Whooooo's There?

Just wondering WHOOO is stopping by for a visit to the new blog.

Go ahead - post a comment! I promise not to watch...

This awesome Great Horned Owl was one of the creatures I had a chance to photography on Saturday at the Outdoor Discovery Center. Again - I can't say enough good things about this place, so go check it out sometime.

I think owls are pretty amazing. The Great Horned Owl (bubo virginianus) is considered common in both the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. They live in deciduous and coniferous woodlots and nest in old hawk, heron, or squirrel nests. They are also the earliest nesting raptor in Michigan. They begin laying eggs in January and February.

21st West Michigan Regional Competition

Today I learned this image (Into the Realm...) was selected to be exhibited in the upcoming 21st West Michigan Regional Competition. The show is sponsored by the Lowell Area Arts Council.

If you'd like to stop by and say "Hello" - I should be at the public reception which will be held this Sunday, February 18 from 2-4 pm.

For more information and directions to the gallery, visit www.lowellartscouncil.org. Hope to see you there!

For those of you curious about this image - it was taken in August during our family summer vacation to Hocking Hills State Park in Southern Ohio. It was very, VERY hot at the time, and the rising morning sun created a mist of humidity in the cool green forest. Very interesting place for photography!

Ahhh...SMILE. Winter is here!

Can't say as I've ever had an elk POSE for a portrait before, but...

It did.

I attended a great (but VERY cold) photography workshop on February 10th at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland.

For those of you who haven't visited this wonderful place, I would encourage you visit soon! There is something there for everyone to enjoy - including over four miles of trails and boardwalks, an interpretive building with displays and live animals, and a birds of prey education facility.

The First Post...

And so I jump into the trend of blogging... Here's my first attempt at trying to make my photography journey available for the masses. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so they say.

Perhaps I should chronicle where and what I'm currently photographing? List the places where my work is offered for sale or exhibit? Show you all some examples of recently captured images?

What would you, dear reader, be interested in knowing more about? Drop me a line and let me know...

Michigan Rural Character Art Show

Two of Stacy's 11x14 photographs (Pedals and Fallasburg Barn) have been accepted in a multi-media art show titled Michigan Rural Character.

The exhibit is coming April 12 - May 10 to Vergennes Township Hall near Lowell, Michigan. The show is sponsored by the Open Space Citizen Committee of the township, and is designed to depict "rural character" as seen by sculptors, painters, photographers, and writers.

The artists' reception will be held on April 26th at the Vergennes Township Hall from 6:15 pm.

The Baby in Santa's Beard

A fun photograph of Santa and my infant son Lucas won the "Witty & Humorous" category in the 18th Picture of America contest at USA101.com.

Santa (aka Mr. Jeffery L. Schatzer) is one of the best Santa's I've ever encountered. He has a terrific line of children's' storybooks that are a must-have in a library.

Whisper in the Woods Second Annual Art Show

Stacy Niedzwiecki will offer her distinctive photo note cards for sale at the second annual Whisper in the Woods Nature and Wildlife Fine Art Show.

The art show will be a special attraction within the Grand Rapids Sport & RV Show held at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 16 through 19, 2006. A select offering of popular 11x14 matted prints will be available for sale as well at the show.

Show Hours:
Thursday, March 16: 3pm - 10pm
Friday, March 17: 11am - 10pm
Saturday, March 18: 9am - 9pm
Sunday, March 19: 10am - 6pm

For more information about the art show, please click HERE.

See you all there!

20th West Michigan Regional Art Competition

My close-up photograph of a Native American woman's hands was accepted in the Lowell Area Arts Council's 20th Annual West Michigan Regional Art Competition.

The show will be on exhibit from February 19 - March 25, 2006. About 70 art work pieces in a variety of mediums were chosen from approximately 340 entries.

For more infomation, call 616-897-8545 or visit the Council's website at: www.lowellartscouncil.org.

Category Win at USA101.com

A fun photograph of Renaissance Faire prank won the "Witty & Humorous" category in the 17th Picture of America contest at USA101.com.

THE SCOTSMAN'S KILT
(Irish drinking tune)

A Scotsman clad in kilt left the bar one evening fair
And one could tell by how he walked he'd drunk more than his share
He staggered on until he could no longer keep his feet
Then stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.

Chorus:
Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.

Later on two young and lovely girls just happened by,
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
You see yon sleeping Scotsman who is young and handsome built
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt.

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt.

They crept up to the sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be
Then lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold for them to view beneath his Scottish skirt
Ws nothing but what God had graced him with upon his birth

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
There was nothing there but what God gave upon his birth

They marveled for a moment then one said we'd best be gone
But let's leave a present for our friend before we move along
They took a blue silk ribbon and they tied it in a bow
Around the bonnie spar that the Scot's lifted kilt did show

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
Around the bonnie spar that the Scot's lifted kilt did show

The Scotsman woke to nature's call and stumbled toward a tree
Behind a bush he lifts his kilt and gawks at what he sees
Then in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes
He said, "Lad I don't know where you've been
but I see you won first prize!"

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
He said, "Lad I don't know where you've been
but I see you won first prize!"

PC World Hot Pic of the Week

Stacy Niedzwiecki earned the PC World Digital Focus Hot Pic of the Week with a digitally-enhanced photo of a 1928 Chevy taken at the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival.

Each week, PC World selects their favorite reader-submitted photo based on creativity, originality, and technique.