2014, Day 31 - Party falls

I am getting anxious to get out and make new photographs again.  Work has been crazy and that has been, mostly, a good thing but it leaves me with little time to do the things I would like to do.  It's hard to be upset though when so many people are struggling to keep food on the table so I have decided that, until things calm down a little bit, I am going to be okay with delving into my archives of unprocessed photos.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
28mm, f2.8, merged layers of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 30 sec @ 320 ISO

2014, Day 30 - Patience

My sweet simple Johan.  He isn't playing with a full deck and sometimes simple things confuse him be he is one of the happiest most loyal and cuddly dogs you'll ever meet.  Unfortunately he is also one of the gassiest dogs as well but we all have our flaws.

This portrait was taken with my Canon EOS M.  It's funny how the press raked this camera over the coals because of its shortcomings.  Admittedly it is far from perfect but it is tiny, the image quality is great, and the autofocus, while not particularly fast, is very accurate.  Plus with the adapter I can use all of my big Canon glass on it and it becomes a tiny backup body.  It is much maligned and completely under-appreciated.

Canon EOS M, Canon 24/f1.4L Mark II
24mm, f1.4, 1/40 sec @ 4000 ISO

2014, Day 29 - Dewy

I'm feeling floral so the trend continues.  More dahlias, like many flowers that are relatively short-lived when they are at their peak they are flawless but when their time has passed they go downhill pretty quickly.  I guess perfection is fleeting but that is why I love photography, capturing those moments that we take for granted until they're gone.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/80 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 28 - Spying

There is something about the big eyes and fuzzy pedipalps that make jumping spiders the teddybears of the arachnid family.  I've always been taken with them, I like watching them bounce away when startled and pounce on potential prey.  They're entertaining and very animated and them always make me smile.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/800 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 27 - Gimme a little honey

Awwww yeah...  By this time of year I miss the insects, I love macro photography and my little invertebrate buddies are some of my favorite subjects.  This happy bee was enjoying the bounty at a dahlia farm last fall.  Not to be too much of a nerd, but the high ISO of this camera is amazing, there is slo little noise that the details are still totally crisp!

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/80 sec @ 1250 ISO

2014, Day 26 - Leap

I love finding a little friend in the house.  It is like having a tiny visitor who just wants to find a cozy place to call home.  We should be flattered that they want to be part of our families :)

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/320 sec @ 160 ISO

2014, Day 25 - Yearning

We've been lucky enough to have days of sunny weather.  It isn't warm but it has been beautiful and it leaves me longing to see spring flowers.  My favorite, the ones I miss the most, are the splendid delicate star magnolia blossoms.  They don't last long but they are singular in their beauty and perfection when at their peak that they make up for the lack of longevity with their fragile grace.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f11, 1/250 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 24 - Innocence

It's hard to believe that Frankie is just a month shy of this third birthday which means I've had the pleasure of his company for two years.  He is a silly boy who loves a good cuddly and can't help himself from showing off.  Frankie doesn't need me to be proud of him, he's proud of himself.  When we go racing he bounces all over the place because he's so excited but it slows him down and he almost always comes in last.  Who cares when you look this good?

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
61mm, f11, 1/200 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 23 - Crunchy

When I've gone to Panther Creek before and climb down to photograph the falls at eye-level I tend to take the pictures with a landscape orientation.  It is a wide series of falls and because of trees and the slippery nature of the wet moss it can be difficult to get the right distance from the falls and keep out of the spray.  Fortunately with the mossy ground frozen over and rather slick I had to move slowly and it allowed me more time than I would usually take to find compositions that I liked.  This one I enjoy because of the fallen tree and the lush greens in the foreground with the darker richer greens in the trees above.  I can still hear the crunch and snap of the icy carpet under my feet.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, merged layers of 1/6, 1/3, 0.6, 1.3, and 2.5 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 22 - Lost

Our first day in Teotihuacan we had dinner brought to our hotel.  It was simple food but delicious, cheap, and plentiful.  After we ate we decided to go for a walk.  These banners crossed many of the streets and the streamers were made of a metallic colored ribbon that fluttered brilliantly in the cool evening breeze.  The was one of the many dogs we saw as we walked back from the local bakery with a bag full of treats.  It was rather odd how the whole town seemed to shut down after sunset.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
70mm, f2.8, 1/50 sec @ 12800 ISO

2014, Day 21 - Climbing

When we walked through Guanajuato it seemed like there were churches on every other corner.  Most were empty as it was mid-week and midday but others had a surprising number of people praying.  This particular church only had a couple of people praying and under the pulpit we were told there is a mausoleum.  However I was more interesting in the restoration work that was going on and while I am not sure what specifically they were doing I stood in the middle of the nave and was able to take a really well centered picture, maybe God helped to steady my hand...

