More Flowers

and busy, busy, busy. Falling further behind in processing due to the volume and actually having a deadline for some event photos. Here are a few of my favorite from the past couple weeks.


Riverboat on the Ohio, Cincinnati Ohio

Krohn Conservatory

French Lavender

Mock Orange

Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris

Spring and Summer Arrive Earlier and Earlier

I've been taking photos of flowers, bugs etc consistently since I retired and moved here permanently 7 years ago. At least for south western Ohio, the Ohio River valley outside of Cincinnati, spring and summer seem to be arriving earlier and earlier. Here are photos I've taken in the past few days. Hellebores have been blooming since at least Feb 1 and are still going strong. Many daffodils are still blooming whie the grape hyacinth are at their peak. The tulips and woodland poppies are blooming a week earlier than they've ever bloomed before. Today I noticed some iris about to bloom (a good freeze will kill them). I know 7 years is an inadequate sample in the scheme of things, but it's still a sample that gets one thinking.


Grape Hyacinth

Daffodils

Hellebores (aka Lenten Rose)

Tulips

More Tulips

Honeyberry

Woodland Poppy

To The Airport!

The oldest of my grandsons loves aircraft. This past weekend he was monitoring air traffic and noticed that a couple helicopters were taking off from Lunken Airport, flying a circuit and then landing back at the airport.

This reminded me that the "Warbirds" were there, so I had him accompany on and "errand" and I drove him down to see the planes. He especially seemed to enjoy the flyby.

Here are a few of the photos I took


"Doc's" B29 Flying Fortress Tail Gunner

One Fighter Lands, Another Takes Off

Taking a Look Through "Doc"

"Doc" is Quite Shiny!

The "Cincinnati Kid"

Fly By, B-25 in the Lead

A Fly-by of Two

Ending the Year in a Fog

After being below 0 F and now about 60 F, it makes for some fog in the river valley. Add in a little bit of mist, and I decided to go for it...until the rain poured down upon me :(



Camp Dennison, Ohio

Camp Dennison, Ohio

Camp Dennison, Ohio

Camp Dennison, Ohio

Thinking About Some Photography New Year Resolutions

This past week a couple short-sighted "outings" are causing me to consider some early resolutions for the New Year.
1. When at all practical, bring a tripod
2. When I think I might like to have it with me, bring my "real" camera.

The first photo could have been heaps better, if I just brought my tripod. Ironically the tripod was sitting less than 100 ft away, just inside my back door. I could have gotten optimal focus/depth of field and no camera shake, but no...lazy took hold. The other photos I took that morning weren't even in the least presentable.

The second photo is a case of:
"I know I'm going to be walking around, I ought to bring my camera...no, I won't see anything anyway and it's heavy and it's cold outside."
So now I'm stuck with what I can capture with an iPhone 11.



Texture of a Fence Post

Golden Path, Burnett Woods

Winter Begins

Whether you consider Winter to begin December 1st (meteorological) or after the solstice on December 21st this year (astronomical), a snowfall here in southern Ohio is a good enough mark of its beginning. We had an accumulation of about 1" of snow yesterday. In a week, low temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-teens Fahrenheit. Winter appears to be here, if a bit early. Mr. Pumpkin is not happy (and a squirrel has been doing some dental work).

Angry Pumpkin

The Sun Sets

Each sunset is unique. Tonight's sunset also seems a little bit symbolic. Rain is supposed to start tonight, and by the time it finishes in a couple days, rain may be snow. The past few weeks of fall with a hint of spring and summer are coming to an end. The high temperatures in the mid -70s and the night time lows in the 50's are looking to be next week's low 40's/low 20's respectively.

Sky on Fire

Sky on Fire II

Second Summer?

After a few weeks of warm weather, a number of plants and flowers in the garden seem to think it's late spring and summer is around the corner. Others are still giving up, convinced that winter is on the way


Someone Thinks It's Summer

The Burning Bush is Convinced Winter is Coming

Photos of a long time ago, taken last week

What the past looks like today...

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

St. Philomena Church & Cemeterey

Festival Of Lights, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a great visit any time but only during the holiday season can you walk around and check out what they have come up with in the way of Christmas lights.

Fiona in Lights Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Lights and Lake Reflections Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Lights and Lake Reflections II Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Flamingos Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Apes Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

A Geico Commercial??? Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Elephant Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Festival of Lights 2018

Valley View

Valley View is a great place to walk around, check out the birds, other wildlife etc. It is especially peaceful early, before the gunfire erupts at the Milford Gun Club right across the river. Here are more than a few photos from a recent walk through the valley.

Pileated Woodpecker - Milford, Ohio

Golden-crowned Kinglet - Milford, Ohio

Honey Locust Thorns - Milford, Ohio

Moss on Fallen Tree - Milford, Ohio

Chipping Sparrow - Milford, Ohio

Chipping Sparrow - Milford, Ohio

Blue Jay - Milford, Ohio

Leaf - Milford, Ohio

Reflection - Milford, Ohio

American Goldfinch - Milford, Ohio