PEZ-Go-Round

From 2010 Blog

PEZ - you've got to admit they make you smile. Canon Digital Rebel XTi, 1/15 sec @ f/1.8, ISO 800, Lensbaby Composer with Fisheye Optic.

Ah - Rain!

From 2010 Blog

- After 10 days of mid to upper 90 degree temperatures a front moved through tonight bringing cooler air and a light rain shower. The garden sure needed the relief as the August style weather in June has really stressed the plants. This Hyperion Elite daylily bud is ready to burst open tomorrow after tonight's cool shower. 1/800 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 1600, 100mm macro, Micro LED Litepanel.

The Master

From 2010 Blog

Taking a break from reading about one of my favorite photographers, André Kertész. The book is from his exhibition "André Kertész: Of Paris and New York" at the Chicago Institute of Art in 1985. I first saw his work displayed at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia during a 1982 show which featured his then latest project - images made with a Polaroid SX-70 instant camera. In the hands of a master, any camera can produce a masterpiece. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 50mm macro lens.

Tunnel Crawl

From 2010 Blog

- Brake lights abound as I did the tunnel crawl last Thursday afternoon coming back from Hampton Virginia through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel - the HRBT to locals. I was headed east on I64 on the down slope toward the bottom of Thimble Shoals channel. The camera was dash mounted and fired with a remote control. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

Dandelion

From 2010 Blog

- The dandelion is often treated as a scourge of the finely manicured lawn that has become a symbol of suburban America. The plant has been used beneficially for thousands of years and was introduced to the Americas by early colonists. But today it mostly gets treated to a dose of herbicides. The flower matures into this spherical clock containing many single-seeded fruits each attached to a pappus of fine hairs, which enable its wind-aided dispersal. Canon 7D, 1/800 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Lift Off

From 2010 Blog

- At first I was disappointed that this bee took off just as I released the shutter. He was covered in pollen and I was hoping to catch that in the photo. But when I got back and downloaded the picture I found I really liked the motion blur on the bee in contract to the sharp focus of the flower. Canon 7D, 1/80 sec @ f/18.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Clips

From 2010 Blog

- Colorful plastic paper clips await their destiny. Each hopes to someday hold together a few sheets of an important report or correspondence. They could be waiting a long time. I bought this box of clips over ten years ago and still have plenty left. The most used paper clip today is the one on your computer email - the universal symbol that an attachment is included. I'm still a fan of these real clips, not that obnoxious animated one that appears as the Microsoft Office Assistant. Canon G11, 1/200 @ f/2.8, ISO 400, in macro mode with lighting from a basic flashlight.

WisKy Shiloutte

From 2010 Blog

- The battleship USS Wisconsin is silhouetted by the setting sun. The Wisconsin is known by its nickname "WisKy" because the damaged bow was once replaced with the bow of the unfinished USS Kentucky. It berthed in Norfolk Virginia adjacent to the Nauticus, National Maritime Center. It is open to the public. Canon 40D, 1/800 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, zoom at 17mm wide angle.

Yet Another Dragonfly

From 2010 Blog

- For some reason the dragonflies keep making themselves available for photo ops. I'm beginning to think they may have an agent calling on me soon. Please enjoy yet another dragonfly photo. Canon 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 100 mm macro.

Mimosa

From 2010 Blog

- You say Formosa, I say Mimosa. When I was growing up people called this a Formosa tree. The name was incorrect, it is actually a Mimosa tree. Once very common in southern gardens, today it is pretty much disdained as an invasive species or weed tree. This is a wild one located along a ditch bank near my house. The tree is still quite beautiful and this bloom was backlit by a small dapple of afternoon sunlight. Canon, 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/13.0, ISO 400, 100 mm macro.

The Eyes Have It

From 2010 Blog

- This little dragonfly was patiently sitting on the tip of a day lily bud while I took his picture. It shows the compound or multifaceted eyes very well. Canon 7D, 1/60 sec @ f/13.0, ISO 400, 100 mm macro lens using image stabilization.

The Star

From 2010 Blog

- I have been watching a bud develop on a long stalk over the fence at my in-laws house. My mother in-law called me this morning to tell me it was starting to bloom. This is the Star of Bethlehem as it begins to flower. Soon it will be fully open. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 100, 100m macro lens.

RnRHoF

From 2010 Blog

- More from my trip to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio last month. These neon signs are just to the left of the performance stage on the entry level. A late afternoon thunderstorm helped by darkening the skies over Lake Erie seen through the glass in the background. Canon G11, 1/8 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Jett's Jag

From 2010 Blog

- Joan Jett's V12 powered 1983 Jaguar XJS at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio. In black of course. Oh, the stories this car could tell. Got to love Rock n Roll! Canon G11, 1/400 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400.

Down Came the Rain

From 2010 Blog

- but it didn't wash this little spider out. We had some nasty thunderstorms this evening but this little guy was back building his web among the hosta blooms. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro, Litepanel LED.

The Perfect Combo?

