Post a good thing that happened in your life today

[Michael Ventura]

3 hours ago, Ed Rooney said:

 

The Texas Rangers won the 2023 World Series last night. Yippie! They are a team I follow . . . after the NY Yankees and the Mets. In 4th place, I cheer for The Philadelphia Phillies.  I lived a short walk from the Texas stadium in Arlington.

 

Long ago, we had some amazing superstars -- Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Bob Feller, and others. But the average player is far far better now. Every morning, I watch highlights of a game after breakfast. Fantastic defensive plays are a daily event. And the pitching? 100 mph is the common fastball now.

 

Good going, Rangers!

 

Weren't the Rangers once the Washington Senators.   I used to go the Senators games quite a bit as a kid.  

[Ed Rooney]

3 hours ago, Michael Ventura said:

 

Weren't the Rangers once the Washington Senators.   I used to go the Senators games quite a bit as a kid.  

 

Were they? Hmm. Those Senators -- first in war, first in peace, but last in the American League. 

[Rebecca Ore]

17 hours ago, Bryan said:

The question now is, how can I overwinter my geranium (pelargonium) plants ? They are too big for our windowsills and, I've previously tried storing them dry in the garage, without success. If we have a mild winter they might survive in pots in the unheated greenhouse.  I guess I might try both approaches. 

 

I'm in the tropics at 1,000 meters and geraniums don't like my courtyard.  My advice would be take cuttings and start new plants that would be small enough for the window sill.   However some people here have geraniums that are three or four feet tall.    Lowest winter temperatures at night here rarely get below the 50 F.     Even though you want to keep your big ones going, you might want to also take cuttings. 

 

 

[Michael Ventura]

58 minutes ago, Ed Rooney said:

 

Were they? Hmm. Those Senators -- first in war, first in peace, but last in the American League. 

 

Here is what I found on Wikipedia about the Senators baseball team, a lot of shifting around:

 

 The old Washington Senators became the new Minnesota Twins; the expansion Senators would become the Texas Rangers in 1972, and baseball would not return to the city until 2005, when the former Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals.

[Bryan]

14 minutes ago, Rebecca Ore said:

 

I'm in the tropics at 1,000 meters and geraniums don't like my courtyard.  My advice would be take cuttings and start new plants that would be small enough for the window sill.   However some people here have geraniums that are three or four feet tall.    Lowest winter temperatures at night here rarely get below the 50 F.     Even though you want to keep your big ones going, you might want to also take cuttings. 

 

 

Thanks Rebecca, I did take cuttings about 2 weeks ago, possibly too late as the best time is at the height of the growing season. Some of them look Ok, others decidedly unhappy ! Sometimes the plants survive the winter here, if in a south facing well drained border, the tops die back, but there is occasionally new growth in the spring. I'm using a belt and braces approach I guess. 

[Betty LaRue]

12 hours ago, Ed Rooney said:

 

There are disco pants now?  I should get out more.  🎸

Not now, but once was during the satin revolution.  Along with satin/silky shirts for the guys and leisure suits. Went along with those looong sideburns & pooka beads.
I even had a pair of “these boots were made for walkin’” go-go boots & mini skirts. I loved to dance. My body doesn’t love it anymore. Although from time to time I put on The Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” & practice my line dance steps for a few minutes. Good exercise.

Edited November 3, 2023 by Betty LaRue

[gvallee]

Anyone fancies a trip to Christmas Island and do a rain dance there? Our flight is in 2 weeks' time. No sign of significant rain there, a MUST to trigger the red crab migration.

I realize it's the first time I'm hoping for rain during one of our trips...

Living in hope. Here's what we're hoping to see:

https://youtu.be/Yo7Rpr_xyOU?si=iRoUHyNAmRWpRHXa

 

 

[NYCat]

11 minutes ago, gvallee said:

Anyone fancies a trip to Christmas Island and do a rain dance there? Our flight is in 2 weeks' time. No sign of significant rain there, a MUST to trigger the red crab migration.

I realize it's the first time I'm hoping for rain during one of our trips...

Living in hope. Here's what we're hoping to see:

https://youtu.be/Yo7Rpr_xyOU?si=iRoUHyNAmRWpRHXa

 

 

 

Wow. Much more colorful than the grunion hunting I did as a child in San Diego. Only allowed to catch the slippery fish with bare hands. And, of course, they would only appear when you had nothing to put them in. Pockets? Not very good. Lots of fun and delicious too. Looking it up I see that you need a fishing license if you are 16 years or older. I don't think that was true when I was growing up. More government intrusion in the fun things in life. Makes me grouchy. Sorry.

