#APicADay 2020: Day 91

I was unable to go for a walk, but there are these tulips that continue to develop and bloom in my parking strip. It is difficult to frame them in a way that doesn't include things I don't want to incorporate into my image, though.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/170 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

I am certain that I haven't shared an image of these white tulips yet. This ended up being the shot I preferred from the several I got working the scene.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/150 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

This looser shot was less what I was going for than the previous one. But you can let me know what you think.

Quote of the Day: 31 March 2020

“Government is not in the business of producing results. Government is in the business of producing government: passing laws, changing rules, setting up bureaucracies. This is why government is always more interested in problems than solutions.” -P. J. O’Rourke
[And this interest perverts all but the strongest souls who go to serve in it.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 90

I didn't go for a walk today. The scheduling and weather did not cooperate with one another to allow me to today.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 32mm, f/13, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I did use an off camera flash to illuminate these cookies that The pup insisted on making today. They look better than they are, but I was willing to try the recipe once.

Quote of the Day: 30 March 2020

“Filling up a house with books is a joy and a pleasure, and an ongoing treasure hunt.” -Pamela Paul & Maria Russo
[A treasure that enhances all who partake of it rather than being diminished itself.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 89

There was a brief walk today. It was very windy. I wasn't wearing a jacket or hat, so I was pretty cold.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/140 s, and ISO 640

I saw this individual tulip being buffeted by the wind. I noticed the tears in its leaves, and I thought that might make a good image. I tried it with a few different compositions, and this is what I liked best. I had to bump up the ISO so that I could get a shutter speed high enough to freeze the tulip in place because of the wind. I had already maxed out the aperture.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/125 s, and ISO 640

This was an alternate composition that I liked nearly as well. But let me know what you think.

Quote of the Day: 29 March 2020

“Obedience to commandments ... is a key not only in avoiding the influence of the deceiver but also in experiencing lasting joy and happiness.” -Gary E. Stevenson

#APicADay 2020: Day 88

Since I was cooking ribs today, I was unable to get out for a walk until after dinner. But I did get out. The rain meant things were a bit dark, though. So, I took a flash with me. See if you can identify the shots that used the flash.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160

I am not sure what type of tree this is, but I liked the blossoms. I should have switched to manual focus, and made sure I got the stamens tack sharp, but that's a lesson for moving forward.
There were these other four pictures as well.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 36mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160

 Someone had decorated for Easter already.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/70 s, and ISO 160

 I don't know what kind of flowers these are, but I haven't taken a picture of them before.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160 

This magnolia is a lot shorter, so I was able to get right at eye level for this shot. But the blossoms won't really open for another day or two.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 18mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160

And this shot was taken as a resource for use in other projects.

Quote of the Day: 28 March 2020

“It is grossly selfish to require of ones neighbour that he should think in the same way, and hold the same opinions.” -Oscar Wilde
[It is astonishing to me that is statement is coming from a work meant to promote socialism. Perhaps he thought it was appropriate that the government be able to do so? I am otherwise at a loss about how this happened.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 87

I was able to go for a walk today despite the weather being slightly drizzly.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/125 s, and ISO 160

I've been looking for a good opportunity to get one of these as a subject for a while. They've been blooming for many weeks, but I rarely get a position that they are easily framed in a shot, and a few weeks ago a frost damaged most of the petals. This is not quite what I hoped to get, but there will probably be another opportunity soon.
This one also presented itself on my walk.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/58 s, and ISO 160

This probably would have been the shot for today had I selected the appropriate ISO to allow for a faster shutter speed.

Quote of the Day: 27 March 2020

“[W]e optimize for what we measure. When we choose the wrong measurement, we get the wrong behavior.” -James Clear
[This is not the context I expected to be sharing this in, but it is equally applicable here and now.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 86

I did get out on a walk today. But I was attempting to get through it quickly. So, I didn't see a lot that I was interested in taking a picture of.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/80 s, and ISO 160

Rhododendron! They're blooming, which means mine will soon too. Sadly, they don't last long. This is the only red one I've seen, but I have seen some purple ones blooming for about a week.

Quote of the Day: 26 March 2020

“Internal bias and a misplaced feeling of knowing routinely overpower and outsmart the intellect.” -Robert Burton
[Something to keep in mind as we face the uncertainties pointed at us over this pandemic, and the response to it.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 85

Not a long walk today. Just out to my parking strip.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/50 s, and ISO 160

I did work this shot a few different ways. Moving in as far as I could and still get focus, getting back out farther away, and framing a single tulip in the shot. I liked this one best, but barely. Let me know what you think.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/50 s, and ISO 160

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 25 March 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity for this week is relatively innocuous.

March 17
A caller reported that a vehicle pulled up close to him and threw gang signs in his direction before driving off.

I can understand this causing some nervousness on the part of the receiving individual. But, I don't understand calling the police about it.
Apart from this, there was a series of three related entries that I encourage you to go check out. There was one seriously determined individual in our city last week.

Quote of the Day: 25 March 2020

“If we forget the atrocities of the past, we’ll repeat them in the future, just with prettier names and new justifications.” -Sarah Hoyt & Larry Correia
[Another reminder to learn from history. We've only to look back to see how crises are used to further the objectives of despots.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 84

Weather was less than optimal today, and kids kept me inside for a while. I was able to do some portraiture yesterday evening. But because that was for The babydoll, those images won't make it onto here. We were taking pictures to commemorate the four month anniversary of her birth.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 50mm, f/16, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I did discover during this shoot that one of the flashes had dead batteries in it, and I had to resolve that. My portraiture work last night might have turned out better had I noticed and fixed that.

