Shot of the Year

It may not be the shot of the year but it is one of my favorites. I like the blue tone and fog over the Rocky Mountains. The airplane is above the mountains (thankfully) but not so much so that I could get a more sideshot than something from above. Lucky to get a window seat on an early morning flight out of LA. Hopefully, more decent shots in 2016.

A bite of the Apple

As an Apple shareholder (through Mutual Funds) I am happy to report that this Naperville Apple store is always busy, even late after Christmas. Interesting story about these stores. No one at Apple, except Steve Jobs, thought they would work. Computers were purchased at big box outlets with parking near by. Not in retail stores. Jobs fought for high foot traffic areas. Stores like this were his vision and designed them with a clean look down to the last detail.

United Stadium Blackhawks

If you have your phone you always have a camera with you. I am amazed at the quality of the Samsung Galaxy 16 megapixel camera. Quite nice. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks lost that game.

Mom and Dad at Christmas

A rare moment of quiet with Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Moment

It's just a snapshot but it looked like a Norman Rockwell moment to me, so I edited it that way. One thing about a big extended family, there are lots of kids, grandkids and great grandkids around. Makes for a loud, long but fun Christmas Eve.

Christmas Family Shot circa 2015

I can't believe we got the dogs to (1) sit and (2) look at the camera. Another Christmas shot in the bag.

Its Almost Time for Presents

Clio was in a posing mood yesterday. She was pretending to be a cat. Always lots of animals around when the grandkids are over.

Christmas Bokeh

The Naperville Photography group set up some "bokeh" stations so we can get some nice shots of blurred out Christmas lights with an interesting foreground. I really like how this one turned out.

Best Missed Shots--Akron?

When you see this much color in Akron, Ohio, you have to shoot it. I think all the bottles are colored water, but it is a great display.

Best Missed Shots of 2015--Oakland to San Francisco

Late afternoon cell phone shot from an Oakland office tower and you can just see San Francisco in the distance.

Best Missed Shots of 2015-New Orleans

It is fun and difficult to try to narrow down your shots to a "Best of" when you have taken 5667 saved photos for the year (so far). I got the list down to 578, which is far too many. Hard to knock off shots you like to keep shots you love. Anyway, the next two weeks, I will look for shots I didn't post but I still like here at the end of the year. This shot is so inappropriate it is New Orleans to me.

Michael, don't forget the Yuengling

Michael is driving in from his movie set in North Carolina for Christmas. I hope he doesn't forget to bring some Yuengling for under the tree.

Queen Padme of Naboo

I guess all these Star Wars costumes will eventually come to Chicago if the Star Wars Museum comes to the lakefront. I would vote to keep the parkland and pass on the museum, but while in Seattle, Michael and I did go to see the display.

The Force Is Strong With This One

There is a great disturbance in the Force this weekend. This is Palatine's wardrobe as he went from Senator to Emperor. At the Star Wars museum in Seattle.

Spiderman was always my favorite

I don't remember this particular pinball machine but Spiderman was always my favorite superhero. This is from the Asheville Pinball museum.

Asheville Pinball Museum

Didn't know there was a pinball museum in Asheville, but they had one and it was free to just walk around. Good to see that these old machines found a home.

Flying over the Gilded Age

Flying in to Charlotte you pass over the Biltmore Estate, one of the last remaining vestiges of the gilded age. Didn't get to visit the property (now a museum) but I will try on another visit.

Up in the Air, Caught in the Act

I caught a Southwest plane taking off at Midway Airport as I flew overhead out of O'Hare.  Just happened to grab my camera fast enough to take a shot.

Asheville Christmas Party

Asheville really gets into the Christmas spirit.

Triple Falls

About an hour out of Asheville is the DuPont Forest and a wonderful set of hills and waterfalls for the Little River to flow over. Since there had been recent rains, these Triple Falls gave a beautiful view.

Strange Furry Things

These Furry things are quite strange but at least they are colorful.

Furry Things

What do you do when you are a photographer and 6 foot tall furry creatures are at a convention near your hotel? You take pictures!!!

Hanging With The Boys

A young lady puppet in San Antonio decided to hang with the boys waiting to dance.

Remembering to nap at the Alamo

Still working through my shots taken last week in Texas. This gentleman remember to take a nap and check his email at the Alamo.

Thanksgiving Family Collage

Nice to have all the kids and grandkids show up at Thanksgiving. Even Michael made it from North Carolina. 

Things to be Thankful For--2015 Version

Tough to get these two together to sit still for a shot but I got a small moment. Very thankful for my grandkids.

