This past Sunday Kristina and I visited the Brookside Gardens in Glenmont, Maryland. The park is a mere mile from our apartment so we enjoyed a brisk walk there. The last time we visited was almost exactly one year ago but this time we decided to check out the Wings of Fancy live butterfly exhibit. I lugged my big macro lens around to get some close-up shots. I ended up taking close to 600 by the end of the day.
Stepping into the butterfly habitat was overwhelming as it was impossible to avoid groups of butterflies zig zagging all over. Some would even perch on your shoulder. Places like this are great to practice macro photography. Here are some of my shots.
After an hour of dodging various winged creatures (and packs of people for that matter) we decided to continue on outside. There was plenty of different wildlife hanging out around the pond. Like this family of turtles…
Kristina spotted this big, black, Rat Snake and while she wanted to run away as fast as she could, I wanted to take it’s picture.
We found a tree that was a caterpillar hotel. This one was chowing down on a green leaf.
The highlight of our day was spotting this Great Blue Heron up close. I stalked it for a long time and managed to snap 200 pictures just of this guy alone.
Of course we had to take a picture of just the two of us. In the background to the left is the Japanese Teahouse on the other side of the pond.
We had a great day visiting an exhibit we had never seen before, getting plenty of exercise in, and even enjoying our packed picnic lunch in the Japanese Teahouse that Kristina packed for us. It was just what we needed to get a break from the wedding planning.
Every 4th of July Kristina and I venture to Ocean City, Maryland, to hang out with friends and spend time on the beach. It has been a tradition dating back at least 5 years. This year we did lots of different things.
In the morning bike riders are welcome on the boardwalk so Kristina and I rented some bikes and took a stroll from 28th street to the beginning of the boardwalk and back. It took us just under an hour.
Every year we hang out and play with some family friends on the beach. I was in the middle of digging a really deep hole with the youngest one, Gracie.
Kristina and I tried our hand at boogie boarding though it was hit or miss. Taking this picture sure was easy though.
One night we watched the cops tow away a car whose alarm was going off every 5 minutes all night long. The owner eventually came out after it was hooked up to the tow truck. The tow truck took a half-an-hour to turn around in the small street. The car owner didn’t look to happy but we were all cheering from the balcony.
All you can eat crab feast at the Crab Bag. I ordered a steak and was finished before anyone got their first plate of crabs.
Group picture of the gang after gorging crabs.
Before heading out to the fireworks we had to take a patriotic picture on the porch of Katie Emery’s beach house. From left to right (Katie Emery, Ben Miller, Pammy Smith, Kristina Naude, Russell Heimlich)
One of my favorite parts of the trip was lounging around on the grass waiting for darkness to fall so the fireworks could begin.
This was one of the few years in recent memories that the weather cooperated for the fireworks. They were mesmorizing as they exploded in the sky especially the grand finale.
We certainly had a great getaway filled with friends and fun. I can’t wait for what is in store for next year.
After much searching and scrutinizing of portfolios, Kristina and I have chosen JPG Photography to photograph our wedding. Since photography is a hobby of mine it was a natural fit for me to take the lead in the hunt for the perfect photographer. Browsing online portfolios can be hit or miss but JPG Photography’s portfolio stood out from the crowd. Their photos are well composed and interesting. The amount of polish and colors that pop really resonated with my own photography values.
Speaking with Joe, the owner of JPG, on the phone sealed the deal as he was very easy to talk with. His fly-on-the-wall documentary style and vision aligned with our idea for the perfect photographer. Apparently we aren’t the only ones who see the excellence that Joe can bring to an event.
Below are some of our favorite shots from JPG’s Blog:
P.S. We tried to get this guy but his schedule was a bit tight.
Kristina and I took a day trip to Whitetail ski resort with friends to do some snowboarding yesterday. We made it up to the mountain around 9:30 in the morning and the weather was beautiful. All of the trails were open and the snow was in good condition; not to slushy and not to icy. Ski resorts in this area are known for being iced over which makes snowboarding more like icescraping. The lines for the lifts were long but it was to be expected for a Saturday session. Kristina brought her camera which helped pass the time in line.
Russell and Kristina pose with their snowboards at Whitetail ski resort.
Kristina spent the day with her former college roommates on the easy trails. Kristina was getting comfortable switching between heelside and toeside while helping her friends get the hang of slip-sliding down the slopes. Kristina’s friend’s boyfriend and I tackled the more advanced blue and black diamond trails including a bumpy double black diamond course on the other side of the mountain. Later in the day we met up with the girls again and goofed around on the green trails with them. That’s where this video came from:
I was having fun videotaping everyone at the beginning but towards the end I decided to cut loose from the group and turn the camera on myself as I raced down the hill.
Kristina's friend Jeanette is smaller than Russell's snowboard.
The whole crew going up the lift at Whitetail ski resort.
Around 3pm we had had enough snowboarding. It felt so good to get out of our boots and wet jackets. Even though the high temperature was 38℉ I was drenched in sweat. Before heading home we decided to fill up on some good-old country cookin’ at Crackerbarrel. It was good!
Today we were both a bit sluggish as the soreness had set in. However it was worth it because our trip to Whitetail was a blast.
Kristina baked these awesome inauguration-themed sugar cookies this past weekend. They’re totally delicious and I’m hooked on them. Each one tastes like a little, teeny-tiny cake. Hopefully Obama’s next 4 years will be as sweet as these scrumptious treats.
