Sure Sign of Spring. A Flock of Robin's Feeding On Crab Apples

Early afternoon I noticed a flock of birds were feeding in my backyard, they were too far for me to identify. About 3 PM I could hear loud birds outside in the front our home. My robins returned, their second year feeding off the crab apple tree, early spring.

MT. Washington Hotel and Presidential Mountain Range

My weekend photo's shoot included MT. Washington's beautiful hotel and the Presidential Mountain Range in the background. I posted my images on Flickr, naming the mountain in the back ground incorrectly, I thought it was the White Mountain but instead are the MTS. Adams and Jefferson.

A Flickr friend Debbe (I am a big fan of her photography) sent me an email, nicely corrected me, which I really appreciated. Debbe mentioned the range of mountains are called the Presidential Mountain Range. Scan down on the site and you will see an image of the range naming the summits.

Lesson learned: I realized in the future I need to research my information before posting. Thanks again Debbe!!!

Ice Climbers On Route 302, Crawford Notch, NH

My first image almost gave me an heart attack seeing the opening in the ice. Thankfully they did not continue but started their descent.

One of my photography goals for 2010 winter, were taking images of ice climbers. Hearing on a Friday there were climbers at Crawford Notch, hopeful we took off the next day looking for ice climbers.

Thrilled we did locate two brave climbers. It was COLD, windy but I preserved standing outside taking my images. I had a hard time taking the images because of the trees in the way.

New Hampshire and Vermont Old Gristmills

Chase Gristmill, Alstead, NH

Grist Mill Museum, Bellows Falls, VT

Bob's Water Mill, Londonderry, Vermont.

Last weekend my topic for shooting, old gristmills. We started out at Alstead's Chase Mill. I had previously photographed but wanted to return for winter shots. Vermont is not too far away, so we headed to Vermont and found two more mills. Bob's Watermill in Londerry (this one is for sale) and Grist Mill Museum.

The Great Rotary Fishing Derby 2010

One of New Hampshire's winter events I enjoy photographing, attending and sharing the Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby: 2010

Dressing warmly, using plenty of layers is a must when attending this event, the morning temperature was 5 degrees.

You will see cars and trucks, snowmobiles driving on the ice...crazy I know!!! Unique "Bob Houses", my personal favorite is "The Lodge". The Lodge is heated, has a TV, antler chandler, small kitchen set up, almost all the comforts of home.

Franklin, New Hampshire Photo Tour

Library

Mojalaki Country Club

My husband Bob came up with an idea "why not photograph towns/cities in New Hampshire." I have to admit his idea never occurred to me, what a great suggestion!!! I did not want to photographs that were "SNAPSHOTS" and decide to take artistic images of landmarks and sites of the towns.

Have a moment, check out my Photo Tour of Franklin, New Hampshire - bpdphotos' Photos

Franklin, New Hampshire is an old mill town, situated at the junction of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee Rivers that forms the Merrimack River. Birthplace of Daniel Webster American stateman.

A Richard R. Geigle's Photographer Spotlight Feature

Richard R. Geigle

I received an IM a few weeks ago my friend Rick Geigle, USA 19420, he was going to be featured on Photographer Spotlight. Rick did not realize talented, Greg Kiser who publishes this feature is an old friend of mine, dating back a few years.

I would like to suggest you check out Rick's PHOTOTREK.446PHOTOGRAPHY.COM: Photographer Spotlight: Richard R. Geigle and his awesome sites geigledesigns' Photos- powered by SmugMug and his Flickr: geigledesigns' Photostream

If you like informative blogs, Photographer Spotlight, Behind the Camera, Tips and Tricks, Product Reviews and beautiful images, I would suggest also clicking and signing up to receive Greg's blog. PHOTOTREK.446PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

White Pines After Snow

I woke up early an took this image after the snow storm, two rows of White Pines. I played with Paint Shop Pro's Geometric effect for an artistic feel of a plain photo.

Red Tail Hawk and EASTERN SCREECH-OWL (Hidden)

Saturday in NH was a beautiful day, 48 degrees, no wind. We decided to take advantage of the day and took ride to our 18 mile seacoast. We were NOT alone, we found people walking, running, biking, birding and photographing.

Our first stop was Odiorne Point State Park, pulling into the parking lot Bob notice a Red Tail Hawk, excited I grabbed my camera and starting shooting.

