[M_Six]

Thanks, DC. This guy was sitting on a post when I first saw him, but I couldn't get the lens to lock onto him because of some tall grass in the foreground. When I started to move in closer, he bolted and I grabbed this shot as he flew by.

[Itsed65]

Yeah smaller fast birds are a real test. Nice one.

[Itsed65]

Hawks at least are pretty easy to lock onto if you are close enough. I could tell this guy was getting ready to launch and set up to take a nice long burst

Red-tail Takes Flight by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

It has arrived!

[C5driver]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

It has arrived!

Sooooooo pretty!

If you haven't started to work out, you will!

[C5driver]

Taken off the balcony of the SS Westerdam in Glacier bay. Our suite was on the stern and after entering a silt filled bay, the ship turned around, stirring up the silt. A few gulls were hanging around and I ambushed this guy over the interesting background.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

It has arrived!

I'm trying to imagine how I'd begin explaining such thing to Wifey.

Looking forward to pics and your insights on the upgrade.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I'm trying to imagine how I'd begin explaining such thing to Wifey.

"What? This old thing? I've had this forever!"

I'm hoping to take it out on Saturday.

First impression is that it is so light! It's only like 1.5 pounds lighter than the V1, , but that makes a huge difference, as I hardly ever use a tripod.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

"What? This old thing? I've had this forever!"

I'm hoping to take it out on Saturday.

First impression is that it is so light! It's only like 1.5 pounds lighter than the V1, , but that makes a huge difference, as I hardly ever use a tripod.

That's how i do it.... Wife - "Is that a new lens?" Me - "This? No, i just haven't taken it out in a while."

1.5 pounds is a substantial difference in weight. I was surprised to see that the 24-70 II was a fair amount lighter as well.

That's a big honkin lens. Bet you'er itching to get out with it!

[dcstep]

Looking back at Toulon France as we pass the breakwater:

Breakwater by David Stephens, on Flickr

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Acadia webcam. Looks like it's pointed in the same direction, but might be located well forward from where you were standing. Just a guess.

http://www.hazecam.net/camsite.aspx?site=acadia

I finally remembered to look at the web cam during the day. I was on the peak that the web cam is pointed at.

This image is from the top of Cadillac Mtn and the webcam would be located just out of frame to the right on that little strip of land.




Webcam is the star.

[M_Six]

Cool. I love those webcams. Helps me keep an eye on the weather back in New England, which I still consider home.

[Itsed65]

I still can't believe how many coyotes I have seen this year so far. I can only assume the drought is bringing them closer to civilization.

Coyote in Black and White by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

I still can't believe how many coyotes I have seen this year so far. I can only assume the drought is bringing them closer to civilization.

And it looks like they're not finding enough to eat. In the past, when grasses are tall, it's hard to see them, even when they're right by you. I'm having trouble seeing them now, because we had a really wet spring and summer and all the grasses and reeds are high. I'll do better after the first snow.

Here's one of our young coyote in August:

Young Coyote by David Stephens, on Flickr

[allachie9]

Still over on the West Coast of Scotland, walking, climbing and following 'The Jacobite'.
Here it is approaching Morar, just a couple of miles from Mallaig, it's destination.
Hauled by LMS Stanier 'Black Five', 44871, built 1945.

Approaching Morar by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Beautiful engine Alan. Is that a tourist train, or is that beauty still in commercial use?

Dave

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Beautiful engine Alan. Is that a tourist train, or is that beauty still in commercial use?

Dave

Thanks Dave,
It runs as a tourist attraction over The West Highland Line, from Fort William to Mallaig and back. It's even more popular these days as it runs across Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the 'Harry Potter' films. The line is still used by normal service trains as well.

The loco is the same age as me . . I wish I still had a full head of steam

[Itsed65]

Wonderful shot Alan. She's a beaut!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Wonderful shot Alan. She's a beaut!

I thought you'd be drooling over that engine.

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Wonderful shot Alan. She's a beaut!

Thanks Ed, she sounded beautiful as well. I could hear her coming through the glen, on a rising gradient, and the sound was really echoing off the mountains.

[allachie9]

Before going back to Morar, where we are staying for the week, to get my shot of The Jacobite, I called in at the previous station on the line, Arisaig.
The station had recently been painted and looked in great condition, especially considering it has been in daily use since 1901.

Arisaig Station by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

[Mr Tonka]

Great train Alan!

I was walking around the marina in Portland, ME while my wife was going for a run. Turns out they have a huge network of running/biking trails that are part of an initiative called Rails to Trails which turns all unused rail track into recreational trails.

Looked like these have been sitting there for a little while.