I've posted the photos of today's hike shots taken with my little Canon Powershot A 650 over on Smugmug.
And, here are a few more photos of early morning shots just after I put out the first feeding of bird seed.
I forgot to post this:
9:16 am Tuesday, August 18th. Ray just said while sitting in his lounge chair drinking his morning coffee, before his breakfast has been served, and after putting down the book he is reading: “I was just sitting here thinking, I don’t have any resentments against you. Isn’t that marvelous?” I liked hearing that. This is a miracle. Ray just said that the only resentment he has is getting old. I understand and agree.
I got up early and caught the morning color on Crystal Crag after I put out the first serving of bird seed. The local market is selling a new kind of mixed seed and it is a big hit with the birds, chipmunks and ground squirrels. So far the only birds we’ve seen are: juncos, stellar jays and a few black birds. One of the black birds has a gimp leg and basically flops in the center of the bowl bird feeder while eating. Each year Ray and I always look for the bully birds. Well I don’t know if this black bird is a bully, but he sure has a way of non verbally communicating with the very loud stellar jays that keeps the jays at a distance until the black bird decides to give up his bowl. It’s usually the second day we are in Mammoth that Fatso shows up. Fatso fills his jowels with food, runs down the tree, must bury the food, as he comes right back up for more food. All the chipmunks and ground squirrels that feed from the flat plate on the floor of the porch, not so patiently wait their turn at the feeding plate when Fatso is feeding. Ok, it’s 10:09pm and I am still in my pj’s. Ray is still sore from packing up his Tahoe and then unpacking it in again in Mammoth. Believe it or not, we bought and carried 21 of the quart sized yogurts up here and Ray had them all in an igloo, covered with ice. That makes for a very heavy carry. Here are a few of our reasons for staying inside the cabin all day:
We are not yet acclimated to the 9600 feet elevation here at Wood’s Lodge and get dizzy washing dishes. It usually takes until the 3rd day when we start to feel ok with the altitude. I woke up with a pounding headache from being in the altitude and somewhat dehydrated.
I wanted to get my “Food” photo assignment completed that’s due Tuesday.
I’m addicted to Word Twist on FB.
I can’t stop photographing the birds and squirrels.
I am so enjoying not having an agenda.
Ray’s hips are really bothering him. He’s so worried he’ll need another hip surgery.
Ray wants to get into the first of many books he brought up here.
And, because we can.
Tuesdays are 2 for One days at the Snow Creek golf course and every day from 12 to 3pm is half price. Tomorrow I’d like to hike around a bit, take some morning lakeside photos and evening lake photos by lake at Wildyrie Lodge. Except for a newspaper and the mustard I forgot to bring, I see no reason to go into town.
Ray and I finally left home for Mammoth at 8:40am. We arrived in Mammoth around 4:15pm. We'd have arrived in Mammoth sooner but Ray had to stretch his legs in Bishop (my eyes are looking upward in that - yeah right- look) ...and since we were in Bishop why not stop and visit Wilson's Sporting Goods. I had a first in Wilson's. I spent nada. Wilson's is a slip store for me (and Ray apparently....he bought something). It's a bitch when you have everything a store sells and don't need anything. You see I've been directed to ask myself, "Do I need "it" or do I want "it"?
After a small food market stop, we checked in to one of our favorite cabins here at Wood's Lodge, cabin #18. We have never stayed in cabin 19, but have eyed it with envy over the years. This year, our third week in Mammoth we'll move from cabin #18 and stay the last week in cabin #19. Normally these better location cabins are not available as families or families of family members have been renting the same cabins each summer for over 50 years. We decided late to try and get a cabin. We got lucky as people must have canceled.
I quickly shot off some photos with my small Canon Powershot A 650 just before the sun set and right after I'd put out some bird seed. The feeding frenzy took place seconds after I emptied some seed into an outside bird feeder tray on the porch of the cabin.
We have lots of bird watching distractions from 2 days of having organized about 46,000 photos and over 2,000 file folders. Without the birds, I might have gone crazy. I'm so relieved to finally have all my photos and folders organized. Thank you Prodeal. Please no more crashes for a couple of years!
Tomorrow we import all the photos into Adobe Lightroom 2.4! Then we'll set up regular backing up.
Two weeks ago I was getting my clothes and closet organized. I certainly like knowing what I have and where it is. Woo hoo.
I recently splurged and bought an expensive Canon lens....the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L series lens. It's soooooo heavy. Two days ago I took this lens outside my backdoor and shot some of the shots below, hand holding this almost 4 pound lens (fitted with a Really Right Stuff L84 tripod bracket for collared lens attached.)
