Beary Tired

Like this bear, I am too tired to write.  But I am happy.

JRT

Alaskan Brown Bears

Today I saw bears in the wild for the first time in my life.  Big bears. Big Alaskan Brown Bears.  They are simply awe inspiring creatures. 
And, not necessarily brown.  I saw bears that ranged in color from blond to chocolate brown, and many shades in between. 
This time of year they spend their time digging for clams at low tide, munching on grass, and napping. 

Can't wait to go out again tomorrow!

JRT

Annie

We were able to spend some time with my brother and his family today and we had a really good time.  We played games on the Wii, watched a DVD, went to dinner at Otto's, and topped it all off by going to see Toy Story 3.  I can definitely recommend Toy Story 3,  it is great fun for all ages.

I snapped a few shots of Annie at dinner, taking advantage of the large windows creating nice soft light.  She is certainly learning to work it for the camera!

JRT

What Am I Thinking?

Good news: My truck that was wrecked on June 1st is finally finished at the body shop on June 21st.
Bad news: They called me so late it the day I could not get there before they closed.

Good news: I left my office a few minutes early to day to go get it.
Bad news: There was a torrential downpour that made driving slow and dangerous.

Cars were stalled in deep water and traffic as a result was barely moving.  As I patiently waited to have my turn to cross the raging feeder street,  I was fearful I would once again be delayed past the body shop closing time.  Perhaps me and my puny rental car would be swept away.

Happy thoughts were not going through my head.  I wondered if this psychic knew what I was thinking.

JRT

Green Tomatos

My wife has a couple of tomato plants in our back yard that she nurtures daily with water and love.  This tomato was covered in droplets of water early one morning.  It looked to me as if it had been decorated with jewels.  It has since been harvested and consumed - delicious!

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Evidently this fellow likes living dangerously.  He is a Yellow-crowned Night Heron that frequents the lion enclosure at the Houston Zoo.  There is a moat along one side of the enclosure inhabited by turtles and fish.  The heron has made this his personal fishing pond.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks,

Buy me some apples and or-ranges...

The Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati definitely has a few different menu items than I am used to seeing at a ball game.

How about a banana during the seventh inning stretch!

JRT

Skylight

You go to the mall for the shopping and the Starbucks; I of course go to photograph the sky lights.

Being always on the lookout for an interesting image, the way shadow and light balance each other in this image captured my attention.  I knew it would look best rendered in black and white before I tripped the shutter the first time.

JRT

Photoshop CS5 - HDR Pro

Just an exercise I did to use the new HDR tool in the latest iteration of Photoshop.  This final is from three RAW images - I wanted to see how realistic a look I could achieve...

Wow!

JRT

Architectural Digest

I took my first stab at really trying to produce some nice interior shots today for my in-laws, who may soon be selling their home.  Even if Architectural Digest does not call, I am still pleased with the results I achieved.  As always, I learned a few things here and there that certainly will make the next shoot easier.

JRT

Squirrel Feeder

In our backyard we have a squirrel feeder on the back fence that I keep well stocked with morsels the squirrels enjoy.  The lightweight top of the box is hinged so the squirrels can just push it up, reach in, and grab a snack.  In past seasons the squirrels would eat the contents down abut half-way, which was as far as they could reach, and wait for me to refill it.  However, today we witnessed a little guy who learned how to eat down all the way to the bottom.

JRT

Red-eared Slider

These guys are residents in every standing body of water around, and on a sunny day, this is what they do.  They are fairly cautious and generally will not let you get too close to them.  I spent a great deal of time trying to sneak up on them and catch one when I was younger, but never did.  At Brazos Bend State Park however there are so many people streaming through that they tolerate folks pretty well.

JRT

Gator

You may have thought from looking at my recent posts that I have really let my blog go to the birds, for they have certainly been my main focus lately.  (main focus, a little photo humor)  Well today I headed down to one of my favorite spots, Brazos Bend State Park, to shoot...birds.  I have never visited and been disappointed by the lack of photo opportunities, and today was no let down either. 

This gator looks menacing, but was in this gaping pose when I first saw her, and still in it twenty minutes later.  A cooling mechanism perhaps?