 

Paulette

[Betty LaRue]

2 hours ago, gvallee said:

Anyone fancies a trip to Christmas Island and do a rain dance there? Our flight is in 2 weeks' time. No sign of significant rain there, a MUST to trigger the red crab migration.

I realize it's the first time I'm hoping for rain during one of our trips...

Living in hope. Here's what we're hoping to see:

https://youtu.be/Yo7Rpr_xyOU?si=iRoUHyNAmRWpRHXa

 

 

I’d love to experience that.

[Bryan]

An itinerant car key cutter rolled up at our house and, working from a mini workshop/laboratory in his van, cut and programmed a new key to replace that damaged by a trip through the washing machine. It appears to work fine, while I was able to disable the old key, which insisted upon winding the car windows down during the night when it was raining, by removing the battery. Great service at our door for considerably less than the cost of a new key from the main agent. He was offered, but refused, a cup of tea. Wots not to like?

 

Plus I finally got around to lifting the geraniums in the tubs outside the house, stringing them up in the garage, and replacing them with a mix of pansies and home grown wallflowers. 

Edited November 4, 2023 by Bryan

[Sally Robertson]

On 03/11/2023 at 18:48, gvallee said:

Anyone fancies a trip to Christmas Island and do a rain dance there? Our flight is in 2 weeks' time. No sign of significant rain there, a MUST to trigger the red crab migration.

I realize it's the first time I'm hoping for rain during one of our trips...

Living in hope. Here's what we're hoping to see:

https://youtu.be/Yo7Rpr_xyOU?si=iRoUHyNAmRWpRHXa

 

 

 

Hi Gen,

 

I hope you get to see the crab migration. But if not, there is some amazing bird life there. I recently read about it on West Australian photographer Georgina Steytler's website. She has a blog post about it with her bird and other wildlife photos, including her camera settings:

https://www.georginasteytler.com.au/post/christmas-island-the-galapagos-of-the-indian-ocean

 

I would absolutely love to go there myself one day.

[gvallee]

2 hours ago, Sally Robertson said:

 

Hi Gen,

 

I hope you get to see the crab migration. But if not, there is some amazing bird life there. I recently read about it on West Australian photographer Georgina Steytler's website. She has a blog post about it with her bird and other wildlife photos, including her camera settings:

https://www.georginasteytler.com.au/post/christmas-island-the-galapagos-of-the-indian-ocean

 

I would absolutely love to go there myself one day.

 

Hey Sally! Welcome back! How did your video projects go?

 

Thank you for the link. Now I am back to square one with a dilema! I kept flip flopping on which lens to take, macro for the crabs or 500mm lens for the birds. I had agonised for a long time between the two and had decided to take the macro. It seemed crazy to go that far to look at a crab migration and not take a macro lens. 

 

However, after seeing those bird pictures, I realised that birds are a lot more exciting to photograph. I can photograph crabs with my zoom but not birds with a macro... So? 500mm + tripod = extra suitcase. The local guide said birds are so close that a 400mm is enough, which is what I've also got and can shoot handheld. I can't take everything because of the flight, from wide angle to 500mm and macro with all the chargers, flashes, 2 bodies, laptop, etc. I must choose. Eenie meenie minnie mo... i think I'm going to do a dry run with my suitcase.

 

 

[Sally Robertson]

1 hour ago, gvallee said:

 

Hey Sally! Welcome back! How did your video projects go?

 

Thank you for the link. Now I am back to square one with a dilema! I kept flip flopping on which lens to take, macro for the crabs or 500mm lens for the birds. I had agonised for a long time between the two and had decided to take the macro. It seemed crazy to go that far to look at a crab migration and not take a macro lens. 

 

However, after seeing those bird pictures, I realised that birds are a lot more exciting to photograph. I can photograph crabs with my zoom but not birds with a macro... So? 500mm + tripod = extra suitcase. The local guide said birds are so close that a 400mm is enough, which is what I've also got and can shoot handheld. I can't take everything because of the flight, from wide angle to 500mm and macro with all the chargers, flashes, 2 bodies, laptop, etc. I must choose. Eenie meenie minnie mo... i think I'm going to do a dry run with my suitcase.

 

 

 

Ah Gen, yes, the dilemma of which lens to take! I know that is really hard when limited on how much gear you can bring. I know that Georgina Steytler uses her telephoto lens for subjects where a macro lens is usually used. She won a major international wildlife photography award for one she did of wasps with her telephoto lens which is on this page:

https://www.georginasteytler.com.au/3rd-gallery

 

I went to a talk she gave and she took a huge number of images of these wasps to get this one. I guess with the telephoto you do have that bit more versatility.

