The first Hoophall Classic photo shoot

The first Hoophall Classic photo shoot
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I had the pleasure of shooting some basketball down at Springfield College at the Hoophall Classic yesterday. I think I did ok considering this was only like the second or third Basketball game that I've ever shot. You can check out the photo gallery here. Be kind though, I'm new at this and as I like to say "Although I enjoy my time at the University of Learning by Doing, some day it might be nice to take a course at the College of Practice First."

Being a deer

Being a deer
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

It was so nice to find the deer at the Quabbin today actually 'being deer'. Those of you who follow my stream know that I don't agree with feeding the deer and yet there were tons of people who would bring them apples and carrots and all manner of things. Well the Quabbin finally got involved. They didn't plow the turnout where the deer hang out waiting for handouts, barricaded the turnout for good measure, and put up more signs with 'no parking' and 'don't feed the wildlife'. When I drove through today, there were no deer standing near the rotary, but I did find them further up the road, in the blueberry meadow, chomping on the underbrush. Doing what deer are supposed to do, not acting like some desperate pan handler! It was really nice to see and yet on another level, I hope they can all manage to find enough to eat to make it through the winter. But that is nature. The natural thinning of the herd is a necessary evil.

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**