Round Robin Challenge: "Shadowland"

What a perfect challenge this week; "Shadowland"; Vicki, author of the blog, Maraca came up with this one. She says:

"October. Darkness reigns and spirits gather. Gone are the sunlit days of summer, and the heart turns strange and melancholy. Welcome to Shadowland.

The theme is open-ended, so go with whatever your imagination can conjure. Photograph actual shadows, perhaps; capture the mood in a striking portrait or landscape, or even - if you dare- catch a ghost. This would be a great time to try working in black and white or to experiment with editing and effects. After all, it's Shadowland. Anything could happen."


Pumpkin stem shadow


Shadows and foliage


Poppet shadows


5 o'clock Shadow


Shell and shadow


Werewolf shadow?


Scary shadowy branches

Round Robin Challenge: Backyard Photography

The challenge this week is "Backyard Photography"; Tammie Jean, author of the blog, Long Drives to Nowhere came up with this challenge:

"What I like best about backyard photography (or photography at the local park) is that you don't have to go very far to get great shots - there are plenty of opportunities right there in front of you."

My garden in early summer

Little visitor

October garden

Funny little dragonfly on a tomato stake; doesn't it look like it's wearing lipstick and smiling???

Another dragonly on a tomato stake; they LOVE my back yard!

Round Robin Challenge: "Talisman"

The challenge this week is "Talisman"; Vicki, author of the blog, Maraca came up with this challenge:

love the word itself, "talisman," so mysterious and evocative. Talismans protect against evil or bring good luck. Many things come to mind, from a bowler's lucky shirt to folk amulets. Odd garden ornaments that include glass spheres and beads are fairly common these days, and would fit the bill. It could be something unusual that a bird has woven into a nest, a necklace or a saint medallion, coins, a stone, a special place ... anything, really, that says "magic lives here."

A friend made this for me when we were 14 and enamored of all things different and new to us. It says: "Fire cannot burn me; Earth cannot bury me; Air cannot freeze me; Water cannot drown me" we found it in a book of spells and it was cast for protection. I've had it close by ever since...just because.

A coin my boss gave me when I was working at Yokota Air Base in Japan. One of the things I miss most about working on a military base...your efforts were actually appreciated, unlike my present job. And with the lack of appreciation...my effort fades as well. Not good, I know!

I've had this guy since my early 20s...a talisman of sorts applicable to this day [one of the Wee Forest Folk collectible figurines made by Annette Petersen]

My preciousssssss

boliyou
Percolation
http://boliyou.blogspot.com

Carly - Posted!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

Karen - Posted!
Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com

Vicki - Posted!
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com

Janet - Posted!
fond of photography
http://fondofphotography.blogspot.com

Suzanne R - Posted!
New Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com

Nancy - POSTED!
Nancy Luvs Pics
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix

Kerrin - Posted!
a new day
http://kerrinsdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Steven - Posted!
(sometimes)photoblog
http://sepintx.blogspot.com

Teena - Posted!
It's all about me!
http://purple4mee.blogspot.com/

Longing for blue

This picture from my flickr account caught my eye on the sidebar of my other blog. There's something about the blue in it that I fell in love with! It's not a very good picture, but...oh that blue!

Round Robin Challenge: Something Different

The challenge this week is "Something Different"; Nancy, author of the blog, Nancy luvs pix came up with this challenge:

People tend to stick with certain things to photograph... you know, flowers, kids, sunsets, dogs... all the stuff I love too! I think it would be a great thing for the Round Robins to take a shot at something that they would never normally try to photograph. It's time for us to get out of our comfort zones, and open our eyes to the various art that exists, but is perhaps hidden somewhat. It could be fun!

I don't often get to photograph horses, especially ones that have all four hooves off the ground!

This is the first time I ever got a shot of a splash!

I also don't often photograph marbles, but I'm glad I did in this case!


This is something you'll almost NEVER see me photograph cause they give me the serious willies!

