358 - 'Twas the night before Christmas

From 365 Project

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
. . .
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night. —Clement Clark Moore
Canon 7D, 1/15 sec @ ~f/4.0, ISO 800, Lensbaby Composer with home made Christmas Tree aperture disk.

357 - Meet Petrie

From 365 Project

We have a new addition to our family - the "grandbird". A gift to our son Michael from his fiancé Kelly, she is a very pretty and quite social female Cockatiel named Petrie. She has quickly won our hearts and taken over the house. Canon 7D, 1/640 sec @ f/1.8, ISO 800, 50mm prime lens.

356 - Holiday Honors

From 365 Project

2500 wreaths adorn the graves of fallen veterans at the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton Virginia. The wreaths were placed as part of the Wreaths Across America project and honor veterans from the Civil War to the present who rest at the historic and beautiful Hampton National. Canon G10, 1/200 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

355 - Barren

From 365 Project

The barren tree branches of my neighbor's pecan trees are illuminated by the golden light of the early morning sun. The cold clear air provides for a nice blue sky backdrop. Canon 7D, 1/60 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 200, 30mm prime.

354 - Holiday Reflections

From 365 Project

Glass blown Christmas ornaments were invented in Germany in the mid-1800's. Today's mass produced versions still add sparkle and shine to the holiday celebration. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/25 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 50mm macro.

353 - First Snow

From 365 Project

Most of Virginia west of us was buried in snow today. We got only rain until the sun went down. Finally temperatures dropped enough to get a dusting of snow, extremely rare here in Virginia Beach, especially in mid-December. You can see the fine snow on this just opening camelia bud. I'm sure the cold will take it toll on the flower by morning but for now its beauty shines. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 1600, 50mm macro lens with light from the micro Litepanel.

352 - "Eventually...Why Not now?"

From 365 Project

These old advertising signs were revealed by a building demolition on Norfolk's Granby Street a few years ago. The Gold Medal Flour ad has the slogan "Eventually...Why Not now?" which the company used from 1907 through the early 1950's. The clown dangling the string to a kitten is an interesting touch. The other billboard reads: "The House of Hofflin - The Middy Blouse Man - Famous Hofflin Suits for Girls - Sailor Suits Made to Order." The billboards may be of the World War I time frame. They are in great shape having been shielded by an adjoining building for years. Canon G10, 1/500 sec @ F/5.6, ISO 400.