Rural Life

Not really rural but it's plenty of life.  The  Eiffel Tower on Las Vegas's main drag.
I had forgotten all about even taking this photo while I was there, do you ever do that?  This will probably be the closest I will ever get to viewing the real thing.  Taken straight from the Nikon, to computer, to you.

Rurality Blog Hop #6

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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.

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!

Little White Flowers

 Little White Flowers_DSC_2175, a photo by Barb Phillips on Flickr.

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

My hope is that I am found moving in the right direction always.

Great Horn Owl

Great Horn Owl , a photo by Barb Phillips on Flickr.

I wonder how often this guy has been missed? Blending into the woodwork almost out of site. I have wondered down this beaten path many times but this is a first. Glad that I had my equipment with me so that I could at least capture a very sleepy Owl.

On Attack

Goal for yesterdays photo walk was to capture some flying things. I had in mind something a bit larger like ducks, geese and other flying things.
What I ended up finding and capturing were the smaller types, bees.
I hadn't realized until I downloaded all the images that this bee was on the attack. Don't know if he is trying to remove the ant from his flower, if he eats them or if this ant attacked the bee. Nevertheless it made for an interesting shot.

Just wish that the image didn't appear so grainy. ISO was low, shutter speed was high and the WB was set correctly. I am using my 300mm and getting grainy images is getting to be irritating. Suggestion welcome on how to fix this problem.

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 1/1600
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 300 mm
ISO Speed 400 (set so that I could get a fast shutter speed)
WB Cloudy

Anybody Home, HONEY

Years ago, I would have been scared to death to be taking a photo of a bee at work. Now I am intrigued by them. I have really never taken the time to notice just how hard they work for just a little pollen. I wonder if they have their favorite flower, I know I would. Some flowers just look more inviting than others. Take this thistle for example, it's covered in ant, thorns and doesn't even smell good. If I would a bee I would demand that I only had to visit flower gardens, fruit trees and never these wild, prickly, unruly things.

Water, Water Everywhere

And not a drop to drink!

Water!! Can't live without it. It's one of those major necessities of life and I knew that it was just a matter of time before I would be without.

So here is the story. Dennis wakes up at 4am Wednesday and as the unusual routine, heads for the shower. He turns the water on, lathers up and low and behold, NO WATER!!
I am without water for 2 day because the pump that pumps the water out of the ground is froze up.

Now don't get me wrong, I was prepared, I had my water storage I just don't like having to use it. It makes me feel like I am camping in my house.

I finally get an education on well drilling and pump pulling, learned lots.

Water is back on, showers are taken, laundry is done and I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER.

I'll Huff and I'll Puff

Theme #127 Grass, Turf, Lawn
Batten down the hatches, She's gonna blow!

That what the forecast was yesterday. Winds up to 65 mph., we never get this kind of weather around here. Downed trees, power line and buildings. Business were shut down, roads were closed and we had small power outages. The funnest thing I saw was someones large wheeled garbage container floating in the creek past the house. I wonder where that came from and how missing some garbage?
Before yesterdays winds, I had the lawn looking so trim and neat. Now look at it, it's going to take the remainder of the week just to get the lawn cleaned up and looking good again.

So Good and Green

Theme #132 Growing

Asparagus season is open and the hunters are out everywhere.
I don't understand these people, they climb over your fences, massing them flat so they will never hold anything in or out again. You see these hunters holding up traffic as ma is hanging out the passenger side window trying to spy last years tail tail sings of asparagus growth.
They trespass, litter and steal your own private stash of priced tented stalks.
I think it would be much simpler if these hunters would just purchase some roots and start their own little patch, would make my life much simpler. Would make my dog happy as she wouldn't have to stand guard of the patch anymore/
So just what is this asparagus stuff anyway?
The books say - asparagus planting lasts 15 to 25 years without replanting if it is well cared. (Well mine isn't cared for, it just grows wild on the ditch banks where there is plenty of water)

Asparagus is grown from 1-year-old plants or "crowns" planted in January or February. It takes 1 year to grow a good crown. ( I don't know how long my plants have been around, I certainly didn't start them.)

It requires 3 years from the time the crown is planted until the bed is in full production. ( Mine are always producing as long as the weather is cool.)

Buds arise from the crown when conditions are favorable and develop into edible spears. ( Great in omelets or just boiled up in water and eaten slathered in butter)

If these spears are not harvested and are allowed to continue growing, they develop into "fern-like" stalks. (This only happens when it gets to warm around her and the spears start getting spindally.)

{Day 97}

Theme #29 Bodies of Water

This is one of my favorite water areas here in Idaho. Easiest way to get there is by horse back. The scenery is great. In the spring of the year you might see wild mountain sheep on the mountain sides. You are assured to see at least one moose eating knee deep in the lake. Fishing is Okay if you dare to venture that far in to the waters edge. The lake along with the one that is high up the trail was made my the side of the mountain sliding of and damming off the creeks natural flow. The water is deep and clear blue/green. The trail is heavily used as the in one of the areas favorite foot hiking trails. As for me I prefer the back of my trusty steed.
Easter Idaho is just full of places like this, some not so well used and a bit more hidden.

{Day 93}

Theme # 281 Show Us Your Bokeh

Bokeh (derived from Japanese, a noun boke 暈け, meaning "blurred or fuzzy") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of point of light sources in an out-of-focus area of an image produced by a camera lens using a shallow depth of field.

I've really tried to get the Depth of Field thing down, blurring the background and getting the Aperture dialed in just so. Took purchasing a new lens to hopefully correcting this and help out on getting better Bokeh in the future.
My old lens couldn't open up enough to get a really good depth of field shot that I was after. My new 50mm f/1.8 shot be a big help and I have really enjoyed it so far.

{Day 86}

Theme #300 Spring

I love this time of the year. I finally get to see some color outdoors after the very long winter. Nice to get rid of the dull gray skies. Dead looking lawn and barren flower beds. My daffodil are in full bloom, tulips aren't far behind and my bleeding heart (that's a flowering plant) is growing almost 6 inches a day.
Did I say I love this time of the year?
Can you say, (say it with me now) "SPRING IS FINALLY HERE"?

{Day 87}

Theme #295 Something Missing

Yup, something is missing and what could it be. WATER, thats what.
It wont be long tho and this creek bed behind my house will be filled with water. Water for my dry lawn, the newly planted grain fields and my herd of thirsty horses.

{Day 83}

Theme #262 Road or Street

Really? I don't think so. This is the ground level view looking up a horse trail going up a very small hill. Gotcha-ya. Looking at it from this angle it looks like it would take all day to get to the top in where in reality on a hop, skip and a jump to the top. Did ya notice the jet trail in the sky?

{Day 81}

Theme #182 Memories of Childhood

My grandmothers always had houseplant, perhaps that is the reason that I have to have them. African Violets were a favorite. Easy to grow, needing little care and always showy. This one reminds me of my Grandma E, perhaps its the name.

{Day 66}

Theme #33 Break the Rule of Thirds
This shot is a photo assignment for a photo class.
Assignment - Leading Lines
I was pretty hard to come up with something for this, Rules of thirds was easy as well as contrast.
Reason for leading lines, tress leading your eye to the light at the end of the row.

{Day 10} Rock Paper Scissors

Theme #263 Rock, Paper, Scissors

I found these rocks in an old creek bottom. The whole is almost perfectly round and smooth. The water has worn down the lava and left in its tracks pockets of rocks like these scattered over the creek bottom. The rocks inside the whole are about the size of a human fist and larger. Interesting what the force of water can do.