Sometimes I wonder if the Blog is for the Birds

 Pretty sure it was an  eagle I saw last night on a rock in the river.  It was there for a while but I came to the dock without my camera.   I had it at the Renascence Fair , where I saw this owl, and this morning at home when I caught the hawk.  I shot the owl with my short lens and cropped way in.  Shot the hawk with my 300 extended all the way, hand held, from my yard...cropped off a bit there too.

 

 

I saw an Eagle again this morning, flying over Washington Crossing State Park.

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Pack Light

We took off on another overnight adventure on the BMW K1600 GTL.  This time heading west to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon just outside of Wellsboro, PA. I wanted to share with you the best packing advice I ever received.  Before the days of withdrawing cash from almost any bank machine around the world, folks travelled with TRAVELERS CHECKS.  They were a real pain and I never liked them.  So I always travelled with cash.  It was my father who advised me so wisely.  "When you have finished packing and are all ready to go," he worded, "Take out half of what you packed and double your money".  I have heeded this advice successfully since then, knowing if I forgot something or found that I needed a sweat shirt or another pair of socks, I would always have enough money to make the purchase. With the availability of bank machines and credit card usage I don't worry much about my cash.  But I always pack light and this is how I do it.
I lay everything out that I think I might need the week before travel.  As travel time draws near I add and remove things until I have the very basic and minimal requirements for my travels.
Looks like this when I start.

 

Some of what you see I expect to wear out on riding day, otherwise: into the bag goes one pair of jeans, underwear, socks, bathing suit and tops in layers from tanks, to short sleeves to long sleeves about 2 or 3 each. I love my western style jean shirt for many reasons most of all that it can act as a light weight jacket. Of course there is special riding gear which includes boots (also a pair of sandals on the floor), dragon jeans that have armor and cool weather riding pants with armor...ill have to pick one of those and a small bag with toiletries.

 

Got rid of some stuff and added a dress ( you never know).

This soft flexible bag is custom for a side case and I get some space in the back that has already been packed with our rain gear. Just enough room for my purse which also serves as my camera bag.

When it is time to go, I dress in a few layers.  Shorts are underneath my  riding pants, although it never really gets warm enough for just shorts. I have the luxury of an electric jacket that goes over a

t-shirt and under my jean shirt and mesh jacket with armor protection so I know I will be warm if the layers are not enough.  Its amazing that no matter how I pack I always come home with something I did not wear.  Now it is time

 to roll on out to our destination, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon just outside of Wellsboro, PA.

 

Delaware News: Can't Say I Did Not Try

Got the response from the gallery and other than learning that I did not have the majority of the member's votes, I did not learn much more.  They do not provide critique.  In fact, I was told it is just a vote and no discussion.  It would have been a lucky surprise if I was voted in and I am certainly glad I tried.  It would have been nice to know if it was a slam dunk NO, or I got any votes at all.   It also would have been nice to receive a WHY. but you cant say I didn't try!
Meanwhile, I submitted a story to the Uptight Suburbanite and I think it might be published. Unfortunately, the pictures I took were in a cave and too dark for the little newspaper. Now I need to find something that will work.

Delaware Issues Common Cents

Went to Parx Race Track to celebrate a friends 48th birthday and place some bets on the horses.
Common Cents would dictate that you cant pick your winners by the likes of their names.  I didn't use any common cents at all.  When I saw a horse in the running with the name Moe Larry Curly, I had to take a chance.  No common cents I tell you.  But we had a good afternoon out with friends and I played with Olympia Omde, and it was all well worth it.  So let me revise.  If you are going to place bets or gamble with your hard earned income I suggest you set your limit and stick to it.  We had a few cocktails, an enjoyable lunch with friends, placed a few $2. bets and had an afternoon watching the horses flex their muscles and run, for less then our pasta dinners last night at Plan B.  NOW THATS COMMON CENTS.

 

 

Delaware Hues Anew

I have been snapping away at the hummers that come to the honeysuckle.  Decided to play around with this one.  First step was to crop for the composition and add back dpi to be able to increase the size.  Then working in CS3 I selected the water color filter.  I liked the look but felt a pop was lacking so I played around with the sliders in adjustments to change the brightness and finally the level of saturation.  Wanted to make sure I brought out just a bit of RED. 

Sunday Funday at the Michener Art Museum

I became a member of the Michener Art Museum last November and have only managed to get there three times since then.   I was hoping to go more.  This visit, I brought my sister as my guest and I think she enjoyed it as much as I did.  It was a beautiful blue sky day.  Not too hot and not too cool, so we took some time to enjoy the outside sculptures.  Being a wordy, you can imagine how much I enjoyed what I am calling the LETTER TREE. 

 

 

 

Not so easy to photograph images with the light from behind so had to do a little work to brighten the tree and not blow out the sky on this one.  Windows Live is a great place to start.  All I had to do was work with the sliders in the exposure section and I was able to keep my sky blue, clouds mostly white and lighten up the tree.  I tried this image with and without a polarizing filter and decided to keep the filtered image.  In fact, I have now decided it would be best to remember keep the polarizing filter in my bag on bright sunny days. 

