The Tigress

I wrote about our visit to the zoo the other day. It was so much fun. We met so many fun animals! The beautiful tigers were so close that we would have been their dinner, if the glass wasn't there. This female tiger decided to pose for me. She evidently knew exactly how pretty she was!

Gorgeous! My "secret" childhood dream has always been to have my very own tiger. You think the zoo would consider . . . oh never mind.

Sweet girl—"Innocent Wonder"

Isn't she too sweet for words? I guess I'm a little biased, but wouldn't you be if you were able to peer into that sweet little face every day? Seriously.

I took this snapshot on a visit to a local park. There was rain coming, so the colors were just popping! The grass looked super green, and my LO happened to be wearing a green t-shirt, too. I just love it! She was running around in the grass squealing, laughing, and having a great time, while we ate a picnic dinner as a family.

She's our first (we've got another one on the way), so it's been amazing to watch her discover the world for the first time. She truly has been full of wonder, as she's explored and experienced the world around her. I love that this picture captures some of that in her expression. After running around a little, she ran back and peered into my camera, just like you see her. I laughed when I saw this week's theme at IHeartFaces ("Innocent Wonder"), because I thought, Well I must have about a thousand pictures that capture just that!

Orangutan

We love going to the zoo as a family. It's so nice to get outside, walk around, and have close encounters with exotic animals. My daughter LOVES it! She still talks about our last visit to the Louisville Zoo, which was several weeks ago.

This particular zoo is now one of our favorites. While it's not huge, they are doing an excellent job at revamping the habitats, and creating great experiences for visitors. For example, I had a fun encounter with this female orangutan. She was so fun to watch. She started out a little ways away from me, sitting against the fence. She looked like she was deep in thought. I watched.

And then it was like she had a melancholy thought, and began to contemplate it.

And then, she saw me. I believe we may have even made eye contact. So, she came over to say hello, and stuck her face right up against the glass.

And then, she began to think deep thoughts again.

And I could almost hear her start to sing, "What would I give, if I could live out of this ca-age? What would I pay to spend a day, up in a tree? Betcha in the jungle, they understand . . . that they don't cage a wild animal. Wish I could be . . . part of that wooorrrld."

Catching Snow

I love winter! I love snow! But, I love both even more when I see it all through my daughter's eyes. Here in Kentucky, we don't normally get good snow, but this winter has provided more snow than normal. We even had enough a few weekends ago to go sledding at our local park. It was so fun!

On a brief break from the snow frivolities, my girl took a second to try and catch snow on her tongue—an extremely valuable skill for enjoying the snow. Her cheeks were bright red, and her face was coated with snow. It was a wonderful photo opportunity—and a great memory!

The Pioneer Woman likes me!!!

I just can't contain my excitement! The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) likes one of my photos!!! I think this means we might be best friends, now. Maybe she'll invite me out to her ranch so we can hang out and get to know each other better.

It's true! She selected my photo of bourbon balls from Woodford Reserve as one of her picks in her latest photo challenge. I made it into group #3! It's the 6th photo down in the post. Check it out, and say hi to  my new best friend Ree, while you're there. :)

Sunset at the Platte

I never get tired of seeing the sunset at the mouth of the Platte River, in Northern Michigan. There's just nothing like seeing the river and the big lake meet, and having the beautiful colors of the sunset shine down on it all. I was spending this particular evening rock hunting with my mom- and sister-in-law. The sky was gorgeous, and the water looked so glassy. Ahhhhhhh . . .

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. . . . 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." 

—Isaiah 9: 2, 6 (NASB)

Welcome to Empire Bluffs

My husband and I hiked Empire Bluffs once again, when we visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes area this past Fall. The colors were gorgeous, and this was the first view along the trail as we got started. It was almost as if the trees were saying, "Welcome to Paradise!"

Fresh on the vine

Grapes and vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

—John 15:4-5 (NASB)

Lavendar at the winery

Lavender with grape vineyards and Lake Michigan beyond

Bowers Harbor Vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula, MI

Arcadia overlook

Lake Michigan is so beautiful! Isn't it? This particular day was especially beautiful. I love when I can see all the blues and aquas, with some white-caps dotting the scene. These pictures were taken from an overlook in Arcadia, MI, on a clear Fall day. The wind was pretty strong, and it was difficult to keep my hair out of the picture. :o)

Happy mushrooms

Happy Holidays!

I wanted to let you all know that I'm running a 15% off holiday sale on all my LesliePaladinoPhotography Artfire.com items—normally $20 for a 5x7 with neutral 8x10 mat, now $17. Stop by my shop and check it out. Photography makes a GREAT Christmas gift!

Today's Snow

I know it probably won't last long, but I'm reveling in today's snowfall. I love snow!! I had to run outside in my slippers this morning to snap a picture to document the fact that it's REALLY happening. My daughter keeps wanting me to come over and look out the window with her, so we frequently huddle together on the couch, cheek to cheek, and watch the beautiful white flakes flutter down. How can I resist that?

A walk at "The Big Lake"

I snapped this shot of my husband and daughter while we hunted for rocks along Lake Michigan, just outside of Leeland, MI. Even though the water was cold, I think my daughter would gladly have gone for a swim. She loves waves!

In the breeze

An English Breeze

Up with the sun, the breeze arose,

Across the talking corn she goes,

And smooth she rustles far and wide

Through all the voiceful countryside.

Through all the land her tale she tells;

She spins, she tosses, she compels

The kites, the clouds, the windmill sails

And all the trees in all the dales.

God calls us, and the day prepares

With nimble, gay and gracious airs:

And from Penzance to Maidenhead

The roads last night He watered.

God calls us from inglorious ease,

Forth and to travel with the breeze

While, swift and singing, smooth and strong

She gallops by the fields along.

—Robert Louis Stevenson

Fall Glory

Along "The Lost Pathway" trail in Northern Michigan

Shrooms

I got down on my elbows and knees to get this shot. We were hiking on "The Lost Pathway" in Northern Michigan a month or so ago, and these little guys almost got stepped on before I noticed them. They were just so perfect that I dropped down to grab the shot. I just love that there's a little bit of sand on everything in this picture. That's Western Michigan for you. I love that.

Fishtown

Fishtown in Leland, MI

Fishtown is a 145-year-old fishing village in the town of Leland, MI. It's home to many quaint shops and charter fishing companies. It's also the gateway to South and North Manitou Islands. It's one of our family's must-see destinations when we're in the area. It is home to such places as The Dam Candy Store, Tug Stuff, and The Village Cheese Shanty (which also has great local wines).

On our recent trip to Northern Michigan, we stopped in Leland to do some rock hunting, and then visited Fishtown, and watched the salmon in the channel. 

According to the Fishtown Preservation Society, "Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. Once the heart of a commercial fishing village, the structures and docks are real places where people can walk through, see and feel a connection to Lake Michigan’s fishing heritage. For the past half-century it has been enjoyed and appreciated by thousands of visitors and regional residents who find the shanties, fish tugs and docks that make up the property a living legacy of our maritime culture."

I love Fishtown!

Click-ish Photographers

I'm really excited about a new photo group that I'm a part of, here in Lexington, and I wanted to let you all know! It's a group of photo-minded women in the area, and we get together to share ideas, learn, and grow as photographers. Be sure to check us out at http://click-ishphoto.blogspot.com, and become one of our followers! We'll be posting regular updates of our meetings and sample photos from our fun photo shoots.