Happy Birthday, Melanie!

Had a great time Saturday night at a friend's 30th birthday celebration at Timothy's of Newark. She sings, she dances ... quite the entertainer I must say. It was nice to get out and remember why I used to stay up late at night.

Thank you, Mel and may the next 30 years be even more memorable.

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

"Time Stands Still"
1/320 sec at f/5.6

(Lyrics by Bernie Taupan)

I can't light no more of your darkness
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me
Frozen here on the ladder of my life

Too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meaning when I met you
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Don't let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I can't find, oh the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal

One Can Only Dream About Days Like This ...

I can't believe this is happening in my lifetime! in my lifetime! Some people will go years and never have an opportunity to sample this rare, carbonated beverage. Do you realize how unique a find this is??

I mean how can you possibly top something like this? What's next? Color television in motel rooms?

It's a Zoo Out There, People!

"Eye Spy"
1/125 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

"Donkey Kong"
1/50 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

"Joe Camel"
1/200 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

"Klondike"
1/640 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

Had a great time today at this nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. The digital camera group made the short trip this morning to share in the zoo's 150th birthday celebration going on all year.

See the rest of the images here.

Personal Remarks - I was a little disappointed in the presentation of the animals, as most were only viewable behind thick, heavily fingerprinted, glass instead of the open-air. Probably fine for most people, just made shooting with a camera a bit challenging. I also found it to be more than a little pricey, from the $12 parking, to the $18 admission fee and the $4 hot dogs. All-in-all, I'd give it a 4 out 10 stars and not very high on my list of do-overs.

It's All About Perspective

Looks pretty normal, huh?

How about if we look at that same shot, but with a different perspective?

You Betcha!

"Korean War Memorial"

I went to Atlantic City yesterday with a friend to watch the "Thunder Over the Boardwalk" airshow. What a crowd! Man! It must have taken us 45 minutes to just get across town to the Borgata where they advertised a free shuttle and only $5 parking.

We stroll into The Borgota lobby and walk around looking at all the extravagant fixtures and people who must be oblivious to the word "recession." We get to the front door and there's a nice luxury coach parked outside with a sign in the front window that reads "VIP airshow" and maybe half a dozen smiling people standing near the opened bus door. I'm thinking "wow" they know how to treat people. And then I was brought back down to reality when the doorman says this is the VIP bus and the regular shuttle is around the other side of the building. So Larry and I take off through the casino once again, still smiling, looking for the other bus. We go through the big glass doors and see a line of people 4- to 6-persons deep and a block and a half long and no buses anywhere. Whoa! And, of course, little or no shade in the blazing sun.

We happen to see one of the little famous Jitney's come by and we decide to make a break for that as opposed to standing in line for the next couple hours. It's a $2.25 fare, but worth every penny. So traffic's pretty snarled and after a little bit of frustration we arrive at the boardwalk along with the other two zillion people already there. Geesh! It's the middle of the week people!

By this time, it's pretty close to high noon and the sun is blazing hot and there's not a scrap of shade anywhere. I sweat like a pig (although I've never quite understood that analogy) and the salty beads coming off my head is stinging my eyes I can't keep them open and my glasses are just streaked with crusted something or other. And not a dry piece of clothing on me to wipe anything off. I can't see a thing normally, let alone trying to compose a picture with the camera. Larry Williams, who went with me, is just snapping pictures normally like it's another day in paradise, completely unfazed by the heat or crowds.

Anyway, all that to say, I had a great time and did manage a couple of decent shots after all!

See the rest of the images here.

Sky King

"B-17 on takeoff"

"B-17 at engine start"

"Model A interior"

"Dusk through the gun turret of the B-24"

"Sunset through the props of a P-51"

What a great time I had Wednesday evening at the New Castle County (DE) airport! I got a call earlier in the day from a good friend, Dee Parke, who invited me to ride along with her and her husband in their 1930 Ford Model A to a warbird display at the county airport.

First, that car is amazing. It's the first time I'd ever ridden in anything like that and I found it to be such a thrill. And then getting to the airport, we were treated to up close views of a P-51 Mustang, a B-24J Liberator and my personal all-time favorite, the B-17G Flying Fortress courtesy of the traveling "Wings of Freedom Tour" sponsored by the Collins Foundation.

Enjoy the rest of the images here.

Photo Safari - Philadelphia Zoo

Make plans now to join us on our next photo safari to the Philadelphia Zoo on Tuesday, August 25th. The van will leave the Cornerstone Church parking lot at 8:30am and we anticipate returning by 5:00pm. Admission to the zoo itself is $18.00 per person and that is the only cost associated with this trip.

Come on out and shoot some wildlife!

Pre-registration helpful, email lcwilder1258@gmail.com

MIlk or Dark Chocolate?

You have not experienced life until you've tasted peaches covered in chocolate. Oh man, are they good! And the only place to get them is the Squirrel's Nest in Middletown, Delaware during the one-day Peach Festival in August.

Mmmmmm mmmmm good! (and they will melt in your hands if you're not quick enough)

PhotoWalk Chesapeake City MD

What is a PhotoWalk you ask?

* Photowalking is the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting.
* It’s a social photography event where photographers get together, usually in a downtown area or trendy section of town, to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun with other photographers.

Sunday, September 13, from 5:15pm until dusk, we will PhotoWalk the gorgeous, aquatic town of Chesapeake City, MD. There is NO charge to attend this event. We will meet at the gazebo near the marina.

We encourage all participants to upload and share their photos on the specially-created Flickr group here.

Our next PhotoWalk will be in historic New Castle in September. Like to see other PhotoWalks? Check out PhotoWalkList.

Arrrrrr!

A first-class, first mate

... and where would pirates be without parrots?

Well blow me down, matey! Took the schooner and plotted the treasure map for Rock Hall, Maryland this afternoon for their Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend. Pirates and wenches walking the planks. Aye ... what a blast she was!

I must admit I was somewhat disappointed in that I got there too late for the inflatable boat race. I was so looking forward to showing off my little dinghy.

See the entire keg of grog here.

Meandering thru Middletown

What a beautiful day for a walk, a photowalk actually, through Middletown, Delaware. I drive through this town daily, but you'd be surprised at what you don't see going 40 miles per hour. With an excellent tour guide, Bob McDowell of the Middletown Historical Society, we stepped our way through this colorful and rich haven.


Click here to view all of the contributors' photographs.

PhotoWalk this Saturday!

What is a PhotoWalk you ask?

• Photowalking is the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting.
• It’s a social photography event where photographers get together, usually in a downtown area or trendy section of town, to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun with other photographers.

Saturday, August 8, from 9am until 11am, we will photowalk the historical town of Middletown, Delaware. Please make plans now to join us this fun, social event. Bob McDowell, a member of the Middletown Historical Society, will accompany us for a narrative and to answer questions. This is a NO charge event. We will meet at Immediato's Bistro, 39 W Main Street at 9:00am and end there with lunch at approximately 11:00am.

We encourage all participants to upload and share their photos on the especially-created Flickr group here.

Upcoming photowalks include historic New Castle and Chesapeake City. Like to see other PhotoWalks? Check out PhotoWalkList.