Solar Sunday

Hi Everyone!

Today is Solar Sunday.

Rebecca  started this theme

and the idea is to showcase sun flares, sun rays, sun bursts, etc.

I dug this photo from my archive to showcase sun flares,

but I hardly think it's worthy.

If you really want to see some fabulous photos

click on this link

and visit Rebecca.

In addition to great sunshine photos,

she also has some great pictures from her trip to Germany and Switzerland.

They really are amazing.

Friday My Town Shoot Out ~ Sunrise/Sunsets

This weeks shoot out theme was chosen by Sherri.  Sunrise/Sunsets are the target.

All week I have been trying to catch the sun going down, but missed it every time.

 Still feeling disappointed that I had nothing,

 I decided to chase a sunrise this morning.

I had high hopes and visions of parking on a hill overlooking the desert

and capturing the most beautiful sunrise ever.

Well, it didn't quite happen like that and the wait was way too long.

I got fidgety in my parking spot, which by the way was kind of in the middle of nowehere.

I snapped a picture while it was still dark, but there was a little pink in the sky.

Please click on photo to get an enlarged image and obtain a better viewing experience

Then I got creeped out because after I snapped my photo

I saw movement in the distant to my right.

There was another car parked over there and I could vaguely make out a man

moving some white buckets. 

My imagination went into overdrive and I was thinking dumping ground for bodies.

I started the car and got the hell out of there.

I drove to another spot and parked just off the freeway which was a little closer to home.

I felt a little safer. 

Wouldn't you know though, that right where the sun was rising

there was a big piece of construction right in the way.

Well, it's Las Vegas afterall and if truth be told

I think the desert is ugly, even the supposedly pretty parts.

But I do my best to portray it in a better light.

Without further ado, here is my sunrise from this morning.

(Please click on photos to get an enlarged image and a better viewing experience)

Yes, there's a lot of road in the photo.

I didn't know where else to go.

Oh, and just when I was getting comfortable shooting at the sun

my battery died, so that's all folks.

To learn how you can be a part of this group visit the gang at

My Town Shoot Out.

Ghosts and goblins in the hood

Today, I took a walk in the neighborhood. 

I spied lots of spooky yards

They wait for Hallow's eve to descend upon them.

Won't you stroll along with me

And discover the characters of halloween.

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!

And the pumpkin head that I said goodbye to at my yard sale.

We were very close, as I created him with my own two hands.

As you can see, he's part of the neighborhood watch.

Bye, bye.

I hope you enjoyed my tour

of ghosts and goblins,

and reapers and other scary things that go bump in the night.

Playing with color

Last month Justin and I went shooting for his birthday.  Afterward, we decided to drive to Moapa which is just a short drive on the outskirts of Las Vegas.  It is a small town, home to Moapa Indian Reservation.  We didn't go to the reservation, however we did drive the back roads of the town and toured the neighborhoods, and I snapped my camera at just about everything in sight.  I took so many photos as we drove past house after house.  I took a picture of a wheel move sprinkler (of which I did not know the name of until just now when I researched sprinklers on-line).  I really liked how the picture came out, considering it was shot during a drive-by.  Even so, I thought the color looked a little dull.  Here is the original photo, a raw image straight from my camera.

I had another photo of the same scene.  Here is the result after playing with it in Picasa 3 Editor.

I really like the effects I put in and I think it looks much better than the original.  It's much more interesting.

What do you think?

Mosaic Monday ~ Desert Views

I'm joining in on Mosaic Monday once again.  It's hosted by Mary, at Little Red House.  Please visit her blog to see her beautiful mosaic.  It really is stunning.  She is very talented. 

Here is mine. 

Las Vegas isn't all fun and games.

All photos were taken October of this year in and around

Red Rock Canyon

A great place to get away from the usual touristy places in Las Vegas.

Next time you come to Las Vegas

and you get tired of the casinos,

inquire about Red Rock Canyon

and Bonnie Springs.

(CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

You'll see a side of Las Vegas

you never thought existed.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed.

Now, please visit Mary.  Her mosaic is absolutely gorgeous.

Solar Sunday

Here is something that sounds like fun.  Rebecca over at The Dusty Cellar is tyring something new.  She's decided to post a photo of sun flairs, sun bursts, and the like every sunday.  I've decided to join in on this challenge which she calls Solar Sunday.  To see her sun burst click here and read about how to join in on the fun.  Now without further ado, here is my best sunburst shot which was taken just a few days ago while out walking hubby and the dog in the park.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Just yesterday, my husband told me I should edit out all the spots to make the photo better.

I told him I didn't want to that I thought that's what made the photo interesting.

I didn't know there was an actual name for it until I stumbled upon Rebecca's photo.

I'm so glad I didn't "clean it up" as my husband suggested.

Thanks Rebecca.

I had a yard sale today

 Today the hubby and I had a yard sale.

Much to our surprise

People actually wanted what we put on display.

Believe me,

our junk was just that.

Junk.

Most of our junk went for $1.00.

We had one big ticket item at $40.00

Another at $15.00

And another still at $10.00

And a few items at $5.00

We made $159.00 for about 6 hours of selling.

Not a bad haul for sitting in the front yard

watching our junk get hauled off.

**********

On another note, if any of you read my prior post on five words

 you know that I offered to pass five words onto any blogger who

wanted to participate in this word game.

Sherri, who has a wonderful blog called

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary,

decided to participate.

I sent her a fresh batch of five words

and she wrote about how those five words apply to her life.

It was a joy to read her writings.

I encourage you to read what she wrote. 

It's quite interesting.

Oh, and she is a very talented artist.

She has gorgeous paintings

which I just discovered earlier today

even though I have visited her blog many times.

Her paintings speak to me.

Maybe they'll speak to you as well.

Thanks, everyone.  Have  a wonderful weekend!