I locate "turtle sees his reflection in our front door kick plate."

Alpharetta, GA

A few days ago in my "snake posting", I made mention of a visit we had with a turtle. Well, I found the image while going through some old files on my laptop. Here's a shot of the guy looking at his reflection in the brass plate at the base of our front door. The visit happened back in 2006. I told you life was never boring when you live near a woods.

Evening light illuminates WinShape Retreat buildings.

Mt. Berry, GA

WinShape is a Retreat located in the middle of 26,000 acres. Many of the buildings on campus were part of a former dairy farm. The facility is absolutely gorgeous and very peaceful. You can read more about it by clicking here.

Stanley photographs sphere panoramics at WinShape Retreat.

Mt. Berry, GA

I assisted my friend Stanley Leary during his photo assignment at the WinShape Retreat. Here Stanley is shown composing a shot in the amphitheater on the campus.

Ken Touchton stops by for a visit.

Mt. Berry, GA

Successful photographer and friend, Ken Touchton, drove up to watch Stanley do the sphere panoramic photos. Ken is from the D.C. area but was in town for a visit with former colleagues. We were all heading for the cafe (in the background) during a downpour, when I shouted to Ken "hey let me take your picture." Ken turned around with tripod in one hand and umbrella in another.

It must be reptile and amphibian week for the blog : )

Mt. Berry, GA

Someone noticed this bright green tree frog clinging to the screen door of the cafe at the WinShape Retreat. Of course I couldn't resist taking its picture. Who knows what creatures the next five days will bring with them.

"Dad, there's a worm-like animal in the foyer."

Alpharetta, GA

That was the response by my son Micah last night when he noticed some resistance to his broom from an object stuck under the thin crack between the baseboard and the flooring in the foyer. I too couldn't tell what the critter was until I was able to dislodge it about a minute later. The little guy was tiny and thin and needed a better place to live than our home with the dogs (smile). He's photographed here in a dustpan on his way outside to the nearby woods. Several years ago we had a turtle come to the front door and stare at his reflection in the brass kick plate. Life is never boring when you live near the woods.

"Gotcha"

Alpharetta, GA

My friend and fellow photographer Bill Bangham displays the photo he just took of me with his iPhone. Bill was in town today and we got together for breakfast. It's been several years since we've seen each other but we keep in touch by phone and email. Bill manages the photography department of the sister agency counterpart for which I once worked. As directors of photography we used to see each other a lot more often. I miss those days but time marches on. Anyway, Bill has been a good friend and he's the guy, who over a year ago, encouraged me to start this blog. BTW - Bill, thanks for taking care of the tab this morning. : )

Bill with his Leica M8.

Bill has used a Leica for as long as I've known him. I told Bill that I could send the camera back to him in the mail but he declined.

New present "falls" into the water (15 year old son pranks his mom).

Alpharetta, GA

Yesterday was my son Micah's 15th birthday. He had been asking for a "tactical" flashlight for a present. I decided to order him the new light from 4 Sevens. The light has amazing output for just (2) AA batteries. The secret is that it uses a Cree LED instead of a conventional incandescent light bulb. Anyway, back to the story..........once Micah found out that his new light was waterproof, he decided to play a joke on his mom. Yelling to his mom "come here quick", she raced into the bathroom to discover that the light had "fallen" into the water-filled bathroom sink. After he got the reaction that he was looking for, then Micah "fessed up" that he had pranked his mom once again.

Victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks remembered.

Milton High School - Alpharetta, GA

Thousands of American flags adorn the front lawn of Milton High School as part of a Never Forget Project displayed by a local group honoring the victims of the 9-11 attacks.

A young girl poses among the flags while a parent takes pictures.

A girl stops to tie her shoe during her walk among the many flags.

Eat Mor Chikin.

Atlanta, GA

Photographers Greg Thompson, left, and Stanley Leary pose with a Chick-fil-A mascot during a recent assignment that we did for the popular restaurant chain. Greg is with corporate communications at Chick-fil-A and Stanley is a successful freelance photographer based in Atlanta.

Start of the new academic year at The Galloway School.

Atlanta, GA

Fourth grade student Max Palisoc gets a boost from a step stool as he speaks about individuality during the opening ceremony marking the start of the new school year. A cameraman from a local television station provides coverage while Max speaks.

Balloons drift upward

Thousands of balloon are released as part of opening day festivities at The Galloway School.