Color Or B&W

Which do you like better? Color or Black and White? I find the black and white to be pleasing, but I don't care for the sky. Converting it to black and white has caused the sky to look noisy or pixelled. (Is that a word?) Any thoughts? Many of you have posted black and whites and they look great. I must be missing doing something wrong in the software. I have used Photoshop Elements 6 to make the changes. D200, 70-200mm lens, f5.6, 1/500 sec., ISO 200.

Amongst The Green

Amongst the green of several bushes is this lone flower growing tall as if its hand was waving to get your attention. I have no idea what it is but it caught my eye. If anyone knows please let me know. Enjoy!

Dragonfly

Finally, I have my camera in hand when a dragonfly is around. Not the best picture, a bit to warm I think. Needs a CPL or ND filter, items I have, but I didn't want to miss the shot. My fat fingers scrolled the wheel changing the exposure to + .7 also. That doesn't help. It's the same wheel I use for changing shutter speed. Old habits I guess. Note to self, check your setting, have more patience, do it right the first time, if you miss this one another opportunity will present itself. Lessons I still need to learn!

I Want To Pick It!

On my way home from work the other day, I drove a different way. The detour was through the neighborhood instead of using the main road. I have done this many time before. I wave and honk to those I know but notice nothing else until now. Large bouquets of these beautiful white flowers fill the yards of many a home. I must find out what kind they are and plant them in my own yard. I'd love to pick some and bring into the house. My wife loves daisies. May-be I can sweet talk her into a new lens with a handful of these lovely flowers! Cross my fingers and toes! D200, aperture priority f5.6, ISO 200, 70-200mm lens with 2x teleconverter so I can shoot from the sidewalk, it was early in the morning and I did not want to wake any one for permission.

Kaysville Ponds Again

I wanted to get back to the ponds with out the rain. My old friend the yellow-headed blackbird was there singing his heart out. Tonight, I took my daughter with me and we saw several yellow-headed blackbirds fighting, chasing and perching. I'd given her some binoculars to use so she would not get board and want to leave to soon. She loved it as much as I did and asked to go again! Hum, someone to carry a tripod or lens bag!
The ducks were out and just before leaving we caught a glimpse of some pelicans. I will need to get a better vantage point for a good picture of them. I couldn't resist taking her picture. It was funny when I called to her she looked over at me with the binoculars. D200, 70-200mm lens with 2x teleconverter, f5.6, 1/25 sec., ISO 200.

Take A Deep Breath And Blow!

While out shooting tonight I came across this large weed waiting for the wind to pick up and blow it seeds all over. As a child, I would pick handfuls and blow the tops off. I'd gotten in trouble once for it by my parents. They said I was creating more work for them by spreading the weeds all over. Oh well, I kept doing it. I'm sure you or someone you know has opened their mouth, taken a deep breath in, and it went into their mouth because they held it to close! Go ahead, visualize it, it's funny! LOL! D200, 70-200mm lens with 2x teleconverter, f5.6, 1/8 sec., ISO 400.

In The Mirror

I had forgotten about this picture. I was looking through some old files and cleaning up things. It was take in late 2006 while I was in Park City. Walking through town I passed several motorcycles parked next to the curb. Not so unusual I'd say, some were tricked out, others just plain or stock but what I noticed was the refection of others walking by in the mirror. This had really caught my eye. My father-in-law just moved past, I stopped him and asked for a favor. "Sure, what?" he responded as I backed him up and waited until he was the only one in the mirror. Good man, not the prettiest of models but I enjoyed spending the day with him. D200, f5.6, 1/125 sec., ISO 100.

.22 Rimfire

Shooting in any form is always fun! I miss plinkin' at cans and spinners. However, pushing in shutter button has been a very enjoyable substitute! I can carry a camera more places than a .22 rifle! D50, 105mm micro lens, f8, 1/125 sec.

Colors

One of the first macro style pictures I'd ever taken. I used my father-in-law's lens a few weeks after he bought it. Thanks for sharing dad! D50, 105mm micro lens, f8, 1/125 sec.

