2 Things Challenge: Hot/Crack

This past week, I photographed the two-day Blaine Safety Camp.  The camp is for kids going into fourth grade and teaches them about being safe around fire, electricity, the internet, and many other things.  It is a fun event for the kids, and even some of us adults.  It also affords me an opportunity to work on my 2 Things Challenge.

Connexus Energy brings out their demonstration trailer to show the kids the dangers of electricity.  One of the more stunning displays involves one of the presenters intentionally putting a CRACK in a lineman's glove and then putting a hot dog at the end of their stick, in the glove, to simulate a finger.  After the glove pulls away from the power line, the ensuing arc makes the inside of the glove so HOT, it burns the hot dog inside and out.

2 Things Challenge: Dry/Boom

The recent wet weather has allowed for a BOOM in vegetative growth.  This sunny, DRY day allowed the tree to show it true colors.  Happy to be back submitting at 2 Things Challenge.

A leaf on the wind.

Guys Winter Weekend 2013

Here you go boys, just a few pics from the weekend.  Always a good time with the guys.

2 Things Challenge: Table/Holiday

'Tis the season to gather around a Table with family and friends for the Holidays.  Over at 2 Things Challenge, the very appropriate theme was Table/Holiday.  Our family table is always filled with food, love and good times.  And no Scandinavian holiday celebration is complete without lefse.  Thank you Eeyore for allowing me some extra time on this.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

2 Things Challenge: Delay/Early

So, it has been way too many months since I added anything to this blog, let alone taken many pictures.   This morning presented me with an opportunity to get outside, in Minnesota, in December and play with my new camera, Nikon D5100.

The weekly challenge over at 2 Things Challenge was Delay/Early.  The fog EARLY this morning was thick and no doubt caused DELAYs all around the Twin Cities.  It was especially thick near the Rum River Bridge in Anoka, MN.

2 Things Challenge Exterior / Round

This past week I was lucky enough to be able to take pictures of our City's annual Safety Camp.  The camp is for kids going into 4th grade and they learn about all kinds of safety (fire, electrical, animal, etc) for two days.  The camp is held at one of our Fire Stations, and that's where I got the inspiration for this weeks 2 Things Challenge, Exterior/Round.

I love all of the lines, curves and sharp colors on fire trucks.  Looking at this EXTERIOR chrome lamp on the front of this truck, gives the world around a very ROUNDed perspective.  I hope to be a part of this event next year.  

2 Things Challenge Home/Image

A little over a year ago, my father retired from his job at Anoka County and began an 8 month journey to creating his retirement house on Third Silver Lake in Minnesota.  He officially moved in after Christmas 2011 and had all of the landscaping finished in the past month or so.  He has created more than a cabin, it is truly a HOME in every sense of the word.  It is comfortable, beautiful, and a place I am in love with.

A couple weeks ago, while sitting around a late-night fire, I was playing with some long exposure settings and captured this IMAGE.  This weeks 2 Things Challenge was Home/Image, so this seemed like an apt entry.  You may see more of these as time goes on, but that is only because I photograph things I care deeply about.