Sky Watch - Big sky

Our sky on Monday had the look of the expansive skies see in the western USA. 
 

Header Challenge - Small visitor

Our header challenge this week is a theme on our own choice. Last September, a good friend we had not seen in a long time came for a visit. She brought with her a traveling companion whom she photographs in the places she visits. So I capture a few images of Gumby also. We toured the Gettysburg Battlefield, the site of the turning battle of the U. S. Civil War. Gumby climbed on Mr. Lincoln's hat to get a closer look. He checked out this cannon and numerous other weapons during our visit.

 He liked the fence style of the 1860's

 Gumby's view of the US Army monument

We also visited Carroll Creek Park in Frederick. He liked the art work painted on the bridge and its abutments. He also took pleasure in the fountains that were more his size.

He also like our flowers in the yard and 

Marianne's decorations on the mantle.

Here is a header from about the time of his visit

Our World - Still cold

Still unusually cold here. These were taken on the 22nd and 23rd and the snow is still around.
 

 

Sky Watch - Sky full of contrails

 

We have had clear and cold skies this week (when it was not snowing). Monday morning the contrails were lingering much longer than usual. Geese and a plane cross paths of the planes. Below high contrails from  planes heading southwest. 

 

Lower level contrails heading west from Baltimore (above looking east, below looking southeast over our house).

Header Challenge - Wild animals

The wild animals we see around here are squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional deer. Images have appeared on my blogs from time to time. We see the ground hog every now and then, but it disappears quickly into the weeds or its hole. So I bring you a selection of animals from the Washington National Zoo taken in 1989. (These images scanned from 35mm film.)

Our World - Polar vortex

January 21 8:24 EST - Light snow

The weather folks have come up with a new name for the cold, snowy weather we are having this week. Sometimes it is an "Alberta Clipper", now it is a Polar (or Artic) Vortex. For me it's just what can happen this time of year. For the record, the forecasts were accurate. Temperature was 28F (2C) when I got up this morning and is now 20F (-7C) heading for 3F (-16C). Prediction is 6 - 10 inches, we now have about 6 inches and the wind is blowing!

If you think this storm is bad,

check this blizzard from 1938!!!



January 21 8:25 EST - Snow bath

January 21 9:237 EST - Across the street

January 21 9:38 EST - Getting deeper

 



January 21 9:39 EST - Across the field

Sky Watch - Afternoon Fog

Saturday, January 11

 

Header Challenge - Reflections with people

 

The City of Frederick celebrates the first Saturday of each month with activities, music, sales and stores open late. May fourth last year was a delightful spring day with lots of people and lots of reflections. My header is along Carroll Creek Linear Park. The other shots are along Market and Patrick streets.

 

 Ghosts

 

 Bike and buildings

 

 Wet reflections

 

 Yours truly included

 

 People in cars

 

Sidewalk seating



Our World - Cats

Buster - don't bother me it's nap time

Zoey snoozing in the sun

Watching for squirrels 

 Where's my dinner?

Sky Watch - Winter clouds

 Morning, south

 

Afternoon, east 

Afternoon, west

 

Afternoon, west, zoom

Header Challenge - Ideal Weather

 

When Craver chose this theme  for our challenge, my first thought was "Ideal for what?". So here are a few illustrations of the "ideal" weather for photographers.

 

Ideal weather for frostbite? We have that. This was the high Tuesday (-11.7C) and the low last night was 0F (-18C). All fifty US States reported temperatures below freezing.

Ideal weather for harvesting: Clear and cool was the case back in October 2012.

 

Ideal weather for photographing a sunset? After the storm!

 

Ideal weather for bird watching? The day after Christmas there were several swooping low over the parking lot at Wal-Mart and that is my choice for header this week.