One of the tips I have recently learned about photography is using existing frames as part of the picture like an archway or other structure that could frame your photo. I used this one that is holding a grapevine to serve as a frame for the red oak tree. I had to get low to the ground – which was difficult since the dog took that as a sign that I wanted to be licked and loved.

I will try this technique again with other subjects. I had taken a few at the pumpkin patch that I will share later.

Friday was my daughter’s field trip to the pumpkin patch. I decided that it would be fun to go along and after reading through two photograph lessons from the HP learning center, I was eager to take some photos using what I had learned.

This photo I was trying to apply the rule of thirds where you imagine drawing off your picture into thirds – vertical and horizontal. At the points that these line intersect are supposed to be points of interest – where you want to try to place your main subject. So with this picture is what I tried to do with the tractor. I like the picture but not sure. I think the tractor should be smaller to really represent the rule of thirds.

It was very cold that day. Thankful to get the pictures I did get while I could still feel my fingers.

It is October – so it is once again time for our annual tradition of going to the pumpkin patch. This year we are only going twice. Some years we have been three times. It is so much fun out there, and it is a great place to take photos.

For our first time of the season, I didn’t bring my camera. I just used my phone but plan to bring the camera the next trip. The pumpkin patch is on a working farm with lots to do. You also have to walk a fair amount – hence the reason I didn’t bring my camera. Since Rae is older, we no longer use a stroller to cart around all of our belongings. I just took an oversize purse with snacks and a reusable bag for our pumpkins.

The farm plants fields and fields of sunflowers – a perfect photo opportunity. This year the sunflowers just seemed more full and vibrant. Hopefully next week they will be just as lovely when we return.

Everyone brings their camera. They have plenty of spots set up to take photos. It is a photographer’s dream location. It is best if you have some easy way to carry your equipment. Next time I will take a backpack to make carrying everything a little easier.

In one planter, I planted some marigolds. They all buy died during the unbearable heat. Full sun my rear-end. Full sun in the south is way longer than 8 hours. But today I was surprised to find the marigolds had come back. What is even more surprising is their color.

When these were first planted, the marigolds were more yellow than orange. I like these better – of course I love the color orange. So I may give those dead flowers a few more weeks to spring back to life before I replant them.

Last year my Mom planted some sunflowers in the garden. Here is one that came back this year. I love this sunflower species – such rich, vibrant colors.

Today is Good Friday and Earth Day. I like to think of everyday as earth day – trying to take care of the earth and leave it in a better place than we found it. That’s our philosophy about places that we have rented – try to leave it in better shape for the next tenants. This spring I have been doing some flower planting and ‘landscaping.’ I have been using mainly what I can find around the house to reuse and save money.

This one is from my Mom’s yard -

Just some pretty flowers from my Mom’s yard -

I’m enjoying this new found love of flower gardening. Very therapeutic and pretty at the same time.

Here is another picture from our trip to campus. It’s the University of Southern Mississippi. This is one of my favorite spots on campus. I love the brick road. It leads right to the heart of campus – the Hub, football stadium, and library. This was also taken with my HTC Aria. I just love that phone.

USM’s mascot is the Golden Eagle. They have an eagle in stone on the sidewalk leading up to the Payne Center – the rightfully named fitness center. Every time we passed by it, Rae mentioned Theodore and his fear of eagles in Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was too cute.

Speaking of mascots, Ole Miss has a new one – the Rebel Black Bear. The school retired Colonel Reb way back in 2003. Now they finally have a replacement that a lot of fans are not happy about. I think it is better than the Land Sharks or the Hotty Toddy – the other two choices that students and alumni could have chosen. But still it’s sort of plain from what they had and the tradition around it.

We went to walk at the local college campus when we noticed their lovely lantanas that were attracting what looks like Monarch butterflies. I took this photo with my HTC Aria phone. I love that phone. It takes great pictures – so much better than my other phone. I always like to have a camera with me but hate to lug around the DSLR. Having a phone that takes good pictures is something I really wanted in my phone upgrade.

It is so great to finally have a camera with me at all times, and it doesn’t take up any more room. I always have my phone – which I use more for checking email, Twitter, and Facebook than for actually making phone calls. Now I will be able to capture more moments I want to share and remember.

This year we have seen many butterflies in the yard. They usually hanging out near the Lantana bush. Since the weather has been so nice we been spending more time outside this week. I grabbed my camera and was able to take pictures of a few of the butterflies that we’ve been seeing all summer. It was my daughter who noticed that this one looked familiar. She has a book on butterflies and asked me to go get it to look this one up. She was right. This butterfly was in her butterfly book. It is a black swallowtail and apparently fairly common throughout North America. When we were looking at it outside we did not notice the two blue markings on its inner legs which made us question if it was a black swallowtail. Now looking at the picture I can definitely see the blue spots and can’t wait to show my daughter.

We are really enjoying the cooler temperatures and being able to be outside more. And of course we are enjoying looking at all the butterflies.

After very hot long summer fall has finally arrived much to our delight. my mom has started to put together her fall display. I am thinking it’s a great spot take some pictures. my daughter decided to put her pansy with the display. my mom put it in a jack-o’-lantern, and it looks like a hat for it. Anyway I cannot wait to buy a nice Halloween outfit for my daughter to wear to take some pictures. I’m just happy that the temperature is below 90°. October is going to be a fun month. So the cooler temperatures will make our October plans that much more enjoyable.