My new BFF

My new BFF
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

She was adorable and very, very brave.

Sleigh bells ring...

Sleigh bells ring...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

are you listenin'?

Every day it's a challenge just to get out the door

Every day it's a challenge just to get out the door
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

with your ear drums and pant legs intact.

Watch the birdies...

Watch the birdies...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

My favorite is watching them fly in from the tree in the background. Then there is that one nasty Titmouse that comes in and bodychecks his buddy. Classic!

Stuck

Stuck
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Yes, Jethro let me down. It's a new record. I've had the car for a whole 2 days. We went down to Springfield's Big Balloon parade and afterwards we got back to the car, which then wouldn't start. These nice guys stopped with some jumpers to help us but unfortunately I think it's the starter not the battery. So we called my son for a ride home and headed off to Theodore's for a lovely lunch while we waited. Then we called the place where we bought the car and they said they would send a tow truck. Just after my son got to Springfield to pick us up we of course tried the car one last time and, yes, of course, he started... *sigh** So.. we called the dealership back, said never mind the tow and instead we drove the car back to the dealership, where, luckily, it refused to start again so they could see what the problem is. Then we all piled into my son's car and went home. The dealership still has the car and of course, it's supposed to snow tomorrow. I tell you. It's always an adventure.

Always.

An adventure.

The crew

The crew
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I managed to get the entire crew out into the yard before the tryptophan kicked in yesterday after dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Jethro - the winter beater

Jethro - the winter beater
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

We adopted an older brother for Jenny today. Jethro will hopefully get me through the winter (and then some) safely... Hopefully!

Mystery Meat...

I couldn't help but pass along this story that just came across the AP:

Mystery meat found on Mass. town's common

Seems someone has been leaving chunks of meat on Framingham's town common. We'll just file this one under "Why?"...

People are strange and getting stranger by the minute.

Fall deer

Fall deer
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I love that the deer are so used to me now that I'm able to circle around them easily and get the background that I want behind them. I really should name this little one, I've shot enough pictures of it.

Keeping really busy here, sorry for the lack of updates. I have however updated my MassLive.com blog, so if you want to see something new on the topic of something old, go ahead and take a look here.

Some upcoming projects include that "Sleepy Hollow" shoot I've been grinding my way through and the day after Thanksgiving it'll be Big Balloons in the shape of a 75 foot long Cat in the Hat!

I went looking for moose

I went looking for moose
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

and all I got was these stupid cattails.

Note to family: Thanksgiving is on. I repeat. Thanksgiving is on. I'll try and call you later but just in case. Thanksgiving is ON.

I can haz a say!

I can haz a say!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

And so can you!

Get out there and vote!

Covered Bridge - Taftsville VT

Covered Bridge - Taftsville VT
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Hi All,

Want to enter a fall photo contest? The prize is having your photo published on the front page of "The Republican" newspaper, as well as a commemorative plaque of the page with your photo on it.



If you would like to see the photo's your up against, then go here. Contest is sponsored by MassLive.com and the Republican.

The contest is now CLOSED! Thanks so much for all the entries!

Deersicle

Deersicle
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I took a walk around the yard with the camera and came across this. Yes, it's an apple on a stick. I think it's intended to be a "deersicle". I'm just going to chalk it up to another great idea from a member of my "Fairly Odd Family"!

Sunset on the Lake

Sunset on the Lake
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I'm freshly back from a long weekend in Vermont. We set up base camp in Burlington and then took every road there is in Northern Vermont. ok, maybe not every road, but darn near it. This is just north of St. Albans, which surprisingly is HUGE. I always thought of it as a small sleepy little burg of a town that you could easily miss if you weren't looking for it. It was a really pretty place when you got away from the strip malls but that wind whipping off Lake Champlain was unbelievable. It has to be unbearable in the winter!

Oh Hai, is Thanksgiving yet?

Oh Hai, is Thanksgiving yet?
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

How can something so weird looking taste so darn good?

Speaking of Thanksgiving, listen up family, I will be providing the turkey and fixings this Thanksgiving, per the usual routine, so plan on coming on by. OH, and remember the price of the meal last year? Well this year will be no different, well, except that instead of outside standing around on the lawn I'm going to set up a little 'studio', complete with lights and backdrop. The rules remain the same however, no sit, no turkey! So wear something nice and trim those eyebrows! :)

I'll take "Bokeh" for 500, Alex.

I'll take "Bokeh" for 500, Alex.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

What is "Why I love the Canon 50mm 1.8 so very much".

