Dreary Morning

The past few mornings in St. Louis have reminded me of this misty, dreary morning off coastal Chile. However, last night was a thunderboomer night with a sudden drop in temperature, the tornado sirens, lightening, hail, wind and rain.

A Simple Straight Pin

A new macro-photography lens has arrived. Unseen possibilities for photos come into view.

Remembering her first snow

It's not like Pasadena

Expressive Hands and Faces

Granddaughter and grandfather in conversation. I was impressed with the beauty of these people and their communications.

Thanks Ben and Becca

This week ended with a lonely feeling as I sent my camera in for a tune up. It is the first time in many years without a camera. When we got home from an evening out with some old friends who came in town, on the counter, Ben and Becca left me their extra camera. I knew immediately that it would be a good week-end after all. At dawn this morning I caught this photo at a lake in the Dardenne Prairie Greenway (and applied a little soft focus for effect). It was a good week-end after all.

Bridge for the Pan-American Highway

The Pan-American Highway passes the full length of the American continents from Canada to the tip of South America. Here the highway crosses over the Panama Canal. This photograph was taken before dawn looking back towards Panama City and the Pacific Ocean.

Cactus

Where is this picture taken? Put your answer on a comment.

ANSWER: After intense research and debate, all are wrong. The correct answer is the resort island of Aruba located 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. I was very surprised to find Aruba very much a desert-type of climate. I thought that all of the Caribbean Islands would be lush jungle-like pieces of paradise. Not Aruba. It is a very arrid island where these  cactus and huge boulders cover the landscape inland from the beach-front resorts.

Valentine's Day

Again, the extension tube attached to the lens created this incredible detail of a Valentine Day flower. It is a marvel how many layers and shapes are crammed into a single flower.

Its a happy day

Featuring new teeth and a happy smile.

Flower plus camera extension tube

I spent an hour or two this afternoon playing around with extension tube macro-photography. Many flowers are as beautiful
from an underneath perspective as they are when we see them in a vase.

A mighty tree of the rain forest

This tree stands above the rain forest canopy. It is a giant among giants.

Windmills

See the windmills on the shore of Cuba.

A new star

The newest star in our constellation is amazing. We look forward to seeing her and watching the daily progress as she aclimates to the world around her. She has a smile for us and shows her dimples as she reacts to familiar faces and sounds.

Want to play school?

Learning how to read is a marvellous time in the life of a child. When our granddaughter comes to our house for grandma and grandpa time on Thursday nights, playing school is one of her three favorite activities. The other two are do art with grandma and do scrapbooking with grandma. Last week she wanted to play school and announce that our school activity was "What do you want to do when you grow up?" She wrote the question on the blackboard (actually on the kitchen window with window crayons) with a list of possible professions. When I asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said: "An artist, but don't worry grandpa. If I am not good enough, I have lots of options." I was amazed that she knew what that word means. I assured her that she could do anything in this life that she really wants to do and I believe it.

Let's talk about it

Learning her letters. LegoLand. In and Out. Corner Bakery. School. Primary. Her brother. Cherry on Top. She is a fun conversationalist. Granddaughters light up their Grandpa.

Let's have fun

Does he ever stop moving, climbing, riding, and being happy? Not that I have seen. It is great to have a grandson. What potential! Great expectations! I look forward to the next hug.

Endless deserts

Aruba

The California Light Tower on the northern shore of Aruba is a prominent landmark.

Sunrise

at sea near Cartagena, Colombia.