It's a new month and that means a new calendar photo.  This one I shot on our Easter weekend camping trip last year (see HERE ) .  Sean and I were just complaining last week that we can't wait for warmer weather to get the camping gear out.  When it starts raining and it smells like spring it always makes us think of the first camp out of the year.  The thunderstorms we had last night were a wake up call that the snow is finally coming to an end.

I shot this photo just after sunrise on what would turn out to be a perfect day.  When you spend the night out in a tent, you go to sleep at dark and you wake up when the first bird chirps which is usually before the sun peers over the horizon.  The wind changes as the rays of the sun start to warm the dome of the tent and filter through the screening.  No beeping clocks, no phone alarms, nobody stomping to the kitchen to get ready for work - you wake up naturally and it's unlike anything else.  You actually wake up in a GOOD mood !  On this particular morning I woke up in a GREAT mood!  I unzipped the tent and climbed out into the sunshine.  You didn't even need a jacket it was so unseasonably warm.  I shook the tent to knock the dew off and wake up Sean.

I told him I wanted to go hiking.  Immediately :-)

And bless that man o mine - he just smiled and said Ok.  So we hiked to the foot of Cucumber falls - I think I was still wearing my PJ pants and probably flip flops.  *I do not condone wearing flip flops into the woods under any circumstances*.  Sean stood on the trail while I climbed down into the stream and hopped rock to rock out to the middle.

I spent the next 30 minutes shooting the early spring morning sun as it quietly danced across the water.  Every couple minutes I would look up to see if Sean had lost his patience with me yet (frequently I derail our purposes with spontaneous photo episodes without regard to daylight, danger, or meal times).  He would just be standing up there with an amused look and I would point and gesture at the rocks and the sunlight and grin like I'd just discovered a colony of leprechauns.

The lighting was so good, it made the water look like you could just stick your tongue out and lick it.

When the sun was too high in the trees and my feet were completely numb in the cold water, we headed back to camp. 

Grateful for before-breakfast hikes, and that man o mine ;-)

Exciting news !  Did you get a new digital camera for christmas ?  Or maybe you've had one for a while - but you always wanted to know how the heck it works?  Come hang out with us at the YMCA !  I'm pleased to announce that I'll be teaching an adult photography class for anyone who'd like to learn how to take better pictures !

This first class is for adults only and is geared towards basic point-and-shoot digital cameras.  We will be running a more advanced class for SLR users in April.  All classes will teach the basics for caring for and using your camera, settings and functions.  We're meeting every thursday evening at 7pm.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, contact the YMCA at:   724.845.1968

It's going to be a great class, don't miss out !

Well the groundhog did NOT see his shadow.

And apparently that means an early spring.  Which is good if you're anxious for warm weather, bad news if you are like someone I know and have not gotten nearly enough photos of the snow yet.  February 2011 - now only 7 months from my wedding, 9 weeks until the first wedding of the year, 4 days until the Steelers play the Packers in the Superbowl - and I'm STILL not caught up with my 2010 to do list yet.  I've resolved to just keep forging ahead and try to accomplish something everyday.  I'm still mired in albums.  They're a lot of work to take on individually and when several are ordered all at once it's daunting to say the least.  If any silent blog readers out there know anyone with graphic design or album design experience that is looking for some part time work - I am eager to find help!

Even though a groundhog predicts the outcome of february - this pond was made by another small furry critter - a beaver!  Sean and I along with my Dad staked out this beaver pond in a meadow a few februarys ago hoping to get a photo of the industrious little guy, but he evaded us.  Lucky for me, the sunrise was beautiful that morning and the frostbite was worth it ! 

Another winter shot of Berberis canadensis (the American Barberry) in Elk County.