Day 31 Here's to January

I'm celebrating making it through the first month of this project.

Day 30 Foggy Morning

There was a fog hanging in the air this morning. This was how it looked at the Waterfront Park as the sun was trying to burn its way through. Lots of fog on the other side of the bay. A little eery, but very peaceful.

Day 29 Architecture

This morning I went with my friend Phyllis Freels to shoot an assignment on architecture. The Greek Orthodox Church is interesting architecturally and offers a very different look than most everything else in the area. The morning light was beautiful and the company was great.

Day 28 Little Things

This picture is for Kit. We had a wonderful conversation today about how changing your focus -- the things you spend your time and energy on -- can change your entire outlook on life. Sometimes getting lost among the little things can be a welcome respite and offers a refreshing perspective. This is detail of a fun piece of art my friend April gave me that is made from found objects . Thanks to both Kit and April for reminding me to pay more attention to the things that make me happy.

Day 27 Not a Bad View

This was my view at lunch today. I had lunch at The Hangout and an afternoon meeting at Lulu's .  .  . Life is good.

Day 26 Antique

I have no idea what this is but I thought it was interesting.

Day 25 Big Breakfast

This is certainly not going to go down as one of the best photographs of this 365 journey, but it will surely be one of the best captures I'll get. My resident blue heron had himself a large breakfast this morning and I was lucky enough to  catch it. I was amazed and had to share. How in the world did he swallow that?

Day 24 Little Round Devils

I have noticed that there is a direct correlation between the number of fat grams I consume over the weekend and the speed of these little devils on Monday nights. They were fast tonight!

Day 23 A New Day

I guess this isn't very creative choosing a Cardinal picture two days in a row. But they looked so bright and pretty this morning -- and I felt kind of bad about making fun of yesterday's little guy who was having a bad day. I thought this one looked quite regal.

Day 22 Bad Day?

Is it just me, or does this guy look like he's really angry? I put a feeder in the back yard and this afternoon was the first time I've been around when birds were there. I did get some "nice" shots, but I couldn't resist this one.

Day 21 Focus

Even a barbed wire fence can look delicate with the right focus in the right light.

Day 20 Silver Lining

This is the one and only shot I snapped today. I think I got pretty lucky. (Never underestimate the power of a Point-and-Shoot on Auto.) It was an odd but awesome looking sky this afternoon as it was turning from sunny to cloudy. The sun rays were amazing streaming through the clouds. The silver lining is that I didn't cause a wreck when I stopped in the middle of the road to shoot.

Day 19 Moonshine

Day 18 Sand Fence

I was able to sneak in a trip to the beach at lunch, right between the cloudy morning and the foggy afternoon.

Day 17 Honor

Today our country honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and I spent a little time reading some of his words. For my friends who are missing loved ones today, I share these quotes: "The quality not the longevity of one's life is what's important." and "Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service .  .  . You only  need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love." I hope you are comforted by the quality and the greatness of their lives.

Day 16 Al

A funny thing happened on my way to take pictures of the sunrise this morning. I actually got up and dressed in time to go to the beach for sunrise -- quite an accomplishment for me on a Sunday morning. After I put the camera in the car I came back through the house to get a sweatshirt and noticed my friendly neighbor the owl sitting on my dock. I see him often, but always in trees, never on the dock. It was too dark for a great shot but I cheated a bit and brightened this one up because it HAS to be my shot of the day. As usual, he had no problem looking into the camera for me. A friend asked me recently if he had a name. I don't know his name, but this morning I decided I'll call him Al.

Day 15 Detail

This is the detail on a piece of pottery made by my friend Steve Burrow at Sea Oat Studio. Just realized I've had it for 14 years. Geez. Time flies.

Day14 Roman Street

I got the pleasure of hearing Roman Street play at Beach CITE listening room tonight. Wow. Phenomenal guitarists. Great percussion. And tonight even a violin. I loved it. It was a treat to hear such fine local talent in such a great venue, right here in Orange Beach. I think this shot shows just how intense the players are even though they make their music seem so effortless. Good friends, good music, perfect way to end the week.

Day13 Sculpture

In the median of Highway 90 in Biloxi and Gulfport there are beautiful wood sculptures carved out of trunks of trees decimated by Hurricane Katrina. They are beautiful! Fish, birds, even a seahorse. What a great way to create public art. I understand they have become quite a tourist attraction now. This morning I was driving past Lake Shelby in Gulf Shores and noticed how beautiful the light was.While trying to capture the scene with the camera I noticed this bent and broken tree trunk and it reminded me of those sculptures. I swear I see a bird taking flight.

When I decided to call this photo project "Seeing Things" I didn't know I would actually begin to see things that aren't there . . . but after the rose sighting in my picture a couple days ago, I'm beginning to think it's part of my mission on this little journey. And besides that, it's fun!

Day 12 Jelly Bellys

I'm going to need lots of props if I'm going to make it 365 days! Edible ones are always fun. If anybody would like to volunteer some pretty food, feel free. I need the practice.

Day 11 Nesting Heron

This blue heron was hunkered down in Gulf State Park this afternoon shielded from the north wind and soaking up the sun. It looks very odd to me that their legs bend that way.

Day 10 Fire

There is nothing like having a fire in the fireplace. I love the warmth but more than that am mesmerized by the flames. Like clouds, I can often find surprises in the shapes that come and go. Do you see the rose in this shot?

Day 9 Cold Gray Day

Whether cold and gray or hot and sunny, it's evident this old barn has weathered more than it's share of days but is still standing beside a rural road in South Baldwin County. It was probably here before the road.

Day 8 Squirrel!

Are they cute or creepy? I can't decide. This one was caught a little off guard when he saw me as he was coming down the tree.

Day 7 What Would You Pay?

When I saw a boat named Peace of Mind I thought it would be a great boat to shoot. I took several shots before I actually noticed the For Sale sign. At first it made me sad. How could anyone sell it? Then I conjured the story in my mind that the boat's owners have found their peace and, now content, are passing it on to someone else. I hope the new owners enjoy it and do the same.

Day 6 Sandy the Sushi Superhero

I enjoyed some very tasty sushi tonight, along with fine wine and conversation at the Sunset Cork Room. The atmosphere the great folks at the Cork Room provide is always a comfortable spot for talking with friends and enjoying the music of Lisa Christian. Tonight I got the added bonus of meeting Sandy the Sushi Superhero who presented a memorable preparation as well as a great meal. My thanks to all for the perfect way to wind down from the day.

Day 5 Veggies

Day 4 What's Up Duck?

I wake up fairly often to find these ducks swimming around in the back yard. They are so cool looking and very quick and just make me smile -- truly a feat early in the morning. It seems they are only around before the sun is up over the trees, so the light isn't good, but I often try to get shots of them. Today I was torn because I finally got a decent shot, but I don't think its good enough to be posted here. So now a goal of my 365 Project is to get better at shooting (with a camera) quick ducks in low light. I hope you'll see these guys again when I get a shot I'm really proud to share.

Day 3 Ball Girl

Racquel is the number one fan of my tennis instructor. She was guarding the net when I arrived for my lesson tonight.

Day 2 Beautiful End to a Holiday Weekend

The first weekend of the new year ended with a dramatic sunset over the Gulf. I wish the picture was a better representation of how awesome the sky looked. There were several people out walking, watching the sunset, taking pictures. It was a very peaceful way to end the day and a great reminder to me of how lucky I am to live here.

Day 1 Happy New Year!

The new year began with fireworks over the Gulf in Panama City Beach with friends. What a great way to start a new adventure.