Day 366 - As the sun sets on 2008 . . .

I wish each of you a

~~ Happy New Year ~~

and great photographic opportunities in 2009!

Day 365 - Flat top tree

This trees in one of the shopping centers in Frederick got a severe trim this year, leaving a bunch of flat top trees like this one.

Day 364 - The corn field revisited

My post yesterday and the one December 14 have caused some confusion. There is still a lot of corn in the field to harvest. I took both these photos from a low angle to get the sky with a lone stalk. The harvester on December 14 took a couple trips around the field and then started back and forth at the far end. He then quit as it was getting dark and has not returned. A construction company bought this farm in 1986. The dairy operation ceased several years after and the fields have been planted and harvested by various people in different years. About 15 years ago, there was a proposal to develop this farm and others nearby with 1200 additional homes. First traffic congestion; and then the county's development fees (to pay for schools, roads, etc.) halted this plan. Farms on the other side of the river, now in Frederick City, have been developed and now have major housing developments, a shopping center, Wal-Mart, and other businesses. The land in this picture is still zoned agricultural and we hope to enjoy the rural view for years to come. Yesterday's sunset picture was taken in the edge of the field near the tree seen on the right of this one.

Day 363 - Sunset from the cornfield

A lot of changes in the sky today with clouds and strong winds. Here is the end of the day.

Day 362 - Our house at night

We opted for simple outside decorations this year.

Day 361 - Crowded perch

Always room for one more.

Day 360 - Christmas at our house

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Just a few shots from our house this Christmas day. We opened our presents and Christmas cards, talked to our kids and grandkids, and ate a delicious ham dinner. A throughly enjoyable day!

Dining room

Flowers from my daughter

Ornaments from my sister

A sample of the tree

More of the tree

Only the train remains under the tree

Day 359 - Waiting for Santa

Both of our cats like to snooze under the tree. Tonight Buster had established himself as the lookout for Santa. Below is the Santa Express that runs circles around the tree.

Day 358 - Christmas in Frederick

A few photos of decorations taken while driving through the old section of Frederick City.

Day 357 - Mouse and Santa's cookies

One of the mice that decorate our tree.

Day 356 - Ice crystals

I found a thin layer of ice crystals around the yard this morning.

Day 355 - Christmas lights

The festival of lights at one of our neighbor's house.

Day 354 - Lights and leaves

Day 353 - Light and shadows

The morning sunlight played with shadows on our dining room buffet doors.

Day 352 - Small creek, small bridge

A small creek and pedestrian bridge in one of the parks in Frederick City near the hearing center where I got my new hearing aides.

Day 351 - Light and reflections

One of our Christmas candle lights and the double reflection in the kitchen window.

Day 350 - Christmas lights

The tree is out of its box and the lights were factory installed. Tomorrow the ornaments.

Day 349 - Corn left standing

The harvester missed a few stalks along the edge of the field near our yard. A clear sky and late afternoon sun combined for a nice view.

Day 348 - December corn harvest?

Usually by now, wheat for harvest next spring is already growing in the field behind our house. But this year the corn just stayed while other farms harvest was long finished. Today there he started the harvest in 30 degree weather.

Day 347 - Visit of the seagulls

We usually see seagulls in Baltimore and Washington, which are closer to the Chesapeake Bay. They show up here in large numbers in the spring when the farmers' are plowing, but after yesterday's storm I found a large crowd checking out this pasture for food.

Day 346 - Night lights in rain

With the rain it was dark early today.

Day 345 - Farm and fog

With warm clouds and rain coming from the south over our cold ground, fog formed all over. By evening, it created an eerie look to the river, creeks and valleys.

Day 344 - Reindeer and penguin

The other 2 non-cracking nut crackers that Marianne found for our Christmas mantle. The first two are here.

Day 343 - Me and my blogging corner

This is where the photos come off the camera and onto the hard drive and out to blogspot for all to see. It is also where I view the wonderful world that you post for all of us. (Taken with self timer)

Day 342 - Sun, snow and rocks

While out to see what the commotion was about, I found the light and shadows on these rocks interesting.

Day 341 - Light snow

Light snow late this afternoon left us wuth a coating, but not much more.

Day 340 - Four ornaments on a table

Four ornaments for the center of our dining room table. Marianne hasn't finish this and the large ornament will go and other items added. You also get four reflections of me for the price of one photo.

Day 339 - Doorbells

Marianne found these decorative Christmas bells online and now they hang on our front door. Another set hangs on the door to the garage.

Day 338 - Hawks on wing: 4 views

( NOTE: A closer look found that these are turkey vultures, not hawks.) As I came out of Wal-Mart today, I spotted some seagulls flying over the parking lot. Before I got to my van (and camera), they disappeared over the building. But then I noticed a low flying hawk on the other side of the parking lot, so that's where I went. Standing on the bank above the Monocacy River flood plain, I watch as first one, then a second and third magnificent bird circled slowly back and forth above the drainage pond below. I was using my zoom lens set at 200mm. None of these photos has been cropped.

At the far end of the pond some geese made their way into the water. The Monocacy River is in the edge of the trees in the background. Below two of the hawks circle beyond where the geese swam.

Day 337 - Morning after the sleet

Day 336 - Sleeting?

Forty degrees and white pellets falling. It came down fast for a few minutes, then melted almost as fast as it started.