Project 365: Day 31, Impending Storm

These photos were taken yesterday, 

as the impending storm made it's way towards us in North Carolina.  

The storm wreaked havoc across the Southeast.  Tornados in Georgia, flooding in our NC mountains.  Here in the Piedmont Triad we had lots of rain and very heavy winds.   We had a tornado watch (which means that conditions are right for a tornado, but one hasn't been spotted).  There were reports of trees down, and that's really what I was most afraid of.  We've got lots of trees in our yard.  But we were, thank God, just fine.  

For us, it was nothing more than water and wind.

These photos were taken about an hour before the rain began.  It was certainly windy... the clouds were racing across the sky and I finally went inside when a small branch was blown out of the tree and landed on the ground beside me.

All of these photos are SOOC.

This is the first day I've skipped my photo a day... I took nearly 70 photos yesterday, so I guess that's okay. I'm still going to count this as Day 31.  :)

Project 365: Day 21, First Baptist on Fifth

Project 365: Day 20, birdwatching

We've still got snow on the ground, but the temperatures has risen to mid-50s and it's giving me SPRING FEVER!  All these lovely visiting birds do not make it any easier.  Seems like each year I find a "favorite" that I photograph over and over again.  Few years ago it was flowers, the next year it was butterflies... I can already assuredly say that this year is the year of the bird.  Only problem is, they move much faster than the flowers and butterflies; I'm going to want a better zoom -- stat!

 

Skywatch: Snow Day!

Snow is pretty rare in our part of North Carolina, and everyone gets excited when it comes!  We actually had a thundersnow, which is even rarer.  Thunder, lightning and snow all at once.  Strange, amazing, and oh so cool.  We ended up with close to 3" at our house, but this is North Carolina and it is fast melting.  The sun is out, the sky is blue.  After a week of gray skies and rain, this is such a nice change.

The best part?  In our neck o' the woods, everything shuts down when it snows.  The grocery store shelves are emptied of bread, milk and eggs (french toast, anyone?) and we prepare to hunker down.  Sounds silly, I know.  But that's just the way it is here "in the South".  Soooo, school was cancelled (SNOW DAY) and I spent the morning with the girls playing in the snow -- quick!  before it melts!

Last night, as the snow started falling

The snow was melting so quickly off of the top branches that it seemed to be raining.

And this little guy was hanging out in our front yard.

Project 365: Day 13

Bluebird

A good omen, considered to bring happiness, contentment and joy.

Prosperity, good luck, and the bluebird is the only bird considered not to have a dark side.

Saw two in the front yard today.

I'll consider that a good sign.

Skywatch: Episode 27

Thursday, 3pm.  A cloudy day.  This burst of sunshine was poking brightly through a circle in the clouds, and was positioned perfectly behind the spire of a church.  It was truly magical!

Sunrise, Wednesday.  Just a sliver of moon.

Just after sunrise, Thursday.  The sun was burning brightly behind the clouds, trying to burn them off.  Carolina blue sky waiting patiently behind.  Alas, the clouds won.  This photo was taken about 8am, and the first photo (with the church spire) was taken about 3pm in the same day.  SOOC

Tuesday.  We've had unseasonably warm days (and even warmer coming up this weekend!), and the birds are out full force.  There were several way, way up at the top of the trees, and despite the zoom the birds were blurry.  Took a little artistic liberties with this one; I really like it!

Linking up to Skywatch!  Take a minute to explore the skies throughout the world.  Click the photo below.

Project 365: January 10, 2013, Day 10

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.

~~ e.e.cummings

My lens has been focused towards the sky quite a bit this week.  This photo was taken about 8am, the sun beating through the thick clouds (screaming through, it seemed, the sun was bright) with the beautiful Carolina blue sky waiting for full exposure.  This photo is SOOC.

Also linking up with Cool Pics Thursday