I was reminded of that infamous old adage yesterday (Sept 10) as our planned personal guided tour into Canyon de Chelly failed. We were so organized. Jane, my wife, is the organized one. She had a checklist and queried me often on my readiness. I’m the one less likely to have a plan. But, my camera and lenses were clean, all the filters organized, and I was in a great frame of mind for creating art. All the equipment and extra clothing were loaded into the truck. We had checked and rechecked our plan. Then it rained. And rained. And rained.This is what separates “Professional” photographers from all other photographers. My definition of Professional Photographer is someone who depends on photography to feed and clothe the family. I’ve made money with photographs; some years were quite profitable. But, I never gave up the day job.

Keeping a stiff upper lip and hoping for clearing skies, Jane and I drove down to the Holiday Inn to meet Daniel, our Navajo guide. Daniel tried to smile but I could read between the wrinkles. He left the decision to us. It was raining as we discussed the situation. We finally decided to cancel in favor of better weather the next day. I suggested to Daniel that Jane and I would drive the South Rim Trail and try again tomorrow for the trip through the canyon.

We were a bit skeptical but with nothing else to do started out on the South Rim Road in drizzling rain. We pulled into the first overlook, Tunnel Canyon Overlook, and my thoughts were not positive. All I saw was dull, lifeless light. Jane pointed out how much more vibrant the canyon walls are in the rain and low and behold … a waterfall. Water runoffs occur quickly when the rain is falling on solid rock. What was saw was not a river or creek dumping water over the cliff. It was a temporary waterfall made by the dreary conditions. It actually made a pretty photograph.

And, Jane is a real trooper. She held the umbrella over my equipment and us as we slogged along a muddy path to get the right angle for a photograph. She was a bit frightened, I think. She said several times, “Be careful. Be very careful. There is nothing to stop us if we slip.” She was right. It was a sheer cliff below the path – a drop of several hundred feet. We got the picture and had fun together. Jane is a clean freak. We stood in the rain getting soaked, me laughing at Jane, as we cleaned the mud from our shoes to keep from getting the truck interior dirty. 

We drove the length of the South Rim Trail with it raining the entire time. Spider Rock is the last overlook. By then I was so disappointed that we just sat in the truck and talked. It had also gotten cool. We were much higher in elevation and Jane had gotten wet. We turned on the heat and just talked. We left Spider Rock, driving slowly on the return, discussing plans for our next adventure. We were all the way back to Tunnel Canyon Overlook when the skies changed to blue and a huge rainbow appeared over the canyon.

I pulled in to Tunnel Canyon Overlook and snapped a few images of the rainbow. I had lost the creative juices. Nothing was feeling right. We moved back up the trail to Tseyi Overlook. I took a few pictures of the Navajo farm below. The light was nice and the images were better. Remnants of the rainbow mark the passing of a storm as shadows sweep over the Navajo farm in Canyon de Chelly.

Then, I decided a rainbow over Spider Rock was the image I wanted. Needless to say, we broke the speed limit getting back to Spider Rock. There was barely any part of the rainbow visible when we got there. Heavy shadows surrounded the tall sphere known as Spider Rock. I took several pictures from several angles but wasn’t thrilled with the result. We closed shop. Evening was upon us. Maybe I should be inspired by evening? How about a moonlight image of Spider Rock? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm….

Anyway, we are saving the original plan for another day, and I’ve decided that I may not be a Professional Photographer … by my own definition … but I am certainly a Persistent Photographer.   Thanks to Jane. :-)
l8r

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We crossed the Tusas Mountains today, a leisurely drive from Pilar through Taos and following US-64 over the mountains to Chama. We arrived early in order to pick up our tickets for tomorrow’s train ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The Rio Chama, a great trout stream, is right behind our camper. When it is quiet I can hear the water running. Unfortunately, I made a last minute decision to leave my waders and fishing gear at home. Maybe I will get to see someone fly-fishing. I really want a picture.

We stopped at the Chama Visitor and Information Center on our way back from the train station. They have free Internet so Jane sent me back to the RV for my computer. She wanted to watch the episode of Big Brother that she missed Thursday. While she was watching the rerun, I learned that the old steam train would be returning from Antonito (Colorado) and was easily accessible to photographers. 

