Misty's Words

Camera-Critters #15

2008-07-19T13:53:00.003-05:00

This is the story of a crazy lady, who thought she could sneak up on a Buzzard sitting on a hay bale. Yeah, you ever tried to sneak up on a big bird who, from clear up in the sky is able to see an itty-bitty mouse running through a field? Yeah... not only is she a crazy lady, she must not be all that bright.

So, you see, this lady spots a buzzard sitting on a hay bale.
She decides to try to get closer for better pictures.
Nah, gotta get closer than this.

(c) Misty DawnS

Said buzzard notices said lady, and is NOT very amused with the trick she is trying to pull.
"Listen LADY! I've got my wings ready, and I'm NOT afraid to use 'em!
Just a few steps closer, Lady, and I swear I'll..."

(c) Misty DawnS

"That's IT! You've done it! This hay bale ain't big enough for the both of us!"
"HA! Let's see you get up here!"

(c) Misty DawnS

"Yeah, that's what I thought, ya big chicken!"
"Yes, you just got called a chicken by a Turkey Buzzard! What you think you're gonna do about it? Yeah, that's what I thought... just go on your merry way, Crazy Lady."

I swear the neighbors could set up home theater seating outside and be continually amused by the antics of the Crazy Lady with the Big Camera and her critters.

Do you want to join the Weekend Meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.

Double Love and a Dream

2008-07-18T18:40:00.005-05:00

It has been quite hot and humid here. Usually, I bring my camera to work with me every day, but I leave it in my vehicle. Well, it has just been too hot to leave it in the car, and there is no way I will take it into work, because it is too dirty and dusty in there. So, I have been without a camera on most days. I feel ~~naked~~ like something is really missing when I don't have the camera. Of course, on the days I don't have it with me, those are the days I constantly notice things and think I sure would like to take a photo of that.

On the days I am able to take my camera with me, I still take the old camera, because I am too overprotective of the new one to leave it in my vehicle. So, I've been having fun comparing the shots I get with each camera. See if you can tell which photo is from which camera.

I don't know what you think, but I must admit I like both pics ;-) No, honestly, I am NOT trying to be conceited. My point is that I like the photos that I get from both cameras.

I truly love my cameras and photography. I dream that someday, I will discover some small business opportunitites which involve photography. That's the ultimate goal for me, but I worry that it is just a silly dream.

I'm a Hottie

2008-07-14T18:25:00.004-05:00

Our temperatures are supposed to be in the 90's for the next few days. Yes, I like the heat. However, along with the heat comes the humidity, and lucky me does not have any dang air circulation in my office at work. OK, well, that's a lie... on Friday, they brought me this little thing they claim is a fan, and, if I close my eyes real tight and block out all noise to allow me to hear the fan's motor, I can actually convince myself that I feel some air coming from it... almost. It almost causes me to not feel like going for photo walks when I get home in the evenings... almost. Heck, if I didn't go for my walks, I would miss ~~annoying all of you with my excessive photo posting~~ the opportunity to get photos like the one in this post. Isn't it pretty? I think it's pretty.

Some use Phentermine; I just melt away at work and then come home to chase critters.

Camera-Critters #14

2008-07-12T11:40:00.003-05:00

No critters here...

Nope, nuthin here but a bunch of leaves...

Nope, no critters here...

Just keep on walking lady...

Is she gone yet???

Whew! There's no privacy in this pond.

Do you want to join the Weekend Meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.

Was It Meant To Be All Along?

2008-07-11T08:11:00.003-05:00

If you've read or even glanced at my two posts from last night on my other blog, you know that I received an envelope full of photos yesterday in the mail. When I saw this one, I just had to laugh. Was I destined from a young age to work at a mower shop?

