Fence posts

I shot this at the lighthouse at Turkey Point.  I believe these were fenceposts for the stable that was part of the lighthouse keepers home.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens

Exposure 1/4000 sec @ f1.4

ISO 100

Curves adjusted for contrast

Window Reflections

I was roaming around the outside of an abandoned house and passed a basement window that consists of two rows of glass panes.  One of the bottom panes was broken, so I peeked in. 

You can see the support column transition through to the unbroken upper pane and then you see the tall grasses outside the house reflecting off the glass, to the right of the column.

Submitted for Weekend Reflection #43.

I'll be returning from vacation soon,  so hopefully I'll get a chance to visit and comment on your blogs. 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f1.4
ISO 320
Curves adjusted for contrast

Sheena

My wife planted these really cool daisy's, called echinacea or purple coneflowers.  I've been wanting to photograph and they were parked right next to the parsley (where the butterfly's lay their eggs), so I took a few shots with the macro lens.  

I thought this resembled the hairdoo of a punk rocker, hence the name Sheena (as in Sheena is a Punk Rocker by the Ramones).

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens

Exposure 1/100 sec @ f2.8

ISO 500

Aperture priority

Curves adjusted for contrast

Fire House structure

The Chalfont Fire Department is building a new home.  Alex and I visited the site the other evening and I took a bunch of shots.  I though the steel looked cool against the setting sky.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens

10mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/125 sec @ f7.1

ISO 200

Curves adjusted

  

Mill Road Bridge

These shots are of the Mill Road Bridge (bet you can't guess what road it's on).  It was built in 1888 and is still in service today.  It's not too far from the Bridge of Eight Arches and also spans the Neshaminy Creek.

This is the underside of the bridge.  I like the symmetry and monochrome make this rock.  I'm submitting this for 'The Weekend in Black and White'.

I'm away for a while, so I may not get to commenting on your blogs, sorry!

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens

10mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/5 sec @ f8.0

ISO 200

Curves adjusted

  

Here's a more 'normal' view.  Pretty cool old bridge.  The bridge design is referred to as "Whipple through truss" 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens

13mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/160 sec @ f9.0

ISO 200

Curves adjusted

Steel Reflections

I've occasionally stretched James definition of 'reflection' and this is no exception.  You can't see anything specific reflected, but it is a reflection. Submitted for Weekend Reflections #xx

This is the steel framework from the new Chalfont Fire House taken late in the day.  I thought the setting sun reflecting off the structure facing the sun looked cool. 

I'll be away for a bit, so I will not be able to respond to your comments.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/640 sec @ f5.6
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

fiber optic grass

My wife had a planter full of these funky grass things, so I got up real close and took a shot.  I like to squiggly white thingys (highly technical term).  I should have opened the aperture up a bit, maybe next time.  My wife tell me these are called 'fiber optic grass'. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/25 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast
Aperture Priority

lightning bugs

We recently had a nasty storm that dropped 1.6" (4cm) of rain in less than one hour.  My wife noticed that the lightning bugs had crawled out of the grass and were seeking refuge on the plants and flowers. These guys were hanging out on the daylillies.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/15 sec @ f5.6
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

floating steel

I posted this shot a couple of weeks ago from the Montgomery Square United Methodist Church.

This steel that will support the entrance. I was able to position myself to make the steel appear as if it were floating.

Submitted for Monochrome Weekend

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/1000 sec @ f7.1
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast
Monochrome

frog reflections

I found this guy in Reading Creek, which is near my home.  Here's a google map link.  I found this guy under the railroad bridge (this is the same train line that Rebecca caught flack for photographing).  I was there because the one lane bridge that your see on map page is closed for repair.  One might ask why they are repairing a one lane bridge that was built in 1915 in the year 2010 and I wish I could give you an answer.  Anyway, since the road is closed ,it presented opportunities to explore that your would not normally get.  My youngest son and I rode our bikes on the road without fear of being run over. 

Submitted for Weekend Reflection #41

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/40 sec @ f5.6
ISO 400
Curves adjusted for contrast

wet grass

Here on the East coast of the US, we normally get more than a few foggy mornings that result in a nice dew covering.  This year has been remarkably 'dry', so I jumped at the opportunity one morning when saw some dew had formed on the ornamental grasses in our back yard.  I took two shots and after looking at them in the display, I came to the conclusion that they sucked and I should delete them.  Thankfully, I didn't and I think they came out way better than I expected. 

The only difference is the bottom one has the aperture opened one full stop.

