Landscape

Horseshoe Bend

Free photo contest!  When I first started, I joined any and every photo contest out there.  Not so much anymore.  It just seems to me that photography is so very subjective (as is any art) and it really depends on how the “judge” is feeling that day.  Sure, anybody can evaluate an image based on a set of established criteria (framing, composition, use of leading lines and so on and so forth), but that removes all beauty from the work and it becomes sterile.  Anyway…

But this contest is totally random.  You submit an image to be eligible for a random drawing.  The photos aren’t really “judged” at all.  They’re there for the viewing pleasure of all – minus all “objective” judging criteria.  I’m in.  You should be, too.  Enter the contest here and support Virginia State Parks.

The Shenandoah Valley's very own version of the Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon.

The Shenandoah Valley’s very own version of the Horseshoe Bend (like the one in the Grand Canyon).

Daredevil

Shhh, don’t tell anyone.  You’re not really allowed to fly over 400 feet, but I just really wanted to see what it could do.  It’s kinda like the sports cars (or most cars for that matter).  If the speed limit is 70 here in the states, why make a car that can do 184?!  Somebody, somewhere is going to put it to the test.  It just has to be done.

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Above All

You know when you look out your back window and you see those colors of the sunset and think “wow, that’s an awesome sunset?”  Well, you’re right, it is an awesome sunset.

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Recipe For Easy

Sunsets have never been easier.  Granted, it’s not the highest quality sunset image that I could take, but it gets me above the power lines and mess of the city and gives me a clear shot at one of the best parts of the day.

Was able to grab the gear and catch the sun setting over Winchester. That's the elementary school where both my kids attended.

Was able to grab the gear and catch the sun setting over Winchester. That’s the elementary school (bottom) where both my kids attended.

A Whole New World

“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

– Douglas Adams

Yep.  Guess who got a new toy?  Look out world, here I come!

A Whole New World

 

Sneak Peek

A little hint of what’s coming next…

Sneek Peek

Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

Dear Today

Letter to Today:

Dear Today,

You could have been better to me.  While washing the car, I almost ripped the fingernail off my middle left finger.  Yeah, this one.  The one I’m holding up and showing to you.  Yeah, that one.  Hurts like crap.  Then I had to cancel a credit card due to fraudulent charges.  It’s getting to the point that the banks red flag ANY spending that’s even slightly outside of my pattern.  I get it, but it’s frustrating when it happens.  I think I’m on my 3rd new credit card in the past year!  Oh, and I ran into the back of a car on my bike ride.  Credit card fraud really sucks.

So, yeah, you could have been better to me.

Sincerely,

Me

And just a FYI, I’m fine after the cycling incident (for those of you asking).  I was more embarrassed than I was concerned.  It was one of those “I’ve-ripped-the-fingernail-off-my-middle-finger-(the-one-I’m-showing-you-now)-and-somebody-is-trying-to-steal-money-from-me-but-I-want-to-get-a-ride-in-so-I’m-in-a-hurry-and-I’m-not-paying-any-attention” kind of incidents.

If you play the guitar, you can identify and here’s why.  Let’s say you play the guitar.  You know all the chords.  You’ve practiced.  You know ’em.  But ya still look at the frets from time to time, right?  Ya just do.  That’s the way it works.  It’s the same with us cyclists.  I know where my pedals are.  I know how my shoes fit into the cleats.  But I still look at the pedals every once in a while.  Imagine you’re playing the guitar.  You got a pretty good tune going on.  You’re strumming along and you glance down to check the proper fingering and WHAMMO!  You just ran into the back of a stopped car.  See, now you understand.

There was really no damage to either me or the car, but guess what took the brunt of the impact.  Yeah, my left middle finger (the one I’m showing you now).

Yeah, today could have gone better.

I’m thinking those agoraphobics are on to something.  Of course, I wouldn’t be able to capture images like these if I never went anywhere.