Karen - POSTED!
Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com

Carly - POSTED!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

Annie
Pictures of Craziness
http://krspkrmmom.blogspot.com

Nancy - POSTED!
Nancy Luvs Pix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix

Suzanne R - POSTED!
New Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com

Jessica - POSTED!
QuickSilver Dreams
http://www.thewatersedge.us/QuickSilver

Boliyou - POSTED!
Percolation
http://boliyou.blogspot.com

Vicki - POSTED!
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com

Gina - POSTED!
Gina's Space
http://journals.aol.com/rbrown6172/Ginasspace

Gattina (Sunday Posting) - POSTED!
Keyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com

Tara - POSTED!
A Long Walk Home ***Welcome New Member***
http://journals.aol.com/tarastomsgirl/LifeisWonderful

Steven - POSTED!
(sometimes photoblog)
http://sepintx.blogspot.com

Round Robin Challenge: "Things With Wings"

The challenge this week is "Things With Wings"; Steven, author of the blog, "(sometimes)photoblog" selected the challenge:

Time to spread your creative wings and show off the things in your life with wings. Insects, planes or the wings on an old car for example. Lets see those wings!

This lovely turkey vulture was soaring the currents over the Saco River

Saw this beautiful creature out in a friend's backyard in Vermont

Caught this cutie flying away from the same garden in Vermont

Lots of wings in this one!

Winged monkey statues atop a building in Burlington, VT

Winged heralds in Las Vegas

Finally, gossamer wings. I call this one the Kristaloofly ;-)

Steven - POSTED!
(sometimes)photoblog
http://sepintx.blogspot.com/

Jessica - POSTED
QuickSilver Dreams
http://www.thewatersedge.us/QuickSilver/

Nancy - POSTED!
Nancy Luvs Pix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

Karen - sorta kinda POSTED!
Outpost Mavarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com

Vicki - POSTED!
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Kerrin - POSTED!
a new day
http://kerrinsdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Suzanne R - POSTED!
New Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com

Carly - POSTED!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Gattina - POSTED!
Keyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com

boliyou - POSTED!
Percolation
http://boliyou.blogspot.com/

Gina - POSTED
Gina's Space
http://journals.aol.com/rbrown6172/Ginasspace/

Round Robin Challenge: Mannequin

The challenge this week is Mannequins; Carly, author of the blog, "Ellipsis" selected the challenge:

So, grab your cameras and hit the malls and trendy little shops, and show me the mannequins you find most photogenic. Show me a mannequin that is weird, or maybe one that is very common. Headless mannequins would be interesting, so would themed mannequins, such as ones depicting fictional characters. Mannequins dressed to reflect the season's apparel, like a mannequin in a beach outfit. For that matter, if you have a mannequin from any of the holidays in your files, that would work, although I would love to see you get out with the camera and find something new and current. Let your creativity flow... don't be afraid to be bold with your choice, but keep in mind the Round Robin Challenges is a open to all ages, so please try to be appropriate.

I do have a current mannequin picture, but I don't like it NEARLY as much as the ones that follow:

You see...I'm a Halloween freak! It's my FAVORITE time of year, my FAVORITE holiday! I saw this mannequin in a store in Salem, MA (the best place to visit on Halloween) and just had to take a picture :-)

Here's a couple of mannequins that waited a REALLY long time to get married ;-)

And here's a mannequin that's lost it's head!

Carly - POSTED!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

Nancy - POSTED
Nancy Luvs Pics
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix

Karen - POSTED!
Outpost Mavarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com

Tammie Jean - POSTED!
Long Drives To Nowhere
http://tammiejean.blogspot.com

Vicki - POSTED!
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com

Round Robin Challenge: Gimme, Gimme

The challenge this week is Gimme, Gimme; Karen, author of the blog, "Outpost Mâvarin" selected the challenge:

C'mon, admit it. We all get greedy sometimes, and we all want something. Maybe we indulge ourselves, and buy that latte, ice cream cone, book or BMW, and maybe we don't. But it doesn't stop us wanting.

So show us what you want. It can be something huge and expensive, or a little thing you might buy on a whim; a habit you're trying to break, or the goal for which you're breaking that habit. Concrete or abstract, your own want or something your kids or your cats keep begging for, it's all good. If you can capture it in a camera lens, go for it!

