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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A ho hum Sunday

I decided not to take a drive up the Steens Mountain trail today because I really needed to take care of some chores.  So it was a cleaning day with a capitol C.  I cleaned the inside of the rig, and I cleaned my clothes.  Things seemed to be kind of slow in blogland as well.  On a bright note, the awning went out and stayed out on the first try.  That hasn’t happened in months.
_MG_5163 _MG_5166 
As I sat out under the awning waiting for the dryer to finish it’s business, two Lewis’s woodpeckers were flying about the trees down the road a little ways.  If you look closely at the bird on the left, you can make out the typical pointed tail feathers that all woodpeckers have.  They help prop the bird up when it is on the bark of a tree.  Unlike any other woodpecker, the Lewis’s hawks insects on the wing.  They fly out from a perch like this and catch the insects in the middle of the air.  The other woodpeckers just….peck wood!  :)  The two birds really put on an aerial display for me today, and I appreciated it.

That was about the sum of my day for today, but I would like to broach another subject.  I would like to preface it with a statement saying that I hope not to offend anyone, and please know that I appreciate each and every comment that my readers post on this blog.  Some newer readers have asked what camera I have.  I use a Canon Rebel XS.  Others have commented something on the order of “you must have a really good camera to get those pictures.”  Well, yes, I think it is a pretty good camera, but I’m here to tell you that I think the best camera in world doesn’t mean you’re going to have good pictures.  It is a lot of work and learning, and I’m still learning.  I won’t go into all the technicalities, but for every picture that I post, many many shots are discarded.  This blog and it’s pictures are a work in progress, and I hope you’ll all stick with me as I work on improving both.  :)

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy 

16 comments:

  1. I really don't see how you could improve your pictures. They are fabulous. Your owl header picture amazes me every time I see it. I'm sure some of your pictures are better than others and that we never get to see the duds!

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  2. Not everyone can be a photographer either. Some people just don't have the eye for it and no matter what camera they have it won't matter. It's not the camera that improves the photos.

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  3. Your photos are always great! You are so right about the practice. Mike and I go out and many days we come home with tons of pics and NONE are worth a thing. My brother is also an amateur photographer (taken many classes) and he once told us that the best of the best will snap thousands of pics and maybe like 1. We never really liked our hummer shots this year but there is always next year.
    You keep snapping those shots we love them!!!!

    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)

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  4. I love this header picture almost as much as the one of Emma and the horse!

    A good camera is not what makes a good photograph. It's the eye behind the camera and the ability to see a great shot and bury the rest.

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  5. A great camera in the hands of a poor photographer is more than likely to result in poor photos.

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  6. I would just be happy to have my camera return from its trip!!..nice woodpecker pictures today..it does help when you have good material to work with!!!

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  7. I know what you mean, I get the same comment. I post-process every picture (exposure, cropping, etc) and that takes a lot of time. But I do think Canon has the best cameras. But you need to read the manual! I have so many friends with really good cameras who just put them on "auto." So much more can be done!

    OK, I'm done with my rant.....

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  8. You are so right about taking pictures, ask me how many train pictures I have pitched because they didn't make the grade in my mind. The answer to your question, What is Gitmo, It is the term used for Guantanamo Bay Cuba. which is where in the 60's a lot of training was done around around the island of Cuba and the base there. Do you think Castro was nervous.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  9. Oh so true ... good photos require a good eye more than anything else. And good light is absolutely essential. I discard a ton of the pictures I take, because I am not pleased with them. Yet, there are many less-than-perfect shots that I retain, simply because they help document a trip or experience ... if a snapshot jogs my memory and brings a smile to my lips, it's worth keeping IMHO.

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  10. Judy, I am not ever bored with your blog. And
    I think you are truly blessed with a "Photographer's Eye" keep up the good work.

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  11. I love your knowledge of birds and the pictures.

    Keep on clicking and we will keep on reading.

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  12. Well said!!! If I get ONE good photo every so often I celebrate!!! "You must become one with the camera"...(just kidding)....Sometimes I just get lucky...but I love trying..Keep up the great work!

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  13. Your blog is one of my favorite blogs to read.

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  14. You know, I kinda like those ho-hum days now and then. Today looks like one of 'em! I agree with the other comments, the quality of the photos reflects the skill of the photographer, not the price of the camera. :) I have a Canon Rebel and still have much to learn. I'm looking forward to that! Cheers and hugs to Emma!

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  15. Your pictures would be great if you took them with an Instamatic, but we will be along for the long ride and enjoy watching to see if they get better.

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  16. Photography is like many other things in that the more you do it the better you get. Some people have to work hard at it & for some it comes naturally. I would have trouble changing the oil in a car but I do have an idea which end of a camera to look through. If a person naturally has or can develope a 'photographic eye' then he/she is well on their way to good photography even if they don't have the expensive equipement. After a long 'no photography dry spell I got back into photography with a cheap-o 1 megapixel digital camera. Keep up the good photography & don't forget to master your Picasa photo program as well. Equally as important as the photography. You can make great shots......greater:))

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