...onehundredfiftyone/threehundredsixtyfive...

We had every intention to wait at least a little while before even considering getting another cat.  Apparently 2 days was long enough.
I was in my parent's backyard shooting some birds and I heard someone say, "Hey, wanna take a picture of something cuter than those birds?"

It was fate.  

Believe it or not he/she is almost 2 months old but looks no more than 2 weeks.  I had already explained to the nice lady that we weren't ready for a kitten yet when I decided that the wife should see this cute little thing.  My daughter came tagging along and it was over.

My daughter wants to name it Angel Face, my son likes Periwinkle, I'm partial to Steve.

...onehundredfifty/threehundredsixtyfive...

Spent the day at Findley Lake with the family.  Great fun and fantastic weather.

...onehundredfortynine/threehundredsixtyfive...

We lost our wonderful kitty today.

...onehundredfortyeight/threehundredsixtyfive...

I was out on the porch shooting this moderately interesting sunset when I decided I need to dispose of the compost like a good husband  before it gets totally dark.  As I was stirring the can I saw a little twinkle.  A glow worm!  I had always seen them while running through the tall early summer grass as a kid but never really looked at one.
Now I know that aliens exist.

...onehundredfortyseven/threehundredsixtyfive...

I was out in the garden shooting macro flowers and such when my daughter came over and asked if she could take a picture. I asked her if she had any ideas and she said no so I told her to walk around and look at things and think about a good picture. She was back in about 2 seconds.  I helped her with the settings but she set up the shot on her own (even though my camera is "super heavy").  She supervised and approved the processing as well.

This is what she came up with, I think she nailed it.

...onehundredfortysix/threehundredsixtyfive...

This is a gimmicky photo but it's fun.
I have a wicked sinus infection so don't expect too much from me :)
360° panoramic photo from the middle of my yard

my tiny planet

...onehundredfortyfive/threehundredsixtyfive...

Game night.

...onehundredfortyfour/threehundredsixtyfive...

OK, so I didn't take this picture today but I did work on it for a couple hours.

...onehundredfortythree/threehundredsixtyfive...

These are just a sampling of the many (225) great shots I took this weekend at the N-SSA national competition.  My father-in-law has been a member for 25 years.

No, they do not "re-enact" Civil War battles, they target shoot all varieties of weapons from the period, carbine rifle, muskets, and even cannons.  The teams are named after original regiments and they are required to wear Civil War era garb.  But, again, they do not pretend to kill each other, they kill targets, clay pigeons, tiles, pots and such with real bullets, musket balls, and cannon balls.  It's pretty damn cool.  The team is a great bunch of guys that are like an extended family.  I'd join myself but I have never been able to hit anything but the ground with a gun, besides I already have one expensive hobby.

...onehundredfortytwo/threehundredsixtyfive...

I took 300+ shots of the morning competition but my laptop battery is about to die.  I managed to process this HDR image.   They'll be shooting the cannon this afternoon.

...onehundredfortyone/threehundredsixtyfive...

We're in Virginia this weekend.  My father-in-law is a civil war skirmisher and the national competition is this weekend.  Got to get to bed soon.  Early morning shoot, hoping for lots of fog and carbine rifle smoke!

This is the tunnel on the PA turnpike.

...onehundredforty/threehundredsixtyfive...

I'm on cloud 9!  (what does that really mean, anyway)
I had my first "professional" gig this evening and it was a blast.  I did all the photography for an awesome fundraiser in Pittsburgh.  I'm such a pessimist and had been kind of dreading this night since I agreed to do it.  It was way out of my comfort zone which is the main reason I decided to go for it.   I was extremely anxious due to my complete lack of confidence but when it came down to it I went into "the zone" and totally nailed it.  The night started out great and kept getting better.  Apparently I know my camera better than I thought.
Here's a link: New Hope

and here's some unprocessed shots from the 475 I took.

...onehundredthirtynine/threehundredsixtyfive...

SUNSHINE!!!

...onehundredthirtyeight/threehundredsixtyfive...

I'll put away the macro when the temperature ventures out of the 50's and the rain stops for more than a week.  It's nearly June and this weather is cruel and awful.

Buffalo dancer.  My dad bought this Kachina for me when we visited Taos Pueblo in New Mexico probably nearly 20 years ago.  I can't believe it's still in one piece.

...onehundredthirtyseven/threehundredsixtyfive...

...onehundredthirtysix/threehundredsixtyfive...

A day at the beach, it was (maybe) almost 50 degrees.  We stayed dry.