The patriotic horse We were using temporary hair dye to decorate our horses for the local parade. Since we are supposed to be honoring independence I started writing patriotic slogans on the only place that wasn't already filled up.

I think this is a great idea for a challenge.  I may not get time to get out and take any in the next two weeks so here's some "pre-shot" photos that fit the bill.

Spiral Pattern This is a different perspective.  I had to lean over the railing and shoot handheld in low light. 

Here's another from my trip to Shaker Village in KY Vanishing Pattern 

Finally, a different kind of Floral Pattern This was a bush that grew in a spherical shape with the star shaped flowers on the outside and stems converging on the inside. 

Looking forward to seeing what others come up with.

Richard

Cork Oak

Shadowed Rock Face

Green Velvet Mantle  

I found this cute little guy stalking bugs in my flower bed.

1

2

 

And a shot of the flower he was creeping on. 

passionflower

I had couldn't stand all the people in these shots so I played with them. 

Front  fender 

Bel Air 

5 

Blue 

4th of July fireworks on the lake. The seagulls didn't seem to mind.DSC_0028
 

  

 Most of the lights in the back ground are boats watching the fireworks.

I have been building a goat barn out of mostly used wood. The beginning DSC_0004 

and now. 

DSC_0004o

 

This is not a stream, lake, pond, or river; it is a grassy area, used for overflow parking.  And so is this.

Yep, last May we had a wee bit of water problems.

Well..... There weren't no sun yesterday. That seems to be the statement of the day lately. So for my last-late and final entry in this worthy challenge, I went out and caught the thing myself!!!  

At least I caught the sun in my computer, I did! 

A little late, but that 24 hour thing wouldn't let me cheat. I like that. But I could not click on the enter the challenge button either because it wasn't there yesterday when I wrote the story.

Onward and forward to the next one...... 

 Thanks again Penny, it was a learning experience. Never worked so hard in PS.

I have a few more zoo shots...

Showoff

Alter Ego

Slow and Steady

Stripes of Distinction

 Here's Lookin At Ya!

Land of the Free

Sun Catchers > I took this photo in our neighbor's back yard yesterday.

 

This is my 1st attempt at fireworks.  I really wish the Obvious Troll had posted a little sooner. 8-)    I did a lot of experimenting, but the shots I chose were all on the fireworks setting.  I have some with longer exposure but they did not come out like I wanted.  I played with one shot on PS but the others are as shot.

Comments & Critiques welcome!

fireworks1 

fireworks2 

fireworks3 

fireworks4_PSed 

fireworks5 

 

 Well another great 4th of July has come and gone and I know there are a lot of shots here but I couldn't choose so I hope ya'll had a great one and enjoy some shots of ours.

firework fun100_2153 , face paint100_2095 

This was our parade celebration100_2206 100_2247 100_2221 100_2297 100_2309 100_2324 

                  100_2321 100_2337 100_2342 100_2348 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!!

• So last night I went to see Leon Russell 20080705_8222_copy
  

• As the night went on people were floating around and this gentleman came around introducing himself as the "Mayor"...Well, he certainly a character.Local Mayor
  
• Some things are best left unsaid
• Above is my friend who refuses to believe her shirts are toooo short. Helloooo
• Then there are the one's who bring there own things to dance with...as here is my friend Meg .One who dances with her own pole.
• Some just like to playSome play and don't know what else is happening around them..
• Some just poop out from all the fun and dance.Oh,my head...

Just wanted to share my fun with you..no special photography here. I handheld so forgive me for the blurs. Enjoy your day!

I was on my front porch watching a storm coming in over the far mesa when I noticed a rainbow starting to form, so I grabbed my camera and started snapping.  I noticed a flash of lightning just as I clicked the shutter button, but never dreamed that I caught it.  Imagine my surprise when I put it in the computer and zoomed in on the image.

Rainbow_and_Lightnin

 --Pat

Our Fourth of July got rained out. It was So Sad , but we still rocked out a little, playing those Playing those Red, White and Blues and, later, we had some rainy day fireworks:

Rainy Day Fireworks #1

Rainy Day Fireworks #2

Rainy Day Fireworks #3   

my day off this week wound up being on the holiday.  i took a little roadtrip to san francisco and beyond.

a few shots from the day:

ggb_in_fog 

aground 

port_reyes 

Happy day after the 4th! hope everyone had a good & safe holiday.

I've been trying forever to get good shots of fireworks...it's a shame they're not used very often. This years batch is better than what I usually take, so I'm encouraged.

FW1 FW2 FW3 FW5 

There was a kid with some of those glowsticks who helped me get a good setting. I like how it came out, so here's the one who was helping me out 

My son took some too. me KFW1 KFW2  Here's my little shutterbug . Kael loves his camera & I'm happy to have something we share.

Have a great weekend everyone!