Cat Lovers

Well, hello all you photographers, artists, and those of you who just want to show us what's going on around you!  I just can't seem to come up with the right name for this thread       I really want everyone to know that it doesn't matter how good your photos are here - we just like to share our lives with the photos we take, and hope everyone will enjoy having this thread to do that in. No kitties in here, no family, friends, horses - well, if it's an artistic horse shot then, ok - we have threads for all of those pictures elsewhere. Don't worry . . .  if you post a picture that should be posted elesewhere, there is no "picture cop" that is going to turn you in!!  This is also the thread for those of us who enjoy tweaking our own photos with computer software - aka - "computer art". This thread is for only your own photos - or photos that a friend or family member has taken and said you could post it. But, we still would like to know who the photographer was, so make sure you be honest and don't take credit for someone else's work

Here's the link to the last thread

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=47&pst=1409514

Ana, since you had just posted before the new thread was started, it would be great if you want to re-post that one in this thread.

I will get us started with a computer art flower that I did a few days ago. It is a Daffodil - I think!

Stopping by to say a quick good night.  This is a photo I took yesterday after it quit raining.  We have been dealing with T-storms the past few days.  By the way this is the first rainbow I have photographed.  For what ever reason they are very rare here and quickly disappeare.  By the time I got outside with my camera this one was already fading. Deb as always you computer art is stunning. Oh and yes those are daffodils.

Love the daffodils & the rainbow girls.  Thanks for sharing.

I'm not a photographer myself; so I'll just have to sit back & ejoy other peoples' talents.  lol

Hi Jean! Good to see you in here! Maybe one day you will decide to share a photo or two with us.  

Lila!   Good job!! You caught one! They are almost as elusive as the dang little leprechauns that hide the gold, aren't they?  It's a nice one! And thanks, re daffys, ladies.

The flowers and rainbow are so pretty. I can never get my camera where all 3 lights are lit, thanks to some certain felines around here.

I will have to think of something to take a picture of. I am no good at flowers. I tried some close ups, and they were terrible and blurry.

Did you say that wild life is ok?

Absolutely, Donna!! In here, just about anything goes except for our precious kitties - who have a thread JUST for them (but of course!!) and family members - cause they have their own thread, too. So bring on the wildlife! As long as it is YOUR photo - it is welcomed in HERE!!

Mariposa Lily

 And a close up of the inside

Thanks to T-storms and work I have not been here for a few days and everyone has been busy. Thanks Jean. Deb if I had looked out 5 min later it would have been gone. Dona have you thought about getting a battery charger so you don't have to dock your camera to charge it? The charger I have plugs directly in to the wall so there is no cord to play with. I have no problem with our cats.  

Lila - I am just amazed at your photos! The close ups are so clear, and no graininess at all. I love seeing your photos. They are just beautiful.  Thanks, Raffi. I have fun with software programs when I cannot sleep at 4:00 am!  Right now, though, my camera is officially "offline". No focus in it at all and I don't know if it will come back. So, I just may have to do something drastic! I cannot be without a camera - it would be just like being without a computer!!

Very nice daffodil, Deb.  I love the rainbow Lila, and your Lily is stunning.

That's a bummer about your camera, Deb!

That is a pretty flower Lila. Deb, is that a burglar emoticon???

I use to have something like a charger on an old camera from long ago.  I keep having to jiggle the camera on the dock to get it started with the first green light. I will mention it to Jimmy.

I took these last night. 

This one is kind of funny (s)he is all scrunched up like "you can't see me" I took a few photos and let it get back to its dinner.  Bugs

Thanks Rafael I am glad you enjoyed the photos. Deb I hope you can work out you camera situation soon. I go wild when I can not get out side with mine even for a few days. When that happens it is watch out Cookie. good thing she likes being photographed. Thank you Sandrea. Are you having any luck figuring out your camera? Thanks Donna.

It's midnight for Sandrea so she went to bed already/ It is 11pm here. They are neat looking  tree frogs? Hop Toads?  They don't look like the green ones around here.

Jimmy saw a tree frog on our bushes about a week ago. I get mortified when it is the time of the season for babies, as we get them everywhere, and we still have to mow the lawn, and walk too.

