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Back to reality …

Since I was home a day early, and since no one at work was expecting me to show up, and since I broke a tooth over the weekend and needed to get it fixed, I decided to use Monday to catch up, pay bills, file bills and get my tooth fixed. It was a good day, since I got everything accomplished. This was my view for some of this afternoon. Back to work tomorrow.

Cape Hatteras pre-dawn at a balmy 23 deg.F

This morning was positively balmy as we set out in 23 deg. weather for Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks. The reason for the warmer temperatures was of course that there was cloud cover, which meant of course that there would be no spectacular sunrise to capture, and furthermore that in all probability it was going to rain. Correct on both counts, and soon after this image was taken of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at about 6.45am, we made a decision to cut our losses at the OBX for this time and head back to Charleston. The miserable drive home through steady rain confirmed that this was a good move. The OBX are quite unique, and so vulnerable to the onslaught of irresponsible encroaching development and the threat of erosion from the elements. I will go back – but not in winter.

It’s freezing here – oh my gosh!!

Great day – woke up at 4.30am to meet up with group leaving for Pocosin Lake at 5.30am. It was 11 degrees outside. Long day – we finally got back to the hotel after sunset, got something to eat and thawed out. Can’t write anymore – gotta be up again at 4.30 for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse trip ….

The images are of Bodie Island Lighthouse at dusk and frozen Lake Mattamuskeet.

Oh no – I’m way behind

With the best of intentions and a willing spirit I still find myself days behind. To the one or two family members who check this blog, and for maybe Laura and Jill, I offer my apologies. I will try and do better in future. Today I spent 8 hours in the car with a photographer friend, Neshe, traveling up to Nags Head, NC where we will be photographing for 3 days with about 100 other photographers from the Carolinas. I think the temperature will be about 23 degrees for our sunrise shoot tomorrow morning, warming up to a toasty 28 degrees maximum later.

So, there will be no shortage of images for the next couple of days postings. For today I have cheated and uploaded one I took yesterday. It is of the inside of Sesame Burger & Beer, a trendy little restaurant in North Charleston where I had lunch with my friend Cathy K.

Monday – back to work

OK – just a regular Monday. No opportunities or inspiration for a photo today, so we’ll go with this one taken over the weekend down near the City Marina under the James Island Connector.
Gotta go swim. MUSC replaced the pool heater so I have no excuse.

Sunday was good too

It was a good day. Church in the morning, catch up on household stuff, organize images, run Logan in the park in the afternoon, and Leigh, Josh, Matt & Chambers over for supper in the evening. God is good.

An unexpectedly awesome day


Some days are just gifts and today was just such a day. When I got home from running Logan in the park there was a message from Jay asking if I wanted to go up in the chopper and take some photos. Well yes – duh! OMG I think I could become addicted very quickly. It is the coolest sensation, even from the start when the rotors start to turn really fast and the machine kinda bounces and gathers lift. It’s almost like it’s saying “let me up, now, now.” I’m always a little anxious when I fly in planes, but this was so different, and even flying without a door, nothing between me and the ground, I felt safe – almost as though dancing through the sky with gusts of wind buffeting us this way and that, and Jay continuously adjusting the controls. Very, very nice. Here’s a bird’s eye view of Morris Island and the northern tip of Folly Beach. You can see more aerials at http://vanessak.smugmug.com/gallery/5969463_zg7G8#453050194_hANUJ

After that, Raymond and I hooked up to catch the moonrise and the shot of this container ship leaving the Charleston port under a full moon was taken from Waterfront Park.
The day ended with a great Mexican dinner and margaritas at Zia on Maybank with friends Marty, Donna & Chris. Can’t get much better than that.

OK – so I skipped a day …

Yesterday I had no opportunity for my “photo-a-day” except for another version of sitting in drive-home traffic, so I figured I’d spare myself that. Actually I could have taken one in the grocery store. That’s an idea for next time I’m fresh out of inspiration. You could probably do a lot with different angles of fresh produce – note to self. Anyway, today I worked through lunch and skipped out at 4pm, being Friday and all that. There was enough daylight time left to get home, throw on some sweats, scoop up the dog and head to the park for a run. The first photo was taken at the fishing dock at James Island County Park, and the second was taken at home. The moon is almost full. Expect another moon shot tomorrow when it will be full. Just cannot resist a full moon.