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luckyshot's Journal
Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida, USA Orchids growing in a tree - an unusual presentation of the blooms by the growers at the garden. Happy Foofy Friday!
Everglades National Park, Florida, USA Heading up the Turner River, surrounded by mangrove trees, many birds were enjoying the sanctuary of the location. With dappled sunlight filtered by the overhanging mangroves, this heron posed nicely for me. (Please view full size to see the textures and colors of its feathers.)
National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. James Madison in the Signers Hall, one of the life size bronze statues of all of the signers of the US Constitution. While the Constitutional Convention meetings were held behind closed doors, and no minutes of them were ever published, it is known that Mr. Madison kept notes that provide the few glimpses into what took place. It is also known that while he was the shortest person in attendance, his influence of the writing of the Constitution was large. (The statues were created in EIS Studios in Brooklyn, NY. They researched historical documents in the designs. The background color is that of the wall behind the statue.)
National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Signers Hall contains life size bronze statues of all of the signers of the US Constitution. At age 79 and in ill-health, Benjamin Franklin attended the Constitution Convention meetings faithfully, adding his wisdom to the dialog. (The statues were created in EIS Studios in Brooklyn, NY. They researched historical documents in the designs.)
Cromwell, Connecticut, USA. It has been an extremely bury few weeks - my apologies for not commenting on some very fine photos being posted by friends. The busy-ness continues for a while, too. A week ago, I got this little one to stop long enough for a photo. Being Foofy Friday, enjoy the Butterfly Bush and its friend.
Cromwell, Connecticut, USA. A lily from the garden. I hope everyone's Friday is foofy-filled!
River Highlands Park, Cromwell, Connecticut, USA. A young sassafras tree grows across fallen trees to find sunlight.
Essex, Connecticut, USA. My wife and I went on a Connecticut River Eagle watch boat ride last week. Apparently, the eagles got advanced word, as they fled the river valley, but for two that were tending their nest with its eggs - visible at a significant distance. By the Connecticut River Museum dock, where the boat is docked, a pair of swans and several pairs of ducks sat about in the water. Feeling badly about our lack of eagles being spotted, they all posed for me. With this image, I layered a desaturated photo of the woods next to my house, taken from my study window. Since it snowed last night to celebrate the coming of Spring, it was fitting to add this, as texture, to the image. May your week be wonderful.
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. This Green Turtle, among a number of them in this lagoon, got to cruising speed quickly. The name comes from tones in their skin, not the shell color. They eat sea grass, so they have a serrated-edged jaw. (24-70mm lens w/polarizing filter.) Enjoy!
Charles City County, Virginia, USA. At Shirley Plantation, the Calicarpa, 'Beauty Berries', were is full form. Near a building, in the shade of a large tree, this bush was only partially lit by the sun.
Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. A view of Monticello, with the south piazza (greenhouse) and west portico. Another element of Jefferson's genius was the absence of outbuildings. Instead, 'L' shaped terraces extend from the house to small offices, one seen on the left. Cut into the mountaintop, out of sight from the lawn and from the east entrance, beneath the terraces are the kitchen, ice house, smoke house, stable, storage, and more. The roof of the terraces was part of a cistern system for potable water. The wooden walkway above the terrace roof enabled the collection of clean water. In this view, the three levels of the house can be seen. In post-photo, black and white was done, with an onOne texture added to create an 'old-time' image.
Charles City County, Virginia, USA. Welcome to the Hill family's Shirley Plantation. When Elizabeth Hill, of the third generation at the house, married John Carter, eldest son of the Robert "King" Carter, the wealthiest man in Virginia, the fortunes of the Hill family changed, leading to the construction of this house. It's interior woodwork is extraordinary, as is the flying staircase. All of the furnishings of the house are Hill family possessions. Understandably, interior photography is not permitted. So, enjoy this view of the house, the magnificent large magnolia tree on the left, and the oak tree on the right that is over three hundred years old. Walk to the river side of the house, where you might see some bald eagles soaring over the James River. The bench on the porch looks inviting as well.
Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. Pikes and Halberds, racked in the Magazine, along with muskets, drums and supplies. An antique look was chosen in post-photo for entry in the Wednesday B/W Challenge. (Border thanks to onOne.)
For the B/W Challenge - a three-exposure HDR image converted to b/w with Silver Efex Pro.
It's time to tromp through backyards to see the rear of the old stone houses. Looking across from the Olive Hasbrouck Whittier Memorial Garden, the south and east sides of the house are visible. Built in three stages, from 1721 and 1734, there are two doors to the back yard, as well as an entry to the cellar kitchen. Three-exposure HDR, early morning image. Beyond the house, a portion of the Freer House is visible.
New Paltz, New York. While in the Abraham Hasbrouck House, the 1721 home of my ancestors that first came to the New Amsterdam colony, I was photographing the newly restored interior. These two children came by the window several times, excited that I was taking photos. They called their mother over and all smiled while looking in - as I looked out.
A Clematis flower - up close.
Cromwell, Connecticut, USA. A black & white edition of our Clematis 'crystal fountain'.
Cromwell, Connecticut, USA. Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Bleeding Heart) doing what it does best.
A morning capture of apples ripening on a tree in a local orchard. Shot eastward, back lighting is offset by a three-exposure HDR processing, then converted to black & white. Enjoy!