2013, Day 211 - Spiked tower

I am obsessed with flowers right now.  We've had such a mild summer that they are lasting much longer than the normally would and I am taking full advantage.  When I came upon this flower I couldn't help but take a few pictures.  The colors are so vibrant and they contrast so well that it practically begs to be photographed.  These kinds of discoveries are one of the reason I love to wander, you would never see this flower from a car and probably not from a bike either but on foot it is easy to see the world in macro.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/1250 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 210 - Hammock

I love the cool summer mornings.  The flowers and in bloom and the chilled bees nap on flowers like they're hammocks swaying gently in the breeze.  This guy was just waking up when I found him looking for breakfast.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/400 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 209 - Stuggling

I love these little green bees.  They look like they're made of gold and emeralds, little flying jewels.  You can see in this photo how much smaller this green sweat bee is than a honey bee and they compete for the same food sources on the same flowers.  The fact that he is buried in the purple flower of an artichoke just heightens the contrast and keeps things colorful.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/320 sec @ 1600 ISO

2013, Day 208 - Return of the turtle

Another day of racing and another turtle award!  Yup, Frankie came in dead last again although this time his normal running companions weren't able to make it so he had much tougher competition than usual.  Being the generous guy that he is Frankie gave his turtle award to the puppies who love toys more than he does.  The little man is passed out on the sofa behind me as I type; he has a lot of fun and tries his best even though he errs on the side of "slow and stylish."

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f5.6, 1/2500 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 207 - Gums flying

The fun thing I found about lure coursing is that the dogs don't wear muzzles.  They don't run tightly packed so I suppose it isn't considered necessary.  Normally a muzzle wouldn't allow the dog's face to fly like this but I love it.  She isn't upset, her face is relaxed and the motion of her running combined with raw speed is pushing back her flew (lips).  Think of Jeremy Clarkson driving a track-day vehicle or elite runners.  She did great, it was a really nice run and I got some fun pictures in the process.

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f4, 1/5000 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 206 - Freight train

This is Frankie's brother Sand lure coursing.  Although they're both handsome Sand is a really solid boy, he is about the same height but literally twice Frankie's width.  He is a freight train; Sand builds momentum quickly and there is absolutely no stopping him.  This boy LOVES to run and even though he has more weight to move than most dogs his size he has so much heart, so much drive, that they can't keep up.  Here he's barking at the lure to let it know who's boss!

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f4, 1/5000 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 205 - Dry anemone

This is a macro photo of an artichoke in bloom.  When I saw it all I could think is that the ocean has visited us on land and anemones can now survive without water.  If you look closely at the left side just below the middle you can see a bee collecting pollen deep within the flower's tentacles.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f4, 1/350 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 204 - Handler

A couple weeks ago when Frankie last raced there was also a conformation shop.  He is a non-conformist so we didn't participate but we did attend briefly.  It was fun watching Patty show her junior "handler."  As you can see, she is firmly in control of the leash :)

Canon 7D, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
75mm, f5.6, 1/2000 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 203 - Sleepy bee

Another day, another bee.  They are endearing early in the morning as they wake up when the temperature rises.  They're like sullen sleepy teenagers trying to get moving but struggling with the effort.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f5.6, 1/240 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 202 - BIF

I took a nice walk this morning and found one of my neighbors planted artichokes.  They're flowering right now and the bees are in seventh heaven.  It's fun to watch them dive in and out of the flower so I spent a few minutes to try to capture the bees in flight.  That is no easy task as they zip around like they're on speed thanks to the orgy of feeding at these massive blossoms.  I got a few good shots but this one is my favorite.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f4, 1/950 sec @ 1250 ISO

2013, Day 201 - Florets

Yellow flowers practically scream summer.  They raise their faces to the sun and both watch each other.  Bees and flies alight on their delicate petals in search of pollen and flit off to the next bloom.  Soon their worship of the sun will end as their petals wilt and the rot seeps in until all that remains are husks.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f5.6, 1/350 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 200 - Abort!

