POW - 2/8/09

<p>Well, it's past midnight on the east coast of the US of A so here is the start of this week's POW. Besides, I may get up early to go skiing. And yes, it is still winter here. In fact, I saw my shadow on the 2nd. Yes, like my brethren, Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog from Pennsylvania, I saw my shadow on my birthday. For those of you outside the USA here is a link about Phil and Ground Hog's Day, not the movie starring Bill Murray. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil Sorry, six more weeks of winter. <a href="http://s407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/?action=view&current=6moreweeks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/6moreweeks.jpg" border="0" alt="My Shadow" /></a> Another early morn skiing. <a href="http://s407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/?action=view&current=moon2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/moon2.jpg" border="0" alt="Cattails at dawn" /></a> A little different angle of my ski route that I posted 3 weeks ago or so. <a href="http://s407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/?action=view&current=morningski8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/morningski8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a> Traffic exiting Saratoga Springs, NY <a href="http://s407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/?action=view&current=LightTrails9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp153/marzrw/pow%202-1-09/LightTrails9.jpg" border="0" alt="Light Trails 9" /></a></p>

<p>Bob, I don't know if you're sick of all that snow yet, but I'm REALLY jealous of it. It was 70° today in Alabama.</p>

<p>Anyway, my contribution for the week comes from an afternoon goofing around with some of my friends at a local bookstore/coffee shop:</p><div></div>

<p>Not yet Adam. Actually I'm totally enjoying it. As much as I like fishing and hiking, the skiing and snowshoeing has been awesome. Wish I could send you some snow. I also have ben wondering if everyone else is getting tired of my 'snow' pics.</p>

<p>Pictures I took at the lake the other day....</p><div></div>

<p>The Lake</p><div></div>

<p>More lake...</p><div></div>

<p>An old door bell. Dates back to the 1800'S<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/Anolddoorbell.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Couple on the beach.<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/IMG_1013.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Reflections<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/reflectionssmall.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><strong><br /> </strong><br>

<strong>For a larger view (looks better) click on link.</strong><br>

http://s404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/?action=view&current=reflectionslarge.jpg</p>

<p >I’ve had not too bad of a week and with work slowing down I should be able to work online more, updating sites, forums and shoot more. </p>

<p >The owl was taken on the second in a area that over looks a meadow with a lot of old dead spruce. I was disappointed that he landed on the powerpole and not a tree as he flew in the area.</p>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8576154&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/8576154&size=lg</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >I was out on the fourth scouting good locations to maybe get a shot of a short eared owl. I was all setup and wait for a bird of prey start to hunt in a meadow out in front of me when this young deer stumbled along the fence behind me. Unaware that I was there I waited till he was in a good location focus and framed the deer, I said hello he looked up fine tuned the focus and snap. <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8576156&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/8576156&size=lg</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >And on the fifth while out scouting short eared owl again, along a undeveloped road allowance I was able to find another grouse and snapped several good shots </p>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8576145&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/8576145&size=lg</a><br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8576149&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/8576149&size=lg</a></p>

Here's one from the K20D with P645 300/4 A* lens and 1.4x extender. Image is cropped.<div></div>

<p><a href="http://trentwhaley.smugmug.com/gallery/5714583_r6PB2#469562687_HBZTd"><img src="http://trentwhaley.smugmug.com/photos/469562687_HBZTd-M.jpg" alt="succulent plant" /></a><br />Some succulents I found downtown, and<br>

<a href="http://trentwhaley.smugmug.com/gallery/5706839_CQoXp#469566793_LEvjy"><img src="http://trentwhaley.smugmug.com/photos/469566793_LEvjy-M.jpg" alt="rope" /></a><br /> I just learned how to do a black and white conversion in Aperture</p>

<p><a title="Panoramic Head" href=" title="Panoramic Head"> <img src="http://static.flickr.com/3123/3250007532_9c11b2653d_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a> <a title="Panoramic Head" href=" title="Panoramic Head"> </a><br>

More camera porn...</p>

<p><a title="Good Belay!!" href=" title="Good Belay!!"> <img src="http://static.flickr.com/3031/3250153116_c6940d95ce_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a><br>

My wife belaying me on an ice climb.</p>

<p><a title="The Iron Curtain" href=" title="The Iron Curtain"> <img src="http://static.flickr.com/3116/3249327041_50e11df001_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a> <a title="The Iron Curtain" href=" title="The Iron Curtain"> </a><br>