Leaving the park we noticed a group of photographers and birders looking up toward a tree, we stopped, again I grabbed my camera and found a gray-morph EASTERN SCREECH-OWL. As first I did not see the owl in the tree trunk, a kind birder allowed me to look through his powerful binoculars. Hidden I could see the owl.

I am not a wildlife photograph but I try and Saturday was a dream come true, photographing decent birds images.

Water Inlet, Winter Scene

Sometimes you can go out shooting and return home without much success. It happen to me last Saturday, a few images but one WOW factor image. Great lighting, time of day really made my journey well worth it. I lucked out!!!

Franklin, NH, Old Train Trestle In the Winter

I was photographing First Day's kayak run in Franklin, NH there was a lull between the runs. MY artistic side kicked in and I took a photo of the old train trestle built over the Winnipesaukee River entering Franklin.

Franklin, New Hampshire'sFirst Day, Kayak Run 2010

January 1, New Year's Day, Franklin, NH holds their annual Kayaker run, riding class IV rapids on the Winnipesaukee River. The event is always fun watching the brave kayakers riding the cold rapids, brrrrrrr.

You can find more images of this event on Franklin, NH First Day Kayak Run - a set on Flickr

Lakes Region, New Hampshire's First Snow

Vine covered lamp post.

Street light and post light and textured brick walkway.

We had very unusual warm weather this year and no snow. Finally and very appropriate timing, while I was decorating and playing my Christmas music, it started to snow. I had to go outside and snap a few images.

Matthew Bamberg, Author, Photographer - Free Book For The First Correct Answer

Author Matthew Bamberg

I became acquainted with Matt Bamberg about 4 years ago, after posting my photo Christmas card on my blog. He wrote a reply offering a suggestion how to enhance my photo with a two tone block font, even sharing tips how to create the font. His reply on my blog was the beginning of our online friendship.

Matt has offered to give away his newest book
Coming in December:

101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Master-Photographers-Twentieth-Century/dp/1435454367 to the first person located in the USA who correctly posts the answer this question.

Who took the picture titled "Migrant Mother"?

My busy friend's recent books published.

Coming in December:

101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Master-Photographers-Twentieth-Century/dp/1435454367

101 Quick and Easy Secrets to Create Winning Photographs

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Create-Winning-Photographs/dp/1598639021

101 Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Using-Digital-Photographs/dp/1435454375

50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in San Francisco

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Photo-Opportunities-San-Francisco/dp/1598638009

Matt's impressive biography:

Several years ago, Matthew Bamberg began to photograph for the articles he was writing while working for the alternative paper, the Desert Post Weekly. His writing focuses on popular culture: essays about topics from the Santa Cruz, California surf culture to the mid-century modern architecture revival around the world. Curious by light striking his lens (direct and bold or soft and willowy) and the sounds (especially of the shutter opening and closing), he struck a relationship first with film and then, like so many, with the digital camera's sensor.Aside from writing about f-stops, shutter speeds, and the fabulous job the digital camera manufacturers have done that permit photographers to take almost noiseless pictures in the dark at high ISO speeds, Matt has written content and provided photographs for articles on Homestore.com, America Online, and The Weather Channel. He is the author of several books including 101 Quick and Easy Secrets to Create Winning Photographs, 101 Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs, 101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century and 50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in San Francisco.

Beautiful Fall Foliage, Regional Differences

have been working on hundred of fall images I photographed this season. This year for fall foliage I visited New Hampshire, Maine and last fall, California. I realized how beautiful each area showcases their colors depending on the trees growing in each region. The east you see more reds, oranges, gold's and bronzes. In the west, California, Yosemite and Lee Vining, you will find mostly Aspen changing to a bright yellow with touches of oranges.

Rocky Gorge on The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Temperatures and rain will influence the colors. Maples you will find Reds, oranges and russet leaves, red maples, scarlet red, sugar maples, orange-red, black maples, bright yellows. Oak trees, turn red, brown or russet. Russet-colored leaves on White Ash trees. Shades of yellow on trees such as the Aspens, Poplars, Locusts, Hickories, a golden bronze and Ginkgo, Dogwood turns purplish red.
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

I hope I do not sound impartial because I live in New Hampshire, friends have also mention to me, New Hampshire's fall foliage featured all the bright colors, yellows, browns, purplish reds and showcasing the most brilliant reds!!!

Albany Covered Bridge


Be sure when you visit New England to include New Hampshire in your tour, you will not be disappointed our colors are outstanding.

Early morning light.

