-7 mile days instead of 10-12 mile days. 

If you liked these and want more, or didn't like then and want different, head over to a lil hoohaa and check out the rest of the participants. And join us next month, won't you?

Photo Blogging Challenge (May 2017): Look up

Look up! and May is gone. Look up! and we are almost half way through 2017 already. Look up and see some interesting things.

These guys have mad a complete mess of my patio. They just had their second go around so hopefull they will be flying away soon.

If you look up, you may see me passing over.

It's not me, is it you? I looked up and waved.

Look up and see some interesting cloud patterns.

Look up 'cause the trees have snakes, y'all!

And another month is complete. Thanks for looking. I look forward to seeing what June brings.

Photo Blogging Challenge (April 2017): Color

Color/Colour - That is the theme for April. We were blessed with a good mix of rain and sun this early part of the year so we have some color to share.

This little guy is cute but he/she sure makes a mess. A mud wren or swallow of some kind. Nasty nest in the house and poop everywhere. I'm going to have to figure out a way to keep them away from the house next year.

Again, the weather has been great but so much has been going on that we haven't had much camping opportunity. The council put on a camporee at a local college and that got some of our newer guys out to at least get a starter course in setting up camp and cooking. The morning started early!

After a ton of work, I finally got the pool looking good and then my rock guys came back to work on the patio and it's cloudy once again due to rock dust. But at least I have evidence...

I found these pretty little buttercups out on a walk.

Hello, Mr. Tree Frog. We have a ton of these guys around the house. Makes for quite the chorus in the evening and through the night. Also gives our hawk a bit of a snack. :o

Photo Blogging Challenge (March 2017): Four

I'm late so please excuse my lack of verbosity, I just want to get this submitted. March was a busy month but all of them seem so these days.

March is my mother-in-law's birthday month. She was extremely sick last year at her birthday so we are happy to have her celebrate another.

The early part of our spring break was spent backpacking. It was supposed to be several days but the rain wouldn't let us get out to the park. Lost Maples SNA is gorgeous, especially in the fall when the leaves change. 

Four cooks prepping dinner.

Our back half of spring break took us to Steamboat Springs. Our skiing was well documented as you can tell.

Finally, March brings out our wildflowers and our Texas favorite, bluebonnets, Lupinus texensis. And also brings our annual bluebonnet photos.

I'll try to do better in April. Thanks for visiting.

Photo Blogging Challenge (February 2017): Love

Love is in the air... in all the photos you see. This month's Photo Blogging Challenge theme was love. I'd love to show you what I have!

I love the time I get to spend with the scouts. They tried hard to catch some trout at a pond in a state park that had been recently stocked. It was just too warm.

I love that this one is starting to figure out how to fix his own issues. I know nothing about cars, so I'm not much help.

I love that my wife is great at making sure we have a little something for all the holidays. She can run with a theme!

I love the crazy things we do as a family, even though we are missing one in this photo, like running through the streets of Austin for 13.1 or 26.2 miles depending on ones activity level. (hint: the boys took the shorter course)

And finally, I just love to be outside whenever I can. Especially when the weather is like this!

So, how about that. 5 photos. It's been a busy month but a good one. Go take a look at a 'lil hoohaa for the other entrys to this month. I think March is year 4! Join us. Visit my flickr stream for a daily dose of me.

Photo Blogging Challenge (January 2017): Express yourself!

January came in and went out like a light. These days just keep getting faster and faster. It's sometimes hard to keep up.

I'm kicking off my 8th consecutive Project 365. I still haven't missed a day. My goal this year is to try to be a little more thoughtful in the photo's rather than just grabbing something. I'm been mostly successful but have missed on that aspect a day or two.

This first photo really needed to be multiple photos so you could see all the different expressions welcoming the new year. But I think this one has a pretty good cross section of the folks celebrating with us.

I guess to "express yourself" a selfie is inevitable. I'm a long time out of high school but our high school dress code required socks. I still boycott socks for the most part today. But it was kind of cold this day and if you are going to wear socks, the might as well be Captain America socks!

Two shoe photos in a row. These were my dad's boots when he was a kid. My oldest is also a JMD so I always hoped to get a photo with him in them. Unfortunately, by the time they showed up again he had outgrown them. They tell quite a story and some of it is in the comments.

