Friday, May 11, 2012

Foto Friday . . .

I interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you . . . yes more seaweed.
And it looks like this seaweed isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.
(She says with a sheepish grin)

The news said it's the worst in great abundance and that Galveston hasn't seen this much
seaweed in a decade and partly because we have been having really strong south winds.
When I was there last week I thought there was a lot, but I went back (because I had too much
fun just days before) even I was shocked by the amounts I saw and it went on and on for as far
as my eyes could see.

But before we headed to the beach we took in the sunrise. . .
and a little starburst to go with it.



And then we headed to Galveston to the beach . . . and there wasn't a soul there but us and the birds!
Oh, and the seaweed - lots and lots of seaweed!



The birds were in smorgasbord heaven and so was I, practicing shooting (with my camera only of course) birds in flight. These little fellows are fast.


This time there was so much of it and it went so much further out into the water that I just couldn't get to it to find more critters . . .

 . . . and well, after seeing this seagull grab this out of the seaweed I wasn't sure I wanted to anyway! (And to think I was knee deep in this last week) I'm not going to rush to any rash judgements here, but just sayin' I'm not sure pipefish grow that long?


And as I ventured along I came across this female blue crab, noted by her lipstick stained claws - she was a little out of sorts, blowing bubbles which is never a good sign. But she soon got a second wind and was headed off to find the water.

This is some of the seaweed that has been on shore and has started to dry up. Those little berry looking things are actually filled with a gas and are what keeps the sargassum afloat. It comes from the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic and when it breaks free and catches the gulf stream it ends up in the Gulf of Mexico benefiting the beaches by replenishing and preventing erosion.



We decided to head down the street a bit further west to a spot where they were pushing the seaweed back off the shore.



Where I found even more birds . . .


[ Photograph life - one color collage ]

. . . and they were working the beach!

And these Sanderlings, which are not babies, usually will not let you get close but they were so all consumed
by lunch to even care.

[ Shoot, edit, submit ]

And then how perfect, the theme over at Photo Art Friday this week if you chose it was to make a piece of photo art with a horizon. This is the view walking back down the ramp from the beach. And this is kind of monumentous( monumental and momentous, it's a kimism) for me in that I still haven't quite learned my elements yet and found that picmonkey allows you to upload your own texture. Imagine my excitement, and especially because I was able to use not one, but two of Bonnie's textures [from Pixel Dust Photo Art] that I won. Whoo Hoo!

I used two images that I superimposed, one of the scene and the other of the pelicans. I used Northern Lights overlay in subtract at 44%, and then Splendor in the Grass in hardlight at 25%, ta da!!
I love how the textures really enhanced the clouds, thanks again Bonnie!


[ Photo Art Friday ]

And strangely last but not least and only because it doesn't fit the beach theme, is my interpretation of still life for project 52. And check it out, no spray bottle this time, lol!
And oh sigh, boy do I love Ranunculus......

[ P52 project  -  Flower Art Friday ]
Kim Klassen's texture Warm sun, hardlight 81% 

The winds are suppose to die down giving a small reprieve of seaweed this weekend, but we are expecting storms, shucks! I'm on a quest to find a pipefish and flatworm...wish me luck!! ; )

Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Mother's Day to you, early!
Love, Kim
XO









 
 
Photo Art Friday  photosbyleanne  project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge my3boybarians.com
 
 

36 comments:

tiarastantrums said...

wow that is some crazy amounts of seaweed! I can honestly say I don't think I would walk through that - brave girl!!

Sharon Surman Photography said...

I wouldn't have walked in that mound of seaweed
either!! But the photos are great!
I love the still life. Just beautiful.

Cropped Stories said...

There are too many beautiful pictures here! I love them all!

Unknown said...

the textured picture of the beach is spectacular.

LeAnne said...

All of these are gorgeous! I admit I am partial to the flowers. :) beautiful work! Thanks for linking up with Flower Art Friday!

Andrea Dawn said...

So beautiful, Kim, a always . . . I so enjoy your work. Love all the bird shots and your still life is just so dreamy.