It's hard to believe I've had Hubert for over four years!  He came to me a nervous two year-old with the most beautiful blue coat and now he is the household terror with a graying face.  Bort smiles, something not very common among dogs, contrary to popular belief.  When he smiles his flew (dog for lip) pulls back and he shows teeth; this is usually accompanied by running back and forth and tremendous tail wagging.  Hubert is the life of the house and a tremendous pain in the butt and that is why I love him.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 18-55/f2.8-4
55mm, f4, 1/30 sec @ 800 ISO

2013, Day 199 - Down in the dell

Before the start of a busy day I ran out to the gorge to take a short hike and a few pictures.  Although I only had about an hour it was great to be outdoors in the fresh air the the breeze off the Columbia River.  One of my stopping points was Shepperd's Dell.  There was no one else there so I took in the view for a little while before heading back into town to resume the day's obligations.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 14/f2.8
14mm, f8, merged layers of 1/3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.3 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 198 - Rivalry

These two are not quite six months old and although they have a little more growing to do they are just stunning.  Mocha, the little girl about to be eaten by her sister, looks just like her mom.  Pagani is a bit of a monster but she is a happy girl who knows no fear.  She demanded to be with the adults when she was three months old and when it came to play time they were afraid of her instead of the other way around.  I don't know if they're going to be fast but they sure love to run!

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f7.1, 1/1600 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 197 - Glow of vitality

The idea of flowers, when you really think about it, is rather disturbing.  They are the reproductive parts of plants, many grow from one organism at a time, they spread their genetic code, and then fall off.  Yes, they will regrow, but I find the though a little disconcerting.  Oh well, they're pretty and that's all that matters.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f5.6, 1/140 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 196 - Feasting

Although the temperature was almost ninety degrees today we had some nice cloud cover and a little bit of a breeze which means beautiful diffused light.  The flowers are in bloom and they are being constantly visited by insects of all types.  I love bees, maybe it is their large eyes and fuzzy bodies or perhaps it is because they are such great pollenators and essential parts of the ecosystem, I don't really know, but when I saw how this image turned out I knew it would be the one I shared today.

I am still loving this little Fuji.  The lenses are so sharp and the sensor captures colors beautifully.  They process so nicely, so predictably, they are compliant and easy to work with.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f4, 1/150 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 195 - Reaching

One rises above the rest.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f2.8, 1/4000 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 194 - Muppet racing

Today Frankie got his first ribbon!  We went lure coursing which is much more suited to his style of running, beautiful but slow.  It is a very subjective thing but it isn't all about speed which means he was able secure the ranking of next best qualified; it means he came in fifth in a very competitive field including some of the best racers in the country.

It was an all breed event so we had some whippets, an Italian greyhound, a couple of Rhodesian ridgebacks, and an afghan hound.  His name is Lil Mo and he is a bit of a chicken.  At check in Mo had to let someone other than Mom touch him which he found rather traumatic but he chased really well.  Given the heat Mo has been partially shaved and looked much like a giant Fraggle running around the track.  I wish there were more muppets to race because I like taking their pictures.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/8000 sec @ 320 ISO

2013, Day 193 - Broken streak

Sadly Frankie broke his streak today.  He has been consistently last in all of his races of the recent past.  This afternoon his half-sister Kira took his crown and became "The Turtle."  Actually Frankie had a great start to the day but he is a man of leisure and he got tired pretty quickly but had a great time in the process.  Even some folks who just came as spectators were impressed with the way he carriers himself.  Yup, he is pretty but not especially competitive.  As we wrapped up today's racing the scattered cloud cover really put on a show so I stopped to take a picture.  Oregon summers are the best!

Canon EOS M, Canon 22/f2
22mm, f8, 1/1000 sec @ 1000 ISO

2013, Day 192 - Aspiration

Little miss Whisper got a chance to strut her stuff as a show dog this afternoon.  She was so happy in the ring, her tail never stopped wagging.  Unfortunately she was being measured against the triplets, three half Finnish girls that have their mother's grace and beauty.  Poor Whisper came in fourth but she definitely wins for Miss Congeniality because her personality just sparkled!

