My World

Egret #2

2012-01-27T05:08:00.000-08:00

Another version of the egret of a week ago. Not the best image quality but I like the pose and reflection he is giving me.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

Into the Sunrise

2012-01-26T04:59:00.000-08:00

More geese, another location, another day. This time though the clouds look like a painting naturally. I may have helped a little, but the colors were awesome this fine morning.

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Painted Geese

2012-01-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

No, not a painting, but an image of geese over an outcropping of trees. It took a lot of patience to get this shot with the geese as the sky was mostly clear of birds though we could hear them in the distance. Fortunately for me (unfortunate for the geese) hunters scared them up from a few miles away and they flew over the wildlife refuge I was at.

The image has been heavily processed in Topaz Adjust and Photoshop. I had no idea of how I would process this image but thought it would be good to play with Topaz with. I'm still experimenting with that software and I really like what it can do.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit World Bird Wednesday for more flighty fotos!

Heron on the Surf

2012-01-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

I forgot about this image and found it while looking for something else. This Blue Heron was searching for lunch during low tide at Seal Rocks on the Oregon coast. I was really surprised how long he stayed around and posed and the first time I had seen a heron searching for food in salt water. Guess I should not have been surprised as it all eats! :-)

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Reflections of a Lake

2012-01-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I showed a couple images of an eagle. Well, in the stand of trees to the right is where he was. It was a stretch and this is a little misleading as it was taken with a fisheye lens. :-)

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

HighRise

2012-01-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

An interesting grab shot while driving in the city. My wife was driving and I was clicking. This was my favorite.

Visit Sepia Scenes for more photos like this!

Young Bald Eagle

2012-01-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

So, this young Bald Eagle was taking a break from hunting. I must admit, without this lens, the new 150-500, I would not have been able to get this image. The eagle was a good 150 yards away and the image is heavily cropped, but it works.

Funny, my brother and I were out taking photos and at this area we were alone for quite a while. Coincidentally, just before the eagle shows up so did about 6 other cars, cameras ready. Someone calls out "It's an eagle" and we all turn and do our best to capture him. Soon after all others were gone and we were left shooing scenic shots of the lake. (I'll post one soon of the lake.)

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit World Bird Wednesday for more flighty fotos!

Power of 2 sources

2012-01-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

We had a couple awesome sunrises this past week. I felt fortunate to record one.

I felt the contrast of man v.s. nature in this image with all the color was very moving.

Visit OurWorld for more OurWorld Tuesday photos!

Ankeny Refuge Geese

2012-01-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Thousands of geese, hundreds of ducks, 6 swans. 5 egrets, 3 hawks 1 blue heron and an eagle. I didn't get photos of them all and of the ones that I did get many are not usable. I need a LOT more practice with my new lens and tripod lens mount. It is a great setup but we cannot expect miracles on the first real outing! :-)

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Sad & Lost

2012-01-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

I found these poor lost shoes on the beach, lost by their owner. I thought they simply looked lost, lost their way and now they are sad they cannot find their child.

Visit The Weekend in Black & White for more monochrome photos!

Just a Moon

2012-01-12T17:36:00.000-08:00

I have posted moon shots before, but the quality has stepped up with the new lens. It's always nice to play a little......

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Egret #1

2012-01-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the first of a few I captured with my *new* 150-500 "bird" lens, hand held. It is an egret on the bank of the lake that I frequent (see previous post). The bird was there on the way in to school and I tried to capture him but no luck. Still here on the way home and I like this better. Just wish I could get closer for more detail. These guys don't take kindly to strangers however. Pretty amazing morning though. There was a bald eagle just sitting on a power pole and geese flying into the sunrise.

I did a bit of Photoshop and Topaz Adjust on this just to give it a little depth, color and pop. May be too much, maybe not. Let me know! Mouse over the egret to see a pretty much untouched (sharpened & cropped) version. Tutorial at right.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit World Bird Wednesday for more flighty fotos!

Feed the Fire

2012-01-02T23:15:00.000-08:00

Throwing another log onto the fire of a steam driven tractor......

