Saturday, January 31, 2009

Elm Creek Crossing

Looking down onto Elm Creek from the trail bridge. Many small critters have crossed the ice for travel ease.
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Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/80
Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 17.0 mm

Friday, January 30, 2009

Landmark Center


Landmark Center - Rice Park, St. Paul, Minnesota
Landmark Center was built in 1902 and originally served as the Federal Court House and Post office for the Upper Midwest. In the 1970s, a group of determined citizens saved the building from the wrecking ball and restored it to its previous grandeur. It was
on the National Register of Historic Places and reopened to the public as Landmark Center in 1978. Today, Landmark Center serves as a cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums, and hosts countless special events.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tropical Winter


Ice sculpture competition at Rice Park in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In the depths of January, winter can be brutal. Cabin fever sets in. The remedy, a winter carnival! There, now don't you feel warmer than the -4 F (-19 C) temperatures?

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Garlic and Peppers


Garlic and Peppers hang in front of Cossetta's upstairs windows.

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Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/6
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 400
Focal Length 59.0 mm
Image Quality RAW


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Vices


Espresso, an all day affair.


Obviously imported. One day I shall visit St. James Gate in Dublin and enjoy a n authentic Guinness.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Eyes


Luminous Cat Eyes
This evening, just Roaming the Cities, Mr. J, St. Paul Photos, Snapshutter, myself and Mrs. DL met up at Cossettas in St. Paul for a winter photo walk about. Despite the balmy -4 degrees F (-19 degrees C) we strapped on our mad bomber hats braving the y winds. We spent the time admiring the ice sculptures throughout Rice Park for the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival.


The cold can be difficult on cameras and hands. Best to keep an extra battery in your pants pocket and change the camera batteries when the camera stops working.
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Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/6
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0 mm
Camera on tripod


Sunday, January 25, 2009

2 Things Challenge - Local / International

Local - 3rd Avenue Bridge



International - Ponte Vecchio
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This week's Two Things Challenge is Local / International.
For this challenge, I chose a bridge reflection in a river. My Local image is the 3rd Ave. bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My International image is Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River in Florence, Italy.


Saturday, January 24, 2009

Crystalice

Growing ice crystals.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Blue Mirror

Looking back at last year's spring thaw. Three more months of winter...

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Birch Skies


Looking back at autumn's warmth.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

W Lavendar

The main floor lounge at the Westin W Hotel, Foshay Tower downtown Minneapolis.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

On Lake Superior


Gliding out of Duluth harbor into Lake superior.


Edna G
The last coal burning steam tugboat on Lake Superior retired ot service as an interpretive center in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Movement


A male house finch feeding it's young. I captured this one while sitting on our deck one afternoon. The birds returned to the feeding station after a summer rain. I had never seen a male feed it's young seeds in this way. The youngster must really enjoy the seed I put in the feeder.
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The shutter speed was 1/15 aperture f3.5 on my olld Canon Powershot S2 IS.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Rum River Stone House

One of three remaining stone houses built in the 1920's by Thaddeus P. Giddings (1869-1954). The stone houses were part of the landscape of Gidding's home along the Rum River in Anoka, MN.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Medusa's Lamp


As seen outside Oak Grill Restaurant at Macy's downtown Minneapolis.
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Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 800
Focal Length 66.0 mm
Image Quality RAW


A fun little questionnaire from Aurel's laurels
If I lived on a desert island, and could only watch one film featuring each of the following stars, these are the films I would chose....

(Tough choices, especially for Cary Grant as my favorite is To Catch a Thief.)

Cary Grant: Operation Petticoat - it's an island thing

James Stewart: It's a wonderful Life - I know, cliche

Humphrey Bogart: African Queen

Audrey Hepburn: Roman Holiday

Bing Crosby: High Society

Katherine Hepburn: Bringing Up Baby

Marlene Dietrich: Morocco

Clarke Gable: Mutiny on the Bounty

Ingrid Bergman: Casablanca

And, if I could add one more star and film of my own choice it would be:

Lauren Bacall: The Big Sleep

Pass it on, choosing films for the stars listed , plus one of your own....

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Yellow Festoon


I sure wish I had one of these overhead hoist cranes in my garage! The electric cable festoon caught my eye.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Donald Ducks


These ducks are braving the frigid waters of the Rum River in Anoka, MN.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Alone


Sometimes we feel alone in the wilderness.



