In Flight

Song - Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band

Titmouse

Right after I took the photo in my last post (of Baby Huey - the extra large baby Mourning Dove) my beloved camera died.  Just stopped working - suddenly.  I had two full batteries and I tried them both but she was a goner. 

Female House Finch

I was devastated and felt lost.  It's like going somewhere without a purse or cell phone.  You know you will survive but it's a little unsettling.

Crow

So last week I knew I would have to take it to our local camera store to be repaired - it took me three days to adjust to the idea of being without a camera for awhile.  The man at the store was very helpful and quoted me repair prices and length of time I would be "camera less". 


SIX WEEKS! 

Chickadee

But right now I can hear you saying "But Jeanette, how did you get all of these photo's that you are inserting in your blog?" Well......

American Goldfinch

......the helpful camera man told me that for just a few dollars more than the cost of the repair, I could get a whole new camera body that all of my old lenses would fit on. 

Yes!  They were having a SALE!

Green Hummingbird that is imitating an Oak leaf

Be still my heart!  You mean I could walk out of this store with a new working camera? 


What a concept! 



A store that sells cameras!!!

A Hawk that was chased up into this tree by that little Hummingbird!

Now I have to tell you that part of me felt guilty, as my old camera was only four and a half years old.  And it feels very un-ecological of me to not repair my ailing camera but then I would of had an outdated camera that still had a lot of worn parts.  Kind of like putting a new engine in a 1967 Volkswagen - there are still other parts of the car to be considered. 

Titmouse & House Finch

Weighing all of this information while holding a bright shiny new camera was a little like holding a new puppy.  Hard to put down (maybe just one more sniff of puppy breath).


I was a goner......

Forgive me world - I purchased the new camera!

You WHAT?

Yup, I did. 

I could hardly wait the three hours to charge the new batteries before I could start rapid firing my new partner in crime.


And I have to say, I am loving her!

THE END

Briones Park

I am taking a month long camera class ( http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/ ) and our assignment today was "Looking Out".  Getting outside, no matter how cold, rainy or snowy it might be and enjoy nature.  I was busy framing paintings for a new show so I procrastinated on my assignment but by late afternoon, I realized that the weather was not going to change and I had better get out there before dark!  I drove out to Briones because I love the wide open spaces there.  The trees were covered with moss and fog was creeping over the hills.  I was happy to be outside!

Briones Regional Park - Lafayette

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it within us or find it not."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Winter White Hydrangea's

Winter White Hydrangea's

I just spent the last few days with my husband and our three son's who were home for Christmas.  As a Christmas gift, I received a new camera and I was itching to get outside and play with it some but somehow with four guys in the house, somebody always wants to eat!  Today I did spend some time reading the instruction booklet and taking some photo's in the garden. I take a lot of photo's during our travels and for studio reference.  I think I may need a class in photography so I don't keep the camera on "auto" all of the time!  This photo was taken indoors from our table centerpiece with the camera set on "A" for Aperture.  I did have fun seeking out interesting photo "op's" and I am very excited to share some more photo's as well as paintings!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May every heart
On earth
Find peace,
Love,
Harmony,
And beauty.