Iced Lake

2012-01-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

I have photographed this lake a few times and I thought this was interesting: Completely frozen over. Very this ice and nothing like others go through every winter. Unique for around here. Hand held HDR and monochrome conversion in Topaz Adjust.

Sun over the Barn

2011-12-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Very foggy& cloudy morning. It was pretty awesome to see in person..... Very pretty sunrise. Seems to loose something in the translation. Suggestions?

Visit OurWorld for more OurWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Old Barns for great barn photos!

Fox Glove in the Fall

2011-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Walking up a service road to a small lake for a little fishing & photo time this past fall. Too dreary for fish to be biting but the flowers were awesome!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Looking Up

2011-12-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

This was a lovely canopy and tree with spring showers......

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

How I wish it were Spring

2011-12-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

This was absolutely one of my favorite shots this past spring of the Oregon State Capitol cherry trees. It was incredible!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more shadowy photos!

Sunset, revisited

2011-12-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

One of the images I took a while back with a little dynamic range enhancement. I really like this image. Makes me want to go back and just watch the sun set again and again......

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

Branch on the Beach

2011-11-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

A few people have commented that they like this image but I'm not sure. It is a nice branch with great detail and contrast. I must admit that posting sepia adds a little to it too. Comments?

Visit Sepia Scenes for more photos like this!

Bugs!

2011-11-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Do you know what these are?I don't! I found them in my bamboo planter and have no idea. Let me know if you have an idea!

The mass of bugs is floating on water and about the size of a dime. The close-up images are taken with a 20mm lens reversed on my 90mm macro for about 4.5:1 magnification.

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Over the River

2011-11-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

A false color Infrared image taken from downtown Salem above the Willamette River. I love the IR images I get out of the little Olympus. I just wish I had more time to use it!

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

A little fall

2011-11-15T19:31:00.001-08:00

These are a pair from this past spring where a small stream feeds the lake. Kinda hard to grab these shots from moving water, but not *too* bad I thought.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Pizza!

2011-11-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Not much remained after the kid's party recently! They had fun!!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Visit OurWorld for more OurWorld Tuesday photos!

Dragonhead

2011-11-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

From the dragon boats that compete on the Willamette River during the Rose Festival.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

11-11-11

2011-11-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

My image for "One Day on Earth". Was not sure what to call it at first, it is of the football game here in town, in the rain. But a sacrifice the reigning state champs are willing to go through for another year's trophy. Winning sore: 62 to 0, about normal.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Time Flies......

2011-11-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

A few days turn into a week, a few weeks turn into a month and now it has been 2 months to the day that I have posted something on here. The time has flown by so fast that I have not had time to catch up! I feel bad for deserting my blog for so long and I hope this will mark my return.

A good part of the chaos ended today with the return of my wife from her week away for a college project. (Yes, very happy she has made it home safely.) Below is an image of a pedestrian two levels below walking to the Portland airport parking garage. I thought it was interesting........

Help Me!

2011-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was an easy one to capture because he couldn't get out! I heard the buzzing of wings and had a look, took a photo. I'm sure he made it out okay though......

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Reflecting Morning

2011-09-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Taken this past winter..... A very cold morning with just a touch of fog coming up off the lake near Albany, Oregon. I really like this dock, as you may have noticed and will likely notice again. It just leads to the lake well. :-)

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

Sepia-IR of Newport Bay, Oregon

2011-09-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

From near the main boat launch site where all the fishermen launch from. Just another experimental infrared shot that I applied a high contrast/white vignette to. It has a place in the wold, I'm sure. :-)

Visit Sepia Scenes for more photos like this!

Mt. Hood

2011-09-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Looking east from near the Portland airport, overlooking the Columbia River. Its an attempt at HDR too. The whole scene was cool, sun going down, fast changing light, cars on the right and river on the left. I didn't care for the house in the image but I had to work with it and I now think it is okay. It is hard to find a place on the south bank of the Columbia where the river bends north and has a view of Hood.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

'Shrooms

2011-09-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I shot the micro flower and these mushrooms growing in my front yard. I had no idea they were there because they are so small! Click on any image for a larger view/slideshow & let me know which one you like best!

