It's Beginning to Look Like.....

The flakes weren't as big as they had been by the time I got the camera all set up and ready to go.  Still made for a nice shot.  

2018 Portraits

Fall makes for such pretty photos.  I've been wanting to get a 'family' shot of us using the '40 as a prop.  I like these.

My Fav...

The Mr.'s Fav....

Family Highlights

It's been a busy summer!  As soon as we were back from our trek south, I took a temporary gig with Meade County (next county over) that kept me pretty busy for about 8 weeks.  It was a good gig though.  I enjoyed the guys I worked with, showed off the old truck to them, rode my bike out a couple times, and hey, the money wasn't to bad!  

That came to an end JUST in time to get the house ready to celebrate Bill's 70th (Really?  YES!!) birthday.  We had a houseful!  Bill's sister Susie came out, cousin Charlie and wife and all their kids/spouses and one grandson. On our side, each of the kids was able to make it! THAT hasn't happened in a LONG time!  We had the grandsons also, but unfortunately, life got in the way of each of the granddaughters being able to make the trip.  All in all, we had 21 people in the house!  Big shout out to our neighbors that helped us house everyone with borrowed campers!

Last fall at the Fire Dept Auxiliary Haunted House we used an antique wheel-chair.  Well, Bill really liked it and I was able to get it bought, had it stashed all winter long and kept it a secret right up until it was time for the party to start!  Sneaky, I tell ya!  I think he likes it - Bill sat in it the ENTIRE week

we had company!  Chuck and Cathy had the fun t-shirts printed up for everyone so we would all match for photos. 

 

Dinner for the party was an authentic shrimp boil, complete with sausage corn and potatoes.  We even did the 'throw down' with the shrimp!  Almost the entire 20 pounds of shrimp we brought back from Texas was gone the end of the night.  Success I tell ya!

After the majority of the family left, Nicholas was able to stay and spend some extra time with us.  Life didn't slow down one bit while he was here!  We went east river to camp on the river with our friends that raise the dogs.  While we were there, Nick got to help mend/stand fence, saw quail hatch, puppies born, caught a catfish, played with baby goats, tubed behind the boat, went to the dam museum, got some high quality shooting sports coaching in.....  I told you we were busy!  Back home here, he got to drive the old truck, 4 wheelers, helped out around the place which we really appreciated.  Hiked, hid from a tornado, shot rifle, and I'm not even sure what all else!  Bill were able to take him home to California so the adventure continued in the camper complete with s'mores lakeside.

 

Camp Grand-dad and Connie 2018 was a resounding success!!!

A Day of Remembrance

The End Has Come

Today is our last day to enjoy South Padre Island for 2018.  Though I am ready to move on, and begin slowly heading north, I will miss the sun, the water, the sand.......... our great friends we have made down here.  

Yesterday was very overcast and grey, but I still made it out on the water for one last kayak.  No dolphins, and a huge smudge on the water camera, but a great time non the less!

Our neighbor Susie just after we passed under the Causeway.

Susie and I at the end of our great afternoon on the water. 

This morning offered sites on both sides of the island.  The moon sets to the West as the sun rose from the east.  A pretty morning and spectacular start to the day!

The Causeway

The Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge that connects Port Isabel to South Padre Island.  

Taken from the pier on the island looking back toward Port Isabel.  You can see the Port Isabel Historical Lighthouse on the left above my logo.  (Click on photo to view much better.)

The sign as you come off the causeway onto the island that welcomes visitors and residents alike.  

Spring Solstice

The first morning of spring didn't offer any kind of photo worthy sunrise, but I did head up island and found a nice 1st sunset of the season.  This is a private pier next to a nice privately owned park that is available for public use.

 

The next morning looked like a colorful sunrise was about to happen, but sadly, it dissipated and didn't give the colors I was hoping for.  Still, I was there so worth shooting.

 

This Morning's Sites

I've not been able to capture a nice sunrise yet this year so I walked down to the beach see what Mother Nature was going to offer me.  To overcast for any kind of a sunrise photo op, but I did see a ship coming into port.

"Morning Port Call"

Access through the dunes down to the beach.

Fun Times

I spent the day out on the bay, Laguna Madre, yesterday with our neighbor.  A perfect day on the water for sure!  We saw dolphins right after we launched; didn't put the show on they did last time, but still fun seeing them from right down on the water!

Janelle.....  A fellow South Dakota-an

Proof!  I do occasionally wear a life jacket.

You guessed it.....

Life. Is. Grand.

Life. Is. Good.

Yes, we are very much enjoying the island again this year.  February was quite foggy and a bit chilly, but the weather seems to have FINALLY broke!  I kayaked the bay again yesterday, though I forgot my camera again.  The water was wonderful!!

Here's a couple shots I've captured since getting inspired to pick up the camera again.

Last night's moon.  It is waning; and unfortunately far to high to get the glistening moon light on the gulf captured.

Sunsets are very cluttered from our camp spot, but the reflection really captures how pretty they are!

Full Moon 3/1/18.  It was big, bright and beautiful!

Valentine's Day Treats

When in south Texas, there is this thing called fresh fruit.  Not fresh fruit like we get in South Dakota let alone Wyoming, but REAL fresh fruit.  Fresh fruit that is juicy, sweet and still has texture.  Yum.  That's 'bout all I can say about it.  

But then, for Valentine's Day, one needs to sweeten and fancy things up a bit.  Yep.  Chocolate dipped strawberries rolled in mini chocolate chips is how the Mobile Snow Chateau rolled today for a party.  Not a single one left at the end of the party. Sweet. Success.

Nummers!!!!!

The Super Blue-Blood Moon

Landed at Lake Corpus Christie, the fog was to thick to see the moon eclipse.  That part was a bummer, but the images I saw of it were really cool!

Eventually the fog burned away, the sun came out, it turned into a beautiful day to kayak, then, around the campfire, the moon started rising.  I couldn't let the opportunity get away so with tri-pod and camera in hand....away I went.

A few mesquite branches in the shot.

I don't think I had ever noticed the "orange peel" on the moon before.

This morning as the moon is setting over the cabin on the cove's point.

Our spot shows us beautiful sunsets each night, but the sunrises are a little more elusive.  When I finished getting the shot of the moon, I turned around to see this.  Sunrise and palm trees.....Life. Is. Good.

Wedding is Finished

I learned A LOT tagging along with my friend at this last wedding.  I learned enough I have not only warmed to the idea of being a wedding photographer, but I have come up with a wedding package to offer and have even thrown my name in the hat a few times over the past several days for people looking for a wedding photographer.  Only time will tell.....

Here is the link to the Fahrenbruck/Maxwell gallery that is on my website if you've interest.  I'm proud of how this event turned out.

Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell

The home page for my site is csnowimagery.shootproof.com

Enjoy!

The Essence of Cold

Baby it's been C-O-L-D out lately!  Though I am dreaming of warmer temps and the thought of palm trees and sand dances regularly in my head, my photo clubs "homework" this month is "The Essence of Cold".  Well, this past Sunday was just that.  Neither of these shots are exactly what I had been envisioning, but, I think they do convey the subzero windchill we were experiencing.

Fog from cold temps surrounds the old Spring Creek one room school house.

Blowing snow comes across the fence line.  In the distance you can barely make out a couple of cottonwood trees.

January 2018 Wolf Moon

When the Wolf Moon came up as a full moon, I TRIED to capture it, but it was sooooo cooo-llll--dddd.  That didn't work.

Here it is as it begins the Waning Crescent phase.  Brighter the farther it rose.