KODAK MOMENT of the Day

Editor's Note: Happy Birthday America!

Photo Story: This is a picture of two girls, one born and raised here, the other just became a citizen after being adopted from Africa. I just love to see them joined together to celebrate Independence Day!!

Bristol, RI is home to the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country. While on my year-long 50-state tour of the U.S. I found myself there for their annual celebration. In addition to the usual Fourth of July festivities, they have a carnival with lots of great rides. The skies and colors were beautiful that night.

I was out looking for birds to photograph and taking a break along the shore and noticed these Fiddler Crabs poking their heads out of the sand. I layed on some seaweed to get a photo of this little one.

My two grandchildren having fun in the pool!

I love water drop photos & this one is now my desk top! It's a drop of water with sea shells captured in it.

Buddy is a true lounge lizard. Here she is relaxing in her pool on a hot day.

Each morning during a trip to Daytona I would walk the beach. Several mornings the fog was so thick, you could not see the ocean.

A sunset, a ball, and a player can make an inspired moment. Taken in Clovis, New Mexico.

She jumped for joy.. on the beach.. on a sunny Sunday..

Editor's Choice: Comment on this picture in Kodak's "A Thousand Words" blog.

Photo Story: Horse and rider both expressing intense concentration and determination. Photographed during competition in Wadsworth, Illinois.

My son, who does not generally like having his picture taken was more than willing to do action shots with his skateboard. I took advantage, and even got the city clock tower in the background on this one - this has ended up being one of my all time favorite photos of my son.

The jumping twins.

Most of the boys in T-Ball slide, so I had my camera focused on home plate. This boy expressed his joy of crossing home differently. I took it at our local T-Ball field in Columbus-Kansas (a town of 3,500 people). It was taken in June 2008 and relates to the theme of humor because it makes me smile everytime I see it.

Pretty closeup of a cone flower.

I took this photo of my daughter's cat, Micio, enjoying the feel of the smooth chrome legs of her dining room chair. I loved the way the window light brought out the design elements of the shot.

Brasilis, capital of my country, is filled with architectural masterpieces by Oscar Niemeyer. This is the headquarters of our Federal Reserve Bank.

Last week walking near Astor Place, I did see colors -- signs of lively summer everywhere! Then I heard a wonderful sound and finally saw this passionate sax player. Playing from deep inside of his heart.

The greens of summer!

Knowing I love to watch the sunrise, my nephews asked me to join them in their sunrise fishing. This was taken on the beach in Jupiter, Fl in June.

Taken in the fair of May Weeks at town in Osnabrueck, Germany. It reflects the good mood of Spring.

My grand daughter Maesynn, showing me the art of having fun.

This picture was taken in Brown's Canyon Utah. It is so clean as a photograph that I can see the red tailed hawk's eye lashes and the feather pattern in her face. These birds are pure elegant design and this photo shows the complexity of her head and face.

Editor's Choice: Comment on this picture in Kodak's "A Thousand Words" blog.

Photo Story: I think it is a photograph of an all-american boy that just came out great. The exposure, focus, light, color, etc. was just perfect. He's not looking directly into the camera...food on his face...missing tooth, it's real. It was taken at my grandson Connor's 1st T-ball game, April 2008.

I was hiking to Heron Pond at Colter Bay in the Tetons and I saw these folks. I liked the contrast of these two little people against the expanse of Jackson Lake with the Teton range in the background. 6/2008

My daughter and niece playing checkers at Nana's house by the pond.

This photo was taken of my mother's hand holding my grandson's feet when he was 3 days old. It was taken August 5, 2006, the day he came home from the hospital.

These little guys raced at the Montgomery County Fair, MD in August 2007. I just love how they're flying along, racing toward the Oreo that's the winner's reward.

I am in the Navy and this was taken off Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia during my first overseas deployment. I found Nemo while I was snorkeling and the picture was a big hit.

Taken at the Minden Whitewater Preserve.

