We have taken to a short walk about dusk most evenings. The little loop is about a half-mile long and gives The Girl an opportunity to purge a little energy and mark her usual spots along the path.
I usually carry a camera because I like this time of the day and often the light offers something. It did a few nights ago.
Life is good.
I think I am recovering from an intense weekend for Field Day 2025. I have in mind to write an AAR for that outing as there were some strong lessons to be learned. We will see if I can get it done.
My log remains to be processed. I started on it before we returned home. Now I need to set aside time to finish it.
The Girl and I walked late this evening, just after sunset. It is cooling nicely in the evening here in Carson City and I love it. On our walk, we were treated to a lovely sunset.
Life is good. I am grateful
I will have a review of the Olympus Tough TG7 after I have more experience with the little camera. Based on my initial use of it, I have a good impression thus far. But, I need more experience to fully form my opinion of the little camera.
My use case for it is a field camera that I use to document my project work. I could use my iPhone, but better images can be made (I think) with a purpose-built tool. I spent several hours researching weatherproof or weather resistant cameras, particularly those that will fit into a pocket. I ended up with a TG7. It readily fits into the back pocket of my cargo pants.
I made this image Sunday evening while taking The Girl on our evening excursion. I wait until the Sun falls behind the Carson Range, then we head out for a half-mile walk once it cools down a little. Both of us benefit from the outside time.
The light was falling just enough that the sign made an impression. So, I paused, let her sniff at the nearby brush a bit (to leave pee-mail), and made this capture.
I have since learned I should dial down the compression a bit and/or shoot the Olympus raw format and post process the result. I will try both of these approaches for some upcoming test shots.
But, the SOOC images that I am getting from the TG7 are pretty good, in my opinion. Perhaps I do not have the critical eye of other photographers.
After the pause, The Girl and I headed home. She asked for her evening treat. I had mine, too. Then we hit the sack.
Life is good.
A few days ago I was at the Red Hut Diner in south Carson City for breakfast. I had The Usual and it was quite good. This lady is one of my favorite servers ever. She is so outgoing and so fun. She also makes a good image.
It was a good day. I am grateful. Life is good!
On Monday I carried the Sony A7Sii with an old Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 Macro affixed to the camera. It was a test run with a lens my buddy Jimmy loaned me. I made a few captures on walkies and shared one of a yellow jacket and rose a couple of days ago.
On our circuit through Carson City to the Station 51 park and back, we came across a shrub (“Bring me a shrubbery!”) covered in orange berries. I doubt they are edible or the birds would have carried them off. But, the color made for an interesting capture with a macro lens.
The Girl sniffed around a bit as I worked the subject. It was a quiet day on the Nevada DOT grounds. The overcast made the orange really pop.
The subject worked, The Girl and I made our way home to get on with our day — she a long drink from her bowl and a nap… me with a dry shirt and a push on some paying work.
It was a good day. Time spent with The Girl is time well spent. Life is good.
After working part of the morning, The Girl and I got out for walkies here in Carson City. I had stuff to do and a meeting at 1300h, so I did not want to drive up to Spooner for a hike. So, we walked in town.
The weather broke this weekend and it was about 50ºF outdoors. (And it was cool in the house as well.) I wore a cover and took just the Sony A7Sii fitted with a legacy Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 macro lens. It is a new to me lens, but Fujinon glass has always been good. So, I had high expectations.
The light was mediocre, but we did get a little sunlight mixed in with the overcast. The Girl really wanted to chase the plethora of ground squirrels near the rose hedge at the old flume. But I was afraid to let her go as there are sometimes other dogs and poorly mannered handlers.
When we got close to the hedge, I could tell it was clear (of dogs and poor handlers), so I let her sniff about for the dreaded bushytail.
I made a few images of the roses, mostly to test the lens until I saw a yellow jacket working one of the flowers.
“There it is!” I thought. I made a couple captures and the one above is the best.
The remainder of the walk was good and uneventful. My 1300h meeting was cancelled. I worked a bit until mid-afternoon, then The Girl and I took a nap.
She is doing much better. In fact, I think she is back to 100%. This is good. It makes me happy.
It was a good day. I am grateful. Life is good. Really, it is.
Although I have been around the Internet since my last remainders post, apparently I did not capture a lot of the sites and include them here. Hmmm…
After a pretty full day yesterday, I ended up at Garibaldi’s Italian Restaurant front door, waiting for them to open. While I waited, I got out the Sony A7Sii, which was fitted with a Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.7 Planar lens, and made a few images.
Of the group, I like this one quite a lot. I was facing into the Sun and the clarity of the shot is a testimony to the quality of the lens. There are a few small Sunstars visible.
The Girl is recovering nicely. After spending the morning in the Nevada Emergency Operations Center radio room, we came home, I got a bite to eat, and then we walked a few miles in town. It was warm, but not too hot.
A treat was our encounter with Timber and Lisa. The Girl recognized them and rushed over to engage. She loves her peeps! I had a nice, but short, visit and they were back off to work and we back on our walk.
I did what I said I would do. I even got a bit of work done given there was nothing to do in the radio room. It was a good day. I am grateful.
Life is good.
It was a busy day and is not quite over yet. I am working on a hydrology report for a client that I need to get out. Then there is another hydrologic analysis that needs my attention. I am called to staff the radio room at the NV EOC tomorrow morning. The EOC was stood up this week in response to the Davis Fire south from Reno and north from Washoe Lake in Washoe County. That is just north of me about ten miles.
Next week and the week following are field work. So I am busy this month. Busy is good.
I checked Facebook this afternoon, briefly, to post a music video I came across from one of my blog posts. It was good when I posted it and is still good. So I decided to share.
After posting the link to YouTube with a smile and small chuckle, I noticed a PM waiting. I opened it and it was from my friend Sandy. Then I nearly hit the floor. My old friend Jim M. died Monday. I have no other knowledge than he is gone.
Just. Like. That.
I felt that heart-hit that comes with such news. I wept, openly. Jim and I knew each other since back in the 90s when I came across his weblog, long idle and soon to be long gone. His love of photography and words match my own and we became friends. I still remember Sunday Morning Coffee with Jim. We would type back and forth on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) for an hour or so every Sunday morning.
He was there for me during my clinical depression. He was there for me when Wife died.
I do not carry much regret, but I carry this one — I was close enough to visit earlier this year. I did not take the time. Now, that time has passed.
Now his wife Sandy has a long row to hoe. Her griefwork will be different than mine, but yet it will be the same in that it has to be done.
I have a few more thoughts, probably. But they need to rattle around in this brain of mine before I can make sense of them.
Vaya con Dios, my friend. You are missed.
The image? Well, with The Girl sick I walked from the house and made a few circuits through downtown Carson City. Old Cactus Jack is still there, beckoning the tourists to come in and spend a dime, or a dollar. I saw the setup and made the capture.
The Fox Brewpub has become a favorite restaurant here in Carson City. It is local and the food is better than decent. I have not tried everything on the menu (yet), but have already found a few favorites.