Tag: black and white

Snakebit for the Second Time

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Sera was not feeling well a couple of days ago after being snakebit. Shot with Sony A7Sii and Canon 55mm f/1.2 at f/2.

While recovering my friends’ Jeep on Bald Mountain, The Girl was doing her usual puttering around the area. She managed to find, and engage, a small rattlesnake. She was bitten twice on the muzzle, both bites hitting chin and upper lip.

One of our party told me that she heard “buzzing” in the distance about the time Sera came to me, shaking her head and pawing at her face.

“Let me see” I told her. She patiently allowed me to check her face. At first, the marks seemed too far apart to be a snakebite. But, as I processed what happened, I realized that the snake’s bite must not have been horizontal when it struck her, but turned about 90º.

I headed in the direction of the buzzing, although I could not hear it.

“Be careful!” my friend called out. The other member of our party caught and restrained Sera as I searched for the snake. When I headed that way to investigate, Sera wanted to accompany me (or course).

When I got closer, I could hear the snake. I found it under some brush and it looked like a small (juvenile) Great Basin Rattlesnake.

It was a bit more than a year ago that The Girl had her first encounter with a rattlesnake. I did not think her life was in danger, but I also knew this was serious. I needed to get her out of there and in medical care.

After a bit of wrangling, with me not wanting to leave my friends stranded on the trail, I elected to leave them to finish reloading the Jeep and I headed down the mountain with The Girl. I paused when I noticed my iPhone indicated it had a decent signal and looked for a vet clinic in Yerington. But after a couple of minutes decided I could spend time sitting and searching or just call the clinic in Gardnerville and move that way. So, I called, gave my report, and the clerk told me she would advise the team I was on my way.

She laid her head down on her mat and the swelling spread out to the sides. I could not help myself — I laughed. Shot with Sony A7Sii and Canon 55mm f/1.2 at f/2.8.

It was difficult to keep my speed down on the rough trail down the mountain. But, I knew it would take a lot longer if I broke a tire and did my best. Once off the trail and back on high-speed dirt roads, I moved. After all those years living on the county roads of Phelps County, Missouri, I know how to drive fast on gravel.

When we hit Wellington, the clinic called and I advised them I was about an hour out. She asked me again where I was, “I’m just passing the post office in Wellington,” I replied. “I will call when I’m five-minutes out.”

The highway was pretty clear and what traffic the was moved reasonably quickly. I noticed some swelling that started near the bite site was moving along Sera’s jaw line toward her throat. This gave me some concern that she might suffer from a restricted airway, but there was nothing in my kit to treat this kind of need.

We pressed on.

I called when we were about five-minutes out and advised my ETA. “Do you need assistance bringing her in?” I was asked.

“She is awake and responsive, so only maybe.”

In a few minutes I pulled into the emergency parking spot and an attendant brought out a gurney, but Sera was ambulatory so she just picked Sera up, chest hugged her, and carried her in. I followed with the gurney.

Then the situation was out of my hands and in the care of the medical team. I handled the check-in and chatted with the clerks.

They put me in a room and the vet came in to talk to me about the treatment plan. Then a technician came in to give me an estimate of the cost and take my deposit. Yes, the clinic now requires a deposit before they will treat.

Then there was nothing for me to do, so I headed home. I dropped off the broken tire at my friends’ place and went home, concerned about The Girl.

My friends called a bit later to see if I still wanted supper. “Yes!” So we had supper together and discussed the weekend. Our experience is a fact-of-life if one is going to spend time outdoors on the trail. There will be broken bits of equipment. There can be/will be medical emergencies.

I was called Monday morning by the clinic and Sera’s blood work was normal and she was ready to be retrieved. So, I finished my walk downtown (in Carson), returned home, cleaned up, and headed down to Gardnerville to pick her up.

When I got there, she was her normal self — ready to be out of the clinic and to go home with me. Her neck was really swollen and she looked like a toad about to croak. But I was glad to have her back.

Tuesday morning I offered her a walk and we headed out from the house to walk a little in town. After a quarter-mile, I could tell she was tiring. So, we reversed and returned home. She got back on her mat on the sofa and went to sleep.

I had a field walk scheduled for Wednesday and we headed out towards Truckee, California to the site about 0800h. She nibble a bite of my breakfast sandwich and looked excited to be out and about. I kept an eye on her and she seemed normal. But, I called her in regularly because I did not want her to overdo the exercise.

Thursday we walked one of our regular trails up near Spooner Summit and then returned home. I noticed a couple patches of mottled or spider-webbed skin on her chest. But she seemed alright otherwise.

Friday morning, late, she was not feeling well. So I called the clinic and they scrambled to get us an appointment, but got us a slot at 1920h. I was very concerned about The Girl because she was just not doing well. The swelling was down, but there was something else going on. Her blood work checked out OK and the vet looked at her skin. They sent me home with an antibiotic and direction to watch her. It was a late night and we did not get home until 2200h.

Saturday morning I could not get her to eat much, take her medicine, or drink much. I immediately called the vet and they got me an appointment for 1430h. Sera did not seem well at all and I was afraid that she was seriously ill.