I have a friend who has recently decided to start a food truck. Texas is pretty picky about their barbecue and we have plenty of folks out there cooking good eats. My friend is expressing himself by adding what he calls a Global Fusion flair. This particular brisket was during his Hawaiian theme. Pineapple, mango flavors and baked beans complete with Spam. He smokes a mean brisket, I hope he does well.

Finally, we had a District campout this month in Boy Scouts. It unfortunately coincided with state choir and band contests so we only had a handful of guys attend from our troop. It was also the end of and era. Our local camp land changed hands and the new owners canceled the lease. The place was opened in 1974 and has handled area scouts since. Enough about that, the boys had a great time, they put together this "sled" for the klondike race. El Cuidado. It was a mess. But it worked pretty well. They were in the medals up until the very end. And they were one of the few that built there own.

January...DONE! I see the February theme is up and I better start taking pictures. You can check out the rest of the particpants over at a 'lil hoohaa. And, as always, see me overshare over on Flickr. 

Photo Blogging Challenge (December 2016): ‘Tis the Season

'Tis the season. December was a whirlwind of activity. We packed a lot into 31 days and got it all done. 

December started out as it should. Pretty cold. That wouldn't last, Our temps have steadily vacillated between freezing and hot all month. 20s F two or three days then back to 70s and even 80s F for more. This was a nice cold hike early in the month. 

My oldest, John, made Eagle back in October. We were finally able to celebrate his achievement at his Court of Honor this month. It was well attended and I might have gotten a touch choked up. The gentleman on the right is a state representative and presented him with a Texas flag that was flown over the capitol. Thanks to my sister for playing photographer as I was otherwise engaged.

We did see some snow, kind of. This was one of those cold days and the wind was howling. The car wash had malfunctioned and was spraying a fine mist. The wind was blowing straight through the tunnel and turned it into a snow making machine. Quite a site to see.

Singing Christmas carols by candlelight is our regular Christmas eve tradition before settling in before the fire and watching some silly Mystery Science Theater 3000 Christmas riff.

And it all wraps up bidding the old goodbye and toasting (with sparkling grape juice for the younguns) the new year!

I hope 2017 brings you all great success and happiness. I always look forward to new beginnings with excitement of what tomorrow brings.

Take a visit to A 'lil Hoohaa and see what else is up. Join us in January's photo challenge. As always, you can find all my stuff over on flickr. I'm starting up my 8th year of Project 365(6) and still going strong. 

Happy New Year, folks!

Photo Blogging Challenge (November 2016): Thanks

November is the month that we set aside, over here at least, for giving thanks. We should make sure we give thanks year round but at least we know we've got a month. :) I was quite thankful in November, let's take a look, won't you.

I had a quick business trip to Bermuda. The weather was horrible two of the three days there. On Remembrance Day, the weather cleared up and I got to see a parade! And then attended my first rugby matches. You can see those pictures in my flickr stream.

My oldest, John, finally completed all of the requirements and passed his Board of Review for Eagle Scout. He has worked very hard and I'm super proud of him!

Speaking of scouts, I'm thankful that my scouts have a good sense of serving as they helped sort food at our local food drive.

I'm thankful that these turkeys still like each other, still make each other laugh, still make me laugh, and will still occasionally pose for pictures.

 

Finally, I'm thankful that this big guy didn't appear to notice me sitting on the ground not 10 yards from where he came out of the woods. I haven't had a lot of experience with coyotes but I certainly waited until a brush pile was between he and I before I picked up my camera for some shots.

I'm also thankful that I found a few minutes to get this thing together and posted. I hate when I took the photos and then just forget to post. Take a look at the others over at a lil hoohaa. See you next month!

Photo Blogging Challenge (October 2016): Water

Crap! I've been so busy I haven't put this together. I missed last month and don't want to skip out again. I was excited to see the theme as we had a camp out the first weekend of the month that was water based.

The lake at Ft. Parker State Park makes for some of the best sunset/sunrise photos. I don't know why.

We had about 20 scouts with us for the weekend. We had canoe races and a cajun style supper for Saturday night.

Mornings are pretty great too. Especially in calm winds.

We had a little fisherman hanging out with us most of the month. He finally made a catch.

We finished up the month back at Ft. Parker SP. The gentleman in the green shirt built this bridge over a creek in the park as his Eagle scout project. We had a couple of guys leave early but this is most of his helpers. It turned out super nice and strong/wide enough that the ranger was able to drive his Gator over it saving time and money getting to other areas of the park.

There's water. I can't believe how fast this month and year have gone by. I'm looking forward to Novembers theme.