Mallard 

Reflections...

Ok, so this one is probably going to look really familiar, but dog-gone it, I've been working extra hard for that darn dSLR. Just one more day and I'll get a day off...*sigh* It's actually 12:30am here now, but the date and hour post is about an hour late...more later.

Reflection of a Photographer 

Flower 

Airbrush 

Green With Envy

This photo makes me chuckle. Totally reminds me of myself whenever I read a post on DPC of someone getting his/her new digital SLR. Someday soon I know it will (hopefully) be me posting the same thing...probably something to the effect of "A new addition to the family--my dSLR" and as patient as I have tried to be, everyday I check online to see if my camera's in stock. Anyway, until then, just color me green...

Envy 

Cradled 

Rock-a-bye...

Ok, so obviously this is not a photo I had taken today, considering some of the mountains here in Idaho received anywhere from a couple of inches to several feet of snow. Didn't have time to photograph anything today since I was soooo busy at work that I'd decided to go to my little stash of photos and look through some that I've always wanted to post.

Minimal post-processing on this photo. I liked it because the first thought I had when I saw him was, "Wow, he looks really comfortable nestled in this cluster of trees--almost as if he were being cradled by a hand." So, I decided to sneak a couple of photos...

FYI, the photo was taken on my trip to Costa Rica with some college friends.

Flyfishing: Tie One On

In the summer and fall, I enjoy flyfishing. I usually use a dry fly because I love to watch the fish break the surface of the water to rise for the fly. And nothing gets me more excited than to be the first person to say, "Fish on!"

I have fished all over Idaho, and luckily, there are still plenty more places to go and see and fish. The sport is both relaxing and exhilirating. It is also an excellent opportunity for me to reflect on my life and the simple things that make me happy.

I know it isn't for everyone. Before I even tried it, flyfishing was something that I thought I would never ever enjoy, but the first trout that rose for the caddis at the end of my flyrod was not the only thing that got hooked that summer. I've been flyfishing ever since...

Tie One On 

Four Days...

I've been away for an extended weekend and was unable to post my photos without my computer. Unfortunately, I don't know how to back-date so I have to post four photos for the past four days so have a go at it.

Yes, I did go snowboarding and conditions were great. It shouldn't be surprising that one of the four photos is of snow. :P We're expecting more snow tonight, and I am crossing my fingers.

Boarder's Paradise 

Morning Coffee 

A Touch of Red 

Moving Forward 

In black & white 

Oh Beautiful

I hope that (as I become more comfortable with my camera and photography) I can capture beautiful scenes that show some of Idaho's natural beauty. Now that I am more actively pursuing photography as a hobby, I see a lot of things differently and have become more appreciative of the town and state in which I live. I find that I don't necessarily have to travel far to find subjects to photograph so plan to see more of "my backyard" in future submissions.

Thank you so much for the wonderful & helpful comments you have left. Don't be dismayed if I haven't left you one yet. I do plan to make the rounds to ensure I leave everyone a comment on his/her PAD.

Beautiful Idaho 

Fruit 

I'll Fly Away

Do you ever sometimes wish that you can just fly away? Get away from it all? Boy, I've been feeling like that a lot lately, and I have to seriously ask myself if I am having an early midlife crisis.

At times I do find myself asking if I've made the right choices, and if I haven't, do I have time to correct my mistakes or at least change the path that I've chosen so that I can more closely parallel the "right" path. What if I were really meant to do something else and live a completely different life from what I'm living?

"What if...?" I guess that is the million dollar question for many of us. Is there anyone out there who actually feels like he/she is living his/her "destined" life?

Flies Away 

Give me a light...

Yes, this is tougher than I thought it would be. It would definitely be easy to post a photo, but it is definitely hard to make it look creative or different. When I saw this light bulb, I thought, "Interesting shape..." Voila! A light bulb photo is born.

Light 

paper fish 

A Wine Charm for a Popular Girl

Last year, I had accidentally made commitments to attend three different Christmas parties, which unfortunately were all being held at the same time on the same night. Needless to say, after the first two parties, I was more than just "fashionably late" to the third party. When I walked in at 11pm, my co-workers bombarded me with the question, "Where the hell have you been?" I simply answered, "A popular girl like me has plenty of other engagements to attend," and we all laughed.

At this year's party, one of the girls made this wine charm, on which is engraged, "Popular Girl." I loved the colors and the history of this gift, and since I have been on a "macro" kick, I thought it befitting to photograph the charm. I'm pretty proud of how it turned out, and I think I may even make a Christmas card of it next year.

Charm 

Path Less Traveled

In my life, I have certainly made many choices that weren't always the smartest or the most exciting or even the most logical. However, I can honestly say that majority of them have always been safe and practical. Perhaps it's my upbringing or maybe my physical make-up that I am not always the risk-taker. Even my chosen career has its mundane predictability.

Perhaps that is why I enjoy snowboarding so much. The sport allows me so much freedom and often times I make decisions not necessarily based on my personal safety but by how much adrenaline my chosen path will reward me. Snowboarding should never be relaxing. If it is, you're not doing it right!

Path Less Traveled 

Great Blue 

Don't be such a pill...

Several co-workers have expressed concern for me, and one of them pretty much called me "a pill" because I haven't been my upbeat self. I guess when you're always laughing and cracking jokes, everyone notices when you're quiet. I find it interesting that some of my co-workers interpret my silence as being "in a bad mood" but in all honesty, I'm not in a bad mood. Anyone who knows me understands that sometimes when I'm really quiet, it's because I'm so absorbed in my thoughts...

Anyway...

One of my goals for the year is not only to post a photo each day, but also, I want to participate in as many challenges as possible on DPC. Of course, that may not always be possible to due to work. Luckily, I found some down time and took a couple of photos prior to closing (9pm), drove home, uploaded photos and crossed my fingers in hopes of finding something close to what I had envisioned.

Since the photos I had taken today are so very close to each other as far as theme, I will have to take a photo from the past to post today and will post the ones from today next week, once the challenge is over.

Oh yeah, only had time to run 5 miles today but my pace was better...just under 8:30 per mile. YAY!

A mountain of solitude

In our busy lives, it's often hard to find time for ourselves. With work and family commitments, life can be overwhelming. Luckily for me, I'm close to the mountains and rivers so that whenever I feel weighed down, I have a way to escape.

Today, I was fortunate enough to do two of the things that I love to do--snowboarding and photography. "Why not bring my camera to the mountains today?" I'm pretty comfortable on my board, and I'm (almost completely) comfortable taking photos of people. Now, if only I can combine the two.

So while on the lift, I turned on and set the camera. I had actually taken some photos of other snowboarders, but this one of a skier was my favorite. Somehow, I was able to catch up to him/her from behind, and being careful not to fall (and have a yard sale), I took the photo. It was just us and the mountain, and it was amazing. I needed that today.

A Life's Journey 

Lotto Lady 

Beginning...

So everything has a beginning. Each day is a new beginning. Today is just a little more special because it is the first day of the calendar year.

Working towards two of my goals this year (to look kick-ass for my trip to Australia and to run a half-marathon), I ran 7 miles at an 8:50 per mile pace. Not bad. I definitely hope to improve on this time, but hey, it's only the first of the year!

I also finally got the photo-a-day started and will post a photo so check it out.