Antique Narrow Gauge Steam Engine

I jumped in the truck and ran out highway-17 to intercept the train. That was fun, exciting and rewarding. And, I met a few other photographers with the same idea. We followed the train all the way back to Chama, taking pictures then jumping ahead of the train for the next viewing area.

Access to the Internet had closed before I could check email or post to the blog. I’m entertaining myself by editing pictures and running some much-needed backup. I also need to make more space on my hard drive.  JPEG files use a lot of space. Tomorrow may be more of the same. The train ride is an all day excursion. The visit center will be closed before we return. I hope to have some great scenics from the trip and maybe a few train images from an “on board” perspective.

Cumbres - Toltec Narrow Guage Train

Chama Continued:

I was right; the “onboard” perspective is different. We boarded the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad at 10:00 a.m. in Chama, New Mexico for our 64-mile journey across the San Juan Mountains to Antonito, Colorado. As you may be able to discern from the above picture, it was a quite nostalgic journey. This old narrow gauge railroad and its historic coal-burning steam engines are remnants of a time in the west that many railroad buffs try diligently to preserve. Except for a few full-time engineers, the staff is volunteers, many of whom spend each season “working on the railroad.” One of the Docent, equivalent to a tour guide, was from Georgetown, Texas. Since we are nearly neighbors, she immediately tried recruiting us into the volunteer staff.

The trip across and through the mountains was absolutely breathtaking. I can only imagine how much more magnificent it might be in two weeks when the leaves begin to change. As for pictures, I discovered that the “onboard” perspective was a bit more restrictive than I had hoped. It was either a picture from the left window or a picture from the right window. I’m talking about pictures of the train. Each curve, and there were many of them, would offer another view of the old engine spewing coal dust and steam. The sulphur smell was very strong at times and there was no way to avoid the soot and coal dust that settled on your clothes and your body.

Another “onboard” obstacle was the motion. There was not a still moment. We were rocking and rolling and swaying and jerking. And when we found a smooth straight area the steel wheels on the steel track created such a vibration that it was difficult to get a sharp image. Since the stock agencies reject so many images taken at ISO 400, I chose a very wide-angle lens and shot wide open to obtain the necessary shutter speed to overcome the train’s impact. It seems to have worked on a few images.

A pointer for all you photographers that I have learned from endless rejects: view your images at 100 percent to accurately judge the technical quality. Anything less and you won’t see all the artifacts and graininess. Judging sharpness will also be more accurate. Try sharpening an image at 100 percent and you can see if it is “really” sharp. Also, don’t try editing at any higher than 100 percent. That will only create problems that don’t actually exist.

The train made several stops along the way. It had to stop several times to take on water. We crossed the Cumbres Pass at 10015 feet. That was the highest point. We stopped in Osient for a huge and delicious turkey dinner for lunch. Staying awake for the rest of the trip was difficult.

The last five or six miles heading into Antonito was high desert plains. It was a steep descent with many switchbacks but the scenery was much less spectacular than the Cumbres Pass and Toltec Gorge. The return trip was on a large bus. The scenery again was spectacular but most of the passengers were either tired of taking pictures of sleeping from the overabundant lunch.

That night we made preparations for our departure. Our next stop would be less hospitable; no showers, no laundry facility; no Internet. We showered for the last time for several days and Jane did all the laundry. Arizona, here we come.
L8r

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Rio Grande Gorge, Taos Pueblo, Mission San Francisco de Asis, the High Road, Santuario de Chimayo, Sangre de Cristo Mountains.   With Taos as a hub, the entire surrounding area is an artist’s paradise.  The work of Ansel Adams, Georgia O’Keeffe and the current crop of fabulous artists has done little to diminish the desire for artwork from this area.  Every way you turn reveals another masterpiece.  Originality, however, is another story.   What you see has probably been done before.  If it was not seen by artists from the days of Adams and O’Keeffe, it has probably been sculpted, painted or photographed by one of the many artisans who currently inhabit Taos and its environs, not to mention the hordes of visitors who pass this way annually.   But, it is certainly a thrill walking in their footsteps and seeing it through your own eyes … or viewfinder.

