Forced Intermission

Due to some unforeseen and annoying issues involving my PC (read: broken) the last two weeks have been busy and bad for my photo sorting/editing/writing/posting work flow. Hopefully, everything will be fixed (one way or another) by early next week.

For now, here is an image I captured while wandering quickly through the Luxor, a casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their Egyptian theme is so well done, I may have to stay there if I ever end up in that part of the United States again.

(Nikon D300, 24mm, f/5.6, 1/8 sec, ISO 1600)

Close Encounters

As I very noisily and unsteathily hiked along the Skyline (trail #7) on the west coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, I heard a noise... a steady grunting. 'That's odd,' I thought and stopped, listening carefully. I held my breath and noticed the sound continued. The source of the deep, repetitive, almost-subsonic grunt was nearby but it wasn't coming from me. Curious, I backed up a few steps, crunching none-too-silently in the gravel, and peered through the branches. It was a solitary, female moose and she was so close that I almost peed a little from excitement and fear! She was right there!
Slowly, but without hesitation, I raised my camera and took a few photos.
Moose are notoriously temperamental and can weigh as much as a car; not a hiker-safe combination. Was she at all concerned about how close I was? I remembered reading somewhere that when a moose is annoyed it pins back its ears and the fur on its neck stands on end, like a cat or a dog. So far, this moose looked reassuringly uncat-like but if this was a mama-moose where was the calf? More importantly, would she remain reassuringly uncat-like if it appeared?
I hurriedly took a few more pictures.
I suddenly also recall reading somewhere that it's rutting season. That doesn't make me feel any better. Was the huffing noise she continued to make a mating call? Do female moose call to males? Or perhaps bull moose woo females with vocals and rhythmic dancing? I needed the knowledge of a Boy Scout that has his badge in moosery!
I took a few more photos and dared not move.
Some branches snap in the growth behind her. Okay, was that from a clumsy, harmless calf or a creeping, amorous bull? More snapping. It seems like there's movement all over the place! Maybe she's calling other females over to see the handsome photographer!
I take a few more pictures and panic a little inside.
...
(Nikon D300, 200mm, f/5.6, 1/60, ISO 900, cropped, WB changed to daylight)

Morning Bliss

Well, I'm back and it looks like my scheduled postings worked; that's a neat feature. Here is the first of probably quite a few postings from my recent trip around the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 

This picture was taken of the Baddeck Lighthouse in Baddeck, NS, on the very first morning before getting to the Cabot Trail. The fog was still in the air and I stopped by the side of the road to photograph the lighthouse (of course). As I took the pictures, I was delighted to see a boat suddenly, and quietly, break the mirror-still water even though I was already enamored with the peaceful scene.

It wasn't until later that day, though, that I realized that my ISO setting was way too high (from a previous photoshoot involving dark cats in a dark room) so some of the pictures on this day end up a little grainy. Luckily the camera dropped the shutter speed to compensate... although I suppose if it hadn't I would have noticed the issue much sooner. I guess resetting the camera to its default settings before each new session is what I'll learn from this experience, although I personally like the image with a little grain in it.

(Nikon D300, 55mm, f/9, 1/8000, ISO 1600)

The B&O revisited

This is my last scheduled post. I'll arrive home again in the next few days to see if I fail at scheduling. I'll need a vacation when I get back if everything scheduled has gone as planned.

This image was taken at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. I liked the way the light and shadows effected the side of this car. It spoke to my more artsy side. 

(Sony DSLR-A100, 35mm, f/5.6, 1/50, ISO 160)

Ferris Wheel

This is my second (of three) scheduled posts.

Here is an image of a ferris wheel from the carnival the first night of the Sussex International Balloon Fiesta. Oooh, those poor people.

(Nikon D300, 40mm, f/3.5, 0.6 sec, ISO 200, cropped, removed a rogue lamp)

Centennial

 

This is the first of three scheduled posts. I decided to try that feature out while I'm on vacation. 

Introducing Mittens the cat, here to help me celebrate this, my one hundredth post. Kinda hard to believe I've taken that many presentable pictures...

(Nikon D300, 55mm, f/2.8, 1/30, ISO 3200, cropped, sharpened)

Flying high

Taken at the Sussex International Balloon Fiesta, this picture best represents how I'll feel as I leave work tomorrow for my road trip/vacation. I'm excited despite the predicted weather. The only thing I'm going to worry about is making sure my lens is clean. This photo had little black spots on it due to a dirty lens (spots which I had to heal in Photoshop). Very annoying.

