miracahills

Baby Llama

May 19, 2015 by danitacahill

An “Awwww!” for May.

This little llama was born just over a week ago in a field not far from our house. I’ve never seen a baby llama before. This one is adorable. I can’t wait until our baby alpacas are born in August or September (alpacas are pregnant for 11-and-a-half to 12-and-a-half months). Baby alpacas are smaller, fluffier and cuter even than baby llamas.

This little spotted llama looks just like his daddy. His mama is dark, dark brown or black.

I’ll post some “artsy” shots of this little llama tomorrow.

Playground Reflection

March 21, 2015 by danitacahill

And yet another way to use reflection in photography.

This reflection shot is taken off the underside of a shiny playground slide. I noticed the reflection and squeezed off a few frames. But nothing except reflected playground wood chips made for some pretty boring photos.

I called my youngest son over and had him stand under the slide and look up.

Much more interesting.

Crosswalk Reflection

March 21, 2015 by danitacahill

Another reflection shot.

Another fun way to use reflection. And I like the little starburst from lens flare.

This is my son, just before he pushes the crosswalk button.

And another self portrait.

Reflection Patty Cake

March 21, 2015 by danitacahill

I don’t think my youngest child was even paying attention to his reflection. He was simply splatting around in the sandy water on the beach.

But his reflection, especially with his red shirt, definitely caught my eye.

The day was partially cloudy and clear reflections like this only appeared every so often when the sun was peeking from behind the clouds.

When it did happen I had to snap fast.

Frog in the Face

February 5, 2015 by danitacahill

A little humor for your day.

This is like a pie in the face, only different.

Moment shots are my favorite. They happen for only a split second and if caught on camera they can be amazing.

This moment may not be amazing, but it does show emotion. I took it at this year’s Mint Festival and Frog Jump in Jefferson, Oregon this past July.

The girl holding the frog and the girl with the frog in her face are friends. Kids can be mean, what can I say?

Oscar the Ostrich

February 5, 2015 by danitacahill

An Ostrich to brighten your Thursday!

I don’t really know this ostrich’s name, but he reminds me of Oscar the Grouch off the American children’s show, Sesame Street.

Can you see the resemblance too?

This big bird lives at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. He spends a good deal of his time standing in the road putting on a show for the passing cars. He opens his mouth wide, chomps at the air, closes his eyes and makes big gulping motions.

I assume he’s begging (demanding?) food. But whatever he’s doing, it’s very bizarre. And a little freaky, although he looks fairly friendly and docile in this shot.

Ostrich’s are known to peck at shiny things, such as wedding rings or human eyes so we left our windows rolled up tight. This photo was shot through the driver’s side glass with my new camera. The camera and I are getting acquainted. It doesn’t yet feel like an…

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Sandy Reflected Dance

January 29, 2015 by danitacahill

A Day at the Beach.

I like this photo for several reasons.

First, because it’s of my boys.

Second, because my boys are cooperating during the moment I took this, instead of squabbling.

Third, I like the motion of the composition. The youngest was dropping a shell in a bag held by his big brother, but it looks almost as if he’s dancing.

And fourth, I adore the reflection in the skim of water on the beach sand.

Dog Flying with Joy

January 23, 2015 by danitacahill

If this dog’s name were Jordan… he’d be air Jordan.

My family on Monday went to the coast for the day. At agate beach this little dog, along with another terrier ran full speed ahead for the waves. When their owners called the dogs back to their side I had time to crouch and shoot only a couple of quick frames.

And I do mean quick.

For having stubby legs, this little guy could fly over the sand, which is what it looks like he is literally doing here, doesn’t it?

As for composition, I do wish his little pink toes weren’t quite so near the edge of the photo. If I were one to spend a lot of time editing with Photoshop I could fix that. Also I cropped the photo. I wanted only the dog, sand and shadow to tell the story – in this case the story of exuberant joy.

Dock and Dust

January 23, 2015 by danitacahill

Dock in the morning hours.

I took this photo during one of my morning walks around Cheadle Lake in Lebanon, Oregon.

I’m fond of this shot.

Photographers – I’m sure you all know that feeling, that rush of excitement when you’ve captured an image that you think may be something special. I felt it with this shot and I couldn’t wait to get home and look at it on my computer screen and mess with it in editing.

I was pretty bummed to see all the spots in the sky from dust on my camera sensor. I’d noticed spots on another recent shot, so I’d turned my camera off and on several times to activate the automatic sensor cleaner before I’d headed out around the lake that morning. These spots proved that I will have to have the sensor professionally cleaned. Thankfully, I have a back-up camera body.

If I can get the spots cleaned…

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