Visit OurWorld for more OurWorld Tuesday photos!

Seal Rock, Oregon in HDR

2011-09-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Here is one version of Seal Rock in HDR from my recent stay at the coast. I'm not sure that I love it but I do like it for the interesting colors. I do remember that it was an incredible sunset, very atypical for the Oregon coast, and there were many photographers there this evening with cameras on tripods. It was a little odd though, being the only Pentax user in a sea of Nikon.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

Crabtree Creek

2011-09-01T01:16:00.000-07:00

Taken from Larwood Park (at the Larwood bridge) where the Roaring River joins Crabtree Creek. Still experimenting and learning what a good infrared image looks like and how to get the best out of the CZ2020. Still working on it. :-) I hope I don't bore the world with false color IR images!

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Newport Apartments by the Bridge

2011-08-31T01:07:00.000-07:00

Something caught my eye in this apartment building in Newport a couple weeks ago. Rectangular shapes, bridge arching, setting sun behind me, contrasting colors. Just came together for me.

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit Window Views & Doors 2 for more framed photos!

Sailing

2011-08-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

What else is there to say? Sailing on Detroit Lake, Oregon.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Larwood Bridge in IR

2011-08-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Two images of the Larwood Covered Bridge from a recent outing. I changed spots slightly to change the framing. I like the trees in the first image but I like the open area in the second too. Therefore I post them both. Do you have a favorite?

Visit OurWorld for more OurWorld Tuesday photos!

Weeds are flowers too

2011-08-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of the ugly weed flowers at the Oregon coast. I don't know what it is called, but it looks much better back-lit than in real life.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

A Crow's Sunset

2011-08-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

I waited patiently for the sun to get just right while not spooking the bird. It worked! Slightly cropped, nothing more.

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Haceta Head, again

2011-08-12T02:46:00.000-07:00

I know that I have posted many images of the Haceta Head lighthouse, but it's cool! How can you just skip getting this shot. Its kinda like a flower. You get new ones every year but all the same variety as last year. Doesn't stop you does it! There ya go. I do have an idea for an image of the lighthouse but I don't know if I;ll be able to get it correctly. We will see......

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Moonset over Newport

2011-08-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Another view of the bridge after sunset with the moon. The moon has been tweaked slightly for clarity and, of course, this is an HDR image processed in Photoshop CS5. The original images shown below, shot with Pentax K-7 and 18-135 lens. (First shots with this lens and I love it! Great range.)

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Visit Before & After at PixelPerfectBlog for more photos of photo edits!

Ya Got Summin' For Me?

2011-08-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

Visit Sepia Scenes for more photos like this!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Newport Bay Bridge

2011-08-09T00:26:00.000-07:00

Taken from a new vantage point for me, on the fishing pier near the center of the channel just to the east of the bridge. A whole bunch of people out here fishing and crabbing, then there is me with my tripod and camera. :-) I saw earlier in the week the moon following the sun down and estimated that I could get this shot the next day. Didn't see the sun for the next 3 days, but the fog gave way for this photo. The moon is not following as closely now though, so no sun & moon in the same shot. A moon shot will follow soon however. We froze for a half hour waiting for the moon..... :-)

This is an HDR image with a good amount of saturation and vibrancy. The seagull, however, is natural. :-)

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/ World Bird Wednesday

Hanging in the Sand

2011-08-08T01:10:00.000-07:00

We are currently having a vacation at the beach near Newport Oregon. William was having a little "explore in the sand" moment on our walk the other day. :-)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Flower?

2011-08-07T01:05:00.000-07:00

I was taking a photo of a very small mushroom and near by was this even smaller flower in the weeds. Incredibly small and hardly noticed in my yard,. I thought it deserved a photo for hiding out so well.

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

All-a-Chatter

2011-08-06T01:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if we were being scolded for being too close or not feeding him. Wither way, we had a good talking to. It is funny to listen to these guys chatter.