Quote of the Day: 24 March 2020

“Somehow I imagined this experience would be more rewarding.” -Calvin
[As one who tends fairly strongly toward introversion, this is pretty much how I feel in the age of 'social isolation'.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 83

No walking, and the weather was not as good as yesterday.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/40 s, and ISO 160 (Cropped)

We do have our own tulips now. I've been waiting on these to begin blooming for about six weeks. Good to see them coming out now. The crop on this is very slight, but I did crop it.

Quote of the Day: 23 March 2020

“Seafood is a marketing term that was invented to convince people that ocean creatures are edible, rather than the stuff nightmares are made of.” -You Suck at Cooking
[And that is why I don't eat calamari. Or any cephalopod, really.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 82

For various reasons I did not go on a walk today.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/22, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I have been running low on mineral samples to use, so I grabbed this sea shell instead. I'm fairly pleased with how this turned out. I made it more challenging by getting close to the shell and putting it on a diagonal. That made it hard to get the entire subject in focus. And I didn't fully succeed, but I got the majority of it.

Quote of the Day: 22 March 2020

“I remain optimistic for the future. I know the great and marvelous blessings that God has in store for those who love Him and serve Him.” -Russell M. Nelson

#APicADay 2020: Day 81

I took a break from yard work to take a brief walk.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/1400 s, and ISO 160

This bunch of blossoms (on what kind of tree I have no idea) was sitting there at eye level taunting me to make a photo of them. I had to work to get a decent background, and framing. But I think it came out OK.
There were these as well. But I don't like them as much.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 33mm, f/3.6, 1/680 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 25mm, f/3.2, 1/75 s, and ISO 160

At this point, I'm feeling like things are getting to be a bit samey, so if you've got something to suggest as a challenge please leave a comment with what that is.

Quote of the Day: 21 March 2020

“There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin.” -Benjamin Franklin
[They've been deafening lately.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 80

I have been busy inside today. So I didn't get out on a walk.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/16, 1/28 s, and ISO 160

This is the view to the southwest from my deck. The snag has been there for the entirety of my residence here. I'm sure that it will topple or be removed at some point. I did apply a fairly strong grad filter in post.

Quote of the Day: 20 March 2020

“Taking away the freedom of millions of human beings is too serious to be camouflaged verbally.” -Thomas Sowell
[Don't let them. Talk about it when it happens, or is even proposed, and make them own up to it.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 79

Happy Equinox. I hope you all enjoyed the advent of Spring. I was able to go for a walk late this evening. There was still some sunlight, but not much. So, I took my flash with me.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160

I used the flash and held it fairly close to the flower to get this effect. I have it only illuminating the tulip. I liked this best from the series I took. I have images with no flash (1/6 s shutter speed, so it's amazing they're not blurry), and with the flash at various distances.
The magnolias continue to be in beautiful blossom too.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 53mm, f/4.0, 1/70 s, and ISO 160

This image was also augmented with the flash.

Quote of the Day: 19 March 2020

“In recent years, things have gone in certain ways, causing power to shift. There are those who would like it to shift back, even if it returns on a tide of blood.” -Lord Vetinari, Thud!
[Please let it not be so. We're poised for a reckoning of disastrous proportions.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 78

Went on a short walk today. There were several people out and about.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/38 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what these are. They were very bright though.
There were three others as well.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/42 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/750 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 42mm, f/4.0, 1/56 s, and ISO 160

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 18 March 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity for this week is either about unintentional astronomy, or public indecency.

March 11
A caller reported a man possibly exposing himself along 19th Avenue. Officers found the man was experiencing a wardrobe malfunction revealing his backside. He fixed his trousers and moved along.

I could definitely see myself making that call. I don't know how you could be doing that without already knowing it though. That seems more like an excuse to me.

Quote of the Day: 18 March 2020

“Quit trying to make Christianity soft to appeal to everyone. If you don’t like the doctrine, don’t follow it. But you don’t get to redefine it.” -@PollySpin
[This is applicable to people on any side of an issue. To the 'it's all about love' cohort, as well as the 'love the sinner, hate the sin' faction.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 77

I got to go for a walk today, and when I headed out things were overcast. I expected things to be dark, so I took my smaller flash with me, and the remote trigger as well. Shortly after I got out the door things cleared up. I was looking at a lot of light most of the time.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/13, 1/30 s, and ISO 160

The magnolias are blooming. But their blossoms are high up over my head right now. They will be more accessible later as they bloom on lower branches, or smaller trees. I took a series of this blossom at different apertures. I ended up liking the definition on the background blossom better than the shallow depth of field from more open apertures.
There were also these other pictures.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/1400 s, and ISO 160 

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/11, 1/220 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/11, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/400s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/240s, and ISO 160

Quote of the Day: 17 March 2020

“A heart filled with gratitude leaves no room for discontentment.” -Dave Ramsey
[So, fill your vessel daily.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 76

I did get to go out on a walk today, however, The pup insisted on going with me, and though he was told he would have to walk, made me carry him the whole time.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 36mm, f/4.0, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

I don't know for sure what type of tree this is. I have always assumed it's a type of magnolia, but that may not be the case. In any event, this flower was higher than my eyes and required the use of the camera's tilt screen to take this picture.
There were these as well:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/320 s, and ISO 160 (Cropped)

 This bee presented difficulties as it continued to fly from flower to flower in this rosemary. I should have stopped down the aperture though. I had plenty of light for motion stopping shutter speeds.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/90 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

These daffodils didn't quite give me the picture I was hoping for. They were quite dense, but the row wasn't deep enough to fully obscure everything else in the frame. I do think I learned from the attempt though.