More birds soon.

JRT

Grackle

 

Meet the Grackle, the Common Grackle to be more precise, as there are Boat-tailed Grackles and Large-tailed Grackles.  This common variety is a real trouble maker around the backyard bird feeder.  They alight upon the feeder and scatter the food they don't like, taking only the best morsels for themselves.  The smaller song birds are wary of them and will not come to the feeder when the Grackles are plentiful.

On the other hand, these black beauties are resourceful, and the males are pretty in the springtime when the feathers around their necks are at their most iridescent in the sunlight.  Their large yellow eyes are spectacular.

I just wish they would eat in someone elses yard and not scare off the blue-jays and cardinals.

JRT

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

This is one of the reasons I feel good about always having a camera handy.  I thought at first when I arrived at home this afternoon that the neighbors had a new weather vane, but nobody on our street has weather vanes; so, it must be a Black-bellied Whistling Duck. 

This fine feather duck sat on the rooftop next door for about twenty minutes watching me unload the truck and shuffle in and out of the house and garage.  I scattered some grain in the backyard hoping to coax it down to no avail. It stayed perched, standing at times on one leg, and whistled.  Not just a little or every now and again, but continuously. Ultimately, another whistling duck flew over and off they went.

JRT

What Duck is This?

I saw this fine pair of quackers digging and splashing in puddles together.  They appear to be wearing their finest fuzzy hats -  maybe they are on a date?

An intensive internet search has not revealed the name of this type duck, although the one on the right looks a bit like a mallard.

If you know, please help!

JRT

Kite Festival

Today the Second Annual Kite Festival was held in Rosenberg, Texas.  We drove through torrential rains on the way to Seabourne Park and wondered if we were wasting our time.  The water did stop pouring down around 12:30, and although the skies continued to look ominous, the show did go on!

The Kite Festival is held to create awareness for the public of the child abuse and neglect that takes place in Fort Bend County.  Annually there are over 450 reported cases i Ft Bend of abuse or neglect that require children to be removed from their current living situation and be relocated.  This is an unpleasant problem that most of us think is just to horrific to be true; and it is difficult to think about this happening to children in our neighborhoods, because of what it implies regarding our neighbors.

Awareness is the first step in solving the horrors of child abuse and neglect.  The community needs to know about the problem, the resources that are available to help abused and neglected children and those that abuse and neglect them, and how to become involved.  The Kite Festival is one small part of this process.

The professionals and volunteers that have devoted their lives to helping these children are true heroes.

JRT

Marbles

For those of you who think I may have lost my marbles, rest easy, I found them in a drawer today.

Whew! Close one.

JRT

Eurasian Eagle Owl

This owl is only 12 months old and already HUGE! And stunningly beautiful!  Harry Potter wants one!

JRT

Rynchops niger

Meet the Black Skimmer.  These graceful birds are named appropriately as you can see in the photograph.  They can tilt their heads down while flying and skim their beaks along the water, scooping up what ever they scoop up (I never really saw what they were catching).  Sometimes they would fly in perfectly synchronized pairs in a wide arc as they skimmed.  This was the first time I have ever seen them, I do hope to see them again!

JRT

Calidris alba

This little guy is known as a Sanderling.  He (she?) is about the same size as a sparrow; however notice the longer beak for digging in the sand, and all three of his toes point forward.  Sanderlings chase the waves out, and run from them when they come in, all the while looking for food.  Because of the way their toes are configured they run in an odd manner, and they run all the time.  I had a really difficult time getting this one to pose.

JRT

Sandpiper

I know this is a Sandpiper, I just am not sure what kind.  It was on East Beach, on Galveston Island.  The bird stayed very busy going in and out with the waves, searching for morsels the water's rushing action uncovered.

JRT

Pelecanus occidentalis

I spent several days at the 8th annual Feather Fest held in Galveston, Texas.  Bird watchers and photographers gather to attend workshops, seminars, and field trips with expert naturalist and photographers.  Galveston and nearby areas are highly regarded as some of the best bird viewing areas anywhere. 

The Brown Pelican above was standing on a piling waiting for shrimp boats to come in with their catches.  It looks like he stands there often.

