In My Neighborhood - Part 2

We've lived in this neighborhood over 4 years, and today was the first day I ever walked down this little gravel road.  It's a inconspicuous little access road nestled between two houses.  Driving down the street, most people would probably miss it.  I've passed by it so many times on our walks around the neighborhood, but I had never before ventured down it to see where it led.  Today, I am so glad I did!

Although most everything is dead and brown, I bet this little walk will be amazing this summer.  I can see where lots of wild flowers, grasses, and lush fields will likely be in a few more months.  I see the makings of a great photo shoot location!

One side of the road is lined with trees and the other side is a big field with brush up near the road.  I'm not really sure if the brush is all weeds or flowers, but I'll find out later this spring and summer once everything starts growing again.

I bet this will be a great spot for bird watching and butterflies as well.  I saw a male and female cardinal, our state bird, darting around the trees lining the gravel road.  They were too far for a picture with my 50 mm, so I'll definitely need to take a telephoto lens out next time.

Today was a gorgeous spring day.  Temps were perfect for spring.  The sun was shining beautifully with very few clouds in a bright blue sky.  I couldn't have asked for nicer weather or a nicer walk!

It was a fun time to play around with real sun flare too!

At the end of the gravel road was a section of pine trees, fences, and the actual purpose of this little access road, some equipment for the gas company.  Now I know why this road is there!

Basically this entire road just a few minutes away from house is filled with perfect backdrops for photo shoots.  I can't believe it's taken so long for me to figure this out!  Now for everything to turn green again and we'll be all set!

Keep checking back for the next part of this photo story:  In My Neighborhood.  I can't wait to see what we find next!

In My Neighborhood - The Beginning of a Photo Story

Now that the weather is beginning to improve around here, I foresee the prompt return of our afternoon walks and many trips to the park.  Beginning today to be exact.  Upper forties and sunshine feels amazing compared to the icy snow freezing temps we've been faced with for so long.  And it was great to get outside and explore the neighborhood for the first time since we were forced inside by the cold late last fall!  Don't get me wrong, it's not like we haven't left the house all winter....it just feels that way!

Before heading out the door I made sure to grab my camera.  I plan on documenting these little excursions as a photo story.  I am also using the opportunity to get the kids to look around more when we go on these walks.  I told them to look up, look down, look everywhere for something that they'd like me to take a picture of.  It gets them excited about the world around them and gets me some great pictures in return!  I also love that we don't have to go far for a great adventure!

Our neighborhood is equipped with some great paved walking paths, a trail through a wooded area, several ponds, and a small park with a playground!  It's like the jackpot of getting to do so much so close to home (too bad there isn't a pool though, we could really use that in the summertime!).  We started our trek around the neighborhood with the trail through the woods.  I always have to make sure the park is last or else we'd never get to see anything else.

Baby girl was adamant she wanted to carry a purse and her fluffy bunny along with her today.  The purse was packed with her own camera (I wonder where she gets that from!), and I'm fairly certain the bunny was because we just read a book and watched a DVD about Mo Willem's "Knuffle Bunny."  I tried to convince her to leave them both.  I knew she wouldn't want to carry them the entire time.  I knew I would end up carrying them if she brought them.  She disagreed.  Guess who was right?  Exactly, not her!

It felt great to be outdoors, in the sun and fresh air!  On our walk adventure, we ran into some school friends out riding bikes, saw many bird's nests, counted pine cones, scared a dog, and played on the swings.  I also discovered that part of our neighborhood is apparently patrolled by a Shih Tzu!  You learn something new everyday.

We saw many really pretty things on our walk, although the overwhelming color of the afternoon was brown thanks to the long winter.  But the promise of spring was out there.  A few spots of green were peaking through the old leaves on the ground in the woods and buds are popping out on the tips of branches and stems everywhere.  I look forward to seeing the countless colors I'll be able to capture on future walks.


Even though there is still some ice remaining and a little snow patch here and there, spring is truly on its way.

We'll see temperatures in the sixties this week even!  I can't wait for that. This is just the very beginning of my photo story and our many adventures through the neighborhood.