I bought a Speedlite

I bought a Speedlite
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

and the only 'person' I could get to sit for me was the dog. *sigh**

Look, I'm in the news...

Look, I'm in the news...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

for bringing you the news.

Check out the article.

Hiding in the tall grass

Hiding in the tall grass
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

It's really beginning to look like fall out there.

Hai, I can haz 8x10 pleeze?

Hai, I can haz 8x10 pleeze?
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

It's kind of sad to see that the fawns have all lost their spots. Oh, they're still adorable, just not quite as adorable as they were wearing their baby fur.

Kite Flying Sunset

Kite Flying Sunset
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Some more shots from my weekend at the Cape. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous!

Ware 2, Granby 1

Ware 2, Granby 1
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I had to take the new lens out to the night time soccer game and see what she could do. I think it went alright... Considering this was my first night game, ever. My first soccer game, ever. Plus I was sitting in the stands instead of field-side and had forgotten my monopod so I was shooting hand-held. I think this new lens is going to work very nicely!!

Squinty

Squinty
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

He came out of the woods, sniffed around my garden, strolled through the yard, checked out my car, drove the dog nuts, and headed up off to the neighbors. It seemed like it could see, so I'm not quite sure what is wrong with it's eyes.

Why injure yourself when you can hire a pro to do it for you!

Why injure yourself when you can hire a pro to do it for you!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I was trolling through the "other" local news sites this morning and came across this ad. I'm not sure if they meant it to be funny, but it sure as heck got a laugh out of me!

Nobska Lighthouse

Nobska Lighthouse
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I really love this lighthouse. We actually stumbled across it by accident. We were just following the GPS and taking every shore road we could find. As we were coming up the hill behind it I said, doesn't it seem like there should be a lighthouse here? Sure enough we rounded the bend and there she was.

The light

The light
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I just spent a lovely 3 day weekend at the cape. Riding from beach to beach to beach with the top down and the wind in my hair.

It was awesome.

Now I'm crispy fried and there isn't enough conditioner in the state of Massachusetts that's gonna let me get a brush through my hair.

Oh, and we hit a bunch of lighthouses as well. We even climbed this one. It was great, but I'd recommend walking shorts instead of a sun dress. The updraft is spectacular.

This is the light of Highland Lighthouse in North Truro.

The light is only a 110 bulb. I want to know why we don't have house lamps with this type of Fresnel lens. I've got four 75 watt bulbs up in my living room ceiling fan and it's still dark in here. Give me a lamp with a 30 watt bulb and one of these lenses and it would be all good. Good for reading on the sofa, and good for saving some major energy.

I found BigFoot!

I found BigFoot!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Who knew!! BigFoot apparently hangs out at the Hardwick Vineyard & Winery.

I've got a link for you

Tom will always be a rebel.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Hi all, Yesterday I alluded to not having time to blog and gave you the opportunity to fill in the blank with what it is you think it is that has been keeping me so busy lately.

Well, I've got a link for you in the way of a hint as to what it might be.

Click on this and you'll see what I mean. Oh.. and don't forget to click on the link within that story to see all the lovely photos! I had a ton of fun at this, in fact I even switched up my 'day off' schedule so that I could cover it. It was SO worth it, and even better was the email I got from the 'boss' saying that this is exactly what we need to being doing more of. How many ways are there to say "You bet!" and "I'm THERE!"

Someone's gonna get a belly ache

Someone's gonna get a belly ache
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Yeah, I've been suspiciously missing on the blog lately. Sorry about that, but _______. (Please feel free to insert your own idea of what could be keeping me away.)

I think I'm finding it a bit much to keep not one but two blogs up to date and interesting. It is a conundrum. The blog on MassLive.com is more important than ever to keep updated, but at the same time, this is my baby. My first blog. I've been blogging here for YEARS! Plus, I can get a lot more ranty and personal here than I can over there and you all know how much I love to rant!

Not to worry, I AM working on a solution. I don't have any idea what it is yet, but there's got to be one out there.

Some where.

L E A P

L E A P
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Yes, it's more deer. There is something to be said for shooting the same thing over and over though, you certainly get to know your subject matter. While I'm sure I've still got tons to learn, like, where are all the bucks that are the daddies to these adorable little babies, I have managed to learn enough about the females and the fawns to be able to anticipate where they are headed and how they are going to get there.

Today I spotted this family of 4 adult females and 2 fawns standing at the edge of the woods on the right hand side of the road and I just knew they were going to head down the hill, across the road, leap the guardrail, and take off into the field below. So instead of heading down the side of the road that they were on, I crossed the road, hunkered down by the guardrail, and waited.

