Day 31- Obstacle

Another "cheat photo" from this last weekend. While walking in the woods, we came upon this snow formation that had blown and/or grown out from a tree trunk. It was so unusual hanging almost in mid-air, sturdy yet delicate.

Day 30- Macro Snowflake

Decided to experiment with my macro lens today and the gently falling snowflakes that fell off and on throughout the day. I was amazed as I looked at the variety of shapes through the lens; so many formations that you just can't see without magnification. Felt a little like Snowflake Bentley! Why didn't I try this sooner?

Day 29- Coiled

Out for a winter walk in the woods today, I found this branch coiled back over itself. I think it's bittersweet (with small red-orange berries), but am not certain.

Day 28- Colorful

So glad I brought my camera to school today! I walked my students into art, and noticed these paint trays on every table as part of a "warm vs. cool colors" lesson. They were just calling to me!

Day 27- Curved

Today's Daily Shoot- make a photograph that features a very distinct curved line or surface today. #ds438

Day 26- Central

Today's Daily Shoot- make a photograph today with a central point of interest in it. #ds437 Time is not only central to this shot, it's so central to my days lately- namely the lack of it. My school atmosphere has really changed this year, causing me to feel like I'm chasing my tail almost every day.

Day 25- Shell Wreath

This is a "cheat photo"- actually taken yesterday, but not used. Processed it with PSE9 again. Practice makes... well... less frustration!

Day 24- Wood Smoke

The bitter cold has hit here with full force. Fortunately our wood stove is earning its keep by furnishing us with ample heat! I captured this shot late in the afternoon, and then experimented with Photoshop. This effect really accentuated the wafting smoke. Abstract yet intriguing!

Day 23- Dripping

After lots more snow on Friday and a plunge in temperatures tomorrow, most folks around here were glad for the amount of melting that happened on rooftops. Forecasted subzero temperatures are bound to result in dreaded "ice dams" if people didn't rake their roofs properly beforehand.

Day 22- Stripes

Today's Daily Shoot- make a photo that features stripes of some sort today. #ds433
Lots of snow after the storm yesterday!

Day 21- Morning Moon

This beautiful winter scene greeted me this morning as I looked out the window!

Day 20- Low

Today's Daily Shoot- How low can you go? Make a photograph today from a low point of view. #ds431 Across the floor in my classroom. (Kids were at recess.)

Day 19- Chrome Branch

Believe it or not, this is a branch outside my allergist's office! I went for my allergy shot this morning on the lookout for a pic of the day. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with the shot once I got it downloaded this evening. So... what a great opportunity to start experimenting with Photoshop Elements. (Figured I couldn't make it any worse!) This is an effect called "chrome", and I thought it made it look pretty funky!

Day 18- Triangular

Today's Daily Shoot- Make a photograph with a triangular composition #ds429 . Pulled out the pinking shears from my sewing materials. Shot with my macro lens.

Day 17- Soft

Today's Daily Shoot- Make a photograph with a soft look today #ds428 . This is what I believe to be rabbit fur on my husband's mad bomber hat. SO SOFT!

Day 16- Blue Eyes

Photoshop Elements9 is up and running, and here's my first true experiment with it. I have a LOT to learn! Today's Daily Shoot- "Today's theme is blue. Make a photograph dominated by the color or that otherwise illustrates the theme." #ds427

Day 15- Winter Mountain Morning

Spent the weekend in the mountains a state away. Beautiful, fluffy dusting of snow last night. The skies began clearing just after sunrise.

Day 14- Skein

At a loss for an insightful picture today. It was Friday...and my brain was mush!

Day 13- Morning Snowfield

Seems like I've been so busy at school this year that the only time I've been able to capture outdoor scenes this winter have been before school. By the time I walk out the door at the end of the school day, it's usually too dark to shoot. (Shoot!) We got about 16" of new snow on Wednesday. Loved the tones that the rising sun lent to this field!

Day 12- Ladybug

We got a big snowstorm today. The trees are covered in thick, heavy snow. I went out late this afternoon to capture some of the snowy sights. But it was just one of those days where I didn't like a single thing I shot. Ever happen to you? Luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it) my house has once more been beset with ladybugs again this winter. Actually I'm not totally sure they're actually ladybugs, but they sure look similar. This little guy was walking around on some papers near my computer, and when all was said and done, I liked him better than the snow shots! Fear not, there are two more months of winter!

Day 11- Red Berries

Today I spied these vibrant red berries (actually several clumps of them) on trees that neighbor our playground. I've looked everywhere to find out what type they are, and/or the type of tree they are growing on. No luck. Anyone have any idea? I've never noticed them before this year, but perhaps I just wasn't paying close enough attention!

Day 10- Kitty Ribbon

I was doing some organizing over the weekend, and I came across this funky ribbon with cat paw prints all over it. I can't remember where I got it from... but I really need to find a fun occasion in which to use it!

Day 9- Worn Out

Well... that's the hope at least. I'm not sure if this is true of all indoor/outdoor cats, but Graham has this annoying habit of wanting to go out, followed by wanting to come right back in within minutes (sometimes sooner). It happens all throughout the year, but understandably more often during the colder months. Whatever side of the door he's on... it's the wrong one. Today we think we counted about 37 entrances and exits! Enough already, Graham! Lay down and take a nap, will you?

Day 8- Skating

Lots of chilly air + little snow pack = plenty of good skating here!

Day 7- Pattern Blocks

Love to use manipulatives to teach math whenever I can!

Day 6- Adhesive

Sorry- very little to say today. It's tape.

Day 5- Morning Path

I brought my camera to school with me this morning, and really liked the looks of the frosty plants not far from our parking lot. Trees and shrubs were white and frosty. (My grandfather used to say this meant impending rain, although none in the forecast.) I was disappointed in not being able to duplicate the effect in any of my photos to my liking, but thought this shot to be interesting. It's a well-worn path of many a high-schooler walking past our school. I liked the way the morning sunlight shone in from the side.

Day 4- Bottle Cap

We finally finished cleaning out my mom's house over vacation, and it even sold too. I can't tell you how many things we encountered (and eventually threw out) that we found multiples of, or wondered why they'd been kept. The short answer is that my dad was a consummate pack rat! This was among a large box of bottle caps kept long after my parents stopped making homemade root beer. (Who makes their own soda anymore?)

Day 3- Dusk

The days are getting longer! Okay, maybe by just a few minutes. But when I can come home to a tad bit more daylight, and be treated to some beautiful colors in the sky... it's all good!

Day 2- Lunch Bag

Vacation's over. Time to get ready to return to school tomorrow. I pulled out my lunch bag in preparation for filling it in the morning. Love this lunch bag! It's made of a wetsuit-like material. And given the design on the outside... it never gets confused with anyone else's!

Day 1- Happy 2011!

My daughter and I had fun trying to use a flashlight to make "2011" with a slow shutter speed. Two things learned here: #1- next time use a smaller flashlight that turns on and off dependably, and #2- this is harder than it looks!