The Blue Heron

This big bird was nearly impossible to catch on film with any degree of clarity. I must have taken 200 shots of him, and he just would not come into focus, almost like he's made out of smoke.

The Ice Box

No Indians (sorry, Native Americans) around hanging deer meet, but the Icebox at Lowell Park is still a mysterious place at sunrise.

Fall is on the way

Out at sunrise with RJT trying to learn some new tricks. I learned a lot, but apparently not how to take good photos!

Mr. Spider

Went back the next day with a macro lens and visited Mr. Spider. Poor fellow only has 7 legs. I wonder if the other spiders let him join in all their spider games.

A little walk

Fall is here and ther flowers are fading. However, there is always something interesting to see. If only I had my macro lens, Mr. Spider and I would have gotten to know eachother much better. All I was my 70 - 200.

Little Bear goes to the moon

What better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon that a trip to the moon? Littlebear and I, and Littlebear's clown, took a trip to the moon in the backyard. Afterward, we were very hungry.

Look at that mug

I've gotta admit, this kid takes one nice photo.

Dad and his punks

Watch out Ladies!

Here comes DW (in 10 years or so!) Isn't he a handsome boy?

The Babydoll

Dad's Boy

I can't believe this fella is going to be 12 next week. It seems like only yesterday he was a little baby. I'm pretty proud of him.

Family Time at the Pines

Gotham?

For losts of reasons, Baltimore has the "Gotham City" feel. This building is just one of them.

The Family

Cool buildings

Baltimore has some interesting architecture, to be sure.

Attendance at Camden Yards isn't so great these days.

The Baltimore Orioles may be the worse professional sports team I've ever paid good money to see. The first three innings they made 5 defensive errors in the infield. Camden Yards is beautiful, though, and for $40.00 you get good seats and (honestly) all the food and pop you can hold in your belly. Here, the manager of the Orioles finally lost his cool and got booted.

Like I said, Baltimore is a rough city. Thankfully, this fellow is confined to the National Aquarium, probably the most amazing aquarium I have ever seen in my life.

The U.S.S. Constellation in Baltimore Harbor. Built in 1854, she was a slaveship interdiction ship in the Mediterranean Ocean during the Civil War. I toured her, and I am very thankful I wasn't a member of her crew. The all were either under five foot 8, or had very sore backs. I've also seen her modern successor, the aircraft carrier Constellation. We were in Pearl Harbor when she came in on her way to be retired in favor of the latest supercarrier, the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.

I don't know why, but I just love this photo of the rental paddle boats in Baltimore Harbor. Probably because I know its a silly, pointless picture, and that seems to be the type of picture "artists" call "art." What do you think?

The Power Plant, in Baltimore. It actually is a 19th century power plant that the city gutted and put stores in. The old stacks still run right through the enormous Barnes & Noble and you can walk through them. We watched the Cubs at the ESPN Zone and I relaxed at the bookstore for a bit. Its a nice place, for Baltimore.

September 11, 2007 at the World Trade Center. Of course, this is the Baltimore version, which is only 37 stories tall. The "Top of the World" observatory in this building is, then, somewhat less than advertised.

Downtown Baltimore, Md. at night. Scary city. LOTS of homeless people, and the nation's murder capital. I wanted to take some time and get nicer shots, but to be honest, I didn't think it was too smart standing there in the dark pointing an obviously expensive camera up in the sky for too long. Everytime I took a picture, a couple nearby street people started heading my way.

Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore