Snowflake Bentley

Dentrite Star


Star Crystal


How is it possible that I don't recall ever hearing about Wilson Bentley?! The most incredible snowflake photographer, born in 1865.

This winter, I'll be sure to check out some snowflakes upclose.

For the kid in everyone - Snowflake Bentley is a wonderful biography written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Mary Azarian. The book is sure to captivate the imagination and curiosity of kids and adults alike!

Bentley's photographs are available in the public domain. I love the collection at the Smithsonian: "There are seven basic shapes of snowflakes: the Star Crystal, the Dendrite Star, Columns, Plates, Capped Columns, Needles, and Irregular Forms."

Photos by Wilson Bentley from the Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 31, Box 12, Folder 17, Negative no. 976 & Negative no. 332.

For a modern microphotography spin it's worth checking out Kenneth Liebbreth's book Snowflakes.

The windows in our computer/guest room have been decorated with snowflakes all year round, courtesy of Kaila. Kaila and I love to make the paper cutouts. It was specially fun and 'refreshing' to have them up through the 100-degree Summer days.

Dear Santa

Can you bring me a crystal ball?

Kaila and I traded secret Santa wishes. I can't tell hers, but I want a crystal ball.

DIY light pens

Kaila drawing with "finger lights" (on July 31st).

Drawing with light! Neat tools - gotta try it!

LED Light Drawing Pens: Tools for drawing light doodles - More DIY How To Projects

Nigardsbreen

Norway is such a beautiful place. Arthur and Elizabeth from Poland just sent us their video from a walk in Nigardsbreen glacier in 2004! What a happy surprise. Thanks, guys!



Where the sun never sets...reindeer everywhere. Pretty neat!

Rest day Friday

I took Friday off from running and just went on a walk with my camera. The butterflies were very patient with me.

Lace

Talking about spiders - this picture of frost-covered webs was part of today's Photo Highlights on Yahoo!

It made me think of the Brazilian rendeiras - the women who make lace. If you watch them work it's impossible not to be in awe of their dexterity and of the beautiful intricate lace that results from their art.

Frost-covered spider webs hang from a roof line in Godewaersvelde, France, as temperatures continue to drop. (AFP/Philippe Huguen)

Re-building

The Gasteracantha was still there this morning, but its web was pretty damaged. Cold winds and a slight drizzle is making my friend work overtime to keep her house in somewhat of an order. I tried some new pictures with not much sucess - very gray skies and the constant wind this morning did not agree with my camera focus...

Lost in Translation

Yesterday I came across ronsgallery blog, Lost in Translation. Amazing pictures!

It made me want to unearthen my DSLR and actually use it!

With K and D running around it's been so much easier to just grab the point and shoot. Then you see great shots and the difference is off-the-wall. Great photographer, great equipment and a bit of pre-planning for some events - awesome results.

Germany

Photo art projects

Photography art projects... to be started, one day ...

= I-10 road cargo. There are very interesting and artistic loads out there.

= Road construction crews at work. The faces, raw materials and machines behind the scene.

= The fauna, flora and people of Brazos Bend State Park