I love water droplets and I enjoy trying different backgrounds to capture patterns. I took this shot in my kitchen sink, using one of the magnets we received for our support. My family is gearing up for the Summer Olympics, and we'll all be watching.

This is my son competing in a triathlon. He's 11 years old and loves the sport. I took this picture after he had rounded the buoy. My husband and I also enjoy triathlons and we are thrilled that our children enjoy this life long sport as well.

Beijing, China - Fireworks outside Olympic Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest. The Beijing sky was filled with fireworks, 11,456 of them on the top of the stadium itself and 8,428 around the city. The XXIX Olympic Games began in truly spectacular style.

Rafael Martinez of Spain competes on the pommel horse during the artistic gymnastics event held at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 1 of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 9, 2008 in Beijing, China

Deng Linlin of China competes on the balance beam during qualification for the women's artistic gymnastics event held at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 2 of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 10, 2008 in Beijing, China.

(L-R) Brenton Rickard of Australia, Alexander Dale Oen of Norway and Kosuke Kitajima of Japan compete in the Men's 100m Breaststroke Final held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 3 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 11, 2008 in Beijing, China. Kosuke Kitajima of Japan finished the race in first place in a time of 58.91 to win the gold medal and set a new World Record.

Stefanie Anthes and Nora Subschinski of Germany compete in the Women's Synchronized 10m Platform Final held at the National Aquatics Center during Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008.

Fernando Gago of Argentina jumps for a header with Milan Smiljanic of Serbia during the Men's First Round Group A match between Argentina and Serbia at the Workers' Stadium on Day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 13, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Milan Ticic of Montenegro fights for the ball against Greece during the men's preliminary round water polo match at the Olympic Sports Centre Yingdong Natatorium during Day 6 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 14, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Jackie Johnson of the United States competes in the Women's Heptathlon High Jump Final at the National Stadium on Day 7 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 15, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates victory in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final held at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 8 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China. By winning gold in the Men's 100m Butterfly, Phelps tied Mark Spitz's record of winning seven gold medals in a single Olympic Games.

Wang Jingzhi (right) of China and Aron Szilagyi of Hungary compete in the men's team sabre fencing semifinals at the Fencing Hall of National Convention Center on Day 9 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Saho Harada and Emiko Suzuki of Japan compete in the Synchronized Swimming Duet Technical Routine event at the National Aquatics Center on Day 10 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 18, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Competitors take part in the cycling portion of the Men's Triathlon Final at the Triathlon Venue on Day 11 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 19, 2008 in Beijing, China.

QINGDAO, CHINA - Alessandra Sensini (left) of Italy and Bryony Shaw (right) of Great Britain compete in the Women's RS:X class medal race held at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 20, 2008 in Qingdao, China.

The Japanese team compete in the Group All-Around Qualification rhythmic gymnastics event held at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Shen Jie and Huang Zhipeng of China compete in the Kayak Double (K2) 1000m Men?s Final event at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China.

From left to right, Sanya Richards, Monique Henderson, Allyson Felix and Mary Wineberg of the United States Women's 4 x 400m Relay team hold their country's flag after winning the gold medal held at the National Stadium on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China.

A view of the festivities in Beijing National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, during the Closing Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Closeup image of the center detail of a colorful sunflower.

This was taken on one of our many road trips, it's the sight we see on every trip, Abby with her head out the window just enjoying the wind in her face and a hope in her heart that maybe...just maybe...she's going to Grandma's house!

I am trying to learn more about photography and taking pictures at random instead of always posing your subjects. I took this picture of my niece while at the park near my home. Although I got stuck under this jungle gym, this picture was worth the bruise.

This picture was taken my first time to Chicago's Navy Pier, when my husband and I went for a long weekend to visit relatives. I'm afraid of heights, but I actually went on this "big wheel" just to take pictures of the view when we got to the top!

Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird...we planted red bee balm to attract hummingbirds to our Kingsville, OH garden. I like the challenge of capturing them on camera. Taken 7-11-08.

This was taken at Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A summer delight! Co.Kerry, Ireland. July 2008.