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Barn in Field

2011-08-05T02:55:00.000-07:00

I really love IR and now carry my new Oly with me nearly everywhere just in case conditions are right. This infrared is of a local field on a bright day with the clouds just right. Very cool.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Portlandia After Dark

2011-08-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

A recent photo of the Portland Oregon skyline. This is an HDR image, slightly bringing in some of the lower levels and bringing down the hi-lights without making it look like Trey Ratcliff created it. (Don't get me wrong, he is good. Just saying....) :-)

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Field and Tree

2011-07-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

Another false color IR image from the C2020Z. I like it but it seems to missing something. Perhaps a better angle on the tree? I don't know.

On a side note, I have updated my Slimbox to version 2 (the script that opens the image when you click on it) and I like it better. I have more control, it is faster and the images are larger on your screen. Let me know if you have any problems displaying an image!

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Droid Army

2011-07-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

My Android army that I designed in SolidWorks and printed on our 3D printer at the college I work at. They were test prints at different times because we were having a lot of troubles with the machine. If I could replace it, I would but we are a little short on funding. :-)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Oregon Summer

2011-07-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

If I were in the SA right now, this might be what is expected: Rain. Here in Oregon however, this summer is rain with a few sun breaks. Kind of a lame summer, weather wise, though everything is quite green!

Been bad about posting this past week because of Google+. Been hanging over there. It can take care of and replace a blog in many ways. Potential for comments & feedback is tremendous. You can still have loyal followers and subscribe to follow others through circles. If anyone does not have and would like an invite to Google+, let me know! I will need your email address and I request you put me in a circle & I'll do the same. :-)

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Wild Dasies

2011-07-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

Three pretties from a walk.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

A Dog's Life

2011-07-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Mocha, taking her usual morning place on a couch. (Couches are old and we keep blankets on them for the dogs.) I couldn't help but think what a luxurious Dog's Life she has, hanging on the couch in her retirement years. That's Roc in front on the left. Not too much of a couch dog. Prefers the floor and has the elbows to prove it. The vet said he needs a bed to sleep on because of his elbows. He has one, as well as 2 couches. Won't use them.

The image is a 5 image HDR to bring in a little detain from the window and from Mocha's side. She is a dark chocolate color and would have been rendered black in this image. Not *too* HDR-ish I hope! Also made it monochrome to look a little more old-timey. I like it.

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

The Field

2011-07-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the field of flowers I was talking about yesterday. It has this lone tree somewhat centered. I like it. Unfortunately, the day before this field was in solid bloom but I was not able to grab a photo. I came back the next couple of days and it is in about half bloom, petals covering the ground. The wind has picked up, I missed the better shot. Oh well.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Sun-Up

2011-07-07T01:51:00.000-07:00

I thought I had seen these flowers in a ditch or just growing wild, thinking them to be some sort of weed. No more! There is a whole field of them near here.

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Spreader Study

2011-07-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

A photo study of the decay of old, obsolete and no longer used technology.

All images straight out of the camera with no adjustments or cropping except sepia toning. Click on any image to see a larger view then the right side for the next image, left for previous.

Visit Sepia Scenes for more photos like this!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Dusting

2011-07-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

Riding into town the other day I saw this guy flying around. I'm always mesmerized watching their acrobatics while doing their job. This spray job was a little tougher, I suspect, because of the tree line near the road and the power lines he flew under to do the job. He was never close to the lines and always in full control, or so it appeared. Fun to watch! Lucky to be in the right place at the right time too.

Click on any image to see it larger, then click on the left for previous, right for next.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Just Gray

2011-07-01T01:19:00.000-07:00

I know, it is not too "scenic" in the classic sense, but it was if you were there. Fairly early morning on Detroit (OR) Lake and there was no sun. Low clouds a little drizzle perhaps but no rain. Many people out fishing the very calm waters. Nice and quiet. Looking around you could see the mountains that surround the lake covered in fir trees, keepers of the calm. It was a nice morning.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Cousins

2011-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

This image was shot of Riley and William as a light setup test. I really liked it, but because it was a test shot and I was still setting up the colors are buggered up. So, I took the easy way out: Monochrome conversion. It works well as a B&W. Mouse over to see the original out of the camera version.

