Agave Insomnia

When we moved into our home, the front yard was already landscaped. To the right of the driveway before the wild desert begins, there was a hefty agave plant. Beginning in November it began sprouting a long stem from the center. This week it began to bloom. Tonight I had trouble sleeping and my Honl Gel Kit I recently purchased from Tempe Camera was on my mind. I had not yet attempted light painting with my new flash and gels.

I only hope the popping of the flash did not startle the neighbors awake. I can only imagine how freaked out I would be if I heard someone crunching around in the rocks, and strange colored lights flashing form outside my window.

Results:

My attempt at a digital star trail... unfortunately I was not plugged into a continuous power source and my battery does not have the staying power to try the multiple shot method so I can merge in Photoshop. However, this has me fired up to break out my first camera with some of the color film that is stored in the back of the fridge and trek out into the spooky desert at night. While I was hanging out in the cool weather I heard some weird squawking sound, rustling in the bushes, an owl, and the squeak of a bat. I love where we live!

I will also note that Cleo and Sheba woke up for the action to keep me company and take a pee outside at 3AM. Where are they now? Crashed out, and I will be doing the same.

The Horacek Family

Heidi and I met our sophomore year of high school (the only year we went to the same school) and instantly bonded... Here we are 13 years later with wonderful husbands, naughty doggies, and in her case, a beautiful daughter, in our lives. Here are some of my favorites from our photo shoot:

Thank you for a fun morning and photo shoot Horacek family!

The Girls

After we lost Quixie in September, I could not imagine having another dog. I've had difficulty writing about the experience and would like to do a tribute post to him eventually. Despite his naughtiness he was one of the most handsome, snugly and mischievous greyhounds a girl could ever love. He was the last greyhound we will adopt... mixed breeds from here out... After he passed on, Cleo was noticeable despondent. She became more clingy, lethargic and whiny with her friend gone--losing two friends in less than 3 years has been hard on her. Even though we didn't feel completely ready to welcome a new dog into our home, we figured we could look.

The weekend before Thanksgiving we decided to check out the local Humane Society to see if any dogs called out to us. Before we left, I checked out which dogs were available, out of the 5 I wrote down, two were still available at the Campus For Compassion in South Phoenix.

"Gracie" was a small lab-mix who kind of resembled Cleo. When we walked  up to her cage, she ran up to us, pressed herself against the bars and made the most pitiful whine that made my heart swell. Adam felt the same way about her. After a positive introduction with Cleo Bug we decided Gracie would be a good fit.

I will not lie, it has not been easy having a 6-month-old dog... but it is fun seeing our 9.5-year-old Cleo rediscover her inner-puppy and find some happiness again in her golden years.

Losing a pet, especially when he is still young, is very difficult, but it makes you realize how many pets  need a home. We are not meant to have one animal companion throughout our lives... I think we outlive them so we have the chance to offer the chance for love and shelter to many little souls. Sheba (formerly Gracie), has made me realize it is possible to move on and that Quixie lives on in some of her naughtiness. It thrills me to see Cleo so happy and active again. Here are some photos from this morning when Sheba and Cleo chased each other around the backyard.

The Day Family

To have photographer friends who understand what it means to be a photographer these days is something I cherish. You also have the opportunity to share talents with each other to capture those wonderful family moments. Here are some of my favorites that I took with the Day Family a few weekends ago. They recently welcomed a new baby girl  into their family, and their almost 2-year-old is loads of energy and fun. Some of my favorite photos of him, are the completely candid moments where he was hamming it up. Thanks for a fun Saturday, Day Family! - Bailey

Lightening!

An AWESOME electrical storm (that brought much-needed rain to our area) passed through about 30 minutes ago. This is not one of the smartest things I have ever done... but I grabbed my camera, tripod and shutter release and ran down to the end of my street. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise, I chickened out and ran back to the house, praying my tripod would not act as a conductor.

Grabbed the keys to the Jeepies, drove to the end of the subdivision and got this badass shot!

 Monsoon Season is one of the things I love about Arizona. This was some of the best lightening I have witnessed since I was 6-years-old. We were living at our Glendale house that had a large north-facing window in the living room. My mom grabbed some sheets, popped some corn and she, my sister and I sat watching Mother Nature's light show for what seemed like hours. I feel that is where my love of storms came from... even if they total our poor little Suubie.

Once I edit the photos I may post more. I also promise to post some photos from my Ragnar Relay - Northwest Passage experience.

P.S.
Adam bought me a new iMac for my b-day. What a thoughtful husband!

Ha-What?

Driving home from work is slightly intimidating when you are being chased by a gigantic cloud of dust moving faster than you can legally drive. Luckily I made it home with enough time to grab my camera and run to the desert behind the house.

Check out this crazy, Arizona Haboob.

Jesus Light.

Close your eyes.

Don't forget to pray.

You're just an empty cage girl... (Tori Amos)

Shitty photo.

Here it comes.

Martian Landscape.

Memorial Day Campies

When the old tent ripped after Adam camped with his brother in New Mexico, we decided to invest in a tent-trailer. Luckily we received it in time, and after a day's work with Bobby B, the trailer was ready for its first trip. We went to our favorite spot outside of Flagstaff. It was so windy I did not take that many photos. Hopefully next time I will get my star-trail shot!

 Poor Quixie--he can't be trusted off-leash.

 Wild horses! And baby horses! HHHHH!

 Dirt Bike riding chicken.

 Rock, rock! YEAH! Hardcore!

 Nature Buggies--Cleo is such a good campies dog.

 Mister Adventure, getting my dirt bike unstuck.

 Late spring wildflowers surrounded our campsite.

 Exhausted snoggies doing some backseat bonding on the ride home.