Photo Shoot

Yesterday, despite the blustery wind and cold temperature, the sun was in and out of the clouds and thus, it was PERFECT for a photo shoot day. I took a drive to Rocky Ford Fishing Area. I've driven by this sign about a thousand times in my 2 1/2 years in Manhattan, yet I never turned down the road to go check it out. And so, my van nosed its way to the right and I discovered a neat little place to shoot.

The ford area was once used by Indians to cross the river, as it had a lot of flat rocks. There's a dam there now, but the water generally flows freely over it. There's a long walkway, and a rock jetty out into the river. I walked all the way out to the edge of the river on this jetty. Quite beautiful, to be sure. I haven't edited all the pictures I took from there, but as I do, I'll share more.

As you turn off the main road onto the dirt road heading to Rocky Ford, there's an old stone barn. I'm assuming, of course, that it's a barn....it may have been a house, but it's got some odd square openings in the front that lead me to believe it could be something else. Further down the road, right at the Ford, there's a farm....with a great old barn and silo. Perfect for pictures, of course!

So, here are some takes on pictures I took. Different angles of the stone barn/house, and a few others I was able to edit thus far.


Looking out the walkway to the rocky jetty. The water on the right is churning because it's coming off the falls...the water on the left is much calmer.


a leaf on the shore...just stood out.


the old barn from the farm.

One angle of the stone barn. I don't think you can see the small square windows on the front. I imagine that this is gorgeous, covered with leaves in the summer!


Another angle of the barn, in black and white with some actions and filtering done.


Same shot as above, warmed up.


This angle of the barn was my favorite! In the background you can see the dirt being kicked up by a car. This is the original picture I took. I then played with it, using different filters, actions, etc. to get different effects. I would be interested in knowing your favorite(s)!!!






Above is one of my favorites!





This one is Hannah's favorite - she says it looks like a tornado is about to come. Very Wizard of Oz, don't you think?

Monday Meme

Outside my Window...cool and rain, but much-needed
I am thinking...it's a sad day, Charlie's funeral
I am thankful for...facebook...I'm connecting with people who need me!
From the kitchen...mini Red Baron Pizzas for the kids for lunch...they loved it!
I am wearing...a lime green lace-edged t-shirt and dark blue shorts
I am creating...nothing...except in my mind
I am going...to start packing my scrapping area this week
I am reading...The Saving Graces
I am hoping...for safe travels for Scott tomorrow
I am hearing...giggles upstairs, and a friend on the phone
Around the house...laundry going, dishes need done
One of my favorite things...fresh air, no a/c needed
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: bible study, 2 more days of no school...ugh!
Some photos to share:

Taken this weekend:


Swingin' on the Monkey Bars


David in AWE of Isabelle's skills
(my friend Stef's kids)


3 man sliding - Hannah, Isabelle and David


seeking....


looking down...Scotty's hand in mine....rarely
ever get to see this anymore..


The amazement of spotting the perfect red leaf

Captured....


In flight - letting go is the hardest part....



Playing on the new playground at City Park
(notice many of the pictures are at the OLD part - my kids like that better!)

Wordless Wednesday

Disclaimer: Not my dog...a cute 6 month old chocolate lab named Shadow who came to Pillsbury Crossing...quite enthusiastic about jumping into the water!

Thematic Photographic - Nature

Carmi's theme this week is Nature...and I have LOT of nature shots...but I just happened to get out last night to scope an area for photographing a family...and I had some decent shots, so I'm sharing them as part of the Thematic Photographic this week:

A pretty flower out by Pillsbury Crossing

Deceptively calm waters reflecting the beginning of fall

one of the only shots I could get of the Pillsbury Crossing Falls - we had immense amounts of rain last week and the creek was HIGH - the mud line and debris on the trees was ABOVE my head. But I'm going back to see if I can't get some more shots....DRESSED for some bushwacking and getting wet, too!

What I will miss about Kansas...

There are many things that I will miss...but here is one thing I will miss a lot:


Wild Kansas Sunflowers


Head and shoulders above the rest.

I was in the middle of the field, SURROUNDED by sunflowers...like being in a cornfield, they're so tall!


Driving the flowers buggy!!!

I was fascinated by how many of these little bugs were on this flower. They truly were everywhere, these bugs. But they just went from flower to flower...didn't bother me at all. What bothered me were the dive-bombing grasshoppers. I felt like I was under attack!


It was rather windy out, and I had a hard time getting a good closeup of the sunflowers, so I was surprised that this one came out. One of the things I find fascinating is how the color changes on these flowers as they die out. The center turns such an intense yellow, almost bordering on orange. I'm trying to capture that. I think I will be in these fields a few more times, hopefully it won't be quite so windy! I'd also like to photograph them against a sunset....hmmmmm....well, there won't be a great sunset tonight (no clouds) but I'll keep my eyes open for the perfect day!




There are many things that I will miss...but here is one thing I will miss a lot:

Thematic Photographic - Faded

This is Carmi's theme for this week: faded, zooms in on stuff thay may be a little older, a little run down, a little broken, a little humble, a little forgotten....hmmmm....I've had dreams of going out and photographing some of the old barns and windmills around here...but haven't done that as yet. So....

I went through my photos, looking to find something that might fit the bill. Yeah, I have a lot of stuff, buildings and whatnot from Europe...but I thought this was apropos:

She's the matriarch of the Sunset Zoo chimpanzees...she's old....she's faded...maybe a little forgotten.....

Thematic Photgraphic - Water

Carmi's theme this week is water. I have a LOT of water shots...I'll start with these two...taken in Kansas City in May, when I was in the middle of my photography class. They are pretty much identical, except that in the 2nd shot, I set a higher f-stop, so I was able to blur the motion of the water. I think I'll add more water shots as I go this week!

Thematic Photographic - Colorful

Today's Thematic Photgraphic is colorful. I could think of little so colorful (and refreshing) as fruit...especially when it's in such a lovely presentation!!

Wordless Wednesday

Thematic Photographic - Poignant

Huh...I was just editing photos last night, and this is Carmi's theme today....

Thought this photo fit perfectly.

At seven and a half (she is quick to let you know she's NOT just seven) she is caught somewhere between woman and child...

photo session....

today was a rainy day, so I played with the kids in the studio. These are just quick shots to share, nothing fully edited yet...but they were fun!