Apr 14 - Not many left

Apr 14 - Not many left
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

Struggled for today's PaD. This is what I get by waiting til the last minute. There aren't very many of these cookies left now. They went fast AND I didn't let my kids know that I made some (must have been the cat who ate them).

Apr 13 - Reboot required

Apr 13 - Reboot required
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

I love this barn, at least I love its character. I've been here before, recently too. From the angle of my previous shot , you couldn't see the true condition of this barn. It is quite evident here that there is no hope for it, it is only a matter of time before it succumbs completely to the elements. While I was outside shooting this, a person who owns a similar barn (but in better condition) stopped and started talking to me. Turns out the silo is made of tile. I was wondering how it was so shiny and provided such a great target for manually focusing in live view. This shot has a similar Post Processing treatment as yesterday's Nubble Light shot, only I left the greens desaturated this time (not that there is any green out here yet).

Apr 12 - Rough seascape

Rough seascape
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

I had to take my bike out for a 30 minute ride to finalize the 'baking' of the ceramic coating I sprayed onto the header. It took me 31 minutes to reach Nubble. I took an extended trip to get there, it should have only taken me about 15 minutes if I went direct. I was the only Photo Biker there. Technically, I was the only biker there. I had my tripod strapped to my rear seat, it came in handy for some other shots that I quickly deleted when I got back (they didn't make the cut). It was a good thing I was in my gear for this shot. I was wedged into this crack with my back pressed up against the rock (the armor pad came in handy today). I wanted a different composition for Nubble as it is the most photographed lighthouse in either the US or the world, everyone has seen the stock "Full Frontal" version, I usually try to walk around a bit and find a different angle. You can't really tell that Nubble is on an island from this angle.

Apr 11 - Reflections

Apr 11 - Reflections
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

I went down to the pond to get a long exposure of the falls and was a bit shocked to find them pretty much non-existent. I tried to capture a loon that was close to shore, but by the time I had setup, it was 1/2 way across the pond. This scene looked interesting while I was out there. I liked this tighter shot that shows the base of the birch tree and its reflection much better than the wider shot with the whole tree, sky, etc.. I tried to capture a loon that was close to shore, but by the time I had setup, it was 1/2 way across the pond. This scene looked interesting while I was out there. I liked this tighter shot that shows the base of the birch tree and its reflection much better than the wider shot with the whole tree, sky, etc.

Apr 10 - Aftermath of a magic trick

Apr 10 - Aftermath of a magic trick
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

When I came home this evening, my two youngest had a magic trick to show me. They'd put together a stage, complete with a "Box" that was covered with a blanket. My son crawled in and promptly disappeared. He was also able to be brought back. Shortly after the trick, I asked them to hang out for photos. This is something like the 4th shot, things broke down fast, we went from posed shots on their 'stage' to "Hey, let me hold my Brother". . .

Apr 09 - 22222

Apr 09 - 22222
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

I wasn't actually planning on this as a semi-Self Portrait, but my helmet & camera are in the reflection off the bezel. If you look close enough, you can see that my riding gloves are still on for this shot. I was able to get the LX3 out of the tank bag, opened up, and shoot all without removing any riding gear at all. So the main point of this shot is the odometer though, I am just shy of 1,000 miles this season. If I do the rate that I intend to this year, I should see 33333 right at the end of this riding season (November/December).

Apr 08 - Golden barn

Apr 08 - Golden barn
Originally uploaded by DamnBeavers

I almost made it to my intended location for today's PaD. Another 100 feet or so and I would be posting a shot of yet another waterfall/rapids. This barn has alluded me for years, I've always wanted to shoot it, but it has always looked like, well, just a barn. This evening I was driving in this awesome light, the sun had just popped out from behind some pretty serious clouds, about a 1/2 hour before setting. I noticed this golden glow coming off this barn as I approached it and never thought twice, I pulled a little further forward so as to not cast a "Car shadow" onto it. I tried to handhold at first, but at ISO 400, I was still borderline. I had the tripod with me, with the RRS QR plates, it literally takes a few seconds to get all set up, so I played it safe (good thing too, the handheld shots weren't that great).