When we arrived, they put us in an examination room and after a few minutes the vet came in (same one we had seen Friday). She checked Sera’s vitals and then took her for a blood test, which was normal. She returned a few minutes later with the news that Sera was most likely reacting to the antivenin with inflammation. She checked for anaphylactic shock, but there were no indications thereof.

So, the treatment plan was hydration (subcutaneous), antihistamine, and a steroid. They treated Sera and released her to me with direction for administering the medication.

By the time we got home (about a half-hour), Sera was feeling much better. The antihistamine/steroid was already working to relieve her system. She went to her water bowl and drank well. She nibbled at some chicken and kibbles. Then she got another drink and went to her favorite place — her mat under my worktable.

As I write this, I believe that Sera has turned the corner. She is on the mend, I think. But, I also think that she cannot afford another rattlesnake encounter. I am making plans for her to do an aversion training and located a trainer. I will be very careful with her where there can be rattlesnakes until the cold comes and they hibernate. Our walks will need to be in areas where she is highly unlikely to encounter a snake or on-lead.

I hope I am right about her recovery. She is still young, only about five-years old. I will know in a few more days if this treatment will work. In the meantime, I will continue to care for her, love her, and enjoy her company.

There was not much besides caring for her and work the last few days. There was not much of anything else, including photography or radio play.

Yet, I remain grateful. As hard as this was for me, emotionally, I am grateful for God’s gifts. These include The Girl, who is the love of my life. Life is good.

She is recovering nicely and mostly herself again. The swelling is all but gone. Shot with Sony A7Sii and Canon 55mm f/1.2 at f/2.

Playful Sera

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She put on a show for me this evening. Shot with Sony A7Sii and Zeiss 50mm f/1.7 Planar wide open. Light processing to convert to black and white.

I think Sera knew I needed some interaction late this afternoon. She pawed at my bare feet (Ouch!), head butted my legs, and generally put on a show. I happened to have a camera at hand and made a few captures.

Then we had a big play with the squeaky football until she said “I’m done” and asked for supper. She is such a hoot.

I win. (And I fed her.) I am grateful. Life is good.

Tree in James River — Test Frame Bronica S2A Nikkor-P 75mm f/2.8

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Fallen tree on James River. Shot with Bronica S2A and Nikkor-P 75mm f/2.8 at f/4 on Ilford XP2.

I recently acquired a Zenza Bronica S2A medium format camera. It shoots 6x6cm frames and came with a Nikkor-P 75mm f/2.8 lens. I have a lot more to say about the camera but will save it for another day.

I ran a roll of Ilford XP2 through the camera as a test roll before I decided to accept it. The scans came in on Saturday and I started to review them.

What I can say so far is that the camera is working correctly, at least for the test conditions used. The scan of the negative looks good, but a review of the negative with a loupe and good light will tell me more detail than the scan can. Nonetheless, I think this is a keeper.

I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with this camera. I want to shoot some real black and white film, such as Tri-X, FP4+, or HP5+, and then develop the negatives myself. I will figure out the scanning later, but I could use a DSLR to do the scans or dig out my film scanner.

I am grateful. Life is good.

Daily Image: 07 December 2023 — Clouds over Mt. Scott

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It was sure windy the afternoon I shot this. Weather was rolling over to Carson Range and put clouds over Mt. Scott. Shot with the Fujifilm X-E2 and Fujinon 28mm f/2.8 at f/8 and post processed in DxO Photolab 7 and NIK Silver Efex Pro.

After a long meeting and a little decompression (and some lunch), I got The Girl out for walkies at Silver Saddle Ranch. It is good we left when we did, because about halfway into our walk, I noticed clouds showing over Prison Hill. Further north, I could tell it was raining in Washoe Valley. The wind was up, gusting hard from the south/southwest.

The incoming weather added some impetus to making progress. I snagged three captures and then the battery in the Fujifilm X-E2 died. I should have known to bring a backup battery. Nonetheless, it felt like rain was coming and so we moved right along.

Even so, The Girl and I played a little. She picked up a huge stick that made me laugh out loud. It was just like all those memes in which a dog picks up a six-foot long stick.

At least she did not run into anything.

And, sure enough, it started raining when we were about five minutes out from the rig. It was good to get in and be dry.

In the end, it was a good outing. I came home with a keeper. We had fun. We got exercise. Life is good.

Daily Image: 06 December 2023 — Old Gate at Silver Saddle Ranch

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Gate in the ranch compound, Silver Saddle Ranch. Shot with the Fuji X-E2 and the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 at f/4. Post processed in DxO Photolab 7 and NIK Silver Efex 6.

I was not really in the mood to do much when we left the house yesterday afternoon. I left the Pentax 645NII kit, the Fujifilm kits, and the pack at home. I was hungry, so we drove by Arby’s for a sandwich (shared). Then we headed for Silver Saddle Ranch to get in a walk.

It was a beautiful fall day in Carson City. The sun was shining with maybe a little high clouds. It was strong enough to make mid-40ºF feel nice with a light cover. There was not a lot of traffic at the gate at 1330h. All of this raised my spirits, especially getting out of the house with The Girl.

