Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I've been for a walk on a winter's day


I had off from school today to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. After doing a few chores, I said goodbye to my husband, packed George into the car and drove to nearby Havre de Grace, Maryland – a rather historic little town at the mouth of the Susquehanna River at the head of the Chesapeake Bay.

It was a gray day and I thought I’d walk around by the water and maybe get some photo ideas.

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Well, it was super cold on this gray day – and even though I was bundled up somewhat well, the path to the lighthouse was very slippery.

I took the photo of the gulls in the parking lot of the yacht basin.


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I almost deleted this photo above because it was blurry. But I liked the composition, and I could see in my mind how I wanted it to look.

And now I’m glad I kept it.

When I download photos into my hard drive, I go through and delete the bad ones right away. It makes me feel better to have gotten the deed done and besides, I don’t need a bunch of waste on the hard drive. So I make my decisions as to which files to keep and I tend to make them fast.


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The Concord Point Lighthouse is so picturesque. It was built in 1827 and is located at the point where the Susquehanna River meets the tidal flow of the bay. It holds the distinction of being one of the oldest lighthouses in continuous operation on the East Coast.




: :   Calling All Photographers   : :

A few days ago, a reader contacted me about a project she’s working on to raise funds for the Rose Fund, a registered charity created to help cancer patients who are dealing with financial difficulties. She writes:
The “Love From Me” Art Book Project will use inspiring artwork and photographic images donated by artists around the world. All artwork and photographs will be considered, as long as they fall under the project’s themes. The artist will keep the copyright of the donated images. 
The purpose of the book is to provide inspiration to people going through a period of personal challenge, and to raise funds for cancer charity. This year's project will include:
1. A coffee table art book
2. Poster and postcards
3. Wall calendar
4. Greeting cards (participation optional)
If you are a photographer and would like to donate some of your images to this worthy cause, visit the link below and click on the “details” page.

“Love From Me” Art Book Project

I’ve donated a couple of my bird photos in different categories. Maybe you have a photo or two you would like to contribute.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

123 Signature

all the leaves are brown
and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
on a winter's day

- California Dreamin'

36 comments:

mrs mediocrity said...

I am glad you kept that blurry one as well, it came out perfect.
And I love the idea of the "Love from Me" project, I will go and check it out.

Country Gal said...

The song Californa dreamin sung by
The Mamas & The Papas , I love that song ! great cause I will check it out ! Love your post and photos. Have a wonderful day !

TexWisGirl said...

That top photo is beautiful. I love that you're donating several of your bird shots to this great cause. Mine wouldn't be good enough to cut it. :)

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

How generous of you. It really makes you feel good when you do something to help others. Isn't that what life is all about? Beautiful photos as usual.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful book. Going to check it out tomorrow. Too late for me to do anymore reading tonite.

I too delete the REALLY bad photos right away, but if they are just a bit blurry I sometime hang onto them until I can take them under closer consideration.

Love the Mamas and the Papas.

Di

bv said...

i always love LOVE the song in your head...it is perfect for the post...BV
ps...and i will have it in my head for, oh, i don't know, maybe a WEEK.....still, i love them....

Andi said...

LOVE these!

I will certainly buy the book,what an awesome cause. I highly doubt anything I have taken is worthy to be published. :)

Caroline said...

Gorgeous photos Kate! I am glad you did not delete the bird photo too. Sounds like you had a perfect day off :)

Jeanne Walker said...

Great photos! The second one...the blurry one...notecards!

Great cause and so needed! Hope your submissions make the cut!

Hugs!

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

I just love that blurry photo! And the book project sounds like a great cause:)

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Kate:
I love the photos you shared today from your walk with George. I'm sure his fur coat kept him nice and toasty warm and that he appreciated the day in a new place.

I hope you have a great week.
xoxo
Donna

GailO said...

I've been to Havre de Grace! A few years ago my best friend's son got married near there and we spent part of the day before the wedding being tourists...a beautiful little town that I wish I had more time to spend in:)

Love your photos!