The deer didn't disappoint.

The appeal of heavy equipment

The appeal of heavy equipment
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

They had my favorite shooting area blocked off today to backblade the road and dig a drainage ditch. I don't know what it is about heavy equipment, but the desire to watch it work apparently crosses all species.

Sorry for the lack of updates here, it's been a crazy busy week. They are still ripping up my road, adding extra time to my travels. They've stopped delivering my mail due to the construction, which added another half an hour to my day, you know, to go down to the post office and yell at them for being such a bunch of prissy pansies, and then one by one, everyone in the house has been sick with the flu. So far I've escaped it, but I'm thinking it's only gonna be a matter of time. Add in major, drenching thunderstorms EVERY single nite just as I'm making my drive home and August is really starting to irk me.

I do have some pics still loaded on the camera card from several days ago that hopefully I'll get the chance to download and at least LOOK at shortly... Sheesh!

I have no idea who that couple in the water was...

I have no idea who that couple in the water was...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

but who could blame them... It was almost 90 degrees and a good mile hike down to the wonderfully warm, clear water... and it seemed so secluded... you know.. until you realize that there is a rather heavily traveled bike trail just across the water...

It's a great shot of the rhodedendrons

It's a great shot of the rhodedendrons
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Pay no attention to the bear behind the shrubbery!

Evening visitor

Evening visitor
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

A little excitement round the house tonite. My son had just come home and was getting out of his car with a dozen Dunkin' Donuts. We saw him pull in and of course the Stupid Little Angry Dog started with her running and jumping at the front door. Never being one to try to calm the stupid beast, my husband got her further worked up by saying "It's Jeff.. JEFF is home..." and then opening the front door to let the dog do her job and run full bore at the kid as he was coming across the drive.

So he flung open the door and the dog took off down the stairs... stopped dead in her tracks at the bottom... took one look.. turned and promptly ran right back up the stairs...

The next few minutes consisted of my husband yelling "camera... camera... camera..." Me wondering what the heck he wanted the camera for... no.. apparently you can't yell "bear" when your looking at one standing not 20 feet from you... Me finally getting the camera and being horrified at what I was looking at and trying to calm my hand shaking as I tried to control the dog and work the shutter... the stupid dog barking her head off... the kid slowly putting the donuts back in the car and getting in as well... and the bear... the bear just calmly ate the little bit of suet that was left in the feeder and then slowly walking off into the woods.

SHEESH!

Gotta click for the photos

Hey guys,

No. No photo with this entry. In this case you'll have to follow the links to see the pictures.

So what are they?

This link will take you to the performers that I saw Sunday at the Green River Festival in Greenfield

and

this link will take you to the shots I took of the crowd.

I promise you the clicks are worth it.

My cube aquarium

My cube aquarium
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I did a little redecorating at the office tonite. Yeah, I have a cube, but it's got this really cool double paned glass window on the side which I discovered opens.. A half dozen rubber fish, a little coral, a couple fake plants, Steve the scuba diver... and BAM!

Cubequarium!

If your happy and you know it...

If your happy and you know it...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

then your face will surely show it! :)

Another super hot & humid weekend coming up. Normally it wouldn't bother me but I've got a couple of shooting assignments lined up that are just gonna be brutal out there in the heat.

On Saturday I'll be at the Green River Festival in Greenfield. This one shouldn't be too bad as I won't be arriving and shooting until around 4pm, just in time to do some of the musical acts (hopefully with a back stage pass!) and then the hot air balloon launch at 6pm.

Then on Sunday it gets really brutal. The Vintage Base Ball tourney in Westfield. Nothing like standing on the first base line in the blazing hot sun on Sunday afternoon.

Ok, so both shoots sound like a HUGE amount of fun. It will just take some pre-planning the kit for each day. As in, lots and lots of water, a hat, and sunscreen. If you happen to be at either of the show, stop on by and say hello!

Sneaking up from behind

Sneaking up from behind
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

This was a first for me. I've shot turkeys and I've shot deer and fawns all in this same spot. This was the first time tho that I've seen the two interact. The turkey purposely snuck up behind the fawn, I'm not sure if he pecked the baby but the fawn shot 3 feet straight up in the air. He tossed his head at the turkey a few times and then ran off to the safety of Mom and sibling. Amazing stuff!

Springfield High Rise

Springfield High Rise
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I've been doing alot of shooting for work lately and not so much for myself, which actually is fine. Unfortunately I can't post my 'work work' here as I don't own the copyright to the images. This, however, is a shot I took as I was leaving a shoot I was doing for the company.

