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.

To Capture A Blue Jay

The Rebel and I keep trying

You can tell the Blue Jay appreciated my attention

His body language was very clear!

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?

To Catch A Mocking Bird.

Through the screened porch

and from quite a distance...

 I have much to learn.

A Rebel, A Country Girl and The Ozarks

We live in the foothills of the Ozarks nestled not far from White River between the base of the Boston Mountains along the Springfield Plateau at the foot of Salem Plateau.  It is a land of beauty, mountains, caves, massive timber, wild game and water.  It is our personal slice of heaven.

Today I tried my camera to bring the Boston Mountains closer from the highest part of our farm.  It was a clear sunny warm day after months of up and down and sideways weather.

My Rebel and I are still getting to know one another. 

Together we will improve. 

 Imagine the history in these mountains. 

My ancestors and I are blessed to be part of that history...

on both sides of the river.

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!