Nikon – Page 35 – Circadianreflections Blog

Thursday Doors 32/52 Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandmother’s House

August 13, 2016August 13, 2016Posted in Legoland California, Nikon, Photography, Thursday Doors, U. S. Theme ParksTagged California, Legoland, Legos, Little Red Riding Hood, Nikon, Photography, Theme Parks, Thursday Doors19 Comments

Daughter and I took #1 Grandson to Legoland California this week. We spent 3 days visiting the park. It was a first time visit for us, and we all really enjoyed it.

I didn’t get a door post scheduled before I left which means I’m late this week with my post, but I want to get my post out in the week thereof. 🙂

I hoped there would be an interesting door or two and there were!

What luck on the Fairy Land Cruise we spied Little Red Riding Hood knocking on Grandmother’s Door! Grandmother's House Door

When she got inside she noticed that Grandmother had changed since her last visit! But, my oh my Grandmother, what BIG CUPBOARD doors you have! 🙂

Grandmother's House Legoland California

I don’t know how many Lego bricks it took to make Little Red Riding Hood, or the Big Bad Wolf, and a few other pieces in this set, but it and the other builds are incredible!

I have more doors, but will save them for another post.

If you’d like to see other doors posted this week click here. That link will take you over our Thursday Doors host Norm Frampton’s Thursday Door page.

Nikon Df| Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 VR -rental lens| Delkin Digital Film

I’m really, really behind with emails and reading posts. I’ll be catching up this week!

More to come…

Fiery Skipper & Gear Review

August 7, 2016August 7, 2016Posted in Butterflies and Skippers, Camera Gear Reviews, Close Up Photograhy', Insects, Nature Photography, Nikon, PhotographyTagged Butterflies and Skippers, Camera Gear Reviews, Fiery Skipper, Insects, Insects of North America, Lenses, Nature, Nature Photography, Nikkor, Nikon, Photography12 Comments

I’m renting a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G VR lens for a week to see if I like it well enough to replace my older 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-D Micro lens. I sat in the backyard hoping the Skipper would show up so I could see how the lens handles close up imaging with my Canon 500D Close Up lens attached to it.

I really would like 24mm on the wide end, and having a little more reach couldn’t hurt.

I’ve shot less than 200 frames since picking up the lens late Friday afternoon; so far I am liking what I’m seeing.
It’s sharp, contrasty, auto-focuses quickly, and is pretty quiet. I don’t hear or feel VR (Nikon’s lens stablization) kicking in, but it must work b/c I was able to snap off a throw away low light shot made in my living room at 1/13s hand held and it’s pretty good…in focus and not blurry!

It’s easy to carry. It weighs 1.56 pounds which is just a tick under my 17-35mm so, the weight feels natural to me. What I’m trying to say is; I’m comfortable holding it and my camera. There’s not much difference weight wise between having the 28-105 or this lens on the camera to me.

One bête noire is the focus ring on this rental lens is SUPER hard to turn. Doing photography in the dark means one needs to be able to focus manually. While photographing the Moon and planet conjunctions both Friday and Saturday nights it wasn’t easy rotating the focus ring with this copy of the lens. I’m hoping it’s just this rental unit and not a characteristic of the lens. The rental copy has been well used. I can tell that because the gold lettering stating the lens specs is just about worn off, and the focus ring is a pain to use.

I haven’t uploaded last night’s images yet, but hope I was able to dial in a well focused shot. I’ll be posting those images soon.

You won’t get graphs, charts, and scientific testing with my reviews. I’m all about how the lens feels, works in my hands, and how good or bad the images look. I’ll be printing several images as well as pixel peeping on my PC to see how well they look.

My kit this week will be Nikon Df| Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G VR

Canon 500D Close Up lens

B+W Polarizer

2 Singh-Ray Graduated Filters

2 B+W Neutral Density Filters

SB910 Speedlight

Cable Release

Either my Nikkor 20mm f1.8G or my 16mm f/2.8D Fisheye for ultra wide angle photography.

