Category: Photography

Wild Berry Blossom Redeux

Posted in Flowers, iPhone 7 Plus, iphonegraphy, Macro Photography, Nikon, Photography, WildflowersTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 33 Comments

Copyright © Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

While I was at home all week-end chillin I decided to have some fun with an image and a couple of my iPhone apps.

The image itself is a wild berry blossom that I photographed in late April while out birding.

Wild berry blossom Spring

At the beginning of this month I emailed myself a copy of the image to get it on my iPhone 7+, and yesterday had a play with two of my apps.

First I distorted the image using the app Tiny Planet, then I added a couple of Textures using the app Distressed FX

Cultivated Flowers

I really like look the Textures added to the image. It looks more artistic don’t you think? Do you have a preference of one over the other?  I’m really having fun with the creative opportunities these two apps have opened up to me.

Just to let you know I’m not affiliated with either of these app companies. I bought them both with my own money, and they don’t give me anything for mentioning or using their products.  I’m just sharing the links in case you’re interested in checking them out yourself.

Oh, I used Snapseed to put on my Copyright watermark on the bottom image. I’m not affiliated with that company either. 

Thank you all for your thoughts, and lovely wishes for me and my family to get well soon.  Thankfully, we’re all over the bug, and hope it doesn’t return anytime soon!

I hope you all have a lovely week!

Nikon D700| iPhone 7 Plus| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 207| Tiny Planet app| Distressed FX app

more to come…

 

 

 

American Bald Eagle & Me

Posted in Bald Eagles, Birds, Birds in Flight, Birds in the Wild, Birds of North America, Nikon, PhotographyTagged , , , , , 33 Comments

Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I was birding on Saturday June 3rd looking for an Indigo Bunting and upon my arrival to the location soaring over my head was an American Bald Eagle! That’s a big deal in Santa Clara County. Eagles have been making a comeback here for the last few years which is super exciting to birders, but there are still only a handful here.

Anyway, it flew across the pond to a grove of tall trees and perched there and looked like he/or she was settled in for a long rest.  I watched it for sometime then moved to the grassy area to photograph Western Bluebirds which I’ll be sharing soon.

Then I followed some Red-winged Blackbirds a bit then turned around to check on the Eagle and OMG! It was flying right for me!

I brought my camera up to my face in lighting speed, and fired off a burst of images following its flight path.  We made eye to camera lens contact, then it veered right and headed for the northern hills, and I lost it.  I was doing my happy dance! Isn’t that wing span somethin’?

Click on the image to see it better. WP compression isn’t working for me again. 😦  I may have to mess around with image sizes again to find something that looks good without having to click on an image.

I received my 200-500mm back from Nikon Service on Thursday, but I haven’t felt good enough to get out with it.  I hope tomorrow this bug is over being in my system so I can go out and play!

Hope you all are having a great start to your week-end!

Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017

more to come…

 

Our resident Lizard

Posted in Lizards, Photography, Reptiles, Santa Clara County, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , 31 Comments

Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This Lizard and one more live in our backyard.  I think they’re Western Fence Lizards and this one is a female because I’m not seeing bright blue at her throat or belly, but I’m not positive.  The coloring and scales match the description, but… I’m guessing; nothing else in my book even comes close to matching our backyard lizards.

They like to bask in the sun on the warm cement bricks of our garden borders and retaining wall.

This one came right up to the end of the border next to the sliding glass door the other day. Luckily I had my camera nearby.  We’ve named her Lizzy the Lizard.

Western Fence Lizard

 

Daughter came home with a bug on Wednesday, and #1 Grandson came down with it yesterday.  I’ve had a dull headache and no appetite all Thursday.  I fear I’m next! That could seriously wreck my photography plans this week-end. 😦  I’m hoping it’s just the change in the barometer (it dropped) affecting me and not the bug.  It’s been really gray, overcast, and a bit chilly.  There was rain in the forecast yesterday, but it never did rain.

I hope you all have a wonderful week-end, and stay healthy!

Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4 @8| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017

more to come…

 

 

 

WW 22/52: The Last Train Car to the Stars

Posted in Astro-Photography, Nikon, Photography, Star Trails, Starry Night, Wordless WednesdayTagged , , , , , , , , , , 28 Comments

Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Last Train Car to the Stars

 

Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G | Hoodman Digital Film| 39 frames @ 30s  ea.|

PS CC 2017

more to come…

Gallery

Memorial Day 2017

Posted in Holidays and Observances, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , 10 Comments

I’m sharing the post GP Cox put together. It’s a beautiful and poignant post today in Remembrance of Memorial Day, and all those who served…for us.

Never forget!

GP's avatarPacific Paratrooper

MEMORIAL DAY.

WHO DO YOU SAY THANK YOU TO?

Should you care to see Memorial Day posts from past years ____

Michael’s Tree – planted by Lavinia & Rick Ross in honor of my son, Michael USMC.

2016

2015(1) and 2015 (2)

2014

2013

#######################################################################################

Farewell Salutes –

Jacob Baboian – Watertown, MA; US Army, WWII, ETO

Thomas Coughlin – Portland, OR; US Army, WWII, Corps of Engineers

Lamar Day – Salt Lake City, UT; US Navy, WWWII, PTO, USS John Pope

Edward Flora – Mishawaka, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, A/674th Artillery/11th Airborne Division

Earle Garlinger – Roswell, NM; US Army Air Corps, WWII, (Ret. 21 years)

Harold Kline – Charlotte, NC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 737th/454/15th Air Force

James O’Leary – Manchester, NH; USMC, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis

Michael Sadlo – Hollywood, FL; USMC, Pfc

Everett Smith – Broad Channel, NY; US Army…

View original post 32 more words

Flowers and Knee Update

Posted in Blur, Cultivated Flowers, Flowers, LensBaby Composer Pro II, Nikon, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , , , , , 45 Comments

Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

While taking it easy and resting my knee from last Fridays fall while hiking I’ve been going through flower images from this Spring, and having a lot of fun photographing the bouquets my daughter and I received for our birthdays, and Mother’s Day.

I took one big blossom…I’m not sure what it is; a Dahlia? Anyway, I took it out in backyard and stuck it in my little Asters one afternoon and photographed it with my LensBaby Composer Pro and Soft Focus Optic.

Flower with LensBaby

I love this swirly blur!

My knee is still tender, and a little swollen, but the limp is nearly gone.  It’s time to go to the fabric store to find a knee patch for my hiking pants.  I haven’t had a knee patch since I was a girl, but I hate to give up a favorite pair of hiking pants for a little rip in the knee.

I also signed up for two online watercolor classes. I’m previewing the classes now so I can purchase any materials I don’t have but will need, and have a look at what I’ve taken on. I’m planning to do these during summer so will start them in June.  One class is on birds, and the other landscapes.

Big Baby Boy and his Dark Haired Beauty are coming home for the long week-end.  We’re going to have Baby Girl’s Birthday Dinner since we missed that this year because she and #1 Grandson were on vacation.  I’m pretty sure she’s chosen Mexican food, and we’re planning to BBQ on Monday. He-Man bought Tri-tip and burgers.

I’m off to get my photography, and art stuff put away and tidy up the retreat for Big Baby Boy, and Dark Haired Beauty then do the rest of the grocery shopping for the week-end.  I’ll be mostly offline over the week-end, but will catch up with you all next week!

I wish you all a wonderful, and safe week-end!

Nikon D810| LensBaby Composer Pro w/Soft Focus Optic @f/5.6| Hoodman Digital Film|PS CC 2017

More to come…