I do not know if this USFS property boundary marker fell or was knocked over. Captured with X100VI, 2025-09-15 11:29:25, 23mm, 1/9000sec, f/4, ISO-4000, in-camera Classic Chrome film simulation.
I am really enjoying our Fall hikes up near Spooner Summit. The weather has turned a bit cooler, especially when we are out hiking. The Sun is taking on its Fall look, less harsh than the Summer rays, as the Earth’s tilt changes the angle of incidence during the Fall days.
A few days ago we passed this fallen sign, just as we have dozens of times before. There are a few of the USFS property markers along the way, some of them erect; others tipped over. I wonder if it was the weight of winter snow, maybe a slippage, or if some miscreant vandalized them. I suppose I will never know.
In any event, on this particular day I paused, noticing the play of sunlight over the bright yellow of the marker. While The Girl sniffed about, I made a few captures. I like this one.
I enjoyed the rest of the hike and came away with decent capture. I am grateful for another day with The Girl and in the outdoors. Life is good.
Another Acros with red filter capture up near Spooner Summit. Captured with X100VI, 2025-09-10 10:57:02, 23mm, 1/28000sec, f/8, ISO-4000, in-camera Arcos Red Filter conversion.
We are clearly entering our Fall weather season. The mid-90F temperatures left a week ago (although they might return) and we are having a few more clouds. On our Spooner hike a couple of days ago, I looked over my left shoulder and noticed the Sun and clouds. On the way back from the turn-around, I paused because I liked the scene even more than I did on the way out. I made this capture, using the in-camera Acros/R film simulation.
I also will spend a little time today reflecting on that day in 2001 when we were attacked by enemies who despise our way of life. They want us to be afraid. I am not.
I am also reflecting on a heinous act perpetrated, most likely, by either an agent of the far left or by a maniac inspired by same. I am unconvinced that it does not matter if it is the latter because the horrendous tone taken by the far left is responsible for this evil.
I never saw Mr. Kirk be disrespectful or mean-spirited to anyone he engaged. It was part of his approach that I genuinely admired. What happened to him was evil and the perpetrator and his/her motivators are responsible for that evil.
It is a sad day for our nation, when we have come to the point that intelligent voices are silenced by violence.
This is not good; it is evil. Nonetheless, 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.
I carried the Fuji X100vi up the hill at our Spooner Summit trail this morning. I paused to shoot this scene using the in-camera Acros-Red film simulation. Captured with X100VI, 2025-08-03 10:43:37, 23mm, 1/400sec, f/16, ISO-800, mild post in PhotoLab 7.
After a very slow start, The Girl and I got out to hike about 1000h. We stopped at the Subway store on the way for a breakfast sandwich, but they were out of eggs. So, a Spicy Italian had to do. (It did.)
I ate my sandwich while listening to a talk radio station in Reno, with The Girl looking on (at my sandwich, not talk radio).
When we arrived at the staging area, about 20 off-road motorcycles were gathered. Fortunately, they were about to head out and vacated the spot I intended to use for parking. It was in the shade.
I got The Girl out to start doggie stuff while I gather up my pack, hat, and sunglasses. I put the Fuji X100vi around my neck and called her to head out. I did pause for a moment to catch this view of the Carson Range using the in-camera Acros with a red filter film simulation.
I elected to go up the hill rather than the old fire road. This was a significant challenge for my legs, which is fine. I paused a couple of times up the hill and made a couple of captures.
Near the top of the first hill, I turned and side-hilled to where The Girl was hunting. There I found an interesting rock formation, so we paused to catch breath (at least for me) and I made a couple of captures. Then we headed on down to the first saddle on the old fire road.
I paused there for a minute, then decided to go up the adjacent hill to get in some more climb and maybe find a couple more captures. Near the top, The Girl gave me a couple of opportunities and I took them. Then we moved on.
we side-hilled some more and then dropped back down to the fire road. The walking was much easier and we paused after another couple hundred meters for some water and some shade. We then hiked on to the turn-around, where we paused for another water break.
I elected to take the fire road back to the rig and not explore more. I had a report to get out and need to write some July invoices to pad my receivables. I like having billing out because sometimes it takes months to be paid for my work.