Iphone 5

Both images made with the Nikon Df| Nikkor 24-120mm f4G VR| Canon 500D Close Up lens|Delkin Digital Film| PS CC 2015.5

FWIW: I’ll be off line most of this week. I’m still behind reading posts, and will get further behind this week! I’m getting some posts ready in advance and scheduled, but won’t be able to comment or view posts easily. Y’all have a great week! I’ll catch up when I get back. xx

More to come…

Clark’s Grebes

August 6, 2016August 6, 2016Posted in Birds in the Wild, Birds of North America, Clark's Grebes, Nature Photography, Nikon, PhotographyTagged Bird Photography, Birding, Birds in the Wild, Birds of North America, Clark's Grebes, Grebe Behavior, Grebe Chicks, Nature, Nikon, Photography20 Comments

Today I thought I share some images from my Spring Grebe excursion. We met at 5:45am to get out on the water to see the sun rise over the mountains and get that great light.

We were so fortunate to have a lovely morning with a rosy glow, and the Grebes were up and feeding already as well.

The male Grebes impressed me by how hard they work to feed the family. I’ll try to convey that with some images.

The male making a fish transfer to his mate and a hungry chick poking its head out in anticipation;

Clark's Grebe Pair making fish transfer

…but that little fish was a slippery one and she dropped it, fortunately, she was able to retrieve it quickly!

Clark Grebe Pair

Here a Clark’s Grebe male is just about to make the transfer;

Clark's Grebe Male making Fish Transfer to Female

Here’s a Clark’s Grebe male feeding a fish directly to a chick. That fish looks too big for that tiny bill!

Clark's Grebe Male Transferring Fish to Grebe Chick

With several mouths to feed the male does a whole lot of fishing!

He helps with swimming lessons, and even gives the female a break by allowing the chicks to swim from Mom’s back to his. Western Grebes: Yes, it’s a butt shot. 🙂

Western Grebes

Seeing this was so exciting and so darn adorable!!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm| Lexar Professional Digital Film| PS CC 2015.5

Have a wonderful week-end Everyone!

More to come…

Thursday Doors 31/52 N°213 W.

August 4, 2016August 3, 2016Posted in Churches and Cathedrals, Doors, Manhattan, New York, Nikon, Nikon DF, Photography, Red Doors, Thursday DoorsTagged Catholic Church, Churches, Manhattan, New York, Nikon, Photography, Potted Garden, Red Doors, St John the Baptist Church, steps, Thursday Doors26 Comments

I’m back in my NYC files for this week’s Thursday Doors post.

After walking the Highline and working up an appetite we stopped at a Taco Vendor’s on the Highline and enjoyed street tacos and nachos. Full now we headed back the way we came and we were wondering what to do next when I spotted the Empire State Building’s spire. It didn’t look like it was too far away so, we decided to walk there.

While walking there I spied this red door and had to stop for a picture of it.

St. John the Baptist Church’s Parish Office Door

Red Doors

Right next to it was a garden gate with which led to a side door to the church.

St John the Baptist Church Side Door

I loved the potted garden, and the doors with the clover moulding and pretty stone archway.

I never saw the front of the church or the inside, but wish I had! I have no information about the church building or church I’m afraid.

This post is part of Norm 2.0’s Thursday Doors. If you love doors and would like to see the doors others are posting, or post doors you’ve photographed and join other door lovers from around the world click here.

At the end of Norm’s latest Thursday Door post is a little Blue Link-up/View button click it to be taken to a page with all the links to view all the posts, and add your own if you’re a door enthusiast too.

More to come…

Thursday Doors 30/52 Trinity Lutheran Church

July 28, 2016July 28, 2016Posted in Architecture, Carson Valley, Churches, Gardnerville, NV, Nikon, Photography, Thursday DoorsTagged Architecture, Churches, Doors, Gardnerville, Nevada, Nikon, Photography, Thursday Doors24 Comments

While over in Minden and Gardnerville, Nevada last Saturday we had a bit of time to kill so I cruised around looking for what else? DOORS! 🙂

The Steeple or Tower caught my eye of Trinity Lutheran Church before I knew what it was so He-Man and I made bee-line to the church.

Trinity Lutheran Church

This may have been the front door at one time, but I think they’re using a door on the East side now. There were quite a few cars in the parking lot on that side, and I did see a large glass door, but didn’t venture over there thinking there was something going on…possibly a wedding. I erred on the side of CHICKEN, and stayed on the north side of the building.

I really like the brick work in the arch entryway, and blond doors. I’m also a huge fan of brass kick plates.