I am afraid of most of these things, but I enjoy seeing them on a picture close up to investigate them.

Those are some great toad shots Lila. How in the world do you get these things to stay still for you? Your bugs and now toads? I try and I get a big blur  . . .  of course, the camera has been having a problem focusing   I have to upload some that I have been tweaking and cropping from last years shots. Then I'll see about adding something more in here. Yeah - uh - Donna, you better quit walking around barefoot - especially right after Jimmy mows

Those are cool toads!  Lol, Donna...investigate them!
Lila, I set my camera on macro but still didn't get a good pic.
That was in the house.  I will try a flower outside today and see how it comes out.  I miss my Fuji

Oooh.... I looked at the snakes....they're really neat. I, for one, like snakes.
LOL, x-rated flies!

Oh I hope I am not going to have nightmares, but I had to look.   They did not look like garter snakes to me. I recall seeing one years ago, and it was small and green. They looked big, like maybe 5 feet long, and the stripes?  WOW  eeks  I won't walk in the woods or where I think there is a snake.  I can't get the hairs on my arms to go down yet.

BUT, I have to hand it to you. You take some nice pictures.

Thanks Sandra and Donna. Donna I hope that you don't have nightmares. Garter snakes are a large family this one maybe a Red-spotted Garter Snake I am not sure. Well here is the fly I said something about in yesterdays post. I just could not help my self. Besides when you behave like that in public people are going to look.  

Hahaha!!! Flies will be flies!! Good capture, Lila. Now that is a true nature shot!!   And of course you can put your snake photos in here!!!! I took a peak, too, and they are really good! Beautiful snake. I don't mind snakes at all. I cannot stand bugs - LIVE bugs. I can look at pictures, no problem. Some of them freak me out a bit, if they look really ugly - but I think I will survive.   Thanks so much for sharing. Wonder what happened to Janie? She was going to post some of those flowers she got. 

Well, here's one of something I have been seeing alot of lately, although this shot was taken a few months ago.

One of my little buddies....he isn't even afraid of the sweeper!

Sugar

That's a lovely shot, Deb.  Beautiful really!

Sugar, that squirrel is so cute.  It's nice when they hang around
and you get to know them.  I never see squirrels around my area so it's nice to see him

  Hello everyone, I'm still here, 

Sugar those squirrals are so good. I haven't seen one around here to get a picture of yet.

Deb your sunset or sunrise I love it.

Lila, Your photos are so facinating, the flies, the flowers and the toad are really great. So are the snakes.

I can't remember if I've posted these if I have feel free to delete them please.

Well now we should have an emoticon that says caution, Xrated photo. The flies are down.   I was going to try to find a pic on the net but then it was not mine, so I couldn't post it here. I am battling some flies tonight here at the computer. Don't know where my swatter is, so I have been swinging a sock at him.

I found the swatter, so his days are numbered. No sex for him!

The flowers are so pretty , and Ilove the squirrels too. I never had no come close to me, but that is good because the road here is way too , and I wouldn't want to drive myself crazu worrying about my friend getting hit in the road.

I buy nuts, and put them out for the squirrel, and then the squirrel takes off, and the birds eat them.

I should have taken a pic of one of my ticks. I am not thinking. I had 23 so far. They are way out back where I walk.

I love that sunrise Deb. So pretty and serene.

Okay, that's it! That's where I must draw the line! No tick photos!!!! Those things are absolutely the most ugliest things in the world!   Lila, you may post your snake photos any time you'd like! No ticks - Donna! NO ticks!!!    JK!!!!!  (you see, it is Donna's group so, technically, she can post anything she wants )

Thanks re the sunrise pic I love a sunrise more than a sunset, although they usually aren't nearly as spectacular in color.

Janie, I don't recall those having been posted. They are beautiful! The pink color is so bright. Are those some of the ones you planted this year? 

Sugar, I love your squirrel photos!! He (she?) is the cutest little thing. A lot of people, I guess, don't like them because they can wreak havoc on a roof or in a chimney, but I thing they are so cute! And you've gotten such a clear shot, Sugar!    Bravo!!! 

Thanks for sharing everyone   

(P.S.  NO TICKS, Donna!)

