Karen's Place's photos

This verbena has been a real star in the yard this summer. It really is this neon too and is still blooming. The hummingbirds, butterflies and bees all really enjoyed visiting it this year. Verbena is usually treated as an annual here but I was so pleasantly surprised to see it return this spring even after our really cold temperatures last winter. For Sight and Sound another great hit from this group: Sly and the Family Stone from their 1970 single: Live: Everybody is a Star Single: Everybody is a Star Everybody is a Star

Life is funny. Yesterday I was stung by a yellow jacket and today I am posting a photo of a honey bee :)) Isn't he cute?! Honey bees I like very much but yellow jackets are just aggressive and so very rude. It made me think of the lyrics to this 70s classic. ♪♫ Life is funny, skies are sunny Bees make honey ♫ ♪ So...for Sight and Sound: Ten Years After from their album "A Space in Time" (1971) I'd Love to Change the World I'd Love to Change the World

This week in SSC: "Portray "happiness" in a black and white image. Your subject can be anything." Little Marble enjoys his first catnip. I've posted Marble before but in case you don't know him he is a stray/feral cat (maybe 2 years old?) that has come to live with us. He stays outside and sleeps on the porch and we feed him several times a day. He is mostly wild but has recently become overwhelmed with affection and will rub all over us as long as we don't touch him. This is a big change from before when he would run away if you'd even look at him. He is very scared of hands. I'm afraid something bad happened to him before. He's getting friendlier by the day though. Today we decided to see how he'd like some catnip and he was a very happy boy. :) (See PiPs!)

One last look as summer fades into fall. For Sight and Sound: The Stone Poneys from their album "The Stone Poneys" (1967) Sweet Summer Blue and Gold Sweet Summer Blue and Gold

A beautiful sunset on the way home from Seattle on a very windy day. (Looks best large) For Sight and Sound: C & N from their album "Wind on the Water" (1975) Bittersweet Bittersweet

This week in SSC: Bottles "Use any kind of bottle/bottles in a creative way as the subject for your composition. You may process however much or how little as you like." I learned something this week. I don't have many bottles in my life. :D I did save this one empty Kahlua bottle because I like the colors and the design. I thought it might be fun to play around with PicMonkey's "Mirror" effect for some different looks. I also used the "kaleidoscope" effect in PIXLR. You can see all of them in the PiPs. Which one do you like best?

This little fungus family is wishing you all a HFF and a wonderful weekend too! :) ... and for Sight and Sound: Sly and the Family Stone from their album "There's a Riot Goin' On" (1971) Family Affair Family Affair

A little view from Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham Washington. For Sight and Sound: Riverside from their album "Shrine of New Generation Slaves" (2013) Coda Coda

This week in SSC: "Harmony" "Take a photo of something that represents harmony to you. It can be anything you choose." Please enjoy the harmony of my little mushroom friends. :) ...and for Sight and Sound: The Byrds from their album "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" (1968) Natural Harmony Natural Harmony

Wishing you all a HFF and a little quiet time in your day to just relax. And for Sight and Sound: Basia from her album "Time and Tide" (1987) Miles Away Miles Away

As summer winds to an end two friends enjoy the pond. For Sight and Sound: Randy Newman from his album "Toy Story" (1995) You've Got a Friend in Me You've Got a Friend in Me

This week in SSC: "Take a photo and then post-process it using your favorite program. Include original." This old place sits in the lot next to a Walmart believe it or not. I'm guessing they wouldn't sell, but I really know nothing about this old building. I'm not sure if it was a house or a chicken coop. (For my song choice, I'm imaging it as a lovely cozy (long) home at one time. It does have a power pole. :) I cropped and leveled it a little bit, increased the contrast and then used my Nik Collection "Silver efex Pro2" to give it an old-time feeling. I really like playing around with this kind of processing. You can see the original in the PiP. ...and for Sight and Sound: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from their "Déjà Vu" album (1970) Our House Our House

The strawberries are still going strong. For Sight and Sound: The Beatles from their "Magical Mystery Tour" album (1967) Strawberry Fields Forever Strawberry Fields Forever

This young coyote pup found just what he was looking for under the apple tree. (Looks best on full screen)

This week in SSC: "Use the edge of an image to "cut" your subject in half" My subject is a picture that hangs on the wall at my sister's house. I always love looking at it when I visit. You can see the whole thing in the PiP. ...and for Sight and Sound: How about a Cat singing about a Dog? :) Cat Stevens from his first Single released in 1966 and also included on his 1967 album "Matthew and Son." Live: I Love My Dog Single: I Love My Dog

Here are 3 happy little faces to wish you a very HFF! (Looks cutest large) ...and for Sight and Sound: I guess three was better than "one" for this family. :)) Three Dog Night from their self-titled album (1968) One One

I saw these birds at the beach and was happy to get a recognizable photo of them even though I don't recognize them at all. All I know about them is that there weren't any that were faster. George Harrison from his self-titled album (1979) Faster Faster