 

My video plans did not eventuate due to challenging life circumstances over the past couple of years. In fact last year I hardly did any photography at all. I do have a Fujifilm X-H2S now which is an excellent camera for video, so it is still something I would like to do. As far as stills photography goes, Alamy is still really the best fit for the kinds of images I like to take so I decided I was happy to start over here again.

 

I look forward to seeing your Christmas Island images. I imagine there are some nice landscape options too, if you can fit that lens in!

[gvallee]

2 hours ago, Sally Robertson said:

 

Ah Gen, yes, the dilemma of which lens to take! I know that is really hard when limited on how much gear you can bring. I know that Georgina Steytler uses her telephoto lens for subjects where a macro lens is usually used. She won a major international wildlife photography award for one she did of wasps with her telephoto lens which is on this page:

https://www.georginasteytler.com.au/3rd-gallery

 

I went to a talk she gave and she took a huge number of images of these wasps to get this one. I guess with the telephoto you do have that bit more versatility.

 

My video plans did not eventuate due to challenging life circumstances over the past couple of years. In fact last year I hardly did any photography at all. I do have a Fujifilm X-H2S now which is an excellent camera for video, so it is still something I would like to do. As far as stills photography goes, Alamy is still really the best fit for the kinds of images I like to take so I decided I was happy to start over here again.

 

I look forward to seeing your Christmas Island images. I imagine there are some nice landscape options too, if you can fit that lens in!

 

I am so sorry to hear that Sally. I remember you mentioning health problems, I hope you are alright.

I had noticed that Georgina Steytler shot some crabs with a 600mm and a robber crab (the size of a bin) with a macro lens. It made me laugh. And why not? I have shot tiny soldier crabs with my 400mm, lying in the sand with them crawling up my shorts.

 

All the best with your new Alamy endeavour.

 

[spacecadet]

3 hours ago, gvallee said:

a robber crab (the size of a bin) with a macro lens.

Well they still focus to infinity. My 90s 90 f2.8 is the sharpest lens I've ever owned, and the fastest since digital. I use it whenever I get the excuse. Bit heavy though. All that actual metal, it weighs more than my camera and kit zoom together.

[Sally Robertson]

19 hours ago, gvallee said:

 

I am so sorry to hear that Sally. I remember you mentioning health problems, I hope you are alright.

I had noticed that Georgina Steytler shot some crabs with a 600mm and a robber crab (the size of a bin) with a macro lens. It made me laugh. And why not? I have shot tiny soldier crabs with my 400mm, lying in the sand with them crawling up my shorts.

 

All the best with your new Alamy endeavour.

 

Thank you kindly Gen. Yes, I am alright. Photography is medicinal for me and helps me greatly. I have plans to try and submit 10,000 images next year. Will see what happens!

 

 I like the idea of using lenses for non-standard purposes. It makes you think differently. Getting down at ground level is the best for a lot of wildlife isn’t it, even if it means crabs crawling up your shorts!
 

It’s awesome meeting these various creatures. I rescued a carpet python 3 days ago with a couple of friends that we found had been hit by a car. We got it as quickly as we could to a vet in a town half an hour away. We checked with them the next day and learned it had died from its injuries which seemed to be internal. At least it was looked after at the end. It was so beautiful and seemed to be doing ok looking around in the car and making a real effort to live, but took a turn for the worse just before arriving at the vet. I didn’t think about taking photos as was focussed on keeping the python alive. I love snakes actually and hoping to get some photos in the wild.

 

16 hours ago, spacecadet said:

Well they still focus to infinity. My 90s 90 f2.8 is the sharpest lens I've ever owned, and the fastest since digital. I use it whenever I get the excuse. Bit heavy though. All that actual metal, it weighs more than my camera and kit zoom together.

Yes, those hefty lenses are often very good quality aren’t they. Macro lenses can be great for a range of subjects beyond macro, including portraits. I have a 90mm that I’ve used as a walk around street photography lens for picking out subjects. It kind of limits you in a creative way.

[gvallee]

4 hours ago, Sally Robertson said:

It’s awesome meeting these various creatures. I rescued a carpet python 3 days ago with a couple of friends that we found had been hit by a car. We got it as quickly as we could to a vet in a town half an hour away. We checked with them the next day and learned it had died from its injuries which seemed to be internal. At least it was looked after at the end. It was so beautiful and seemed to be doing ok looking around in the car and making a real effort to live, but took a turn for the worse just before arriving at the vet. I didn’t think about taking photos as was focussed on keeping the python alive. I love snakes actually and hoping to get some photos in the wild.