Wild Flowers

D200, 105mm micro lens, f3.2, 1/160 sec., ISO 100.

Singin' In The Rain

Another dreary day filled with rain didn't stop this Yellow-Headed Blackbird from singing a tune! Other than a few ducks he was the only creature out in the rain with me. His song and brightly colored head quickly caught my eye. Can I get close enough or will he fly off? Those of you who capture wildlife on a regular basis make it look easy. Patience and slow movements pay off, though it is not easy. I now understand why so many like the "hunt". I will keep my eyes and ears open for the opportunity to catch the wildlife near me again. D200, 70-200mm lens, f5, 1/60 sec., ISO 200

Leaf in Water

This morning I went out in the rain to capture some wildlife. I was hoping for a dry morning, however, slightly prepared for rain. This means my camera was covered and protected from the elements, but I was not. Silly me for thinking it was the summer season in Utah. Note to self, get a rain coat and galoshes for next time. Later, I will post a few of the pictures of a bird I was able to find. I want to identify it first. The leaf was floating close by and I watched the rain fall all around but never hit it. Imagine the leaf, as a great battle ship under attack from the air, the rain, incredibly she sails through unscathed. Some corrections done in Photoshop Elements. D200, 70-200mm lens, f5, 1/60 sec., ISO 200.

Water Drops

I realize these are older pictures and that I have shared others like them done in milk. I know I am being a bit lazy. My excuse is rain. We have had several down pours every day for what seems like weeks. I was thinking about taking a picture of the rain tonight, however, it stopped by the time I was done working. All I can think about is the rain. Rain, rain drops, drops, water drops... can you see were I'm going with this? The splash is always different, sometimes they are small and others are BIG. Special thanks to my wife who helped by dropping the water from a medicine dropper and my son who supplied the red background, his tee-shirt! See older post Fruit Loops For Breakfast. D200, 105mm lens, f5.6, 1/60 sec. and ISO 400.

RR Spike

Just think of the miles and miles of tracks laid in this country, each spike originally driven by hand. Back breaking labor, blistered hands and low pay. The tracks connect at Promontory Point here in Northern Utah. What a celebration and major mile stone for transportation in the United States. What would they say about things now?

Mirror Lake

High in the Uintah Mountains there are a group of lakes were you can escape the hustle and bustle of town. Mirror Lake is just one of them. Quite, picturesque and a great place to go fishing. Some years there is still snow on the ground in July! One of the most sought after camp ground in the state. Book now for next year!

Falling Water

Here are a few pictures taken with the Nikon D700. I was given the opportunity to use one for a day. Lucky me!

Three Old School VW Buses

Can you see me?



I had forgotten these picture. I like the "old school" VWs. I owned a 1969 Super Beetle, with lots of regrets I sold it. I should keep my eyes open for another one. I have a child who will be driving soon. A convertible or a rag top would be cool. Better still a VW Thing! Taken in the fall of 2006 near Park City, Utah with a Nikon D200. The first time I could get out and shoot with one. I liked it so much I bought one.

Sailing On The Great Salt Lake

On my way home from Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, I stopped at the Great Salt Lake Marina. It is on the west side of Antelope Island, seen in the background, at the southern end of the lake. I do not get out here often enough to take advantage of the scenic views. The lake is extremely low and sailing is done only on the western side. Antelope Island, not much of an island if water does not surround it, is a beautiful place to visit. Wildlife, flowers, bugs, sailboats, and after a storms has moved across the lake the sunset are especially moving. If you visit my older posts you will see the northern end of the lake. There is so much of Utah I have not seen. I had better charge the batteries, pack a few lenses, one or two memory cards and get busy! Enjoy!

Heel Clicker @ SLMX

Flyin' Dirt





Today, I meet a young man who could do a trick. He makes the Heel Clicker look so easy! It was awesome! One day I hope to catch a freestyle competition and all the tricks. I can't name all the tricks, but I can do them!...on the Xbox!

Fly Fishing

All that work and not a bite! You know what they say, "A bad day fishing, is better than a good day at work!"