Red Dogs in a Blue State: October 2020

Saturday, October 31, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 305

It's Halloween. All normal routines are upended.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/4.5, 1/10 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

So, Happy Halloween from our Toy Story alien Jack-O-Lantern.

Quote of the Day: 31 October 2020 #QotD

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before[.]” -Edgar Allan Poe

[Happy Halloween!]

Friday, October 30, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 304

I didn't go for a walk today. Instead it was back to the studio.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/11, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I put a smaller specimen from my wife's collection of minerals. The new lens lets me fill the frame a bit more, but there is a limit. This is about as small as I would want to go, and it's about two inches across.

Quote of the Day: 30 October 2020 #QotD

“Government is the official use of coercive force—nothing more and nothing less. The Constitution protects us by limiting the use of government force.” -Mike Lee

[This is something worth remembering as we approach election day. Let it guide your decisions, because it will affect you whether you consider it or not.]

Thursday, October 29, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 303

I loaded the kiddos up in the stroller and headed out on a walk today. We got about a hundred feet away from the door, and I engaged the brake to take a picture. When I went to release it, the brake wouldn't release on one of the wheels. I futzed with it for a while, and then tried to limp it back to the house. Part way back I realized the wheel was turning again, and we headed back on the walk.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/240 s, and ISO 160

This is a pretty leaf. I like the tiny bit of green in the center of that lobe.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/7.1, 1/950 s, and ISO 160

The sun is shining through these leaves toward the camera.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/550 s, and ISO 160

I like this shot, but the other leaves are close the subject, and the same color, so it looks a little busy.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 148mm, f/4.5, 1/85 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

The pumpkins on this porch looked fairly nice. I just liked them.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/280 s, and ISO 160

This is another case of the sun shining through the leaf at the camera.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 122mm, f/4.2, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

This shot tells a story, but it's not quite the story of what we're experiencing here at the moment.

Quote of the Day: 29 October 2020 #QotD

“Socialism and racism are all part of the same collectivist fallacy.” -Austin Petersen
[I had not previously considered the relationship between socialism and racism. But it makes sense. They both partake of the same impulse to treat people as interchangeable widgets instead of individuals.]

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 302

There was no opportunity to go for a walk today, but with the longer focal length I thought I'd try to shoot the moon.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/14, 1/85 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

This heavily cropped image is the result. I think the lens may have some focus breathing. The moon looked large in the viewfinder, until I focused the lens. Then it was itty-bitty. Not a lens for taking pictures of the moon.

Quote of the Day: 28 October 2020 #QotD

“If the imperfect have no standing to criticize the truly evil, then no one can ever criticize anyone.” -Noam Blum
[This may be the reason that those complaining about it do so, but it would be destructive of actual progress.]

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 301

I dragged the kids to the park again today. Still using the new lens.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/340 s, and ISO 160

It's just the season for colorful leaves.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 156mm, f/4.5, 1/750 s, and ISO 160

These just didn't have the light hitting them quite right.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 141mm, f/4.4, 1/850 s, and ISO 160

I still don't know what these are. But they are intriguing.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/170 s, and ISO 160

This could have been a great shot if I had a flash set up for it, or it had been in the sun instead of shadow. As is, it is OK.

Quote of the Day: 27 October 2020 #QotD

“Having standards doesn't mean that we always achieve them. Standards are shiny and clean and perfect - but we, as people, are not. So we can only try our best to reach that goal.” -@classicallyabby
[This is something so many miss. Our standards are tools we use to improve; they are not crosses we or others are to crucify us upon.]

Monday, October 26, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 300

I dragged the kids to the park this afternoon. They got me out the door when I otherwise wouldn't have been able to.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 105mm, f/4.5, 1/10 s, and ISO 160

I saw this leaf on our walk yesterday, and when I had the chance to get a picture of it today, I took it. I like how it came out.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 190mm, f/4.8, 1/13 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what this plant is, but I've taken pictures of it before. I just haven't had the use of a lens like this to get an image like this before.

Quote of the Day: 26 October 2020 #QotD

“I pity from the bottom of my heart any individual who is so unfortunate as to get into the habit of holding race prejudice.” -Booker T. Washington

['Race prejudice' seems a far more useful term than 'racism' these days. Probably because of the attempts to redefine it so that it is nearly meaningless and can be used as a cudgel to beat your ideological opponent rather than as a means of discourse.]

