2013, Day 150 - Climbing fungus

It's all about the details.  That's why I love photography, you can make a big deal out of a small detail.  Nicole and I found these mushrooms growing out of the side of a mossy tree and I couldn't help myself.  I love mushrooms, not to eat although I like them that way too, I just think that they grow in special places where gnomes live and them my imagination runs wild.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f8, 1/320 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 149 - False luck

This is wood sorrel, a clover shaped plant with tuberous roots.  The plant itself is edible though noted to mildly toxic.  I don't know how much one would have to eat in order to feel any ill effects but it might be wise to moderate your intake.  In the direct sun the leaves will fold back as it does not like the harsh light but the will reopen as the light diminishes.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
41mm, f5.6, 1/160 sec @ 1000 ISO

2013, Day 148 - Reflected glory

The Rose Festival continues and the calendar of events can be found on their website.  It is probably the biggest event of the year in Portland although probably not the best.  Still, it is good enough to rank in the top ten of summer festivals in the nation.  For my part, I would rather attend the Bite of Portland or any of the other great food-based celebrations.  Still, they don't have fireworks!

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, 2 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 147 - Motoring

Why is it that we see so few motorbikes in this country?  Every day you see people driving around by themselves in huge vehicles that are eagerly guzzling down fuel but when you visit SE Asia most people travel on motorbikes and borrow or hire cars when necessary.  Granted they don't make runs to Costco to fill their fallout shelter but it just seems so efficient and that efficiency is elegant.  Maybe I should get a motorcycle license, for as much good as it will do me in the waterlogged state that is Oregon...

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/1000 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 146 - Chewy

What a healthy snack?  Try dried squid!  It's like a fishy sort of jerky; low in fat, high in protein, a great after workout snack.  Sadly, not my cup of tea but try serving it at your next BBQ as a snack.  You can often find it shredded and, in that form, it loses its distinct appearance which may make it more appealing to western palettes.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
70mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 145 - Fishwife

Nothing quite like waiting for customers when you have goods to sell.  Worse when those goods are perishable.  I love how this woman looks lost in thought.  What is she thinking about?  Is it idle musing or a serious issue?  Maybe planning for the wedding of a family member or thinking about what to make for dinner.  I suspect it is something benign, she doesn't look worried, just lost in thought.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
67mm, f5.6, 1/320 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 144 - Kaboom!

I have a bone to pick with some of these fireworks providers.  For the life of me I can't understand why they rush the display.  Sometimes there are so many in the air at once that it looks like a huge mess, other times they are completely obscured by clouds of smoke from the previous volley.  Why don't they take a longer pause between explosions, draw out the display, and make it all that much more worthwhile?  Furthermore, why wait until ten o'clock to start?  It is plenty dark enough at nine fifteen and then you could see a little more of the city.  They really should consult photographers about these things...

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, 1 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 143 - Waiting

Tonight was the kickoff the the Rose Festival which mean fireworks!  I went with my friends Julie and Nicole to stake out our spots and while we waited for the action to start I tossed on a little black glass and set up a long exposure.  These filters give a definite blue cast but I like it, there is a cool moodiness to the images.  I don't know if I got any good fireworks shots this year, the barge was in a new location and possibly too close but I will look more closely another time...

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
18mm, f10, 5 min @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 142 - Snack

When out in the country we saw baskets of fish like these left out in the sun.  I suspect not for long, just until the skin starts to wrinkle but while the scales still reflect light.  They remind me of canned sardines, I am sure after a day in the hot sun the flesh is tender and delicate enough to fall off the fine bones.  Maybe they would be tasty with a little lime, salt, and chili flakes.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
47mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 1600 ISO

2013, Day 141 - Tropic sunset

Clouds are a key ingredient for a good sunset picture.  This was taken on the country roads outside Battambang in Cambodia.  It has been a long day and our guide took us out of the city to watch the sun set over the rice paddies.  The later it got the more dramatic the colors and this was taken out of the back of our van as we trundled back into town for dinner.  Fortunately the sun was setting early, about 5:30 so it wasn't late and it gives an ample opportunity to capture the sun's descent even if you've spent the day running around in the heat to see the sights.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/500 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 140 - Conflicted

It is still raining.  We've had month and months of rain broken by a week and a half of summer-like warmth and sunshine.  Frankie could use a good sprint but he doesn't like to get his feet wet.  Puddles, he leaps over, dodges around, or stands in front of looking pathetic when they're too big.  I think we would all like to kick up our heels and have some clear weather.  Unfortunately that usually means higher temperatures and I would rather it be cool.  I suppose it wouldn't be the Pacific Northwest if we weren't complaining about the weather for one reason or another.