 Three years ago, my wife and I hosted a campground in the BLM Orilla Verde Recreation Area of the Rio Grande Gorge.  I spent nearly three months trying to capture the natural beauty with a 4-megapixel point and shoot camera.  I had tons of beautiful images, most of which have been ruined by over-zealous post processing or lost in the bowels of a crashed computer.  In these past three years, I’ve learned a lot and increased the “horsepower” of my photography equipment.  We are here for only a few days but I will try to restore some of those lost masterpieces. The culture is my subject.  I am fascinated by history, especially history of the Southwest and the people who are that history.  On the first day after our arrival, I visited the Taos Pueblo.  There are some restrictions on photographing the residents and some of the spiritual events, but the architecture and lifestyle make some beautiful and educational imagery.  If you plan to visit, you should know that you will have to sign a release stating that your photographs will not be used for any commercial purpose.  There is a charge of $5 for each camera and you will need to attach certification that your camera is legitimate.  The pueblo is open daily except during certain religious ceremonies.  The schedule is posted on the Internet, just search on Taos Pueblo.Taos Pueblo and the city of Taos lie at the base of Taos Mountain.  The legend mentioned in a previous post is about the magic of the mountain.  It declares that anyone visiting the area for any length of time and seeing the beauty of the mountain will forever be drawn to Taos.  Since we are here, it is difficult to dispute the claim. 

The High Road is the mountainous road between Taos and Santa Fe … actually it goes to Espanola but it is the road that is important, not the destination.     We took a shortcut through Dixon to Truchas on our way to Santuario de Chimayo, a legendary mission on the edge of Chimayo.  Truchas is an artist community, high in the Sangre de Cristos and offers access to many artists’ studios that are usually open to tourists.   It is a great place to get a feel for the area.  I was more interested in updating my images of Santuario de Chimayo so drove straight through Truchas.  By the way, Robert Redford made a movie in Truchas, something about “bean fields?”Chimayo is a center for woolens and woven fabrics — clothing and rugs.  There are also several excellent turquoise jewelry shops there.  Jane has already contributed to their business, thank you.  J  We had planned a visit to a very nice restaurant tucked away in the valley near the Santuario but the restaurant had burned to the ground.  That disappointment was short-lived.  We had a fabulous short order type meal on the grounds of the mission.  Jane had tamales and I had a tamale pie.  It was more like a soup but absolutely scrumptious.  And, very spicy – one of those Two Coke meals. 

A stop in the Espanola Wal*Mart for less expensive diesel and we returned through the gorge to our temporary home in Orilla Verde.

l8r

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This article is not specifically about photography or cameras.  It is more about my (our) first love – TRAVEL.   A selection of photographs from the trip will scroll across the home page until a more current batch is called for.  The images referred to in this article will be among those images scrolling across the home page.  The two not referred to in this article are a shot from the Taos Pueblo and another from the old wooden gate at Santuario de Chimayo.

My wife and I left Tow (Llano County) Texas on Labor Day, headed for another Southwestern adventure.  I am writing this in the Rio Grande Gorge (Orilla Verde) BLM Recreation Area near Taos, New Mexico.  We hosted a campsite here in 2005.  The natural beauty of the gorge has changed little since then.  The legend of Taos Mountain has worked its magic on us.

We spent our first night in Lamesa, Texas.  The city of Lamesa maintains free electric and water hookups for travelers and overnight visitors to their city.  The RV Park is in the city park, surrounded by shady trees, grass and family picnic and play areas.   There is no checkin/checkout.  You simply pull into the RV area and connect.  It is a wonderful way to welcome visitors to your city and to attract customers to local businesses.  It wasn’t until a few miles up the road that we learned several West Texas and Panhandle cities had adopted the practice.  If you are an RVer, it would be well worth planning a stop along the roads through Lamesa, Brownfield, Levelland, or Littlefield.  The highways through these towns are an excellent choice for North/South travel through this part of Texas.  It is a smooth, flat pull with little traffic.

 We entered New Mexico through Clovis.  Hard times were evident in the city but farms and ranches were green and looked healthy.  Driving such open and seemingly desolate roads leaves me in a dream world, imagining the times when horses were the main mode of travel.  Or, powered transport was in its infancy. 

The railroad opened the west to the world.  The high, wind-swept plains of New Mexico are laced with tracks.  Railroads are resurging, replacing the 18-wheeler as commercial transportation’s mode of choice.  Trains passed us frequently, loaded with transport trailers from J.B. Hunt and others, traveling east and west through the wide-open spaces of our great southwest.  The price of fuel has made train transport much more economical than highway travel. 

