Joel's space

OK, got a new camera yesterday. The new Nikon D300 and I really like it.  Was messing around with it in the kitchen when I saw a squirrel in the back yard - I tried to sneak out and caught him just in time for this photo.  The photo is a littls out of focus but that was operator error. 

 

I told the squirrel that there were plenty of nuts running around this place that he didn't need to be concerned with trying to eat a tennis ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK - I've been gone awhile - mostly work, but last weekend went with a friend to Lake Travis (Austin Area).  They bought a new boat at the boat show and weere going to the lake to  put it in the water.  It ended up being a great weekend for Feb in Texas. High temp in the mid 70's - good enough to get on the lake and those with wetsuits provided some photo ops - see photos above.  Lake temp was 58 degrees so it was still cold even with a wetsuit.  There was even some time for some skateboarding.

 

Joel

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter and I took a photo safari to Old Town Spring after last week before she went back to college.  Old Town Spring (on the outskirts of Houston) has become quite famous in these parts for Antique and other types of shopping. 

 

The area is several blocks square and I would estimate that there are 30+ establishments. All old converted houses.

 

If you get to Houston and looking for a different shopping experience you might try Old Town Spring.

Well I went through my first flight where the plane had to be deiced before takeoff.  I didn't realize the delay it would cause - took over an hour once we left the gate.  Oh well.  Made it home safely.  Have added some photos from the trip.  Have a couple that I shot in RAW format and going to try to double process for the highlights and shadows - I haven't done this before but will be an ideal time to try with the snow and dark hills and trees in the photos - will post those when I figure out how to do it - has anybody tried this before?

After a business meeting in Denver this morning came back with time to take some photos of a ranch that is on the way to my sisters place.  Nice barn at the end of a small valley with a small creek running through it and a foot of fresh snow.  Wanted to get some photos but there was cloud cover in the wrong place.  Went back to house for an hour and clouds left (boy the weather can change fast here in the mountains).  Went back with the sun setting and got a few photos but I fear lack of a tripod, having to dodge traffic, and my limited photographic skills prevented me from capturing what I saw with my eyes. 

 

The good news is I saw some beautiful scenery, had a few laughs with my sister and maybe end up with a decent photo.  I have heard to become a better photographer you have to take a lot of photos and stand in front of more interesting stuff.  Lucky with digital it is easy to take a bunch of photos.