What I did bring (besides The Girl), was the little Fujifilm X-E2 with the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens mounted. This is the smallest digital camera I own1. I have it on a wrist strap, so I can let it dangle when I am busy with The Girl or want both hands free.

I made a few captures as we walked along. I made sure she checked in with me frequently. There were only a couple other walkers that I saw and none crossed paths with us. That made for a really nice walk.

The Girl got frisky a couple of times along the way and we paused to play. Those interactions always raise my spirits, and the did this day.

I grew more cautious as we approached the segment of the trail that has more traffic, but we saw no one. We paused at the ranch compound to look for possible photographs. I noticed this old gate and the light was just about right to bring out the texture in the wood. There was a power pole peeking out above the cross bar, but a judicious adjustment to my point of view hid it from the frame.

I made the capture. I am glad I decided to carry the camera along.

We ended the hike with some more play. She brought a stick and we wrestled over it for a few minutes as we walked.

The drive home was uneventful. The Girl crashed on her bed under my work table. It was a good day. Life is good!

1Well, that is not *exactly* true — I have a Panasonic ZS-40. I used it as a field camera for the Wilson Creek project. Its EVF and image quality make it such that I do not want to use it. Neither a very good. For a slightly larger package, I have better options that are much more enjoyable (and easy) to use.

Daily Image: 29 November 2023 — Points

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This capture came about as an experiment. The Girl and I were walking Silver Saddle Ranch and I carried the Sony A7Sii with a Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar mounted on it. The shot was recorded in raw format at f/1.8. Post processing was in Silver Efex 6 with changes to exposure and contrast and a bit of Tri-X film grain added. I then downscaled the image with Iridient Developer.

I seem to be learning something constantly. Some might call me a scanner because I have a difficult time focusing on just one thing. I have been this way as long as I can remember.

In thinking about processing my images, I decided to update my copy of the Nik Software Collection so that it will run on my new MBP. In particular, I am interested in the black and white capabilities of the Nik software as that is where I really like to work.

One might ask why I am interested in post processing to produce more filmic (film-like) images from my digital cameras. It would be a fair question. I am an amateur photographer. I do not need the almost clinical images produced by modern cameras with exceptional lenses because I do not have a client who is expecting those kinds of images. Photography is one of my ways of reaching into the arts. Although there is something about striving for the ultimate in sharpness and extreme detail, that does not appeal to me most of the time. I want to look at and make images that speak to the heart and less to the analytical mind.

This will likely lead me to shoot some film. I have the Pentax 645NII out of the hutch and am building a kit for it. It is a big, heavy camera that shoots 120 film. But, this is a topic for another entry.

Yesterday seemed like a good day to take the Sony A7Sii out for a walk. I mounted the Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar on the M42 converter and checked that the camera was setup for a 50mm lens1. (The camera has in-body image stabilization.) That done, I collected The Girl and we went out to walk.

Given it was after noon, the temperature was much warmer than this morning (about 40ºF) and the sun was shining. The Girl was very excited to get outdoors. She wriggled and chirped as we drove out to Silver Saddle Ranch. As we walked, I made some images. The different camera and very different lens challenged me a little, which is a good thing.

The Girl teased me quite a lot. Sometimes ranging out and sometimes staying close. I felt the tension melt away as I walked and I laughed at The Girl quite a bit as well.

On the return leg of the hike, I realized that having finished up another chunk of work took a big load off my shoulders. The tension melted away and I started playing grab-ass with The Girl, who jumped and twirled away, laughing her doggy-laugh. She looked over her shoulder, grinning that big, goofy pitbull grin, then spun around to run back in for another round. She grabbed a stick and teased me with it.

Her energy was dissipated as we neared the rig. I patted her while we drove home, and then gave her a couple of her small cookies. She was snoozing under my work table as I finished up the day. As I wrote this, it was time to feed her (she is asking) and time for me to get a shower and think about some supper.

I downloaded my images and picked this one to play with. I call it Points and it was shot raw with the Sony A7Sii, and then post processed with Nik Silver Efex 6 to make the black and white conversion.

I am learning some new tools. Life is good. I am grateful.

1I noticed the battery was at about 50% state of charge. I should have tossed a second battery in the bag. I ran out as I stopped to make my last few images.

CZJ 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar

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This is a test shot of Lucas with a new-to-me CZJ 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar. It was shot wide open with a Sony A7Sii and the Sony in-camera black and white conversion.

A lovely Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar in M42 mount arrived a couple of days ago. I have not yet had a chance to shoot it, certainly not to test it. But I did mount it on my Sony A7Sii a few minutes ago and shot one of my test subjects, my Lucas plushie.

The capture was made wide open and the background blur is evident in the shot. The lens is nicely sharp wide open and I think the background blur (bokeh) is very nice for this camera to subject distance. It will be fun to play with this East German lens and I will have to make a point of carrying the A7Sii and this lens (and maybe another) on walkies.

This is fun. Life is good.