Basket Case

- We came home the other day and couldn't find our new kitten Sherlock anywhere. After searching the whole house and calling his name, we finally spotted him in asleep in this basket on the top of our barrister bookcase. Don't you just love those eyes? He had a rough day today so I thought I'd feature him on the blog to boost his spirits. Canon G11, 1/30 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 800.

Flamenco in Sand

- Another nighttime sand sculpture picture from last weekend's Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This one is entitled Flamenco by Thomas Koet and Jill Harris. Check out some other great daytime pictures of the sand masterpieces at Les's blog The Tidewater Gardener. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800.

New Wheels

- "How do you like my new wheels?" It's not very often you get to see an old brick house up on wheels ready for a move. This house in the Kempsville section of Virginia Beach, Virginia is being moved because of a road widening project. Ironically it is old but not really old like the dozen or so other colonial era homes that were located nearby and lost to development over the past 50 years. In the early 20th Century, Kempsville was sometimes compared to Williamsburg. Like Williamsburg it had numerous colonial buildings that time had passed by. Unfortunately it had no John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to save it. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Builder Bob?

- No it's not Bob the Builder, it my grandson Robert doing some serious reconstruction last week at Sandbridge Beach. Canon 7D, 1/1600 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, zoom at 135mm focal length.

Face in the Sand

- A face in the sand at the North American Sandsculpting Championship in Virginia Beach, Virginia USA. Check out some more photos of the amazing sand sculptures at night. Canon G11. 1/13 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 800, handheld thanks to the miracle of image stabilization.

Night Castles

- The North American Sandsculpting Championship was heald this week at Virginia Beach's 2010 Neptune Festival. For the first time the sand castles were lit at night. The night lighting produced a great new way to take pictures of these creations which are part of the Master's Division. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800.

Bachelor Button

- Gomphrena globosa, commonly known as Globe Amaranth or Bachelor Button, is an annual plant that grows up to 24 inches in height. This cultivar is white but the most familiar variety is the true species with magenta bracts. Canon 7D, 1/50 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Monarch

The monarch reigns supreme at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Butterfly House. This Saturday morning is the annual Monarch tagging and release by the Butterfly Society of Virginia. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Zebra Swallowtail

- A beautiful Zebra Swallowtail photographed at the Butterfly House in Norfolk's Botanical Gardens. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

A First

- This is a first for my daily photo blog - a picture I didn't take! After 630 straight days of posting my pictures, I took the day off - well kind of. You see today was my birthday and we went to Sandbridge Beach in the late afternoon with my grandson Robert. I did take a bunch of pictures but then I asked a young lady sitting next to us on the beach if she would mind taking a picture of the three of us. She was a bit intimidated by the Canon 7D and confessed she didn't take very good pictures. I told her not to worry, just point and shoot. She took four pictures while we were trying to convince Robert to look up at the pretty girl when a big wave hit us from behind. Lucky for me, she got the money shot. We were pretty soaked but it was great fun as you can tell from this picture. Canon 7D (The Intimidator), 1/1000 sec at f/10.0, ISO 400, 45mm focal length.

My Buddy

- We went to have dinner at Brian and Kristal's yesterday and I got to spend some time with my grandson Robert. While it was a disappointing day for us Redskin fans, seeing him in his Chris Cooley jersey and hearing his "go Skins" cheer made the day a winner. BTW - the tangerine chicken from the Bobby Flay Grilling book was outstanding. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 190mm focal length.

Blue Diamond

- The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team flew right over me in their classic diamond formation. They were performing as a part of the 2010 NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach, Virginia this weekend. Canon 7D, 1/2000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 200mm focal length.

Jackson

- Andrew Jackson, 17th President of the United States, was one of the country's more colorful presidents. He took the oath of office in 1829 with a saber slash scar on his forehead and two bullets embedded in his body. One bullet lodged near his heart and came from a duel with Charles Dickinson whom Jackson killed in the duel. This picture was taken at President's Park near Williamsburg Virginia. The park is a collection of giant 18 foot tall busts of the first 43 presidents. The park is reported to be closing at the end of the month so we paid a visit today. It was pretty surreal. Canon 7D, 1/1600 sec @ f/4.p0, ISO 100, 80mm focal length, converted to Black & with with Silver Efex Pro.