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, 1/80 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 20 - Entourage

As the sun rose over the mountains and hit the Pacific we stumbled across a couple local fishermen.  They were hauling in their nets and at one point they had almost twenty pelicans floating around their boat waiting for their castoffs.  They didn't stay for too long but I was able to capture this moment early on; as time passed I became distracted by the pelicans landing on the jetty right in front of me and I turned by attention that way.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f5.6, 1/400 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 19 - Sanctuary

After walking aimlessly through the street of Puerto Vallarta and dodging the night clubs that were just opening their doors we turned down a side street and found this church.  Our Lady of Guadalupe is known for its crown of angels but what I liked best about it was that it wasn't pumping out bass.  I am a terribly grouchy old person and I find little interest ing clubs but enjoy culture when I travel.  This was the saving grace of our first day in Mexico.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, merged layers of 1/20 and 1/5 sec @ 320 ISO

2014, Day 18 - Apocalyptic approach

As the storm clouds broke and the sun started to set over San Salvador we were treated to this amazing sight.  Does anyone know what this phenomenon is called?  There was such an amazing contrast in the colors of the sky with sharp definition.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, merged layers of 1/60 and 1/30 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 17 - Fillet

This guy is remarkable.  For a quarter he will fillet your fish and we watched him work for a few minutes.  In that time he was able to butcher five for six fish with clean precise strokes.  Most of the fishermen who work this dock have been doing so for decades and they all move with a graceful competence chatting and laughing while performing sometimes complex tasks as second nature.  Our stormy morning turned out great and we had a lot of fun watching the fishermen and exploring the fish market.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 160 ISO

2014, Day 16 - Siblings

Well, not really siblings.  Frankie is racing with his half brother D'Artagnan.  They have the same father who I guess is a little slutty but have different mothers.  If he didn't leap straight into the air before he started to run Frankie would be a bit faster but if he were human he would have been the odd kid who wore a cape every day in middle school.  He has a flair for the dramatic which he definitely gets from his mother.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II w/ Canon EF Converter 1.4x Mark III
280mm, f5.6, 1/1250 sec @ 1250 ISO

2014, Day 15 - Flecked

Midweek fun!  Somehow it was decided that we should have a little racing practice again today.  We had a practice a couple of weeks ago but since it was shortly after I got back from visiting my parents for the holidays I went but Frankie stayed home.  Today he got to come and run hit heart out.  He had such a good time and did quite well although he would have done better if he didn't bounce all over the field but I suppose if you're going to do anything do it with style.

We had some heavy rain over the weekend and the ground isn't anywhere near being dry.  Sadly, if there is another dog in front of you it is inevitable that you'll end up with mud on your face and Frankie's face is flecked in mud.  But where his high leaping running style pays off is that you don't kick muddy water onto your butt so all it took was a washcloth to make him look shiny and new again.  He's tuckered out, when we got home he ate his dinner and put himself to bed and now it is just about my bed time.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II w/ Canon EF Converter 1.4x Mark III
280mm, f5.6, 1/1250 sec @ 800 ISO

2014, Day 14 - Loitering

It seems we sometimes forget the simple pleasure like good company.  Our days are so hectic and we often fail to make time to socialize.  Yes, we turn to the internet and social media as a convenient all-hours alternative but it isn't really the same.  Laughing and sharing a laugh are totally different experienced; you cannot recreate the infectious nature of laughter on the internet.  And virtual socialization lacks the companionable quality of time spent with people face-to-face.  I sometimes think that a more basic life may be harder and there may be more challenges but there is possibility for a different kind of richness that comes from friends and family in close contact that our busy bustling lives sometimes lacks.

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

2014, Day 13 - Sitting

I've said it so many times, but it is worth repeating, markets are fascinating places.  It is a place of equality, people from all economic backgrounds shop there to get the best foods possible.  You can see what the people eat, what is special and what is common.  There are so many new smells and although not all are pleasant they're all interesting.  We watched a man making sausages, a woman filleting liver, a group of woman fine shaving cabbage to name a few.  Some foods we were given samples to try and everywhere you looked there was something interesting.  Because we were in San Salvador and had an apartment at our disposal we bought tons of fresh fruits and vegetables and I think we ate almost everything we bought too.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
70mm, f2.8, 1/400 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 12 - Concealed

This is another photograph from El Salvador.  It is a country that is literally riddled with volcanos and here you can see a number of small ones in the distance hidden by clouds.  The weather on this particular day was mixed, it was rather cool and for much of the morning we were in low clouds and fog.  It didn't break until about noon and this was our view.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f4, merged layers of 1/640 and 1/160 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 11 - Crabby

I wonder if I miss things sometimes when I am focused on little details.  Missing the forest for the trees, so to speak.  This is one of many crab spiders I found while in El Salvador and Mexico last fall.  They were everywhere and every time I found a bigger one I wanted a picture.  They all look pretty similar but I can't help myself.  This guy was eating something tasty and didn't mind having an audience at all.  I don't know why he has a triangular abdomen, it must aid in camouflage but I can't imagine how.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/320 sec @ 3200 ISO

2014, Day 10 - Grinding

On our second day in Suchitoto, after visiting a couple farms and exploring the countryside, we had a free evening in town.  Like the previous night we left our hotel and just started to wander.  Suchitoto is a small town and quite safe so we explored all the interesting streets and alleys when we came upon the town's mill.  This is where you bring your corn to have it ground and the picture below is the gentleman who runs the machinery.  After many years he was rather hard of hearing but quite welcoming and happy to show us how it all worked even though he was getting ready to leave for the day.  That is how things were in El Salvador, people were generous with their time, happy to share their knowledge, and quick to smile.  It was an interesting place to visit and I look forward to going again.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
70mm, f2.8, 1/320 sec @ 16000 ISO

