Reviewing March 2011

I believe that while my memory is adequate, it is far from amazing.  For me, there is a trick to Remembering things.  It all begins with Reviewing.

Reviewing an experience is different that Remembering.  In fact, Reviewing is an important process that actually precedes Remembering.  Reviewing is something that must be done while the experience is still fresh in your mind and in your heart.  

Some people Review their experiences by keeping a journal.  They Record events in detail almost as soon as they transpire. 

My journal keeping  involves my camera.  I gather and save images that will Remind me of experiences, special places and memorial events. 

I enjoy going back in my photo files Reviewing, Remember and Recalling.  Today was just such a day, a day for Remembering.  Where was I a year ago, what was I doing?  Who was I with, where did we go?

The weather here in Idaho was just starting to break for spring.  There wasn't any leaves, buds or flowers out as the snow, in places was still piled.  Last winter was a very good snow year.

Unlike this year, calving season was just getting started.  The horses were in search for anything green to feed on. As for snow-maching, I was just finishing up my last ride for the season.  This season snow-machining really sucked.

I found some of my favorite photos from last March, some that I had forgotten all about.
It's good to look back to remember where you've been.

There were so so many peacocks last year. This year, no so many as the coyotes thinned them out.  They thinned out the turkeys and geese as well.  I am hoping for a good spring hatch to replace those that are missing.

YES I am proud to say that I live on a working cattle ranch.  I can't think of any better way or place to spend my days.  I do however get a little tired of the spring mud that creeps into the back porch....

It so hard to get the girls to pose for a photo when there's feeders full of green alpha hay to get eaten.

 Tobbie

 Baxter

 Ted

Pete
“In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!”
― Dr. Seuss

Horse and mules, that's what we use to ride, heard and work with.  They get the winter off but come round-up time these guys put in a full days work plus some. It's been sometime since I've road a horse, I am more of the 4-wheeler rider now.

So like I wrote earlier it's good Remember, good to look back.  Reality check-up!  Am I better today than I was last year?  I hope so.

 “You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

*Side Note- all the above photos where taken March 30th, 2011.

Out and About - Idaho Falls Photography

The weather lately is so unsettled, wind, rain, snow and a bit of sun.  How I wish that I could have just a few days of nothing but warm sunny weather with some puffy clouds through in for good photo effects.
So what do you do when you have the itch to go and photograph something, you resort to the neighbors farm and all the wild (not so wild) life.
I've loaded up my 1.4x tele-converter on my 300mm and I'm out the door in hope to capture the allusive peacocks.  So far I haven't been able to get a good sharp image of these guy, I am really hoping to capture them with tails spread wide and in full color.

This farm is an old working dairy farm.  They don't do much milking now days, just raising new replacement heffers for the larger dairies.  These gals weren't to excited to have me interrupting there morning meal.  So tough to get a good photo of black and white animals.

I finally find what I've come to photograph, the large male peacocks.  I find this one hanging out in an old tree which appears to be on it last leg.  I am never out of eye contact as I set up my tripod and adjust my camera settings.  Peacocks are one of the best watch DOGS that I know of.  They're always on the deference.  Come on Mr. Peacock you could work with me here a bit better.  Let's see some colors, some action, some tail feathers.

This just isn't going to be my day for the grand display of colors.  I did however manage to get some eye contact.  Perhaps if I bring this guy some birdie treats tomorrow perhaps he will be more will to work with me.

One of the unexpected pleasures you get while photographing at the farm is you never know who or what will show up and want to take along.

This is my new found camera friend, Leahla.  She was adorable and her eyes are to die for.
 I'll going back as soon as the weather warms up a bit to take more photos of the wildlife with the aid of my new camera side kick.
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Week In Review - Idaho Falls, Idaho Area

The weather finally broke enough that I was able to get outdoors and do some much needed photo therapy.  While attending the High Desert Photography Club meeting this week, my photography juices were flowing.  My desire was to be able to capture some new architecture, find some interesting lines and work on my birding skills.
Old architecture is very hard to come across in and around my area due to the fact that I live in a large farming area.  Any piece of ground that becomes vacant is either planted on or grazed.  I am totally envious of all the photographers that have at their disposal the old rustic farm houses and out building.  Someday I hope to take a road trip and find some of my own to photograph.
I've been able to come across some really great restored images of old barns thanks to Pinterest, you can check out my architecture board (which will be continually added to) if you get a chance.  Let me know when and if you drop by.

