Praying Mantis Photo Session Outtakes

Long story short...I brought a Praying Mantis home to photograph. I set up a mini-table top photo studio over by a sliding glass door for natural light. I had big green leaves and a yellow flower. I had a blast photographing him. Sometimes he ran up my arm, sometimes he stared right at me, sometimes he turned his head and watched my TV. Here are two of the out-takes that make me smile. He would run over to the edge of the white board I had set up...he didn't quite know what to do when he reached the end of his world.

He is back living in my friends flower garden now...he does miss the TV though.

Photography Show

I just finished with the biggest and most fun photography project I have ever worked on.

I currently have 29 framed photographs on display at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, MN. There are 4 artist walls in a busy hallway where they are hanging. Part of the proceeds from any sales goes to St. John's teen volunteer program.

I am honored to have my photos displayed there. Here is one of the walls. The photographs will be on display during the entire month of July.

Souris River Canoe Factory

Last May I was lucky enough to be able to canoe and camp in the Quetico Wilderness in Ontario, Canada for 6 days. When my friends and I exited the Quetico and went to the nearest town, it happened to be Atikokan where my canoe was built. We stopped and a friendly worker gave us a tour of how they make the Souris River canoe from beginning to end. Here is where the finished canoes are hung until they are purchased and put on the delivery truck. Most of these canoes were sold, just waiting to be delivered to their excited customer!

The Canoe

I decided it was appropriate for my first post on this blog to show you my canoe, after all... that is how the name Paddletramp came about. I love my canoe. I use it a lot and am not afraid to beat it up a bit all in the name of fun! My canoe is a red LeTigre Souris River Quetico 16. About 39 pounds of kevlar, light enough for me to carry it myself when I need to. It is made at the Souris River Company in Atikokan, Canada. You can buy them at the Red Rock Store in Ely, Minnesota. After 4 years I wanted to bring back the shine of my canoe, so I went to the Red Rock Store website where directions are posted for the process. Here are my Before, During and After results. Beautiful!