circadianreflections

Moonset and Pigeon Point

March 9, 2012March 9, 2012Posted in Uncategorized4 Comments

Moonset and Pigeon Point, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I had hoped to line up the moon behind the lighthouse this morning, but I botched the alignment of this shot. I hope the next time I try it the sky is as clear as today, and I do a better job of aligning myself and the lighthouse. I have to say even though I botched the alinement I love the the sky. The layers of color were lovey and the soft pink luster the Belt of Venus lent the morning was a gift. It made up for my bad calculation.
I think there will be some of you who think I should crop the top of the sky, but I love the graduated layers of color so I’ve left it as I saw it.

Victoria

March 8, 2012March 8, 2012Posted in iPhoneTagged Apps, Dolls, iphone, Photography, SnapseedLeave a comment

Playing with a new to me iPhone app called Snapseed.

I added a bit of saturation, a vignette, and frame then adjusted the brightness and contrast in Picnik.

I’ve uploaded several iPhone camera apps tonight. They are:
Snapseed
Camera+
Camera
Quickpix
ProCamera
Instagram

and
The Photographers Ephemris

So far I like Pro Camera, Instagram, and Snapseed the best of the camera apps.

I’ve had TPE on my desktop for over a year and love it. I’m sure I’ll love it on my phone too.

What phone camera apps are you using?

Trillium Ovatum

March 7, 2012March 7, 2012Posted in California, Flowers, Nature, Nikon, Photography, TravelTagged Muir Woods National Monument, Nikon, Northern California, Photography, Prime lenses, Travel, WildflowersLeave a comment

Spring is popping up here in Northern California. While in Muir Woods National Monument last week-end I saw quite a few Trillium in bloom. Did you know their common name is Western Wake Robin? I didn’t.

Moire and False Color and the D800/D800E

March 6, 2012Posted in Nikon, PhotographyTagged Nikon, Photography2 Comments

Nikon gives us a lesson on what it is, how it looks, and which camera D800
or D800E is the right choice for you.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Nikon-Camera-Technology/gy43mjgu/1
/Moire-and-False-Color.html

Winter Yosemite February 2012

March 5, 2012March 5, 2012Posted in California, Landscapes, Nature, Nikon, Photography, TravelTagged California, D700, El Capitan, Manual Focus Lenses, Nikon, Photography, The Three Brothers;, Winter, Yosemite National Park2 Comments

This is a very popular photo spot in Yosemite National Park,and while here to shoot the Horsetail Fall annual event we stopped here. A companion whom I drove up with had never been to Yosemite before so this was a “must see” stop for him. Even though I missed the snow in valley, I have to admit the colors, and textures here were marvelous.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 18mm Ai-S| f16| 1/30 sec| ISO 200| Manual mode| Tripod|

Cooper’s Hawk or Bird on a Wire

March 4, 2012March 5, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birds of Prey, California, Coopers Hawk, Hawks, Nikon D700, Photography, Silicon Valley, Wildlife3 Comments

The Copper’s Hawk that I saw in my neighbor’s tree back in late Jan. was on the power lines in my back yard this evening!
I grabbed my camera and hoped he was still there. While I was viewing the playback he flew away and I missed the “in flight” shot. ARG!
I was so excited to see him, but he must be here because there is a pair of nesting Mourning Doves nearby. I suspect he’s after the chicks. I hope he comes back so I get a flight shot, but I don’t want him to get the chicks!

A Ground Dweller

March 4, 2012March 4, 2012Posted in California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, Travel, WildlifeTagged Birds, Burrowing Owl, California, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeLeave a comment

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hanging out in Muir Woods National Monument with several photography friends. Several of them had hoped to see owls, but we hadn’t seen or heard any in the 4 hours we had been in the forest. When we met a fellow photographer Dennis A. and he heard there was an interest in seeing owls he kindly shared with us the location where several pairs of Burrowing Owls live.

My friend Dali who is an avid Raptor/bird photographer was eager to go to see if we could find them, and find them we did. (see his photo of the Burrowing Owl here)

I first spotted the pair and thought they might be Ground Squirrels, but as we pulled around I saw they were a pair of Burrowing Owls perched just outside their nest, and partially hidden by a little patch of tall grass. They’re adorable!

After parking the car and grabbing our gear we quickly but cautiously made our way to the nest. Once spotted the female dove into the burrow, while the male stood guarding the entrance. Not expecting to do any bird photography I wasn’t carrying my longest lens yesterday, so I was not able to get as close a shot as I would have liked, but getting as close as I dared I fired a few shots before the male dove into the burrow. Here he is just before he dove into the burrow.

Once in the burrow the male kept his head out keeping watch. He’s all eyes and beak!

It was quite exciting to see them. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Burrowing Owls.

We crept just a bit too close for his comfort and he disappeared down the burrow not to be seen again.

Dennis said there are several pairs living in this field, and we did spot another pair but they must have received word that we were about because before we even neared half the distance between us and them they dove into their burrow.

While wandering around looking for the owls we did see turtles sunbathing along an irrigation canal. That was an unexpected surprise.

Dennis A. here’s a huge “SHOUT OUT!” for sharing with me and a couple of friends the location to these Burrowing Owls that have made a field in Vacaville, CA. home. Thank you!!!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 180mm f2.8| Induro CT213 Tripod

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