Wolf, enjoying some Molasses Tipsycake ice cream!

Max, enjoying some strawberry icecream!

Linking List:

1. Karen (Outpost Mavarin) - POSTED!
2. Carly (Ellipsis) - POSTED!
3. Kerrin (A New Day, A New Photo) - POSTED!
4. Vicki (My Maracas)
5. Nancy (Nancyluvspix) - POSTED!
6. Steven (sometimes)photoblog)
7. Brandon (A Visual Experiment) - POSTED!
8. Gattina (Keyhole Pictures) - POSTED!

Harry Potter Party in Harvard Sq!!!

Ooooh, my...I might have to go check this out!

Round Robin Challenge: The Road Less Traveled

The challenge this week is The Road Less Traveled and Vicki, author of the blog, "Maraca" selected the challenge. A fine topic for this summer’s traveling season. The road is wide open for you and your camera, have you taken the road less traveled? Always, Vicki!

The Road Less Traveled...altho I didn't take this picture, I AM in it!

The road to the right is called Sodom Road...that's definitely a road less traveled (NEVER travelled!) for me!

Truly a road less travelled...and guarded by a fierce gargoyle!

For those of you suffering from the heat, here's a shot of a road that shouldn't be traveled at all!

A lovely deserted side street in the Latin Quarter of Paris

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! Also, I have a new layout, courtesy of my friend, Heather, of Goofy Girl Designs! Isn't she talented??? Thank you SO much Heather!

And yes, I know the "More" page is gobbledygook right now...I have to make changes to it!

A perfect summer's day!

Sitting on the porch, watching the sky

Round Robin Challenge: Close

The challenge this week is "Focus on the Details...". Tammie Jean, author of the blog, "Long Drive to Nowhere" has challenged us to pay attention to what's around us, details we may miss through not paying attention. ...with this topic ... we can reveal those things that hide in plain sight. They can be large or small or tiny, exotic or everyday: the shape of a particular mountain ridge, a wallpaper pattern, a fine bit of wood carving, the veins in an insect's wing, or a thousand other examples.

I kept this challenge in mind while I was in Las Vegas last week; here are my catches:

This was part of the ceiling walking from Paris Las Vegas to the hotel/casino next door...I had to lay down on the floor to get the shot!

This was the ceiling of one of the hotels at the check in area...all lovely glass flowers! Don't they look like colorful jellyfish?

This image is a PERFECT example of WHY you should pay attention to your shots...damn tour guide!

In this shot, there was so much going on, so much to look at...but I was focused on one little thing...can you see? [you can click on it to enlarge it]

Sometimes you have to look beyond the prickly parts of life to see the beauty.

It helps to have an imagination. You might see a tree...I see a pointy rabbit shadow!

You know the old saying you can get blood out of a rock? Well, apparently in Vegas you can get SAP out of a rock...it was 117 the day I took this picture!

There was a herd of horses...and one pregnant mare...in that horrid heat!

Last but not least, while this wasn't taken in Vegas, it is a close up shot...
The Poppet Choir sings:

"Oh we can't waaaaaaait
for Harry Potterrrrrrr
and The Deathlyyyyyy
Hallooooowwwsss!!!"

Can you tell what I'm impatiently waiting for! I pre-ordered it thru Amazon today...!!!

Round Robin Challenge: Butterflies

The challenge this week is "Freaks of Nature...or Butterflies". Meg, author of the blog, "In Quest Of" has decided "Fabulous Freaks Of Nature," will be our new challenge subject. Her concept is to have us show off unusual natural finds, such as " an oddly grown tomato, a weird tree, six toes on a puppy... you get the idea." Yeah, like 8 knees on an elephant, or someone who actually looks like a Picasso painting, or maybe even a monkey with male pattern baldness, or a kangaroo with three left feet! Oh, oh, I know... a hummingbird that knows the words. Tee Hee. :) Now, "if for some reason you can't seem to find a local FREAK OF NATURE, that is odd or funny enough to strike our fancy, then post your best shot of butterflies...beautiful butterflies."


Since I couldn't find any "freaks of nature", I decided to use butterflies :-) Hope you like 'em!