Foodie Friday: Delaware Chews at the DAM GOOD CAFE

Seriously, that is the name of the place.  Just a small little restaurant in Perkasie, the Dam Good Café was Dam Good!  I had a nice sampler; pancakes, eggs, bacon and potatoes.  There were two pieces of bacon, but I often start eating before shooting.  Took this one with the iPhone, since once I started eating I didn't want to take the time to attend to Olympia Omde.  Not real maple syrup but could hardly tell.  It was perfect and filling...left some pancake and was still stuffed.  Furm had a breakfast burrito that could have been a little warmer...the cheese was hardly melted, but he gobbled it up anyway. 

 

I'm always looking for a new way to view.  Got down low and grabbed this shot as Furman was exiting the building. Put the nice flowers in a pot in the foreground with all green leafs shooting up and out.  Thought it worked well with the lines of the roof eave heading out in the other direction.  And there in the midst of it all my happy, sated hubby.

 

Delawares Hues of Red

I have been taking my Iphone out on my morning walks with MaraBella.  It gives me a chance to take advantage of the morning light.  This bug was just begging to pop with selective color.  I am sure there are multiple ways to achieve this.  Sometimes I just find the easiest is to use the magic wand tool to make my selection.  Copy the selection.  I desaturate the original image to remove color. Then I can simply paste the color selection right back into place.

 

Sunday Funday in Cape May

 

This is such a cool image in so many ways, not to mention, the record of my first beach visit of the season, with my good friend Kathy.

 

We went to Cape May to do a little tidying up of house, eat well, exercise and relax.  Well things don't always turn out as planned and no one could have imagined the washing machine springing a leak and eating up a good part of our morning.  So I did not get out to shoot until after noon.  The light was harsh and bright and luckily it was a magnificent day with a cool ocean breeze blowing.  I waited while people walked onto the beach and passed, and then the gull started flying around and I positioned myself to have the sand, water and sky take up thirds, put the guards at left middle and set the fence to guide you in.  I adjusting the lighting in windows live and signed off in CS3.

Thank you Kathy for the opportunity to enjoy your company, dine in and out, stroll the promenade,

eat fudge..........

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Getting Organized

 

The first two images are straight out of the box and the time is approaching noon on a beautiful, bright and sunny, blue sky day.  Both are automotive and fit into the category of transportation.  Both have chrome showing my reflection, self image, or self portrait.  They were taken on a BMW Motorcycle ride to an AIRPORT.  All of these categories confuse me and although I know I need to organize my images and even more important DELETE a whole bunch, I find the time on the computer overwhelming, especially when the weather is nice and I want to be outside....OUTSIDE NATURAL LIGHT, EXPOSURE...even more categories

 

 

 

And then what happens when I start to play, even more time on the computer, and add more images and Categories. BLACK AND WHITE

CS3, ABSTRACT, ADJUSTED, MANIPULATED, CURVED

 

 

And the vacuum is humming plug me in....here I am trying to figure out which images to delete, which images to print, which images are for the BLOG, OY another category with subdivision for each day, and in what category DO I FILE THEM.  Maybe I'm ready for a Class on LIGHTROOM...isn't that what lots of people use to name, file and organize their images? Saving time on filing and organizing will give me more time to go out and enjoy my camera.  Saving time on the computer to have more time to go out with my Camera is Common Cents to me.   Hey, I forgot Wheels.

 

 

Delaware News: Preparing for the PEAC Art Exhibit

Took a ride over to the Pennington Athletic Club to check out the wall space for the art exhibit there.  The current artist has over 30 images hanging.  There are ten 24 x 72 panels.  My goal for today is to plan how to arrange my images on them and prepare my price list.  While there,  I learned that they do NOT sell off the wall, but direct potential buyers to the artist.  Really hope something sells.  I have no idea how I am going to get everything I want to present into my Audi for delivery. 

Delaware Views Anew

There is so much to learn regarding post processing.  Sometimes it is a simple conversion from color to black and white.  Other times the purpose of post processing is to enhance the original image by adjusting the light, adding some contrast, maybe even sharpen up an image.

For the very basic adjustments I work in Windows Live, a free download, apparently closed down last year (discovered that when I went to look for the link for you) but still working fine for me.

If I want more than enhancement I go to Photoshop CS3

 

Shooting around the house on a cold winter day.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Delaware Chews Baked Macananny at Home

Everyone loves a good Mac & Cheese.   Well, at least I DO!

You can make your Mac & Cheese complicated with a variety of cream sauces and/or a variety of cheeses.  I like to make things as easy and tasty as possible.  I grew up with VELVEETA Mac & Cheese and to this day after trying recipe after recipe found in magazines and books, I always go back to this easy recipe created in my own home with  memories of what my mother made for  school lunches. 

