Backyard Fall, Japanese Maple

         Nikon D800, 70-200mm lens, ASAISO 400, F5.6 at 1/500th.  Photoshop only processing.
      This, and my birches, I took good water-care of this summer.  Both are very sensitive to stress.

Cliffhanger 2012

 A thousand participants have placed the 2012 Cliffhanger 5K 8K in the record book and raised money for worthy causes at the same time.  The race was held today along Cliff Drive in Historic Northeast.  Above, the start of the Elite Division at 8am...

 Above, the Brother's Dicus... Kent, on the left, is President of the Northeast Kansas City Historical Society and Steve is just a normal guy :)

 Shots of the second race which began at 9am.  Below foreground, a rare sight, two Baldridges in the wild... their wife/mom Mel was assistant race director.

 Above, famous local publisher, Mr. Bushnell...  who ran in the second race... although I had to line him up with a tree to detect movement.

 Four-footed friends were welcome as were wee-ones in strollers.

 This was the 27th Annual Race put on by the KC Trak Club... it benefits Northeast Neighbor to Neighbor, Special Olympics, and Gladstone School.

 Afterward, Chris Cakes provided the grub.  Hyper was granted special dispensation to partake. 

 Flipping cakes was entertaining.....   below man is HUNGRY.

 Above, one of the youngest Audrey Smith, age 10,... she was blazing fast.   Below, world-renowned, local columnist from the STAR.

 Great weather and a clean, beautiful course.

Another shot of the beginning of the second race.  

Night In The Bottoms

Nighttime trips to the West Bottoms are favorites of mine.  Last night was one such excursion. Below the 12th Street Viaduct with the skyline.. looking east.

 Nikon D800.  ISO 3200.  F56 at a 20th for most shots.  Ignored the meter.  Going for a Tri-X kinda  

                                                                        look.

Much more activity down there now even at night as more and more people are moving into the newly renovated warehouse spaces.  Lofts abound.  Never used to see anyone, now, runners, dog-walkers, people sitting on stoops chatting.   

 I still find the architecture at night enchanting..mysterious.  And black and white is perfect to convey  
                                                            those kinds of emotions.

              Above... a tabby adopted me on my trek... stayed with me the whole time I was down there.

                                               Above, alley-glimpse of KC's downtown.

                                                                     

Coffee Shop I just discovered... must give it a try... in daylight.

Summer In The Gardens

         Kauffman Gardens change with the season.   It's Summer flowers now.  Just a small sample here.

                        Princess Crazy is the garden guardian...  but constant vigilance is tiring.
                     ( http://hyperblogal.blogspot.com/2011/06/princess-crazy-and-garden.html )

 All shots Nikon D800 and one of three lenses:  105mm macro, 70-200mm zoom, or, 14-24mm zoom.