My Hubs told me I should blow this up (and we should restore it since it is a crappy photo), and I should hang it up by my desk at the mower repair shop. Maybe some of the customers will take me more seriously when they see that I was preparing for this job ever since I was a young girl. ;-) The only thing that would make this more appropriate would be if I were wearing one of those company logo shirts. Hmmm, maybe I could PhotoShop one on there. hehe

Apologies

2008-07-10T08:23:00.000-05:00

(c) Misty DawnS

I owe everyone more apologies. Other than the weekends, I just have NOT been able to find time to visit blogs. Then, most of my weekend is taken up with Camera-Critters.

I just can't find the time that I need to get everything done. And, man do I feel guilt about it. I feel like I am letting my friends down... like you probably feel disappointed in me, because you continue to bless my blog with visits and comments, and where am I? At work most of the time.

I keep thinking I'll soon figure out a schedule which will allow me to go back to my daily visits (and also allow me to get things done around here which I haven't found the time for either), but I haven't found that great schedule yet.

*Sigh* The dogs have been looking in exercise magazines at treadmills and ellipticals. You think they are trying to give me a hint and tell me they aren't receiving enough of play time with Mommy either?

I'm In Love

2008-07-09T20:24:00.004-05:00

I'm in love. No, not with my husband... OK, OK, yes, I DO, in fact, love him too, but this is materialistic love. I swear to you - I am NOT a materialistic person... not in the least bit... BUT, I now have a love affair with a material possession. I ♥ it. I used to dream of it, because I wanted so badly to own it. Now, I actually do own it, and I still dream about it. I whisper sweet nothings to it and lovingly caress it... OK, maybe I'm going a bit overboard (well, not really, but I wouldn't want you to think I'm ~~a little~~ weird).

I held it at two stores, and then I walked out of the stores without it. However, that doesn't matter now... I finally found the best buy on it, and it is now at home, with me... right where it should be ;-) I will be the best Sony a350 owner there ever was... and I'm sure I'll drive y'all crazy with all my photos from it too. hehe. But, you really don't expect anything different from me, do ya?

WW Flower

2008-07-09T08:24:00.002-05:00

Camera-Critters #13

2008-07-05T10:11:00.005-05:00

I 'met' this little critter at the park during my lunch hour on Friday.
I also met an adorable little Cocker Spaniel puppy, but he was too busy running to me and giving me kisses, so I couldn't get a photo of him ;-) This baby critter, on the other hand, held perfectly still for me. I think maybe it was thinking, "If I don't move, maybe she'll just go away."

(Camera-Critters Capture Corny Caption - "I should have paid attention when Mom was trying to teach me to fly better, so I could get away from this crazy woman!")(c) Misty DawnS

Yesterday, I had to do my absolute very best to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing at an observation made by my oldest niece. She overheard her mother (my sister-in-law) stating, "Well, I've eaten too much today, but tomorrow, I'm going right back on my diet!"

My eight-year-old niece innocently looked at her mother and stated, "Mommy, I don't know why you even bother going on those diets! They never work anyway, and you just end up mad because you don't lose weight."

To say that my sister-in-law was less than thrilled with her daughter's innocent observation would be an understatement.

(c) Misty DawnS

Do you want to join the Weekend Meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.

Summer Priorities

2008-07-05T09:57:00.004-05:00

I'm ready for a vacation! I want to have an opportunity to enjoy the Summer, but I'm afraid that it is going to fly on by and we are going to be too dang busy to enjoy it. I don't want to wake up one morning and realize it is already September, and the Summer is gone again. We always make so many plans - fishing, camping, etc, but then we never follow through with them.

It doesn't even have to cost much money. Nope, hotel deals aren't a worry when you are camping in the great outdoors. The dogs like that plan, because it means they can go too ;-)

It just seems like, along with the warm weather and sunshine, comes various commitments each weekend.

A customer at work the other day gave me some great advice. He said, "It's all about priority. If particular plans or goals are made a priority, then they will happen."

He's right - We are just going to have to make these things priorities in our life!

Flower WW

2008-07-02T08:08:00.003-05:00

I've decided that WW (although I'm hardly ever wordless... thank goodness y'all let me slide by without following the rules) would be a great way to share some of my Summer flower photos with you. Yes, I kind of make it my personal mission to photography every butterfly, dragonfly, critter, and flower I see.