Then we realize we always have a friend.

Monday, January 12, 2009

DFP Challenge - Favorite Places

Rooftop View

My first favorite place is Pisa Italy. I shot this image from our room window at the Grand Duomo Hotel room 409. Quite a tiny room; we had to stack our suitcases on the desk in order to get around the room. There was a nice 3 foot wide balcony to step out onto and observe the city scene. I must add, the cafe next door served a fabulous tiramisu gelato. I do regret not having enough time to climb the tower or visit the cathedral.



A Recycled Photo

My second favorite place is along the Mississippi River downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota near the Stone Arch bridge. Here I crossed under the Stone Arch Bridge on the river's edge to capture the classic downtown scene nearly every Minneapolis photographer has shot. Note the Heron standing in the river in the reflected red light. On one side of the Mississippi River is St. Anthony Main with it's restaurants and shops. On the other side is downtown and the Guthrie Theater. There is a lot to photograph in this area of the river.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Two Things Challenge - Partial / Whole


Partial Tractor View



Whole Tractor View
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Which view do you prefer, partial or whole? With the whole view of the tractor, you get to see the entire tractor. No kidding, you say. The big overall picture seen here in the whole view although interesting to see the entire tractor is rather boring. It does not leave anything to your imagination to figure out what the rest of the tractor must look like.

In the partial view, what we see is an enlarged, more detailed shot of the tractor. This partial shot leads the viewer wanting more to see. Details appear larger in a partial view making this type of image much more interesting.
This is one of my photographic goals for this year; concentrating on creating more partial views than whole views.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Crystal Ice


Elm Creek, just below the horse trail bridge.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Inspirational Blues

Autumn Flashback

Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0 mm
Image Quality RAW

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Wintery Bridge


Remember the old Elm Creek horse Bridge? By popular request, here is a wintery image of the same bridge.


Marley has a great idea of showing the same scene throughout the year to see what each month brings in. I only wish I were more organized to post on the second of each month. However, I shall give it a go even if I am a bit late. I shall refer to this as Changing View as Marley has.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Time To Get Up

Why do sunspots keep moving across the room?
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Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/10
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 66.0 mm
Image Quality RAW

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Snow Catchers



Snow Catcher



Snowy Pods

Monday, January 5, 2009

Pane Siciliano

The Sicilian - Sicilian No Knead Bread

Finally the Holiday blitz is over. Now I have plenty of time for baking artisan breads again. I subscribe to Breadtopia; an excellent online source for bread baking information. This is where I found the recipe and video tutorial for today's bread, Sicilian No Knead bread.
My quest was to find durum flour for this recipe. Semolina, a flour mainly used for pasta, is close, but not the desired mill of flour. All around the Minneapolis metro area I called in search for durum flour without success. My last resort was ordering online from King Arthur Flour. A bit expensive, but necessary.
This bread is simple to bake and I must say, it is quite delicious! I expect this bread will be baked many many times here in the North Metro Easy Bake Bakery.


A couple of things. The dough is more wet and sticky than I am used too, more care in handling is necessary. The aroma is enticing. I broke the cardinal rule of not slicing until cooled to room temperature. That is why the bread appears flattened, squished in this photo. But dang was it so delicious hot off the loaf!

Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/6
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 41.0 mm
Image Quality RAW

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Two Things Challenge - New / Hope


A new year, 2009. A new hope for a better year. Cheers!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Comb

Snowcomb

Friday, January 2, 2009

Sweet Delights

Chocolate, perfect to start the new year!

2008 is over,; the year went out with a bang. As Mrs. DL and I were dining on our traditional New Year's Eve dinner fondue of steak, shrimp, and scallops, our electric service quit. Our entire neighborhood went dark for 45 minutes. We continued by enjoying a bottle of wine in candlelight. Afterward, our internet service was down until late in Years Day. What a way to end 2008. I just hope this isn't a sign of things to come for 2009.


Vianne Sets Up Shop - Chocolat

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!

From Dusty Lens - North Metro and Beyond


Life is anticipation of the future and reflection upon the past.
A time to reflect upon what we have accomplished this past year and what we have left undone. A time to create new goals and and resolutions; a busy new year.

Happy New Year!