Thru The Lenz

In Flight at Bushkill Creek!

On Thursday during lunch a coworker and I went to Bushkill Creek near Easton to see if we could find some opportunities to shoot ducks since he found some on the creek the day before.  We drove next to the creek for several miles until we found a few Mallards to be our wildlife subjects.

Since the weather is getting warming we will be doing more photo walks to explore the surround area.  Looking forward to it!

We went to Atlantic City, NJ on Sunday.  Must have walked 8 miles between Casinos on the boardwalk.  Some interesting sights, and I’ll leave it at that.  The sun was shining, very windy for May.  People were on the beach but no one in the water.

We went to the Hilton to collect a box of Sapranos wine and meet a few of the cast.  Very nice people.

All in all had a great time even though the bandits took my money.

Scheduled 1/2 day vacation on Friday afternoon to get a early start back to Philadelphia. Took a longer route to enjoy the early summer views on the Delaware river. Arrived at home at 2:30 in the afternoon. Collected my fishing gear and headed up to Station Ave. I had the line in the water by 4:30. Caught a small stripper about 14 inches, and a few white perch.

Wow, I been very busy doing other things in my life. Can’t believe its May already! My first follow up this year on the Invader was unremarkable. Great news.

My son, Rob, graduated from Holy Family University this month with a 3.901gpa. More great news! I been working on my photo site www.ltmlphoto.com. The site is always a work in process. Updated by including “Photo Essays” using flash.

Keeping my blog updated is now on my todo list at least once a week.

Stay tuned!

I haven’t posted for several months because I have been busy with other activities.  In the past months I have been getting back to outdoor activities.  Went fresh and salt water fishing several times. Rob and I went to the 7 bridges near Mystic Island New Jersey for salt water fishing.  I haven’t been there since I was a kid with my Dad and cousin Bill, the area has really changed.  This was Rob’s first saltwater fishing trip.  He caught a couple of Fluke however no keepers.  I caught a double header; Fluke on one hook and a sea turtle on the other.  We had a great time just sharing the experience.  “Priceless!” We have to go crabbing next.

This fall I’m going hunting with the guy’s from work.  I have to start hiking again to get ready for the fall hunting.  I really miss being out in the woods in the fall.  Crisp air and a kaleidoscope of colors.

When I came into the development tonight from work I drove over to the lake and then to my home to record the distance, 0.7 miles, so round trip walking is 1.4 mile.  A good walk after a long day at work, I thought.  After dinner I walked to the lake with my camera to capture the moment.  The wind was kicking up tonight so with the wind chill it felt like 20°F.  I would rather it be 85°F on a summer’s eve at the lake. 

Buddy, our 11 year old Brittany Spaniel gave the family quite a scare two weeks ago. Thursday night Rob found a lump on Bud’s left side of his neck up by the jaw. When I came home that evening Mary told me about the lump on Bud’s neck. I felt the area, finding the lump it was large about 2 cm. Of course we thought the worst, that Bud had a cancer (invader). The next day I called our Vet to make an appointment for Bud on Monday. Bud’s health issue just added to my tension and anxiety because for me it was the two gate weekend, Friday my Oncologist and Monday my Surgeon appointments.

My appointments out of the way and non-eventful, thanks to my Creator, Mary and I took Bud to his Vet’s appointment Monday afternoon. Our Vet is a great person who treats animals with respect and kindness. He examined Bud’s neck area finding the lump, the Doc’s facial expression change to one of great concern. He told us he thought it maybe a saliva gland or lymph node leaning more to the node. Doc examined Bud’s other nodes in his body. Mary and I knew the lump would require surgery before the appointment and we were prepared for the worst news. Doc discussed what he could do for Bud, stating time was of the essence. We needed to get him in surgery as soon as possible. He would first x-ray his chest. If the film was clear he would do the surgery. The Doctor discussed what he found and the measures he would take with his Assistant. The Doctor told his Assistant to reschedule other appointments on Thursday morning so he could operate on Bud.

Thursday morning Alicia and Mary drove Bud to the Vet’s office. Bud was made comfortable. Mary and Alicia left the office. My body was in work but my mind was with Bud, praying for him as I am sure the other family members were praying also.

I received a telephone call from Alicia about noon. She informed me Bud made it through the operation and was in recovery. The Doctor would keep her informed of Bud’s progress throughout the day and he could be picked up in the evening.

Mary and Alicia picked up Bud late Thursday night. Our Vet will not let an animal go home until his patient can stand and walk under their own power. He showed the lymph node tumor to the girls, and told them it was larger then expected. He had to be very careful because the tumor grew around a major vein in Bud’s neck. He would be sending the tumor to U of Penn for pathology. Now the wait for path results.

Great news! Our Vet called on Thursday to inform us Bud’s lymph node was invader free, no cancer! The node was reacting to an infection. The Pathology Department at U of P will conduct further analysis to determine the cause of the infection.

Bud is doing great, eating and playing with his family. He goes to see his friend, the Vet, to get his blue stitches out this Thursday.

Happy New Year to ALL

Merry Christmas

The Rose. After I arrived home in Philly on Saturday, I looked at the plants on my patio. I was impressed to find the rose bush with a few rose buds on it at this time of year. I felt compelled to photograph the roses to preserve their beauty, and share with you. Since the weather forecast called for freezing rain on Sunday, I cut both rose buds off the bush, took them inside, and placed them in a vase of water.