Met up at the Discovery Center with Donna for some test shots with the new camera. I’ve just about wore and bored everyone out debating, researching, and getting opinions on a new camera. After much deliberation and convincing of the husband, I found myself in possession of the Canon 7D. Now this camera rocks my socks off! It does everything but take the picture for you. I am totally in love with it and admire it at every given opportunity. Here are a few shots from the Discovery Center:
Things are getting back to normal in my part of the world. We live close to Nashville, but didn’t have near the flooding that they experienced. They still have a long way go especially with the cleanup and just getting these people basic relief and help.
The Walter Hill Dam was completely flooded out with the waters rising higher than I can ever remember. I made a visit last night to check it out and you could see by looking at the trees how high the water rose. It’s now getting back to normal with the water still a little higher than normal.
Recently I joined the Murfreesboro Photo Club, a new photography group in town. And I do mean new. They just had their second meeting (my first) and I have to say they are a great bunch of photographers. Some I’ve met before in the Nashville Photography Meetup group, but most were new to me. At this meeting we were to bring in a couple of pictures for a critique by the group. This is a very good way to learn a little about your photography, how you can improve, and also to find out what you are doing right. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone’s pictures and the critique that I received. Our first outing was to the Thompson Lane trailhead of the greenway that runs along the Stones River. We walked up to the battlefield where I love to take pictures. I’m already looking forward to the next meeting and outing.
A view from in front of a cannon:
A cannon with monument in the background:
Stones River:
This one’s a little psychedelic, but fun:
This weekend I got out bright and early (before anyone in my house was awake) and drove out to rural parts of Murfreesboro, TN. It’s actually an area that I grew up in, but now I live in the city limits and I don’t get out this way too much. One of my Flickr contacts (harryintheboro) has some wonderful photos of a barn in this area that I was just itching to get out for myself and see. He was so nice as to give me directions and I can’t wait for spring and fall to go back and get more pictures of this barn.
While driving around, this leaning barn caught my eye. It looks like it’s ready to collapse:
I also saw lots of chickens and had to wait for them to cross the road.
And then there’s the world’s smallest post office. It is a real working post office in Fosterville, TN:
One more barn that I liked. It has some sort of Halloween decoration in the top barn opening. Very interesting…..
Tennessee is ill-equipped to deal with snow and ice and one little snow flake can bring total upheaval and chaos, no joke! But, the snow is finally melting away and the schools are back in session tomorrow. My husband and I got out and walked on the grounds of Oaklands Mansion on Sunday and it was a beautiful place with the snow and ice!
The tree lined drive:
A view of the grounds:
Well not the universe, but the geographic center of Tenneessee, which is my universe. This marker is at 35° 51.251′ N, 86° 21.98′ W, or in plain talk, off of Old Lascassas Hwy. At one time Old Lascassas was a little two lane road and this marker was right beside the road and pretty dangerous to get out and look at. It now has a small parking area and a nice plaque.
To pick only 2 favorites from 2009. This is the task and harder than it sounds. I have so many and not because they are great works of art by any means, but because of the memories that they invoke. Mostly I love the ones that come from time spent with family and friends. My daughters are often with me when I’m out shooting and I’ve made some really good friends here locally through a photography Meetup group. So here are a few (I couldn’t just pick 2, sorry!):
Butterfly Surprise
Backyard Sunrise
My 2 Favorite Girls
Recently I went back to the battlefield to get some shots. Because it was so very cold this day, I didn’t last very long! The battlefield was having a week long event of re-enactments, tours, and such. I feel for those who volunteered to do this because like I said, I only last about 5 minutes before I high tailed it back home.
Barns hold a special place in my heart. The older the better, but I am often drawn to the unusual. This barn has some really cool architectural elements that you don’t see on many barns. I think that the decorative shingles are such a special touch.
Click on the Places tab above to see another favorite of mine.
Murfreesboro, TN - Fall 2009