Photography – Page 93 – Circadianreflections Blog

P52 42/52 Lee Vining Creek

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014Posted in Camera Gear, Creeks and Streams, Inyo National Forest, Nikon DF, Photography, Project 52-2014, Slow Shutter SpeedTagged Camera Gear, Creeks and Streams, Eastern Sierras, Nikon Df, Photography, Project 52, Slow Shutter Speed10 Comments

I’m back! I had a lovely 4 days in the Eastern Sierras with friends, Rainey, Rene, Nik, and Jonathan. We got lucky and went when the color was peaking in the spots we visited. I have quite a few images I like from the trip that I’m still rating and tagging, but here’s one image I made yesterday at Lee Vining Creek. It was so nice to see the creeks, and streams with water. All the creeks near my home are bone dry!

I made this image with my new camera: The Nikon Df. I’ve been saving for it since I rented one back in February.

I used it for 4 full days of shooting and it performed very well in daylight, and low light. I love how light it is compared to my D700.

Right now I only have two complaints:

1) Nikon did not provide a LCD screen protector with it, so I need to get one STAT!

2) The battery drained too quickly when shooting the last morning in 26º ambient temps. I’ll have to get a 3rd battery soon.

Other than those two complaints I’m happy with the camera. I hope we have many good years together.

As of now my D300s will either be passed down or possibly sold, and my D700 will be my back-up/second camera.

Image 1) Nikon Df| Nikkor 17-35mm w/B+W 6 stop ND filter

Image 2) Nikon D700| Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D

More to come…

Fairs and Festivals- Renaissance Faire II

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014Posted in Events and Fairs, Fairs and Festivals, Northern California Renaissance Faire, PhotographyTagged Candid Portraits, Fairs and Festivals, Northern California Renaissance Faire, Photography, Renaissance FaireLeave a comment

I am finally getting around to sharing more of the images I took at the Renaissance Faire a couple of weeks ago. Time sure flies I can’t believe two weeks have passed already!

Here’s the Queen listening intently to a Lord in her Court.

A Lady

Details- Lady of the Queen’s Court

A Nobleman or Lord

Plus the Conjurer’s Table

Nikon D700| AF-D Nikkor 85mm f/1.4| Hand-held

More to come…

Life in the Garden-Birds and Butterflies

September 29, 2014Posted in Photography1 Comment

Here are a few images I captured while birding in the backyard last week.

A House Finch on the house ever on the watch from threats from above!

…and the same Finch a few seconds before the image above. ” This is my best side.” 🙂

While waiting for the birds to come to and from the feeders there was a Gulf Fritillary flitting around the Lantana which is still in full bloom.

I haven’t managed to get a good photograph of a butterfly in flight this year. Maybe next year.

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is still coming to the feeder, and I think I spied the first of the Warblers, but it was a quick glance as it landed then flew away. I’m hoping they come winter in my Flowering Plum again this Winter, and there are a couple of squirrels that are entertaining me with their antics, and attempts at breaking into the seed feeder. So far this Feeder has proven to be Squirrel proof. I love it! Here’s an image that gives you an idea of what the feeder looks like. The Squirrels find the pole challenging too. They lose their grip and slide down it a lot. It’s pretty funny watching them try to get to seeds. Don’t worry that they aren’t getting enough to eat. The birds drop plenty of seeds for both the squirrels, and California Towhees.

Nikon D300s| AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4| AF-S Nikkor 14eII Teleconverter| Lexar Professional Digital Film

More to come…

Daybreak in Santa Clara Valley

September 3, 2014September 3, 2014Posted in California, Fine Art, Landscapes, Photography, SunrisesTagged Blue Period Imaging, Daybreak, Fine Art, Lonely Trees, Photography, San Jose California Nature Photographer, Santa Clara Valley, Sunrises5 Comments

I woke up wide awake just before 4AM and before I could talk myself out of a morning “stretch my legs” hike I got up, dressed, ate, and left the house and headed to my lonely tree on the “Steep Hill” overlooking Santa Clara Valley.

Once I got to the top of the hill I set up my camera and took a few images of Blue Period and the little bit of color that was in the sky looking East, and then I heard to my right an Owl Hooting its morning greeting. It wasn’t too long after that the Blue Jays, and Sparrows started their morning songs, and two ladies came up over the top of the hill stretching their legs too with an early morning hike. We chatted a few minutes then they continued up the hill.

I waited for the Sun to crest the Diablo Mountain Range, but just before it did and during the Sun’s rise the colors grew in intensity, and splendor. All the while the Owl and birds continued their morning salutations. It was glorious!
Just a few minutes after this the colors began to fade so, I packed up my gear and hiked up to the tippy top of the hill then headed home for another cup-a-tea.

More to come…

Life in the Garden

August 29, 2014Posted in Birds, California, Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birding, Birds, Butterflies, Insects, Life in the Garden, San Jose California Nature Photographer, Wildlife1 Comment

Most the flowers in my yard have been long gone, but the Lantana continues to grow and bloom! The Fritillary still comes by to sip on the Lantana, and yesterday I had a Skipper of some sort stop by.

Growing under, and around the Lantana I have some wild Scarlet Pimpernel. Most consider this a weed and pull it out, but I let it grow. I like its tiny flowers. They’re only as big as my little finger’s nail.

Change is definitely in the air around here. There are fewer and fewer Finches coming to the Feeder this week. I think they’re beginning to move on. Here’s a male House Finch perched on the feeder. I really like this feeder. It really is Squirrel proof! ( This was shot through a double glass window so it’s a bit soft).

The Anna’s Hummingbirds are still around, but I haven’t been able to get a decent image of them from my window.
I’m going to get myself a blind during the off season so I’m ready for them next Spring.

It’s a Holiday week-end ( Labor Day on Monday) here in the States I hope to get over to the coast, or to some favorite birding places to see if any of the winter birds are starting to arrive. It’s also He-Man’s birthday tomorrow so, I’ll be in the kitchen baking the cake he’s requested: Chocolate cake with custard filling and vanilla frosting.

I hope you all have a great week-end.

Images made with:

Nikon D700 w/ Nikkor 105mm Micro lens, and

Nikon D300s w/ AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 w/Nikkor 14eII Teleconverter

more to come…

P52 35/52 Summer is…

August 26, 2014Posted in Food Photography, Photography, Still Life, Tabletop PhotographyTagged Appetizers, Food Photography, Foodie, Mexican Food, San Jose California Photographer, Strobist, Tabletop Photography, Tex-Mex FoodLeave a comment

…Fresh Chili Peppers!

He-Man picked up a variety of chili peppers at the Farmer’s Market to make his Salsa. This batch is packing some heat that sweetens as it cools, and it has a good after-taste. We snacked on chips & salsa, and chased it down with little bottles of Corona Extra with a lime slice on top which you can’t see. Actually this turned out to be my dinner that night. Miam, miam!

The Smokin’ Grill Cafe

August 25, 2014Posted in Food Photography, Photography, Still LifeTagged Food Photography, Foodie, Indoor Grilling, Salad, Salads, San Jose California Photographer2 Comments

I based the title on the bit of smoke that was coming off the grill. I had to turn the Vent on high and open the sliding glass door. I thought our Smoke Alarm would go off, but it didn’t. 🙂

I grilled the chicken, and He-Man made the green salad. He makes the best salads. They’re always loaded with fresh veggies that he picks up at the Farmer’s Market. This one had Avocado, Cucumber, Orange, Yellow, and Red Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Tomatoes, and Radishes. There were so many good veggies there wasn’t much room for the lettuce! To top it off he tossed in some Parmesan Cheese. I sliced up a Grilled chicken breast tenderloin on top of my salad. I dressed it with a little Balsamic Vinegar. I’m stuffed!

Nikon D700| AF-D Nikkor 85mm f1.4D | Hand-held| SB910 camera right front high 1/32 pwr bounced off ceiling 45º

I’ve been photographing a lot of food lately which I’ll be sharing. I’m having fun, lighting, and learning to stage it, and I get to eat it when done taking the photo. 🙂

more to come…

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