Some are so small that you would not even know they were ticks. This is not blood money, but blood photos. There is a vampire group on care2 that would be happy to see these blood filled monsters. hehehehehehe. I either had tick 23 or 25 now, not sure. I'm not afraid of them, but I am afraid of snakes.

whew, it is hot in here. Forgot to laugh.

Janie, your flowers are so pretty!  Such a joy to see!

(say no to ticks!)

Thank you very much for the comments on my flowers. The first one is a neighbors yards next to mine. The second one I still need to plant and the third one is growing around a gas meter. I need to trim the tree that is growing up through it too. There is another rose with this one it is different let me go back and see if I have posted it yet. 

This rose is with the other one that is around the gas meter. this one has a good sweet aroma.

Thanks re my snake and fly photos. I have been busy the past few days and have not made it to care2 at all. Last night I did not even turn on my computer I came home ate and went to bed. Deb I love your sunrise/set photos I could look at them all day long. Have no worries I would never photograph a tick that is going to far even for me. They give me the creeps. Sugar wonderful photos of the squirrel. I finely was able to get some good shots today they need to be edited before I can post them. Janie your flower photos are always amazing. P.S. I do not know what this flower is but I thought that it is interesting. 

All the pics are SO pretty (I even like the close-up creepie crawlies).  I THINK my camera would do macro, but I haven't figured it out yet, so thought I'd just share this shot:  it's Granite Basin Lake, about 20 min. from my house.  I like it because it sure doesn't look like what you'd think of as Arizona!

Janie, that pink rose is beautiful and looks like it would have a lovely scent.

Lila, the yellow flower is very nice.  I wonder what it is.  The basin looks awesome!

Janie, I sure don't remember seeing any of those before, so I am glad you posted. They are beautiful, and that last rose looks so full! I wonder what kind it is. Most roses I see don't have so many petals. I bet it smells wonderful! I love the smell of roses. Lila - fantastic shots! I have no idea what that little yellow flower is but that is a great photo. It almost looks like the darling little thing is showing someone the bird??!!!!!    It amazes me what the flowers lok like when you get such a good, clear macro shot of the center.   Cindy, what a beautiful shot! And a gorgeous place!  If I hadn't lived in Arizona for a time, I'd say it couldn't be possible, but Arizona really can be surprising with its' beautiful lakes and streams. Thanks for sharing everyone

Here's another computer art I did last week. My grandson looked at it and said, "what's that??!!!!!"  so I guess it is another one of my photos that will have you guessing.

Thanks everyone re the mystery flower. Cindy that is a beautiful photograph not what comes to mind when I think of Arizona. Deb love the computer are. I am going to guess a lupine that you added lens flare to.

This is the best squirrel photos  I have gotten.  I cropped out his tale in the last one so I could show the detail of his face and feet better. 

 !!! That camera of yours, Lila, sure has some great zoom on it!!  I love pics of squirrels eating like that. I had a couple chipmunks once - lived in AZ at the time - that used to come over the back wall, run to the patio where I'd set out corn and nuts for them, stuff their cheeks FULL - I mean these little guys looked like some weird creature by the time they were turning and running to head back over the wall with their grub. They must have ahd one heck of a large family, or they thought a really hard winter was going to hit!! They took enough food for at least 20 of them to llive for months!!

Great to see you in here, Raffi. I love sharing photos and seeing what others are seeing in their part of the world.  

That last one is of a flower - a weed flower - the whole thing was no larger than the end of your thumb. When I cropped, it blurred and so I messed around with it to see if I could make something out of nothing. Added some lighting effects and that's what I got. I like the colors, but it definitely doesn't look like much but a bunch of purple and some yellow and blue and a flash of light    Still searching for my new camera. Can't decide if I should buy online or not. there aren't any real camera stores around me and I haven't found what I want at Best Buy or places like that. Soon!! Hope I find it soon!!

Hi! just wanted to share these photos with you:

This one was modified with some purple tint, originally the tiny flowers are white-green.

This one is natural, I did not add any tint. It is amazing how nature mixes colours so perfectly.

Very pretty Ana ! My favorite flower is the second one, but they are both very nice.