 The dusty rose haze in the background is the remains of a passing dust storm.  The isolated ranch is testimony to the hardy souls who have inhabited this area since it was opened and developed by generations of forefathers.  They have endured dust storms, drought, freezing winters and untold struggles with human issues as well as the weather.  These are the real conservative Americans; the folks who have practiced and do practice the culture mouthed by so-called “conservative politicians.”   We stopped along the Llano Estacado for lunch.  This Historical Marker is on the far side of the highway from the ranch and railroad track.  The sign documents the wild and rugged history of the area.  The windmill and stock loading pens in the background speaks to the success of the men who brought cattle ranching to the area. 

Our second day on the road was much longer than planned, probably because we made very few stops.  The light was not very good.  I passed on many picturesque scenes because of it.  Rather than spend the night in Tucumcari or stop before Santa Fe, we decided to push a bit and arrive early in Pilar – site of the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center.  I would liked to have photographed the gorgeous homes of the fortunate few who live on the outskirts of Santa Fe but let anticipation of arrival preempt some excellent lifestyle scenes.  That was a mistake.  I know that such opportunities should NEVER be missed.  I must learn to give priority to my photographic instincts.  It’s not the destination, Dummy!  It’s the Journey. 

 I’ll speak more about the Legend of Taos Mountain in the next article.  Maybe the next article will be more about photography. L8r 

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I spent the weekend honing my action photography skills. The Llano Crawfish Festival is a local event. One of the highlights is a three-day team roping competition. I’ve long wanted access to a rodeo or any event featuring horses in action. I learned of the roping competition from my barber on Thursday and immediately went into planning mode. After searching the internet and studying the schedule in our weekly local, I awoke Friday morning and was in the Cowboy Camping Area before daylight. The first thing I learned was that cowboys are NOT the early risers I had assumed.They ARE big partiers.

In my professional past, I have had easy access to the events that I covered and to the competitors.My Press Pass or race credentials got me inside the action. This was different. I was just another citizen. I needed a way to get into that arena. The least I could settle for was a position by the fence.

Since there was no one present, I took a camera and several lenses with me as I circled the arena just to see what I would need and where I should be. With a bright sun starting its ascent to a high point in the southern hemisphere, I knew to expect very contrasty lighting. The roping wasn’t scheduled to start until ten o’clock. I chose a place with the sun behind me, putting most of the heavy shadows on the opposite side of the subject. My trusty 80~200mm zoom lens would get me close enough while keeping me at a safe distance. The spot was inside the arena.

I strolled through the cowboy camping area, killing time and looking for interesting pictures in the morning light. There were some beautiful horses but backgrounds were terribly distracting. Cowboys have lost a lot of their mystique. They’ve gotten “citified.”The area was like an RV park with motor homes and expensive self-contained horse trailers parked bumper to bumper.

When I returned to my parked truck the activity had picked up. Vendors were setting up their areas and officials were preparing for the ropers to register. I still had no idea how I would gain access to a primo spot in the arena but found someone who looked important and asked the question. “Where can I get to take pictures?” I was directed to an important person and told that I was welcome to take pictures and “where did I want to get.”She first said that I would not be allowed inside the arena. I told her about the light problem and requested a place at the far end of the arena, a long way from where the steers were released and the cowboys started their timed runs. She agreed. I was allowed in the arena and practically had the run of the place. They made me feel important and quite welcome.

The moral of this story is “Just Ask.” If you are serious about photography and want access you can probably get it. Most promoters or event officials are pleased to have your interest and might even ask to buy some of your pictures. The worst that can happen is they say “NO.” Even if they say no, they will likely offer alternative locations. So, gather your gear, choose an event, plan an approach and practice … practice you photography skills and your negotiating skills. You may surprise yourself.

I’ve selected several images from the Llano Crawfish Open to scroll the HomePage. I will allow them to scroll until the next blog post — or until I get tired of seeing them.

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With the current price of fuel I can hardly afford unnecessary road trips.  After the previous photo safari produced so little in the way of wildflowers, I’m hesitant to go exploring again.  There are a few bluebonnets but they are sparse and spindly.  Bluebonnets usually predict the quality of other wildflowers, Indian paintbrush, black-eyed susan, Indian blanket, winecups, etc.  Unless we get a lot of rain soon there will be little to photograph along our highways, byways and meadows in coming months. 

