I hope everyone has enjoyed my Paris photos so far… another installation is coming Saturday! This week we got to see Jenny and Chris, Curtis traveled most of the week, and I got serious about learning shading techniques with colored pencils. Fun!!! My mom’s side of the family also received some very surprising and exciting news but I can’t share quite yet, but OMG.
Day Eight-Five ~ Pool PT
Though it took nearly 30 minutes of coaxing, Anna finally got into the pool at physical therapy. Dr. Katie had some great exercises for her to do that we can incorporate into our summer swimming at home. Dr. Katie encouraged Anna to swim over to the window to say hi to me.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/1.8 | 1/125 | ISO 1000
Day Eight-Five ~ Congress Avenue Bats
In the 27 years I lived in Austin, I never once went to see the bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue bridge at sunset. Curtis had a client dinner in Austin (Dell Match Play!) and he invited me to tag along. Mom watched the kids (thanks, mom!!!) and we spent the night. We had some time before dinner so we walked over to the bridge with the rest of the crowd to watch the bats. I didn’t have the best vantage point, nor the best lens, but it was super cool. You can see them from each bridge abutment and far off in the horizon as a black streak in the sky.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/3.5 | 1/400 | ISO 1250
Day Eight-Five ~ Texas Capitol
I’ve taken this shot before, but it’s hard to resist to take another… the Texas Capitol is a beautiful building! I love night street photography.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/1.6 | 1/200 | ISO 1600
Day Eight-Five ~ Friday Night on 6th Street
After dinner at Perry’s (worst dinner I’ve ever had… I’m totally going to Yelp that), we went over to the Driskill to have a cocktail… then we wandered 6th Street. It was actually much more crowded than it looks here. It was a fun night!
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/1.8 | 1/200 | ISO 1600
Day Eight-Six ~ Texas Country Lane
Every day I drive past this driveway off of 306. It’s such a quintessential Texas country lane… a cattle gate at the entrance, a gravel road flanked by bluebonnets, and the sun setting in a beautiful big sky.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/4 | 1/200 | ISO 50
Day Eight-Seven ~ My Pride and Joy with Her Pride and Joy
We finally had time to visit Jenny and Chris at their new house in Hutto. My favorite spot is Jenny’s favorite… her library. Ever since she was about 18 months old, Jenny has been collecting books. She could never go anywhere (even to the corner store) without at least 2-3 books in hand. She hasn’t changed. She has all of her best books on display along with her personal mementos. I LOVE this area!!! (And that’s her old Scooby pillow in the corner! So cute!!!)
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/2.2 | 1/200 | ISO 1000
Day Eight-Seven ~ Brother-in-Law Hero
Chris has his old firefighter’s hat from Sam Bass to display in his office and he let Dominic try it on. I think he’s so precious.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/2.2 | 1/200 | ISO 1000
Day Eight-Eight ~ Doing Chores
One of Anna’s regular chores is to unload the dishwasher. She is very good at it!
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/2.2 | 1/160 | ISO 800
Day Eight-Nine ~ Mario Making
Dominic got Mario Maker for Christmas and he’s been going gangbusters building small playable areas. He goes so quickly with the tools, it’s hard to keep up with him. He’s even uploaded some of his creations to the Mario Maker portal and other people have played those levels. He’s gotten some great ratings and comments too.
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/2.2 | 1/160 | ISO 1250
Day Ninety ~ Spring Turkey
I’ve been wanting to get a shot of our wild turkeys for ages now but haven’t had the right opportunity or lens. Today, I got a little lucky! I would still like to get a shot of a male in full display, but this isn’t bad. He really pops against the green that surrounds him, don’t you think? There are dozens of these giant turkeys that are part of the wildlife in our neighborhood. We are so lucky.
Nikon D750 | 105mm | f/4.5 | 1/320 | ISO 200
Day Ninety-One ~ Peace Lily
This is a new bloom on the peace lily plant that our friend, Danielle, gifted to me when I was recovering from surgery last fall. My mom has been caring for this little guy and now he’s in bloom in again. Well done, mom! And thanks again, Danielle!
Nikon D750 | 105mm | f/5 | 1/250 | ISO 200
Day Ninety-One ~ Refuge under the Dragon
We had some rain and the sweet little purple and yellow violas looked like they were taking shelter underneath the snapdragons. I know I anthropomorphize plants and bugs too much, but I can’t help it. I’m in love with nature.
Nikon D750 | 105mm | f/5 | 1/250 | ISO 200
Day Ninety-One ~ The Lusciousness of Spring
This deep magenta-red snapdragon looks positively lush after the spring rain finished. I love the deep richness of this image!
Nikon D750 | 105mm | f/4.5 | 1/200 | ISO 200
Thanks for looking! Anna finally gets her cockatiel on Saturday plus two new Paris posts. Great week ahead!!!