See the tutorial on the mouse-over trick on the right.

Visit Before & After at PixelPerfectBlog for more photos of photo edits!

The "Cabin"

2011-06-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

Very cool views were had from upstairs or down through this 2 story window. Great cabin!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Visit Window Views & Doors 2 for more framed photos!

On the Lake

2011-06-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful sunrise, sun up and over Piety Island at Detroit Lake. Very quiet at this time, me with my camera and a few others with their fishing poles out on the water. No kids out yet making a ruckus. :-)

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

In the Shadow of Jefferson

2011-06-27T00:50:00.000-07:00

Well, this kayak was nearly in the shadow of Mt. Jefferson. Just one of the many ways folks have fun on Detroit Lake. Not for me though. I prefer my power boat. Oh, for the RubyTuesday crowd, the oar tips are red.....trust me. :-)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

In the Wild

2011-06-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

I have always loved these little flowers, but still do not know their name. (I have a book, too lazy to find it.) It had rained earlier this morning and there is still a drop of water lingering. A bumble bee was fluttering about too but I did not have the luck to get him in frame.

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Begger

2011-06-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

We were followed around by a female mallard (or two) who was looking for handouts. As long as she let me take pictures, I obliged with bread crumbs. I know it is not the best for her, they are such pretty ducks and I cannot deny her for a picture.

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Under the Footbridge

2011-06-23T02:40:00.000-07:00

Returned from a long awaited vacation at Detroit Lake (Oregon). On one photo excursion on the way to a small creek, navigated under this bridge. Don't know its name, but I know the kids love it.

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Visit Bridges Sunday for more incredible spans!

Bees in Flight

2011-06-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

I saw these flowers yesterday but it was pretty poor lighting out, nearly rain. Today there was sun and a flock of bees! 473 shots later I got a few keepers! :-) The first image is taken with my 90mm macro lens, the second with my fisheye. Surprisingly unique perspective I could get and much faster to focus. Of course, I had to have the lens about a half inch from the bee..... Made a few of them nervous and some simply didn't care. Great fun!

Click on an image for a larger view, right or left side for next or previous. Thanks for looking!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Rhodies

2011-06-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

A visit to my father's grave site near Monmouth, Oregon today. Pretty much says it all.

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Flowerside

2011-05-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Another little flower from the school gardens. I really like this shot......

Mouse over for the before (& after). Tutorial at right.

Visit Before & After at PixelPerfectBlog for more photos of photo edits!

Visit The Weekend in Black & White for more monochrome photos!

Impala

2011-05-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

I must have really liked this car at the Lamb & Wool fair car show. And, well, yes, it is quite pretty and well detailed. It was amazing the overall quality of car at this little rally.

Click on any image to display it larger on your screen. Click on the left or right of the image for previous or next. :-)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Do not pick the flowers. DON'T!

2011-05-22T03:43:00.000-07:00

Next to all these lovely little pink flowers was a wasp keeping watch over passers by, insuring no one goes home with a flower that didn't belong to them. Ok, not true. I believe he was hanging out and drinking water until I shoved my lens into his face and scared him away. :-)

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

All Smiles

2011-05-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

The Scio, Oregon Lamb and Wool Fair opened yesterday with a car rally. There were too many cars for our little town to handle. That was pretty cool. I think the most impressive thing though was the quality of restoration. There were awesome pampered autos from yesteryear. Here is a sampling of a few "smiles" the cars gave up all taken with my fisheye lens. (I'll have another tomorrow.) I have quite a few more images and perhaps in the coming weeks I'll sprinkle them in to some postings. It was very cool!

As always, click on an image to display it larger on your screen. Click on the left or right of the image for previous or next. :-)

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Iris

2011-05-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

It's spring time and that means flowers. Unfortunately, what has not been done? I mean this Iris is a great specimen, but how original is the photograph? I actually went in to school today with a couple flash units & triggers thinking I would light creatively. I forgot to check all the batteries. At least I came away with this one. Not bad. I do like the Rhododendron (red) background. I'll try again soon with lights.....

