Inspired by some of my photographer friends, I have embarked on a Photo of the Day journey for 2013.  I currently use a Nikon D70 with a Tamron AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 LD Tele-Macro (1:2) lens.  I shoot in raw (.nef) format and save for the web in .jpg.  When I receive my iPhone 5 in the next few days, I may intersperse photos from that, as well, just to test it's capabilities/limitations in comparison to a full-on DSLR.  I hope you enjoy the photos I share.  Please share your comments and thoughts whenever you feel inspired!  

~Juliet Hutchings, January, 2013

January 1, 2013.  Our dogs love to munch on everything. Though this is usually called "chicken wire" we call it "dog wire." The beautiful flower in the background seems to, sometimes, come secondary to our daily reminders of the dogs' wildness. ISO 1600, 180mm, f/9.0, 1/1000 sec, Nikon D70

January 2, 2013. Construction is the word of the decade here in Kigali. Our neighborhood is chock-a-block with hotels-in-progress. This fence stretches all the way around the corner, seemingly endlessly. ISO 1600, 70mm, f-6.3, 1/640sec, Nikon D70

January 3, 2013.  The behemoth hotel that has been, perpetually, under construction across the street from our house. You'll see, shortly, that this gentleman is not doing much of anything. ISO 1600, 105mm, f/11, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  With our wall and razor wire in the foreground, this man actually appears to be doing something on the hotel being constructed to the left of our house. ISO 1600, 122mm, f/11, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  Spying on the construction site across the street, through the palm leaves in our garden, by the front door. ISO 1600, 122 mm, f/10, 1/800sec

January 3, 2013.  Watching me watching him? ISO 1600, 300mm, f/10, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  2 men on the latest hotel being constructed in our 'hood, as seen from our veranda, off to the right of the house. What are they up to? ISO 1600, 300mm, f/10, 1/1000sec

January 4, 2013.  One of my frequently used Moto taxi stops at the Union Trade Center (UTC) in Kigali Town Center. ISO 1600, 70mm, f/6.3, 1/640sec

January 5, 2013.  I love the way things are lit during rain storms.  ISO 1600, 180mm, f/9.0, 1/60sec

January 5, 2013.  'Tis the rainy season, though it is ending, here in Rwanda. This is a big-leafed plant outside our front door (I'm terrible with botany, no idea what it is called). But, I love it in the rain. ISO 1600. 180mm, f/9.0, 1/60sec

January 6, 2013. Settling in takes a lot longer than I think either I or my husband realized. After one full year in Rwanda, I finally found a voltage converter (that does not melt) for Mark's Xbox 360, for Christmas. He is in heaven ;) ISO 1600, 300mm, f/6.0, 1/15sec

January 7, 2013. Lucky in the spotlight, on her favorite chair. ISO 1600, 70mm, f/4.0, 1/15sec.

January 8, 2013. The girls, in various phases of repose. Top photo: ISO 1600, 70mm, f/4.0, 1/15 sec. Bottom left photo: ISO 1600, 122mm, f/4.2, 1/15sec.  Bottom right photo: ISO 1600, 100mm, f/4.5, 1/80sec.