The Virginia Range from one of my favorite hikes on Silver Saddle Ranch. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-01 11:13:13, 35mm, 1/600sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.
A few days ago The Girl and I used a cool morning to hike Silver Saddle Ranch. With less Sun and cooler temperatures, I figured the risk of a nope rope encounter might be reduced. In any event, I kept her on-leash for our hike, with a brief exception for her to play in the water a bit.
It was a good hike and gave the opportunity for a few images, of which a couple were actually decent enough to share. The Fujifilm X-T5 is turning out to be a great camera. As much as I liked my X-T1, the most recent body is substantially improved. I mean this not just in pixel count (which is crazy high at 40MP), but in refinement of the shooting experience.
I admire the focus of this Basque mural artist. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-18 17:32:01, 300mm, 1/450sec, f/8, ISO-1000, SOOC.
Here is another frame of the Basque mural artist working. Again, she was unaware of my presence at this point. She was very focused on her work. It is something that I admire.
The entire shoot took me only about 15 or 20 minutes. I grabbed my Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 70-300mm zoom and walked toward the site. I made some images as I approached. I then stepped around to the north side for some closer shots. She noticed me, and smiled. We visited for just a few minutes so I could show a few frames and ask if she wanted a copy. She did, so I got her information. I have since sent her a few frames.
She was really leaning in to her work. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-18 17:31:39, 132mm, 1/200sec, f/8, ISO-500, SOOC.
I have an admiration for people who are good at their work. Well, really, good at anything that they do, be it work or avocation. I find it fascinating to observe and I think they make excellent photographic subjects.
I wrote about this artist a few days ago. I posted a couple of images from the set so far. Here is another of her leaning into her work, oblivious to my presence until I announcement myself a few minutes later.
I hike past this old stump almost every day during the summer. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-26 12:48:19, 35mm, 1/300sec, f/2.8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.
We are still hiking up near Spooner Summit, on an old fire road cut by the Forest Service whenever the last fire happened on the site. (It must be several years ago, based on what I see.) We walk past this old stump nearly every day.
That will end soon enough as Fall moves into Winter. Once I am convinced the Nope Ropes have gone dormant for the season, The Girl and I will transition to hiking Silver Saddle Ranch a good part of the time. The snows will making hiking the old fire road much more difficult and the trail access is often block by a snow bank from the plows.
I have been thinking that I would like to hike Dead Truck Canyon this Winter, maybe several times. The climb will do me good and The Girl will enjoy new places to explore. I think the likelihood of a coyote encounter will be reduced (but not eliminated) because of bulk of prey is in the valley and not on the hills. At least, those are my current thoughts.
There is definitely less cover as we climb, so I should be better able to scout ahead.
An additional benefit is that the elevation provides some nice views of the surrounding valleys. Plus the Carson Range will be in plain view as well.
I am thinking that Fall/Winter hiking will be good this season. I am grateful and life is good.
This old phone booth lives in the entryway of Slotworld here in Carson City. I walked past it several times before I decided I needed an image. IYKYK. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-20 17:46:10, 35mm, 1/52sec, f/8, ISO-800, Reggie’s Portra in-camera film simulation.
Well, this might not be The Tardis, but it is a close-enough facsimile thereof for me. I happened to pass through the entryway at the right time with decent light. So, I decided to make the capture.
It was a good evening with a good friend. The food was good as was the fellowship.
This is another frame from the shoot of the two painters working on a mural. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-18 17:30:03, 147.6mm, 1/220sec, f/8, ISO-400, SOOC.
This shoot was a lot of fun. It did not take me very long to make the captures, but I sure enjoyed working the scene. The interaction with the Basque artists was icing on the cake.
The Girl and I walked Silver Saddle Ranch one day last week. I carried a camera and the contrast of sky and cloud caught my attention, so I made the capture. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-25 12:19:49, 35mm, 1/1600sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.
A few days ago I had a very busy morning. It had rained a bit and the house was cool. I thought that meant it was cool outdoors as well. So, I decided to take The Girl to Silver Saddle Ranch, thinking it was cool enough she would not overheat (and maybe the critters would be bunkered in).
Boy howdy, I was mistaken. The clouds cleared and the Son shone brightly. So, while it was not HOT, it was quite warm. We hiked the trail, nonetheless. The irrigation water is shut off from the Mexican Ditch, so we crossed the now-dry ditch and headed for the river. There is still water in the Carson River, although it is showing the late season growth of vegetation.
Again, nonetheless, The Girl jumped right in, swam a bit, got a drink, and cooled off. I took the opportunity to empty my bladder (getting old sucks in some ways).
Having turned the corner on our path, we headed back toward the ranch compound and the rig a bit farther on. I had the X-T5 bouncing on my belly and had an eye out for a possible shot. I noticed the interaction of clouds and sky over the river and paused. I set the camera to do an in-camera conversion to a favorite Tri-X film simulation and also set it to emulate a red filter to accentuate the contrast of the sky.