By the way... I'm extremely excited. In fact, I could probably hop and skip all the way to work this morning, rather than drive there... but, I won't, because it's getting ready to storm, and I don't want to get hit by lightning. Anyway, according to the package tracking system, I should be receiving a much anticipated package tomorrow. Something I've been ~~whining about~~ dreaming of for a very long time. No, it's not a gold anklet, but I bet you have already guessed what it is...

Camera-Critters #12

2008-06-28T13:21:00.003-05:00

I spotted this sweet beauty while on one of our detours on the trip home yesterday from Kansas City. We had to detour a couple times, due to the flooding. It's not a very good photo, because something is wrong with my telephoto lens, and it blurs the photo, as you can see.

This is my aunt-in-law's cat with one of the kittens. You will have to, again, excuse the poor quality of the photo, because it was taken through a sliding door and a screen, but I wanted to capture the sweetness of 'Mom' resting her head on her baby while the baby ate.

A few minutes ago, my family called me and passed the phone around for everyone to talk to me, because they are all together in Ohio for the family reunion I had planned on going to, but was unable to make it. With that phone conversation added to the facts that Thursday was my birthday, I'm going through serious Daddy-withdrawal (I miss him more than I can put into words), and I held that dream camera in my hands yesterday, but left the store without it, I'm being a spoiled, little brat today and feeling sorry for myself. I don't want those feelings to taint my blog, so I'll just mention ademco and go try to put myself in a better mood now.

Do you want to join the Weekend Meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.

Driving Me Buggy!

2008-06-25T22:37:00.003-05:00

So, when we first moved here last year, I was overjoyed when I realized that there were hardly any mosquitoes at all - especially compared to back home in Ohio. Well, let me tell you, unfortunately, the other bugs make up for the lack of mosquitoes.

I have already mentioned in previous posts about how horrible the ticks are here this year. We're not talking just regular 'see them and pull them off of you ticks'. We are talking these itty-bitty microscopic stupid things which are about the size of the tip of a needle. When you are lucky enough to see one on you and pull it off, it leaves a giant, hard welt, which subsequently hurts and itches for days.

Y'all know what chiggars are? Neither did I until I moved here. Never had a freaking chiggar in my entire life... until I moved here. Now, I am covered in them. Chiggars are unseen bugs, which burrow into your skin pores. They leave 'bites' similar to mosquitoes, but - let me tell you - NOTHING itches nonstop like chiggars. I knew they like to get in where your clothes fit tight, such as your waistband or your socks. SO, I made sure to keep those areas covered and sprayed with repellent. Well, I guess I should have just gone fishing in my swimwear, because I still managed to get covered in chiggars, and now, I am itching like mad... all day long... and all night - there is nothing that relieves these stupid things! Do I sound frustrated? Good! Because I am!

Camera-Critters #11

2008-06-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

WHAT??? It IS TOO a critter!!! It's a Deer (add an 'e' at the end of that), and I spotted it, and I captured a photo of it as it sat in a hay field basking in the sun. Can you see it sunning itself? Snicker, snicker.
Get it... a Deere...... a John......OK, nevermind. (Do I need to spell it out on digital signage, or do you get it? hehehe)

(c) Misty DawnS

OK, OK, I'll post a real, live, and breathing critter. I forget what this dragonfly is technically called. Don't worry, my buddy Bear will remind me, and I will be ashamed for forgetting. But, hey - give me a break... it has been since last year since I have seen these critters!

Just Put It On The List

2008-06-20T08:18:00.004-05:00

Every day, while at work, I add things to my "To Do" list whenever I think of something. The next day, I add more. However, I don't seem to be crossing anything off that list! Remember that routine or schedule I kept talking about discovering? Nope, haven't found it yet. But, I have faith. Things will calm down.

We've had my step-son here visiting for the past two weeks. So, time that would usually be spent doing other things have been spent visiting with him, since he will only be here until the 27th.

