The Launching

Today was a beautiful calm day on the water for the "viewing" of the Cianbro barge carrying their very first shipment of steel modules to Texas. I viewed this happening in Bucksport behind the Verso Paper Mill along with many other spectators and some of the papermill employees.

The Columbian Boston - the 94 foot by 354 foot barge is loaded with six steel module pieces each 4 stories high heading to the Texas refinery. Motiva Enterprises hired Cianbro of Brewer, ME to deliver 53 modules for Motiva's 7 billion expansion. These modules are filled with pipes, pumps and electronics. Four Cianbro workers who recently won awards for their skills in welding, pipefitting and a millwright stood on the deck of the barge - proud day for them I'm sure. The Texas refinery produces Shell Oil products about 275,000 barrels of fuel a day. This is the first of the shipments to start their expansion which will more than double their barrels. The barge trip from Brewer, Maine to Port Arthur, Texas is expected to take 15-20 days.

60 Years

As most of you are already aware Dave's mom and dad celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past weekend. Wow! We had a wonderful time celebrating with the family. 5 of the family members couldn't be with us so I'm glad I'm able to share some of the highlights with them. The following are just some of my favorites that I was able to capture. We missed you Don in California and Crystal and family in Louisiana.

2009 Family Photo

Derek - "Let me fix your hair."

5 of the

Ladies in the Family

The Murray

Family

An Emotional reading of a gift

Another Emotional Reading of a gift

Discussing the cake

Notice Gib's mouth

Charlotte has a mess too

Daniel with his grandfather

Couch Photos

The Betts Family

Just a little loving

Dill participating in a snowball fight

Patrick taking a few shots

Trevor and Montana

watching

Grammy Patty

visiting with Reese

and Uncle Dave

Just Ducks

I followed up on a lead I had when I shopped at the bakery a few weeks ago. This bakery woman told me she had a wonderful duck pond near her residence and it was filled with mallards. I wondered how good this place really was so off we went. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining and rather warm for an adventure so I said to Dave - let's go see that "duck pond". I'll tell you I was some impressed. There was at least 40 ducks when we were there and more flying in. We had visited this place twice. The first time the ducks greeted us at our truck door and then the second visit they stayed right on the pond. We figured other people had stopped by and they had been fed and were comfortable just wading around their little pond. I will revisit in the spring and summer.

In Flight

This was the action going on this cold early morning. I took this opportunity to practice on my shots. Hopefully I'm not boring my readers.

Snow Us your Creation Photo Contest

Like I mentioned before I had entered a photo contest through the Bangor Daily Newspapers Maineville - something new - without really any intentions on being named a winner or even honorable mention. To my surprise one morning I was notified that I was the runner up competing against 293 contestants for creating this get well wish for my brother-in-law in California. It was based on creativity not composition. My prize for this snowman creation is a gift certificate to Bangor Photo. I will truly enjoy this!

Back Again

I must share these pictures with you all once again. During this snowstorm this morning I was surprised to see the deer that are occassionally seen in our backyard usually eating the cedar trees at a distance were back and much closer this time. I always thought they would be bedded down waiting for the storm to pass. Guess not. A few days ago apples were placed beside the tree near the birdfeeder in hopes they would come closer - well they did. They saw me in the window shooting pictures and it didn't seem to bother them - I guess the apples kept their attention not me.