#APicADay 2020: Day 121

My legs are quite sore from yesterday's workout. So, my walk today was done rather gingerly. I had intended to take a picture of some california poppies, but they were closed up by the time I got there.
Today's image:

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

This is spanish lavender. At least I think it is. I don't like it as much as the other type of lavender that doesn't have the large petals sticking out the top. But it's still interesting visually.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/85 s, and ISO 160

This might be lilac, but I don't really know.

Quote of the Day: 30 April 2020

“For a man who does not believe in a miracle, a slow miracle would be just as incredible as a swift one.” -G. K. Chesterton
[The problem is getting him to recognize the slow miracle as a miracle. The slowly developing state will cause him to disregard its miraculous nature.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 120

I got to go for a walk today, but it was leg day in the exercise program, and I live in a hilly area. So, it was slow going. That may have been a good thing. Slowing me down made me notice things I wouldn't have otherwise.
Today's image:

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

I don't know what kind of spider this was, but I'm glad the light was on the web sufficient to illuminate it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/950 s, and ISO 160

 This may be the largest columbine I have ever seen.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/200 s, and ISO 160

I loved the color of these rhododendrons the other day, but all my exposures of it came out blurry because most of the light was gone, and I needed very slow shutter speeds to get sufficient light on the sensor. Today went better.

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 29 April 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity involves questionable sanitary practices.

April 22
A caller reported their neighbor was using their backyard as a urinal. The neighbor was advised to use the toilet in his house.

There is a bit of ambiguity here due to the use of pronouns, so I don't know whose yard was being used as a urinal. I would call the police if my neighbor was using my yard as a urinal, but I'd just be amused and embarrassed if I saw the neighbor using his own yard as a urinal.

Quote of the Day: 29 April 2020

“What you aim at determines what you see.” -Jordan Peterson
[This is true not only because your field of view is limited, but so is your attention. Those things you value will seem more prominent, and those you do not will seem less so.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 119

Only a brief walk today. But the lawn got mowed, and I got my second day of the exercise program in.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/10 s, and ISO 160

I think this is a kind of daisy. I don't know for sure though.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 37mm, f/3.6, 1/20 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what these are either.

Quote of the Day: 28 April 2020

“It’s always surprising to be reminded that while you’re watching and thinking about people, all knowing and superior, they’re watching and thinking about you, right back at you.” -Terry Pratchett
[Happy birthday, Mr. Pratchett. I know you didn't believe in life after death, but you've still meant a lot to many of us still here, and some of us do.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 118

No walk today. I did start an exercise program today that pretty intensively (for me) wearied my arms. They're still tired. Instead I grabbed a picture on my way to the mailbox, and on my way back.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 18mm, f/3.2, 1/105 s, and ISO 160

I like the way this captures various stages of rhododendron blooms. I preferred the buds in focus with the blooms blurry in the background.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 33mm, f/3.6, 1/120 s, and ISO 160

There are also columbines at at the neighbor's house.

Quote of the Day: 27 April 2020

“There is only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor.” -Oscar Wilde
[They also don't seem to understand that pulling the rich down will do very little if anything towards improving their condition. But they love to talk about it anyway.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 117

I went on a longer walk with my family this evening. The sky was overcast, so there was no beautiful golden light. But conditions were otherwise quite nice.
I had previously taken many pictures of The babydoll because she turned five months old a few days ago.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 50mm, f/4.0, 1/120 s, and ISO 160

These also appeared.

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

I think these are columbines, but I haven't seen any this dark before.

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

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 20mm, f/3.6, 1/34 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 42mm, f/4.0, 1/30 s, and ISO 160

Quote of the Day: 26 April 2020

“As followers of Christ, we are not spared challenges and trials in our lives. … Even in our deepest trials, we can feel the warm embrace of His love as we trust Him and accept His will.” -John A. McCune

#APicADay 2020: Day 116

I got to go for a walk this afternoon. Not a tremendously long one, but I was still able to go.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/180 s, and ISO 160

Poppies. I just liked how this one came out.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/4.0, 1/210 s, and ISO 160

 This bee was enjoying the flowering rosemary along with several other honey bees.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/300 s, and ISO 160

 I don't know what kind of tree these little purple blooms come on. But there are a few scattered around the properties here where I live. They look lovely from far away.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/210 s, and ISO 160

Finally, an ornamental allium.

Quote of the Day: 25 April 2020

“Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.” -Granny Weatherwax, A Hat Full of Sky
[What's your story?]

#APicADay 2020: Day 115

I was able to take a brief walk today. Just around the block.
Today's image:

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

These rhododendrons surprised me. The buds were fairly intensely colored with red, and I expected a decently red flower. Instead they are a very pale yellow, with just a blush of pink.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/75 s, and ISO 160

These tulips have ruffly edged petals. I thought it was interesting.

Trip to Eastern Idaho

My wife's grandmother passed away the first of this month. It was fully anticipated. She had been on hospice care for several months, and we actually expected her to pass away last fall. Prior to her full descent into dementia she had arranged with her son (my father-in-law) for a burial plot near where he lives in Eastern Idaho (she lived with her husband in Highland, CA). Due to the complications of moving a body between states, the burial didn't take place until last Friday. It was important to my wife that she go, and so all four of us packed up, and headed east.
This post is just to share a couple of pictures I took while we were there. I don't post images that obviously indicate we are away from home, but sometimes that means some of my best pictures wouldn't get posted.