Murphy's Law

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The Sun Also Sets

Yeah, I know that’s not the title, but that’s not what I’m going for here.  With so much attention to the sunRISES lately, I needed to turn around and give some time to the sunSET.

The Sun Also Sets

This Sucker’s Electrical!

“No, no, no, no, no, this sucker’s electrical, but I need a nuclear reaction to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need.”

– Dr. Emmett Brown

I think Doc Brown would have been all set for a few more trips in his time machine after last night’s storms!  I wonder how many gigawatts were generated from this one.

I give you 1.21 gigawatts! | Order a print of this image.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 1.21 gigawatts! | Order a print of this image.

Different

The thing I like the most about the sunrise (sunsets follow suit) is that it’s always (always – no exceptions) different.  And the clouds make it even better.  In my opinion, a clear sky with just the sunrise is kinda boring.  I’ll take it, but I’d rather have the clouds and patterns they make.

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Order a print of this image

The Funshine State

We’ve renamed the Florida state nickname to the “Funshine” state.  Just so you know.  That is all.

A protected wildlife habitat that we pass every day on our walk.

A protected wildlife habitat that we pass every day on our walk. | Order a print of this image.

Shark!

Yeah, it wasn’t that impressive, but I wonder if its big brother is still lurking…

DCIM101GOPRO

In no way did we harm this shark. It had washed up on the shore. Just FYI.

DCIM101GOPRO

Revert

Sponges grow in the ocean. That just ‘gets’ me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen.

– Steven Wright

So at what point does the urge to dig a hole at the beach cease to exist?  I think I’ll hold on to that one for a while.

Revert

Longest Day

Exactly one year ago I was participating in “The Longest Day” sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.  I’ve never experienced anybody who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but now understand how traumatic and very difficult it can be and am thankful that a friend asked me to participate.  If you’re participating this year either as someone who is going through it currently or as a friend, here’s to hoping that today is filled with good memories of your loved ones and friends as you start your longest day.

The Longest Day

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Museum

“I went to the museum where they had all the heads and arms from the statues that are in all the other museums.”

– Steven Wright

MSV

I shot some images for a local hotel’s website and they wanted me to shoot some “local flair” images. With all the images I shot, I completely forgot to shoot this one. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. | Order a print of this image.

Patience

So here’s a lesson in patience.  I’ve started a project within this year-long project.  Who knows where it’s gonna go, but I’m giving it a try.

Bird-watching.  More like bird-waiting.

I just set it up today.  Hopefully this goes somewhere.

It turns out that the beast of a sycamore tree in our back yard plays host to my new project. And here's the cool part - I can shoot it from inside the house. Yeah, yeah I'm new to it. Give me a break.

It turns out that the beast of a sycamore tree in our back yard is going to play host to my new project. And here’s the cool part – I can shoot it from inside the house. Yeah, yeah I’m new to it. Give me a break.

 

Active

“Shame on you if you chose to stay inside if your day resembled anything like this.”

– Shaun Galang

Yet another cycling photo.

Yet another bike-ride photo.

Parks & Recreation

It’s cool when life comes full circle.  I worked at Frederick County Parks and Recreation when I moved to Winchester about 14 years ago, but moved on to a new career.  Now I get to bring that new career back to FCPRD as I create some new media content for them.  It’s gonna be a fun summer.

Clearbrook Park is just north of Winchester, VA and, along with some awesome walking trails, boasts a vintage caboose.

Clearbrook Park is just north of Winchester, VA and, along with some awesome walking trails, boasts a vintage caboose. | Order a print of this image.

Right Place/Right Time

“Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter.”

– Ansel Adams

Storms always provide some great image opportunities. Of course, they present a good deal of danger as well.

Storms always provide some great image opportunities. Of course, they present a good deal of danger as well.

Yes

You just can’t say no to an open road and a day like today.

It would certainly suck to sit inside all day when it looked like this outdoors.

It would certainly suck to sit inside all day when it looked like this outdoors. This is where I took this photo.