Pretty interesting reflections in the drops on top.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400
Curves adjusted for contrast

I like this one the best.  The appearance of larger drops outward from the focal point are really cool. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f2.8
ISO 400
Curves adjusted for contrast

They're back!

They're back!  After much anticipation, the swallowtail caterpillars are back.  We haven't seen any adults flying around, but obviously they've visited. 

These were all shot the evening of 29-June and most used a flash because I shot them around 9PM. 

This guy (or gal) was munching on some baby parsley.  He's about 1.25" (~3cm) long, so he's been here for a while. It's safely in a container in out kitchen for the next few weeks being pampered.

We have milkweed growing to attract  Monarch butterfly's, but none yet. 

Update 30-June - good thing I took the time to photograph the eggs.  Today, they had all hatched!

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 0.8 sec @ f7.1
ISO 800
aperture priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Here's a first.  A baby caterpillar just outside their egg.  Pretty cool, eh?  You can see how it ate a hole in the shell to get out. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 4.0 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400
aperture priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Here's a shot of an egg next to a ruler to give you perspective.  The markings are 1/16", so it's probably 1/32" (0.08cm) in diameter!  We counted at least 6 eggs. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 25.0 sec @ f9.0
ISO 800
aperture priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Not your typical macro

I found this rather large specimen next to the railroad tracks near my home.  This is not from a dandelion, I'm not sure what the plant it.  Regardless, I thought it made for an interesting wide-angle shot.


Submitted for Weekday Macro #5

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/30 sec @ f3.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Knecht's Covered Bridge

This is Knecht's Covered Bridge, shot last spring.  It's about 15 miles from my home.  Looks like it leaning a bit :-( 

This post gets a triple bill.  Monochrome Weekend, Sunday Bridges, and Shadow Shot Sunday #110!!

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
60mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/50sec @ f4.0
ISO 100

I took this shot of the inside.  I liked it so much that I printed it 11 by 14 on metallic paper.  I don't know why it took me so long to post this, it ranks as one of my most favorite shots. 

 Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
49mm Focal Length
Exposure 1.0sec @ f5.6
ISO 100

Window Reflections

A very subtle reflections from this window.  The house attached to this window is some 160 years old and the property is preserved land in Bucks County.

Submitted for Weekend Reflections #40

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/800 sec @ f2.2
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Fence finial

I took my youngest son on an expedition to explore a new stream, adjacent to a park.  The stream was a bust, but the path through the park took us past some beautiful homes, one of which has this awesome wrought iron fence.  I had the 24-105 zoom on the camera because I was hoping to capture some birds or wildlife.  I should have used the 50mm and I may return to do just that.  Not that this is a bad shot, I think it would be better with a wider aperture.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Lighthouse

Late last week, I decided I was going to take Friday off and go for a motorcycle ride.  I hoped to choose a destination that would offer some photographic opportunities and also allow me to get in a decent amount of miles.  After researching points of interest and parks, I settled on a two-destination trip, Elk Neck State Park and Susquehanna State Park, both in Maryland.

I got on the road at ~9AM and took the direct route to Elk Neck, arriving ~11:30.  Here's a google map link.  The lighthouse is at the very end of that road.  The 'B' mark is where the visitors center is located.  As you can see, this peninsula juts out into the Chesapeake Bay.  

Once you arrive at Elk Neck, it's about a 1/2 miles 'hike' to the star attraction, a 31 foot (10 meters) lighthouse.  Here's a shot of the plaque that gives information about the lighthouse.  

Aberdeen Proving Grounds is just across the bay.  The Army tests munitions there.  As I was walking towards the lighthouse, they set one off and the sound was VERY impressive. 

I brought a sandwich, so I decided to eat before taking photos. Here's the view from the bench where I had my lunch.  No too shabby.  What you can't see is just beyond the bushes and trees, there's ~100 foot (30 meter) straight drop to the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/320 sec @ f11
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

I took a lot of shots and I will be posting them as I get to them however, this is my favorite shot.  I believe the concrete pilars formed a fence that surrounded the stable, which is no longer there.  I like the perspective of this shot and, of course, the exaggerated proportions due to the 10mm focal length. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/320 sec @ f11
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

cold, hard steel

The Montgomery Square United Methodist Church is building a new church and I visited the site Memorial Day so I could safely walk around.  I thought this was interesting in monochrome.