Sunday, October 25, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 299

I went on a walk with the family again today. I ended up carrying The pup for the majority of the walk. That made it difficult to find pictures.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/750 s, and ISO 160

I do like the compression I can get as I step back and allow the longer focal length to fill the frame with the subject using this new lens.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 58mm, f/4.5, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

The fall colors are fully upon us now.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 122mm, f/4.2, 1/420 s, and ISO 160

This dahlia is lovely. There are several large blooms on this plant.

Quote of the Day: 25 October 2020 #QotD

“We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress. Our spirits long to progress.” -Russell M. Nelson

Saturday, October 24, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 298

I dragged The pup along with me on a walk this afternoon. Sadly, that meant that the walk I intended to take became going to the park instead. So, I saw less than I intended. But I did take a new to me lens with me.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 156mm, f/4.5, 1/80 s, and ISO 160

This is not the first image I took with the new lens, but it's the best of the first. I am still getting used to its longer minimum focus distance. I keep having to step back because I am used to the shorter minimum distance on the 18-55. But I like the lens so far.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 134mm, f/4.4, 1/280 s, and ISO 160

This is the same rose from only a few days ago. When I first attempted this shot, I accidentally had the camera set to continuous high, and was startled by the burst of shots. They all ended up being out of focus. Instead, I put it in single, and got this image instead.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/27 s, and ISO 160

This leaf is on a birch, and I liked how it looked. My focus point is a little bit too far back in the image, but I'm learning still.

Quote of the Day: 24 October 2020 #QotD

“Why bother learning how to make something else when you’ve already discovered perfection? Because perfection is boring and childish. Discovering new things, while risky and time consuming, is also fun and occasionally rewarding.” -You Suck at Cooking

[While humorous, there is a serious point to be made here. How do you know you've already discovered perfection? And even if you have, how can you be sure that it isn't situational?]

Friday, October 23, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 297

I didn't get out on a walk to take pictures today. Instead, I made the best of what was available to me.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 36mm, f/11, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

Here's a still life of fruit we had on the counter.

Quote of the Day: 23 October 2020 #QotD

“Liberty, let others despair of you—I never despair of you.” -Walt Whitman
[I didn't enjoy all of his work, but Mr. Whitman did hit on a few things that resonated with me.]

Thursday, October 22, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 296

I was only able to take a brief walk today. However, I think I got a good shot out of it.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 34mm, f/3.6, 1/75 s, and ISO 160

This is a shot I am really pleased with. I think I could have made it a tiny bit better had I had a flash with me, but I did not.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 29mm, f/3.6, 1/80 s, and ISO 160

This decorative grass was difficult to get in focus, but I managed it.

Quote of the Day: 22 October 2020 #QotD

“When someone seems irrational or crazy, they most likely aren’t. Faced with this situation, search for constraints, hidden desires, and bad information.” -Chris Voss

[I find most are operating on bad information, sometimes caused by constraints. But hidden desires make up another large faction that I encounter.]

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 295

I went for a bit if a walk this afternoon. The light was nice, but pretty bright.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 39mm, f/16, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

Some fuchsia that was fairly accessible.

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

It was a bit difficult to get this shot. I had to focus, then get the shot before the wind blew the leaf out of the area of focus.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 36mm, f/4.0, 1/1400 s, and ISO 160

This decoration was too attractive to pass up.

Quote of the Day: 21 October 2020 #QotD

“Confidence is not a fixed personality trait. It’s a muscle you build through exertion.” -Brenden Burchard
[This suggests I have some exercising to do. I know that lack of confidence is one of my weaknesses. I don't know the best way to address this weakness, but I am working on it.]

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 294

I went for a bit of a walk this evening just before making dinner.

Today's image:

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

There are still snap dragons in a few places.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 44mm, f/16, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I've taken pictures of the roses on this bush several times already, but it's accessible, and the blooms are pretty.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 42mm, f/16, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This is an ornamental grass.

Quote of the Day: 20 October 2020 #QotD

“Sacrificing our children to pursue our dreams is the total antithesis of women's empowerment.” -Lila Rose
[Today is the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Just in case you didn't know.]

Monday, October 19, 2020

#APicADay 2020: Day 293

There was not an opportunity for a walk today. So, I did something else today.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 41mm, f/18, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This was taken with a flash mounted in the hot shoe, and set to TTL. It's a little bit hot, but otherwise OK. We just had an apple pie because we could.

Quote of the Day: 19 October 2020 #QotD

“I think votes aren't the personal property of anyone but the voter.” -David Burge
[The above link may or may not work. Twitter bungled the response to the hacking of Mr. Burge's account, and as the time of this writing the majority of his tweets still had not been restored. The statement is true, nevertheless. And it is true whether the voter wishes to 'waste' the vote in your view or not.]