My Life, my photography, my passions
A simple but elegant macro of a peony. They are in full bloom right now and just spectacular.
Photography Notes: Added a warming filter, sharpened the stamens, added a pale yellow mask then erased the inside, burned the white leaves for dimension.
My first award, or recognition, members of the Facebook 365 Day Photo Challenge voted my “Strutting Peaccok” the photo of the week! Yeah!
Peacock images have been overdone as well as roses, but what photography collection is complete without a strutting peacock. I did bump this up a little with posterizing in Photoshop and a green tint in the black and white layer. The effect I was trying to achieve was to get the “eyes” to pop and I believe it was achieved. Those eyes would get my attention
By the way, this male peacock did catch the female after a little chase. Just another photo from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, love that place.
In towns all across America teenage boys pick up bats and balls and head out to the local ball field for Legion baseball.
One of the best sports experiences my kids ever had was American Legion Baseball. It was by far been the best sports experience in my 15 year history of sports in Elmwood-Murdock. This includes all school-related and summer town league ball seasons. My youngest son played Legion ball for four years, started as a freshman on a team that begged a group of boys to play so they could have a team. (many had not played since T-ball)
The coaches were fantastic (thanks Duane and Hank) and their expectations were not to win a game, but to improve as the season went on. If they won a game great, if not it was all about teamwork, having fun and growing as young men. My young man played right or center field, he’s center here, and loved to play. So much so that he delayed his Marine Bootcamp ship date so he could play one last summer. I still have sports bags in my garage with baseballs and gloves and every now and then my daughter will ask me to come out and do batting practice. Reminds me of summer and I miss the bleachers at the ball field watching my son.
Diamond D1-AL American Legion Official Baseball (Pack of 12)
I didn’t play sports in school, I was rather clumsy and not athletic. But, I have learned sports is not just about winning, it’s about how to win, how to lose, how to face adversity and still play. It’s about playing as a team, traveling and living together as teammates even if you don’t like the person next to you, sports does teach about life.
Spartan Ac: An American Legion Baseball Team United Through AdversitySwinging for the Fences: How American Legion Baseball Transformed a Group of Boys into a Team of Men
Since this photo was part of my 365 project here is a little bit of information about it. It is straight out of the camera, no editing, the storms clouds were gathering and it poured rain about 15 minutes after this picture. So far half their games have been rained out, but we have a long summer ahead of us and I’m going to enjoy each one.
Kids and sports: life lessons, not winning, should be the goal
Life Lessons from a Youth Baseball Coach
Teaching Positive Life Lessons Through Sports
29 Invaluable Life Lessons That Sports Teach Us
Kids and sports: life lessons, not winning, should be a idea
Former Pro Athletes To Teach Sports, Life Lessons To …
In honor of those veterans who have served and our current servicemen and women. Just two words,…”Thank you.”
Welcome to Dean and Judy’s Iris Patch in Elmwood, Nebraska. Over 500 varieties of iris’s are showcased in various gardens in their immaculate park like country home. My mother-in-law has an Iris garden and so did my grandmother. Irises are a traditional flower in vintage gardens and it’s just been in the past years that the hybrids and varieties have exploded.
This iris garden is just about five miles northwest of Elmwood Nebraska and Dean and Judy are very welcoming and informative about everything iris related. If you thought iris’s came in just blue you are are in for a surprise.
1 CUPID’S ARROW BEARDED IRIS Rhizome / Bulb / Root – ORDER for FALL PLANTING
Jewelled Crown Siberian Iris
The Emerald Sunrise hybrid was bred by Kalkwarf and released in 2003, with a ruffled lace along the edge.
This Barbara May Iris is similar to the Emerald Sunrise except it has a purple lace edge, it is a very new variety only being released in 2007, isn’t it just gorgeous?
Here is an iris a little bit closer to the standard in what people expect in an iris, but don’t let if fool you, the Millennium Falcon Iris was only released in the year 2000.
I’ll just let you guess what inspired this 1995 Jurassic Park Iris, think dinosaurs. Below is just one of the areas of the Iris garden, they had just begun blooming a few days previous and I’m looking forward to going back this weekend when it’s in full bloom. The peony hedge should be opening just in time for Memorial Day and I love peonies too, who am I kidding, I love all flowers, and I love taking photographs of flowers.
All of the irises are for sale and most are less than five dollars a bulb. Bulbs are dug after the blooming period is over in July or August. If you are interested in purchasing any iris’s you can email Dean or Judy at deanandjudydouglas@sbllcweb.com they are located between Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska about ten miles off the interstate I-80
Photo gallery: Stunning and unique iris collection being nurtured in North …
31 Random Iris Facts – iris-impressions.com
Iris Facts, Tips, and Helpful Hints | In and Around the Garden
Bearded Iris- Bearded Iris Facts and Information
History, Meaning and Trivia of Iris | – Tulips Talk
