Curly

I hope everyone had a very blessed and Merry Christmas! It seems many of my blogging friends are taking a break until after the first of the year which has me feeling like the lone ranger out here. :(

I noticed these curly vines while Double D fished on Hoo Shoo Too Rd. in early November. After spying the first one, I started seeing them everywhere.

Impatiently Waiting for Fall

Many of you have had your glorious fall and are bracing for winter. Here in the south time moves a little slower and I guess that includes autumn. Here are more drive-bys and a quick stop on Hoo Shoo Too Road in rural Baton Rouge. All photos taken Oct 23, 2013.

Along Jones Creek Rd. in Baton Rouge

Another look at the common buckeye - Jones Creek Rd.
I desaturated the green because it seemed distracting and I rather liked how it turned out.

Hoping to see some fall color was a disappointment. By this time last year the trees on Hoo Shoo Too Road were bursting with deep oranges and vibrant yellows. I'm starting to wonder if we're going to see any color at all this year. :/

Anhinga stationed on his regular perch. It does appear there is color here, but the photo
has been cropped and just this small area had some hints of fall; all else is green.

Still green as ever.

Pretty, but I want the beautiful orange colors I know these bald cedars are capable of producing.

A tiny bit of red. Taken from across the lake several hundred yards away, so I had to crop.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

Motley Crew

Greetings everyone! It's been a mushy, wet week here in Baton Rouge. The incessant rain coupled with a very bad cold has got me feeling pretty run down. I was so thankful to have my ipad (thanks, Dad & Darleen!) so I could keep up with your blogs on the couch or bed. The dogs sure have enjoyed all the snuggle time. Since I can't get out with my camera I went through some photos that I had not yet developed. Hope you enjoy and that you all are untouched by this terrible flu season.

Look who's back! It was so nice to see Pierre on Christmas Eve.

Should I bring the hummingbird feeders in for the winter? There seems to be a disagreement on the web.

American Coot - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

Wild-eyed Pigeon - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12
I love the beige and gray colors on him.

White Pelican - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

LSU Lakes - 12/6/12

Red-eared slider - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

Anhinga - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

House Finch - Backyard - 12/23/12

Snowy Egret - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

Snowy Egret with fish - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

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Sunday afternoon

My sweet friend went with me today to Hoo Shoo Too Rd. It was a beautiful day, much too gorgeous to remain indoors. She needed practice with Mabel (my old 50D) and I needed to spend time with my new baby, who has yet to be named. We've had a bit of wind lately and I was afraid that all the leaves might have blown away since my last visit. There were a few less leaves, yes, but the orange tones were deeper, making up for the loss. Come see what I mean.

Minimal editing, just a very, very slight increase in saturation and levels adjustment in PS, but that's pretty much it.
Not meant to brag, but the 5D Mark II has made editing so much easier.

Mabel and Michelle 

I couldn't decide on the color or b&w version, so you get both.
Personally, I prefer the b&w.

An old A&P sign tucked behind one of the campsites.
Chained up dobermans growled and barked while I quickly took this shot which I missed on the previous visit.
While I hate seeing any dog chained up, I was praying that these particular chains would hold.

I also missed this old houseboat last time. 

I kept coming back to this scene. I couldn't help it.

Meet Kevin. He was very pleased with his catch and happily posed for us.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. As for me, I've been feeling very drained, physically and mentally. I forced myself to decorate the house on Friday, finding a few things that were damaged during the move, and a favorite harp ornament that I broke while decorating the tree. Probably should have waited until I felt better. On Saturday, I shopped 'til I dropped, with a blister on my foot to prove it. We are now off to eat at our favorite restaurant, The Chimes, so I will be back later tonight to see what you all have been up to. Laissez les bon temp, rouler!

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Hoo Shoo Too II

The day after my son was found, Double D suggested some photography therapy. Besides, it was too beautiful to stay inside, my beloved observed. I have been wanting to go back to Hoo Shoo Too Road ever since discovering it a few weeks ago, hoping the color was still there. Just a ten minute drive later and there we stood on the banks of the Amite River, oohs and aahs spilling from our lips as though anointing each autumnal leaf. You have to remember that in Texas, where we lived for 30+ years, it is mostly brown this time of year. Here, the bald cypresses are turning a gorgeous shade of orange, stealing the show, but there are also bits of red and lime green vying for attention. Come along!

Reflection shot

Bright red leaves hung like a necklace of rubies between the spanish moss.

The golden hour

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Watery Wednesday

Autumn on Hoo Shoo Too

There are a few stories floating around about how Hoo Shoo Too Road got its name. One tale says Hoo was a friend of Shoo, then they hooked up and had Too. That sounds like something a drunk Cajun might come up with. More likely it's this one: In 1915 a group of men from Baton Rouge formed an organization and built a club on the Amite (A-meet) River. They named the club Hoo Shoo Too after a line in a minstrel show that one of the founding members had seen in 1905. Subsequently, the road built around the club was also named Hoo Shoo Too.

Hoo Shoo Too Road is mostly a rural area with lots of camps and trailers scattered along the river. As I stood on the bank looking through the lens with my camera on the tripod, I heard a car stop behind me. "Hey!" I turned around to assess the situation and was greeted with a toothless smile. "Idn't it purty?" Oh dear God, no. Is this going to be my own private Deliverance? My heart was beating so fast I thought it would fly out of my chest in fear. My phone was in my car several steps away. I  said a quick 'hello' to be polite and turned back around, trying to ignore them. Fortunately, they left after efforts to engage me in conversation failed. The truth is, probably after getting a good look at me, they realized that I was old enough to be their mother. Maybe aging does have its benefits. :/

Anyway! I know that others are capturing much more vibrant colors, but this might be as good as it gets around here.

Processed with a Shadowhouse Creations texture

 My heart and mind is on those in Hurricane Sandy's path. May God keep you all safe.

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Weekend Reflections