Color

bright red leaves 01, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

The last few days have been an abrupt change from the weather we had in CT this weekend. Admittedly, the weekend was bizarre, with temps supposedly into the 90's, but still, we've swooped down into the 60's now with days full of gray skies, intermittent rain, and a general feel of autumn curling its fingers in closer around us.

While walking in the woods this weekend I took a few pictures of leaves, and above is one that includes some amazingly brilliant red leaves. The color on some is almost unbelievably bright. Finding these sorts of colors is one of my favorite fall activities. Since cranking up my photo obsession a bit in the past couple years, I've started paying much closer attention to places where leaves catch light and become illuminated films of color. They're like the gels you see on stage lights when you go to a theater or concert... and one thing that makes for great fun in photos is that they're so often surrounded by other leaves capturing light in completely different ways.

Perhaps this is a boring topic for most, but I like this picture a lot, and I've got a few more like it that I'll be uploading soon.

Weekend Sun

mums and bee 01, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

So it's gotten colder again here in CT after a weekend where it seemed like Summer had returned to us. While it was still warm we spent some good time outside and I took some pictures of things like flowers and bees, etc.

Here's a good one... more on the way!

Out and About

walk in the woods, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

Saturday was a great day with a big walk in the woods, a visit to the local apple barn, and a chance for Emily, Lyndsey's neice, to check out some bikes (upcoming birthday).

This shot is from the start of our walk, and as you can see in the top left corner, the morning was a foggy one, but it all burned off within the time we were out walking, and it turned into a warm and beautiful day. Lots of leaves changing. It was great to get some fresh air. Oh, yeah, and I took a zillion pictures. Working on photoshopping some.

We love the MOON!

Lyndsey Andrew Emily Beach, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

Because it's good to us.

I like this picture because I think it looks like Lyndsey, Emily & Andrew are walking on the surface of the moon... except for the whole water piece... yeah.

Ladies Talking

Ladies Talking, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

This is another picture I took on our walk this weekend with Stacy and the kids. Lyndsey and Caroline are having a bit of a chat, and the wind is clearly doing some very dramatic stuff with Lyndsey's hair.

Kids' Health or War

Some might say it's not as clear-cut as this, but I think this press release from the Democrats in Congress covers it nicely (great post AMERICAblog). The reality is that literally pouring money at $300M a day into a war either means that Americans get taxed excessively to pay for that or our government is not allowed to provide programs to help the poorest among us.

With GWB simultaneously asking for billions more to pour into the war and threatening to veto a bill that would give health coverage to millions of children we can clearly see the contrast in priorities. Maybe we can pay for the programs we need by sacrificing through shopping. Remember that line? UGH!

Incredible

So there was a story today that I found bizarre, but thanks to the insightful analysis of the story itself and a bit of aftermath Talking Points Memo put it in a context that completely turned my stomach. Take a visit to their analysis of the context for a white house official calling Barak Obama, "intellectually lazy" today, then tell me how this isn't incredibly offensive and disturbing.

Also, this might be a good thing for Obama's campaign, because what could more beautifully illustrate the very thing he says he wants to fight. The white house basically has one of their lackeys sending out an implicitly racist insult against a candidate who is running a campaign all about hope and getting rid of the cynical partisan norm in DC. Would welcome any thoughts on this.

Watching the Water

Watching the Water, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

I love these two ladies in their visors, out to watch the water on a Sunday afternoon. One is wearing crocks, which is also great. Just an enjoyable scene, two old ladies in visors enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Mother and daughter? Buddies? Not so sure.

Dangers of Doo Doo

Dangers of Doo Doo, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

Amazing sign... thought it played off well against the red, white & blue.

Swan

Swan, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

Abstract... sorta. Another favorite from the last two days of happy returned camera shuttercraziness.

New Favorite

Leaves Turning 01, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

So I took some photos of leaves today, and I like some of them, but I love this one. More photos soon!

I'm still very happy about the return of the camera. Giddy? Sure, you could say that.

A little more

Koi 01, originally uploaded by Chambo25.

from the afternoon of test shooting with the newly returned camera. Ahhhh it's nice to have it back!