Power Shot Tries

Giving it my best shot.

Photo and Pheeder Update

If you squint and strain you can see the wood pecker.  I'd been feeling badly about my horrible pictures.  I listened to all the tips, read the settings and practiced. I was feeling very dumb.

Not happy with the result especially since I had awesome opportunities lighting right in front of me. Birds do love the feeders as long as they're full.

No matter what I tried, I just couldn't take good pictures with my long lens.  The bad news is it died. The good news...it's under warranty.  The bad news is my little Power Shot doesn't zoom as well but the good news is maybe there's a chance at good photos when my lens is repaired!!!  I'm relieved.

Robins with my Power Shot

weren't too bad.

Happy shooting, my friends, and thanks for your help.

Same Ole, Same Ole

I had some wonderful water pictures. I in my ignorance had been too exuberant in trying new settings.  I 'd set my images to RAW which basically means BIG...big honking big!  When I wanted to use them...well, it was impossible.

I would like to introduce Scottie, Leggings and Socks, my new photo props.  Yes, I know they don't match but I'm cold and far beyond caring if I match when lazing on the couch.  Then the excitement began.

An Asian Lady Beetle showed up 

and after I used two different settings

I decided Scottie could do better with my Canon Power Shot 

than I with my amazing Canon Rebel. 

My Feet On A Sunday Night

I have several friends that take wonderful pictures.  I am short on talent in that department. Now and then I get lucky. I found my can of air and camera cleaner and gave both cameras a good cleaning. I dragged out my manuals and played with settings.  Madsnapper suggested I sit and take pictures of my feet or what ever I see in addition to reading my manual.

Well, I listened.  So here are my practice shots during The Talking Dead show last night. Without further adieu I present my feet on a Sunday night.

My little Canon Power Shot was used for the above.

My Canon Rebel

took the others.

The problem is nature doesn't sit still for me!

 How did I do, Sandra?

Norfork National Fish Hatchery

lies near the base of Norfork Dam.  This "is the nation's largest federal trout production facility.  Two million rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout are raised for restocking areas impacted by the construction of dams, primarily in the tail waters of Norfork and Bull Shoals dams, and also other areas in cooperation with agencies in Arkansas and nearby states."  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

We were in Mountain Home for business so we stopped by to have a look see.

There have been rumors it was closing but I verified they were repairing and soon would be back to full operational capacity.

The hatchery has been a constant in our lives.  We enjoyed visiting with our children and their children.  A free place to see how fish are "made" and just enjoy the views and the fresh fish air.

Each runway has it's own age and type of trout.

The young fry in different stages are kept indoors.

I had my pocket Canon Power Shot but I kept clicking.

They transport and release their fish where they are needed.

Outside the runways and the fish are progressively bigger.

Nets cover the area to prevent water birds 

and other fish eaters from having a picnic.

Before I reached the end of the "runways" I knew why there were fans in the nursery. It was HOT.  I thought y'all could take my word that waaaaayyy down there are the big trout.  I headed for the truck, AC and a cold drink.  Hubby had enjoyed watching people catch fish.

We'll be back on a cooler day.

Canon Rebel EOS SL1

My new toy!  Marcy and I go through pocket cameras like candy.  Could be because we can't keep our hands outta the dirt or could be we just wear one right out.  I have shipped two to Canon for refurbishing.  We will see which is more economical...fix or buy another.

Hubby asked, Why don't you get a good camera?  Well, these were good cameras.  I'm just rough on cameras.  He finally convinced me so I took out a loan (not really, but almost) to get this little lady called a Rebel. Eighteen megapixels with two lenses!!!  I personally think maybe the name had something to do with it, I'm a Rebel so therefore I need a Rebel.

Product picture

I assembled.  I played.  I read.  I played.  I read and I played.  This was not my wonderful little Cannon Power Shots that I have been spoiled too.  Nope, this was far above that so I read some more.

I would have all related information installed on computer but I await a call from the Grand Fixers of Alienware to totally strip my computer and reload every thing. I've done that once and it did not fix the Blue Screen Death throes.  I don't think it will fix it this time but it's on their dime. So until that time, I will read and I will play.

My first picture was simply an accident with my tv on an old painted sewing machine cabinet.  I thought what can I take a picture of since it's dark outside.

T'is the season for Asian Lady Bugs.  When it gets warm in the house they appear out of thin air.

I found one

He posed

I found two.

Three lined up and I turned the heat down so they would return to their hiding spot.

 Still have a lot of reading and a lot of practice ahead

but I think I can fake my way through using this camera.

Now if I could just figure how to eliminate these bugs!

Friday Facts, Finale, and Fruition

Andrew is camping.  Toni has returned home. The storage units are clean and clear.

The last rush to clean and clear ending up being the hottest days we have had.  I, for one, am glad this job is finished.  Or should I say this part of the job is finished.  Now to clean and tag and sell...

I shall not miss you, Unit, I knew thee well.

It stormed today.  We received enough rain for the mud to squish between my toes when I ran outside barefooted.  There is almost a wild feeling that comes with that but then y'all know I get pleasure from the strangest things.

I am grateful for my little Canon Power Shot because I could zoom 25x to get these photos at the shop.  The camera fits in my pocket and lasts through a year of adventures.  Not bad, I think, because my camera and I have many camera killing adventures.

We had removed these mud nests from the front entry to stop the birds from dive bombing our customers. They recovered, there were no eggs, and they quickly rebuilt.  They have babies now and work hard at feeding them.  I didn't have the heart to tear their nests down twice.  Next year the babes who hatched here along with their parents will return to build.

I was able to zoom but was not fast enough to catch the babies feeding.  I hope they keep the mosquitoes down and stay out of the shop. 

My sister hung a beaded curtain over the entry door to keep these beauties from flying inside.  Sometimes they still enter the back door and leave us presents.

This was the picture I wanted.  Not good enough for that.  I had to find it here.  The swallows are beautiful to watch.  I love their scissor tails and the songs they sing.  I envy their adobe skills and wish I could build such a compact home well made home.  I dislike the mites some carry and the deposits they leave.

So we enter the weekend with more work ahead...always.

May your weekend be just what you wish and may there always be birds' songs to hear.