Take me to church of the long run Sunday.

Today is one of those days I desperately need to pull myself out of the hole and get out there to clear my head. It's 45 degree, sunny, 30mph breeze - perfect February day for a long run. :D Hopefully I'll come back in better shape...

Is anyone else venturing outside today? +Chinh Luong, you running?

#longrun #sundaylongrun #churchoflongrunsunday #getoutandlive #getoutside

Seasonal Catch

#FridaysAreBokehlicious because of these #Bokeholics , and I'm calling them out:

+Leo Deegan +Art through the Aperture Photography +Nicole H +Sean McLean +Shelly Corbett +Betty Habesch +Kal Pant +Elizabeth Hahn +Michael B. Stuart +Paul Moody +Toshinori ABE +Winnie Young +Graham Knights +Keith Elliott +Jacek N. Kozioł +Jasbir S. Randhawa +David Mathre +Darion Jackman +John Balboni +April L Hill +Shannon Adelson +Dylan Johnson +Shelly Gunderson +Robin Griggs Wood +Kathleen Kent +Angie Smith +John Getchel +Uwe Duwe +Magdalena MadZ +Wendy Baker +Dawn Siadatan +wolly wolly +Berit Schurse +Tom Tran +Eve Aebi +Isabelle Fortin +Liz C +Cooksterz Littlefield +Chris Draper +Tisha Luk +Wendy Verboom

Autumn Holdout

One of the very few landscape shots I've captured this Autumn. I saw this tree while out on a trail run and actually remembered to come back with my camera. I wanted to capture more of the lake in this composition but since it was kinda plain I decided to toss a rock to stir things up a bit. But you can just pretend I caught the moment after a fish made the ripple. :P

On Letting Go...

This beautiful Green Ash tree (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) was a victim of the Emerald Ash Borer, and had been dying slowly over the years. I finally had to let it go this year because there wasn't a single green leaf left and the branches started breaking in strong wind, making it a liability being near the sidewalk. We hired a 3 man crew and they made quick work taking down this 70'+ beauty, using just a basic rope harness. From the rings I counted it was at least 65 years old. I now need to figure out what will take it's place next Spring...

For +Tree Tuesday  #treetuesday  - By +David R Robinson and +Ralph Mendoza 

...and for me getting started up posting again on G+. So hard. So hard. :D #startitup  

Floral-Orbaliciously Bokehlicious

First off, a birthday shoutout to two of my favorite peeps on all of G+ land: +Frances Schermers and +Sumit Sen! I hope you both are enjoying the special occasion. :)

And the second, third, fourth,....shout out go to the #Bokeholics:
+Leo Deegan +Art through the Aperture Photography +Nicole H +Sean McLean +Shelly Corbett +Betty Habesch +Kal Pant +Elizabeth Hahn +Michael B. Stuart +Paul Moody +Toshinori ABE +Winnie Young +Graham Knights +Keith Elliott +Jacek N. Kozioł +Jasbir S. Randhawa +David Mathre +Darion Jackman +John Balboni +April L Hill +Shannon Adelson +Dylan Johnson +Shelly Gunderson +Robin Griggs Wood +Kathleen Kent +Angie Smith +John Getchel +Uwe Duwe +Magdalena MadZ +Wesly Smith +Wendy Baker +Dawn Siadatan +wolly wolly +Berit Schurse +Tom Tran +Eve Aebi
+Isabelle Fortin

Peeps - Make it a good one, because #FridaysAreBokehlicious

Down in the Lake

Last month I had a chance to go sailing with a friend one evening. It's been years and years since I've been out this far in Lake Michigan on a sailboat. Of course I brought my camera this time and got a few shots of the Chicago skyline with the passing clouds.

+Coastal Thursday  #Chicago   #LakeMichigan   #Sunset  

....Last Summer....

#FridaysAreBokehlicious, and sometimes Saturdays are, too. :) A late entry before I head back out to play in the dirt. How come garden work is never done?

This is what remains of a Bode leaf from last year that I found outside. I have a Bode tree in a large planter that I wheel back indoor during the frozen winter months. They have such amazing leaf structure that weathers really well through the decay process.

I hope you all, and my fellow #Bokehholics  below are having a nice weekend!
+Leo Deegan +Art through the Aperture Photography +Nicole H +Sean McLean +Shelly Corbett +Betty Habesch +Kal Pant +Elizabeth Hahn +Michael B. Stuart +Paul Moody +Toshinori ABE +Winnie Young +Graham Knights +Keith Elliott +Jacek N. Kozioł +Jasbir S. Randhawa +David Mathre +Darion Jackman +John Balboni +April L Hill +Shannon Adelson +Dylan Johnson +Shelly Gunderson +Robin Griggs Wood +Kathleen Kent +Angie Smith +John Getchel +Uwe Duwe +Magdalena MadZ +Wesly Smith +Wendy Baker +Dawn Siadatan +wolly wolly +Berit Schurse +Tom Tran +Eve Aebi

Of Climbing Tree and Summer Sky

Another #Orbalicious & #FridaysAreBokehlicious post, brought to you by the #bokeholics  crew:

+Leo Deegan +Art through the Aperture Photography +Nicole H +Sean McLean +Shelly Corbett +Betty Habesch +Kal Pant +Elizabeth Hahn +Michael B. Stuart +Paul Moody +Toshinori ABE +Winnie Young +Graham Knights +Keith Elliott +Jacek N. Kozioł +Jasbir S. Randhawa +David Mathre +Darion Jackman +John Balboni +April L Hill +Shannon Adelson +Dylan Johnson +Shelly Gunderson +Robin Griggs Wood +Kathleen Kent +Angie Smith +John Getchel +Uwe Duwe +Magdalena MadZ +Wesly Smith +Wendy Baker +Dawn Siadatan +wolly wolly +Berit Schurse
+Tom Tran 

..And #FunkyGoat ..because yes, they do climb...esp. the funky ones.

First time gently

I bought this glass orb last year but keep forgetting to incorporate it into photography despite often carrying it in my camera bag. I did remember this time on my visit to Zion National Park. So here it goes, my first #Orbalicious  post, and also my first #FridaysAreBokehlicious entry.

And my goodness look at all these #bokeholics . I don't think I've ever tagged that many people! :O
+Leo Deegan +Art through the Aperture Photography +Nicole H +Sean McLean +Shelly Corbett +Betty Habesch +Kal Pant +Elizabeth Hahn +Michael B. Stuart +Paul Moody +Toshinori ABE +Winnie Young +Graham Knights +Keith Elliott +Jacek N. Kozioł +Jasbir S. Randhawa +David Mathre +Darion Jackman +John Balboni +April L Hill +Shannon Adelson +Dylan Johnson +Shelly Gunderson +Robin Griggs Wood +Kathleen Kent +Angie Smith +John Getchel +Uwe Duwe +Magdalena MadZ +Wesly Smith +Wendy Baker +Dawn Siadatan +wolly wolly +Berit Schurse


ETA: Ok, my tag didn't work, and I'd be spending all night if I have to find and tag some of these names who aren't in my circles. Sorry! :D