#APicADay 2020: Day 213

I put The babydoll in a hat and headed out the door for a little walk this afternoon.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

 This dahlia was getting the light right on it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/280 s, and ISO 160

 Not many people plant marigolds here.

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

Little berries that are sometimes used as ground cover.
Each of these was shot with The babydoll held in my arms, and using only one hand to operate the camera.

Quote of the Day: 31 July 2020

“Not birth, nationality, color, religion, sex, nor any other irrelevant characteristic should determine the opportunities that are open to a person—only his abilities.” -Milton Friedman
[For some reason, many consider this racist today, even though it is an anti-racist sentiment.
Also, on this day in 1912, Mr. Friedman was born. Through his work the world was made a better place.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 212

There was time for a little walk this evening,
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/320 s, and ISO 160

 The light was falling on this nicely.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/280 s, and ISO 160

 Leaves can be pretty, too.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/900 s, and ISO 160

And grass.

Quote of the Day: 30 July 2020

“It’s sad how some people can’t handle a little variety.” -Calvin
[It's interesting how this can apply whether said ironically or sincerely.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 211

Another hot day, and my walk today was about two miles.
Today's image:

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

 This is some kind of succulent flower. I see them frequently. They're a bright little pop of color.

Fuji -T3 with XF 18-55 @ 53mm, f/4.0, 1/900 s, and ISO 160

This picture was quite back lit, but I did that on purpose to see what I could do with it in software later. I don't think this result is what I wanted, but as I practice, I will be able to get the results I want with the combination of in camera work, and post processing.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/2700 s, and ISO 160

 This is just something I liked the look of.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 53mm, f/4.0, 1/4400 s, and ISO 160

The same with this picture. My metering let me down here though. The light yellow dahlia and the white daisies behind it caused the camera to think it was a lot brighter than it actually was, and being in a mode with automatic shutter speed the exposure was underexposed. I had to push it almost a full stop of exposure compensation in post processing.

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 29 July 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity for this week is very confusing.

July 19
A caller reported a van in his neighborhood from which unknown persons were selling methamphetamine and heroin. Officers spoke to the van owners who alleged the caller pulled a gun on them. Police spoke to a witness who advised the caller’s mother is “The Vladimir Putin” and advised that the illuminati are masterminding the riots in Portland. Officers were unable to determine if any crimes actually occurred.

I'm not sure who was more confused in this scenario. The police officers were clearly confused, but likely rational. The other participants may or may not have been confused, but certainly seem not to be acting rationally.

Quote of the Day: 29 July 2020

“Giving certain races or ethnic groups special rights and privileges is no better (in fact, no different) than giving special rights and privileges to dukes and earls. Noblemen are a minority, too, after all.” -P. J. O’Rourke
[This was a humorous line in the book, but the point it makes is serious. Any special privileges granted to people based on whatever criteria is the same as the special privileges granted to nobles in times past.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 210

It's another hot day. I still went for a bit of a walk.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/850 s, and ISO 160

 I don't know what this flower is, but I liked how it was situated amongst the green foliage.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/850 s, and ISO 160

I don't know this flower either.

Quote of the Day: 28 July 2020

“The greater the reform needed, the greater the Personality you need to accomplish it.” -Walt Whitman
[This also applies if the reform is not needed. So, essentially, the greater the Personality, the greater the reform that can be accomplished.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 209

I took the kiddos to the park this morning. I had hoped that it would be before it got too hot, but I was wrong. There were some flush faces by the time we got back.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 34mm, f/3.6, 1/1300 s, and ISO 160

 This is the lengths the city is going to in order to prevent children from using the equipment, ostensibly because of the Wuhan virus. In reality, surface contamination is far less common than transmission in other methods, and this poses almost no risk to children who need some kind of outlet for their energy. It is very frustrating.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/1100 s, and ISO 160

 I couldn't help but try this subject again. The light coming through them was just singing.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/600 s, and ISO 160

The wild black berries will be ripe soon.

Quote of the Day: 27 July 2020

“The virus that'll kill us all is stupidity.” -@neontaster
[So, get your inoculation of rationality wherever you can find it.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 208

Today was quite hot, and I went for a walk anyway.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 33mm, f/3.6, 1/2500 s, and ISO 160

These were interesting flowers.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 30mm, f/11, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

 This is, I am fairly certain, the last of the lilies in our flower bed to bloom.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/640 s, and ISO 160

I took another crack at a sunflower.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/950 s, and ISO 160

 This was another attempt at a more abstract image. The main subject was intentionally put out of focus, to give the shape more emphasis. It could have done with a bit more color variation.