All of the photos came out "soft" - not in crisp focus. Bummer. I intended to post the photos anyway, but couldn't. I was embarrassed. Here I spent all this money and couldn't even shoot a decent in-focus hand held shot in good light.
After a little thought, I decided, I am going to post these photos for the reasons listed:
First reason - so hopefully, some day I'll look back and say, "Wow, have you improved Linda."
Second reason- to help keep me accountable to practicing. I don't like looking bad in front of people, so I'll be posting practice photos to keep me on track with this out-there-for-all-to-see stated commitment.
Third reason - I need to get over expecting to get better without putting in the time and effort. I posted a great blog entry in Facebook today by a woman blogger I so identify with. Her blog was titled: "Work First, Tools later." My pattern is to buy the gear and believe by having the gear, I'll get better. Silly, I know.
Fourth reason - To be an example to my ladies that I only ask of them, what I ask of myself.
Yesterday, after a frustrating round of golf, with many good shots, but lots of triples and a quadruple or two, I mentioned to Ray that maybe I should start posting my golf scores in this blog. "Why, he asked?" And before I answered, he said, "Yeah, you should." He knows I try much harder and do better when I am accountable to people. Sooooo, I shot a 99 yesterday. Ouch!. More golf scores to follow in this blog as I play.
Ok, here is a photo I shot with the Canon 70 - 200 2.8, around 6pm. I had a lens hood on and was shooting almost in the direction of the lowered sun. What caught my eye, was the silhouette of the sunbathing bird in the reflected light on the water.
This egret flew as Ray hit his shot while playing on the Pete Dye course. Photo is shot with my small Canon Powershot A650, zoomed in some. As the bird flew off, I quickly tried to capture it by panning, following the bird with my camera. Obviously the shutter speed was too fast and didn't blur the background, just my cute little bird.
Shot outside our back door with the large Canon 70 - 200 lens. I tried moving closer but I could tell the bird's comfort level was decreasing with my approaching presence.
Canon 70 - 200 lens
Shot with my small Canon Powershot A650. Looked a lot better when I was actually seeing the reflection as we left the green.
Ray is in LA until tomorrow. He stayed over Thursday and tonight for two speaking engagements. Not having my normal routine....like making dinner...which I have no interest in doing when Ray isn't here...left me wandering outside around 6pm. I've wanted to see how close I could get to the Geese family. I got close. They obviously were already quite habituated to people.
I shot the photos below with my Canon 40D and 70 - 300mm lens on a tripod. I used live view and zoomed to 5X trying to get the geese in focus. Boy, you have to work fast with moving subjects. You also have to know your camera well to move fast. I see I need to go out more often with this particular lens and with my larger camera in general. Not many of the photos I took were in focus. I'm thinking I should never zoom all the way to 300mm if I want an in focus shot.
I was shooting just outside our condo which means I was on the 15th fairway. Thank goodness only one foursome of golfers played this hole during the half hour I was out with the geese. I hid behind a narrow tree as the golfers took their 3rd shots to the green. One of the golfers noticed me hiding behind the tiny tree in line with his shot and was polite enough to not curse me out for his duffed approach shot.
The night was balmy, just the perfect Palm Springs weather. I understand we'll be in to 3 digit temperatures by the weekend.
Carol Leigh posted a live view link to viewing an Eagle Family in British Columbia and I've embedded the link off to the right and down the sidebar of this blog so I can monitor the daily goings on. Very cool AND I get to see the birds without the mess in my courtyard.
Click on the screen located in the sidebar of this blog for previous happenings in the day. Wait a second to connect to the live view. Turn your sound down this family is LOUD.
Don't forget to check out the other Seekpoints on the Live View link, especially the one where dad brings gull.
I haven't a clue what type of birds we have building their nest in our front courtyard but I'm thrilled to have some new photo subjects. (A while after I wrote this blog I looked online and found out what type of bird it is.)
I noticed birds flying around in our courtyard and then spotted the nest they are building 2 to 3 days ago. They're fast home builders.
Their nest is so much larger than the hummingbird nest built last year. Ray asked me if I thought we should tear down this new nest because of the mess the birds will create. Without hesitation I said, "NO".
I'll deal with the mess I know they'll make. This morning I set up my camera in front of the front door (with the front door open). Later, I realized a better shooting angle from just inside the garage.
Shot from inside the front door.
The next four photos are all shot from inside the garage door.
