My Blog has moved!

I love my website host which is "Zenfolio".  I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quality website that is entirely customizable.   They have recently integrated a blog feature for their customers.  I have tested it and loved it so I imported my current blog to my new site.  You can now find my blog as a part of my website Paddletramp Photography!

My sister on White Bear Lake

I am currently learning the joys of taking photos with my new iphone 4s.  This phone is so fun to take pictures with and it is with me all the time.  Anything that puts Fun into my photography is a great thing!  My sister and I went canoeing on White Bear Lake yesterday and had a blast.  I love this picture of her watching the beautiful sailboats.

Robin and babies

This weekend I had fun photographing a Robin family.  This photo was my first attempt at setting up my tripod and camera and then sitting in the bushes and firing the shutter with a remote.  It was quite the challenge, not to mention the prickliness of sitting in the bushes.  All in the name of fun though!

Groundhog Day

I seriously live for photo moments like this...

This is one of those pictures that is nothing super spectucular but just simply kind of cracks me up. I had an awesome photo shoot with a Woodchuck (a.k.a. Groundhog) but didn't know I had taken this photo until I was home. Here he is jumping from rock to rock on the shores of Lake Superior. Good jumping little buddy!

Trail of pictures

Staying inside today to work on a multitude of photography projects for upcoming deadlines.  The trail of pictures leads through my living room area and I have to jump over them to get from room to room.  I am in heaven as I tackle each project while I jam to Prince music and enjoy the fresh breeze and sunshine coming in the windows.

1000 Visitors

Today my website www.paddletrampphotography.com hit 1000 visitors!  I sincerely thank everyone who took the time to visit my website.  May the peace of the wilderness be with you.

Yellow Tulips

Nothing cheers up my home more in the winter than Yellow Tulips.  I don't notice the gray wintery skies as much, and they remind me that Spring is just around the corner.

Beautiful dogs

My favorite lake in the Twin Cities area is White Bear Lake.  There are fun activities held at many times of the year at this lake and yesterday I attended a dogsledding show on the lake.  The Huskies are some of the most beautiful dogs there are, here are two from yesterday waiting their turn to run.

2012 Project

At the end of this year my photographs will be hanging on the art gallery walls in the visitor center at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington, which is right down by the Mall of America.  I a very excited because this is the perfect place to display my passion for nature and wildlife.  I will have the space for December 2012 and January 2013.

With the help of my friend Brenda, I have entitled the show, "Secret Moments in Nature".  (I have to give her credit because she came up with the awesome title).  I know how quickly a year goes so I have started to finalize my plans for the show and will start ordering prints and framing them up.  The trickiest part is deciding which photographs I want to use and I will have to save some space for photographs I haven't taken yet.  It's just All So Fun!

Here are 3 photos of the wall space that I took a few weeks ago so I could envision which photos I want where.  I especially like the low curved wall for some reason.

White Egret Landing

This is one of my favorite bird to photograph, the White Egret.  I have found it very challenging to photograph this bird as they are more skittish than your average bird.  I just think the White Egret is so beautiful and with patience and perseverance sometimes I get lucky!

I was on my way to the gas station the other night and was in awe of the beautiful full moon in front of me.  I kept driving and headed to my favorite local lake (White Bear Lake) and ended up having a full moon photo shoot for an hour.  This ended up being my favorite photo.  It is near a small family owned business called Tally's Dockside where I often go in the summer to read and watch the boats come and go.  It was fun to be there in the dead of winter in the dark all by myself.

Water Droplets

I am pretty sure I will never get tired of photographing water drips and droplets.  Whenever I come across a drip scene, I forget all time and become completely absorbed in the moment of photographing.   And that my dear friend, is a good thing.

Swan Reflection

This trumpeter swan seems to be checking out his reflection.

Happy Holidays to everyone far and wide!

Carry a Camera

A few months ago I decided to get a camera bag that allowed me to carry all my daily work things with me but also my camera with me every day.  I ended up purchasing a Think Tank Urban Disguise.  The thing is awesome for everyday use.  Today I was reminded why I wanted to carry my camera with me every day.  It has been gloomy, dreary, cloudy and rainy the last few days.  Today I was very spontaneous and stopped at some local areas to make the best of the day.  I was rewarded with the wonderful feeling of why I love photography.  I was late to work, showed up with muddy jeans and soaking wet hair, and a big smile on my face.  Man, I love photography!

Annie Leibovitz

Just when I thought I had enough books to get me through the next year, I opened a Barnes and Noble email and found out that my favorite photographer Annie Liebovitz has a new book called, "Pilgrimage".  

I bought it right away and I am in love with it!  Every word and photograph is a delight.  Annie embarked on a personal project to rejuvenate herself and her project and the rejuvenation were a success.  Not only is her imagery amazing, but the book is a great history lesson on many famous creative people.  If you enjoy the work of Annie Liebovitz or history, do yourself a favor and check out this book.  You won't be disappointed.

Ashes and Snow

My favorite photography related website is Ashes and Snow.  The photographers name is Gregory Colbert.  Just browsing through his website immediately makes me feel at peace.  Next time you get a few minutes spend some time looking through his images.  If you love photography like I do, this website is well worth your time.

Two Crosses

This wooden white cross was hung on the cliff of the St. Croix River by the family and friends of a young man who died this summer when he jumped from the cliff and landed wrong in the water.  My friends and I were looking at the cross when I noticed the natural made cross that is part of the rocky cliff.  Can you see it?  It gave us goose-bumps when we saw it.

A Great Place to Visit

I have added The Canadian Canoe Museum to my list of places I want to visit.  The canadians love their canoes and canoeing has a rich history in Canada.  The canoe I paddle, a Quetico 16, came from Canada and I was lucky enough to get a personal tour of the shop where it was built at "The Souris River" company.  One day I will take a driving vacation and head up to the Canadian Canoe Museum and learn more about our canoeing heritage.