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.

Equinox Day

HummingbirdThis evening at 2044 (local time) will be the fall equinox. The days will be shorter than the nights until spring.

The fall equinox marks entry to the cool part of the year. This morning is no exception. It’s cool here this morning, Mother Nature celebrating entry to fall with cooler weather for us. I’m ready.

A couple mornings ago, a hummingbird visited my house. The Rose of Sharon always attracts them and I expect the little birds are migrating to their winter grounds. Wife loved these little birds and always got excited when one (or sometimes two) would visit.

She put out the feeder several times. However, the only creatures that visited the feeders where the wasps. So, I won’t bother. I’ll allow my backyard shrubs to provide for the little birds and keep the bees busy as well.

When I noticed the bird working the bush, I put the Nikkor 300/4.5 on my D300 (new to me) and shot maybe 30 frames. Focusing the 300mm lens is a challenge with the D300 because the lens is not particularly fast and the viewfinder is not very bright (as a result). But, the manual focus lens is far less expensive than the autofocus versions and good optically. So, it makes sense for me.