St. Patty's Day Moose

As I slowly drove up to the crest of the hill on the old country road, a large black moose lunged at me from the left. The road was still choppy snow & ice and I could tell he didn't want to have to jump into the 2 to 3 foot plus snow on the sidelines... so he ran beside me as the road bent east. I'm sure he is the same moose I spotted in December with his large symmetrical rack. That would've been a great photo! His curved spoons collected large white snowflakes as he stood dark and silently within a snow storm. Didn't have my camera ready though. This time I didn't even have my camera with me! Very rare. Anyway his rack must've shed somewhere between the crest of the hill and where I first spotted him. He's been hanging out to eat in this area the last few months.
Anyway, this time he galloped awkwardly beside my vehicle, then veering off into the ditch and into the snow that was still up to his knees. He didn't mind my presence as I pulled over to watch him graze on the bottom limbs of tall pine trees. The snow seems to make everything silent at certain times. I was able to watch him surrounded by white and green, munching on the food available at just his height. Sometimes it's beneficial to not be peering from behind the camera trying to get the best shot. Enjoying the moment and the closeness to nature is at times more precious and definitely needed.

Winter Is Here

Well the big "snow storm" just started! We will finally have some snow for the holidays. But looks like going to CdA for some Christmas shopping this weekend is out. Weather reports say Friday and Saturday snow snow snow and Sunday the freeze begins. Check out www.theleonardpaulstore.com for live video of lake weather from the east side in Cooin or www.hillsresort.com for a view from Hill's Resort in Luby Bay (west side of the lake). Hope all of your travels are safe this winter!

Thanksgiving Weekend Open House

Thanks to all of you who came and supported our open house last weekend. It was so nice to see some of our past customers from Autumn's Loft (when we were located in Priest River). Hope to see you again this coming year! Congratulations to the winners of our drawing for a "Matted 8x10 Photograph: Your Choice"... Macy Kennedy and Ken Meyers!

Update on Shaun Lunt's Life Photos and Video

Dear Friends, This is Shaun's dad, Norm. Thanks to Jim Christenson's help we have just put a video of Shaun on his blogsite that I took of him just before leaving for Alaska this past May, 2008. A film production company based out of New York had heard and read about Shaun and was interested in highlighting Shaun’s adventures in an upcoming movie they are planning to make on true life adventurers. At the request of this film company I took this homemade video for them (they wanted it for voice quality and visual perception purposes only). Minutes after I took this video I hugged my son for the last time and he lifted off the turf strip at Felts Field in Spokane and pointed the nose of N897SP for Alaska. You will see the video near the top of his blogsite at: www.shaunlunt.typepad.com Thanks again to all of you who loved Shaun. Norm, Margie, Shelly Fly to Jesus, Shaun www.shaunlunt.typepad.com

Inlander Magazine 2008-2009

Check out the 2008-2009 Pacific Northwest Inlander Magazine's article, "Lesser Known Lakes" featuring quotes from locals, and images of our area taken by myself and Tom Holman. If you have a chance pick up the yearly publication!

FREE RESTORED PRINT CONTEST !!! Enter Your Old Photo!!!

To kick off the holiday season I am offering a free photo restoration to the person who submits a challenging photo from the past that they want to see come to life!

How to Enter: Submit your digital negative by e-mail to Autumn@PriestLakeImages.com in jpg format.
Or send your image by mail with a return envelope & postage to Autumn Oscarson, 57 Shady Pines Loop, Priest Lake, ID 83856 (photos not chosen can also be picked up at our new Priest Lake Images showroom at The Little Store on Hwy 57.

Include: Explanation of the photo (who, what, when, where) & what it means to you and why you would like it restored. Please include your contact information... snail mail, e-mail, and phone.

Details: Anyone may apply. I will digitally restore the image I find most interesting... removing red-eye, repairing scratches or tears, erasing water spots or moisture, removing people (if you wish) and professionally jazzing up your image to acid free paper so it is enjoyed for years to come.

Prize!!!: Winner receives their restored image as one 5x7 or 8x10 photography print on professional kodak halide paper, in an acid free black display folder and cut to a CD. Worth $89. Image will also be posted online.

Deadline: All entries must be received by December 31st and winner will be posted by January 31st.

Opening Autumn's Loft at Priest Lake!

Come check it out this holdiday season! I will be opening a new location on Highway 57 right next to The Little Store in Priest Lake. We will be open the same hours as The Little Store / Service Center: 7am-6pm seven days a week. Come see images and artwork of the Priest Lake and Pend Oreille area, printed on canvas as Gallery Wraps, or rustic framed in wood from my parent's Freeman Lake Tree Farm. It's so exciting that I will finally have a showroom in the Priest Lake area! By summer, more of our rustic home furnishings will be added: garden benches, coat hooks, shelves, coat trees, frames, rocking chairs, boot benches, bookshelves and more. Please stop by this Thanksgiving Weekend to check out all of my new pieces! Now all of you International Selkirk Loop travelers will have a place to stop and view a more complete collection of my work: photo cards, picture maps, calendars, gallery artwork... all locally made. Add us to your stop for your holiday gift giving!