Tuesday August 31,2010 morning and evening bike ride

So today I had the day off from work. Dave wanted it off as it was to be beastly hot and surprise the weather people were actually correct. So before it got to hot I took a 2 mile bike ride on my bike and just getting ready to take another spin on it. And yes it is a boys bike as that is what I have been riding since high school. It is nice to be able to get back on the bike as the vertigo has not been too bad as of late.

Monday August 30,2010 more cool flowers

Nothing exciting going on in West Olive so more flowers.

Sunday August 29,2010 Squirrely adventures

Out and about this morning. I came across two squirrels, one that was not concerned about me as he was eating the other was very concerned about me invading his space and going for higher ground.

Saturday, August 28,2010 Grand Haven Farmers Market friendly flowers

I had to bring my car in for some warranty work so I took the opportunity to go to Grand Haven's Farmers Market. While it is MUCH smaller than the one in Holland. But they did have a good variety of photo opportunities for me. I even bought a bouquet of flowers for our kitchen table. They even might show up later this week in photo for the day!!

Friday August 27,2010 Library book

I just love this book I picked up at the downtown Holland library. This is helping me for good info on " whats on my mind?" I might have to purchase this book to have around.

Thursday August 26,2010 small butterfly

Not sure what kind of butterfly this is but full wings expanded it would fit in the palm of my hand. Similar marking to the infamous monarch butterfly but I am thinking a smaller cousin.

Wednesday August 25,2010 Pretty soft white flowers

It still amazes me that even though these are very white flowers you can still see the waves and texture in this mound of flowers. They remind me of a white soft baby blanket with the satin edges.

Tuesday August 24,2010 More flowers

Just really enjoy taking floral photo's. Not so fond of the local buzzing and biting pests.

Monday August 23,2010 the lone Canna

This is the lone bulb out fo the four or five that were planted that survived the winter out in the garden by the bike path.

Sunday August 22,2010 a web at Rosy Mound Park

It has been a long time since Alex and I have done a "photo walk" so this morning we both had some time. Alex was wanting to shot the cool fence that goes around this park for a while so that is where we wandered to today. We got probably over a mile walk/meander in and shot in a new area. We should have brought a spray water bottle and this would have been much more cool, but we went with what mother nature gave me today.

Saturday August 21,2010 Exotic flowers in downtown Holland

Errands brought me downtown Holland this morning so I wandered around the library area for flowers. Who would think there would be exotic type of flowers growing outside in Holland Michigan.

Friday August 20,2010 MSU Botanical Gardens

Most definitely smaller than we anticipated but I still found some things to photograph. By the end though I was one sneezing girl as a lot of the plants are basically weeds. Glad we went in the morning also because by the time we left (11am ish) it was 91 degrees and humid. Nothing like the weather people said!

Thursday August 19,2010 wound up morning glory

Out playing with the macro lens at the MONSTER morning glory plant. Here is one of the one that will most likely bloom tomorrow morning. It still just amazes me as mother nature can create these vellum thin flowers wrapped so tight and change so dramatically when they are in full bloom.

Wednesday August 18,2010 the pink geranium

To the yard and deck I go for my photo for today as I left the camera at home this morning. My mom always had geraniums at the front of the house on Neguanee St. I tend to like ivy geraniums as they trail more than the regular geraniums.

Tuesday August 17,2010 inch worm, inch worm

Getting late so to the yard. Took some flowers with the macro. Turned on the water to give the planters a drink as I am not sure if it will rain yet tonight. As I was watering I noticed this insect on the deck rail. So I finished up as I did not want him wandering away before I got some photo's!

Moday August 16,2010 train, train take me away from this place

Leaving work I thought what could I shoot that I have not done as I needed a change of venue. I love flower photography but wanted a change. So I thought the Amtrak station downtown Holland. Not to inspired as I was really challenged with lighting and creative juices just weren't flowing. Anyways here is a photo of one of the wheels on the caboose that is parked at the station.

Sunday August 15,2010 family fun

My nephew, Patrick, and family are in GR for a couple of weeks so my brother Kevin invited a family and friends over for a cook out. So there was good drink, good food and catching up with every ones lives. Andy is the youngest of the Tyrrell clan and knows he is the center of attention and quite comical once the shyness of the group again has worn off. He loves watering at Grandma and Grandpa house (which is still so weird to call Kevin and Mary that but I don't know why) and he LOVES his Uncle Colin, partner is water crime! I am shooting this from inside through the large picture window so I was able to stay dry but also capture his and Colins expressions.

Saturday August 14,2010 wandering around town

Had a few errands to run and pick up some books at the library. So trying some different angles downtown. Not exactly what I wanted to do but we shall save that for another day of photography adventure.