I used my Canon D40 with a 70-300mm lens at 300mm. Morning shooting will be better as the light is low in the front courtyard after noon. I usually shoot with Aperture Priority. The last four photos were shot at a larger aperture than I wanted to shoot at in order to get a shutter speed of 125 to stop the motion of the bird.
Fun.
I just found this on the internet! Verdin Auriparus flaviceps Order PASSERIFORMES - Family REMIZIDAE Summary Detailed
A tiny, active songbird of the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the Verdin is the only North American member of the penduline-tit family (Remizidae). Vocal and often conspicuous despite its size, it builds a large enclosed nest in thorny scrub. Cool Facts
* The Verdin builds nests for both breeding and roosting; roosting nests are much smaller. The outer stick shell is constructed mostly by the male, while the female does most of the lining.
* The Verdin's roosting nests help it stay warm in winter. Winter roosting nests have thicker insulation, and may reduce energy requirements for thermoregulation by as much as 50 percent.
* The Verdin builds roosting nests all year round. One pair of Verdins in Arizona was observed building 11 nests in one year.
* During the heat of the desert summer, the Verdin rests quietly in the shaded interior of a shrub, sometimes panting or spreading its wings. Nests built in summer open toward prevailing winds, perhaps to aid in cooling.
Description top
* Size: 9-11 cm (4-4 in) * Weight: 5-8 g (0.18-0.28 ounces)
* Small songbird. * Gray body. * Yellow face.
* Short tail. * Sharp bill. * Dark lores. * Dark red shoulder patches not often visible. * Eyes black. * Legs dark.
Sex Differences
Sexes similar; male with brighter yellow on face. Immature
Plain gray, including face. Base of bill pinkish yellow. Similar Species
* Lucy's Warbler similar to juvenile Verdin, but bill is thinner and dark, without pinkish yellow base. * Bushtit has smaller, blunter bill and longer tail. * Gnatcatchers have longer tails with black-and-white markings.
Sound
Various calls, including loud chips issued in rapid succession. Song is a three-note whistle.
Habitat
Desert scrub, especially along washes where thorny vegetation is present. Food
Insects and spiders. Behavior Foraging
Moves actively and nimbly among limbs of scrub vegetation, in a manner resembling that of chickadees. Often holds blossoms with feet while looking and picking at prey with bill. Reproduction Nest Type
Large sphere with a hole usually located near the bottom. Outer shell of sticks, lined with leaves and smaller twigs. Placed in shrub. Egg Description
Light greenish, with irregular dark reddish spots, especially at larger end. Clutch Size Usually 4 eggs. Range: 3-6. Condition at Hatching Helpless and naked. top
Conservation Status Declining across much of range. Land development in southern California has reduced Verdin habitat, and has resulted in the possible extirpation of the species from San Diego County, CA. Other Names
Auripare verdin (French) Baloncillo, Párido del desierto (Spanish)
I took myself out on a date today. I packed up all my camera equipment, tripod and camera. I used a 70 -300 mm lens and shot photos of the migratory birds at the Salton Sea. I'm doing the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and in Week 5 of the 12 week book I'm finally taking the time to go on the required weekly Artist date. I had a ball all by myself. It's funny how I had to talk myself into doing this too. I wasn't in the mood.
I've posted a couple photos (I took over 300).
I've also uploaded two videos from today.
I filmed a video when I first arrived at the Salton Sea and then a second video during the wonderful sunset about an hour and a half later. I know Lane, you don't like sunsets, but this one was really something. All alone, I found myself saying outloud, "Oh my god. The sky can't get any redder."
I hope I remember this the next time I feel too lazy to take myself out on an Artist's Date. I really never want to do anything, especially in the afternoon or night. But, invariably, when I do what I don't think I want to do, I have a great time. So....I don't need to be listening to my head anymore.
I've started eating better recently. I sit down at the dining room table to eat. I don't read. I don't talk on the phone (much). I pay attention to the food as I'm eating.
Because I wasn't doing lots of other things while eating lunch I noticed out of the corner of my eye when the hawk landed on top of the umbrella. I couldn't believe it. A hawk right outside my window.
I have a dream of someday living in the wilderness (like some people I know) where the animals roam freely. I see myself sitting outside on the porch, with my camera and tripod set up, ready and excited to photograph the wildlife as they meander by.
I'm done. I've tweaked the few photos (out of over a 1000 photos) I'm not too embarrassed to post for my teacher's critique.
I spent most of the weekend prepping photos for the 2 month online class, assignment #4 - Office Art as well as these photos from the workshop I took last week in Santa Fe, NM. I am out of balance in my life with all these photography projects.