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f4L IS
300mm, f5.6, 1/1000 sec @ 125 ISO

2013, Day 139 - Don't roll

You know the old saying "A rolling stone gathers no moss," well I don't think these stones have moved in quite some time.  It's an odd saying really, like saying someone who moves constantly has no home.  Or  perhaps it means that those who constantly move keep things fresh and new.  Either way, in the lush woods of the Pacific NW you will find moss everywhere like a thick carpet of vibrant green.  Ruckle Creek is no exception and in this image I wanted to include the tall slender trees so that the canopy can be clearly seem.  Places like this make me love my home ever more, I suspect I am starting to gather some moss...

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f11, merged layers of 1, 4, and 8 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 138 - Taking the plunge

Multnomah Falls is the icon of the Columbia River Gorge.  It is the 137th tallest waterfall in the United States and reputed to be the second tallest year-round waterfall.  When looking down from the bridge that crosses above the lower falls you can look over the edge and see the relatively short seventy foot plunge into the pool at the bottom.  You are hit from behind by the spray of the upper falls after the water plummets over 540 feet.  Some years the falls have frozen when the winter weather is particularly brutal but icy conditions make it difficult to reach the falls and capture the phenomena.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
22mm, f11, merged layers of 1/8 and 1/4 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 137 - Falling with friends

One of the things I like most about photography is the community.  A few days ago I went out to Ruckle Creek with my friends Nicole and Kurt.  When we arrived at the falls right below the bridge there was another photographer.  Given that no one owns a location we worked around each other and got to chatting.  There is an almost innate bond between photographers and we probably talked more than we took pictures but we all had a great time.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
21mm, f11, merged layers of 2, 4, and 8 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 136 - Flaming blossoms

As the sun rose last week I came across these poppies with their flowers turning to the warm morning light.  They looked so pretty illuminated like little orange lanterns bobbing in the gentle breeze.  It was almost hypnotic watching them sway and dance.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/2000 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 135 - Tracks

This is a macro image of the edge of a jellyfish.  I like what I can only describe as veins as I suspect they must transmit some like of fluid.  It is interesting and rather abstract, especially with the magenta light used to illuminate the tank.

Canon 7D, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f2.8, 1/80 sec @ 1000 ISO

2013, Day 134 - Flowering vino

I took this picture a few weeks ago of our beloved Oregon grape flowering.  Not a member of the grape family at all, Oregon grape is more closely related to holly.  The leaves have the same spiky shape but without the rigidity of most hollies.  They flower abundantly in the early spring and after there is a small  black berry from which it derives its name.  Below is pictured the state flower of Oregon.

Canon 7D, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/2000 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 133 - Balding

Just like me, this dandelion is balding.  I am not normally a vain person but this did come as a bit of a blow to my ego.  How it is that I cannot have anticipated this eventuality is hard to fathom; it runs in the family.  Oh well, a good set of clippers and you quickly accept the inevitable.  While I would not mind having my hair back I hardly notice.  Change in inevitable and, like balding, if you fight it you often look the fool, but if you accept it then your dignity may remain intact.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100//f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/100 sec @ 800 ISO

2013, Day 132 - Print

I don't know why but when I look at these flowers I expect Bea Arthur to walk into the room wearing a floral print dress with peach colored flowers.  Maybe I love the 80s too much or just rather masculine women but there is something distinctly 80s Laura Ashley about these flowers...

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/400 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 131 - Grand dame

Oh Suzie, you're such a nut!  At fourteen years old she still thinks she is a puppy and even though she is almost completely deaf Suzie still play with the puppies and romps with the big dogs.  I don't think she'll ever grow up although she may be more of an eccentric and senile old lady than a puppy.  Either way she is a really happy girl who is tons of fun and has numerous kids and grandkids that are champions.  In fact, she is a great grandmother now and I am sure she will be playing with those pups soon :)

Happy mother's day Suzie!

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f8, 1/200 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 130 - Baby daddy

This handsome guy is Nike.  He recently became a father and produced four stunning little girls.  They are so smart they house-broke themselves!  All four are keen to chase the lure and show the best parts of both their parents.  I suspect Nike may end up having a few more kids in the future as his first are just amazing.