The Wings of Freedom Tour at Laconia Airport

Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft"

P-51 Mustang "Little Friend" (My husband Bob's photo)

Earl "Smitty" Smith

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine"

P-51 Mustang "Little Friend"

I had marked my calendar to attend The Wings of Freedom Tour at Laconia Airport to see the planes and take some pictures. I was excited about it. On display were two historical fighter boomers: a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine, and a B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" with an escort fighter, North American P-51 named "Betty Jane."

I was able to actually tour the inside of the bombers, and found that the interior conditions were very tight and cramped. The crew, I was told, numbered 10 or 11. In that special place I could feel and imagine our brave flying crews bombing their targets during WW2...the dangers they experienced. Attending the Wings of Freedom Tour made me realize how brave our servicemen have always been, fighting for our freedom.

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Earl "Smitty" Smith, who flew on the B-17 as a gunner in the belly turret. My husband mentioned to me that flying in the belly turret was the most dangerous place to be in the bomber. If they lost their landing gear, the gunners who flew in the belly turret would certainly lose their lives when the plane landed.

As I walked around I could hear several stories of flights and missions. There was a young woman there who knew all about her father's missions. He had been captured and made a prisoner of war. She had all the dates and research with her and proudly shared her story with a man who was most impressed with the extent of her knowledge about her father's tour of duty.

I had gone to Laconia Airport to take pictures but came away uplifted by a patriotic feeling that made me proud to be an American.

I never noticed before, the changing color of the roadside ferns. Their color changes in the fall, from shades of greens to golden color, with touches of brown.

We drove passed a patch of ferns, with perfect lighting late afternoon. I asked my husband to stop and turn around, he is very patient and is used to my requests.

"What the heck do you see?" "Look at the beautiful light on the ferns and the colors on the side of the road." "I would have never noticed and driven pass the ferns."

Smiling, that is why I am the photographer he isn't. He actually does have a great eye and will pick up a camera once a while. I will post a few of his images.

Book Feature: HOW TO FIND (and photograph) THE PHOTO-SCENICS IN VERMONT By Arnold J. Kaplan

Bob and I are planning a few side trips to Vermont and during our research Bob came across an outstanding book HOW TO FIND (and photograph) THE PHOTO-SCENICS IN VERMONT By Arnold J. Kaplan. I purchased the book and was so impressed with the information I wanted to share with my readers who might want to visit Vermont and find scenic places to photograph.

Book description:
"A mile by mile, turn by turn explanation of how to find 23 of the most farmhouse photo picturtorial scenes in Vermont with special Hints and Tips on the best time of day and best lighting conditions needed. Detailed maps of all the small country roads to you lead you to the Photo-Scenics. PLUS tripod hole diagrams to put your camera in the right place for the best composition." Arnold has added an insert of his images an a cd of his images plus update reports of the scenic areas. How could you go wrong with this book???? Arnold J. Kaplan author of this 5 star book (my rating), is 93 years old, still going strong he told me, Arnold has 80 years of photos. His photography is outstanding!!!

You are able to see his scenic photos by clicking on this Photo Guide for Vermont with tips on photo locations for fall foliage (click on the middle arrow to start the slide show and the book image if you wish to order.)

"I wrote this book years ago, because photographers would come up to Vermont and become frustrated because they could not find the scenes they had seen in calendars , greeting cards, magazines and books, and I was one of them. It took me three years of roaming around in the back roads of Vermont, and when I found one, I would record the directions. I did this until I found almost two dozen of the famous photo-scenics and finally wrote to book to help other photographers find them. Even Eastman-Kodak used my book when they sent a team of photographers to do a show featuring Vermont."

Lee's Mills Steamboat Meet & Event

Last year a friend mentioned I should photograph the Lee's Mills Steamboat Meets and Events, held at on Lake Winnipesaukee, Moultonborough Town Docks. Sept. 11-20, 2009 their 37th year. You still have time to visit the event.

I found hobbyist, who built or bought extraordinary steam engine boats. Offering free rides, willing to share information about their boats. The event was really nice experience and offered me great photo opportunities.

First Signs of Fall 2009

Bob and I were returning home from a Vermont trip we took back roads home looking for photo opportunities.

On RT. 25a, Wentworth, NH, I spotted in the distance beautiful swamp maples turning red at the Lower Bakers Pond. Swamp maples are always one of first trees you will notice turning red, a sure sign of the beginning of fall.