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Tag Archives: 2011

Best of 2011

Next in the “Best of” photo album series is 2011.

Got up early this morning and took some photos during “golden hour” light at Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park. As you can tell, Nomade is my favorite subject.

As always, please click the photos or visit the photo set on Flickr to see more from this set.

White Ghost

Golden Nomade 2

Black and White Nomade

Within the Nomade

Skyline Nomade

A selection of my photos from both Des Moines sessions of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk 2011. As always, please visit either the First Set or the Second Set for more!

I’ll lead off with my two submissions. Neither of them won, but that’s not surprising because all of the submissions were excellent!

Bike Seat Framed

Banksy-esque

Now for a selection of other photos from the walks:

Facebook Is Retardo Posterized

Knot Hole Photography

Living In Flyover Country

Blinded By Science

Miyabi 9 Deconstructed

Just a couple of belated shots posted here. As always, please visit my Flickr Photostream for more!

Garden Angel

Humming Bird

Don McLaughlin, one of my contacts on Flickr, encouraged me to attend this event. I was only able to make it to the Friday evening opening ceremonies, but I managed to get some great shots. Next year, I think I’ll try to spend more time at the event. For more information, please visit the White Eagle Pow Wow Web site.

Please check out the Des Moines Flickr Friend Photowalk Group for more photos from this event and other Photowalks by this group. And, as always, be sure to check out the slideshow and set on Flickr for more of my photos from this event.


Hand painted tipi

Hand Painted Tipi

Grand Entry Dancers

Grand Entry Dancers

Grand Entry Dancers

Grand Entry Dancers

Grand Entry Dancers

Grand Entry Dancers

Des Moines Eagle Claw Acrobalance Team

Des Moines Eagle Claw Acrobalance Team

Spent some time last weekend in my parents’ yard photographing the first emerging plants of spring and other scenery around their home. All of these photos were taken with my 50 mm macro lens. After enjoying these, please stop by my Flickr photostream to see more from this set.
April 2011 Spring at my parents 09

April 2011 Spring at my parents 07

April 2011 Spring at my parents 05

April 2011 Spring at my parents 04

April 2011 Crocus at my parents 05

April 2011 Crocus at my parents 03

April 2011 Crocus at my parents 01

On our recent trip to Chicago, we decided to spend a morning at the Chicago History Museum. Here are a few selected photos from that visit, with more available in the Flickr set.


Chicago History Fire Diorama

Diorama of the Great Chicago Fire

Chicago History Flintlock Rifle

Flintlock Rifle

Chicago History Movie Camera

Silent Movie Camera

I recommend putting this museum on your list of “must see places” in Chicago.

My wife and I took a mini vacation to Chicago last weekend. This was our second trip to Chicago, the previous being way back in 2003. Back then, we visited both the (then) Sears Tower (now, Willis Tower) Skydeck and the John Hancock Observatory. While the Skydeck is definitely taller, you simply cannot beat the view from the Hancock Observatory. The John Hancock Center tower is much closer to Lake Michigan (see this map), therefore you get a better mix of lake and city views. This time around, we skipped the Skydeck and opted instead for the more scenic JHO. Here are a few photos from that excursion.


Chicago Hancock Observation Deck North Shore

Chicago Hancock Observation Deck North Shore

Chicago Hancock Observation Deck 900 N Michigan Ave

Chicago Hancock Observation Deck 900 N Michigan Ave

Chicago Hancock Observation Deck South Shore

Chicago Hancock Observation Deck South Shore


My wife and I both agree. Unless you have a compelling reason to say you’ve “been there,” skip the taller Willis Tower Skydeck in favor of spending more time at the John Hancock Observatory. You won’t regret it!

Another really simple post this time. Just wandered around the house and grabbed these images.

Here are two variations on the same photo of our cockatiel, Birdie.

Birdie Two

Birdie One

I like the top version better because I think the colors pop. Lori likes the bottom version better because she says it is softer. The bottom one is pretty much exactly as it came off the camera, after a bit of cropping.

Birdie was a “rescue” from a friend. Birdie had a run-in with one of their cats and was injured, so they decided she needed a new home. She has since fully recovered and can fly around just fine.

Here’s a photo of Lori preparing the evening meal. Red potatoes are my favorite, but I’m not a big fan of how she handles that knife.

Lori in the kitchen