Here are a couple of links tho to stuff I've been doing for work:

Hoophall AAU Basketball - my shots start at #7 and run through to #20. They aren't great but considering I haven't even been to a Basketball game in like 30 years, nevermind shot one, they didn't come out too bad. That's what I love about this job, it really is challenging me every day to get out of my comfort zone and shoot some strange stuff.

The Holyoke Kennel Club Dog Show

The Hoop City Jazz & Arts Festival

Cat Tails

Another Western Union Telegram:

Still haven't forgotten you, stop.

Here's a couple more tries, stop.

Your idea is still stupid, stop.

Bad Kitty.

Bad Kitty.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

A little selfie I like to call "Bad Kitty". So much for the brilliant idea of leaving an umbrella out on the front porch so that it would always be handy for those rainy day runs to the car.

Turkey Cutlet

Turkey Cutlet
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Ok, so the story today was just too good to pass up. So it's got nothing to do with photography or cameras or even Photoshop, but whatever, here goes anyway.

Kidman gives birth Monday to girl named Sunday

Mark my words there's a HUGE country song hit in there for hubby Keith Urban. Heck, I'll even write a few bars for him to get him started:

I had a Sunday on Monday..
So Thank the Lord it's Friday..
So come on girl,
Climb on into my Chevy
and I'll take you on down to Ruby Tuesday's..

We'll celebrate and have some fun...
I can't wait till Saturday to cut loose and play...
I got my check on Thursday...
So's I got enough left to pay.

Yeah, I had a Sunday on a Monday...
And it's been one a hell of a week..

Yeah, it's been one hell of a week.

TA DA!

Ok.. so I can't figure out how to get Wednesday in there, well, without a reference to "hump day"... ummm.. never mind... Mr. Urban is on his own with that one!

:)

Cobalt Blue

Cobalt Blue
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Another awesome weekend at so called "work".

Saturday was the softball game.

and Sunday was puppies and Jazz..

I came home smelling like a mutt and sweating like a pig, but I love my job.

Fungi among the Flowers

Fungi among the Flowers
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

The mushrooms just added that extra layer of somethin' to the photo.

If you want to see the latest pics that I shot for Masslive, a softball game between the Chicopee Fire Department and the Chicopee School Department, just give a little click.

Tree Rat

Tree Rat
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

After weekend headlines like "1 killed, 9 shot or stabbed" I was ready for a little "serenity now".

Cat Tails and Dog Wood

A Western Union Telegraph.

Haven't forgotten you, stop.

Cat tails and flowers, stop.

Not going so well, stop.

Your idea 5ucks, stop.

Metallic Green

Metallic Green
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Love these little guys.

Lamp Post on Red

Lamp Post on Red
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I think I need to do a study of that red wall. From the minute I saw it, as I was waiting for my first interview for the new job, I've been fascinated with it. I guess I've got to skip lunch one of these days and just do it.

Fair Trade Apples

Fair Trade Apples
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I put in two apple trees several years ago and not once have I had a single bud, a single flower, never mind a single apple. The locals make sure they stay pruned and neat. I call it fair trade. I get my apples at Atkin's Fruit Farm like everyone else and occasionally I get a wonderful glimpse of my neighbors.

Does a deer *&%*# in the woods?

Does a deer *&%*# in the woods?
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

So I got a personal request for a particular type of photograph today. That's right, now apparently, I shoot to order! :) Luckily I think it is quite do-able so I'll see if I can't work on that tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a lovely photograph that I think you all will enjoy. In fact it almost fits the request I got... animal.. in the shrubbery... and the tail is up.. well.. kinda... LOL... let's see you design a bouquet around this sister dear!

Flutter by

Flutter by
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

My kitchen table is quickly becoming my favorite spot in the house and the really cool thing is I planned it that way. Out the front window I've hung my hummingbird feeder so I can see the little guys coming and going. To the right is another window that years ago I planted a french lilac bush directly beneath. The lilac is finally large enough to be seen from that window now. The one thing I didn't openly plan was all the butterfly's it was going to attract. What an awesome way to while away a little bit of time, with a nice cup of coffee, hummingbirds, lilacs and butterflies... It's like something straight out of a freakin' Disney movie!

The Fugitive

The Fugitive
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Springfield style. I was in the office yesterday when this State Police helicopter kept circling the building, it then proceeded to hover outside my bosses window overlooking the Hippodrome parking lot. Reading the story today it seems one of the "visitors" to the Springfield District Court decided he didn't want to wear the shiney bracelets anymore and managed to kick out door latch and then make his way out of the secure parking garage.