San Antonio River Walk at Night

The River Walk in San Antonio lights up at night with restaurants and bars and lots of people walking around. This is a shot of the Tower Life Building from across the river.

San Antonio River Walk Views

The spire of St Joseph's Catholic Church can be seen through the trees from the River Walk in San Antonio.

Birds on a Wire

Got to an intersection outside of Austin, Texas and was greeted by thousands of birds on the nearby telephone and electric wires. Quite the sight. This is just a small part of what we saw.

It Can't Snow Yet.....

The tree on the side of our house is always the last one to lose its leaves. That puts it in danger as the weight of this week's early winter storm put a lot of heavy snow on the limbs. Makes for a pretty picture, however. Snowing before Thanksgiving? Shouldn't be allowed.

Texas State Capitol

Didn't get much shooting done in Austin, Texas this week but got a nice shot of the Texas State Capitol building while sitting (as a passenger) in traffic.

Christmas Decorations up at Macy's

The Christmas decorations were up in Macy's windows two weeks ago when I was in town. These kids are trying to get excited about it but the window displays are more a thing for the parents, I suspect.

I know what B and H stands for.....

I wasn't trying to make art here so this isn't an award winning shot (not many are....). However, I did discover what B and H stands for. If you are into photography, B and H in New York is the mecca for photographers. You have to go there just one and see this amazing store. Unfortunately, B and H stands for Broke and Hungry which is how I feel after I shop here!!!

Putnam Connecticut Montgomery Ward

In Putnam Connecticut last week and came across an old Montgomery Ward building. While it has been turned into more of an antique boutique the original building and sign has been maintained. Smart move, for the downtown area, I think.

Paris, Beautiful

As the world continues to morn the attacks in Paris, I looked through my Paris shots from our 2006 trip and was just reminded how beautiful the city looks. These apartments always fascinated me with their interior courtyards which I could just see from the Eiffel Tower. Must be amazing to see from the inside.

Hurting for Paris

All the news of the Paris attacks reminds me of our trip in 2006 to this beautiful city. Love to go back again some day. Our thoughts go out to these wonderful people in their time of sorrow.

Almost Missed the Kiss

In NYC yesterday and caught (or more correctly, got caught by) the Veteran's Day parade. Had to quickly grab my camera to just catch a behind the car view of the famous kiss from VE Day. Great to honor the vets but I will tell you it really, really messes with the traffic in downtown Manhattan.

Late Fall Colors

I missed most of the fall colors but I finally got out to the Lisle Arboretum to take a few shots of what was left. It was like going for leftovers after a big family meal. It is a great treat to have this area near our home to visit.

Sun Through The Trees

Missed the fall colors so I had to play with the sun and shadows to try to get some interesting shots.

Chasing Butterflies

Chased yesterday's butterfly to another nearby plant in the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Hard to get those suckers to stand still for long.

White Butterfly in field of Orange

Not as sharp as I would like but a nice contrast of colors from a trip to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens earlier this year.

Rincon Next Up

Rincon Beach State Park is a surfer's paradise, although not on the day we drove by. North of Ventura and south of Santa Barbara just off the 101, this is a place where surfers have to visit on a trip to California and locals ask each other how the surf is doing on any given day. This young surfer to-be wants to go out next.

Santa Ana Sunset Winds at Hermosa Beach

The colors were almost gone but a slow exposure handheld shot brought them out, plus some of the wind from the Santa Ana's whipping the sand and the volleyball nets around. Nice when you don't have to move from your hotel room to get the shot.

Hermosa Beach Scoured Clean by Santa Ana Winds

Strong Santa Ana winds scouring the beach clean of footprints as sun sets in the west. Blowing pretty good across Hermosa Beach.

Santa Barbara Rooftop View

Caught a beautiful view off the rooftop of my hotel in downtown Santa Barbara.

Mountain On Fire

Was in Santa Barbara this past week and from the parking lot of one of our meetings got a great view of a nearby mountain top on fire. Luckily the fire was mostly contained by then and despite the high winds pretty much under control by the end of the day.

Ann Arbor Unusual?

I think the phrase, "unusual gifts" is unnecessary at a store like this, no?

University of Michigan Student Union

The Flag sits proudly atop of the University of Michigan Student Union building but since they lost to Michigan State last weekend, shouldn't it be at half-mast? Beautiful building, despite the loss.

University of Michigan Law Library

The law library of the University of Michigan looked very stately when I visited this past week. It's hard to beat a major college campus in the fall.

Early Fall Colors

It is true that Winter is Coming but first we get some fine fall weather and fall colors. These trees turn early and quick when the nights get shorter and cooler. Nice reds and yellows.