Canon 7D, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f5.6, 1/1600 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 191 - Mirrored armor

I know these are the same green bottle flies that I see on dog poop but they're still pretty.  That exoskeleton is so mirror bright and shiny!  They're like the peacocks with those dazzling colors :)

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f5.6, 1/170 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 190 - Sarlacc

There is beauty in simplicity.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f8, 1/210 sec @ 200 ISO

2013, Day 189 - Rotate

This morning I got my oil changed and tires rotated.  A couple years ago a neighbor of mine recommended a this shop to me, he said that the owners are honest and they do good work.  Not only that but they are quite popular and even though they can always squeeze you in the service isn't lightning fast.  But they're meticulous and that extra time allows me an opportunity to take a few pictures of their shop.  The old concrete block walls have such great texture I had to work it in.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 35/f1.4
35mm, f1.4, 1/200 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 188 - Tangled web

I get to scout so many macro possibilities while walking the dogs.  This morning, less than a block from my house, I noticed that one of the neighbors has large day lilies blooming in their yard.  One caught my eye because of the pollen floating on the web of a small spider.  I finished walking the dogs and grabbed my camera before dashing back out the door.  This little guy was kind enough to stay still long enough for me to get a few good frames before scuttling away deeper into the flower.  Happy macro Monday!

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS with 12mm Extension Tube
100mm, f5.6, 1/160 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 187 - Landed

It was a lovely mild day so I took my camera for a walk.  When it is cool the insects move more slowly and are much more corporative subjects.  This hover fly was quite content to browse this flower methodically and allowed me time to take a number of photographs.  I watched while he moved from one floret to the next patiently collecting the nectar offered, like a meticulous little feast of tiny morsels.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f4, 1/350 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 186 - Repose

I was playing with the in-camera conversion today and tried Frankie converted to B&W with a red filter.  It turned out rather well and all I did was a little levels adjustment to brighten it up as I tend to underexpose by half a stop.  I like to capture his left side, not that it is his "good side" but rather because his left eye is blue and it just stands out, even in black and white.  Hopefully he will rest up this week because next weekend he is going racing.  Frankie might be rotten but he loves it and puts on quite a show.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 35/f1.4
35mm, f1.4, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 185 - Trot

I went with my buddy Chris to meet up with Julie, my friend and the official photographer for Team NW, at the Country Classic Preview.  Our timing just just off, all morning there was a nice layer of cloud cover allowing to great shooting from all angles but once we arrived the clouds broke.  Oh well, you make the best of what you've got and while I was able to get some good shots of the jumps I liked a series of riders walking, trotting, then cantering around the arena.  It allowed me to choose my angle with the background in mind and although backlit I got some shots I like such as the one below.  I had fun experimenting and although I hadn't planned on it I might go back in the morning to play just a little bit more...

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f2.8, 1/1000 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 184 - Festivities

Although I am not a fan of fireworks because of how they affect the dogs I appreciate the way Portland puts on a show.  People line the waterfront and they launch the pyrotechnics from a barge in the middle of the river.  Clear nights are all well and good but a cloudy even is so much more dramatic and is more impressive that some pretty lights in the sky that leave clouds of noxious smoke behind.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
21mm, f4, HDR of 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, 1/13, and 1/6 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 183 - Anxiety

It's that time of year again, the 4th of July.  The dogs hate it and, with time, it has become a stressful holiday for me as well.  No sleep because of all the noise, the neighbors invariably having some kind of minor fire started by their illegal fireworks, walking the dogs early and playing bad movies way to loud to drown out the noise.  And it wouldn't be bad if it were only one night but the celebration goes on for night after night often over the span of a week or more which means the trauma continues.  It gets bad enough that Stubbs, my sweet old man, will refuse to go outside after dark for months, literally.  Last year it took three months before he would willingly go outside after dark.  So make sure that the doors are locked, the windows are closed, the dog door is shut and that your pets are safe.  Blow off part of your own hand for all I care, but make sure your celebrations don't hurt anyone or anything else.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 35/f1.4
35mm, f1.4, 1/40 sec @ 800 ISO

2013, Day 182 - Longing

I know I was getting tired of the rain but this heat is brutal.  Well, not really that bad, but a twenty degree jump in temperature is a lot to handle.  The dogs hate it and I am such a terrible worrier and that fuss over them.  So I think back to the winter, as the world was turning bright green, and it is refreshing.  I can almost feel the mist coming off the falls and cooling me right now...

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f8, merged layers of 1/2, 1, 2, and 4 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 181 - Wilting

It is scorching and the petals are all falling off the poppies.  They were my friend, nodding hello in the morning breeze as I walked the dogs past, but now they're gone and in their place is a blackened stem.

Fuji X-E1, Fuji 60/f2.4
60mm, f5.6, 1/320 sec @ 200 ISO