Spring Grove Cemetery Revisited

With another storm coming tomorrow I took the opportunity to get out today. Spring Grove Cemetery seemed ideal on such a beautiful cold sunny day.  The weather is suppose to get warmer towards the end of the week, maybe I'll actually get out of the car.

After the Storm

We had a little snow storm last night maybe 3 inches of snow, enough to make the park a beautiful place to be and fun for the kids to enjoy as well.

 After the park I had mail out our movie, "Avengers" by the way is a really good movie if you like a lot of action. 4.5 stars. Anyway decided to do a little exploring through Covington.

Long Exposure/Flash

We are under a storm warning at this moment so I thought I would head out to work on some long exposures. I still have a lot to learn about this camera. The photo below is a one minute exposure, ISO 100, aperture set at 9.0, I lightened it up as much as a good, the middle photograph I used the flash and the bottom photo I went back outside, set the ISO at 400, aperture 5.6, 30 second exposure.  I was hoping to catch some snow flakes but that didn't happen at all. 

Looks like I took this photo during the day not at midnight.

A Rest for Pets

I finally gave Greg a break with the dogs and left the comfort of my deck. We had some fun.

Jasper is always looking for trouble.

Blizzard?

The weather person predicted that we would get a blizzard today. Not so much, apparently North of us got hit with a bunch of snow but it ended up mostly rain here. Still sick so I didn't go any further then the front deck. 

Merry Christmas Me!

I had a fantastic Christmas, Santa was very good to me. Thank you Santa.

This light kit had some really decent ratings for being so inexpensive. If you are like me you have to shop on a budget for your accessories. I've been wanting to try still life photography, this light kit will really help.

You have no idea how badly I need a new camera bag, my last one I ran over, it survived but it really needs to be replaced.

I wish I could afford the expensive close up filters, well actually I wish I could afford a macro lens but for now this will have to do.

This strap is so convenient, what makes this such a great strap is that you can move the camera up and down the strap for real easy photographing. Yay!

Welcome Back Paco

 Paco made it back for another winter, this maybe his 3rd of 4th now, anyway glad to see him back again

Merry Christmas

May today bring nothing but Joy, Happiness and Love.  Oh and of course lots of gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Carlsbad, California

Aaaaaahchooooo, haven't been out much the last couple of days, I've been sick, first cold I've had since 2007. Thought I would work on some of my San Diego photos since I've not felt like going out at all.

Goofing Around the Christmas Tree

What can I say, nothin on tv tonight.

A Rest for Pets

Trying to dry off.

A Little Snow

Yesterday and today we had a pretty big wind storm, it has really calmed down but enough of a breeze to make the 26 degrees feel a lot colder. I did head out last night to the park to find branches, trees and wires down, I have no idea how we managed to escape not having our electricity out. Snow showers brought us a decent dusting of snow, today it feels a little more like Christmas.

My Daughter's Sense of Humor

What can I say my daughter has my sense of humor, apparently this is called Photo Booth. All I can say is I love it. Nothing better to do? Make fun of yourself, oh and baby too. Nice going Chris.

Krohn Conservatory Nativity Scene

I dragged and yes I mean dragged Greg with me to check the Nativity scene at Krohn Conservatory. I really just wanted to see the live animals. To our disappointment the conservatory itself closed at 5:00, we will have to make another trip back sometime soon. I believe I saw a sign that said $6.00 admission, to see the Nativity scene is free which is worth a quick stop if you are in the area.

Thunderstorm in December

It was a bit of crappy day around here, as a matter of fact it has been pretty crappy weather around here for about a week. Moments after I photographed this, it started to thunder & lightning. Are we sure this is really December?

Welcome to Chateau Laroche, Loveland Ohio

When I heard about the castle I really wasn't sure exactly what I would find. I wish I could say the website is full of history about Sir Harry Andrews but it is not, I haven't done a thorough search yet but what I did find out is that Sir Harry died before he finished the castle in 1981 at the age of 91. He believed that it would take another 10 years to finish. He died from injuries a few days later after his pants caught on fire while trying to put out a fire that I believe started in the gardens. Don't quote me on the location, my teeth were chattering pretty loud when the story was being told to me.

 As I found my parking space in front of the castle the above photo was my first shot. Although the castle itself is more of a miniature version when you think about one man making the stones out of homemade brick & molds all by himself then it is hard not to be impressed by the size.

 The entrance warns you that entering even the outside of the property you will be charged. The feeble amount of $3.00 per person is well worth the price.

 Not all the areas are available, this was unfortunate when it came to the top of the castle, the above two photos were all I could see through the locked gates, so much more to explore.

 This is the entrance to the main lobby for lack of a better word. The day itself was cloudy with the temperature around 60 degrees, when you entered the castle the temperature dropped 20 degrees, I'm not kidding, it was freezing. After you paid $3.00 one of the volunteers gave you a brief but interesting history then you are allowed to venture out on your own. Apparently my brain became a little frozen, I didn't take a photo of the lobby. Another excuse to go back.

 This is a rather funny photo, I couldn't see what was inside so I pointed the camera in, waited for the beep, shot the photo and promised myself I wouldn't look at it until I got home. It was worth the wait.

 The dungeon was very disappointing, as the two photos above will show you. I'm not sure what was behind the many doors that were locked.