Unknown said...

Oh, my.
I've been looking around your blog...
the photos, your book, your jewelry creations.
There is a dazzling amount of creativity within you.
How marvelous that you let it out
and share with us.
I do LOVE the photo art for Photo Art Friday.
Totally perfect!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wow what seaweed!!! Great photos and congrats on your win! Beautiful work!

Mary Gene Atwood said...

what glorious shots! I so love the beach, and you have some fabulous shots. Loving the texture used, nicely done.

urban muser said...

wow, so much gorgeous-ness to look at in this post! i can't believe all that seaweed. and i love what you did with bonnie's textures. just lovely!

Deanna said...

Yurk that seawood has really accumulated piles and piles...but you sure did get some great pics of those birds. Everytime I see your images of the beaches I get this sigh of envy that you get to enjoy them any time. Your texturing is fantastic...love it!! And congrats on your win.

Cherie said...

What a treat for the eyes your blog has today! LOVE the beach photos. I wish we lived closer. Instead we are surrounded by corn fields!

Mrs. T. said...

All the photos are wonderful.. Love the crab, too. The flowers are very lovely. I think they're roses but look almost like peonies which don't grow here in Florida.

Ida said...

Stunning! - Everything here is just fabulous. I so enjoy your photographs, art work and writing.

Saun said...

Wow! that is just crazy. Love your shots they are great.

Deborah said...

all of your photos are fantastic! and I do love the rendering of the photo for Photo Art Friday!

Donna said...

I love the beach shots. I have never seen that huge an amount of seaweed. I would never be brave enough to walk in it. I love the textured scene at the bottom. Beautiful.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Wow, that's a crazy amount of seaweed. I can just picture it crawling with life. Good luck on your quest. :0)

Gorgeous pics too. :0)

Anonymous said...

these are stunning! I can't pick favorite. Each of them is just beautiful. those colors and tones are so vivid. it feels like I was there with you :)

Pat said...

Beautiful photos. The textured beach shot is lovely.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Well, if I may use a "Kimism" - your PAF piece is 'monumental and momentous'!! It looks like a painting right out of a gallery!!! Imagine what you will do when you get comfortable with Elements!

I learned so much from this post Kim - thank you for the info about seaweed. What a monumental and momentous amount there on your beaches.

A pleasure to view your camera shots - as always.

Sherri B. said...

What stunning photos of the beach and birds...so beautiful! My favorite is the one of the seagull shadows - that's truly amazing. And your texturized photo is lovely...thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

These are all fabulous, especially the birds in flight! Can't wait to visit the beach this summer now.

Merike said...

Now i visited first time here :) Looks great. Lovely scene and texture too :)

tinajo said...

Beautiful pics - I love the sea! :-)

Monica S Engell said...

Wonderful post at the beach, and I love the work you have done for PAF!
Have a nice weekend:)

Pieni Lintu said...

Pretty shots!

Roxanne Reinhart said...

Great photos. I cannot get over all that seaweed!,

Lori @ Foto Friday said...

Love the collage, your photos are so clear, and so stunningly beautiful!

Thanks for sharing with Foto Friday,
Lori

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures from the beach and the flowers.

Rachel Hope said...

Gorgeous flower shot! So soft and beautiful! (Found you through Project 52, great stuff!)

Kathy Reed said...

I am impressed with your style, Kimberly...from the sun peeking through the clouds to the colorful crab to the work of art beach photos..the still life is sweet, too.

Unknown said...

love it all KIM!! thanks for quick and free trip to the beach ;)

Mary Gene Atwood said...

congrats on your win at floral art Friday! I love it and so happy for you...pretty in pink!

Jeanne said...

I love these photos of the beach, and yes, I would be very suspicious that this was not a pipefish that this gull dropped. Makes you wonder what you are wading in to doesn't it?? Congratulations on your recognition for flower art friday, your photo was awesome. Love your processing on it. Great textures with Kim...... Happy day to you!

Jaymi said...

I LOVE that shot of the ranunculus! They are my favorite flower, and the texture you added is just lovely!

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