Quote of the Day: 26 July 2020

“There has not been and never will be contradiction in the divine laws of God.” -L. Tom Perry

#APicADay 2020: Day 207

I went out for a little walk today.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 46mm, f/4.0, 1/27 s, and ISO 160

This was my favorite from the pictures I took today.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 34mm, f/4.0, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

 More leaves of summer.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/28 s, and ISO 160

 This was an attempt at a more abstract composition. I'm not thrilled with it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 20mm, f/4.0, 1/20 s, and ISO 160

 I liked how this tree's canopy that creates a space under its branches.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 28mm, f/20, 1/50 s, and ISO 160

This is from the same tree, and I succeeded at creating a sun star.

Quote of the Day: 25 July 2020

“[T]here were times when things didn’t divide easily into ‘true’ and ‘false,’ but instead could be things that people needed to know at the moment and things that they didn’t need to know at the moment.” -Tiffany Aching (thought), The Wee Free Men
[This seems to be the case the majority of the time. Frequently, a simple statement can seem to be be true, while there are small discrepancies that make it untrue.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 206

There was an opportunity for a little walk today.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/600 s, and ISO 160

 I don't know what kind of tree this was. It had many clusters of these flowers all over it, though.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/500 s, and ISO 160

 Just noticing a theme in today's pictures is that I don't know what they are.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/340 s, and ISO 160

These were pretty vibrant.

Quote of the Day: 24 July 2020

“Slavery has been too facile an explanation of both the positive and negative aspects of slaveholding societies.” -Thomas Sowell
[It is also too facile of an explanation for the positive and negative aspects of the descendants of former slaves.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 205

I was able to go walking today. Further than recent walks have been. I saw some different flowers as a result.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 30mm, f/3.6, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

 I do not know what kind of tree these flowers appear on, but I may need to find out as one of our birch trees mostly died over the winter, and my wife really likes these trees.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/4700 s, and ISO 160

 This is a color variety of gladiola that I had not seen before, and I quite like it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 30mm, f/3.6, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

 Here's another flower I don't know.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 41mm, f/4.0, 1/3000 s, and ISO 160

 More tigridia. Two yellow ones bloomed today.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/950 s, and ISO 160

This is a withered tigridia. In fact, the same one from yesterday. I told you that they faded quickly.

Quote of the Day: 23 July 2020

“[W]hether or no it is the twilight of gods, it is not the daylight of men.” -G. K. Chesterton
[As is evident to anyone who looks around at the current situation of society.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 204

I keep plugging along. We have had a new type of flower bloom in our flower bed, and I keep finding more kinds of lilies.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

 I think this is called a tigridia. These are quick to appear, and disappear just as fast. I took a picture of one yesterday that is now gone, leaving nothing but a withered stalk.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 46mm, f/4.0, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

This lily appeared overnight. I thought it was going to be the same as the nearest plant, but it is slightly different, being lighter in color. There's another lily somewhere else that has yet to bloom as well.

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 22 July 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity this week is about making wise decisions.

July 16
A caller reported a road rage incident after he had flashed a vehicle for allegedly brake checking him and going 10 MPH under the speed limit. The caller then followed the vehicle to the driver’s residence to apologize for being aggressive. The apology apparently did not go as planned and an argument with others at the driver’s complex was now escalating. Officers arrived and talked at length with the caller about making better decisions and sent him on his way.

 This genius essentially called the cops on himself. How do you not realize that you've been acting like an aggressor, and decide to call the police?

Quote of the Day: 22 July 2020

“Improvements are only temporary until they become part of who you are.” -James Clear
[But, given time, you will incorporate them into your identity.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 203

The pup was napping late this afternoon, but The babydoll was wide awake. So, I took her with me as I went on a little walk around our nieghborhood.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 29mm, f/3.2, 1/420 s, and ISO 160

 Gladiolas and ferns. I liked it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/2500 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

 I don't know what kind of flower this is. I think this is one of them that a realtor left on our doorstep.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 44mm, f/4.0, 1/900 s, and ISO 160

This is the last lily type from our flower bed. This time I'm sure of it.

Quote of the Day: 21 July 2020

“Aside from being a great metal band name, boar taint is said to smell like a mix of sweat, urine, and feces. Again, not unlike a metal band.” -Mike Chase
[See, I told you we'd return to the subject of sexual pig odors.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 202

I was able to take a walk this afternoon. There's a different variety of things available for photographing right now than there was a month ago, but not everything has changed.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 44mm, f/4.0, 1/450 s, and ISO 160

 These day lilies are very red. And surprisingly still blooming.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 28mm, f/3.2, 1/600 s, and ISO 160

 This grass was playing in the light. It was fun to watch, but hard to photograph.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 46mm, f/4.0, 1/1300 s, and ISO 160

These daisies are fading. They won't be around much longer.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/900 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what kind of flower this is. It was just sitting there in the sunshine.