[Itsed65]

From Jack-Rabbit to Peter-Cottontail

Bunny Rabbit by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

This one really fits the bill as a snapshot. I had to lean over from the aisle seat to grab this with my iPhone. Mt. Hood as we were were coming into Portland this afternoon.

[Itsed65]

Nice One Mark. I miss those views from my days in C-130's flying training missions all over that area.

[dcstep]

Male Chases Female

Blackbird Love by David Stephens, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Nicely done, DC. Both birds in sharp focus.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Nice One Mark. I miss those views from my days in C-130's flying training missions all over that area.

I miss my flying days, too, Ed. Would have been very cool to have digital cameras back then.

[jmg]

Just came back from a week on Lake Mead. This was one of the more colorful evenings:

20170608 2013 - Lake Mead Vacation - 6D - IMG_0294_100v2 by JMG, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Wow, water level is still way low. Gorgeous shot, though.

[dcstep]

Thistle is blooming and the goldfinch love it:

Goldfinch Enjoys Thistle by David Stephens, on Flickr

You can see a bit of noise in the bokeh, but I'm very pleased at the detail that the 5D MkIV preserves at ISO 3200.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Wow, water level is still way low. Gorgeous shot, though.

Yeah, I'm surprised that it hasn't recovered more. The snow melt from record spring snows in the Rockies should help again this summer.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Nicely done, DC. Both birds in sharp focus.

Thanks Mark.

As you know, both skill and luck are involved in these kinds of shots. That background made it a battle.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Wow, water level is still way low. Gorgeous shot, though.

Locals said it's still down almost100 ft, but it's slightly
better this year.

[M_Six]

Struck out big time today. I went up along Rte.30 outside Portland to Vista House and Multnomah Falls. The haze is awful. Even with a CPL filter, my shots are useless. And when I got to the falls, the parking areas were full and there were a healthy number of cars vulturing around looking for spots. There were quite a few busloads of people, too. The walkway to the falls looked the opening of a rock concert. Just wall to wall people pouring in. I turned around and left. No way I was going to be able to set up a tripod with all those people around. On the way back I found a nice spot to see Mt Hood, but again, the haze killed it. Supposed to be record heat tomorrow and Sunday, so I doubt the haze situation will improve. Just not a good time to be here.

[Itsed65]

Bummer Mark. It's been 100 plus here all week as well with terrible air quality. I feel for ya being on vacation to such a beautiful area in such bad conditions.

[Itsed65]

From winter

Hawk in a Tree by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Carl's Weapons of Choice by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Bummer Mark. It's been 100 plus here all week as well with terrible air quality. I feel for ya being on vacation to such a beautiful area in such bad conditions.

Not all is lost. I drove up to Mt. St Helens today and got there mid-morning. I beat the crowds and the haze right up by the mountain at Johnson Ridge Observatory was not bad. Mostly steam from the one steam vent on Mt. St. Helens. This is a 7-portrait-shot pano taken with my SL1 and trusty 24-105 @ 24mm. I also have a 13-shot version @ 105mm. It tops out just over 100MP.

[Itsed65]

Clouds over the Refuge by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Zing]

An iris selfie.

For not being able to compose, frame and focus the shot, I don't think this turned out bad at all.

[Itsed65]

Now I love birds, but Mockingbirds try my patience! I would sure love a Cooper's Hawk to take this one for dinner! 2 weeks all night long...ugh

Nature's Car Alarm by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Bumblebee On Thistle

Close up of bumblebee covered with pollen by David Stephens, on Flickr

1,000mm handheld.

[Itsed65]

Backyard Lizard by lennycarl08, on Flickr