Monday, February 05, 2024

I’m starting to play with the popular site Instagram. Many like it for posting their photos and videos. Instagram is fun anyway; it allows and reveals lots of user creativity. The thing is, Instagram challenges me to gain better photography skills–and I’m a pitiful beginner.

I rarely use the tools designed to improve image captures. I don’t bother carrying a tripod or using the camera’s manual settings. Mine is the quick and easy way: pointing and shooting. The images my camera captures are the luck of the draw. Some are terrific, but unfortunately, the few greats encourage me continually to apply the camera’s automatic settings.

On another day off from work, I’ll go out and practice improving my shooting. My neighbor’s dead tree can ease that job since it attracts raptors. Those beautiful birds hang around for a while, watching for prey. Their pauses give me time to act. On spotting another bird perched, I will use a tripod and manually adjust my camera, aiming for extra clear captures.

Artificial intelligence very often stimulates today’s learning needs. My upcoming venture will be responding to a website’s demands, exploring complex camera capabilities, and reaching on toward the AI-assisted photo editing universe.

Dear Friends: The future seems unimaginably creative and very confusing. Diana

Sunday, February 04, 2024

Yesterday, I spotted the little Merlin again perched in the bare-limbed tree. I’m watching that tree; it attracts many exciting birds, boldly against the sky.

The day’s beautiful and clear sky was inviting.

A great sky! Such that my camera captured clearly (for the first time) an in-flight plane.

That lovely day also produced a more visible bird population. Like this watchful Western Jay.

And this Townsend’s Solitaire is one of my favorite birds.

I’m starting to comprehend this new camera’s range capabilities, but still have barely a glimmer of its overall possibilities. I know it’s capable of making great closeups, and today, playing with close-up ranges will teach more about its potential–and about mine as its operator.

Dear Friends: Enjoy this Sunday, the day has opened just lovely. Diana

Saturday, February 03, 2024

A friend from years ago when we worked together at Northrop, happened across me on Facebook and got in touch. Reconnecting has brought many memories from the days we were cycling through our individual complex transitions. Now, knowing that our lives have worked well and that we’ll be talking again feels good.

Yesterday was a hiking event. My dogs and I, with our friend Rachelle and her dog Ryder. Today’s header photo shows Ryder and Chase, “all teeth,” playing nonstop. It was good, them running and faux-combating. After an event with Ryder and back at home, Chase collapses into my favorite moments, him asleep and quiet.

The others, too, back at home sleep quietly. Here are the elderly Osix and Miles running and wearing themselves out.

And the littlest, my very loyal Mitzvah, a Jack Russell/Poodle. She stays close and guards against any strangers and dogs that happen toward us.

Mitzvah is small but very courageous–willing to run with my horses and keeps appropriate distances from active hooves. She’s a Jack Russell-active and Poodle-smart pup.

Dear Friends: Our hike revealed zero early signs of spring, but we had lots of fun. Diana

Thursday, February 02, 2024

Yesterday, this tiny raptor was perched atop my neighbor’s dead tree. I thought it was an American Kestrel–the tiniest raptor. An internet search suggested, however, that it’s a Merlin, a small and fierce falcon about the size of a pigeon.

This bird looks large through my telephoto lens, but it isn’t at all. I’d not have noticed its far-off presence, but I’m often watching closely for birds to photograph. That tree has an unobstructed high view and is a favorite among hunters.

I’m off from work today and plan to hike with my friend, Rachelle, and our dogs. I’ll have my camera and do some searching for spring’s earliest signs. This warmer weather might be encouraging a few welcome greens to pop from the ground.

I love the early springs. After weeks of being forced to huddle indoors, against the large surrounding world, spring shows up and starts renewing everything. Spring instantly energizes our hopes, plans, and outlooks.

I’ll be on the watch!

Dear Friends: Today, I’ll be spotting to capture other interesting birds. Diana

Thursday, February 01, 2024

In my at-work role, I’m a “flex employee.” I’m supposed to get short hours and fill in where there’s a need. Today’s post-holiday workplace environment has me working almost full-time and might for months ahead. Astonishing me is the number of workers calling in and going missing on workdays and numerous others simply quitting their jobs.

