A little out of season, but still timeless and elegant. Ice tinged edges of a glorious holly bush. I went a little further with this image, and changed it to B&W, then used a history brush to bring back some of the color... less is always more.

This beauty is planted in a half whisky barrel right outside the breakfast area, I've been watching it - waiting to pounce. Yesterday it was all wrapped tightly into a pentagonal shaped puff - all points neatly matching up at the seams.
This morning it has ventured forth... but still is not fully unfurled, as the pollen-coated stamens are still in their upright supporting role. I expect in a few hours it will have morphed further. I always marvel at the stunning colors, precision and functionality in nature... as I did today, come marvel with me!
My friend Valerie and I researched it and it's called a Balloon Flower. Apropriate, eh?!

This image makes me think I can paint... I often take shots and as I'd mentioned a few posts ago, then edit with Photoshop's dry brush effect... I was musing how to bring color back in this - and was so tempted to run a page of watercolor paper through the printer, then do a very subtle tint. But, it was just a thought.

Meet my good friend, Sam. He is the sweetest, most compassionate 'person' I know. When I heard about him back in 2002, I remember telling the seller that "I'd have to bring him home for a test run, as we had another golden at the time, and I wanted to make sure that they got along." I knew full well that he'd be staying - and I'd named him even before he arrived. I have never loved a pet like I love this guy...

This picture was taken late 2004 as I was working in the basement on a piece of machinery that was unfamiliar to him and, to boot, it was making horrible noises. He positioned himself at a good vantage point where he could make sure I was OK... but still far enough away to escape - if need be. This is one of my very favorite photos of him.

In the chill of the early morning where shadows are long and cold, the first sign that summer, was in fact, coming to a close is evident.

The sunlight and shadows that play upon this solitary leaf reveal its inner structure, while a fringe of ice crystals define the edges.

Without the sunlight "allowing" the glimpse into the inner workings - this would be any other ordinary cold and very solitary leaf...

If one were able to describe quiet with a picture - this would be it. Taken only with available light... from the moon and a streetlight off in the distance it is surely one of my very favorite shots.

This image owes its life to the 'night vision imaging' capability of the Sony Cybershot DSC-F707. I absolutely love this camera, and while its resolution maxes out at 5 megapixels - it is what I grab as I reach right by my Canon Rebel Xti 10 megapixel.

This amazing camera has a Carl Zeiss lens and can very easily photograph the most minute detail (I do confess - I use it most often for macro photography...) while also mastering a night shot AND serving to entertain the dogs with the IR beam it shoots out to focus in the dark. Love it!