Comments on photo theme #181

[billz]

Post your comments to this thread. Link back to theme #181.
(http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46166)
Bill

[lsweeney]

Shar, love the "life cycle" shot! It's clever and emotional all at once.

[SharLamb]

Thank you. Yes, it is very emotional. It was sort of an accidental memorial. He was such a wonderful man. It warms our hearts to be reminded of him daily by looking at his bicycle, especially since we are such a bicycling family.

[pacfam]

Val, just saw your shot . . . love it!!!

[vawitt]

Thanks, Doris. All of our new plant life was covered in SNOW this morning. This jumped out at me at the grocery store. Good to have a cam on hand!

Shar - wonderful shot and story of the bicycle. Thanks for sharing!

[Galiano]

Shar - I also loved the photo of the bicycle and the story that went with it. I am also interested in the path. I can't decide if I think it is actually a path, or a decorative "path-like" feature. It is just perfect for the space!

Cheers,
Helen

[SharLamb]

The path is sort of real, although no one walks on it. It's a lot of illusion. We have lots of rocks in our dirt, and so we find decorative ways to use them. We thought it would be intriguing to lean the bike up against a stump near the path, making it look as if someone parked his bike there, then went off for a walk. There happens to be a rise then a dip just at the back of our property, so it was easy to create the look. (Some might call it a dry stream bed.)

[Galiano]

That's exactly what I thought when I saw it - "a dry stream bed". Love it!

[Red Sky]

Clever one, Val!:D

[lsweeney]

Clever, Val!!

[Aussie Nan]

Tony and Tammy, your images are really outstanding to me, I absolutely love them both.

[Chesney]

Tony and Tammy, your images are really outstanding to me, I absolutely love them both.

Thanks Toni! And wow, I just saw your eggs - that is stunning (not to mention creative, innovative, unique - would you like me to go on?) :)

[victry1]

Bill,

That flower is Bee-yoo-ti-ful! Was wondering how you were going to fit a car into this theme. :D

[billz]

Thanks Eleanor!

I usually just use cars for the be creative challenges. I don't want to risk being type-cast.:rolleyes::D Thanks again for the nice words.

Bill

[lsweeney]

The springtime (including Tammy's image of an undecided spring season!) signs of life here are encouraging.

Toni, yours is eggs-specially creative!

[Chesney]

Lorrie-
Spring is definitely around the corner - I can feel it! Thanks for you kind comment!

[Aussie Nan]

Thanks Tammy and Lori. I was really creative in eating them too... :D
Had to do it, it's Good Friday tomorrow and I certainly can't eat chocolate on Good Friday. Chocolate doesn't last once you open the wrapper does it?

[Chesney]

Gary, WOW, love your flowers in the snow - stunning!

[victry1]

Tammy, mother nature sure cooperated in giving you an interesting shot! :D

Gary, that is beautiful-what a good representation of spring!

Christell-So cute! Just want to cuddle him. Is that a lab?

[vawitt]

So many great interpretations of this theme! Gary - GORGEOUS flowers on snow. Toni - I really really really enjoyed your egg photo - the presentation is great - are those shells?? Kim - when did you sneak into my house and snap a photo of my DBF? :D Christell - pup is DARLING!

[christellf]

victry1,
Yes it is a Black Lab times 12..Here is the thread I started about them:
Christell

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46268

[billz]

Well there seems to be new life springing up (almost) everywhere. There are a lot of fine photos this week, and there’s already been lively discussion in the comments thread.

Lisa – What a way to start us off for the week. Your image has wonderful colors, lighting and a great DOF to blur out the branches … just enough. I really like your image a lot.

Tony – Wow. Great sharpness and the solid background makes the tiniest details pop out. Nicely done.

Debra – They’re not quite ready for juice, but it’s exciting to see them on their way. You did a nice job of lining up the fruit in a very narrow DOF!

Doris – That’s wonderful fun! It sort of begs the chicken or the egg question though doesn’t it. Did we go there for the Starbucks? Or did they build it because we were there?? Great take on the theme!

