19-OCT-2016
Clearing the Ponds of Invasive Plants
Sometimes, the only way to prevent invasive species from taking over the habitat is to do the laborious work by hand, as is being done here. Workers in Delta Ponds are clearing the ponds of invasive plant species, work that we should all appreciate. It makes visiting the Ponds that much more enjoyable.
20-OCT-2016
Oops! He's Losing It!
There is a large shopping center and parking lot at the south end of Delta Ponds. I park there when I take my walks in the Ponds. This day the city police department was using the lot for some motorcycle training and the riders followed a course outlined with cones. As this officer negotiated a sharp turn, he slowed too much and began to lose balance. Those bikes are heavy and he started to go over. The other officer got there in time to help him right the bike. But I captured the moment where he started going down. I know the feeling. It happened to me once back when I was riding them.
21-OCT-2016
Spotlight on Song Sparrow
I was attracted to this song sparrow in a small opening in a frame of leaves along one of the Ponds out in Delta Ponds. The nice lighting added to the attractiveness. I like anything that helps to bring out the beauty of our wonderful wildlife. The beauties of our natural world deserve our admiration and recognition. They were put here for us to enjoy!
22-OCT-2016
What I had to wear on my latest project.
Recently, I shot some pictures for a local project, photographing the Mill Race Path. Because of construction work going on, I was required to wear hard hat and vest. Ready, set, go! Photo by Carol.
23-OCT-2016
One of my favorite things!
I can't help borrowing some words from the song, 'My Favorite Things' (Sound of Music) to explain my delight in getting photos like this. The words in this verse say it all:
'RAINDROPS ON ROSES' and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
24-OCT-2016
A Favorite Bird, the Kestrel
I was fortunate to see a Kestrel today. It wasn't a good day for pictures, raining with dark clouds. I had a real challenge getting a properly exposed image, even though I tried to compensate for it. This was my best effort. I hope to get a great shot next time!
Once again, it reminds me of a song, “Put on a happy face” (from the musical “Bye Bye Birdie”)
Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face
25-OCT-2016
Autumn Farm Scene
I enjoyed a drive along Camp Creek Road and came across this lovely autumn farm scene, idyllic in every sense of the word!
26-OCT-2016
One Tough Shot!
It was a dark, cloudy day at Delta Ponds, not a good day for trying for shots against the sky. I spotted a Peregrine Falcon high up in a tree some distance away, a shot I shouldn't even try. But not being one who has good sense I wanted to try anyway. By overexposing three stops, I still wasn't getting a good exposure and that just played havoc with noise levels. But I managed to get a presentable shot, well at least one I was willing to post. It's not great but it will have to do. I still haven't mastered shooting dark birds against a cloudy sky. Some day I will learn how to do it. I was so glad to see a Peregrine Falcon again at the Ponds that I was happy to get something.
Some added thoughts: I have been thinking about the photo and the conditions under which it was shot, as well as another point I was overlooking. The image was shot at ISO 12800! Now that makes a difference! Any noise that showed, and some did, was due to the high ISO and the processing I did. I lightened the shadows, which will increase noise levels, and processed it. After thinking about all of this, I have concluded that the result is actually amazingly good. I could not have done it with any of my other cameras. The D500 proved its capabilities, and I hadn't realized how much. It is amazing how we take things for granted now, that just a few short years ago were not possible. And back in film days, I could never have come close. I remember being pleased using ISO 1600 film, which was terribly grainy. Now we are reaching new highs, and only expect more! I am impressed!
27-OCT-2016
Farmer's Joyride
I saw this old truck in a farmer's orchard along Deerhorn Road. I have seen it there before, but decorated in different fashion. It's a cute little thing. I am sure it makes a great attention getter.
28-OCT-2016
A Trio of Nutria!
This is a group of three Nutria, sharing a log in Delta Ponds. They have become too numerous along our waterways. At first I thought it was the biggest nutria I had ever seen. Then I realized it wasn't one, but three. I noticed three tails, though the front one is so prominent.
According to the National Geographic website, here are some facts about the Nutria:
Average life span in the wild:8 to 10 years
Size:Head and body, 17 to 25 in (43 to 64 cm); tail, 10 to 16 in (25 to 41 cm)
Weight:15 to 22 lbs (7 to 10 kg)
"Nutria once lived only in southern South America, but they have been domesticated as fur animals and transplanted around the world. In many areas, including Canada and more than a dozen U.S. states, fur farm escapees quickly establish large wild populations near their new homes."
29-OCT-2016
Happy Landing!
A Mallard Duck is coming in for a perfect landing below a bridge in the Delta Ponds. This bridge is in a beautiful setting. I have been able to get some nice shots of a variety of birds from there. Always a pleasure to spend time in the Ponds.
30-OCT-2016
Red-tailed Hawk at Delta Ponds
This Red-tailed Hawk was high in a tree above one on the ponds, probably watching for prey to show themselves. Naturally it was facing the opposite direction. But, when it turned its head and the eye got a highlight from the sunlight, it made a nice shot. Also, its red tail is visible from the back, which helped me to come up with an ID. I think I got it right. :) It was a very long shot, done handheld.