This view of the Grand Tetons strikes me every time we go visit my wife's parents. As we were driving by the light was good, so I asked to be dropped off to take a picture. It would be nice to be further away, but the short focal length of my lens means that I have to be close to the barn to have it very visible at all, and that means the view of the mountains is compromised by the hill behind the barn.

This shot, during twilight, illustrates the persistence of winter conditions in the area. The shot was made in mid April, and there is still significant amounts of snow on the ground.

Quote of the Day: 24 April 2020

“Don’t worry, we’ll discuss sexual pig odors in greater detail later.” -Mike Chase
[And we will because a subsequent quote will mention it.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 114

No walk today. Instead I walked around the front yard a bit.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 41mm, f/4.0, 1/150 s, and ISO 160

 We've had a few more tulips come up.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/30 s, and ISO 160

And I don't know what bush these flowers are on.

Quote of the Day: 23 April 2020

“I grew convinced that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life[.]” -Benjamin Franklin
[Where are the elder statesmen of our day? Why is it that they have been pushed out of the public eye in favor of blatant partisans?]

#APicADay 2020: Day 113

I did get to go for a walk today. My sister acquired a used stroller for us, and we took it out for an evaluative walk. Overall we're pleased with it, but loaded with both kids it is difficult to push uphill.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 34mm, f/3.6, 1/58 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what kind of flowers these are. My wife remarked on them, and I took a picture.
There were these other photos as well.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/45 s, and ISO 160

 These wisteria are the same ones I took a picture of a few weeks ago.

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

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 53mm, f/4.0, 1/56 s, and ISO 160

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/75 s, and ISO 160

 Usually, a leaf like this would be a subject for fall. But the image was compelling enough to get me to take the picture.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/140 s, and ISO 160

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

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/45 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 22 April 2020

The selection from the log of local police activity for this week is about intent to distribute, but not illicit drugs.

April 14
A caller reported a man inside a convenience store was blowing snot over food and refusing to leave. Officers reviewed security footage that showed some motion suggesting such behavior, but no evidence that it actually happened was obtained. The man advised he was clearing his throat, but denied sharing his germs. He was trespassed from the location.

 I never would have guessed that someone would be trespassed from somewhere for clearing their throat. But I also didn't think we'd be in lockdown imposed by the government over a disease that appears to be far less deadly than previously projected, so what do I know?

Quote of the Day: 22 April 2020

“Government subsidies can be critically analyzed according to a simple principle: You are smarter than the government, so when the government pays you to do something you wouldn’t do on your own, it is almost always paying you to do something stupid.” -P. J. O’Rourke
[I tend to operate on the assumption that anything the government asks me to do is going to be stupid.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 112

Another pretty busy day. The days are getting longer though, and so I will be able to go looking for pictures later soon.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 21mm, f/3.2, 1/400 s, and ISO 160

These rhododendrons are outside my front door. I've been waiting for them to bloom for months. They will sadly be done sooner than I am ready for them to be.

Quote of the Day: 21 April 2020

“Contentment isn’t a money issue, even though it has a huge financial impact on your child’s life. It’s a heart issue.” -Rachel Cruze
[Contentment will allow you to enjoy your life, whatever it may be, rather than wasting your energy on fruitless envy.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 111

I was busy today with the concerns of the day and recovering from the trip for the funeral. I stepped outside and grabbed a picture while there was still light, though.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 24mm, f/3.2, 1/480 s, and ISO 160

I do not know what kind of tree these flowers are on. They seem similar to dogwood trees in our area, but the flowers are larger than all of those that I am aware of. Anyway, I always enjoy them when they come out on the tree in our neighbors' yard.

#APicADay 2020: Day 110

This was the first day that I almost failed to get a picture, and the picture I did get is pretty lackluster. I was traveling the majority of the day, and there may be a post about that later.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 48mm, f/22, 1/180 s, and ISO 160

This is just a texture shot that I took to be used in composing other images later. I intended to get another picture at a later time, but lighting, and timing didn't cooperate.

Quote of the Day: 20 April 2020

“Not only does cannabis increase the risk of schizophrenia, but our findings also indicate that the course and prognosis of schizophrenia may be more severe among cannabis users than in schizophrenia cases in general.” -Edison Manrique-Garcia
[Not well known in the US, but acknowledged in the UK and elsewhere.]

Quote of the Day: 19 April 2020

“I am grateful that it is never too late to change, to make things right, to leave old activities and habits behind.” -James E. Faust

#APicADay 2020: Day 109

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 30mm, f/3.6, 1/38 s, and ISO 160

This little scene struck my eye. I'm glad I captured it.

Quote of the Day: 18 April 2020

“BORE, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.” -Ambrose Bierce
[Heh.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 108

There was a family funeral today. I was asked to photograph the proceedings. That took up my day.
Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/3.6, 1/15 s, and ISO 160

I liked the color variation in this flower arrangement.