2014, Day 273 - Sunset

The warm peach that transitions to yellow is warmer than our weather.  The dahlias are past their peak and many are starting to look ragged and worn.  Leaves are beginning to fade to yellow and soon each step will be punctuated by the crackle of fallen foliage.  But I love fall, the last show before winter.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 272 - Teetering

An early morning trip to Old House Dahlias after a light rain didn't leave me with a lot of insect life to photograph.  I found a couple of bees and this tiny fly perched at the end of a flower petal.  I guess fall is truly upon us.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 271 - Spinning

Now that the cooler weather is coming the insect life is going to become less vibrant.  That is what I miss most about the changing of the seasons, my little friends become dormant.  Until then I will take pleasure in the presence as often as I can.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/640 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 270 - Peacock

Here is Chris showing off again.  I kid, he was kind enough to spin burning molten steel for our amusement and I greatly appreciate it.  This is in the reactor and I love how there are all kinds of crazy details and textures being illuminated by the steel wool.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
16.6mm, f5.6, 5 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 269 - Clasp

More dahlias because I just can't get enough of them.  I love the colors and vibrancy, the sheer variety, and the myriad forms.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 268 - Mist

Beautiful fall weather today was a combination of sun, clouds, and light rain.  Perfect as far as I'm concerned!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 250 ISO

2014, Day 267 - Tongue of fire

Back in one of the tunnels at Satsop leading from the reactor to the cooling tower we played with fire again.  I won't name any names but someone might have caught their hand on fire so we should all be thankful that gloves prevented any injury.  Spinning for us in this shot is Arno and when the steel wool burnt down it escaped its confines and created this lovely spiral.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
10mm, f5.6, 1 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 266 - Dreaming

It was a beautiful start to fall with light rain most of the day and some heavier showers this evening.  A good day to nap in the warm rays coming through the bay windows.  I think my dogs often have better ideas than my own.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.6, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 265 - Sleepy

Just feeling that Frankie needed a little attention today...

Fuji X-E1, Fujinon 18-55/f2.8-4R OIS
42.5mm, f4, 1/60 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 264 - Down the drain

This is the view looking in to the cooling tower from the top of the rim.  It is massive and daunting; this structure is so massive it is a marvel and, sadly, two workers died in the construction when they were pouring concrete in a form on top of another piece that had not fully cured.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
10mm, f4, 1/220 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 263 - Shadows in the dark

As we were leaving this tunnel that would have been filled with super-heated pressurized water on the way to a cooling tower I made my adventuring buddies stop so that I could get their sillouettes as they walked towards the exit.  It was actually further away than it appears but in the gloom we thought it was close at hand.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
24mm, f5.6, 4.3 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 262 - Eye of an angry god

I am rather excited to share this image.  That's my friend Chris spinning a little steel wool while standing the the portcullis to the reactor chamber at Satsop Nuclear Power Plant.  Typically I think burning steel wool is a little boring and rather dangerous but in this place it is totally safe, as safe as spinning molten steel can be, and there are some wonderful additional textures.  When I first looked at this picture all I could see is an enormous angry red eye.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
21.9mm, f11, 2.3 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 261 - Bearded

Being allowed to release baby sea turtles into the ocean was an experience I had long been waiting for and last year that dream came true on the beaches of El Salvador.  This little guy is crusted with sand while struggling to freedom in to ocean.  Only a tiny percentage will make it to adulthood which makes me sad because they are such beautiful creatures.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/500 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 260 - Breaking

Sunrise over the lake in Suchitoto was magical and consistently a spectacular show.  Can't wait for me adventures close to the equator.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
33mm, f5.6, 1/15 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 259 - Dangling

I found this lovely while wandering around the jungle at an indigo plantation in El Salvador.  It was an interesting place and I am told that most of the indigo collected is sold to a single Japanese fashion house for high end denim.  But back to the spider.  It was tiny, the body was probably about a quarter of an inch long, and in its mandibles there is some unusual object.  I suppose it is the remains of an insect but it has no discernible form so I guess we will just have to leave it at that.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 2000 ISO