Lovely pics, Ana.  Is that second one a coleus?  I had a pet coleus when I was in college - named it Irving.

Ana! Those are beautiful!    Isn't it fun to toss in some effects?  I think you might be right, Cindy, the last one does look like a coleus. Irving, huh? Interesting.    Well, here's yet another of my old standbys

Ana, those are very pretty.  Did you take them with the Casio??
If so, what's the secret

Deb....another great sunrise!  Even your mystery pic seems to have the sun shining in it 

That is beautiful Deb. And, Cindy, Irving??? Coleus grows like wild fire. I use to have it all over my house many years ago. OH yeah, Mines name was Ida. hehe

Thank you ladies. I think Ana has definitely learned how to use the camera!!

Ana wow beautiful photos. Deb another stunning photo. I have a head ache tonight so I am cutting this short.

Lila...that is so pretty

Lila  Your flowers look as if we could reach out and touch the petals. Beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing - and sure hope your headache is better - ouch! 

Here is another - but this one was computerized to look like a painting

Lila,

The color of those flowers is fantastic. I need a new outfit and lip stick on that color, and a pretty pink car to match.

Deb, the sunrise is so pretty and serene, Some day I will get up early enough to see this stuff.

Thanks for the sunrise comment, Donna. Actually, though, the last two were, gotta admit - sunSETS. I don't see sunrises all that much, myself, although I have been seeing a few more lately than I really wanted to see! I do love watching the sun come up - but I like sleeping a whole bunch more.

Darn...I was going to say sunsets!

This guy looks ferocious!  I think he is a young hawk or he would have been afraid of me.  He was not injured.  He just had a squirrel in his talons.  I hope it wasn't my special baby.

Sugar

Wow, Sugar...that's a great shot!  He's a beauty!
I hope it wasn't you're buddy squirrel either

Thanks Sandrea, I think it is a great shot too.  A lot of interesting things happen in my 'back forty'.  Here is a staring contest between my two dogs and the hawk.  I think it is an interesting picture.  That guy wasn't a bit scared of me.

Sugar

Sandrea 

Sugar, do you have Golden Eagles in your area? He sure looks like a baby to me. He could even be a baby hawk. They aren't scared of people. I had a baby Bald Eagle on my deck the first year we moved here (of course, no camera ) and he did the same thing. Just watched me. Anyway, what a great shot!!!!!   You are getting good with that camera of yours   Oh, and I sure do hope it wasn't your little buddy in those talons, either!!! 

Speaking of cameras - I got a new one!!!   I haven't even been able to take it out of the box yet, I've been so busy around here. It's a Nikon DSLR. I can't wait to start trying stuff out with it!!

Wow Deb, I am looking forward to seeing pics from your new camera.  Get it open and in use!

Their are eagles in the area, but I think they are bald eagles.  I don't know about golden.  I haven't given much thought to eagles at all because I never see them.  Well, maybe except for one time a couple of years ago.  This guy was identified by a amateur birder as a juvenile red shouldered.  He is sending a photo to an expert for confirmation.  We have several different types of hawks around here and I swan, I think all hang out here watching my birds and squirrels and worse, catching them!

Don't forget, get that camera out and put it to good use!

Sugar

Sugar, I think he is the red tailed Hawk. That is the color of the kind we have around here, and we have a gray one too, which is the Cooper I think, and the Harrier or Harris Hawk. The red tail is the biggest. He went swooping into one of my bushes, and I went flying through the door screaming. I was louder than he was. He did fly away without one of my little tweeties.

I am sorry that I have not been around much lately I have had a lot that needed to be done, and tomorrow it is back to work.  Hopefully I will be able to stop by after work, the next couple of days do not look that bad.  We will see what the weekend holds that is when it get crazy. I feel guilty I have been posting this same photo and message in all of my groups because yet again I do not have much time grrr.  I am sorry that I do not have the time to comment on everyone's work maybe tonight I will have time to come back and do that.

Those flowers are very sweet, Lila!  Thanks for brightening my day

OOOOH!!!! Lila, those flowers are gorgeous!! And yes! They brightened up my otherwise very dull day. Thank you for posting them here and you don't ever have to apologize for not being able to comment on pics in here. We know you will make it in when you can to chat a bit. We are just happy that you do get a little time, and that you take it to post here!!    And boy, don't I know about not having time!!! I can't even get a moment to get the new one out!! I'm tryin', Sugar - I'm tryin'!! 