Take Time . . .

- to smell the flowers. One of life's best lessons was reinforced to me today by our new kitten Sherlock. Watching him investigate and explore melts my stress away. Everything is just so interesting again and thanks to Susan for the great cut flowers! Canon 40D, 1/640 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 1600, 50mm prime lens.

Town Hall

The historic Town Hall Theater on West 43rd Street in New York City was a great venue for Joe Bonamassa's Black Rock Tour last April. I can't wait to see Joe play his blues again at the Sandler Theater in Virginia Beach on November 19th. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400.

The Big Button

The Big Button marks the the location of the Fashion Center Information Kiosk at the corner of 7th Avenue and 39th Street in New York City. The Fashion District also known as the Garment District, has a long and colorful history and has jumped into the mainstream media spotlight with the popular "Project Runway" reality show. Canon G11, 1/60 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Feline Gmail

- My cat Sasha checking her gmail. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, 100mm focal length.

Renaissance Court

- Renaissance Court at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is magnificent in its design and beauty. Its classic design was inspired by the Italian Renaissance of the late 16th century. Canon 7D, 1/1000 sec @ f/8.0. ISO 400, 100mm focal length. Converted to Black & White using Silver Efex Pro.

Light Rain

- We had nice light rain all day today and we needed it. The knockout roses seem to really enjoy it. Canon 7D, 1/13 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 1600, 100mm macro, micro Litepanel.

How's This Man?

- One of the meerkat trio who make their home at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. They can almost always be counted on to strike a pose for the camera. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 400, 200mm focal length.

Laser Bubbles

- I was feeling experimental tonight, so this photograph was made using a green laser pointer illuminating a roll of bubble wrap. I got a lot of cool pictures using the laser and wrap, just hope I didn't burn too many holes in my retinas from the random reflections. The green laser pointer was once a sign of true geekness, but they are getting pretty commonplace today. So it might be time to upgrade to a blue or yellow laser to maintain one's status in the world of geeks. Canon G11, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Piano Man

- Neil Giraldo on the piano at the American Music Festival in Virginia Beach last Sunday. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/200 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 800, 85mm focal length.

Welcome Garden

- Looking towards the Welcome Garden from behind the fountain in the Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden. This area of Norfolk's Botanical Gardens is absolutely spectacular in the early morning light. This picture was made intentionally with a slower shutter speed so the water would appear as stream rather than mid-air frozen droplets. The small aperture at f/32 creates a long depth of field bring both the fountain in the foreground and the gladiolus in the background into focus. Canon 7D, 1/50 sec @ f/32, ISO 400.

Heartbreaker

Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar rock out on "Heartbreaker" during the encore of their show in Virginia Beach this past Sunday night. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 85mm lens.

Meet Sherlock

- This is Sherlock the newest addition to our family. He's a three month old male Tokinese and Sasha's half brother. Sasha has not welcomed him with open arms but with a lot of hissing and growling. Did you know cats growled, I didn't. Sherlock has done his share of hissing as well and I think they are reaching a mutual understanding.. Canon G11, 1/15 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, macro mode.

Red

- It was all red as Pat Benatar began the performance of her song "Hell is for Children" on the 5th Street stage in Virginia Beach. Check out more photos from the concert. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/400 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 85mm f/1.8 prime lens.

Surfer Girl

- One more surfing photo from last weekend's ECSC. This is pro surfer Haley Watson exhibiting great form when cutting back. The board is coming right at you. Canon 7D, 1/2500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 400mm.

Clouds

- This was a sunrise I captured back in the winter. The photo is way underexposed and nicely reveals the depth and texture of the early morning clouds. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200.

Surf's Up

- Another photo from last weekend's ECSC at Virginia Beach. Surf was definitely up for this ride by Jamie Battinger as she won her heat on Friday afternoon. Canon 7D. 1/2500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 400mm focal length.

Dappled Light

- Another photo of Dylan from my natural light portrait class with Erin Manning last Friday. I liked the dappled light, Dylan's thoughtful pose and the crepe myrtle blooms. All together they make this an unusual and interesting portrait. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, 60mm focal length.