2014, Day 258 - Minion

I make little friends wherever I go and this little guy I met in Mexico while exploring the ruins at Coba.  When we arrived it had been unseasonably rainy and the area surrounding the archeological site were flooded but most of the land immediately surrounding the structures was on high enough ground not to be affected.  There were hundreds of little frogs, thousands of tadpoles, and a lot of baby lizards.  This is one and he was kind enough to strike a pose.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 257 - Refreshing

Today as we hit ninety degrees I thought back to my adventures in Mexico last year.  It was warm and humid but we had a great time floating in the cool waters of a couple cenotes.  Even the color of the water reflects its reinvigorating nature and I wished that I had one hidden away here today.  My only consolation is that we're getting nice cool weather after the sun sets.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, 13 sec @ 100 ISO

2014, Day 256 - Harvest moon

I missed the full moon by four days but I went out last night with my friend Julie with the hopes of seeing the promised northern lights.  It didn't happen but the moon gave us a different show.  As it crested the horizon it was a deep orange and that glow followed the horizon.  All of a sudden the night was much brighter and the stars began to fade.  It has the look of a sunrise into night and I like the alien effect.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 14/f2.8R
14mm, f2.8, 20 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 255 - Wide-eyed

My darling dope Frankie.  If he knew what was happening he would be excited because it's a racing weekend.  Now all I have to do is finish his manicure and he will be good to go!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.4, 1/125 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 254 - Recurved

I got nostalgic after last night's magnolia so I went back through my photos from this spring.  Apparently I take a lot of pictures of my tree when it blossoms and I remembered that I got out a ladder to get to the best flowers.  Needless to say I was spoiled for choice.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 253 - Supplication

Star magnolias may be my favorite flowers.  They're so delicate and short-lived that their presence is a little blessing.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 250 ISO

2014, Day 252 - Repose

I'm amazed how far Stubbs has come in the past eight years.  He was a painfully shy dog when he came home and I was willing to accept that he might never he comfortable with life outside of his crate where he felt safe.  For weeks he lived inside even though the door was almost constantly open although I closed it when I left the house because so much of it was unfamiliar and I thought he might hurt himself.  When, on occasion, I forgot to close the door I would come home to a warm spot in my bed but Stubbs back in his crate.  Eventually, after a few months, he was a full participatory member of the family.  Unfortunately he didn't like having his picture taken and he would turn away from the camera or retreat to his crate when I tried to sneak a picture.  Now, eight short years later, he is much more tolerant of the camera and while he doesn't pose for me like the other dogs I am happy that I have a more willing subject because those last eight years went by really quickly.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
20mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 1600 ISO

2014, Day 251 - Bluebells

This is a photo taken a few months ago when the grape hyacinths were blooming.  They are one of the earlier blooming plants and, along with the crocus, are the harbingers of warmer weather.  We're beginning to see the first signs of autumn as the days grow shorter and the nights cooler.  It is a change that I'm ready for even if it means a general lack of exciting flora for a while.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f2.4, 1/200 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 250 - Eensie weensie

This is my grumpy little friend.  She was initially happy to pose but got a little testy after a while and I got her attack posture.  It is the same stance she would take while waiting to capture her prey.  Crab spiders aren't much for spinning webs, they are ambush hunters.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f11, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 249 - Pincushion

The head of a dandelion is like a quiver to hold dozens of barbed spears that take flight on the slightest breeze so that the next generation can be born.  It is simple, beautiful, and effective.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 248 - Dawn

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler.  I have been waiting for this to come for a while now, our summer has been long and warm.  I can feel the promise of fall in the air and it should be a beautiful warm autumn!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/850 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 247 - Mature

The new growth is yellow with just a hint of green but the older growth is a deeper richer color.  It stands out in its maturity and that is beautiful.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/300 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 246 - Foretelling

When I look at this lotus flower I think of Asia which leads me to thinking about my upcoming trip and my anticipation grows.  I am eagerly awaiting the sights, sounds, and experiences but in the meantime I have a lot of work to do.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 245 - Burst

Although we had the hottest August on record the dahlias are holding up well.  They are a riot of color where much of the plant life is looking rather old and worn.  Dahlias are nature's fall treat!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 1250 ISO

2014, Day 244 - Windows

Those eyes, Frankie has the most amazing eyes.  He is able to express such a broad range of emotions with the flick of the tail and a turn of his head.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 2500 ISO