• Avian,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF70-300mm f4.0-5.6,  meadowlark,  Photography

    New Optics

    May 28, 2021
    Western Meadowlark

    I’ve had for 20 plus years two pairs of binoculars that I seldom pickup because they are a pain in the a$$ to use. I’ve carried one pair in the car and keep the other in my condo. Since I’m spending more time in nature, I am wanting a closer look at this world around me. So, a couple weeks ago I did some research on birding binoculars and learned why these binoculars I have are such a hassle to use.

    I learned most birders prefer using 8×42 binoculars. The ones I have are 10×24, which makes them small and lightweight but difficult to use. The first number is the magnification and and the second number is the diameter of the glass. The larger magnification causes a lot of shake while the smaller glass reduced the amount of light and field of view.

    The most recommended pair in my price range was the Nikon Prostaff S3 8×42. I made a visit to Jax Surplus to look at a pair, liked what I saw and made the purchase, knowing I could return them if they did not work for me. Wow, what a difference. These binoculars weigh in at 19.9 ounces, are rated at 377 ft/1,000 yd Field Of View, and are waterproof and fogproof. It is interesting to use them in tracking a bird in flight, something impossible previously. I’ve even taken them for walks without my camera because I enjoy just watching/studying the birds. Or, as I’ve read, “Studying the book of nature.” Yep, new optics! 😁

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  • Avian,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF70-300mm f4.0-5.6,  John O'Donohue,  quotes

    A Mode of Silence

    May 21, 2021
    Western Kingbird

    “The innocence and silence of the animal world has a huge subtlety to it that is anything but dumb, but rather notices everything and is present in everything. Animals carry a huge ministry of witness to the silence of time and to the depth of nature. They are like the landscape in a sense: they live too in a mode of silence.”

    John O’Donohue

    I believe this to be a Western Kingbird. I am not that familiar with them but they are a beautiful bird. I encountered this one along Weld County Road 15 in an open prairie area. This is a major crop and looks fairly decent.

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  • Avian,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF70-300mm f4.0-5.6,  haiku,  meadowlark,  Photography,  writing/reading

    From the Heart

    May 20, 2021

    shared from the heart
    the joy of being alive
    meadowlarks song

    ms

    Sorry but you may be seeing more bird images as I play with this new lens. Already shot about 400 images with it. I thought I had a bad lens at first because I felt the motor was too loud and would continuously run. I have never experience this before with any lens using image stabilization. I talked to Pat at the store I purchased it from and and he was not aware of any such issues. And, of course I bought the only one he’s seen in the store. He pulled out the 80mm macro lens because it has quad linear motor for focusing, where there is a clunking noise when the lens is not powered up. Once the motor is powered up the noise goes away but the motor runs continuously. This is part of their floating focusing system in that lens and is being used more on mirrorless cameras. I have the same clunk with this lens when off the camera but it is very minimal compared to the 80mm macro. All information I have found says the 70-300mm lens has a linear autofocus motor, saying nothing about a floating focus system. What’s the difference? I’m still checking on this. Other than that, this lens seems to be a good addition to my camera bag but left a hole in my wallet.

    Image information: 300mm f8.0 1/450 second and ISO 160; handheld with 70 year old hands and shooting from my car. 😁 No sharpening or clarity on this image.

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  • Black and White,  Camera Equipment,  fountain pens,  Fujifilm X-T3,  John O'Donohue,  Photography,  quotes,  writing/reading

    Giving Thanks

    February 10, 2021

    A gracious mind has compassion and sensitive understanding. It is without greed; rather than concentrating on what is absent or missing, it is able to celebrate and give thanks for what is present.

    John O’Donohue, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace

    It’s 10 degrees outside. Drove to the natural area for the quiet and to journal. Did not stay long, though. Grateful to be warm and inside. Overcast sky and a few snowflakes have been sited. It has that cold wintery feel. And, it’s going to be cold for the next 4 days or so, very cold. I have coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, a new book of poetry (Devotions by Mary Oliver) and plenty of fountain pen ink. I’m good and giving thanks. Stay warm.

    The above image was shot with the Fujifilm Acros film simulation. The Fujifilm website describes Acros as: a recently introduced black & white mode that’s richer in clarity and sharpness, and was inspired by our NEOPAN 100 ACROS film, which was known for its fine grain, rich gradation, and outstanding sharpness. Like the MONOCHROME mode, it’s also available in yellow, red, and green versions, but ACROS also has an embedded graininess that matches the film emulsion original. I like it.

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  • Camera Equipment,  clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  sunrises,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Remain a Student

    January 4, 2021

    arise in darkness
    greet the morning sun
    be present to silence

    ms

    It is becoming quite evident to me that I get the best colors when I shoot between f5.6 – 13.0 when using this Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4.0 lens. I think that is pretty typical for most lenes. For some reason it is more noticeable on this lens or it could just be me and my thinking. And, shooting at f11 gives a much different starburst than at f16.0. I must always remain a student! 👍

    Colors from last night’s sunset
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  • Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  landscape,  mountains,  Photography

    Long Exposure

    December 22, 2020

    Here is my attempt at a photo of the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. I tried going to both Arapaho Bend and Running Deer Natural Areas for photos but half of town was already there. So I ended up taking this last night at about 5:54:03 pm on County Road 90 between County Roads 13 and 15 in Weld County. Exposure data 35mm f4.0 @ 4 seconds, with a tripod. My first long exposure with the Fujifilm X-T3.

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