Visit Outdoor Wednesday for more of the great outdoors!

GoldFinchDay

2011-05-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

Today I had around 15 finches around the feeder. Fortunately I have a couple trees, a porch and rain protection because I needed all three. The birds didn't seem to mind the weather and I was better prepared. :-) They sure are pretty birds.

These are all with my 400mm and heavily cropped. It is a ~~cheap~~ inexpensive and older Tokina, so they are all a bit soft. I need a proper blind to get closer to these little joules!

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

The Lake

2011-05-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

Early frosty morning at a local lake recently. I little fog, a little sky, a little frost all combined for this image. It has interesting colors to me and a cool calm.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Outdoor Wednesday for more of the great outdoors!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

For the Birds

2011-04-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Let's see, ISO3400, hand held, 400mm and cropped. Rough? Yes indeed they are! But I have been trying to get these yellow finches in my yard for a couple years and found out this past winter I have been feeding the wrong thing. Here it is the first nice day of the spring and the finches are here already! (Sunflower and thistle seed.) Yes, I'm excited and you should expect me to get closer and mych better at captcuring these guys on my sensor.

Oh, the swallow? I thought it was cool.....until I realize the new construction across the highway has ruined *my* favorite perch of getting shots of this bird house.

As always, click on an image to make it larger. Thanks!!

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Hearts

2011-04-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at this little meme, Random Hearts, for quite a while wondering where I could find a heart. Watching for perhaps a year, nothing, and then I find one this week here where I work on a part of the campus I seldom visit, looking down from a second floor walkway!

Were the left end of the log moved over perhaps a foot it would be cupid's heart. :-)

For you honey. :-)

Visit Random Hearts for more photos of a heart where you find it!

Bottom's Up

2011-04-24T01:06:00.000-07:00

Another from the tulip fields that are in full bloom. So again I grabbed my fisheye lens and my wireless trigger and headed for the bottom of the tulip beds. Not sure this exactly what I expected, but I sure did see a lot of people copying what I did. :-) I think it warrants a revisit for sure. Oh, Happy Easter!

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Bug's Eye View

2011-04-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be interesting to shoot up at the sky from between rows of tulips. I strategically located the camera in the shadow of a nice flower, out of direct sun. I like how it came out. :-)

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Windmill

2011-04-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

Not a real one, but it looks cool. Finally a break from the rains too!

Visit Outdoor Wednesday for more of the great outdoors!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Oregon State Capitol Mall

2011-04-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

Out looking for something to do, kill time while my wife is at the spa, I happened upon the cherry blossoms and blue skies at the capitol mall. I have lived in Oregon all my life, except while in the military, and I have never seen the cherry trees in their full glory before. It was incredible, awesome and spectacular all at once. there were quite a few of us out with our cameras this day. I with my fisheye (again) but most other shooters had a longer lens. I would not have shot it any other way. :-) the next day it rained and has been pretty much every day sense. As always, click on the image to see a larger view then click on the left or right for previous or next.

Visit Watery Wednesday for more wet photos!

Visit Outdoor Wednesday for more of the great outdoors!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Circus Ringmaster

2011-04-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at the circus, at intermission, I was walking around and peeked behind the curtain and I saw the ringmaster. I watched him for a bit, walking around, doing nothing much. He appeared to be very lonely and when he did sit he begun texting someone. Didn't interact much with others around, just texted with his head hung. Almost like a sad clown......

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Blooming Flowers!

2011-04-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

A couple recent flower images. Using the fisheye, the tulip is great against the blue sky. (It was a miracle that there was a blue sky!) William in the daffodils was just for fun. :-)

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Linking the states

2011-04-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

I-5 bridges linking Portland, OR to Vancouver, WA, spanning the Columbia River. I had never seen the bridges from this perspective and I thought it would lend itself well to a pano. It worked and I liked the monochrome version better. Added a little nostalgia I thought. :-)

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit Weekend Reflections for more reflective photography!

Visit The Weekend in Black & White for more monochrome photos!

Sun Over a Weed

2011-04-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

Taken a few weeks ago. I loved the snow when we had it and I love the sun too. The weed(s) provided a great forground element using the fisheye lens, again. :-)

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Just a Building

2011-04-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

This is "just a building" on first street, downtown Albany, and fairly nondescript. But, it has color and I had to stop the other morning and snap this shot. I like it!

Visit Window Views & Doors 2 for more framed photos!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos!

Front Flip

2011-04-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

We went to the Circus Gatti this past Friday and I'm sorry to say it was fairly lame. We left half way through. These kids on bikes were cool however. They did quite a few stunts, finishing with a few back flips (expected) and this front flip! Very cool. Click on the picture to see the flip! (Play the image animation.)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Daffodil

2011-04-03T03:09:00.000-07:00

There are so many of these guys this time of year but I shot a pic and I like it any way. :-)

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

A New Meme: Bridges Weekly

2011-04-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

I have decided to get into the meme business with a (hopefully) unique theme: Bridges. The first round will start this next Saturday, April 9th, at 12 noon Pacific time. I may change it to Midnight GMT at a later date, but noon my time will work for now.

This will be like other memes with links, cut & paste code to link back and requests to leave comments. We all love comments, don't we? :-) So you are getting advance notice to PLEASE save up some bridge pictures and post them weekly on Bridges Weekly!

For now, here is a sneak peek at the test page and the icon I have created. Click on the icon and it will take you to the new site. Hope to see you there soon!

Chitwood Bridge

2011-03-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have passed this bridge on Highway 20 heading into Newport for years. This past weekend I actually had time to stop and take a few photos. Not bad, would have been nice if the sun was out. There is rain instead. :-)

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!

Seal Rock, Oregon

2011-03-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

And here are the seals to prove it! I have never been down to this beach before, it is quite a little climb down some jagged rocks. But William and I did it and it was well worth it. These 3 guys were sunning themselves fairly close for all to see. (And there were 30 or so of us watching. Silly humans!) The gull is sharpened, levels adjusted and therefore not SOOC but I love this shot!

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Oregon Coast

2011-03-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

We are having the remainder of our Spring Break on the coast. This is a 5 image pano taken from the beach at Seal Rock. More to follow.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Snow Trail

2011-03-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

A little different from Fitton Green. The sun over a stand of trees and a trail going through the middle was an interesting image I thought........

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Visit The Weekend in Black & White for more monochrome photos!

Sun Over the Valley

2011-03-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

Another from Fitton Green overlooking the Willamette Valley. It was cold but not bad and the sights were awesome. I'm wondering what the fall might bring from there, as in colors on the surrounding hills.

Visit Outdoor Wednesday for more of the great outdoors!

Visit Midweek Blues for more of the blues!

Steel Barn

2011-02-28T02:30:00.000-08:00

Quite the early morning reflection off of this old-timer......

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Old Barns for great barn photos!

White Crocus

2011-02-27T02:21:00.000-08:00

Not really a "white crocus" but you get the idea. It was a lovely dusting of snow the other day. We only see snow once every other year and it is a treat. (Not to those who endure it for months every year, I know.)

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more yellow!

Visit Today's Flowers for more blooms!

Visit Macro Monday for more close up photos!

Looking

2011-02-26T02:24:00.000-08:00

Fluttering about looking for food.....in the feeder I have for them.

Visit Camera Critters for more critterific photography!

Visit Straight Out Of the Camera for more untouched photos!

Mary's Peak

2011-02-25T15:50:00.000-08:00

It was an awesome morning looking at Mary's Peak across the valley from Fitton Green. Not so green today, just snow and a lot of sky. Mary's peak is the larger snow covered mountain across the valley.

Visit Scenic Sunday for more scenic photography!

Early Morning

2011-02-24T02:47:00.000-08:00

Just a tree, the sun and some fog.......

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more photos of above!

Live from China

2011-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

Ring-necked Chinese Pheasant in the near wild.

Visit MyWorld for more MyWorld Tuesday photos!

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more Ruby Red photos!