Interesting facts/History:

The church was established in 1877. The first Trinity Lutheran Church in Carson Valley.

The first service in the nearly completed first building was in 1895. The official dedication ceremony for the newly built church was in 1897.

In 1899 a 1,020 pound church bell that was cast in France was installed. I’m guessing the tower holds the bell. Sadly, I didn’t hear it while there, but later that afternoon I heard a church bell, and wondered if this was what I was hearing.

In 1918 the use of German was suspended until after World War I.

In 1930 they selected their first building committee, but the Great Depression in 1931 contributed to the collapse of the first building effort.

1941 World War II begins. Many of their members enter the service 3 of which will not make it back.

Kenneth Storke was killed on the island of Luzon in 1945. His Grandfather, Henry Marquat donated the site for a new church also in 1945.

The following year they selected their second building committee, and in early Fall 1953 they held their last service in the old building.

In the fall of 1953 the new church was dedicated.

~trinitygv.com

Door to Trinity Lutheran Church

A side door closer look

Side Door Trinity Lutheran Church

and two plaques that are on the front brick work near the front doors.

Trinity Luthern Church Dedication Plaque

Building Age Plaque Trinity Lutheran Church

The doors are simple yet elegant, and building is beautiful I think.

I’ll be going back to the area before summer is over we’re looking at houses there, and I will stop by the church to see if I can get a look at the East and South sides of the building…and with any luck maybe a peek inside too. One can hope!

More to come…

Torch Lily

July 26, 2016Posted in Bokeh, Flowers, Kniphofia uvaria Torch Lily, Nikon, Non Native Plants and Flowers, Non-Native Plants, PhotographyTagged Flowers, Kniphofia uvaria, Nikon, Non Native Flowers, Photography, Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Tritoma20 Comments

Torch Lily has several common names- Red Hot Poker, and Tritoma, but its real name is Kniphofia uvaria. It gets it’s name Red Hot Poker from the shape of the blossom, and Torch Lily from the blossom, and the shape of its leaves which are similar to the Lily. They get to be quite tall, and can bloom at different times of the growing season. I made this image in the Spring while out birding.

It’s looks amazing against a green or dark background.

Flower Photography

It’s a non-native plant to California. It originated in Cape Provence of South Africa, but it isn’t uncommon here.

When reading about this plant I discovered it’s become invasive in south-eastern Australia and they consider it an environmental weed. I guess it spreads easily damaging native and sensitive ecosystems. It may come to that here too, but it’s pretty, and a show stopper.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2015.5

Heads Up– Adobe PS CC had a Bridge, and Adobe Camera Raw Update today. If you have PS CC just open your cloud thingy and Bob’s your Uncle! I will say since moving to the subscription service Updates are easy.

More to come…

July’s Buck Moon

July 22, 2016July 21, 2016Posted in Astrophotography, Civil Twilight, Moon, Moonrise, Nikon, Photography, Santa Cruz CATagged Astrophotography, Belt of Venus, Buck Moon, Full moon, Hay Moon, Santa Cruz California, Thunder Moon30 Comments

The July Full Moon is called the “Buck Moon” in North America because male Deer are usually beginning to grow their antlers again in July.
The July Full Moon also has two other names. The Hay Moon; July is when Farmers begin storing their Hay, and the Thunder Moon because of the many thunder storms in the month of July.

I made this image in Santa Cruz, CA. The Moon looks large because it’s close to the horizon. Being on the coast there was a lot of moisture/atmosphere in the air, and the fog was slowly rolling in from the southeast so, the Moon looks a bit diffused.

The Moon was so pretty in the pink reflected light of the Belt of Venus. The pink part of the sky after sunset is called the Belt of Venus. It’s a phenomenon that happens after sunset and before sunrise. “The dark band of the Earth’s shadow at dusk and dawn often has a light pink arch above it, known as the Belt of Venus. It extends about 10-20 degrees up from the horizon, acting as a boundary between the shadow and the sky. The effect is due to the reddened sunlight being backscattered in the atmosphere, which produces the rosy glow.”~http://www.howitworksdaily.com/what-is-the-belt-of-venus/

Full Buck Moon

as the Moon rose higher it began to turn more Golden.

Full Buck Moon Twilight

Then it was time to head home.

Nikon Df| Nikkor 200-500mm| Delkin Digital Film| Tripod

More to come…

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