Ice route...</p>

<p><strong><em>Hey</em></strong>, what's that belayer doing taking her eyes off the climber?? I tell ya, can't get good belayers these days.</p>

<p>I remember those ice climbing days. My favorite was the Weeping Wall between Jasper and Banff National Parks in Alberta, Canada. Lost a couple good buddies on that one a while back...sad.</p>

<p>Mostly processing photos this week so here's one from a month ago...</p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong><em>Hey</em></strong>, what's that belayer doing taking her eyes off the climber?? I tell ya, can't get good belayers these days.</p>

<p>I remember those ice climbing days. My favorite was the Weeping Wall between Jasper and Banff National Parks in Alberta, Canada. Lost a couple good buddies on that one a while back...sad.</p>

<p>Mostly processing photos this week so here's one from a month ago...</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>A great start Bob M. I like all 4 of your shots.. and for those of us living in the desert, you can post as many snow pics as you like!<br>

Javier, I like those b/w's .. you're taking some really great shots.<br>

Ian your last shot was awesome.. nice detail and lighting.<br>

Bob K, that is a beautiful catch!<br>

Justin, I'll pass on the camera porn.. but that last shot of yours is impressive to say the least :-)<br>

Scot.. that looks beautiful!<br>

Seeing that I don't have any snow to offer..</p><div></div>

<p>#2 Sunset at the Botanical Gardens</p><div></div>

<p>#3 And then I found a willing victim ..</p><div></div>

<p>#4 This last one is a total experiment.. not even sure what I think of it, so would love some feedback..</p><div></div>

<p>Bob M - The "skier's shadow" has become your trademark, love the snow shots and the light trail on the passing vehicle ... keep it coming :)<br />Adam - Nice subject, great capture, my friends would beat me down with a stick if i tried getting that close<br />Steve - #2, like how you focus on the icy front :)<br />Javier - The b/w shots are very very crispy, they put Kettle to shame :)<br />Ian - Great composition with the owl on the power pole, well-spotted!<br />Bob K - The peachy background colour stands out, excellent catch.<br />Trent - Nice bokeh at play :)<br>

It's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam">Thaipusam</a> this weekend and I've been wandering the streets late at night sussing out where the action's at. Here, the 3-day festival starts with a 12-hour procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in the city to the traditional abode of Lord Muruga at Batu Caves. <br /><br /><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/hchune/Web%20Uploads/IMGP9475.jpg" alt="" /><br /><strong>A worker adding the finishing touches to the 70,000watt Silver Chariot on the eve of the festival</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/hchune/Web%20Uploads/IMGP9725.jpg" alt="" /><br /><strong>World's Tallest Lord Murugan Statue @ Batu Caves</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/hchune/Web%20Uploads/IMGP9573.jpg" alt="" width="557" height="390" /><br /><strong>Devotees will carry their milk kavadis all the way up 272 steps</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/hchune/Web%20Uploads/IMGP9640.jpg" alt="" width="615" height="415" /><br /><strong>Pots of milk hooked onto the back without blood being let</strong> </p>

 

<p>Justin - Agree with Haig, the last pic's just awesome.<br />Scot - That's picture perfect ... looks like the sorta backdrop for motivational posters :)<br />Haig - #1 - Great lighting and detail, wasn't aware the 50mm f/1.4 was capable of such "macro"<br />#4 - Highlights seem slightly blown out, visible towards the edge of her sleeve. Otherwise, i'm ok with the porcelain alabaster skin. There's still plenty of contrast and the bit of catchlight in her eyes are a gem :) Gorgeous victim!<br /> </p>

<p>Thanks Chune-Hoong! <br />That looks like a fascinating ceremony to attend. You got some great captures for night time shots. The chariot is something else though.. 70,000 watts? Sheeesh! I hope it has a generator :-). You must have really been in the thick of things to get these shots. Very well done.</p>

<p>...</p><div></div>

<p>Bob, NEVER tired of snow shots, those are very nice. Javier, the door bell shot interesting, I wonder if it would be more effective in sepia? Bob, beautiful shot of the towhee. Haig, sunset is really nice Chune-Hoong, that must have been fun to photograph, nice captures. Here are my three, the first taken with my daughter's K100D super, the second two from my K10D before it became dysfunctional.</p><div></div>

<p>Yeah it does snow here once in a while.</p><div></div>