Welcome to the month of December Wandering Camera linky party.  We are reaching the end, the next one will be the last one.  Thank you so much for visiting, for your lovely comments and for sharing your photos.

Unfortunately, November was not an easy month for me for various reasons.   Add that to working around the clock for a couple of weeks, I was more than ready for the Thanksgiving holidays by the time they came around.  Until then, I did what I always do – I went for walks.  We went to a trail that we haven’t visited since last spring.  So much had changed!  Dry and yellow changed to wet ground and dark greens.  Days are also getting shorter, so it’s a lot darker in the woods.  Most of the time I didn’t make it outside before the light started fading so I took the opportunity and practised low light photography.

Here are my photos from the month of November –

 1.  Surprised to find wildflowers blooming

2.  Always reminds me of Something Wicked This Way Comes

3.  Exotic glasswork

4.  Luscious red

5.  Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog

6.  Fairytale streetlights

7. Sit and rest a while

8. Hitting the trail again

9. A cluster of water beads, as brilliant as diamonds

10. Yosemite in watercolour

11. Charlie is always confused

12. Golden Gate strait

13. Glass pumpkins

14.  Reminiscent of Victorian London

15.  Golden tree line seen from my window

16.  Red berries everywhere

17. Magnolia fruit

18.  Started holiday shopping with purchasing food for donation

19.  A rainy day on our favourite drive

20. Found a building with architectural details

21. A pixie and a mandrake = mayhem

22.  Happy to be home after being at the doctor for half a day

23. Seeds emerging from the Magnolia fruit

24.  Happy Thanksgiving

25.  Spooky trees, my take on Black Friday

26.  Another rainy day overlooking a vineyard

27.  Peaceful

28.  Creeks are starting to flow with rainwater

29.  You never know what you will come across in the woodlands

30.  New beginnings

Just a little note – remember, the Harry Potter giveaway is still going on, in case you missed the post about it.  I am going to take a break next week, so the giveaway will be open until the 11th of December.  Here’s your chance to make a gift with out-of-print Harry Potter fabric.

My Camera Bag

As you have noticed, I am out and about photographing in all kinds of settings and weather.  Over the years, I have learned to keep a few things as staple items in my camera bag.  I thought I’d share a little about that.

Plastic bags/Ziplock bags

You may laugh at this one, but having this has saved my shooting plenty of times.  I always keep plastic bags and Ziplock bags handy to keep my gear dry.  On rainy days, if I am caught outside without an umbrella, I can wrap a plastic bag around the camera and still continue to take photos.  I also keep a couple of ziplock bags handy to keep my cards and lens cloth dry.

Lint Free Cloth

I keep a couple of lint-free cloths for wiping lenses and filters.  If I am not carrying my bag, I put one in my pocket.  Not only is it great to wipe away smudges, I can also wipe away the water droplets from the lens easily when it’s raining or I am shooting a waterfall.

Lens Cleaning Kit

This is an absolute must to keep in my bag, specially when I am travelling.  It consists of lens cleaning solution and wipes.  You don’t want to use glass cleaner on your lens, it’s much too harsh.

USB Cable

 I keep a dedicated USB cable in my bag for connecting my camera to my computer.  That way it’s one less thing I have to remember to pack when I am travelling.  Recently I also purchased an adapter to connect the camera to my iPad, that stays in my camera bag too.

Camera Manual

My Canon camera manual is of a compact size and stays in my bag.  I have a tendency of going to places without internet connection.  On very rare occasions, when I have had to look something up, I have been glad to have had the manual on me.

Camera-related Material

Other than lenses and the camera, I also make sure that I have this set of things in my bag.  Some of these are only needed for cameras with interchangeable lenses.

• Battery Charger
• Extra batteries
• Camera base for the stand
• Extra storage cards
• Filters
• Lens hoods
• Remote shutter release for low light or night photography

I hope you find this list helpful.  Other than the list under “Camera-related Material”,  the rest of the items are good to have on you regardless of the type of camera you use.

Now it’s your turn to share your photo posts. I always look forward to seeing them.

Badge to share on your post and website

You can add any number of links to your posts from the previous month. The posts should have photos in them, with a story or anecdote. Your project photos (quilting, sewing, painting, knitting, etc.) are most welcome. You can also write a new post to link up. Please do not link up posts that are older than the previous month, they will be removed.

Please make sure to include the badge or a text link back to this site on each post that you link up. You can also add the badge to your blog. I am happy either way as long as you link back :-)

Spread a little encouragement amongst each other.

Wandering Camera is a monthly event that will run on the first Thursday of every month. If you follow me via email, bloglovin or facebook, you will get a reminder.

Have fun!!

I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around The World, Photo Friday, and Friday Photo Journal along with with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.