Jiwa and a Pelican

Carol Freshley November 1, 2015

My grandson had early dismissal from school so Tom and I took him to the zoo. We were treated by a great display of activity by Jiwa, the baby orangutan. He is now over one year old and is really setting out on his own. When Tom finally pulled away photographing Jiwa he grabbed a good shot of a pelican.

I kid had a small plastic fish which he was waving to get Jiwa's attention.  Jiwa kept trying to reach for it and was very attracted to the bright toy. — I kid had a small plastic fish which he was waving to get Jiwa's attention. Jiwa kept trying to reach for it and was very attracted to the bright toy.

Jiwa had been playing on the rope hammock.  He is very strong and agile, rarely having a problem with balance.  But, when he wants to go outside he latches on to mom.  Bess, mom, scoops him right up, never missing a step. — Jiwa had been playing on the rope hammock. He is very strong and agile, rarely having a problem with balance. But, when he wants to go outside he latches on to mom. Bess, mom, scoops him right up, never missing a step.

Now that Jiwa is so active it is more fun to head out to the zoo to capture some of his antics. The best photos are those taken when he is in the outdoor area as the light is better. Take your long lens and plan on staying a while.

Deuce Day

Carol Freshley October 31, 2015

Every year Sanderson Ford hosts the AZ Deuce Day. For those not in the know, a deuce is any hot rodded 1932 Ford. Tom, his friend Jerry and I showed up early to get the best shots before the crowd arrived. This is a small car show, but fun to see local cars that are shown with pride.

In interloper.  This is a 1936 Ford.  Non-deuce cars are allowed to come to the show but must park in a separate area. — In interloper. This is a 1936 Ford. Non-deuce cars are allowed to come to the show but must park in a separate area.

I wanted an ol' timey look.  Dang it, but that flame airbrushed car gives me away!!!  Too much fun. — I wanted an ol' timey look. Dang it, but that flame airbrushed car gives me away!!! Too much fun.

1932 Lincoln who was allowed to park with the Deuces!  Special car, one off body . . . j — 1932 Lincoln who was allowed to park with the Deuces! Special car, one off body . . . j

Tom and I each were committed to using just our 50mm Nikkor primes. He took his images with his Nikon D600 as his D800 is at Nikon being repaired. Mine were taken with my Nikon Df with an f/7.1, ISO 400 and either 1/125 or 1/250. My B&W were processed in Nik Silver Effect Pro2 except for the ol' timey attempt which was processed in OnOne 10. Thanks for sharing.

Joshua Tree National Park

Carol Freshley October 26, 2015

A short stop on our way home. This Park is huge, slightly bigger than the state of Rhode Island. It encompasses two distinct ecological zones and these can actually be recognized as you drive through the park. This was my second trip through the park and I am still amazed at how few Joshua Trees are in the park! The AZ Joshua Tree Park has more trees and they appear healthier than their CA counterparts. The rock formations are interesting and the desert views are outstanding. The Cholla Garden is a must see.

We got up early, it was still very dark when we checked out of our room in Twenty Nine Palms. Given that we had not scouted for a sunrise shot, we opted to wait for some light and have breakfast first.  When we stepped outside the restaurant we… — We got up early, it was still very dark when we checked out of our room in Twenty Nine Palms. Given that we had not scouted for a sunrise shot, we opted to wait for some light and have breakfast first. When we stepped outside the restaurant we found that the sky was ON FIRE! I hate that when it happens!!! Dang it!!!! We drove very quickly to the Park while asking the goddesses of sunrise for the sunrise to last long enough for us to find a Joshua Tree. Any Joshua Tree! Near the road (please)! A foreground (big enough we could see). Anything!!! Miles down the road, or so it seemed, a single smallish Joshua Tree. Whew! We took it. We had missed the incredible red that was there just minutes before this image was captured.

Just four minutes after my first shot above.  Mother Nature waits for no one! — Just four minutes after my first shot above. Mother Nature waits for no one!

The band of darker clouds was not going away any time soon.  We kept hoping for some breaks in the clouds. — The band of darker clouds was not going away any time soon. We kept hoping for some breaks in the clouds.

Better light to the south.  Not so good overhead. — Better light to the south. Not so good overhead.

Ah!  Big break for a few seconds!  This is a situation where you really begin to appreciate the term 'chasing light'.  Notice how all of a sudden we have shadows, DOF, interest!  Ah, Father Sun, stick around! — Ah! Big break for a few seconds! This is a situation where you really begin to appreciate the term 'chasing light'. Notice how all of a sudden we have shadows, DOF, interest! Ah, Father Sun, stick around!

Just a bit of life in a harsh environment.  A blossom on a long stalk to improve its chances.  The beauty in something like this is missed when looking skyward. — Just a bit of life in a harsh environment. A blossom on a long stalk to improve its chances. The beauty in something like this is missed when looking skyward.

What to do when the sun won't come out and play?  Shoot flowers and other macro shots. — What to do when the sun won't come out and play? Shoot flowers and other macro shots.

All macro shots taken handheld with the Nikon Df and the Nikkon 55mm f/2.8 manual focus lens.  Have not seen a cactus quite like this. — All macro shots taken handheld with the Nikon Df and the Nikkon 55mm f/2.8 manual focus lens. Have not seen a cactus quite like this.

These were the tiniest flowers I have seen in a very long time.  They were so fragile.  I was not successful at getting a good DOF with them, especially hand holding and manually focusing.  Sharing anyway. — These were the tiniest flowers I have seen in a very long time. They were so fragile. I was not successful at getting a good DOF with them, especially hand holding and manually focusing. Sharing anyway.

Leaving one ecosystem with Joshua Trees and getting into the Cholla Garden.

Only a mother could love them.  So ugly they are gorgeous. — Only a mother could love them. So ugly they are gorgeous.

How about that for a leading line?  Not walking down there!  We tried to be so careful and not pick any up on our shoes.  We were not successful! — How about that for a leading line? Not walking down there! We tried to be so careful and not pick any up on our shoes. We were not successful!

Grandeur!  Expansive!  Think fisheye! — Grandeur! Expansive! Think fisheye!

As we neared Twenty Nine Palms I admitted to Tom that I had not been so tired in years. Years!!! The following morning I asked him if, just perchance, we were too old to be keeping up the schedule we had chosen recently. "Maybe." was his response. Nope! Not! Negative! That was my response! I am sure once we get rested up we will be just fine. Until then, two tired minds are better than one tired mind so we will stick closely together. We are a team!! Thanks for joining and sharing our teamwork.