Day 365 It's Been Fun

It was no surprise really, when my plan to shoot an inspirational sunrise as my final shot of the year was foiled by fog this morning. Two things that have become more clear than ever to me over the past year are that, in photography as in life, 1) you never know what tomorrow will bring and 2) you don't always get what you want. What I wanted going into this project was to spend more time taking pictures and in turn become a better photographer. I've done both, so while every day didn't result in the quality picture I was hoping for, I feel very lucky to have gotten what I wanted. And I've gotten much more. Looking back on the year, I am humbled and grateful for the blessings and opportunities that have come with this project and for the support of friends and family both as I have struggled and as I have succeeded. Thank you all! I wish you all the best in the new year. Stay tuned . . . I won't be posting a picture every day, but I don't think "Seeing Things" is going to go away. Just like this year, I guess we'll take one day at a time and see what happens.

Day 364 Still Learning

I had no idea how much I would learn from this project. Today I learned this duck is a male Red-breasted Merganser. He migrates here in the winter. I highly recommend the Birds of Alabama Field Guide. It's a very handy tool for people like me who can only differentiate birds by color. Looking at them through a lens for a year is very helpful, too. I recommend that, as well.

Day 363 Sugarcane Jane

I enjoyed listening to Sugarcane Jane tonight, always a treat, and reminiscing with friends. I also got a clear reminder not to quit my day job because here I am on day 363 and I still can't get a decent shot in low light. Anthony and Savanna were very kind to indulge me while I tried.

Day 362 Barn

As I was driving along a road I've driven hundreds of times, today I noticed a barn in the distance. I followed another road that took me right to it. I looked for "no trespassing" signs and saw none so I followed the driveway into the middle of a pecan orchard. As has happened more times than I can explain, as soon as I got out of my car and started taking pictures, a vehicle showed up out of nowhere. I prepared to explain that I was just taking pictures for myself and no, I wasn't going to cause any trouble and yes, I would gladly leave the premises. . . . Imagine my surprise when the guy in the truck nodded, waved and drove right by me, through the orchard, into the hay field. Wow. I wonder how many other people with cameras he's happened upon in his pecan orchard? I guess it comes with the territory when you have such a picturesque barn.
P.S. I will definitely make a morning trip back here, because the other side looks even BETTER!

Day 361 Goodbye Goodies

It's been a delicious holiday, but it's time for these to go!

Day 360 BFF

April agreed to pose with me today. How could she say no? In addition to being my best friend, she's been the biggest supporter of this project all year. So today as usual, here she is, standing behind me. Thank you, April. At the risk of repeating myself, I'm feeling very blessed and grateful this holiday season.

Day 359 Christmas Gifts

Family and friends are the best gifts of all. I am feeling very blessed to have them on this lazy, peaceful Christmas day. Ron also gave me the gift of getting a picture of the day without leaving the couch. Merry Christmas to you all!

Day 358 A First

Chance is celebrating his first Christmas. He got in from Tulsa just in time to hang out with grandpa and the rest of the family for gumbo and gifts. So many gifts. . . . So much to be grateful for.

Day 357 Nativity

Day 356 St. Nick

Day 355 Standing Guard

It was a foggy blue morning at the Waterfront Park.

Day 354 Carry On

Happy Holidays!

Day 353 Morning Rays

This sight is always worth getting up early to see.

Day 352 Presents

Which one of these is not like the others?

Day 351 Winter Walk at Sunset

Day 350 Malbis

I caught the last of the day's sunlight on the front of the Malbis Greek Orthodox Church today.

Day 349 Dinner Bell

I was lucky enough to enjoy lunch outside at Tacky Jack's at Fort Morgan today. Seventy degree weather in December has its advantages! While we were there it seemed that somebody rang the dinner bell for the birds. All of a sudden there was a whole lot of scurrying going on. It was breathtaking!

Day 348 Moving the Cheese

"I Like Mike" was the theme of the day as we celebrated Mike Foster's tenure at the CVB. As he is known to do, Mike is "moving the cheese" and is moving on to retirement. Apparently it's something that runs in the family because granddaughter Willow took the reins and did a little cheese moving herself. Willow and her cousin Josie were such beautiful reminders to us all that change is good and the future is bright. Good luck in your retirement, Mike. I wish you many happy days chasing grand babies. That's got to be a lot more fun than moving cheese!

Day 347 Sparkly

Thank you, Jo Jo Terry, for my sparkly new Christmas wreath!

Day 346 Phyllis and Her Fudge

Phyllis brought her famous holiday fudge to share with me tonight. She even demonstrated just how exciting it is to enjoy it.
Oh by the way . . . it's delicious!

Day 345 Christmas Cactus

Day 344 Lighted Boats

The Christmas Lighted Boat Parade was very impressive tonight. Congratulations to all the boats and crews!

Day 343 Agitation

Washroom Philosophy: In laundry, as in life, it's normal to have cycles of high and low agitation.

