Conversation of the Day


(The names were changed to protect the innocent.)

Bus Driver upon arriving in Abbotsford (to a would-be passenger):  Hello,  Where are you heading?


Wannabe Passenger:  Vancouver, but I need a ticket, can I buy it from you?


Bus Driver:  Nope, but if you give me a piece of ID, when you get into Vancouver, you can run in and buy your ticket, then we can switch.


Wannabe <Digs out ID, and hands it to the driver>


Bus Driver <Looks at ID for authenticity>:  Good.  Like I said, when you get into Vancouver, run in and get a ticket, I'll wait by the bus.


Wannabe reaches for the ID, to take it back.


Bus Driver:   I'll hold onto it, for ransom, I have had people skip on me.


Wannabe:  But I wasn't going to skip.   <Reaches for the ID again, with a puzzled look>


Bus Driver <Realizing the Wannabe isn't grasping the concept, hands the ID back>:  Ok, Lets try it again.   Hello, Where are you heading?


Wannabe Passenger:  Vancouver, but I need a ticket, can I buy it from you?


Bus Driver:  Nope, you have to buy your ticket from the depot here.  They open in 30 minutes, you can catch the next bus.


Wannabe:  If I give you my ID to hold, can I get my ticket when I get into Vancouver?


Bus Driver <Taking the ID and putting it into his pocket>:  Yep 


(A Genius is Born)

Star Trails

I took this photograph from my back yard using the trees as a focal point.   I used a Nikon D200, with the Noise Reduction setting ON, ISO 200, Manual mode, f4.0, and BULB setting. Manual focus on the lens and camera.  The lens was a 17-55mm set at 17mm, with the hood on.  Tripod was a Gitzo 5541, with a modified quick release for the camera.  I used a Nikon DR-6  -  right angle viewfinder (so I don't have to lay on the ground to view).  I used the cap from a forstner bit (wood working drill bit) painted black, placed on the viewfinder, to prevent light from sneaking in from the viewfinder. A pop / soda bottle top could work too.  The remote was a programmable Nikon MC-36, set with a 4 second delay (to allow for mirror vibration), and 25 minute exposure.  I had an AC adapter for the camera attached to an added accessory, a battery backup I bought for jump starting a car in emergencies.  This would save my batteries since a 25 minute exposure will eat most of the battery on a D200.  Not to mention the noise reduction process afterward.  NOTE:  When setting the focus, DO NOT assume that infinity symbol on the lens is the end of the line.  I haven't found one yet that does that.  There will always be a bit of play in it.  During daylight, you can setup your shot, focus on infinity using autofocus, then shut it off.   Take note where that infinity symbol is in case it gets moved during the night.  The darker the sky, the better.  If you can find a place 50 miles away from the city, perfect.  This is sometimes impractical, since few people want to travel that far to take one, or two pictures. Closer to the city I prefer after midnight (closer to 2 - 3 am) photography, when some of the city lights are off when people go to bed. If there is light (moon, street lights etc) change the f-stop to something higher.   This photo was taken with f4.0 and turn out a bit too light so I changed the exposure in Photoshop to compensate.  Ideally, I should have had it set at f8 or f11.  Will try that next time.

Balloons - Howell, Michigan

Cardinal

White Pelican

This was taken near Vancouver, British Columbia.  I used my Nikon D200, 80-400mm Lens combo.

Flying over Pitt Lake

Pitt Lake lies north of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.  A berm / dyke system has created a sanctuary for local birds of prey and other marshland critters.  Denise and I discovered several Osprey nests in the area and  spent some time taking photos of the baby Ospreys.  The first opportunity I got to take nature photos with my brand new 600mm lens was going to be at Grant Narrows where the ospreys were. This area is well away from traffic and about 900m out on the berm.  Denise and I set up the tripod and cameras.  She was taking pics of flowers and I, the birds when a helicopter flew by, banked, then came towards us.  I caught this photo on the second pass just as the pilot lowered the landing gear.  CRAP, I knew what that meant.  This bird was landing.  And with it,  tons of dust.   Too late.  First time out with the 600 and this guy sandblasted it with dust as it landed about 75m from our position, on the berm.  It was a medical emergency evacuation of some one injured either on the boat dock or on a boat.  I packed up the lens and took it home to blow off the dust.  No damage.

New Westminster Show and Shine

Once a year, New Westminster, British Columbia hosts the New West Show and Shine Car Show.  The downtown area is closed off to traffic, and anyone who wants to show off their labor-of-love can do so.  This is not limited to classics.  Modified cars, imports, antiques, racers, motor cycles and even Police and Fire vehicles are shown off.  The detail on these vehicles is mind boggling.  Brass and chrome shine.  Paint gleams.  In fact, some of the paint jobs, and chrome were so shiny it was impossible to take a decent photo while the sun was shining.  We enjoyed the view regardless.  If I had to guess I would say there were several hundred cars / trucks and motorcycles there.  As for the people, it was crowded.  This show draws a huge crowd, even though there was a second (and maybe a third) car show on, on the same day.  Thousands, showed up to ogle the displays.  The local businesses didn't suffer.  They were all open, and happy to see all the people.   Bands were there for entertainment, and kiosks were set up if you were so inclined to try a Macs Milk smoothie drink, or buy a commemorative T-shirt.

I discovered this show by accident when I lived three blocks from the down town area after moving to New West in 2007.  Since then, I have made it a regular pilgrimage (work permitting).  This year was no disappointment.  All in all I am not a fan of  photos of cars with 4000 people walking around them.  I prefer the solitary subject (a car with no people around).  Hence, the two photos I'm posting here.

Just a note.  The New West Police and the local Fire Departments showed just as much pride in their displays as everyone else who had a vehicle displayed.  GOOD JOB.