Steven – Salt Lick City huh?? I guess we’ve all got a neighbor like that. Great take on the theme as always, and it’s one of the nicer photos of black tailed deer droppings that I’ve seen! I’ll bet you spend as much time as I do cleaning your camera. ;)

Tammy – Aside from being somewhat tragic, that’s really a nice shot! The ice coating gives some very nice texture to the image, and yours is another fine example of DOF use and a resulting nice bokeh.

Shar – What a clever idea! The scene looks just as you intended … someone resting their bike against the tree and walking off down the ‘trail’. Cycle of Life (the photo and the pun) is a fine tribute.

Helen – What a shot! Great focus on the unfurling leaves and the lighting makes the reds really pop. I love rhubarb and find your shot very encouraging. There will be pie for everyone I hope!

Eleanor – Great shot. My guess is that it’s the noble father taking his turn on the nest and that mom is the one in the background with her head underwater … probably looking for a way out of there. ;) Your finishing and framing is also very, very nice. I like your second shot as well … I can almost hear the furry little guy licking his lips at the sight of those tender new leaves popping out of the ground.

Linda – I love those little bugs! It’s cool the way they protect themselves by rolling into little armored balls. Your shots are great … it seems so natural to see (what I guess to be ) a boy’s carefree dirty hand proudly showing off his find. Nice job … and a good two-fer for you!

Val – Wonderful interpretation and great lines in the photo. Welcome to the ranks of those who have been reduced to taking photos in the grocery store.

Carol – Welcome to the photo themes … I’m glad you joined us. Tadpoles are great aren’t they … it’s like watching life stages in fast forward. You did a great job freezing the motion and still leaving a sense of the frenzied activity in the image. Nicely done … and again welcome! We’ll look forward to seeing more of your images.

Sepiana – Great entry! The colors of the new growth is a nice contrast to the ‘more experienced’ leaves and the white background is perfect to show off the sharp lines of the leaves and stems. The arc and color of the pot makes as great a base for the photo as it does for the plant itself. The water lines and texture of the soil contrast nicely with the simple lines in the top of the photo. Very nicely shot and composed!

Byron – I think Steven can get you a deal on some deer. ;-) Speaking as one who doesn’t have to clean up the mess, the blossoms are pretty, and the strong vignette is very effective.

Clara – The hikers really stand out … that is one deserted beach! Great shot for the theme and to capture the feel of the scene. Your finishing of the image is nice too … the border brush would also be a good entry for … HEY, wait a minute! ( You could have had a 3-fer! :D )

Sharon – Why that’s a , … that’s a …. uh … geez, what the heck is that?? Good work getting a shot of it … the criss-cross lines of the branches are fun too.

Ellen – That’s terrific! The textures of the shoot are captured perfectly, and your DOF gives just the right amount of blur to the little blue flowers. It’s kind of fun that one of the blue flowers looks like it’s hiding behind the peony shoot … like a shy child behind a parent, imagining they can’t be seen. Please count me among those who would like to see the banana slug shot too!

Toni – Sorry, if I were to take any of the blame for the amount of time you invested in getting that shot I’d try to snag some of the credit for the result as well, and that all goes to you. What a wonderful image you created. The crispness of the stone contrasts so nicely with the soft background and I like the way you played the light reflection off the stone to provide some fill backlighting. The eggs are of course perfect for the theme and I’m sure tasted quite good as well. Great entry!

Gary – I’m glad you were able to play this week. Your image is great. The lines are terrific, and the colors of the crocus play very nicely against the snow’s blue coldness. Your focal point really highlights the shapes and texture of the ice crystals.

Christell – Good timing for the theme! What a touching shot you captured. The pup is so deeply into sleep … just exhausted by all the growing and learning going on. Quite a sign of life.

Kim – Are you kidding?? Life abounds in that photo! What you’re seeing is a gender specific function known as Nascent Archetypical Planning (NAP). It’s the very genesis of grand thoughts and ideas … most of which are related to how we can be more helpful around the house and what kinds of gifts we can procure to give. Nice shot Kim and a very funny entry.

