I've been mostly around home the last few weeks - haven't really even gotten out locally - so here's a few pot shots from around the house. Sometimes you just gotta satisfy your shutter-finger craving no matter where you're at!

Pot Shots >

Every once in awhile a certain something grabs my attention and I'll capture it with my camera, not knowing yet what I'll do with it. I capture it just for the sake of it. I put these pictures in my Pot Shots gallery, because they aren't part of a certain shoot and were taken without an objective. They have no other roll.

Here's a couple more from early this year. Enjoy!

Hadn't been to the Woodland Park Zoo in awhile. Maybe since elementary school. It seems like many of the exhibits have been remodeled or renovated since then, but it could be I just don't remember those details. We got the discounted winter rates, and animal activity. Not much, that is to say. I think everyone and everything was just trying to stay warm. Lots of huddling in little corners and such. The Pacific Blue Chowder house served us some clam chowder that really hit the spot, along with a complimentary fry. That was a little bingo.

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In Deadwater Slough, off the Snohomish River near Everett, WA, there's an old abandoned boat. It's been there for years, isn't unknown, and apparently might be there for awhile. It's been on the back of my mind to take pictures of it since I first noticed it several years ago. I had some free time this past weekend to go out shooting with one of my nephews, so we settled on this and I started mapping out how we might get access to it. As it turns out, just north of where the slough joins the Snohomish, there's a little park called Spencer Island Park. Maybe standing on the south tip of the island would get us close enough for a telephoto lens? ... Wait, what's this park all about now? Maybe it'd be worth checking out. Plus, no mapping and brush-busting necessary. And it wouldn't be a problem for the family either so my little girl could get some fresh air. Talked myself right into it. We headed out just before dusk. The abandoned boat at Deadwater Slough would be tabled yet again.

As the tide came in, the sun set, and the temperature dropped, we walked along the main trail and watched for birds and signs of other wildlife. There were mostly ducks and herons, lots of them. For being so near the city, the setting also offered some neat wetland reflections and landscapes. And although it wasn't totally serene (there were some funny smells that we chalked up the saltwater and there were other folks about), it was something to explore. If we didn't get any startling imagery, we at least found a new place to take a stroll. That's something, isn't it?

I've started to experiment with a GoPro Hero2 . One of my first experiments was to shoot this timelapse of my ride in to work. I set the GoPro to take 11-megapixel photos at two-second intervals (pretty much the default settings) and used the head strap mount to mount it on my helmet while I was riding. Although the camera added a little weight to the front of my helmet, it was only slightly noticeable while riding.  I then cut this together using GoPro's free CineForm Studio editing tool. I'll post some of the stills from this sequence later.

All in all, a pretty fun and easy-to-use little package.

There's many birds to complement the many shops at Country Village. These doves were tucked way in the back by the Iron Horse Railway train. This was the first time I'd heard a dove call, that I recall, and now I understand why they represent "peace." That is exactly the feeling you get when you hear their call.

I went for a drive with my family around Snohomish to enjoy the summer evening and maybe to take a dip in the river. We didn't end up taking the dip because our daughter fell asleep, but we did see these cute little donkeys (donkeys??). When we walked over to look at them they all, of course, came to see what kind of food we might have to offer.

I pretty much took a summer hiatus. Too busy enjoying the warm, summer sun to post anything. But, I have been shooting and will get around soon to posting some more photos.

We received notification of which photos were selected by the LONG SHOT committee and got a sneak preview of the other photo selections. Lots of cool pictures. I believe they'll be posting them to their website soon. Of mine, they chose "Little Plane, Big Sky."

Come "celebrate community and photography at the LONG SHOT exhibition on July 28 ... and purchase a print in support of Photo Center NW!" The photos will be printed and framed - ready for hanging.