I took this photo a few weeks ago to help my friend (breeder of darling Frankie) to update her website.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f8, 1/200 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 129 - Business as usual

While visiting the small temple at the top of Bokor we discovered a couple monkeys relaxing on a stone wall.  They were grooming each other when we came upon them but, as they started to attract a crowd, the pressure to perform increased.  Soon they were riffling through the back of a pickup for sugarcane and, when chased away by the owner, they mounted a scooter.  There they two monkeys opened up the storage compartments, checked themselves out in the mirrors and generally had a great time.  Such curious creatures and while they delighted most of the onlookers I am sure they can be destructive forces of nature.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
180mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 128 - Crouching spider

The hatch continues.  In my house there are a few lamps with LED bulbs that I leave on all the time.  The light invariably attracts insects and to capitalize on the available food spiders make their homes nearby.  This guy is one of three I found in the kitchen.  He was rather defensive and didn't appreciate my attention but when I was done he and his friends were relocated into the garden.  They may migrate in again but I will put them right back outside.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f11, 1/200 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 127 - No birds but

The mason bees have been busy for a while but the honey bees are just starting to emerge.  Warm weather has coaxed them out into the world and they are just starting to show their industrious nature.  Sadly for them the clouds have returned for a few days so I don't expect to see them out in force just yet.  It suppose it gives me time to plant a little more in my new front yard just for them even if it won't be a destination for another year or more...

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/640 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 126 - Boing boing boing

After the small jumping spider yesterday when I found this little guy enjoying the morning sun I couldn't resist.  He came into my little studio and showed off his skill at leaping great distances.  Although quite small and rather busy he was relatively easy to wrangle and mostly cooperative.  Spiders have a season in Portland and it is starting already.  They are appearing all over the place and in a few months they will have grown quite large but for now they are small and cute.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f11, 1/250 sec @ 160 ISO

2013, Day 125 - Ready to spring

I found this little spider as I was examining some lilies of the valley.  Out of the corner of my eye I caught some movement and, leaping from leaf to leaf, there was this tiny spider.  He is about the size of half a grain of rice and he wasn't the most cooperative subject but I like the swirl of green in the leaves so I decided to share his portrait in the wider view.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/100 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 124 - Glacier

One of my neighbors has truck that they consider a beater.  It goes to the dump, picks up soil, is lent to people for moves, it is a good old work truck.  A few days ago, on the way to the dump, they had to stop suddenly and an old oven tipped into the window in the back and it broke.  No one was hurt but being tempered glass it all cracked.  I like the breaks throughout and how the way it has fallen apart has left a pinnacle reaching upward.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/640 sec @ 500 ISO

2013, Day 123 - Claws in the air

The little coastal town of Kep is famous as a derelict site of French colonial holiday makers.  Though it has seen better times the town is turning around and tourism is on the rise.  There are still many villas abandoned along the waterfront that have been snapped up by investors after the fall of the Khmer Rouge.  It is a tranquil place where the people make a living off of the ocean.  They are accomplished fishermen and crabbers.  That is one of the biggest draws to this small community, the fresh delicious crab.

You can sit at a small restaurant on the beach and watch them unload the crabs moments before they are delivered to your table smothered in a savory sauce laden with Kampot's famous pepper corns.  Basins of warm scented water are left at the table so you can wash up a big after gorging on these delicately sweet crustaceans.  So important is crab to the local economy that they have erected a massive statute these amazing animals.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
34mm, f2.8, merged layers of 6 and 25 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 122 - Vice

On our way our of Siem Reap we stopped at one of the wood carving villages to take a look around.  Sadly there is only so much we can cram into a small car so we didn't buy anything but it was interesting watching them work.  It looks like a good way to lose a foot but the end result was pretty amazing.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
70mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 121 - Gallery

This is one of the many crumbling courtyards in the sprawling complex of Beng Mealea.  Today the temple is held together and torn apart by the jungle.  Architecturally, as my friend Araceli pointed out, it lacks the sophisticated reinforcement and redundancy found in the later temples but the artistry is exquisite.  Being that this temple seems to have been something of an experiment it is a little startling to find it so exceptional.  It is like a study that would be the foundation for all other and, as such, it possesses a splendor that is exceptional in this land of ancient architectural marvels.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f8, merged layers of 1/100, 1/25, 1/13, and 1/6 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 120 - Bells are ringing

I've always like the delicate structure of Lily of the Valley.  The delicate bell-shaped flowers are so bright compared to the rich green foliage.  It doesn't hurt that they like shady woodland locations and so provide an interesting bright spot amongst all the other shade-loving plants.  I would be very tempted to plant some in my yard but I am trying to strictly adhere to my native-only theme but these little gems weaken my resolve.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/200 sec @ 320 ISO