Agg – Welcome to the photo themes. Isn’t it great to see the resilience of certain things … especially things that taste so good in iced tea! Something out in internet land messed up the link to your photo, so I’ll put a link here (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1NpBzvYMPs5wWbdzW6IioKdT8PvJ80) as well. Welcome again to the photo theme … I hope we’ll see more of your shots.

Great, fun stuff folks … and still plenty of time for more. The more the merrier, so tell a friend to join us.

Bill

[Aussie Nan]

Bill, you are totally AMAZING with your indepth commentary each week, truly don't know how you do it. Happy Easter to you and yours.

[Ellen]

Bill, thanks as always. Your magnolia shot is beautiful. If you can make such detailed comments the least I can do is share this slug with you. The banana slugs are much less destructive to new growth than the euro slugs and snails that have invaded.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1xVdJIe3yJkN7CV3fyrIxvyvXxHERR1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1xVdJIe3yJkN7CV3fyrIxvyvXxHERR1)

[vawitt]

Bill, I'm not sure what your day job is, but you sure could quit it and become a photo commentator/photo journalist. I enjoy your commentary as much as the photos.

Ellen - Yowzer! You are a brave soul - or have a nice, long lens...

[SharLamb]

I agree re. Bill! I anticipate his comments almost as much as the photos.

Ellen, what's your favorite recipe for the banana slugs? ;)

Your neighbor a little SE,

[billz]

Ellen -

I'm glad I asked! That's a great shot and he's a beauty! The spots have a sort of Appaloosa quality!! ;)

Bill

ps: Thanks all for the too kind words.

[Sepiana]

Bill, thanks for the comments! They are informative, an eye-opener, and, yes, entertaining. I wish I could look at an image and see everything you see. I'm grateful you're doing it for me.:D

[pacfam]

Bill, thank you so much for the time and effort you take to post encouragement and comments. You make it so much fun to participate!

[Ellen]

Ellen -

I'm glad I asked! That's a great shot and he's a beauty! The spots have a sort of Appaloosa quality!! ;)

Bill

ps: Thanks all for the too kind words.

umm Bill not that I want to drag out the slug thing but gender is dicey in some parts the mollusk group...

[billz]

My deepest apologies Ellen to mollusks everywhere. I think it was the shoes that threw me off ... not that there's anything wrong with them. ;)

As you know, I've a storied past with slug photos, and since taking this one on the side of my house a couple years ago ... I've been traumatized and somewhat easily confused.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1PoOV5QaL4mLDCJcKVka6DJQ84vWDP_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1PoOV5QaL4mLDCJcKVka6DJQ84vWDP)
Bill

[Ellen]

Those are the eurotrash slugs! I'll stop now...

[Red Sky]

Thanks for all your insightful comments, Bill, and for tolerating my lack of good taste! There were 10 deer lounging near my back patio Thursday, sunning themselves. I'll take a little slimy slug any day.

[lisabee]

Thanks Bill, it's always a delight to read your comments, :)

Lisa

[Bamagirl]

Thank you so much for your comments, Bill. I call myself studying the photos in the photo theme each week. However, I always have to go back and study the whole thing when I read your comments. Your perception is always so great. Thanks again.

[GaryK]

Thanks all for the kind words.

The things you find while laying on your belly on the front walk.:)

[Bamagirl]

By the way, Steven, I grew up in the piney woods of Alabama, so I do know a little about animal scat. I always amaze my children when we walk in the woods and I can tell them what animal has been there before us.

[victry1]

Hi Christell,

How cute!! It must be so much fun watching them - I love how the little ones waddle and there's no such thing as an ugly lab pup!! Lots of luck with them.

[victry1]

Thanks for the kind words Bill. The mom would be right in trying to ignore the whole thing......LOL, but, that never works.

I get a lot out of your comments, whether on my posts or on others. It really helps me to learn what to look for etc.

Thanks!

[kim2900]

I'm reading along, enjoying all of the nice comments, and then suddenly, I'm accosted by slug images and talk of scat! http://bestsmileys.com/scared/4.gif People, people, people! You're killing me!

Thanks so much, Bill, for the nice non-slug comments. I really enjoy getting your take on everyone's shots.