JRT

2nd Annual CTLTC Jump Photo

I have not even seen the First Annual CTLTC Jump Photo, but I was seen walking around with a fancy looking camera and one thing led to another... and I shot about 50 frames to capture the Second Annual CTLTC Jump Photo.  Not like it was a chore.  I am really glad I was not doing any of the jumping.

JRT

Allison

I spent some quality time outdoors this afternoon with Allison, who wanted some photos for a portfolio she is putting together.

We went to Oyster Creek Park and took advantage of the beautiful day, lush grass, and green trees.

It was a good opportunity for me to practice controlling bright overhead sun, and using off camera flash for fill.

JRT

CTLTC

My wife and I have spent a lot of hours preparing and working for the Central Texas Leadership Training for Christ convention.  So much so that I have had zero spare time for the camera.  I did grab a few shots today, but I am too exhausted to spend much time working with them.

Happy Easter everyone!

JRT

Water Fountain Surprise

A nesting Mourning Dove is not what you generally expect to find in a water fountain.

This water fountain on the courtyard at Westbury Church of Christ has been out of service for years and must have looked like a easy spot to nest for this young bird.

She was quite an attraction for the young and old alike as they passed on their way to classes this morning.  Maybe in a week or two there will be little ones to photograph.

JRT

Cat Nap

This is your visual illustration for the term 'cat nap.'  Whenever you just have to lay down in the middle of the day because there is no way you can stay awake another minute and you just need a quick nap, any place will do.  Even a nice hard boulder.  That is kind of how I feel now, but it has been a good day and the 'tired' is worth it.  I however am going for something a little longer than a cat nap.

JRT

Wild Flowers

With the amount of rain we have had as we head into spring, this should be an exceptional year for wildflowers.  Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush are beginning to appear along the highways in thick batches.  The only place wildflowers are really unwelcome is when they are the blooms on weeds growing right in the middle of your back yard.  Bye, bye little yellow blossom.

JRT

Morning Dew

There is a little planter in our back yard that has this green grass-like plant growing in it (maybe my wife will know what it's real name is).  I was amazed to see each individual stalk had it's own little dew drop on the very tip of it this morning.  Back-lighting from the rising sun high-lighted each water drop and really gave the green stalks a vividness that causes them to appear to glow from within themselves.  I made a print on glossy photo paper that looks very beautiful.

JRT

Blue Jay Nest

I'll expect you to think, perhaps out loud, that this is pretty crummy photo when you see it.  I will agree.  There is a back story: A pair of blue jays are building a nest outside my office window, so I did what any one would do; I took a camera to work, turned out the lights,  and stood in an office chair to get a better vantage point.  Conditions for excellent photos were not at all present - it was rainy, windy, and dark outside, but I clicked off a few exposures anyway.  This is not a great photo, however it is to me at least, better than no photo.

Last spring a pair of mourning doves built a nest in a similar spot outside that allowed me a clear view.  I could not wait untill there were eggs in the nest, and then baby birdies, and I would bring my camera gear to the office and capture fantastic images.  Before this could happen, the tree trimmers came and cut down the branches that were supporting that nest before I ever took even one picture.  I did not even take a bad picture - opportunity gone, no record at all.

So this spring I hope to be ready when a good photo opp presents itself while keeping one eye out for tree trimmers who I will run off if need be.  I don't feel the pressure to get a 'shot of a lifetime' every time I shoot now and this poor shot is at least a record of these jays and their nest.

JRT

Back Yard Safari

My son gave me a hunting blind for Christmas.  It is lightweight, pitches itself (it's spring loaded), folds down to a small size, and packs into it's own nylon backpack.  He gave it to me because he knew I wanted it to use for hunting with a camera.  With a camera I can shoot critters over and over and there is no clean-up.

I decided to test it today by putting it up in the backyard near the bird feeder.  We have lots of birds visit us, and I was hoping that a pair of blue jays that are always in the area would visit.  After waiting and waiting, I was then hoping for mourning doves, ...then sparrows, waited some more, grackles would have been ok. 