Lisa said...

Kate this post is so very Gorgeous!!
Nice you could get out. I love days like this too. I yearn to go again. Its so cold here and ha..you can laugh we have been snowed in. You had a wonderful day.
Im off to see your link. Stay warm.

Gail said...

I would love to but I haven't even accomplished how to place a water mark on a photo.

Sarah said...

Love the photos today! Such a good idea about the book. I'm sure your photos will be included in the book. I'll pass on donating any - I do a quick down and dirty edit as you do and few of mine (as yet) make it to the hard drive!

So glad you wrote about Havre de Grace today - we were just there for the first time last weekend. Just lovely, one of my new favorite places. We ate at the Tidewater Grill and it was delicious. Can't wait to go back!

Thanks for the Mamas & Papas reference too. I'm a life-long-big-time fan!

Tess Kincaid said...

Your opening gull shot is amazing! I'm going to have California Dreamin' in my head all day...

Cait O'Connor said...

Your photos are amazing. I love the blurry one too. I like the idea of just taking off and going to take pics.

The JR said...

That's one of my favorite songs.

Devon said...

You live in such a beautiful place! I love all the finishes you chose. I really like the clarity of the birds wings in the blurry one.
You have such a fun blog to visit with tea each morning!

Mary Lou said...

What a fun day, chores included! I love the lighthouse. I'll check out the book project. Glad you had a good day off.

Gail Dixon said...

Beautiful images as usual. I also quickly delete any bad photos right off the bat. Because I take so many, it's not difficult to let go. Now that my 365 project is over, I am going through all the ones I felt were rejects and seeing if any are salvageable. Turns out, there are a few that have new life! Hope you have a great week.

Sara said...

Hi Kate,
Thanks for blogging about the Love From Me Art Book Project!
Fingers crossed that we can make this project a great success.

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

what great phototgraphs...

love the song and am off to see the project details....i am very interested in it... i lost my mother to pancreatic cancer august 2006...so i know this pain all too well....

sending love today, my friend

kary and teddy
xxx

Cloudia said...

Not only do I enjoy, but I'm elevated by your shots and words. In other words: I always enjoy and learn here :)



Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

sharon said...

I love the blurry photo. has a certain uniqueness about it. love the song California Dreamin. Have you ever hear Queen Latifah sing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0462ycSKm0

Carolynn Anctil said...

Beautiful photos, as usual. Love the new textures you're using, too.

The project sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.

ELK said...

kate you really captured the gray feeling in each photo..that gull was just posing for you!

Daryl said...

I'd have enjoyed wandering with you .. now I know what I need to do . I need to convince LaLa to come get me, pick up tasty treats from Zabars and head on down ..

Thistle Cove Farm said...

There's something about a gray, snowy day that's so soothing to me. Your photos, as always, as just lovely!

Mental P Mama said...

Awesome shots, my dear. I expect to see your talent in that book;)

Unknown said...

Thank you! what fun....smiles.

Unknown said...

What a great idea! I may have a few to donate. I'll head right on over!

BTW: I love all three shots!

Unknown said...

Your pictures are great - I live in Indiana and sometimes get very discouraged with the gray that is Indiana in the winter - but your pictures "embraced" the gray and made me look twice at things here that I might not of taken pics of because of the gray! THANK YOU!

http://jentsfrontporch.blogspot.com/

Mary said...

You are on a texture tear, girl! I love all these, but especially the one that you almost deleted. Beautiful!

I will go check out the link and donate some images.

Donalyn said...

So pretty Kate. I always feel silly taking photos of seagulls, because we are far from the water around here and they mostly congregate in parking lots of stores and fast food joints. Nice to see one that isn't hanging out at McDonald's :)

Lili said...

Something about that 1st gull picture really captures my attention. That lighthouse is awesome and I really enjoy seeing how you use textures. Thanks for the link to the book project, I will check it out. xo ~Lili