Last Day of the Year 2010

a winter garden

Yesterday was unseasonably warm, so the girls played outside for a while. Of course, we had mud too, but that was part of the fun!

the last snow

I had the chance to try out my new Tamron 70-300 zoom lens. I really like it, but i had trouble panning. i guess i'll have to practice more. it's hard to pan with a heavy lens, so another lens may be more suitable for that effect. I just wanted to be ready by the time Erick starts racing again.

I really like this lens; i focus it manually inside, but outside, i used the auto focus and it worked quickly and well most of the time.

I love the neutral background of winter. I love the browns and grays. I love the texture of bare trees and grasses. Some of my favorite pics were taken on mild winter days.

Here are some pics of our happy, muddy day.

Emmy was so proud of her snow man. he's sort of reincarnated from a previous snowman.

My littlest one didn't bother with unmelted snow. she went straight for the puddles.

She's using a snowball maker to transport hay, mud, and melted snowman pee.

And rocks, we can't play outside without using rocks.

Back to the puddle we go!

Madge.

I love using this long lens to capture shots of Madge. I can sit back far enough that she is disinterested in what I'm doing. It's lovely not having that wet sticky nose all over the front of my lens.

Making plans for playing ball with Madge

Not the best shot technically, but I adore the textural background of my ornamental grass and sedum.

Chasing Madge

Taking a break and thinking about her favorite food: egg salad sandwiches

Cleaning mud off her new boots.

Love that red hair!

Madge is helping her clean her boots

A favorite picture. Happy New Year everyone!