I have a few wildflower pictures scrolling across the homepage.  They are from previous years and even from places other than the Texas Hill Country.  I enjoy my Big Bend Bluebonnets and the Lake Buchanan Lighthouse but would much rather be photographing huge fields of well saturated local bluebonnets to scroll across a computer screen.   It’s not just the photographers being disappointed.  The lack of wildflowers in the area is a bust for tourism, photographers and the local business people.  The weekend is due to be a large infusion of money into the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes Area especially.  Even the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival is likely to suffer.   Maybe the nice weather will attract crowds to the local air show.

We had some rain this week.  Hopefully, a little more will give us something to look forward to as the wildflowers change from blue to red to yellow.  Perhaps the cactus and yucca will produce some photogenic blossoms.  I hope we don’t have to wait all the way into June for sunflowers.  Keep your fingers crossed.

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My friend Celeste has one of the coolest domain names around — RoadLessTraveled. I know, it’s a poem. But, she got there first.
Today’s adventure reminded me of that poem. I followed a road yesterday that I’ve always wondered about. I got lost in a maze of country roads that finally dumped me back onto State Highway 71. I wasn’t sure that I could retrace my steps but had seen a place that I was sure would make a great photo … if the light was right. By my calculation that had to be really early in the morning. I was on the road before sunrise. As a matter of fact, I found my focal point before sunrise. I was right. This old ranch building is fantastic with the morning sun reflecting off its weathered exterior. The old windmill was nice too. It still pumps water into a tank. I used the tank to capture the windmill reflection in the picture on the right. I was disappointed that the cattle that surrounded the building yesterday were gone. They did, however, leave evidence of their visit in the yard.
It was a fun morning, serving more than one purpose. I’m still breaking in that new diesel engine. The economical 14.7 MPG was from my light foot and some very slow going along a bumpy dirt road.

Wildlife was abundant. Deer were thicker’n fleas on a dog’s back. I saw turkey as well. One old Tom was even strutting for the ladies but I wasn’t close enough for a decent picture. A jack rabbit nearly commited suicide under my new diesel truck. He was just quick enough to escape before I got a picture or assisted in his suicide.
There were far fewer surprises than I had hoped for. I did accomplish the primary mission but really expected more. I finished off the excursion by snapping a few quick pics of the neighbor’s peach tree. Kim, the blooms are fantastic. I’m looking forward to stealing your peaches. Here’s hoping the blooms are still here for your visit.
Now, I have a long list of tasks. Jane is working and I am in charge. I’m in charge of mowing the lawn and getting my office cleaned up before Dillon gets here for Easter.
As usual, click the thumbnail image to see a larger version.

l8r

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North Carolina — The Outer Bank

We’re home. We had a happy holiday with our family and a wonderful journey home. I know that I’m switching my emphasis again but can’t resist the temptation to write about (and post pictures) of that journey.

I spent a lot of time during the holidays researching the North Carolina Outer Bank and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Our daughter has friends in Nags Head but that had little to do with our decision to stay there. Nags Head is the gateway to some of the most beautiful seascapes and beaches I have ever seen. And, it is all a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Abundant Wildlife!!!

Our timing, however, was not perfect. We came into Nags Head with a chilling cold front that brought freezing temps and gale force winds. We barely had enough warm clothing to brave the weather. I managed by wearing sweat pants under my jeans. Jane managed by staying in the truck.

This picture is from the balcony of our hotel in Nags Head. I noticed it from our window the morning after our arrival. Even though it is very cliche, I ventured out into the morning chill for a quick pic.

Our first stop on the Outer Bank had been Kitty Hawk, the famed location of aviations first powered flight. Actually, the flight took place at Kill Devil Hill which is a few miles south of Kitty Hawk. We spent a couple of hours in the museum and drove around the Wright Brothers Monument on Kill Devil Hill. It was just too cold to enjoy the outdoors so we found our hotel and checked in early.

We prepared for the outing with a substantial breakfast, compliments of the hotel, and loaded the truck for an adventure to the southern environs of Hatteras Island. I’ve always been drawn to lighthouses and the Outer Banks is well-known for its shipwrecks and lighthouses. There are five lighthouses along this coast and a shipwreck museum at the tip of Hatteras Island. Plus, abundant migratory birds and waterfowl at Pea Island National Wildlife Reserve. Here, a flock of snow geese is silhouetted against the evening sky as they join others in their roosting area.