When we arrived back at the rig, The Girl was spent. She is snoozing on the floor next to my chair as I write on Sunday afternoon. I am also thinking a nap might be in order for a Sunday afternoon.
I created a gallery of these images and posted them to my Photo Album here.
It was a good hike. It was a good day. Life is good.
Do you see The Girl? She is there. Captured with X100VI, 2025-08-03 10:59:10, 23mm, 1/640sec, f/8, ISO-800.
While walking The Girl one evening, I paused for this grab shot. Captured with X100VI, 2025-05-21 20:21:50, 23mm, 1/30sec, f/8, ISO-640, SOOC.
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.
The Desert Peach is in full bloom. Shot with Fuji X100vi using the in camera Velvia film simulation. I did some light post-processing using PhotoLab 7.
After a full day of work, yesterday, The Girl and I finally headed out for a hike at Silver Saddle Ranch about 1715h. This is late for us, but the Sun was really warm yesterday and I did not want The Girl to overheat. I noticed some heavy clouds to the south and paused at the rig to check the weather before we left. Light rain was forecast for the next hour.
“I guess we’ll get wet,” I said to The Girl.
Sure enough, as we drove to the upper staging area, the sprinkles started. I made her contain her excitement while I retrieved a packable puffy I keep in the back of the rig. It was not particularly cold, but I knew the light jacket would shed most of the rain.
Prepared, I got her out, grabbed my camera, and we headed out. We had the place to ourselves. No one else wanted to hike in the rain.
The Girl chuffed and sniffed (on lead, of course) as we walked south. I did not really expect any critters, but I simply do not trust her to stay out of trouble.
The rain came a little harder for a bit. She paused to shake now and again, but did not ask to return to the rig. Neither of us minded a little rain to close out the week. The jacket kept me mostly dry.
The Fuji X100vi is waterproof with a filter affixed to the lens. I have had a filter affixed to the lens since I got the camera. I often use a light diffusion filter at night or indoors, but use a UV filter during daylight hours. A diffusion filter can really drop contrast if the sun shines on the glass.
As we neared the end of the hike, the shower passed off to the north and a bit of Sun peeked through the clouds. That lit up the vegetation wonderfully. So, I took advantage of the serendipity (the moment, not The Girl) and paused for a few images. I think some of them are decent.
We then hiked the couple-hundred feet back to the rig and mounted up. I decided to go by DQ for a bite of supper (cheeseburger, fries, and small Blizzard), all of which were shared with The Girl. She was a little grabby with the fries, so I had to correct her.
We then headed back toward the house, with a stop at Costco to refuel the rig. It was a good day. I am grateful.
While working my way over to the Re-Signed site, these purple flowers jumped out at me. Captured with the Fujifilm X100vi and the in-camera Velvia film simulation, with minor adjustments in post.
It was a very cloudy morning here in Carson City, Nevada. But, The Girl and I had to get out for morning walkies and I had a short break between morning meetings. So, we walked one of our local circuits so she (and me) could get a little exercise.
Along the path I came across this flowering tree. With the overcast, the colors really pop. The Velvia film simulation just increases the pop.
So, I paused and made the capture.
We then finished our walk and I made my next meeting. There is another new project for me to work on this year.
One of many ponds on the Mason Valley WMA site. Shot with Fuji X100vi with some post-processing in PhotoLab 7.
Goodness, I have been busy the last few weeks. I have project work plus the markets are giving me fits.
Saturday I just could not stand to stay in the house. So, I took Sera back down to Yerington to the Mason Valley WMA and activated the park. We had a nice walk and came across this pond that had quite a bit of activity. I made a few images with the Fuji X100vi and wished I had brought the Sony A7iii and the 400mm lens. There might have been a few more nice captures.
Still, I am satisfied with this one.
After the park, we drove over to the northeast side of Yerington to look at a property. It is a manufactured home on a five-acre lot. I am unsure about the condition of the home. The storage building looks fine and there is a small metal shed workshop that would be lovely, but awful hot in the summer.
It was good to take a look. I would like to have room for some wire antennas and be away from the noise of the mains behind my duplex. It looks like there could be some grass in a fenced front yard for The Girl.
I will have to think on it some more. I think the price is much too high for what it is.