Submitted for Monochrome Weekend, Vol 2 Issue 43.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/320 sec @ f11
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast
Monochrome

Purple and White flower

I have no clue what type of flower this is, but it's something my wife planted.  I particularly like the details of the pistil.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/13 sec @ f8.0
ISO 800

Aperture Priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Strawberry

I must have tried to photograph strawberries a dozen times.  I think previous attempts were done at night with a flash.  This came from natural light and looks pretty good. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/10 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800

Aperture Priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Daisy's

Here's a series of daisy shots, all slightly different genus. 

This is a form of a Gerber Daisy (my favorite).

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f8.0
ISO 640
Curves adjusted for contrast
Aperture Priority

Your basic Gerber Daisy

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f8.0
ISO 640
Curves adjusted for contrast
Aperture Priority

I decided to get in as close as possible to the center of this daisy and get a shot of the pollen. I really like this one, both color and composition.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast
Aperture Priority

Reflections of the eye

My wife spies this bee in one of her Pentas plants.  I think it was bedding down for the night (assuming bees do that sort of thing).  It spent time what appeared to be grooming itself, then found a spot and didn't move.  I must have taken 10 shots and this was one of the better ones.  You can see the reflection of the sun in it's eye, but if you look carefully, you can see reflections of other parts of the plant as well.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Penta Heart

My wife purchased Penta's to attract butterfly's.  I was using the macro lens and was going from flower to flower and I noticed this pistil in the shape of a heart. 

For other hearts, visit Clytie's Random Hearts. She finds the coolest hearts you can imagine!

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens

Exposure 1/100 sec @ f2.8

ISO 800

Curves adjusted for contrast

Aperture Priority

bark

Here I go, all artsy-fartsy again.  This 50mm lens is a KILLER!.  I was in a park near my home and there was this enormous tree in the park.  As I got closer, I saw some amazing textures in the bark, so I got in as close as I could and took this shot.  It's really cool in color, but I think it's way better in monochrome.  You be the judge.  

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f1.8
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Purple flower

I shot this in the field near Stover Myers mill.  The thought these flowers were really cool.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens

Exposure 1/400 sec @ f4.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Bridge Reflections 1.1

Some time ago, the Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation (PennDOT) released a list of bridges and their status.  The status reflects the condition of the bridge and it's ability to handle traffic.  Several bridges near me were identified as 'Structurally Deficient' which means "the bridge has deterioration to one or more of its major components ".

When returning to work from lunch the other day, I noticed there were police and construction people all over one of these 'Structurally Deficient' bridges.  They changed the traffic pattern so traffic only flows in one direction to reduce the load on the bridge.  The bridge also has some nasty curves leading to it which contribute to many accidents.


I did some investigation on the PennDOT website and discovered this bridge was constructed in ... 1838!!!  (I'm not sure if I believe that date)


The website has lots of other information on the condition of the bridge (wait a few seconds for Google Maps to switch to street view), but I was fascinated to learn that it was built so long ago.  Since this is a major road, I'm assuming the bridge will be demolished and replaced with a boring, ugly modern structure, so I decided to get up close and personal and get some shots.  I hope you enjoy it. Too bad no one was around to video tape my approach to the bridge.  It was very overgrown with lots of poison ivy and I was doing all kinds of funky steps to avoid it.

Submitted for Weekend Reflections #37 and Shadow Shot #108 (I actually try to get multiple themes in my photos)

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens

10mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/80 sec @ f5.6

ISO 200

Curves adjusted

a boy and his dog

This is my oldest son, Nick, dressed for his Junior Prom.  I thought it was cute how Zephyr sat next to him and looked at him.  I wish I had used a tripod because it's a little blurry.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f1.4
ISO 500
Curves adjusted for contrast

Rainy drive

I'm driving home from work one cold, rainy day.  Sitting at a traffic light, I decide to take a few shots.  Did I mention it was cold?  If you look in the upper left of the photo, you can see remnants of a snow flake.

I use this photo as the wallpaper on my droid.

It seems blogger has lost a few of my photos, so I'm reposting :-(

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f2.8
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Salamander

My youngest son, Alex, captured a bunch of salamanders the other day.  They are quite difficult to photograph with a macro lens, because they don't stay still.

Reposted because blogger lost the photo :-(

 Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f3.2
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Broken Reflections

I pass by this formerly beautiful old house twice each workday, it's less than a mile from my work.  You can see it on the right from this google map link (give it a second to jump to street mode).  I shot this August, 2009.

I'm not sure who owns the house or property, but it's adjacent to the Commonwealth National Golf Club.  I've watch it deteriorate each year :-(  The house has tons of character and could be restored to it's original glory.  It's stone, but someone stuccoed over the stone years ago.  Sad to see this happen.

