Squirrel Food

Photo Information

Taken:	24 May 2012 08:15 Brushy Creek Texas
Camera:	Canon EOS Rebel XTi / Canon EF-8 18-55mm
Exposure:	ISO 160
	18mm, 0 EV
	f/4
	1/30

Backstory

I’ve been wanting to get a better picture of this little seed thief. It wasn’t hard to get him to pose, since he’s completely unabashed. So here he is—caught in the act!

–24 May 2012

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Photo Information

This one is included more for the subject matter than the quality of the photo.

Taken:	19 May 2012 17:04 near Brushy Creek, Texas
Camera:	iPhone 4
Exposure:	ISO 80
	3.99mm, 0 EV
	f/2.8
	1/155

Backstory

This guy and his relatives have been raiding our bird feeder for years. They can eat up to a third of the seed in the feeder in a day. But they’re so cute, I can’t get too mad at them.

This little guy is so tame he doesn’t even hide from me any more. One of the contractors working on the house said the critter almost ate some birdseed out of his hand before having second thoughts about it.

–20 May 2012

Old Wood and Flowers

Photo Information

Taken:	25 May 2008 13:20 at Brushy Creek, Texas
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 200
	18.4mm, 0 EV
	f/5
	1/60

Backstory

I can’t believe our back yard used to look like this before the drought and me not having enough time to keep the front and back yard done for a couple of years. I love the textures of the wood of various ages and the potted plants. 

• We picked up a set of the chairs at an estate sale.
• The whiskey barrel came from a home center, as did the plants.
• A friend made the glider in the background.
• The BBQ photobombing on the left just adds a touch of urbanity.

The drawback to wooden patio furniture (even though I love it): it composts.

—3 October 2012

It’s a Dog’s Life

Photo Information

Taken:	25 March 2008 18:39 The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 200
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/2.6
	1/50

Backstory

Rose isn’t allowed on the indoor furniture without explicit invitation. Even then she can be a little shy about it—but not out here. She’s giving me a look like, “I ordered a margarita. That looks more like a daiquiri.” Or I guess, “Whaat?!” would be more age appropriate.

—30 July 2012

Retaining Wall

Photo Information

Taken:	22 March 2008 19:05 The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO <#ISO#>
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/2.6
	1/160

Backstory

This was the first retaining wall project I built around the house. I guess I got a little carried away, but I sure wish I had time for projects like this again. It’s just not as satisfying to pay someone else to do the work.

Suna took the picture.

—9 August 2012

Photobombed: The Pug from Space

Photo Information

Taken:	11 March 2008 19:12 The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 250
	18.4mm, 0 EV
	f/5
	1/60 with flash

Backstory

Sometimes photobombing makes the picture better. Like I have no idea why I wanted a still life of the backyard showing the BBQ grill I was about to clean as it rests in the shaky wooden chair. Then the Android Pug with Laser Eyes materialized in the picture as I snapped. (Why, yes! He is standing on a platform. It’s the remnants of the kids’ old tree house that the HOA made us take down. I installed it by the back door so the old dogs could make it through the dog door.)

On a side note, Urban Dictionary defines “photobomb” as “One of innocent thing you should never say at an airport.” I’d like to know the backstory to that definition.

—8 August 2012

Happy Birthday to Me

Photo Information

Taken:	11 March 2008 19:01 at The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 200
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/2.6
	1/60

Backstory

This is one of my favorite portraits of Suna and me. Just us in the back yard being happy on my birthday taken by Prince.

—25 July 2012

Prince and Me

Photo Information

Taken:	11 March 2008 18:55 The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 200
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/2.6
	1/60

Backstory

Spending time with my dad this week makes me appreciate the time I got to spend with Suna’s dad—like sharing a beer while we bar-b-qued on my birthday in 2008. I think Suna took this one. I’m pretty sure I didn’t.

—4 August 2012

Father and Daughter

Photo Information

Taken:	8 March 2008 20:33 in The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 250
	11.8mm, 0 EV
	f/3.5
	1/60 with flash

Backstory

This is one of my favorite portraits of Suna and Prince, even with the flash reflecting off Prince’s glasses. They are both so happy to be in each other’s company, just hangin’ in the back yard.

—23 July 2012

Tug of War

Photo Information

Taken:	23 September 2007 08:59 Brushy Creek, Texas
Camera:	Cannon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 200
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/2.6
	1/60 flash

Backstory

This picture illustrates one of the reasons Rose survived despite her puppyish preference for chewing antiques. She is the sweetest!

When Suna took this picture, Gwenyth (the corgi) had been blind for more than a year. Rose (the black pup) would find the tug rope for her and take it to Gwen. Gwen loved to play tug of war, even though she couldn’t find the rope. She and Rose would play until Gwen was tuckered.

I’m sure this exercise helped keep Gwen alive and happy a little longer.

–29 May 2012