The hawk has been officially identified by the only bird expert I know.  He gives lectures and is involved in all aspects of birding.  The hawk is a juvenile red-shouldered hawk as we had tentatively thought.

He is gorgeous....He is looking me straight in the eye and is showing no fear.  Or aggression.  I love the green reflection on his chin from the vines.  I hope I see him again someday without one of my squirrels.

Sugar

It is a beautiful shot of him. I originally thought he was the red tailed hawk. I have seen pics of the red shouldered hawks on the internet though. Very fanct bird, and nice shot.

Nighty night.

I thought he was a baby/juvenile. Another great shot of him/her?, Sugar. How do you tell the difference at that age? Well, still no camera out of the box. You guys don't even want to know what my life has been like since Dan came home. It's like a dam burst or something, and I am the only one who can lift sandbags!! And I have a bad back   I know I will get that thing out of the box soon - I can't wait to see what it can do!!!!!

Sugar I love your hawk photos. Deb I am sorry that things are so rough for you I hope you can try out you camera very soon. Thanks everyone re my flower photos. 

Lila, beautiful flower!  It looks familar, is it a type of poppy?

Sugar

What a lovely shot of those flowers - and, yes - are they poppy's? I still have not been able to get the camera set up. I am pretty mad about it, too. Not enough hours in the day anymore

Sugar and Deb yes it is a California Poppy. I may try and get out later with my camera but it is so hot today we have been 100+ for the past several days and the first real heat wave of the season always knocks me . Deb I hope you find time to set up your new camera very soon. What lenses did you get for it?

Here is a fly....

Japenese Beetle doing what he does best!  Eat leaves!  And Roses and all other green growing stuff!

Sugar

Some ducklings...

All of the little eyes are watching me......

Sugar -

That is a fly that surely must die.

Those duckings are so cute. Oh Sugar, before I forget, we have a new stray who came into the yard, who looks like 8ball and her daughter especially, Fireball. One of the chicks ran over his head while he was laying down. Jimmy saw it and cracked up laughing.

 Sugar those ducks are so cute. I have not been able to completely identify this flower it is either a "Soothe Cat's Ear" or a "Hairy Cats Ear". The photos I have found look the same but they have deferent latten names so I still need to do more research to find it out.  

What ever the name Lila, it is very pretty. I love yellow as it is such a happy color.

    Sugar, those duck shots are so cute!!! Do you have that water near your home? Sure looked pretty. And that beetle - he's so clear that I could tell he was a he (ha! JK) But it is really clear - Good shot!

I'm with you, Lila  - the heat has knocked me out. We get monsoons here and almost every afternoon we get thunderstorms but they usually just make it muggy   I have a sun allergy (can you believe that?? Sheesh!) so I cannot be outside for more than 15 minutes or so in the summer. We have had some gorgeous sunsets and the moon is really bright. (I have to find more to photograph!!) So, I have missed some good shots by just staying in - and by not getting the dang camera out of the box! Lila - I got a 18-55 and a 55-200. I need to get the flash attachment for it, but figured I can use the built-in for now. Your flowers are so pretty!! What effects did you use on the last one?

I went out front with my camera, and took a picture of the road. The driveway on right is mine, and I took pics of the couds and cornfield across the street.

Hi Deb have you got to try out you new camera yet? The last photo I posted is as it came off of the camera that was one of those lucky times were natural lighting provides the perfect effect. Donna I love the 3rd from the last. Well this is one of my rare attempts at digital art. I am sure no one could figure out what the original photo was or what I did to it so I will tell you. I took a photo of a dandelion seed head and adjusted the threshold to produce the shapes I wanted. Then I used flood fill to turn the black to blue and the white to red and finished by adding the stars.  

That is a pretty  4th of July display Lila. I tried to get pics tonight, and since up until now, nobody noticed my clouds, I decided that the punishment will be my 4th of July fire works display. Not mine. I was trying to get them from a distance.