Day 342 On the Bay

It was a chilly but beautiful day on Weeks Bay. Camp Beckwith is a such a peaceful place to hold a meeting. Someone said today it looked like the canoes were sleeping side by side on the bank. I guess it's a peaceful place for them, too.

Day 341 Again

Here's another look at my bowl of shells. Not original, I know, but I love them.

Day 340 Last Look of Fall

The last of the fall color is still hanging on. Maybe that's why I'm not ready to move on to the Christmas season.

Day 339 Construction

I'm working on a little construction project for a friend. I think it's going pretty well, but it's taking longer than I expected. I guess I'm not as good a carpenter as I thought.

Day 338 Hamburg's

The types of commerce taking place in downtown Foley have changed a lot in my lifetime. I can remember picking up chicken feed for my daddy here. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago. Foley has come a long way, but it's too bad this place looks this way today.

Day 337 Neon

I just love the look of this theatre.

Day 336 Fort Morgan

I got to spend a few minutes at lunchtime walking around Fort Morgan. It was just enough time to make me want to go back and spend the whole day shooting.

Day 335 Marina at Sunset

It's December . . . It's been fun, but the countdown is on!

Day 334 Well Worn

Day 333 Customer Service

I spent most of today driving so it was such a treat to meet Crystal, when I got to the hotel tonight. She works at the front desk and not only was she very friendly and helpful but also,without hesitation, she agreed to help me get my picture of the day. That's what I call customer service with a smile!

Day 332 Promise

This picture is for my friend Debbie. She and her family are dealing with the loss of her dad today. I was driving near the beach and was lucky enough to see this rainbow and have a couple minutes to stop to get a shot. Rainbows symbolize promise to me; a promise that there is something more, a reason for hope. And seeing a rainbow always makes me think someone is smiling down on me. Today I think it was Debbie's dad, Babe. I know he's smiling on her, too. I hope Debbie and Katy and the rest of their family find comfort and peace in the promise that there is something more and the assurance that Babe has found it.

Day 331 Return of the Ducks

I posted a really bad picture of these ducks, Hooded Mergansers, in January. Today was the first time I've seen them and had a chance to get a better shot. They don't make it easy! I think they were trying to tell me I need a faster lens. This is the best I could do today. I have to keep trying, though because you don't get the full effect of the "hood" here. Like I said, they don't make it easy.

Day 330 Shapes and Colors

Day 329 Crabs To Go

Day 328 Thanksgiving Bounty

Isn't that a look of pure joy on his face? For Eli, the bounty of the day was having cousins to play with, plenty of cupcakes and a pile of leaves. I am lucky to have been there to enjoy all that and more. (And I got leftovers, to boot.) I have so much to be thankful for today and everyday. I am grateful for the family, friends, opportunities; all the blessings in my life. If you're reading this, you're one of them. Thanks.

Day 327 Through the Field

Day 326 Apple of My Eye

Yawn . . . Nothing exciting for today.

Day 325 Smiley

Another creation from Steven Dark. I think it looks like he's just tipped his hat back and is about to tell us a story. It was a candid shot, so we didn't take the time to powder his nose or anything fussy like that.

324 Hydrant

Day 323 Bellingrath

Today I went on a wonderful trip to Bellingrath Gardens as part of a photography workshop offered by Calagaz Photo. I got several shots I really like, including some from our preview of Bellingrath's magnificent Christmas lights display. Part of the workshop was an opportunity to use some cool special effects toys. Since I may never use those toys again, I thought it was appropriate to use one of those shots to  commemorate the day. Sorry, no Christmas photos yet. Not until after Thanksgiving. It's a rule.

Day 322 The Happy Couple

Joe and Betsy couldn't figure out why everyone wanted to take their picture tonight. Why not? Look how cute they are!

Day 321 Sonny

I got to hear legendary country music songwriter Sonny Throckmorton (center) tonight. He's in town for the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Here, he's playing with John Joiner and Darryl Roberts at Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores. You don't have to be a country music fan to get swept up in the talent of these guys. It was a fun show. I always love hearing songs, and the stories that go with them, shared by the people who wrote them. With more than 1,000 songs recorded and more than a dozen number one country hits, Sonny's got some stories!

Day 320 Well . . .

Well . . . at least it's a picture. I'm having a little trouble finding interesting subjects now that it's dark when I leave the office. I need to start planning better or getting up earlier.

Day 319 Lighthouse

"Lighthouse" is a 17-foot steel and plexiglass sculpture by Dee Dee Morrison, on display at the Orange Beach Art Center. I've been driving by it at least twice a day since it was installed in May and finally stopped for a closer look tonight. It's nice to have some public art to enjoy -- even if its usually through the car window.

Day 318 Monday Rx

Day 317 Morning Walk

I wasn't the only one taking a walk on the beach this morning.

Day 316 Bon Secour

I always get a craving for oysters this time of year. That means a trip to Bon Secour.