No birds ever flew in, but this mama squirrel came by and checked out the new structure in the yard, and then fed on seed that had fallen below the feeder.  She looks she like has some babies she is feeding.  I hope she brings them by in a few weeks.

JRT

Green Apple

There is not much better than a nice crisp, sweet apple for a snack.  It is even better with a bit of peanut butter smeared on it, and a tall glass of cold milk.  I like these green apples.  They are sweet with just enough tangy tartness to make them interesting.  I may go back for seconds.

JRT

Chrome Grill

For the first time since I started this blog I have fallen behind with the daily posts.  For the last several days I have been in hotel that had free wi-fi, but it was just not a strong enough signal to upload photos; so here I go to getting back on track.

This red ice cream truck resides at Fiesta Texas.  It was in the middle of the afternoon under a bright sun when I happened upon it which creates really hard, unflattering light that creates lots of hot spots on shiny things like red vehicles with lots of chrome.   Finding an viewpoint that would isolate it from backgrounds full of people was a challenge as well.  I like this look vantage point looking at the car head-on.  The grill was almost totally in the shade of an awning which really helped save the chrome from being totally blown out by the sun, and the car itself was used to separate it from it's busy surroundings.  The red is a deep enough hue that it balanced with the chrome tonally, which I think allowed the photo to work even under harsh lighting conditions.

JRT

Chair

I saw a photo of a really colorful chair in front of a grungy looking wall that look like the texture would rub off onyou if you touched it.  I wondered, "where can I go to get a picture like that?"  Nowhere right now was the answer.  But then I decided to just get a regular old folding chair, put it in front of a plain wall, and play with composition and beautiful florescent light.  It was really interesting when I got into it to see how little changes in my shooting level, the angle of the chair, and the spacing between the chair and wall, made big differences.  I get a desire when I look at this photograph, to just sit down and think about it.

JRT

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - one of their claims is to have the world's largest calf scramble.  28 calves are herded towards 14 kids that try to catch and halter them, and drag the calves back into the center of the arena.  Kids get drug through the dirt, trampled, kicked, and squashed by animals that weigh two to three times what they do.  It is always very entertaining!

JRT

Fresh Air, Fresh Fruit

I really wish I had needed air in my tires when I happened upon this scene. When the gas station operator agreed to let the fruit vendor setup on his lot, maybe he thought this was the best spot.  Now the gas station customers can fill-up with gas, and then air up their tires while shopping for mangos.

JRT

Bright Idea

The bare light bulb.  The iconic symbol of bright ideas.  Tonight's project was to create a classic image of a light bulb with the element glowing  inside an otherwise perfectly exposed bulb.  Problems quickly arose: 1) We do not have any incandescent bulbs in the house anymore, we have gone totally compact florescent. 2) The only clear bulb I could find was in the garage. 3) It is tinted blue. 4) The bulb is coated in dust that is baked in place. 5) It does not have a traditional filament. 6) It is 120 watts.

I tried balancing the extremely high light output with flash, merging exposures as high dynamic range images, and merging layers in Photoshop.  None of these efforts came close to giving me the image I had in mind. 

In the final image you see here: the original has been desaturated to remove the blue tint, exposure turned down to give detail to the filament and bulb, and fill light added to give details to the brass socket.  Not exactly what my bright idea was, but it will do until I can get a more appropriate bulb.

JRT

Blue Glass

As  a photographer, I tend to look at a lot of photography, which I am sure sounds fairly reasonable.  Many of the photos I see are wonderful, and I wonder can I ever take photos like that?  Then I see some that I don't think are as good as my stuff and I should be the one getting called by National Geographic and sent to exotic lands for photo shoots.  Of course I know this is how people look at my photography also.

It is fun for me to try and predict who or will not like my latest efforts.  Every now and then I think I have created an image that publishers should be fighting over and it gets no response at all.  Then I'll drop the camera, it goes off accidentally, and folks go wild.  A bit of an exaggeration, but I do enjoy learning what folks think about what I have shot and getting their feedback.

JRT

Nectar For A Nickel

This sign can be seen driving south on Highway 36 as in goes through Wallis, Texas.  I would love to know how old the sign is and something about the person or company that painted it.  And, I have never even heard of Fruit Bowl!  

JRT