Submitted for Weekend Reflections #36

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
47mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/25 sec @ f4.0
ISO 100
Curves adjusted for contrast

Are You Ready For a Challenge?

Scott Kelby has something up his sleeve.  He'll be announcing a monthly challenge starting tomorrow. 

'Details' on the challenge
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2010/archives/10466


His blog:
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/

Lonely

I shot this at the Hilltown Baptist Cemetery late on a Sunday afternoon in March (I'm just a tad behind).  I thought the late afternoon lighting offered some solitude to a poor lost soul who obviously perished a long, long time ago.  The headstone was unreadable.  There were many very old headstones, still standing, but unreadable.

A Submission for Shadow Shot Sunday #106

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/2500 sec @ f2.8
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Got the boot

Ok, so I don't know what was going through my head when I shot this.  20 seconds @ f32?  ISO 800?  I had aperture on the brain. 

Regardless, I like the shot.  It's the right boot from one of my pairs of Doc Martin's.  I love these boots (obviously) because they are very comfortable. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 20.0 sec @ f32
Aperture priority
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Wild Daisy

I shot this wild daisy at Lower Nike Park in Warrington, PA.  I love this shot because of it's such a simple, yet beautiful shot.  I'm really pleased with the bokeh considering this is an f4 lens.  I guess that's what bright, mid-day sunlight will yield :-)

The park is called Nike Park because this site used to house Nike missiles during the cold war.  You can figure out where one of the silos was located because there's a very large, level, circular area on the grounds and it stands out. 

Here's a pdf of an article about the missile site from 1955. 

A contribution for Mellow Yellow #70

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/1600 sec @ f4 (aperture priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Stadium Reflections

My son's 6th grade class trip was a tour of Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by a Phillies game at Citizen Bank Park.  These two are conveniently located across the street from each other :-)

You can see there plenty of reflections, though they are not spectacular.This is my submission for Weekend Reflections #35

The Phillies won :-)

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
24mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/125 sec @ f8.0
ISO 100
Curves adjusted for contrast

Rebar

A few weeks ago, I posted some shots from an abandoned barn and noted that the 202 parkway was being built nearby.  I try to drive the road that passes the barn several times each week, because it's a nice lunch-time escape.  I have been keeping an eye on the construction progress because I thought it might yield some interesting photo opportunities.  Well, here's one I like.  The parkway will have a bridge over Almshouse Rd.  The footings for the bridge support have been poured and this is the rebar that forms the support for the pilar.  I intentionally waited for a cloudy, overcast day so I could get the effect I was seeking.  I was able to walk up to the construction and sit on the ground to get the angle I desired.

Submitted for Monochrome Weekend #39

 Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f3.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Dragonfly lights

My wife bought these really cool solar lights that cast this really cool effect on whatever surface they are sitting on (my wife likes dragonflies).  The light is sitting on the patio 'floor' which is made of a concrete material that resembles slate.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/5 sec @ f1.4
ISO 800
no adjustments (this is a color shot!)

Playing with Fire 1.1

We had an outdoor fire the other evening.  My youngest son had thrown some pine cones in the fire that are covered with Copper Sulfate, which turns the fire blue.  He wanted me to take some photos, so I got out the camera and took a bunch.  I was experimenting with various shutter speeds and came up with this.  I think this is really interesting.  I believe this is the fastest shutter speed my camera supports. 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/4000 sec @ f1.6
ISO 500
no adjustments

Now, let's slow the shutter down.  I don't know how to explain what I see, but I think this shot gives the feeling of movement. The flames appear to be 'rushing' you can almost hear the fire roar.  In the prior shot, the flames seem 'quiet'.  Note that these shots were taken ~20 seconds apart. 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/20 sec @ f14
ISO 200
no adjustments

About a year ago, I posted these that were shot with a 50-250mm zoom.  I prefer the 50mm shots. 

Sea of Reflections

Nothing like rain after a you've just waxed your car.  There are more than 2,000 reflections of me in this shot!  No, I didn't count each one. I'm not that anal (but close).  Sorry, but the contrast is non-existent.  It was cloudy and cool.

Submitted for Weekend Reflections #34.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f3.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Train Bridge railing

This is the railing from the train bridge I mentioned earlier.  I guess it's supposed to keep people from falling off the bridge, but normally, there wouldn't be people on the bridge in the first place!  I provided a monochrome and color version.
 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens

Exposure 1/250 sec @ f3.5

ISO 200

Curves adjusted for contrast