Good evening blog readers!

I haven't been doing much photography as of late, but hope to get out there in the next few weeks.

In the mean time, I thought I would pass along some information to my faithful three readers about events currently going on and upcoming in the local area.

The Washington Pavilion has a great exhibit called, Ansel Adams: Masterworks. This is an exhibition that features a collection of 48 works by Ansel Adams. The exhibition runs until June 3.

A new exhibit will be featured at the Washington Pavilion May 18- August 12 called Beauty in the Beast featuring works by Mary Groth, Nancyjane Huel, Dale Lamphere and Paul Schiller. 

If you plan it right you can see both of the exhibits above in just one trip, but time is running!

The Camera Club Roundup is a new event that will draw photographers from the area for a unique place to photograph, at the 1880 town.  The event is free, except for admission to the 1880 town. No real set schedule. Just a bunch of shutterbugs gathering to have fun. The dates for this event are May 18-19. You don't have to be a camera club member to join in on the fun.  More information about the event can be found here.

Get out there and enjoy life!

Having some fun......

I really haven't played with Photoshop CS5 much, but decided to have some fun with a few buffalo images.  The first image was from a herd somewhere along SD highway 212 last fall and the other two are from Blue Mound State Park in Luverne, Mn last weekend.  The images aren't great on their own, but by taking out color in two of the images and adding texture and a little blurr to the middle image, it creates a different and more interesting picture.

Blue Mound State Park and a few other stops along the way.....

What a windy morning and day out on the prairie! I ventured to Blue Mound State Park in Luverne, MN this morning. I knew it was going to be windy, but I thought if I got there early enough it would be fine...haha, not true! 

I drove around the park and then decided to stop at the interpretive center. It is close this time of year, but a lot of the trails lead out from there.  I hiked the trail that runs on the top of the quartzite cliff and you guessed it, WINDY! I decided to mess around with a little abstract work since the prairie grass was really blowing. The first image is trying to do a little blur motion. Not great by any means, but you get the idea.  I decided I had enough of being wind blow so headed down to Mother Nature's next level.  By this time, the cloud cover had passed and left me with moments of great light on the quartzite rocks.   I drove around a bit more and found the buffalo, but they were hunkered down, so no good pictures to post of the Monarch of the Prairie.  As I was walking back to the truck I did see, out of the corner of my eye, some movement.  There were seven whitetail deer bounding through the prairie grass.  It is not a great shot of them, but thought it was funny how they were all spaced pretty even as they were running. 

The rest of the images were taken on the road home. Amazing what you will find driving gravel roads from Luverne, MN back to Sioux Falls, SD!

Click on the pictures for better viewing!

Palisades State Park.................

“The Earth is Art, The Photographer is only a Witness ”
― Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Palisades State Park in Garretson, South Dakota on a foggy morning.

A few shots from the weekend...........

I had a great time this past weekend at the Camera Council Spring Break Seminar. They put on a great event at a great value! I was in information overload, but was able to visit a couple areas to take some photos.  The first few photos were taken at a local city park. The deer photos were taken at the Tamarac Nature Center. A great place with lots of walking paths. I was heading back to the building when these two youngsters emerged from the grass. They were not tame and were very cautious. May favorite of them is the last picture.  Such sweet eyes.....

Butterflies and Lionfish..................

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Andersen

The Sertoma Butterfly House is not just for butterflies anymore.

If you haven't been there in a while, check out the new Purdy Marine Cove. 

One game in black and white.......

“Basketball is like photography, if you don't focus, all you have is the negative.”
Basketball Quote by Dan Frisby

Fair to say one of my best friends is

pretty focused in some of these shots!

It was her first State Tournament nod.

Mackie, you did an awesome job

and we are very proud of you!