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!!!