I won't be around much this weekend, because we are taking my step-son fishing (if it doesn't rain) for his last weekend here. However, Camera-Critters will still be available - So, don't forget to post your critters!

Getting Older

2008-06-19T19:25:00.002-05:00

Well, my birthday is a week from today. Yep, I guess I am supposed to be concerned about getting 'old', but I'm not. I don't feel old, and I am not worried about getting older or the concerns that go along with it, such as the need for resurgence or other anti-aging products.

My husband, on the other hand, is twelve years older than I, and he stresses about aging. I figure, you can't stop it, so why not just enjoy life and be happy however you are. I laugh whenever we see the commercials or shows, such as the resurgence infomercial, and my husband turns to me and tells me that I won't be laughing twelve years from now.

Oh well, even if the day comes when I am using murad resurgence or dying my gray hairs, my husband will still ALWAYS be twelve years older than I. So, I'll always be able to tease him about that.

You've Got to be Kidding

2008-06-19T08:02:00.004-05:00

Believe it or not, it did not rain here on Monday. It didn't rain here on Tuesday, either. So, all day yesterday (Wednesday), the customers who came in to work discussed and debated about whether we were going to receive the rain that was in the forecast for Thursday (today) night. You see, we've had excessive amounts and periods of rain for over two months now, accompanied with constant flood warnings and watches. Last week, I even ran out of work and raced home to avoid the tornado that was headed for the town where I work. So, when we were actually given not one, not two, but three days without rain, nearly all the farmers were out mowing and baling hay or preparing to plant beans. Guess what...

I type this in a bit of a hurry, because I am running late for work. Why am I running late for work? Because my alarm didn't go off due to the loss of electric during the storm last night.

Nope, it wasn't even in the forecast, but with the way this year has been, I'm not surprised. Last night, when I was talking to my dad on the phone, I told him there was a 30% chance for rain for Thursday night. He said, "Oh Honey, 30% is not a big chance, maybe the rain actually WILL miss you this time."

My response was, "Yeah right, Dad. 30% isn't much of a chance unless you are around here. We've had NO rain in the forecast, and then, next thing you know, it's storming all day long."

Hmmmm. Maybe I should be a weather girl. You could tune in to "Misty Dawn's Forecast" to plan your weekend and decide whether to get out the Cobra golf clubs or not.

Summer LOVIN'

2008-06-18T20:52:00.003-05:00

I know I am repeating myself again, but I LOVE Summer. OK, so it isn't officially Summer yet, but you know what I mean. I love nothing more than being able to wear shorts, short sleeves, and sandals on my walks, while feeling the warmth of the sun. I love seeing the beautiful blue skies and the gorgeous birds, butterflies, and dragonflies against those skies. I love waking up to the sound of birds chirping. I.Love.Summer. You'll probably get sick of hearing me talk about all the things I love about Summer and get sick of seeing my Summer photos. No, I'm definitely not someone who should go out and buy some Winter Park real estate.

Baltimore Oriole

2008-06-18T20:44:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to get a decent photo of this Baltimore Oriole for weeks now. Actually, the main reason I was trying to get a photo of it is because, originally, I thought it might have been a different species of bird. However, I was wrong, but that's O.K., because I think it is a pretty bird regardless. This evening, as I was standing there taking photos of it, I kept wondering why it was hanging around and letting me get photos of it today, when, any other day, it would fly away. Then, I looked up, and that's when I saw it. I was standing right under its nest, which is built on a low hanging branch. So, this bird wasn't feeling sorry for me and finally allowing me to take its photo - it was trying to tell me to get the heck away from its next ;-)

New Breed?

2008-06-17T08:20:00.003-05:00

Yes, that is my Molly. Yes, you are right - she doesn't look quite right. Hubs shaved her! No, I'm not mad at him. Molly isn't mad at him either. You see, she needed shaved, because she has such a thick and long coat, and over the Winter, her undercoat became unhealthy and matted, due to eating cheap dog food and my not getting her brushed out enough. So, Hubs decided to help her feel better during the Summer. Boy, does she love it. You can tell just by looking at her that she feels much better. Well, except for in the above photo, and that is because she wanted me to quit taking photos and play with her.

