Penning Photography Daily

I had fun tonight, attending part of the Midwest Charity Horse Show at the Coliseum building at the State Fairgrounds.

It’s my first time.

There’s beauty in those beasts.

This one shows my attempts at tracking the horse and rider as I pressed the shutter. What makes it interesting to me is how isolated the subject is against the blur of the background.

I’m not sure if this is a trot, because the announcer was putting the group of horses and their riders through various gaits, including stops, through their 2-3 minute program. Then the judges would make their decision, the horse and rider would meet the ringmaster and the other officials for photographs and presentation of the ribbon and trophy.

I work with the ringmaster, who does this as a part-time gig throughout the horse show season. I’m impressed at how hard he has to work to keep everything flowing. Once, one of the horse got a bit flighty and one of the judges had to quickly get out of the way or be trampled on. It made me appreciate how powerful these animals are, and the potential dangers in being around them.

I’ll have to go back again next year, to get better photos, and soak up more of the beauty.

C8H10N4O2 or 1,3,7-trimethyl- 1H-purine- 2,6(3H,7H)-dione

Otherwise known as caffeine.

Before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and subsequently found great relief in using a C-PAP machine at night to keep me in a quality-sleep state, I used to self-medicate to excess with caffeinated soda during the day in order to try to stay alert. A lack of quality sleep from disruptive breathing patterns can be terribly debilitating. I encourage everyone who has trouble staying alert during the day, or who snores loudly, and perhaps, as in my case, stops breathing for periods during sleep, to take care of yourself through seeking a medical evaluation for sleep apnea, or other related sleep disorders.

My, that went off on a tangent!

Back to my original thought on this photo:

I no longer need much artificial stimulation through chemicals to stay awake. I still have the habit of caffeine. Habits are hard to break and redirect into alternative behaviors.

Along with changing from drinking soda to drinking water through the day and evening, which was what I did as a budget-tightening move, I still felt the need for caffeine.

So, instead of Diet Mountain Dew, I pop one of these energy mints, three or four times during the day. They’re equal to the amount of caffeine in one cup of brewed coffee – not Starbucks, but a home-brewed cuppa java joe juice. They cost a ton less than the equivalent of diet sodas, and before you say it let me: I don’t really like coffee.

One habit at a time, I’m improving my health.

Let me have my caffeine for a while longer. OK?

Just my way of getting through the day.

Anyone remember The Rolling Stone’s “Mother’s Little Helper” ?

“She goes running for the shelter of a mother’s little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day”

Another HDR or High Dynamic Range photo from my visit to my Larry & Beverly’s home.

The faint circle is the remnants of Day Lillys, I believe. My brother Larry can chime in to set the record straight.

Lake Decatur is beyond this point that’s only accessible from their land. Larry maintains the point, as he calls it. I’d say it’s a fair exchange for the beauty that is the result of his efforts of many years.

The sun is just about setting, and I took three grouped photos, 0EV, +2EV and -2EV to get three distinct exposure values for later processing in Photomatix Pro, into HDR. I’m learning the process, and am currently aiming to make the transitions more realistic looking instead of innately unreal mixtures of light. Like I said, I’m learning. Slowly but inexorably.

I love the color palate that nature has provided in this. Most thrilling to me are the glow of sunset behind the bushes, and the lush greens in the foreground.

The beauty of a gift freely given.

My gift is to take time to stand and let the wonder of it soak into my soul.

A fair exchange.

Credit to my brother Larry for this one.

I went over to Larry & Beverly’s home on Lake Decatur tonight to lend a hand at computer backup. Long story, but at least I have their files backed up prior to the friendly technician who may just reformat their hard drive. Good reminder to keep copies of such as you want to keep.

I asked to be reminded when the sun was near it’s final goodbye for the day, as my back was turned to it while I was working.

Larry & I went out to see what we could get.

After some attempts by me, Larry took me to the far point on this side yard, which he maintains, but which is really city owned. He walked out onto the rocks at the edge of the water and motioned for me to give him the camera.

I had the Pentax K20D set to take three exposures,each at separate exposure values: 0, +2EV and -2EV, with the idea of combining them into a high dynamic range photo.

Larry, perched precariously at the water’s edge, calmly framed and held steady, then did it once again, as I asked him to use the widest focal length. Perfectly done, and both Larry & the Pentax came through without a drop on them. Yes, I was a bit concerned.

The beauty of this sunset, with the splash of bright orange flowers at the right acting as a delightful coda to the sunset’s splendor. Worth the effort, Larry. Definitely.

All because I was prepared, and asked to pause in my work. I wanted to stop and enjoy the moment, savoring the joy of the still sunset, with my brother.

Much obliged to you Larry.

The rain was falling in gentle drops.

Not a downpour.

Simple, sporadic drops of rain.

Enough to remind me that the sky has a pivotal role in the cycle of life.

The Pentax K20D is weather-resistant, so I wasn’t too worried about the few drops on the camera. The Tamron 70-200mm, on the other hand, is not weather shielded, so I wasn’t about to stay outside if the raindrops picked up their pace.

Walking around my back yard, I happened upon a yellow-jacket bee, burrowing into it’s nest in the ground. The bee was a bit too fast, and my hands too unsteady to get a good clear capture, but the hunt was fun.

After that, I searched for new growth and found this lovely flower.

I’m a sucker for lavender.

It’s my nature.

Showing off my new setup.

The only new pieces are the 24 inch Dell 2408wfp monitor and the new workstation tower monster underneath it.

What strikes me is the view in our sunroom. It always has affected me in a positive way.

The original intent was to put a screened in deck off our dining room. Somehow, we decided, with good advice from our builder, to go all in and put in a separate sunroom with a deck off of that. What incredibly good advice that was.

Karen & I spend our evenings here.

Karen, working or reading or, on occasion, watching some television on our single 9 inch tv (the only one in the house). I usually working into the night on my photography, or researching what is my fancy via the internet.

Both of us, enjoying each other’s company and the delights of the natural world right outside our windows.

Walking up the sidewalk to the front door of my house, this green drape of leaves greets me at the side of my car.

For some reason, I was moved to grab my camera and took a few frames from different angles, one recent day.

For this one, I have my camera near the bottom of this drooping branches from our river birch tree, and pointing straight up, where the birch and maple trees are seen at the top.

A cascade of leaves.

Textures and variations on a green theme.

Today was a full day. We had a modest garage sale, sang and I played guitar for a full choir at a mass which was celebrating our pastor’s 25th anniversary of his ordination, then Karen & I went to visit a dear friend and Karen’s Mom in hospital.

Karen’s mother, Mary, is getting better after a high BP and other cardiac abnormalities last night. Hopefully she will be going home tomorrow.

This peaceful and full of life palate of green is soothing after a full day.