Christy’s Ramblings

…or rather bows because of Mother Nature!

We got a couple inches of very heavy, wet snow last night and the bamboo around the pond just couldn’t handle it.  I’m guessing it’s pretty resilient foliage, but we’ll see how it fares come spring.  Fishes are under there somewhere, hovering in their winter state and waiting until the spring thaw.

Sure you can take my picture…

And when you’re not looking I shall poo on you!

I’ve been chasing birds around the back yard again. 

Female Cardinal

Hairy Woodpecker

American Robin

So I’m always posting my photography in my blog, but I thought some of you might be interested to see what I find appealing in photography.  Below is a link to photos that I have put in my favorite list on Flickr.  These photos are mostly from friends and contacts I have listed through my Flickr account, but some are photos I come across randomly and tag as a favorite for later review.  These are my inspiration!

Check them out here!

Ahhh a nice 75 degree day in Kentucky. I’ve got spring fever already! And so does this little Carolina Chickadee!

In the last few years photography has become a favorite hobby. In 2006 I broke down and bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D50. I have recently upgraded to the Nikon D80. I mostly focus on nature and animal photography, but recently I have started to dabble with portrait photography. Having just recently bought a studio light kit, I’ve found that I have lots to learn about lighting and other camera settings I’ve never used before!

Below is a slideshow of some of my favorite shots from the last two years, ordered from most recent to oldest.  View all of my photos on my Flickr page.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Today I was finally able to capture hummingbird photos without them being on the feeder - something I’ve been trying to accomplish for quite some time. When Ike came through Kentucky last weekend our screen got torn off the side of the deck where the feeder usually hangs. Without the screen there the hummingbirds kept getting caught inside the porch. For fear of them not finding their way out, being hit by a ceiling fan or eaten by a dog we decided it would be best to move the feeder to the evergreen tree in the backyard until we get the screen fixed. Had I known that was all it would take I’d have tried this a year ago! Now when the hummingbirds decide to take a rest from eating or want to check things out before they approach the feeder they perch in the branches of the evergreen - perfect photo op!

(Click for a larger view)

If I get the angle just right….

This afternoon we signed the final papers for the purchase of 6 beautifully wooded acres in southern Indiana!  No, we’re not moving.  We bought it to use as our own private get-away.  We love nature and love to go camping, so what better than to have our own private camping spot all year long?  For now we plan on putting the camper out there and may eventually build a little cabin in it’s place.

I was hoping to get some photos up with this entry as we had planned on going out to the property after the signing, but it was pouring rain so it wouldn’t have done much good.  Plenty of photos to come I’m sure as there will be much nature and photo opportunities each trip we make!

I think we need to name our little get-away…but so far no luck in coming up with anything good.  I considered “The Oaks” since we did buy it on Oaks Day (the race day before Derby Day here in Kentucky).  But I’m not sure that fits right.  We may need to spend a couple of weekends on site before it can be appropriately named.  Jason mentioned “Camp Mesker” and another that comes to mind is “Dog Woods” since our dogs will almost always accompany us there.  I’m sure we’ll think of something eventually…suggestions welcome!

We returned home today from our first camping expedition with the travel trailer. We went to Jellystone Park - Mammoth Cave in Cave City, Ky from Friday through Sunday. We had a wonderful time! The weather was perfect - mid 70’s during the day and high 50’s at night.

We had a full crew to test out the camper - me, Jason, Portia, Rebecca (Portia’s friend), all three dogs and the rabbit. All of the animals traveled well and did great at the camp site. Bunn had his great wall to play in outside where he could get some fresh air. The dogs had the screened in 12 x 12 tent to wander around in when they weren’t in the camper. There was a nice dog play area where we could take them off leash and let them get some run time.

Since it was our first trip we figured we’d end up with a list of things that we forgot, but we actually did very well and had everything we needed. We did find that our sewage hookups aren’t the same as most “normal” travel trailers, so that will have to be fixed before Jason goes on his guys only mountain biking/camping trip next weekend.

We had a yummy steak dinner Saturday night and made smore’s over the campfire. The park is very family oriented and there was lots of things for the girls to do. They played basketball, watched the ducks in the pond, hung out at the arcade and even did some homework - imagine that!

The only complaint we had throughout the entire weekend was when Saturday afternoon the park employees spent three hours cutting up a fallen tree two camp sites down from us. Three hours of listening to chainsaws is not my idea of relaxing with nature. Luckily once they finished they left the other two trees for later.

We’re already planning our next trip, though, and we may even head back to the same camp ground. We’re trying to get in as much camping as we can before winter gets here, forcing us to wait until next spring.

Photos from the trip can be seen here.