I have another photo trip with my teacher, Carol Leigh, Oct 12th for 3 1/2 days in Half Moon Bay. I am one of 12 of Carol's students who responded immediately to the offer to shoot Half Moon Bay for a book Carol is going to put together. Once Carol sent out the invite in an email, it took only one hour before she had 12 students saying they were in. I'm glad I didn't procrastinate behind my fear that I'm not good enough.
I certainly am stretching myself these days. It feels good. I'm learning. I'm learning that I have much to learn. If I'm not shooting photos, prepping photos, I'm reading about photos. Hmmmmm. This is what I always kid Ray about.....golf, golf, golf!
Well, which photo do you like of these photos I've just posted? If you don't mind, would you tell me why you like the photo (Gee, I hope you like one or two.). I'm trying to learn what is appealing in photos. I haven't a clue about my own photos. I get so tired and bored looking at the photos during the tweaking and selecting process that I don't like any of them. I need some distance.
My teacher Carol is swamped with work so she is somewhat behind in critiquing our online class assignments. I have three assignments I'm waiting to have critiqued. When I receive the comments, I'll post them.
Off to bed. Ray and I are hiking at 5:30 am in the morning. Any later and the 105 degree temps fry my brain, not to mention what this kind of heat does to my enery levels for the rest of the day.
11/4/08 - Since posting this blog entry I have received and posted critiques on the following photos from my teacher.
GREAT DOOR FRONT WALL
We were victims of bright sunlight here. I think you could turn this
into a moodier, lusher photo by applying the Orton Effect. Go into
Photoshop. Make a duplicate layer. Select Gaussian Blur filter. Select
a "strength" of 20. Go to blending modes and select "Soft Overlay."
Then use your opacity slider to tone down or play up the amount of the
effect. Voila!
Or, play with something Judy Tillson mentioned: "Multiply." Go into
Photoshop. Make a duplicate layer. Select blending mode "Multiply." It
might look way too dark, so use the opacity slider to lighten it up.
Voila (again)!
BLUE VIGAS
You're killing me! Would be GREAT if it were in focus. And I mean
GREAT. You must go back and re-shoot this. :-)
WOMAN STATUE
Very good. Love the golden bronze and the turquoise mix. The bright
sky coming through the trees distracts me from her face, however . . . WOOD DOOR
You're killing me AGAIN! I love the golden tones of the wood, but to
me the whole thing looks out of focus. Heavy sigh . . YELLOW BENCH
Here again the light was doing you in. And I'm thinking that maybe
your shooting angle might have been better if you'd gotten down low
rather than shooting from above. Great colors, though, with the purple
and yellow . . . THREE CROSSES
Beeyootiful lighting and blue sky. Looks great with warm brown adobe
walls. Whites nice and bright, crisp. Kind of wish we could see down
to hem of friar's robe, but I'm being nitpicky.
APARTMENT SIDE
I like how this came out, and I think your shot is better than the one
I took. This was a tough angle and, if you hadn't been there and
hadn't taken the shot, I think I probably wouldn't have attempted it,
so thanks for the little push. This is the side of the La Fonda Hotel,
if you're keeping records of your shots . . . What's particularly good
about this picture is the warm lighting and the fairly deep depth of
field. Well done.
BIRDS IN FLIGHT
Aha! This came out well. Mine was too wimpy because I could only go to
200mm. Your 300mm makes a big difference. What I especially like are
the out-of-focus soft clouds. BLUE SKY AND FORM
Once again, good complementary colors. I like the simplicity of this
shot, Linda, it consisting of just three (three!) things: sky, adobe,
shadows. Am wondering if if looks too lean-to-the-leftish. Would it be
better if you rotated it somewhat to the right? Don't know without
seeing it . . . But what I REALLY like is the little highlight running
along the very top horizontal piece as well as on the little bit of
horizontal piece on the left.
DOOR WITH BLUE TRIM
Very nice feel to this photo. Has a soothing sort of tone to it.
Dappled shadows help, don't hinder the look. Kind of wish bottom right
of door wasn't clipped, but again, that's just me . . .
My husband and I moved to the desert a year and a half ago after he retired from the Motion Picture Industry where he had been a property master over 40 years.
12 years ago I found backpacking. 10 years ago I backpacked the PCT from Mexico to Canada.
My life has involved one sport or another but usually when I find a new sport I throw myself into the new sport to the exclusion of last sport. I've loved tennis, paddle tennis, racquetball, marathon running, golf,and fishing.
I've always recorded my life by taking lots of photos. I'd like to make time to seriously learn how to "see" photos rather than just mindlessly snapping away.
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