Last week’s weekly challenge: Hands

I’m a bit behind in these weekly challenges, but I assume no one will hold it against me ๐Ÿ™‚ The “hands” challenge was a tough one. What I learned from this challenge is that I don’t like the look of hands in photos. I guess I’m not a hands photographer. So, I took it another route… Let me know what you think!

Up a tree….

While at the zoo on the weekend, we were followed by birds of all kinds after our popcorn. The peacocks were traveling in pairs around the whole park and zoo area. This one decided just to camp out up in a tree, calling out to his friends. Making a most interesting noise that I can’t even describe. What I found fascinating about this bird in a tree was how his long tail feathers blended it with the pine needles and branches! I had never noticed how well they can camouflage those beautiful colorful feathers..

Beautiful black bear…

This guy is my favorite animal from the zoo trip yesterday, also one of my favorite shots. He looks like a very thoughtful bear.. This guy was rescued from a circus, so he is used to people staring at him! He was just hanging out on a beautiful day…

A belated weekly challenge: Blue…..

Took Lucy to the zoo for the first time today. It was so much fun, even though she wasn’t really impressed. (She’s only 11 months old and teething, so not too many smiles, but we got a few!) So, I took the opportunity to get some shots of the animals at the Popcorn Park Zoo. It is kind of like a retirement home for abused animals. They do a great job giving these special creatures a second chance at a peaceful life. Unfortunately it is in a zoo, but when you read the stories around the zoo you realize these guys are better off where they are now! (For more information, check out the Humane Society website)

Quotography..#3

“There will always be someone out there better than you at something, it’s your job to rise to this challenge. Attempt to overtake the throne, and even if you fail, you will have gained far more experience than if you gave up at the beginning.”

 

This is my final quote from the project, and it was the toughest one for me to represent. I actually took this shot on the day of the deadline! I was cooking a “Mexican Feast” (at least that is what Food Network Magazine called it!), and I thought these recipes are quite the challenge. I used many new ingredients and techniques. Whatever the subject is, dive into the challenge! ย If it’s a culinary challenge, make sure to enjoy the meal ๐Ÿ™‚

(Check out the whole quotography gallery at Nick Exposed, and also check out the second collaborative project, the new challenge is long exposure photography.. join in and have fun!)

Quotography….#2

Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.” Rose Kennedy

ย This quote is so true. I’m realizing that more and more everyday as I watch my daughter grow at light speed! She has a lot of milestones in her life, but the precious moments are what I’m making sure not to miss. Here she is playing with grandpa’s “to be shredded” pile of papers. Something so simple gives her so much joy! A moment that we won’t forget!

(This is the second part of my submission to Nick Exposed’s Quotography collaboration, take a minute to check out the gallery on his site!)

Quotography…#1

“Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.” – Socrates


This is my old man tabby, Ichabod. He is somewhere between 12 and 15 years old (he was a stray so no one knows for sure). To me he is beautiful forever, but now he is starting to show his age. The hair is graying.. his skin is sagging.. he has lost quite a bit of weight.. so this once beautiful cat who ran the house, has started to take a step down in the pecking order around here. Now, our younger/more beautiful cat is large and in charge! This seems to be a common cycle.. in the animal world…

(This photo is part of my submission for a creative collaborative photo project brought to you by Nick Mayo, author of Nick Exposedย . Check out his site to see the full gallery of submissions! There are so many great photos to enjoy, so enjoy!)