Ah well. Live and learn. See you in a week! 

(Nikon D300, 55mm, f/22, 1/250, ISO 200, cropped, healed)

Nara

Here is another photo of Nara from my shoot last week. I'm sure she's a bundle of, among other things, joy. I hope you're getting some sleep, mama.

I noticed recently, and quite unexpectedly, that my free time has suddenly vanished (which is attributed to my night-classes) and as a consequence, I forgot to post at the end of last week. I will try to remedy that with an extra post this week before I go on my last vacation of the year.

This time a simple road trip around Cape Breton, Nova Scotia for a few days and then north (by ferry) to Newfoundland for the rest of the week. I'm staying grounded this time. I've had enough airplanes for one year.

(Nikon D300, 40mm, f/4, 1/40, ISO 200, cropped, warmed, softened)

Congratulations Cookie!

"There's nothing more toxic or deadly than a human child. A single touch could kill you."

- Henry J. Waternoose

Some days it's easy to agree with Mr. Waternoose and some days it's a little more difficult. This is Nara and she was the victim of my first (and mostly-improvised) Baby Photoshoot. She slept almost the whole time, which was great, and there was only one instance of unexpected flatulatory dispersion... which I still suspect wasn't the baby.

I pray a sleepy farter is the worst you have to deal with, Cookie!

Congratulations! 

(Nikon D300, 55mm, f/4, 1/50, ISO 200, cropped, B/W conversion)

My Very Own Stalker

Last Friday's visit to the Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta in Sussex, New Brunswick was followed by a quick visit to the funfair that night. Pictured here is a Round Up rotating its riders. It was just before this picture was taken that I was ambushed by a young woman who had clearly been stalking me. After a small scuffle, some 'encouraged' fingerprinting, and a quick call to CSIS HQ, it turned out she was my first cousin once removed (if I've read this chart correctly). I guess it should have been obvious who she was; she was identical to my cousin (her mother) in almost every respect from looks to attitude... but I suppose that's also the reason why I didn't hesitate to contact the authorities in the first place.

(Nikon D300, 55mm, f/3.5, 1/3 sec., ISO 200)

Up, Up and Away

Last weekend started with a visit to the city of Sussex, New Brunswick for their annual Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta. As you can see from the picture above, the weather conditions were favorable and so almost thirty hot-air balloons (and their human payloads) ascended gracefully into the dusty, blue sky of a lazy friday evening using the fuel from hundreds of cheering voices, faith, and a large, controlled flame.

(Nikon D300, 40mm, f/20, 1/20, ISO 200, CP Filter)

Need More Iguanas

No web log is complete without ample lizard pics. This iguana was sunning herself on a rock when I got off a boat tour in Costa Rica. She posed happily (as you can see from her expression) while I got my fill of images. Like I've always said, I always appreciate a cooperative iguana!

(Olympus C770UZ, 63mm, f/3.7, 1/320, ISO 75)

Bell of Beaubassin

On my tour of Fort Beauséjour in July, I quickly snapped a picture of this bell on my way through the museum. I hadn't realize its significance until after a little research tonight...

"Once located in the belfry of Notre Dame d’Assumption Church in Beaubassin, the bell dates from 1734. Made of solid bronze and weighing approximately 300 pounds, it was cast at the naval foundry in Rochefort, France. In 1770 Beaubassin was destroyed; however, the bell was rescued and may be seen today in the museum at Fort Beauséjour."

* From the Sackville Tribune article: Chronicling the rise and fall of Beaubassin

I am often surprised by the things I discover as a result of my photography (and with the aid of the Internet). I'm sure there was a description, in the museum, detailing the history of the bell but I often find myself being distracted by "settings and options overload" on my camera. I'm spending more time trying to figure out the camera than I am actually taking photos and enjoying the surroundings. I'm hoping this is something that will go away as I become more comfortable with the camera. If not, I'll have to make a conscious effort in the future.

(Nikon D300, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/25, ISO 3200)

Wooden Victims

Continuing this weeks theme of destruction-by-fist, here is an additional photo of Instructor John Thorley, 5th dan Taekwondo Master during his 10-minute, thousand-board break-a-thon for United Way.

(Nikon D300, 26mm, f/3.5, 1/60, ISO 200, flash, cropped)