The capture made, we continued our hike back to the rig… and then proceeded home. It was a good day.
This young Basque woman was working on a mural over near Smith’s grocery store. After a quick shopping trip inside, I mounted the Fujinon 70-300mm on the X-T5 and walked over to work the scene. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-18 17:35:05, 198.9mm, 1/300sec, f/8, ISO-2000, Tri-X film simulation via PhotoLab7.
A few evenings ago I drove up to Juan’s Mexican Diner for a taco and a beer. On my way home I remembered I wanted some ranch beans, so I stopped by the Smith’s grocery store on my way home. As I pulled in to the lot, I noticed two artists working on a mural.
My quick shopping stop done, I mounted the Fujinon 70-300mm zoom on my X-T5 and walked over to work the scene. I came away with a few nice captures and will share a few.
I also had a nice visit with this young Basque woman and offered to send a couple of captures.
It was a good day, a good outing, and I am grateful. Life is good.
While sheltering from the wind and rain of a pop-up thundershower, I noticed the rain on the front glass of the rig. So, I made the capture. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-23 14:41:13, 35mm, 1/170sec, f/2.8, ISO-125, post in PhotoLab with HP5+ conversion.
I am quite busy right now with work and taking care of The Girl and myself. I did manage to get out for a couple of weekends, first to Weber Reservoir with friends. There was no radio play, but lots of conversation, a shared meal, and a pop-up thunderstorm that provided plenty of excitement. Hence, I offer the abstract above.
For the Labor Day weekend, I was invited with friends to active Bald Mountain, just north from Topaz Lake. We decided to make a part of it and took the vehicles up to the summit. There we grilled burgers, had a great time of fellowship, and I played some radio.
I did violate the First Rule, thinking I had brought the Yaesu FT-897D and instead finding the Elecraft KX3 in the black Apache case I picked up. That meant I was limited to 15w of output power, which is stingy for phone operations.
It turned out OK because I was the only operator who activated. The 15w output is plenty for code operations, especially at altitude.
Although the vista is wonderful, the air quality is not. Shot from Bald Mountain during my SOTA activation. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-31 13:19:02, 35mm, 1/400sec, f/8, ISO-125, SOOC.
I did manage to get out Labor Day Monday for a POTA activation, that is already documented previous. That provided some needed recreation, some additional Morse Code practice, and a enjoyable Eastern Sierra outing with The Girl.
I like the combination of bright cloud and dark sky, shot on walkies up near Spooner Summit. Captured with X100VI, 2025-09-04 11:18:32, 23mm, 1/7500sec, f/8, ISO-4000, in-camera Acros-Red film simulation.The Girl and I are hiking the Eastern Sierra again, after the bear-scare kept me in-town for a few days. I really thought I lost her when I saw her broad ass disappear over the rise downhill from me.
Fortunately, she responded to my calls after she ran out of gas on the chase. She returned completely gassed, but unharmed. I, however, was worthless for the remainder of the day.
On our way up the trail from the staging area, I noticed this cloud peeking through the pines. I thought it might make a nice image in black and white with a red filter. So, I set the camera to simulate Fujifilm Acros with a red filter and made the capture. I rather like the output.
We finished our hike without incident, although I maintain a watchful attitude and work at staying present while hiking that trail now. The first bear I saw on the hike was last year, but at quite a distance. This time, the bear bombed the hill not ten feet in front of me. I was unable to react before The Girl clicked on and bolted in hot pursuit.
I have also seen a coyote a number of times (although not the last couple of summers), but always in the distance. She had a coyote encounter that left her with lacerations (she has earned the “F*()%#ed-up Face” appellation as a result) and the final rupture of the port-aft CCL. The latter required surgery for repair.
The Girl is a beacon for trouble, it seems.
Work kept me busy the remainder of the week. What this weekend will be is yet to be determined.
Life is busy at the moment. I am grateful for God’s gifts in general, and for the work in particular. Life is good.
The Comstock Casino has earned a few visits because of Juan’s Mexican Restaurant housed therein. The tacos and salsa are top-shelf. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-28 17:44:53, 35mm, 1/480sec, f/8, ISO-125, Fujifilm Classic Chrome in-camera film simulation, SOOC.
Headshot of one of the two fawns that appeared in my front yard. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-05 17:31:43, 300mm, 1/450sec, f/8, ISO-4000.
Last week, I think, I stepped out the front door one afternoon for whatever reason. (I do not remember.) I was startled to see two fawns nibbling at the weeds in my front yard. I greeted them, softly, then returned inside to pick up whatever camera was handy.
The Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 70-300mm zoom were handy. I stepped back out the front door, quietly, and made a few images while they permitted the intrusion.