Although Tag would prefer his idea of completely natural dog food (He goes crazy over meat), now we have put all three dogs back on the better, and, of course, more expensive dog food. It is so much healthier for them, though, and you can really see the different it makes in how they look, how much they eat, how they feel, and how much energy they have. Of course, Maggie May never lacks in energy. Maybe I should start checking into holistic dog food, since these three all think they are complete angels. ;-)

Summer Photos

2008-06-16T19:46:00.003-05:00

(c) Misty DawnS

Get used to it. You'll be seeing lots of butterfly, dragonfly, insect, and flower photos from me for quite a while. Summer is almost here, and the flowers and flying critters are proof of that. I just can't resist taking shots of all of the critters and flowers... yes, even if I already have photos of them. Hey, I might get better photos than what I already have.

Just wait! Eventually, I will get that dream DSLR, and, then, I'll be taking and posting photos of EVERYTHING! hehe. G, I can feel your excitement from here. You're trilled, I can tell. hehehe.

Neighborly Concern

2008-06-16T08:05:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not, we don't have any rain in the forecast for several days! Hubs says that now we will hit a dry spell and everyone will be whining about that (You know I won't be!).

Now... if only I can figure out how to continue my routine of going for walks in the park during my lunch hour. You see, people around here tend to look out for each other. Recently, there was a bear sighted in the small town I work in. Irregardless of the fact that the bear was later sighted in a town many miles away, people still feel they need to look out for me and advise me to 'not go wandering off in the park'. Seriously people - the bear is in a whole different county now! I appreciate the concern, but geesh. ;-)

*Sigh* I thought the park was supposed to be a family-friendly and safe place. I guess I'll just have to enjoy nature by sitting in some patio furniture in my back yard so I'm not at risk of anything getting me. ;-)

Camera-Critters #10

2008-06-14T13:24:00.002-05:00

Yes, I have probably overdone it by posting too many critter photos again. Oh well, it's my blog, so I can do what I want ;-) Besides, wouldn't you much rather look at a bunch of photos of cute, pretty, or neat critters, than listen to me ramble on and on about stuff, such as term insurance. Yeah, that's what I thought. So, you probably don't mind the critter photo overload, eh? hehe

Do you want to join the Sunday meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.

Home Sweet Home

2008-06-09T08:24:00.003-05:00

(c) Misty DawnS

We found the perfect house out here in Podunk!
Don't you just love it?
I certainly do. I even daydream about it,
and also want to make special trips just to see it.
No, I'm not hoping it's for sale, so I can buy it and more in!
I just find this house intriguing and full of mystery.
I wonder about the stories it could tell
about the family who used to live within those
walls, which are now old and falling down.
There's something about this house - It grabs my interest every time I see it.

Camera-Critters #9

2008-06-07T14:58:00.005-05:00

I decided to share a few different critter photos with you this week. Truth is, I am horrible at making decisions. So, I just couldn't decide which critter I wanted to post!

First, we have this Common Whitetail dragonfly, who was very considerate and posed for several photos for me this morning. I LOVE taking photos of dragonflies ;-)

(c) Misty DawnS

Then, we have this little cutie, who I met at the park on my lunch hour.
(Corny Caption - 'Scuse me, but do you have a GPS? I think I'm in the wrong tree.)

(c)Misty DawnS

And finally, we have this Upland Sandpiper. When Sandpipers land, they hold their wings up for a few seconds. It is really neat - well, it is in my opinion, anyway. So, I was really happy I was able to capture that.

I was very disappointed by the gloomy, dreary sky behind the Sandpiper, though. So, I played around with the photos a little bit. What do you think? Is this a neat affect, or should I scrap it?
(c) Misty DawnS

OK, that's all the critters I'm going to include this week ;-) I hope I didn't put you in 'Critter-Overload'. hehe

Do you want to join the Sunday meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.