Now for the reason that you stopped by, to view what I captured this past week.
Life on the Snake Rive is my first photo share.  This time of year the river is packed to the banks with all types of winter migrating birds.  The Canadian Geese happen to be my favorite to photography for two reasons: 1.  they aren't so leery of people and 2.  there are so many of them.  Here's my practice at capturing motion.

Coming In For A Landing
Taken with my Nikon D90 f/4.5 @ 1/1000 ISO 200

Now it's on to practicing my Black and White photo conversions.  There is just something that I find so intriguing about taking the colors from a image. This process is a challenge for me as most times my images come off all muddy and soft looking.  I will have to practice a lot more to get something that has the B&W WOW factor.

  The Big Stretch

 f4.5 @ 1/1250 ISO 200

Summers Final Harvest

Nikon D90 f/11 @ 1/50 ISO 400

Bottles On The Window  f/11 @ 1/30 ISO 1250  Woops note to self ALWAYS check your ISO before shooting. LDS Temple By The River f/9 @ 1/400 ISO 200  See what I mean about B&W images looking a bit muddy when converted?  I am after the crisp definition between the blacks and whites, I want the focal point to really POP of the page.  This is still a technique in search and training. Trumpeter Swans Over The Snake River f/5.6 @ 1/1000 ISO 200 One thing that I've learned while trying to capture birds in flight is you need a very FAST shutter speed, spot metering, long lens and patience. Line Sight Sparrow Hawk f/8 @ 1/500 ISO 200

Country Lane f/10 @ 1/60 ISO 200 White On White f/8 @ 1/1000 ISO 200 +2/3 EV

And Now for my persona favorite out all this weeks photos- Birds On A Wire f/10 @ 1/200 ISO 2100 I was shooting with pure luck having my shutter speed so slow, good thing these guys never attempted to make a move.  I am really liking the brown on brown effect of the Dove against the fall foliage. Well that does it for this weeks photo review.  I still have lots to learn and don't mind sharing what I've learned in the process of photo practice.  If you have a photo question, ask away and I'll go out and pratice the photo concept and come back with the answer. Thanks for dropping by and your comments are always appreciated. Note to self - CHECK YOU ISO before shooting!

Seeing Double

While searching the web yesterday, no really I was just reading through Pioneer Woman's Blog,  I came across what I thought looked vaguely familiar. There from one of her followers was a post about a dog named George.  This blogger must really love George as she has given him his own blogspot.

I couldn't help but shoot of an email to the Country Girl and inquire about her dog and let her know that I have his sister, MAX (short for Maxine).

Much to my delight, Country Girl contacted me this morning wanting information on MAX.  Country Girl wanted to see photos, she wanted proof to back of my claim of a dog look alike.
Did I have any photos of my beloved cow dog?  Had I posted about Mas before?  I'm sure that I had but where was it, where were her photos.  After some time doing a thorough photo search, just another reason to use tags in Lightroom, I finally came across one photo.  It's not the greatest, I recall the Max is very, very camera shy.  In fact whenever she see me with my camera she runs and hides.  What's up with that?

Any way, you decide if I don't have George's twin.  Check out Mas and then head over to George's page and compare.  The only noticeable difference that I can see is George is a whole lot cleaner.

Note to self:  Get Max to the dog wash and get Max and her BFF Bear their own blog page.

Ralphie the Camel

Via Flickr:
It has always been a dream of my DH to have his very own camel. Well long story short, he didn't get his camel, he let his cousin get one which we get go enjoy. So far Ralphie has been to almost all the elementary schools in my district. He's played a major role in the area Christmas pageants. He's been to wagon day in Salmon Idaho and been as far as the Idaho Utah border. Wherever he goes he always draws a huge crowd. Ralphie love bananas and apples but not carrots. Loves to be scratched with a garden rake and NO the cold Idaho weather doesn't bother him in the slightest.

Best New Friends

Had the greatest time with the grand kids this past weekend. Gosh how I wish that they lived close by.

Why they were here the littlest tamed down the kittens and now that they are gone the kittens are so lost.

Barb Phillips' photostream

Barb Phillips' photostream on Flickr.

My Flickr photo's have you visited me there lately? If you have, let me know that you have dropped by by leaving a good word or two