UP, UP AND AWAY...

Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
We could float among the stars together, you and I
For we can fly we can fly
Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon

Colorado Springs plays host to the Balloon Classic each Labor Day Weekend.  We have always made a point of watching the balloons as they float over head but this year we got up extra early and took a trip to Memorial Park where the balloons participate in a mass ascent.  Upon arriving at the park I was immediately thrown into sensory over load.  There were dozens and dozens of brightly colored balloons of every shape and size.  To our delight, each hot air balloon skimmed over Prospect Lake and lightly skimmed the surface before taking off into the air in what is known as a 'Splash 'N Dash'. 

Never been to a hot air balloon ascent?  Make a point of going to one.  It is definitely worth the trip, and you may find that you will rekindle your relationship with the child in you.

Tags: Balloon Classic, hot air balloon

NIKON D80

Sadly, no, the D80 is not my camera.  It belongs to my husband who was just as lost as I was with the demise of my D70 last month.  My camera is in the shop, hopefully being repaired, but in the mean time Dickidoo couldn't bring himself to use a smaller point and shoot camera so he made an investment.

Unfortunately he doesn't share very well. I have only been able to take the camera out twice so far.  I can see we will have to come up with a custody agreement like we had with the D70.  Grrrr!

A little about this bright eyed grasshopper.  I couldn't have asked for a better subject as I fiddled with the controls of the new camera.  He sat quite patiently while I clicked and adjusted and clicked again.  I think I may have bored him half to death, but the pictures came out so clear.

I miss my camera and really hope it can be fixed, but man, that D80 is sweet!

Tags: Nikon D80

4th of July

My youngest son Art stands maybe just a little too close for comfort during our recent 4th of July celebration.  This year was extra special, my oldest son Gabe was home on leave.  He is scheduled to deploy to Iraq at the end of summer so this was a very special time for us.

Tags: 4th of July, fireworks

BIRDS OF SUMMER 2007

Summer just doesn't begin for me until I see the pelicans.  They seem to prefer to breed at Big Johnson Reservoir a few miles away, but always stop by at Carp Lake (aka The Pelican Pond) for the first couple of days. 

I got some pictures late yesterday afternoon, and was delighted to see them still at the pond this morning, floating lazily over the misty waters.  They were gone by this afternoon.  During mating season the pelicans bills turn bright orange and the males will develop a plate on the top of their beak.

Tags: Amercian White Pelican

Colorado Renaissance Festival 2006

These are the pictures I used for my musical slideshows that were posted on Youtube.  Once again I recommend that you view this as a slideshow by clicking 'View Larger' and selecting the slideshow option from the top toolbar.

Tags: Colorado Renaissance Festival

COLORADO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2005

'Tis the season... tis Renaissance season.  Huzzah!  I found these old pictures stashed in my AOL album and thought I'd post them.  These are from 2005.  We have been going to the Faire since 1999 or 2000 (not really sure any more) but I didn't really start taking pictures until 2004 (still have to find those ones) after I went digital.

For best results I recommend that you click 'View Larger' and then select the slideshow option.

Tags: Colorado Renaissance Festival

FOXES PART 2

Who would have thought a chain link fence would be such a big obstacle when photographing something on the other side.  Maybe its not the fence, maybe its just me.  Either way, this is the best I can do thus far.  Yes, I used my 300mm zoom.  Nope, it didn't really help much.  I need a bigger zoom!

Still, I have to admit that these pictures came out much better... no doubt due to the fact that they were taken while the sun was still high in the sky.  The kits are getting bigger but still show no fear.  They listened reluctantly to their mother when she barked out a warning.  They ran immediately for the safety of their den between the pipes, but kept poking their heads out to investigate. 

I haven't seen the father fox since the first day when he ran off before I could even raise the camera.

Tags: red fox