2014, Day 9 - Loafing

I found these kittens sitting on their doorstep on an evening walk through Suchitoto.  We had just arrived and despite being sleep deprived we wanted to take a walk through the town.  It isn't big and as the sun started to set the temperature dropped to an almost comfortable level.  There were children playing in the street and people were chatting in doorways.  It was nice to see such a strong sense of community.  Even the cats and dogs joined in.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
65mm, f5.6, 1/250 sec @ 2000 ISO

2014, Day 8 - Dancing

On a rainy day like today I like to revisit memories of less squishy days.  This is Gita and her baby sister Opa hard at play.  It's hard to believe that Opa is such a sweet baby when you see this picture of her that looks like all teeth but she is just that, a darling little girl.  Big sister Gita likes to make sure Opa doesn't get too big for her britches but I think Gita still has some time left as top dog but she better not rest on her laurels because Opa is looking great!

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
130mm, f7.1, 1/1000 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 7 - Bliss

On our second-to-last day in Mexico we had a rather mellow day.  Time on the beach, a little local exploring, swimming, and reading.  Normally when I travel I dislike having slow days but this was day thirty of travel and a little rest sounded appealing.  It turned out to be quite relaxing and as the afternoon wore on we wandered down to the beach; I was hoping for another chance at a colorful sunset.  The clouds that I hoped for were there but we didn't get that blast of color that I had wanted.  Still it was beautiful listening to the waves washing over the rocks, the call of the sea birds, the smell of the clean salty ocean, it was bliss.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
18mm, f5.6, 13 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 6 - Siphon

The cenotes in Mexico are amazing.  This one, on private property down a long bumpy road hidden away, was paradise.  We had been out visiting Tulum in the morning and the heat was tremendous.  Our reward was this little oasis.  To get here we climbed down a ladder to a small wooden dock and explored a large enclosed pool.  Swallows darted in and out and scuba divers passed thirty feet below us from time to time.  Otherwise we had the place to ourselves; all you could hear is dripping water and it was cool crystal clear water.  As we swam the ceiling got lower and after a while it opened into a large open cenote where I took this picture.  In the middle there is an island of jungle growing out of the rich silty soil.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, merged layers of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 5 - Frosted

When I got up this morning to walk the dogs everything was covered in a heavy layer of frost.  It was below freezing and the ground crunched underfoot.  It put me in mind of my recent visit to Panther Creek with Nicole and Nicci.  I love the view of the falls from down low and as I moved further downstream I quite liked the visual interest of the fallen trees in the foreground.  The obviously chilly water against the ice encrusted mosses and evergreens provided great contrast, it still looks lush but like the verdant quality of the falls was under attack by winter.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f10, merged layers of 0.6, 1.3, 2.5, 5, and 10 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 4 - Face of happiness

Today was a practice day out at my friends' house.  They have the equipment and space and because it was forecast to be a sunny day they decided that anyone whose dogs needed to either burn off a little energy or practice chasing the lure could come out and have a go.  Since Frankie stayed with them while I was visiting my family for the holidays he decided to stay home but it isn't like I was dogless.  Below is my buddy Eddie.  He is such a sweet boy but can be fairly easily overwhelmed but he loves me.  There were a lot of people over and a lot of new dogs to play with but when I called him he trotted over to visit with me and this was the expression on his face, complete goofy happiness.  Eddie was my shadow for much of the day and when he got tired he asked for a cuddle before taking his nap.  Maybe Frankie needs a buddy more his size...  Hmmm...

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f10, 1/1000 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 3 - Basking

When we went to Tulum we arrived just as the site opened.  Fortunately my travel companions share my aversion to crowds so as we walked through the ruins the iguanas were largely undisturbed.  They watched us carefully and I suspect that some people must be throwing stones because they're quite shy.  As more people arrived most retreated to more secluded areas but I caught this guy before he beat his retreat.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/250 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 2 - Hiding in plain sight

While visiting Ek Balam we had to walk though some thinned jungle.  The path was lined with trees and I could hear a crack crack cracking noise coming from one in particular.  Upon closer inspection I found a number of well camouflaged butterflies were gathering to drink the sap leaking out from a couple wounds.  Soon there were bees and flies drinking the nectar that was oozing from the tree and, being the unashamed nerd that I am, I had to switch to my trusty macro and take some pictures.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/250 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 1 - Family way

It's a new year and there is so much to look forward to!  In about a month and a half Frankie should be an uncle, with a little luck his sister Sky should be having babies.  I spent the afternoon visiting with her and she is so much like Frankie, sweet and cuddly.  To celebrate the new year I went to visit my friends, made some fish tacos, and played a game for part of the afternoon.  It is possible Sky might have been given a little bit of fish but pregnant women deserve to be indulged, right?

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f2.8, 1/400 sec @ 100 ISO