Day 224...It's Raining, It's Pouring!

Day 224

I never knew the arrival of rain could be so exhilarating...

What a relief!!!

I don't know if you can call it "dancing in the rain" but

I sure had my fair share of time out in it today...

and I didn't mind at all...not one bit! :)

Day 223...My Feline Assistant

Day 223

With a busy day doing non-stop hair at the salon,

I didn't find much time for photography.

That's OK once in a while...:)

There's never a shortage of 4 legged canine or feline subjects 

to choose from at our house!!

Here she is, always looking her best...

Orange Cat

Day 222...One. BIG. Bee.

Day 222

I thought the bees in my own backyard garden were big till I saw several of these guys 

swarming around this plant on the Liberty square.

WOW

I don't think my photo does justice when it comes to really showing the size
 but...

THEY WERE HUGE!!!

Day 221...Always Something

Day 221

Famous last words...

Me: to my husband ..."there is NOTHING left to take a photo of in the backyard...

I've already taken a photo of anything worthwhile out there."

Well, I suppose that statement is somewhat true but usually I CAN (and DID)

find something out there to take a photo of.

I've only got a few more months of my photo a day challenge.

I'm determined not to fail but it is getting harder.

I'm hoping that the arrival of Fall, field trips,
vacation days and the holidays will help me make it through!

I also have a handful of family birthdays coming up that will give me a photo for the day...:)

It may not be anything stunning, but I will take a photo.... I will!

Coneflower.
I love the contrast of the dead bloom with the stem still green

Castor bean plant...Love these!
They're so gorgeous for being so poisonous!!!

Day 220...Ditto (Orioles Again)

Day 220

Well, I do love my birdies...

They come just for me, ya know! :)

Another day, just like yesterday.
The Orioles were flying into my feeder off and on all day long. 

I enjoy them so much. I've had a greater variety of different birds in past years 

but this year, the Orioles have made up for the lack of other birds showing up.

They're just so beautiful. I'm glad I have my mom's love of birds!!!

Once again, like yesterday, not the greatest photos
but I captured lots of activity at the feeder!!

 One of the more beautiful males that frequent my feeder!

 Pretty boy... :)

 young female (L) and young male (R)....I think

 I think this is a young male on top and two females below

 I think this one's saying...:"you can kiss my bright orange patooty with that camera, lady!"

Day 219...Orioles Still Here!

Day 219

Today I've seen sooo many different Orioles at my feeder.

At one time there were six within sight at the same time!

I love them. They are so beautiful!

My photo's aren't as clear, crisp and focused as I would like because 

they've been cropped quite a bit to zoom in.

A longer lens is definitely on my wish list!!!!

Here's one photo of a female that was cooperative enough to land 

fairly close so I didn't have to crop as much.

The Males on the other hand seemed to know I was waiting with my camera.

They always seem to be a little more skittish than the females

and although I sat patiently with my kitchen window opened,

for at least 15 minutes, they did not fly down to my feeder until after I shut the window.

I really do think they saw me sitting inside at my window!

Here, two of the males sat in my Sycamore tree just waiting, and watching for me to leave!

Day 218...A Little Rain

Day 218

Well, unfortunately for us, here in Liberty, all that rain we were supposed to get 

turned out to be less than 3/10 of an inch... :(

Maybe next time...

It was sprinkling a little when Mark and I went out to dinner!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

Day 217...Liverpool

Day 217

What a great evening!

Dinner at Corner Cafe and a summer concert on the square!

Liverpool, A Tribute To The Beatles

Day 216...A Favorite Spot

Day 216

I'm not sure what I'll do someday when this favorite spot of mine 

is finally developed...

I sure won't have it all to myself then, I guess.

Until then, I will use it for my "go to" location, when needed!

Day 215...Meadow...again...:)

Day 215

Playing in the backyard with Meadow...

Waiting for her daddy to throw the ball she loves sooo much!

:)

Day 214...A Visit To Belvoir

Day 214

Today I spent some time at Belvoir Winery 

where some Northland Photography Club members 

have photos displayed in their Library Room. 

I took inventory, hung two new additions to our gallery of fabulous photos 

and took a short walk around the property...

These are a few shots from my walk.

 The "open concept?" or "a room with a view?"

     

 Belvoir back alley

 The other buildings on the property (not the main building) 

now have this pretty red "garland" strung all around them! :(

 A Belvoir beauty...soon to be demolished :(

I see the beauty, don't you?

Stairway to ?