Our plan was to stay two days in Nags Head and leave the Outer Banks via ferry after exploring Ocracoke Island and its lighthouse. We were bummed to find that the only way to explore Ocracoke was via four-wheel drive. Many of the highway bridges were under repair. Only residents were taking the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke.

We traveled south anyway, visiting the lighthouse at Bodie Island and catching some beautiful late-day light on the Pea Island wildlife. The beaches and sand dunes were most photogenic in this light. I managed to con Jane into taking a walk along the beach. I needed a focal point for my seascape. That’s Jane in the red jacket.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is probably the most photographed and well-known of all lighthouses. It also made national news in 1999 when it was moved 1600 feet from its original location to a more stable position. Most images that I have seen are from the original location. The new location isn’t bad. I took fifty pictures while Jane was staying warm in the museum. The one to the right is my selection for sharing. I probably should have spent more time waiting for better lighting.

On the return trip, the evening light provided enough warmth (or courage) to brave the elements in pursuit of wildlife pictures. There were birds I had never seen and may never see again. I learned a lot about ducks. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing but did manage to identify redheads, widgeons, coots, snow geese, canvas back and tundra swans. I’m sure there were many others. These are tundra swans — one immature and two adults. They were flying very slowly into a stiff north wind. The evening light gave them a warm, golden appearance.

I have no idea what these waders are. I’ll try later to identify them. It doesn’t really matter. It was those beautiful blue and gold colors that I was seeing. There is nothing in this world like warm evening light. I only wish we had had longer — and that it had been a little warmer.

I think I’ve written and displayed too much for one outing. I may post more later. It really was a great adventure, filled with many exciting scenes. We’ll do it again.

As always, clicking on a thumbnail will produce a larger image.

l8r

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Fast Focusing, No Shutter Lag.

The new camera arrived Friday. I’ve been studying the documentation. It’s a bit intimidating. I’m overwhelmed.

I started to get a little more comfortable this afternoon. I was watching the evening light come and go. And, ducks were active. Most of my work with a camera is action; even the nature and wildlife stuff I do. I decided to put the D80 to the test. The ducks make an excellent test subject.

My problem with the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 was in focusing on fast action and with “digital noise” when the ISO (equivalent of film speed) was cranked up to 400 or above. The FZ30 is an excellent camera. I will continue to use it for many projects. It just is not quite a professional tool. The larger sensor and more sophisticated processor of the digital SLR cameras eliminates much of the digital noise issue. And, the interchangeable lenses with built-in focusing motors makes focusing and staying focused on a moving target much faster and more accurate.

I set the ISO to 400, mounted my 18-135mm “kit lens” and trudged down to the lake. I watched a gull drifting lazily overhead. I pointed and my D80 instantaneously locked on. I followed the bird and the focus adjusted as it flew away. It tracked perfectly but this was a slow-moving object. Just then, here came a flock of ducks, flying right over me. I pointed, pushed the shutter release to the half-way point, and the D80 locked on. It continued to follow as the ducks banked hard and set their wings to land. The light went wonderful and I completed releasing the shutter. Wow! Just like Henri Cartier-Bresson, I realized my “decisive moment.” I KNEW it was good — even with a high ISO setting and fairly short lens. I love this camera. I felt flushed from excitement. I just stood there in awe of my new tool. This is what I’ve been missing. With the FZ30, I would see the action coming, focus on the spot that I expected to be “the decisive moment” and hope for the best. I had to wait for the action to come into focus. If I tried focusing on the subject too soon, it could easily become blurred while I waited for the right moment, especially if it was coming directly at me.

Next test … here comes a single duck, right at me. Again, I pointed and pressed the shutter release to focus on the fast-flying duck. The D80 locked on and kept that bird so sharp that I could see its eyes. The light was beautiful and the duck banked and set his wings. Bingo! — another Cartier-Bresson moment.

Click on the images to see a larger, more detailed version.

Even though these are not the best photos that I expect to see from this outfit, the camera performed marvelously. This test is a success.

I can hardly wait to spend some more money … faster, longer, sharper. It’s all about the lens. But, that may not happen soon. I showed Jane the $179 Tamrac Backpack that I need to haul my growing inventory. She nixed it. I wonder what she will say when I ask about a $1600 lens? This may take some negotiating. She already has a new trailer. Hmmmm…

l8r

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