2003 Annual Sandhill Crane Migration in Central Nebraska

01 May 2011

Lately I’ve been loving pictures of central Nebraska and of the annual sandhill crane migration.  Today’s pictures were taken by my parents (either Larry or Laurie, I’m not sure who in particular).  From what I can tell, it looks like they stopped at the same overpass we always do, the interchange for Shelton, Nebraska off of I-80.  I love these particular pictures because of the sunset.  Nebraska regularly sports pretty stellar sunsets.  I really like these in particular.  So, today I’m posting these pictures more for the sunset than for the cranes.  Enjoy!

Nikon 9000 ED 35mm Color Negative Scan, 4000 dpi.

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

2003 Thede - Nebraska Cranes, Blizzard

And, just for good measure, here’s a look at where these photos were taken.  It’s a great place for crane viewing :)

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Awesome Miniaturization Video

29 April 2011

I love photography, especially when creatively used to express something in an unnatural way.  About a year ago I learned about a photography technique where you can take regular looking pictures and alter them to look like miniature versions of the original.  There’s a simple process in Photoshop you can use to create the effect.  It wasn’t long before experimental photographers took timelapse sequences of images, applied the effect to their entire set of pictures, and then stacked all of the images into a video timeline to create a miniaturized video.  That said, check out the below video for an excellent version of this kind of work.  Made me miss the mountains, skiing, and winter.  Ahhhhhhh …

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June 1964 - Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

29 April 2011

Today we’re looking at a set of photographs taken by my mother in June 1964.  At least, that’s what I think.  There are a few that were obviously taken by my grandfather, Kenneth Ekwall.  However, there are quite a few taken at what looks like a school.  I think my mother took a camera with her to school one fine day in 1964 so she could take pictures of her friends and classmates.  Mom, can you confirm?  :)

These were all shot in Omaha, Nebraska.  I think the fashion represented is my favorite aspect.  I’m particularly fond of one pair of eyeglasses - can you find them?

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Family and Friends

Nikon 9000 ED b/w 120/220 negative scan, 4000 dpi.

To view the entire set, please head over to 1964 06-02 Laurie Ekwall - Friends and Family on Flickr.

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June 1963 - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

25 April 2011

Today we’re looking at my mother’s birthday party in June, 1963 (hi, mom!). My grandfather (Kenneth Ekwall) took these pictures using what appears to be black and white 120/220 negative film.

A couple of these pictures really stick out to me. Take a look at the cake - such a work of art! If I’m looking at it correctly it appears to be shaped like a merry-go-round. So cool! Also, I like the picture of my mom digging through her wardrobe. She’s definitely got a “you caught me!” look on her face. And, she looks a lot like I looked at that age.

I’m sure my mother will look at these pictures and say “oh, I loved that outfit!” That’s generally the first thing she says when she sees pictures from her childhood :)

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

1963 06 Kenneth Ekwall - Laurie Ekwall Birthday Party

Finally, here’s a map of where these pictures were taken.

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1949 Frances and Bobby on the Dock

24 April 2011

Laura and I decided today was the day we’d plant our garden. The sun was out, the temperature right, and the ground was ready for all of our seedlings. After a day like today all I want to do is relax. So, here’s an image of some people doing just that. This picture was taken in 1949 at the Maple Lane Resort in Vining, Minnesota. My grandmother, Frances (age 32), is on the left, with her sister, Barbara (age 23), on the right. My family has been taking summer vacations at Maple Lane for almost 100 years - I’ve got practically a century’s worth of photos to prove it. If you keep following this blog you’ll likely see many more pictures from Maple Lane!

1949 Ekwall - Frances Irene Spencer Ekwall and Barbara Spencer Thorfinnson at Maple Lane in Minnesota

Nikon 9000 Kodachrome Slide Scan, 4000 dpi.

Here’s a map of where this photograph was taken.

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