Day 213...Needing Inspiration

Day 213

Feeling somewhat less than motivated again 

when it comes to an original subject for my photo of the day.

Can't seem to help it.

Some days are just easier than others....

And some days are MUCH harder.

I took this shot this evening before coming in to watch TV and relax. 

I feel it's not much to look at but it is what it is...

A shallow depth of field shot of some garden flowers through the Basil flower tops.

Actually, it's growing on me!

The photo I took for today.

Day 212...Blue Skies

Day 212

A beautiful day!

Spent some time pulling weeds out of the garden beds (not much left now) ...lol

and a whole lotta time doing nothing!

My kinda day!

Today really was one of those days that was so pretty it reminded me of that song

♪... Blue skies smilin' at me...nothin' but blue skies I see...♪

Day 211...Argus

Day 211

My Roxanna's "pup-pup"

I have such beautiful kids!

And really, REALLY beautiful grandkids!

I have beautiful pets too!!!

I even have beautiful granddogs!

♥

In Greek mythology, Argos was Odysseus' faithful dog. He waited for his master's return to Ithaca for over a decade while most presumed Odysseus dead.

Day 210..."Buds" ... Weiser, That Is!

Day 210

Caught this photo at the Fair tonight! 

The dog was "working the crowd" like a pro!...So friendly :)

He was weaving in and out of people, the horses legs, laying down, trotting around,

You name it, he was on the move!

I really felt lucky to catch this shot! 

If you could have seen what was going on you would understand the following "conversation"...

(all the horses were being hitched up for their big parade around the fairgrounds)

Clydesdale: "Are they coming for me next?"

Dog: "I don't know, it looks like your next in line...

HEY, WAIT.... if I stand right here, in line, maybe they'll let me pull this time!"

Day 209...Dainty, Yet Strong

Day 209

I went outside this evening to do some weeding in the garden and 

noticed right away this little rosebud.

Just goes to show all it takes is a little bit of cooler weather 

to start bringing things back to life!

It's so sad that our grass, flowers and the farmers crops cannot 

make a "comeback" as easily as my little rosebud did.

Day 208...The Only Thing Missing

Day 208

The only thing missing from this photo is a pretty horse standing by the fence!

Nice little barn I found while out taking a drive this evening after buying my lottery ticket.

Just in case you're wondering...I didn't win...again..:(

Day 207...Belvoir Winery Gazebo

Day 207

I went to the winery today to check in on Northland Photography Club's display
 but found that a meeting was taking place in the Library room...

So, no checking in on the photos today but I did have a great chat with the friendly bartender!

It was quiet and she told me quite a bit about what plans (or ideas, I should say)

that are being tossed around for the winery!

I just hope they keep it beautiful and don't go too commercial.

But, as she said, it all depends on what will be profitable...

Guess that makes good financial sense.

This is a photo of the gazebo out front of the winery.
I believe Dr. Bean, the owner, had this built in memory of his wife.

Because of the drought this season, it did not make a very pretty colored photo,

 with the grass all burned and such 

so I went with the antique look while editing!

I like this dreamy look anyway!

Day 206...A Hawk

Day 206

From an OE Hawk....to a JAYHAWK!!! 

Abby's it!

☺

what a busy, fun day it was today...

not a lot of time for photos when there's moving in to do, shopping, meetings, etc

It seemed I always had my hands full, but never with my camera...

I shot these two photos after my parent meeting at The Union...:)

Day 205...MO State Fair, 2012

Day 205

A day in Sedalia, MO.

My home town...The fair is always something I look forward to.

I don't always go every year and there were many years while raising my kids that I didn't make it back to the fair at all but Mark and I always try to go if we can!

I love the "feel" of the fairgrounds! 

One of many small things that just makes me happy!

As we were entering the fairgrounds we were stopped by the highway patrol because 

this guy was coming in for a landing right where we would walk by! 

Is it an Apache? Is it a Black Hawk? 

Or is it an Apache Black Hawk? 

I'm confused!!! Go Army!!!

A birds eye view!!!
I was working on making the cage wires disappear in my photo!

I think I got it!

Fun sights at the fair!! 

Patriot guard listening to a speech by Missouri's Governor, Jay Nixon

Sweetest face at the fair!! 

For me, this is what the Fair's all about...
but I forgot to get a photo of my fried green tomatoes!

The Midway!

Day 204...I Want To Buy This Place...:(

Day 204

While taking a drive, Mark and I came across this property for sale

What an OLD place with lots of history I'm sure.

Wish we could buy it!

A few shots of the property...