BEST SHOT OF 2012 CONTEST

I'm thinking of entering a My Best Shot of 2012 photo contest and I've narrowed my choices down to the 10 photos in this gallery. I would love to get some feed back over the next few weeks to help me decide which one to enter. Please vote for your favorite by "liking" it in the gallery or making a comment! I would love to know why you like a shot, too, if you feel like sharing. Thanks!

If you prefer to see the gallery over at my Facebook page (a very easy place to "Like" or comment) you can click here.

See them in Picasa!

Coast Guard Cadets Salute WTC, Fleet Week 2012, USCGC Eagle, Manhattan, NY.

Blue Angels Over Battle Group, Fleet Week 2012, Hudson River, Manhattan, NY

Blue Heron at Mukilteo Landing. Mukilteo, WA

Hungry Gull. Mukilteo, WA

4th of July Fireworks After the Fireworks. Old Lyme, CT

Sail Fest Fireworks 2012. Fort Trumbull, New London, CT

Osprey Taking Flight. Old Lyme, CT

My Fish! Osprey, Old Lyme, CT

Gary Rower Stearman, Oregon International Airshow 2012, Hillsboro, OR

USAF Thunderbirds, Oregon International Airshow 2012, Hillsboro, OR

February Backyard

The Oregon winter season is still new to me. In Utah, my dad ran two tanks of gas out of his snow blower last week. But here in Oregon this past Saturday we had balmy temperatures in the mid 50's so I spent some time on my balcony soaking in the sun and observing the birds that never migrated away this winter. The hummingbirds and goldfinches are a constant presence at our feeders.

We see a wide assortment of goldfinches in our yard.  They seem to be brightening up compared to the more drab plumage we saw through the Fall season.

We've seen up to fifteen finches hanging from our thistle sock at a time. 

Incoming!

One of many hummingbirds that enjoy our backyard

I often hear the distinctive chirp of a hummingbird accosting me unseen from high branches around the borders of the yard; broadcasting that, while others (particularly the humans that fill the feeder) may make short visits, all should be aware that this yard has already been claimed!

Dive! Dive! Dive!

The previous owner of our home saw this pic and said this is the Pepping Happy Valley Hummer. I think this is the cheeky little fellow that chirps at us any time we trespass in his backyard.

I love this Oregon skyline

See the entire album!

Oregon Zoo Visit

I had a couple of hours to kill in Portland this past Saturday afternoon so I made my first visit to the Oregon Zoo. Between the intermittent rain showers I photographed some of the more interesting animals (and people).

I've been to quite a few zoos, and this one ranks high on my list. I found the Great Northwest area of the zoo to be particularly impressive with its diverse animals, habitats, and forested layout. Maybe it was because of the lower temperatures or the on-again off-again rain, but many of the animals seemed particularly alert and active.

I probably only saw half of the exhibits on this visit so I'll be wanting to go back again soon. Although, during a particularly heavy rain shower I got to spend over 20 minutes inside the Elephant Museum; plenty of time to read each and every plaque within the display, some of them twice. So, I may not need to go back to that part of the zoo...

This bobcat was pacing its habitat

The two mountain lions were very active, stalking one another...

...and pouncing when the other least expected it.

This polar bear was snoozing until rain started falling more heavily.  I snapped this as the rain woke it up.  It soon moved out of the rain.

The damara zebra.  Not just black and white.

Reticulated giraffe

Train in the rain (and sunshine)

Rocky Mountain Goat

Oregon Zoo See the entire album!

HVMS XC - Meet #1

Fall brings many great things. The crisp cool temperatures mean you can break out your favorite sweater again, the damp scent of leaves and earth tell you that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner, football (need I say more?), and now it also signals the arrival of a new passion for at least one member of my family: Cross Country!

My daughter started running cross country last fall and had a great time. She is having an even better experience this year and I've enjoyed documenting the events through pictures as can be seen in the photos and the linked gallery, below.

2012-09-26 - HVMS Cross Country Meet See the entire album!

And the girls are off and running!

This young lady from Rowe dominated at the first meet of the season

1.8 miles later, there was no one even close as she crossed the finish line

Every finisher got a high five

One of our Happy Valley boys took the lead mid-way through his race

Headed for a close finish, Coach Oliver leads the pack on his pace-bicycle

And it's Happy Valley by a narrow margin!

Announcing the results

Lighting in this gallery provided by the setting sun

Sugar - In Concert - Esker Point 2012

I finally got around to processing a few more photos from this past summer. On July 19th I saw Sugar in concert at Esker Point Beach for the third year in a row. Once again the band did not disappoint!

My photo gallery from last year's concert is probably my personal favorite of all my work. And, while I don't know that this year's gallery is up to the same standards as last year I do like it a lot. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the 2012 Sugar concert. Enjoy!

Sugar Concert - Esker Point 2012 See the entire album!

You can also see the pics on Facebook here if you wish.
And while you're there you can "like" that page, too, but only if you do like it...

A great venue for a concert!

Marcy

Rickie

This drum stick has seen its last concert

Israel

 

Most (but not all) of the fans were thrilled by the loud, upbeat music.

 

Mike

 

Israel recognized me because of my photos from last year.

Don and Shelley drew a crowd of their own when they showed off their cha-cha skills during a brief intermission.