On my way home from Walker Lake, I stopped at the Lucky Gold Casino for some supper. I love the light on the Rexall Drugstore and made the capture with the Fujifilm X100vi using a Kodachrome 64 film simulation, SOOC.
I found a very good tutorial for getting Windows (11), a Digirig Mobile, and Winlink talking to each other and working. It is found on N1SPW‘s website. There are other goodies for ham radio operators there, too.
After an abortive attempt to get my ham radio software working with a Debian 12 Linux install, I am going to give Linux Mint 22 a try.
This post on Groups.io has directions for getting a Digirig Mobile and Lab599 TX500 working together.
Calibre is an ebook library manager that I used years ago, until I drank the Amazon Koolaid. I recently learned that Amazon will cease the download to your PC option on 26 February. That means there will no longer be a way to download a copy of a book you paid for to your personal library. Further, it means (IMNSHO) that Amazon will now be renting eBooks and not selling them, at least for all practical purposes. I think this will lead to one of my rants…
One of my concerns is the loss of the information contained on the Internet. Kiwix is a partial solution to that problem.
I recently acquired a Fujifilm X100vi camera. My experience with its predecessor, the X100V, was extraordinary. The X100 series of Fuji cameras are highly desirable, as evidenced by the inflated prices over the last few years. I was on the fence about the upgrade, but love the new XTrans V sensor in my X-T5 so much that I decided the upgrade was worth the expense. One of the first things I did was to change the default 2.4GHz WiFi to the 5GHz band. This will speed up image transfer to my iPhone quite a bit (remains to be tested).
This is an excellent table of Nikkor lenses and the compatible hoods.
While activating the park at Walker Lake, the view across the lake caught my attention. I made the capture with the Fujifilm X100vi using a Kodachrome 64 film simulation with just a little adjustment to the contrast.
Last Sunday I was a bit out of sorts, tired of sitting at the house, tired of doing the same old thing, and kind-of just generally out of sorts. So, I decided to get out and go somewhere.
I need to renew my Nevada Senior Park Access Pass (gets me in free), so elected to see if I could activate the Walker Lake SRA. It was a new park for me and I would like to my number of unique parks activated.
So, I grabbed the 30Ah battery from the camper, loaded a few things into the 4Runner, and we set off. I knew The Girl would want to go along. I also knew that we could get in a couple of short walks as well.
The drive down was uneventful until I approached the turn off to the park. The driver behind me apparently was displeased that I slowed to make my turn. So, he shouted at me rudely (honked the horn), expressing his displeasure with my driving skills.
We worked our way down to an unoccupied portion of the park, found a relatively level place, and stopped. I got The Girl out for a short walk (that is all she gets at the moment). Then I put her back into the rig, got out the radio and antenna, and got out my table and chair.
It was warm enough to sit outside in the Sun, with it playing peek-a-boo through the clouds. I put down a mat for Sera and she took advantage of it. It did not take long to set up the antenna and the Yaesu FT-897D. I also put out a solar panel and connected it to the battery.
I started on the 10-meter band, phone, and then worked my way down to 20m. The bands were not very good and there was a lot of noise on 20m. I made enough contacts to make the activation before the noise drove me off.
I put away the station and gathered up The Girl for another short walk. I carried the new Fujifilm X100vi along with me and made a few captures. I am pleased with the two shared in this entry and the Rexall Drug Store capture in the last Remainders entry.
Although unusual, I came away with no lessons learned this outing. It was a straightforward setup, operate, enjoy, and recover the station operation. That is good.
We headed home and I drove through Yerington, Nevada instead of taking the bypass. The bypass has been heavily regulated. I suppose there was too much traffic using a local/collector road so they took action to reduce the traffic load. The road is not in good condition, anyway.
I used the opportunity to drive downtown. The Lucky Gold Casino was open and the restaurant/diner was serving. So I bought a grilled chicken breast supper and enjoyed some coffee.
Of course I carried the dog tax to the rig for The Girl. She enjoyed her early supper quite a lot and then settled in for the remainder of the trip home.
It was uneventful. I am grateful. Life is good.
While walking Sera a little, I paused to make this capture with the Fujifilm X100vi using a Kodachrome 64 film simulation, SOOC.
