Solar Eclipse 2012

This slideshow is linked to my SmugMug site that shows the solar eclipse images I got Sunday with my Canon 50D, Sigma 150-500mm lens which is a low light lens at 5-6.3. On the end I taped with electrical tape 2 smaller lenses, a ND8 and a circular polarizer which is all I had to work with. I shot off the reflection in the lens, not directly at the sun. Depending on how bright at the time I shot from 1/8000 sec to start to 1/320 sec. The red ring appeared at the slower speeds. Also used the smallest aperture I could.

These were taken from the top of Keddie Ridge near Greenville, California.

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

Mothers Day is a big holiday in my book.  My mom is the most amazing person I know.  Growing up she was extremely kind and was always doing things for other people in her family.  Now at 84 she still is on her feet most of the day, active and always doing a project.  Very seldom do I walk into her house and find her sitting.  If so she is working on something.  When all 4 of us kids had left home she started oil painting and does amazing work of the deer in the area and has many beautiful landscapes.  

I am very proud of my mother and thought it appropriate today, Mothers Day, to post this about her. 

Happy Mothers Day to my mom!

Mom with her big trophy fish caught back in the 1980s up at Lake Almanor!

Back Yard Photography

 I spent the day yesterday working in my yard.  I decided to keep my camera nearby just in case a photo opportunity came up.  Several did and thought I would share.  This bird spent the day in the shady spots pecking at seeds and bugs.  I am not sure what kind of bird this is so if anyone knows please let me know.  He was very entertaining.  His red cap would fluff up when he was on the alert. 

By the end of the day I had pulled out a shrub and small pine tree and replaced it with a cherry plum, and moved the white iris to a much needed sunny location.  It was a wonderful day because I was still able to fit in some photography and still get my chores done.

Bee Collecting Pollen

It was a cool morning and this bee was waiting for the warmth from the sun to take back his load of golden pollen.