Monday, May 31, 2010

Room With a View


In recent years my wife and I have been taking an annual "birthday vacation" in the first week of June. This year we have rented a cabin in the Great Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee and plan on spending some time in the National Park and surrounding area. This shot is from the cabin balcony.

I'll be posting a few shots here from the cabin but, in the way of a disclaimer, I'll be doing so from my wife's laptop using PSE8. [REVISED: THE CURRENT PHOTO IS A DO-OVER USING PS4, PHOTOMATIX PRO, & TOPAZ ADJUST - AFTER I GOT HOME!]

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Fred Hartman Bridge

This shot is from the Southeast shoreline of the Baytown Nature Center looking across the Houston Ship Chanel at the Fred Harman Bridge that links Baytown and LaPorte, TX.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

BNC Black Bird

An infrared black & white treatment of a black bird shot at the Baytown Nature Center this past weekend.

Monday, May 24, 2010

BNC Turtle Pond

This small pond, called "Turtle Pond" is located on the Bay side of the Baytown Nature Center.

Friday, May 21, 2010

BNC Cactus Flower

A cactus flower shot a week or two ago at the Baytown Nature Center off Bayway Drive in Baytown.




Thursday, May 20, 2010

BNC Pelican in Flight

I caught this pelican in flight near one of the popular fishing spots inside the Baytown Nature Nature Center a few weeks ago.


Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Going Once...

This shot is from the Baytown Youth Fair and Rodeo this past Friday night. This scene is of the auction which was held in the late evening under an open air pavilion at the youth fair facility off Main St. north of I-10 in Baytown. I couldn't help but think this would have been an excellent opportunity to use a fish eye lens to capture the whole rural environment. [Note to self: have fundraiser for fish eye!]

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Baytown Eagle Chic

Approximately 10-12 weeks ago a mating pair of American Bald Eagles became the parents of two chicks. Last Sunday my wife and I watched this one stretching it's wings. It hadn't flown yet but we watched it jump up and hoover in place above it nest several times so it won't be long! FYI: Juvenile Bald Eagles can take up to five years to develop their characteristic white feathers and can expect a life span in the wild of up to 30 years.

Monday, May 17, 2010

BNC Magnolia Blossom

I photographed this Magnolia blossom at the Baytown Nature Center this weekend. I used a 1" extension tube on my 50 to 200 Olympus lens mounted on my E-3 while I stood under an umbrella in the rain to capture the shot.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Swamp Buffalo

This was my second entry in Tuesday nights BAPC Honors Night assignment "Low Key." I got this shot on the BAPC field trip to the Brenham area last month. I like the shot a lot, although I don't think it would have been usable in any other category but Low Key. It's a better than 50% crop from my 10MP Oly E-3 and, at the 12" X 12" size I presented, the image was only 67DPI! Normally the resolution wouldn't hunt but here I think it works.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Harlie Girl 3

This was one of my shots at last night's Bay Area Photo Club "Honors Night" program. I entered this shot in the "assignment" category of "Low Key." Up until a hour before the program, when I matted this image for presentation, I considered this my "B" shot. At the end of the day however I ended up liking this more than my other entry [see here tomorrow.]

I shot this handheld with my 30 MM f1.4 lens mounted on my Oly E-3 at F2 and ISO400 and a shutter speed of .3 seconds by late evening window light.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Casual Lizzard


Just another shot from my backyard on a sunny weekend a while back.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Songbird Supper

A BlueJay helping itself to a peanut at our backyard buffet last weekend.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Salvation Army Lady

This shot is from the Rosenberg Railroad Museum's festival a few weekends ago.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Pesky Problem

Here's another version with a white point set on the paper tag on the fence. [ 5/9]


I spotted this poor fellow on the BAPC field trip to the Brenham area last month. Looks to me like he could use a good dusting to help control his pesky entourage!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

BNC Foliage

This macro is from the Baytown Nature Center a few weeks ago.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Toy Train Passenger

This young man was having a big time at the Rosenberg Railroad Festival two weekends ago.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Tiny Town Rosenberg

This shot will be my submission for the Baytown Photo Club's April assignment "macro". This shot is of a miniature train set up permanently at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum and photographed the last weekend in April at the "Second Annual Rosenberg Railroad Festival & Hobo Days" event.