These are confusing times. Employers are dealing with missing workers, and that’s made my little flex job almost full-time. Meanwhile, the internet consistently sends everybody information about available jobs and invites easy online applications.

It’s hard to comprehend why so many workers are casual about their jobs. Sure, it’s helpful to know of alternate positions available. Those assist in leaving unrewarding or unpleasant work. Admittedly, I’ve bounced around via the internet for the last couple of years to gain employment experience in the overwhelmingly local retail environment. I’ve accomplished that and feel satisfied with my job.

That doesn’t mean things won’t change. I want to continue enjoying my work and to feel appropriately rewarded. It’s not just about money but equally about being appreciated.

Everything’s related to gaining a personal sense of satisfaction. That calls for clear and strategic thinking with realistic interim goals. Sure, and also means working somehow to accomplish, despite the many worries and doubts that accompany everyday living.

Aside from being an hourly worker, I’m a bit of a sociologist. That increases my learning opportunities. Stay tuned for more, in general, about workplaces and workers.

Dear Friends: All’s confusing–the weather, sociology, economy, politics! Diana

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Goodbye to January! Farewell to snow, ice, rain, and muck–and not a moment too soon.

I spent time this morning watching old videos of Chita Rivera dancing and singing. She was an incredible performer, capable, powerful, and right up there with the very best who worked in movies and on Broadway. About “the best,” some outstanding videos team her with the marvelous Gwen Verdon–the two capably handling Bob Fosse’s challenging choreography.

I grew up in the musical age of movies and was aware of happenings on Broadway. Years ago, I visited a friend in New York–a theater ticket seller–who obtained a hard-to-find seat for a “Funny Girl” performance starring young B. Streisand. She had potential!

BTW, also during that visit, I got to see young Carol Burnette onstage, and funny.

Those are great memories, triggered today by news of Rivera’s passing, and by old videos that keep alive many past superb musical skills and performances.

Dear Friends: In the new-age of Taylor Swift, have a good day. Diana

Monday, January 29, 2024

I spotted this raptor perched again yesterday morning atop my neighbor’s dead tree. Maybe a Red-Tailed Hawk, that’s my first guess because an active pair regularly hunts in this area. Doubtful, however, as this bird appears to work alone.

A very intent creature–here’s a slightly different view.

This morning brings more natural beauty. There’s an early temperature of forty degrees F, a heat wave among our real-time recent experiences. Today’s high temperature is predicted to be record heat for this date. Maybe the warmth will be enough to repair at least a little of my horses’ dry lot! This week, the muck there is very wet and deep; it sucks hard on my boot at each step.

This area annually has a week or two of nearly intolerable conditions, underfoot and on the road, from snow, ice, and rain. We were zapped this year during pre-spring, a period that usually offers relief from a year-ending blast. However, last year closed gently weatherwise following a lasting warm spell, more summer-like than wintery.

My annual challenge has arrived–a brand-new, year-long planner in which I intend to write seriously. I always wish to plan ahead, set goals, and be responsible for achieving them. I can think up my annual challenges, but I can’t consistently detail the needed and taken steps. Nor do I record twelve months of progressing and failing. My excuse is that I am becoming too busy to pause and write. However, my wants are consistent because I give myself high credit for wishing and trying–both are strong medicine.

Dear Friends: Now, to discover what an unusually hot winter day might bring. Diana

Saturday, January 27, 2024

My new camera is a Nikon P950 with 80x+ zoom capabilities. The header image is from this camera and captures some of the area between my neighbor and me. Notice that in the background, a bird of prey perches atop a dead tree and keeps watch.

This zoom shot captured that hawk.

My camera was set on automatic focus, and while these images please, that bird isn’t clear enough. I will experiment with the camera settings to capture small subjects better over distances.

For comparison, here’s an equally long shot of a large subject and with automatic focus. It’s clearer but has Sunni’s head lacking enough satisfying details.

This camera’s incredible zoom capabilities should capture accurately over many distances. With my past cameras, I’ve happily used automatic settings for almost everything they produced. The possibilities of attaining better images with this camera, however, require investing the time and effort, to learn, understand, and apply its settings.

Dear Friends: I’ll be out today for images and fiddling with the possibilities. Diana