The thought was there. The unfireworks display

The rest was the neighbors porch light, and Jimmy's eye brow, and just nothing.

The first pic looks like a flying saucer, but I also tried to get a pic of the moon. Maybe it is the moon. Jimmy was getting on my case about clicking too soon, then he couldn't see through the lens.

Hey Donna!!! I love your clouds! You really do live in a pretty setting. The corn fields remind me of Iowa. Should have posted Jimmy's eyebrow!!   I liked the little pine cones and I bet your flying saucer was the moon.

Lila, I got out the camera and after not being able to get my fingers working to get the dang strap on it, I said to heck with it and put it away. At times, I have no feeling in my fingertips. This was one of those times. I am doing it tomorrow (well, actually today, now!) I got out the old Minolta and glory be it worked!!! And so here are my fireworks photos. By the way, Lila, that is a beautiful graphic and I certainly never would have guessed what you made it from!!

Donna, I just saw your clouds and roads and driveway.  You do live in a pretty place!  All the fireworks were neat.  I didn't get to see any for the last few years.  I could hear some in the neighborhood, but couldn't see any.

Sugar

Hi all!

I hope you had a nice holiday yesterday. Donna I did not notice your clouds until today I came to thread. I must say, you live in a lovely place, looks very peaceful.

Deb lovely fireworks. You camera should be a high speed one. I tried several times but no luck, I had to keep steady and I could not. This is the best I got. Hope you like it:

I guess trouble is back. Beware. I just finished my post and submitted , and it is gone.

Thanks about the clouds. Also, all of your fireworks are beautiful. My moon tonight became oblong. No point in posting it. I think it kind of looked more like a tubular bug light.

If it works, here is my rose of Sharon at night. It looks better in the day light as the flowers open up.

I always worry that my picture is too wide, and now I see that I had plenty of room to leave the other stuff in. It wasn't much though.

Deb, yes, that was the moon I think. Jimmy thought it was part of the fireworks display we could see from here.

Great fireworks pics!  I'm wondering, just what are "unfireworks?"  Flagstaff had them this year, never heard of it before.

Our fireworks display this year had shapes colors and designs I'd never seen before, wish I'd had the camera out.

Donna, those cloud pics sure look familiar!  We're getting thunderheads every afternoon, sometimes rain, sometimes just wind.  Too dry here for corn fields though.   

Cindy ,

I turned in another direction to see if I could get pics of those fireworks from another area. I was standing in our driveway when I turned to take them. This is unfireworks. In other words, I boo booed big time.

The thought was there. The unfireworks display

I was under my pine tree I guess. If you don't see fire works, then it must be the unfireworks.  Pine needles and pine cones. My vulture plays with the cones. He flips them up and down. AFTER he ran off with my shoe to the middle of the yard. Guess it smelled like bad meat. Thank you cats, I appreciate what you do to my shoes. They draw Vultures now.

PS, Dry is so much better than Humid.

Wow I love the fireworks and "un"fireworks photos.  Great job everyone.

Lila,

Is that last picture you posted a plant with a spike flower?

Donna that is the last seed from a dandelion type seed head. Actually it is a seed head from one of those yellow flowers I posted above. 

Lila, that is one neat photo   Ana, I put my camera on manual so I could have the shutter speed a bit faster. I was also so close to the fireworks that I was getting hit with sparks and ash from them!! Beautiful pics, everyone. Thanks so much for sharing.

Your bird liked your shoes huh?  Funny post.  You do have a nice sense of humor.

Nice fireworks!

Sugar

Thanks everyone re my last photo.  Here is a close up of a California Poppy.

Lila, that's a beautiful shot of the poppy!

Sugar

Thanks Sugar PS this is a Harvest Brodiaea.  By the time they bloom all of the leaves have died so all that is left is this stock sticking up out of the ground with these flowers.

Hi Lila, your flower is like my Naked Lady.  The green part comes up in the early spring, looking like Easter Lillies and that dies off and my Naked Lady grows a flower on a spike.  I love them.  I don't know her official name.  We have always called them "Naked Ladies".

Here she is:

Here is an interesting flower, A Mayapple blossom.  It grows underneath the leaves of the plant and the squirrels always beats me to the fruit which is can be eaten.

Sugar