 

BAKED MACANANNY

 

 

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 10 oz Velveeta cubed small
• 2 scallions chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• Italian Season Bread Crumbs

 

 

Preheat oven to 375 ...I usually do this about the time the water starts to boil.

Cook Macaroni according to box directions.

While elbows are cooking, in a large bowl, mix together cheese, scallions, and egg.

Add cooked macaroni and mix well.

Add milk and mix well

Pour the Mac and Cheesy mix into a casserole dish...I use glass.

Sprinkle top with bread crumbs.  4-6 servings depending on making it a meal or side.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

And I Thought Friday Came Fast

Monday smacked me in the face hard as the Arctic Blast that blew me around NYC.  Have not picked up my camera or blogged for two days.  Maybe it is a good idea. Make it a five day blog with weekends off?  Any suggestions from my 39 readers?  

Turned out the Edison was a great choice for location and amenities.  It was pretty cold on Wednesday and I had already been through the short line at the TKTS booth, had a slice of pizza, and returned to the hotel.   Before I ventured back to the theater, I figured I would ask the concierge about the shortest route around the block.  I know! It sounds ridiculous,but when I say cold I mean single digit cold, so it was great to know that I didn't have to walk around a city block at all.  I was directed straight through the Marquee and Pippen was waiting right there. 

RED, as always present, this time big, bright and loud in NY,  bouncing all over bringing its warm glow and sense of danger in  flashing lights.  Then the scene calms in the demeanor of a passerby and the NYFD, and I hustled on through to the Music Box Theater.

 

Delaware Clues: Shoot with what you got!

Arrived safely in the city and got myself all settled into my room at the Hotel Edison. 

 

It is just a short walk to my class at the International Center of Photography.  I don't know why I decided to go without my camera.  Perhaps because I had just given myself enough time to get there.  But when I saw the lights on the Empire State Building I couldn't resist.  So I pulled out my
I phone.  I have heard it said that the best camera is the one you have with you.  I'll go back out another night with Olympia Omde, ...but not tonight...its way to cold.

 

Olympia Omde

I cant say enough about the Olympus OM-D EM5, from here on in referred to as Olympia Omde.  Up until now I can't say any camera I ever owned has stood up to my Vivitar, but Olympia is working her way in to my heart.  Light and compact and now that I have a new 35-100mm f2.8 lens she is even more fun to hang out with.  I haven't tried the filters that the lens came with yet.  Ill let you know when I do.

 

I do have one minor issue with her.  She is like a little kid who constantly looses her glasses. The eye cup has a tendency to pop off and disappear.  I was lucky when my hubby found one on my car seat.  A very nice lady picked one up off the floor of a craft show I was visiting and returned it to me. It has been suggested  that I glue one on but I cant imagine crazy gluing it to the camera body. I ordered 2 from Adorama at 9.99 a piece.  Then I got two emails in as many weeks saying they were on backorder.  So I ordered ONE from B&H.  Now wouldn't you just know it.  As soon as I did, I got an email from Adorama saying theirs were on their way.  Guess I wont have to worry to much about loosing one for a while.

 

In addition to the eye cup that has two itty bitty teeny parts, not shown because I was scared to remove them there are also three small parts associated with the flash.  One little piece comes off the flash when it is in use and 2 even smaller pieces come off the camera when the flash is in use.  I cant believe I haven't lost one of them yet.

 

Delaware Views a Snow Bunting

 

This lovely little white bird landed in my back yard with the Juncos.  First time I ever saw one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I worked it with my 100-300 and the 35-100 and  still felt the need to crop and paint it.

 

 

Kathy you are the first person I thought of when this bird alighted in my back yard.

 

Need to make a CORRECTION as per my good friend and excellent Birder Kathy.

It is not a Snow Bunting after all, it is a leucistic Dark Eyed Junco, which means a genetic mutation is preventing normal color pigmentation on the feathers. 

A New Toy A New Day

I didn't get it yet but this is the new lens I want.

Love my Olympia.  I think she could use another attachment.

 

 

I took a little blog break.  Only two people noticed.  Somehow I'm still getting hits and still being encouraged so I'm going to get organized and give it another whirl.  If I cant get 50 followers or at least 50 hits a day, I cant see the purpose. 

Fleas Please

 

It has been a long while since I took myself to the Golden Nugget Flea Market.  I  really don't need any more stuff.  Not to mention that the prices there have not been in the bargain range since Antique Road Show.  I did find some fun things to look at and some nice people to chat with and the weather was just so fine and enjoyed the wondering walking.  It was a pleasant surprise when I did find a few bargains on the tables. This was not one of them...but it didn't cost a thing to photograph.

 

 

Blue Birds Might Be Here To Stay

Went back to the Washington Crossing Park for an early morning bird walk.

I think the Blue Birds are here to stay...

unless of course they fly away....

 

cropped hard and painted with CS3

 

 

Original

 

 

needed a little rest after all that posing...