From 2010 Blog

- Chocolate and Martinis, the perfect combo? This is the Chocolate Bar in Cleveland Ohio. It is located in the 1890 Arcade, one many grand old buildings in downtown Cleveland. Canon G11, 1/15 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400.

Shade

From 2010 Blog

- Last week I walked through the shade garden at New York's Battery Bosque Gardens. It was an amazing collection of perennials that thrive in the shade. This is one of the interesting buds I photographed. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400. I wish I had closed down the aperture another stop so the depth of field was a little longer. Then the stem would have been in sharp focus. Could've, would've, should've.

Tiki Torch

From 2010 Blog

- The flame from a Tiki Torch at the cookout and pool party yesterday at Brian and Kristal's house in Suffolk Virginia. The pool was small but tons of fun with my grandson Robert. Nothing like a kid and a pool. Canon 7D, 1/500 @ f5.6, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Yellow Wheel

From 2010 Blog

- This 2001 Yellow Corvette is reflected in the chrome rims of blue F150 pickup. Both were fully polished and shinning for all they were worth as they were parked just outside Firehouse Subs in the Kempsville section of Virginia Beach today. I was surprised to learn the Vette belonged to Virginia Beach Fire Captain Bill Bailey who I hadn't seen in a long time. Small world. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200.

Sunrise Flight

From 2010 Blog

- If you have to be up at sunrise like I did yesterday, might as well take a picture of it. The plane had just taken off from Norfolk at 5:30 on a short flight to New York's LaGuardia Airport. We broke through the cloud cover at about 5000 feet and sun was just coming up so I took this picture though a really nasty airplane window. Pretty happy with the result. Canon G11, 1/329 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

The Sphere

From 2010 Blog

- A pigeon looks out one of the holes ripped into the sculpture "The Sphere" during the 9/11 attacks. Once located at the World Trade Center Plaza the sculpture was retrieved from the wreckage and relocated to Battery Park where it serves as a memorial to the victims of the attack and as a home for many roosting pigeons. Had a nice trip to NYC today for a business meeting at New York City Transit, 2 Broadway and got time to catch a few early morning pics. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

PEZ Boys

From 2010 Blog

- Four of my PEZ boys up close and personal. The three closest are glow in the dark models although it's hard to tell in this photograph. There are three different Alpine PEZ Boys and one Pilot PEZ Boy in the shot. These are all European PEZ. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

Bling-bling

From 2010 Blog

- This wall of cheap jewelry screamed "take my picture" so I obliged. Of course I asked permission and the Asian shop manager said OK but gave me the "why would you" look. It's a look I'm very familiar with. This was one of many shops we visited in Greenwich Village during our trip to New York City back in April. Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Corymb

From 2010 Blog

- This photo is from a few weeks back. These flowers of a red-tip photinia are produced in dense terminal corymbs - branched clusters of flowers. Each flower is about 5mm in diameter, with five rounded white petals; they have a mild scent. I used to have a long hedge of red-tips but they feel victim to the common fungal disease that has plagued this once popular shrub. One lone survivor across the yard still produces these flowers and the bright red new spring foliage that gives the plant its common name. It also hosts a pair of nesting cardinals; red birds in a red bush. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 50mm macro.

Doodlebug

From 2010 Blog

I caught this little beetle scrounging around in the center of one of the blooms of the Siloam Doodlebug daylily. I spot all kinds of insects in the daylily blooms. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 1600, 100mm macro.

Dragon Fly

From 2010 Blog

- Got this close up photo of a dragon fly at the beach today. His face has a kind of carton like appeal. Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people's souls - pretty heavy stuff. I think they are just valuable mosquito eaters. Canon 7D, 1/1250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens.

Valediction

From 2010 Blog

- How our office vending machine thanks you for spending your dollar. The inflection is a little cold and mechanical, kind of like you get from those scripted service employees at national franchises. I have a good friend who always replies "Don't tell me what to do!" Apparently this is a U.S. custom as Europeans feel the phrase is fake and that the speaker only wants to sell something to them - duh. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Big Pharma

From 2010 Blog

- Big Pharma lines up to battle my sinus infection. From left to right, Amoxicillin antibiotic, Mucinex D "Mucinex in - Mucus out" yuk and prescription strength Ibuprofen 800mg - yea. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 800, 50mm macro.

Lovely Gardenia

From 2010 Blog

- The lovely gardenias have busted out in bloom. I have a couple of varieties but this is from the oldest and largest of my plants. The bush is about 8 feet high and six feet in diameter. Hundreds of blooms have literally transformed the backyard with the most amazing aroma. The delicate white flowers against the shiny deep green foliage make for great photos. I hope you enjoy the image and wish I could bring you the smell. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 50mm lens.

West 4th Street

From 2010 Blog

- During our trip to New York City back in April we spent a day in Greenwich Village. Near the end of the day we turned and walked down West 4th Street with it's block of famous "sex shops". This is the Pink Pussy Cat Boutique with a bicycle chained to the "No Standing Anytime" sign post. While you can't stand in front of a famous tourist attraction, apparently bicycle bondage is allowed. Only in NYC. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800.