Come back regularly to find out what else we have seen and discovered as our photo story continues!

Apple Bapple

Last week we had a little fun outside when we woke up to a light dusting of snow.  I captured a new favorite of my daughter as well as a new favorite photo of our little dapple dachshund named Apple Bapple.

Isn't she just beautiful?  I'm not at all biased here!!  She just really is the cutest!

On a whim I decided to share the photo of our dog on a Facebook page dedicated to this adorable breed.  I love seeing all the cute doxies in my news feed every day, and it was high time I shared my own!  Yesterday, they chose Apple as the Dog of the Day and shared my photo on their timeline!

Post by I Love My Dachshund.

Now Apple is famous!  Just kidding, but it is incredibly neat to see so many likes and shares of my Apple's photo.

This morning we woke up to more snow.  It's still coming down, and we're expecting much more than a "dusting" this time!  After 50 degree temperatures yesterday and now this, I think Mother Nature is really confused about what season it is!  I took this photo last week as we were coming back in from our little morning walk.  The fall leaves, white snow, and green grass really show you just how confusing it is.  Who knows what season it is anymore!  All I know is that I'm really looking forward to summer!

Moody Winter

Finally we had a nice clear sunny day with temperatures above freezing.  Finally!  This never-ending winter with its record breaking snowfalls has taken cabin fever to a whole new level.  I couldn't wait to get out and get some photos!  Too bad, my subject didn't feel the same!  She wanted no part of having her picture taken or even enjoying our walk through the park.

SPARTA!!!  Or at least that's what it looks like she was screaming.  It was actually something more along the lines of, "Lets go to the playground....now!"  Next time, we'll have to hit up the playground first and head for the trails afterwards.  Lesson learned.

And after that, there was absolutely no more getting her to even look in the direction of the camera.  Good thing she doesn't realize she's just as cute walking away!  I would have probably had even more pictures of moody looks instead!

This little guy had no problems posing for the camera though.  He didn't stop munching on his lunch, but he did hang out and let us get pretty darn close.  

This might be my favorite shot of the day.  I love the simplicity of it and the color.  I also love that it looks like it was taken much closer to sunset than at noon when it was actually shot.  

 This particular park has quite a few Sycamore trees and this view in the winter is pretty neat.  These seed balls hang like ornaments on the branches.  As much as I appreciate the view, I wish it was spring and these things would be dropping and spreading all over the woods.

The views at this park are gorgeous year round.  This was my first trip to this particular park in the winter though.  The snow on the banks of the creek and the reflection of the tree trunks in the water makes me wish we could have stayed out there all day to look at it!

Puppy Love

Today was an absolutely beautiful day to get outside and snap some photos.  We even brought the dog along for some extra fun!  While the pooch was sniffing around every tree on the path, I took the opportunity for some solo snapshots of Ali.  Scroll down for the ones with both of them!

I promise no dogs were harmed during today's photo shoot!

Whether we were looking up or looking down, there was an awesome view today.  The sun was shining, and leaves were falling.  It was warm, but a slight breeze was still rustling the trees in the woods, and the colors of fall are really starting to show up now.  I just cannot express how much I love this time of year!

Sisters

The beautiful fall colors might not be in full swing yet, but these beautiful girls sure make up for it!  I had so much fun hiking through a nature park with them last weekend for this fun photo shoot!  I'm looking forward to going back with them when more of the leaves are on the ground instead of still in the trees!

Here's a look at some of my favorites from the photo shoot.  A link to the full collection is at the bottom of the page.

See the full collection of photos from this session here: 

 http://capturedbycjphotography.pixieset.com/jessandally/

By the House in the Woods

I think sometimes I find beauty in the strangest of places.  In little things.  Things people normally wouldn't stop to photograph.  Things that don't really stand out, but should.  A small detail.  Something that makes you stop and think.  Those are my favorite type of photos.  And these photos fall into that category for me.  

     

 

Rock the Frock

 Last week I had a blast spending time with a friend and fellow photog from Christina Benge Photography. She gave me the idea for this "trash the dress" session, and I have a feeling this will be just the first of many!