Daily Image for Tuesday 18 March 2025

They were building a new pond at Mason Valley WMA. Shot with Sony A7iii and Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 at about f/8. Light processing with PhotoLab 7.

A couple-three weeks ago The Girl and I were out at Mason Valley WMA for an outing and to play some radio. I am using my weekends to get away from the house when possible. I work from my home office so I spend a lot of time there. It is a mental-health necessity to get away from that environment periodically.

After activating the park, I walked Sera again. For the moment, she is on two walks per day of about ten minutes each but on lead for control.

After our walk, we loaded up and headed for the park exit. Along the way, I noticed some equipment where they (staff or contractor) were excavating another pond. I decided to stop and get out my camera for this trip, a Sony A7iii with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 adapted to the E-Mount. It was far too bright for the fast aperture, but the lens also works well stopped down and I find the f/4–f/8 range to be adequately sharp.

So I walked the area for a few minutes and made a few captures. The Sun felt good and the air was clean. It was a good day.

The Girl was waiting for me when I returned.

Life is good.

She wanted to be let out to hunt. She is not ready to be off-lead and running around. So, I got the look. Shot with Sony A7iii and Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 at about f/4. Light processing with PhotoLab 7.

Busy, Busy, Busy

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.

Life is good.

Female Mallard

I am enjoying the ducks that currently populate the linear parkway. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Nikkon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF. Post processing in DXO PhotoLab 7.

Wednesday I got out to walk shortly after noon. I needed some outside time and some Sun. I carried a small camera kit based on the Fujifilm X-T5, the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4, and a Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 EDIF from my inventory. I have been tracking the mallards that are currently populating the linear parkway that I like to walk between Roop and Saliman. I was hopeful for some Sun on the fowl because of the colors and shimmer that they carry.

It was a bit cold with the northerly wind, but I was warm enough moving. I really do not care for the city noise and should have put in my earpods and then them to quiet. But, I did not and dealt with the background noise until I hit the parkway.

Of course, a cloud popped up and blocked the Sun a good portion of my walk. I also should have set the ISO on the camera to 1,000 or so or should have set the shutter speed to 1,000th of a second as many of my captures were not quite sharp. I will get it next time.

Of the lot, this is my favorite capture. I did a little post-processing in PhotoLab 7 to bring the color up a little and sharpen the image just a little. I was not quite getting the hairy eyeball, but I was definitely being watched.

Life is good. I am grateful.

Wood Cut

Freshly sawn, it appears. Shot with Sony A7iii and a Prakticar 135mm f/2.8 at f/8. Light processing in DXO PhotoLab7.

The Girl and I had a good walk at Silver Saddle Ranch about noon. I was a little overdressed, but so badly that I suffered. The wind was down and the sun shone nicely.

I had a a Pentacon Prakticar 135mm f/2.8 medium telephoto lens affixed to the Sony A7iii for some test shots. The near focus distance is about 1.3m, or a bit more than four feet. That is not bad for a portrait, but a little far for close work. I did come away with a couple of good frames, of which the above is one.

I did spend some time today thinking about Wife. She would have been 72-years old today, so Happy Birthday old girl! I would have teased you when we went out for dinner in celebration. I miss you. I always will.

But, life is good and I am grateful.