This spaceship rocker brings back memories of bouncing back and forth on playgrounds without a care in the world. While many playgrounds are full of bright plastic colors the Elmwood park combines both new and old. The kids like both, who would want to get rid of the bouncy springy rides, especially when it’s a spaceship.
postaday
Day 167/365: The Great Flower Hunt is On!
I’m going to indulge myself with flowers, flowers and more flowers. It was an experimental day with my Marine son’s Canon Rebel EOS. I wanted to see if his camera took better pictures than what I currently have done with my Fujica S1500 and old Olympus E10. So, I’m asking for your help. What do you think in comparison to my other flower photographs?
I’m beginning to think that it’s not the equipment, but the photographer. You can have an outstanding very expensive camera, but if you don’t know how to use it then your photographs are going to be subpar.
The thing I do like about my Fujica S1500 is when I adjust the exposure on the aperture priority setting the image in the view finder changes to reflect the exposure setting. In both the Olympus and Canon the view doesn’t change and I’m left “guessing” at the exposure (-1 or +1 ). Often get back to my computer and find a whole batch under or over exposed. If I’m in a hurry, like the zoo trip coming up, I lose a lot of images. Sure I can check it on the camera playback, but if it’s a sunny day it’s still hard to judge.
Guess it’s experience, time, and taking lots and lots of pictures. But, then that’s one of my goals of this 365 project.
Photography Notes: None of these images were SOOC (straight out of camera) all had some cropping, adjustment layers, exposure correction, contrast bumping, and in a few cases a burned edge. But I didn’t spend too much time on them, maybe 30 seconds.
Day 166/365: Meet Romeo the Basset Hound
Having Fun With A Basset Hound
Thanks to my friend Julie, who suggested I take a tangent from my flower photography, I got this wonderful photo of her Basset Hound Romeo. Isn’t he a darling? Dogs with long noses pose a difficult problem in photography. The general rule is to get the eyes in focus, which I did, but then their very prominent nose is blurry.
I’ve never been too successful with pet photography it’s always been purely by luck if I get a good picture. My digital camera has a very slow shutter lag that causes me to miss the perfect shots. But, I was using my son’s Canon Rebel EOS while he was on home from the Marines.
I just LOVE this picture and it’s really becoming my favorite. The one below is pretty cute too, I caught him in mid-howl.
So how do you overcome the shutter lag? On a simple point a shoot camera you sometimes don’t have much of a choice, but on most cameras if you press the shutter button half-way down it allows the camera to focus first and prepare to shoot. I have now “inherited” my sons Canon Rebel camera and use this technique often for action photography, photo journalism, or animal photos.
Fun Facts About Basset Hounds
- Originated in France by French monks
- First brought to the United States as a gift to President Washington
- “Bas” means low, as in low to the ground and this made them effective hunters to track rabbits and other ground game during hunting
- This dog carries a dwarfism gene and they have achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism in humans
- Breed and trained to hunt in packs
- They did not always have droopy ears, but in the early 1900’s were crossed with bloodhounds to improve their scenting ability.
- Droopy ears and jowls actually help them trap the scent and amplifies the smell on the ground.
- Behind the origination of “hush puppies” hunters would take their fried bread and throw it to the howling dogs during hunting trips and say “Hush Puppy” (now isn’t that fun?)
- This also became a well-known brand of shoes “Hush Puppies” with the silent sole.
- The Basset Hound dog has a lifespan of 10-14 years
- This dogs average weight is between 50-60 lbs, they might seem small, but they are big boned and stout!
I’ve seen Romeo over the years and I should really do another photo shoot with him. He has since gained another dog companion, Zoe the Great Dane. That settles it, I’m going to go over and interview Zoe next. I hear she loves to chew couch cushions
Ree Drummond Makes Basset Hounds Popular Again
Am I sure you have heard of Ree Drummond? Or maybe you know her best as The Pioneer Woman who has created a country, cooking, photography, internet, marketing empire that surrounds her life on an Oklahoma cattle ranch. Aside from her cooking for cowboys, and writing cookbooks, she also shares the ranch with a Basset Hound named Charlie.
Charlie has gotten into the business with his own line of children’s’ books, which are adorable!!! I mean really, he’s not necessarily cow dog material, more like comic relief.
Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where’s the Bacon? (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie the Ranch Dog: Stuck in the Mud (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie and the New Baby (Charlie the Ranch Dog)Charlie the Ranch Dog
Fun Basset Hound Gifts
If you know someone who loves Bassets or has one of these lovable dogs in their life these gifts are perfect for that dog owner that has everything. I can just see Julie wearing this mask when she opens the door for Halloween or making Basset Hound cookies or doggie treats.
Westland Giftware Mwah Magnetic Basset Hounds Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 2-1/4-InchThe Mountain Men’s Basset Hound, Brown, X-LargeBigMouth Inc Bowser Basset Hound MaskBasset Hound Cookie Cutter
I’ve seen a lot of dogs in my life and I do have to say the Basset Hound makes me smile every time. There is just something about that face and their short legs that just don’t go together.
I would love to hear about your dog, please comment below and share your favorite canine stories.
Day 165/365: Marine Teaches Recruit to Square Uniform
Didn’t know it would be the United States Marine Corp that would teach my sons to iron, but a squared away uniform is a sense of pride in the Corps. My oldest son gave his recruit brother a lesson and tips on ironing his uniform and squaring his cover during his latest leave. (home for his brothers high school graduation)
It’s the attention to detail Marine recruits are taught during boot camp at MCRD San Diego or Paris Island. How to properly shine your shoes, iron your uniform, pin your ribbons exactly 1/8″ of an inch from the top of the pocket, and how to clean a toilet and sink to pass inspection.
United States Marine Corps (USMC) And Navy Uniform RegulationsU.S. Marine Corps Uniform Guide (Look Sharp!)
Why do these mundane tasks matter? I believe they are used to teach discipline and patience, to learn how to pay attention to detail in everything a Marine does, regardless of the task.
As a birthday/graduation present received a wore out set of his Marpat desert cammies to wear at the big airsoft game, Oklahoma Invasion 6, coming up Memorial Day weekend. Out of the sea bag the cover looked a bit crumbled. There was no way a Marine would be caught with a cover like this. Before it could be worn it needed squaring away, Marine style. No starch, but water, paper towels, steam, high heat, and cardboard stays would have to do for now.
Never thought I’d ever see this, a photo opportunity if I ever saw one. The process took an hour, with lessons given on tips and tricks of a great squared away Marine uniform. I overhead Army uniforms are “garbage” and how to properly wear your cover. “It’s not a hat, don’t pull it down on your head, you’ll look like a tool”
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (Images of America)Live At McRd San Diego [Explicit]
Looks better doesn’t it? Sleeve rolling was next, but I left the boys to bond and discuss uniform care. It’s a big part of boot camp, the beginning of teaching attention to detail and discipline. If they pay this much attention to just their uniforms imagine what is required in the other aspects of mission training. No wonder the United States Marine Corps is the best fighting force in the world.
ULTIMATE MARINE RECRUIT TRAINING GUIDEBOOK: A Drill Instructor’s Strategies and TacticsMaggot the Accounts of a Journey through Paris Island
Information About Marine Corps Uniforms
CO: Soldiers Will Wear Marine Corps Uniforms To Improve …
Marine Corps Uniforms Index: By Chapter | Blood Stripes
Uniforms; Uniform Regulations, MCO P1020.32G W CH 1-5 …
Where Can You Buy Marine Corps Uniforms | Internet …
Appropriate times to wear uniforms? – Leatherneck.com
United States Marine Corps Uniforms, Insignia and Personal …
Day 164/365: Bleeding Hearts Liberals, No It’s Not Like That
I’m not delving into politics, but isn’t that the phrase that comes to mind when someone says “Bleeding Hearts?” Wish it wasn’t true as these flowers don’t deserve that moniker. I love Bleeding Hearts, they are one of the few flowers that flourish in the shade and instead of being a sad plant it reminds me of Christmas ornaments hanging from a tree.
My backyard gets so little sun, especially next to the fence, and this hardy plant has survived much abuse. It has been run over countless times by a lawn mower, accidents caused by well meaning people who help me mow occasionally and can’t tell weeds from flowers. Guess that’s my fault, I should get rid of the weeds. Last year I did, so I think my Bleeding Heart Plant is safe.
Photography Notes: Another straight out of the camera from my Olympus E-10 camera. Only took four images at different settings before I rushed back in to dip strawberries that day