Friday August 13,2010 field of sunflowers

Had the day off from work. So one errand and then headed north along the "Shoreline trail". Came across a field of sunflowers that was pretty darn cool. I wore a skirt and flip flops for our day out exploring but knowing my coordination I tossed in a pair of tennis shoes and good thing as getting to these was, shall I say, a challenge. As we started off Dave told me let him know if there was something I wanted to shoot for photo of the day. Spotted the opportunity so we parked along the road side and I handed the camera to Dave and then through the ditch and up the steep bank to go get some photo's. Dave was nice enough to also carry the camera back to the car. I did feel bad though as within about 15 minutes Dave was scratching his legs from doing the trek to the photo op!

Thursday August 12,2010 Green tomatoes

Out on the deck and finally more tomatoes. Again we have not had much luck with growing veggies this year, but you get what get and go from there. Good thing there are road side stands and the farmers market!

Wednesday August 11,2010 Connies gardens once again

Connie's garden is much more cared for than mine. She has such a cool variety of plants and combinations. Strategically place pots of flowers and garden accents, purple elephants, frogs, spitting turtles, small bird baths. I need to go again and play some more to get some more fun photo' s for my greeting cards. Tough picking a favorite so I am just going go to go eenie, meanie, minnie, moe to pick. So it is close up and personal photo and then go to my facebook page to see more from today.

Saturday August 7,2010 family photos

Had a fun family shoot with the Hunter family. Joseph and Elise have both changed so much in a years time. Boy is it hard to keep up with an almost 3 year old young man and a gorgeous blue eyed girl that just turned one. I am know back up to speed on knock knock jokes too! The small park on 32nd street is maintained by Hope college and boy do they do a great job and have so many cool photo ops in such a small area!

I will most definitely go back there for a photo shoot or two in the future!

Friday August 6,2010 Park on 32nd street

I stopped at the cool park on 32nd street just east of Waverly to scout my photo ops for my Saturday family shoot. From the sign I have found out that it is maintained by Hope College. I spotted these interesting flowers that must be part of the black eyed Susan family tree!!

Thursday August 5, pretty weeds

This is a pretty weed I came across again on stroll with my camera. Although I really like how this turned out wiht the pink wispy against the blue grey background. My eyes and nose were not as appreciative. Thankfully photo doesn't get them itching too!

Wednesday August 4, The Monster morning glory plant

Next year we need to come up with a different plan for these reseeding morning glories. Maybe some posts with chicken wire for them to climb, anyone have any other ideas? That mound of plant has climbed up and over and around the light post in the yard by the bike path. I am thinking that with all this vegetation it is not the greatest beacon to find our house in the dark. Darn good thing we have the palm tree and flamingos that light up on the front porch.

Tuesday August 3,2010 Queen Annes lace on drugs

Took a walk today down the bike path, camera in hand. I think the Queen Annes lace are so cool. Like a snowflake no two are alike. I was messing with the color curves so to me this is a flower on drugs!

Monday August 2,2010 front yard again

To the front yard I went. Love the light purple flower of a hosta and the variegated leaves below.

Sunday August 1,2010 Senior shoot

Had a family photo session and the start of senior photo's for Ashley. We took some photos at Pine Bend park in West Olive. Only took a few as the bugs were getting bothersome. Can't wait until we head downtown Grand Haven and the pier there to continue on as she has some awesome eyes that just pull you in.

Saturday July 31,2010 Haworth Picnic at Ottawa County Fair

The camera and I went to the Haworth picnic to capture the fun of the day. Probably should have also gone and taken photos of the huge chicken barbecue pits. Boy was that chicken and pulled pork very tasty!! :D

Love catching photos of the kids as for the most part they were excited. Have a bunch of candid photos but this series of photos of a friends from Distribution Center grand children riding the green dragon roller coaster is one of my favorites from the day.

Friday July 30,2010 a FUN family photo shoot

I left work a bit early (came in early to swing those hours) and headed to Fallsburg Park in Lowell Michigan to meet up with the Turrell family. I have very fond memories of them at important times in my life. My first REAL babysitting job then about 8 years later a being able to have Patsy as a friend to confide in about life when you know your parents just don't understand. Then again into my adult life when Ford was a consultant to a supplier for work. Jamie then started at Haworth in a department that I had contact with. Lindsey babysitting for Erin's oldest so the world comes full circle.

It was a very fun shoot with very well behaved children and entertaining parents and proud grandparents. Got some great shots of the whole group, the five Turrell's, add the spouses and then each individual family and just the kids.

Then off to the cottage rental to enjoy a bite to eat and catch up with their lives.

Here is one of the whole group.