Walking the plank(s)

We took a long walk today on the planks making up what appeared to be an endless pier jutting out into the Peace River. Apparently there is some truth to the origins of the expression 'to walk the plank' but we didn't meet the same fate as hapless pirates' victims. In fact we had a pleasant conversation with some other folks who were also enjoying the sun and warmth.

Our dog, Sasha, was pining for the bitterly cold weather (-29C/-20F) currently being experienced up north, and had to make do with only a little shade.

But for all you folks bravely battling through the deep freeze, I included a shot from the back yard to help warm your spirit if not your toes. Spring can't be far off (the power of positive thinking ...).

For the beauty of the earth ...

     "To look out at this kind of creation and
       not believe in God is to me impossible."
       (Astronaut John Glenn)
   
       "Beauty... is the shadow of God on the universe."
        (Gabriela Mistral, Desolacíon)

       “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
        to receive glory and honour and power,
        for you created all things,
        and by your will they were created
        and have their being.”
        (Revelation 4:11)

        "For since the creation of the world,
         God's invisible qualities - his eternal
         power and divine nature - have been
         clearly seen, being understood from
         what has been made, so that men are
         without excuse."
         (Romans 1:20)

(60mm  f5.6  1/60 sec  ISO200)


(60mm  f2.8  1/1400 sec  ISO200)

 (60mm  f5.6  1/160 sec  ISO200)

(Day 350) A closer look

One of the benefits of photography is that it allows us to see things and events that our eyes otherwise wouldn't be able to see. That can include freezing action such as a droplet of water at the instant it lands in a puddle, or seeing an object in great detail such as an insect.

I've accumulated a few lenses over the past year and one of my favourites is a 60mm macro lens (since the sensor on my camera has a 1.6 crop factor, it acts like a 100mm lens). It's opened up an entirely new world for me and I'm still learning how to use it properly. I'm also still learning more about using my camera and its many functions. I vaguely recalled reading in the manual some time ago about a function that could be set to help produce sharper macro images - mirror lockup. So I followed the steps to enable it and went out in the backyard to get some practice (it's amazing how disruptive even the slightest whiff of wind is when trying to capture macro shots outdoors !).

(60mm  f2.8  1/320 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f4.0  1/60 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f9.0  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(Day 342) Colour stymied

I have to confess that I'm one of those people with a limited colour vocabulary. I'm not sure if that's a gender thing. I just recall the good old high school acronym 'ROY G BIV' to remember the colours of the rainbow. Oh, and I know black and white. I'm just not that knowledgeable when it comes to colours like taupe, teal, or umber - I've likely lead a sheltered life and wasn't exposed to these.

So when I made some photos of this double bloom today, I decided I'd better ask my wife, who is much more knowledgeable in these things, what colour it was. (I had already decided that it was 'orangey'). Well, I was told that it was actually 'coral'. So now I can present our coral-coloured double bloom hibiscus.

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/80 sec  ISO100)

(Day 335) A make-up day

No, don't worry, I won't be discussing or posting photos of mascara or rouge or whatever else it is that most of the fairer sex apply in an almost daily paint-by-number ritual - and I say that in a most complimentary way. I thought I should 'make up' for, or at least provide a counter balance to, yesterday's post, which showed an in-your-face closeup of a fairly ugly grub (I know, I know - beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that ...). So for some of you that may have had nightmares after seeing those shots, perhaps you'll have sweet dreams after seeing today's. Enjoy.

(both shots made with a 10-22mm lens at f13, 1/200 sec, ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge