chatalaska.com/kathy

Raw photos converted to jpeg with free photo scape.  glad I saved the unadulterated  ones.  Seems to lose a little but at least I could work with them with my old Elements 3.  I think it was about 10 degrees when I took these.  I saw the results when a friend edited them with his new lightroom 2 and there is a HUGE difference.  I would love to talk him into pronting them up as he just bought the new epson artisan 800.  My old HP just doenst give the right color mix anymore.  But that is what the online services like shutterfly is for!.  Think I may upload 1 or 2 of these to see what they look like on the large scale.

Action at the Dog park.  They love the snow!

and a final one from the Christmas Elf himself...

Merry Christmas to all!

Kalona Cheese Factory, detour off I-80 on the way to Mom Maintenance

at the quick mart,, he wasnt buying gas!

and then out of town.(Kalona is a Mennonite community)

past family farms

to Riverside, future birthplace of Captain Kirk(note banner)

three eras of transport

and back to the fast lane of the 4 lane, and on to deliver the cheese!

I used a free downloadable photo editor to crop and do a little editing.  PHOTOSCAPE.  Not Photoshop but pretty good for my new mini laptop, an acer 8.9 inch perfect for travel.  It even can work with raw files.  read the reviews on cnet.  Free is always good, Right?  Still working mostly with Jpegs but will move on soon, I hope.  Happy Thanksgiving, all!

  Kelbsiella

Just wanted to do a different K picture, not great quality cause it was taken at work with my cell phone but hope this would fit in the unusual category.  This is a shot of a urine culture in which the person definitly had a problem!  There are salts and sugars in the agar(jelly like stuff) that turn pink if the bacteria uses them for fermentation.  way too much info but here is my 2nd K. 

actually a month ago but I am flumoxed as to what else to use for a K.  this will do unless I get an inspiration.  K is for katydid

I love a fire.. bonfire, fireplace, whatever, as long as it is controlled, gives warmth and lightens the mood.  I have been lusting after an outdoor fireplace but due to cash flow shortages couldnt rationalize the needed purchase.  Mother of invention found me searching for an alternative in the garage full of stuff and I made a small firepit with an old brazier and some bricks.  using limbs picked up from past storms and mesquite used for smoking  meat I have been enjoying my pit!  Here, Wayde, are what I hope  gives some of that inventive eye that you asked for!  Add a nice cup of coffee, or these last few nites of  a second indian summer, a nice microbrew and it is an evening under the stars that renews the soul! 

and the final one.. a kinda spooky guy seen thru the smoke!

Salem Enjoya really greendrink(havent changed the water lately!)

Lucca approaches.....

and investigates the"intruder"

No editing, Wayde, and only a little adjusting of the auto mode.  I just did it down to a minus 1.5-2 on the meter anddid an evaluative reading.  lots of shadows and highlights. We'll see what I get this weekend.  K

So...I am the co-owner(brother loaned it indefinitely after purchasing the D700 for himself!)of a D300 so after I unpacked it(75 bucks for shipping) and charged the battery and cursrely read the quick guide I dashed out to get a J picture.  Had to call Denise to find out a few things(like e means no compact flash card loaded!)Here the choices are. No editing but a little cropping on one.   I am impressed.  Logo, alloy wheel, or shopping.  take your pick!  k

   tonight Lucca disappeared into the basement and didnt return. Suspicious, I went down and this is what I found!  He was tossing it around. I think it actually had his lip clasped at one time.  It went flying, I screamed, and then realized it was another I opportunity!  I stick with my original one since Glen already has a great insect, but I couldnt resist sharing!  K           

here it is really close up!