Wednesday, January 25, 2012

OKAY WHERE WERE WE BEFORE WE WERE SO RUDELY INTERRUPTED....

In my last post I had told you how well I was feeling after my two procedures. Well, I found out that recovering from an ablation and three blood clots is not as easy as I thought. My stamina, both physically and mentally, took a hit. The blood clots in my lungs made it harder to breathe and I was tired a lot. My creativity took a short vacation and didn't take me along. The great news is that around the holidays I started feeling much better and was ready to resume my life with the gusto I have always had. I am now feeling normal. Well, normal is subjective lol !!!!


I will soon be going in for another ablation as the first one did not take. This is not unusual but after the second one, there is a 90% chance of it being successful. I will be back writing my blog and hope that you will come back and read it. 


I thought that my first blog back would be introspective. I would post twelve of my favorite images (in no specific order) from the past year. Hopefully you enjoyed seeing them and feel the same way as I do.

Before I finish I really want to thank all of you who sent kind thoughts, wishes and concerns for my health. I read them and tried to answer them. Tameka, Melissa, Jim, Nelieta, Corinne, Julie Clements, Alpana, Denise, Aaron and everyone else that left messages, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I apologize for being gone but hope you all accept me back with the love you have always shown me and my images.


Now on to my twelve favorite images from last year. If you disagree and think another image should be in there, please let me know. If one of these twelve is your favorite, I'd love to hear which one and why.


When I saw this Great Blue Heron flying so low to the water I knew I would love the image.


I just love the mixture of sunset colors and the solitude of this one man on the ocean.


                       The simplicity and beauty of nature in my garden.


        I love the red beaks of the ibis but capturing the drop of water   
         suspended between them was special and lucky!!


 The sky at dusk, the ocean, footprints in the sand, two pretty ladies and a ship in the distance all come together to form a favorite of mine.


I found this field on a trip back to New England but I was a few days late and most of the sunflowers were passed their peak. I walked around hoping to find at least one in good shape and was lucky to find this flower standing tall, with a bee in the middle.



This was a model at last year's Art Deco Weekend in Miami, Florida and as you can see she is a beautiful young lady. I processed the original in color and then started playing around with a copy in Photoshop. I really liked the results.


This is my favorite images from last year maybe my favorite from all our romance sessions: a good looking guy and a truly beautiful young lady playing in the ocean with the Miami skyline in the background. But what makes it my favorite is the fun Amanda was having that day and the joy she displayed.



Who doesn't like a grand sunset especially when it has deep red in the sky and reflecting on the ocean, with the setting sun making it so memorable!!




Two egrets not even 24 hours old. How could it not be a favorite??




I love this for the sheer bravado of this Blue Heron chick, leaving the nest and standing out on a branch. Right below it were alligator infested waters. The parent never took its eyes off the chick. It was like watching someone walking the high wire at a circus, it wavered back and forth a few times but never fell off!!!




This image always make me smile, the gentleman looking back at all the physical activity while he relaxes on his chair in the ocean!!



A single tree standing in the ocean is simplicity at its best. I thought it looked best in black and white.




16 comments:

Motifs said...

Its really good to see u back,its like as if a member of the family is missing...I really hope this goes on well for u,I have seen too many heart related problems in my family..Please do take care...and whatever pictures u choose..all the THE BEST...
Get well soon.

Widow_Lady302 said...

Beautiful images and I'm glad to hear your are recovering. I hadn't heard you had been ill! Here is praying the next procedure works and you can hop around pic taking again soon! *hugs*

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you had a procedure, Jim. I thought you were traveling. Glad that you're well enough to blog. I pray you get completely healed.

Love your fantastic twelve. All are worthy to be in the list. You should make the collection into a calendar! The "man on the ocean" and the last sunflower standing are my faves. :)

Amanda B. said...

Glad you are blogging again! I've missed it! Very happy you are feeling better as so grateful you were able to attend Art Deco Weekend again. Look forward to all the great pictures from 2012!

Ann said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Love all the photos!

baldychaz said...

Good to see ya back sir and that your feeling more yourself. I love the black and white tree amazing.

Unknown said...

Welcome back Jim, you were missed by many!! It's great to hear that things are getting back to normal.

I'v always admired all your photos, I have to agree with you on the couple playing in the water. I remember seeing the original post of them and thinking, that Amanda looked like she was enjoying every second of it.

The black and white tree is pretty awesome, I really like photos like that.

Welcome back again!! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts.

Deb

Martha Jane Orlando said...

We have so missed seeing you and your amazing photos, Jim! Glad to hear you are recovering and good wishes for your upcoming procedure.
Your top photos are brilliant - you have chosen well and blessed us all with their beauty and composition.
Blessings and continued healing for you!

Melissa Tandoc said...

Oh I'm so happy to see you back Jim :D YEY! I think and pray for you always.

You never lost your magic touch in your posts ;)

I have my fave among your images, perhaps most of them were not from last year. Of the twelve, I liked, the sunflower, the ibis, the man sitting on the beach (I like the whole post actually), the couple from Miami, ooo that grand sunset reminded me of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen :P, the second and last images :D

I support you in everything Jim ~ you are a dear friend. Take care!

Dangerous Linda said...

Hi, Jim! ~

So happy to see you back in the action! I have missed you!

WoW -- hard to choose a favorite from such an outstanding line-up of images! I appreciated reading 'why' each was a personal fave of yours.

I have to agree with you that the romance session is probably my very favorite. Although, I love the baby egret venturing from the nest. Also, the girlfriends on the beach -- that is such an iconic image! They're all gorgeous!

Looking forward to seeing more of our wonderful world through your eyes in this New Year! XO

Jim said...

Great to know you're back! Been thinking about you. Your creativity is missed!
Best for the upcoming- it will go well.

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Ah, so good to have you back, Jim. Hope you are keeping well. Thank you for sharing these lovely images with us. Hoping to see you around more often! ♥

JIM said...

Thank You everyone it is great to be back!!! I am excited about reading all your great blogs once again!!!

Thank you all
Jim

Aaron said...

Welcome back Jim,
Recovery from procedures is always tougher than we expect and it is amazing how quickly our stamina diminshes isn't it. I am still trying to get mine back from over a year ago :)

Your images are so beautiful but I have to say my favourites are the guy at sunset rowing the surfboard. The colours are fantastic. I also love your black and white try. I have always been a sucker for b&w.

JANU said...

Nice to see you again. Hope you are back on full throttle again. I love the red sunset, the other pictures too have a story to tell...lovely.

Tameka said...

YAY! It's so great to have you back on the blogging scene! I missed your photo essays and your very presence! My favorite is of course the sunflower as it holds a lot of meaning for me. The tree in the water is also a personal favorite. Heck, I love all of your photos! Prayers and blessings on your next procedure. Good health and happiness will cover you like the morning sky!

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