 

Good on you! We had a few snakes stories recently but nothing dramatic. We did a couple of housesits. The last one was in Cairns, taking care of an old deaf female Jack Russell. While relaxing on the couch, we heard some banging. The dog had caught a tree snake and was bashing it against the window. I shouted at her to let go but of course, she was deaf... The snake got away.

 

Then another housesit in a sheep farm. We saw a huge python on the table in the patio and sent a picture of it to the owners. They had never seen one there. Only tiger snakes in one of the paddocks.

 

We also have a friend here near Perth who is the local snake catcher. We met him recently while he was taking delivery of one day old chicks to renew his poultry stock as he was left with only cockerels. He muttered under his breath to me 'I won't tell him that a couple are for my python...'.

 

 

 

[spacecadet]

6 hours ago, Sally Robertson said:

 

Yes, those hefty lenses are often very good quality aren’t they. Macro lenses can be great for a range of subjects beyond macro, including portraits. I have a 90mm that I’ve used as a walk around street photography lens for picking out subjects. It kind of limits you in a creative way.

I don't know if you're FF but I'm still on APS-C so it's more like a 135. I've tried it on my twin grandsons and you see every eyelash and a much nicer perspective than the Iphone. A wide aperture helps with the movement but getting far enough away can be tricky. Must have another go.

[Sally Robertson]

13 hours ago, gvallee said:

Good on you! We had a few snakes stories recently but nothing dramatic. We did a couple of housesits. The last one was in Cairns, taking care of an old deaf female Jack Russell. While relaxing on the couch, we heard some banging. The dog had caught a tree snake and was bashing it against the window. I shouted at her to let go but of course, she was deaf... The snake got away.

 

Then another housesit in a sheep farm. We saw a huge python on the table in the patio and sent a picture of it to the owners. They had never seen one there. Only tiger snakes in one of the paddocks.

 

We also have a friend here near Perth who is the local snake catcher. We met him recently while he was taking delivery of one day old chicks to renew his poultry stock as he was left with only cockerels. He muttered under his breath to me 'I won't tell him that a couple are for my python...'.

 

 

I'm glad the Jack Russell was not bitten. It is always a worry with snakes and dogs. I may have met the local snake catcher in Perth if he is the one who goes around doing talks to the public. I was at a shopping centre once and he was showing various snakes including some deadly ones which he knew how to handle safely (for him and the public). He then let us hold a carpet python which was the first time I'd held a snake. That's quite funny about the day old chicks, though not for the chicks of course!

 

There is another snake catcher now based in Perth who does snake photography, Ross McGibbon. I saw him give a talk a few years ago. He has a website of his reptile images: https://rmrphotography.com.au He gets up very close to venomous snakes with a wide angle lens (not recommended for most people) and then uses them as educational tools for the public about snake behaviour.

 

After writing yesterday I aim to reach 10,000 images by next year, I just calculated how many images that would be per week. I think that might be a bit over-idealistic! I will aim for a few thousand, hopefully.

 

12 hours ago, spacecadet said:

I don't know if you're FF but I'm still on APS-C so it's more like a 135. I've tried it on my twin grandsons and you see every eyelash and a much nicer perspective than the Iphone. A wide aperture helps with the movement but getting far enough away can be tricky. Must have another go.

 

I'm not on FF either. That's lovely to get those images of your grandsons. Yes, the distance thing and getting enough in focus can be tricky with macro lenses. I got into photographing insects for the first time during Covid lockdowns in 2020 and had to keep narrowing the aperture to avoid just having only a small part of the insect in focus.

[zxzoomy]

I bought 9 rolls of expired 120 film.

[Rebecca Ore]

My older of two younger brothers is flying into Managua tonight and will be in Jinotega tomorrow.  Two neighbors of a friend of his are already visiting Granada (cliche that it is) and may come up here since they'll be spending six weeks in Nicaragua.  Luis will deep clean the house tomorrow.

[Mr Standfast]

After slowing down a bit since June and finding my Asthma medication was notworking as well I bit the bullet and saw the Doctor on Friday. Long story short I was sent to the hospital then and there with an irregular heart beat. Two cable pacemaker fitted today!!!!!! Much better now. Look after yourselves.

[Mr Standfast]

Escaped the hospital on Friday night.  First thing I did when I got home was make wifey a cup of tea.  Little things eh!

Edited November 12, 2023 by Mr Standfast

[Betty LaRue]

On 09/11/2023 at 12:26, Mr Standfast said:

After slowing down a bit since June and finding my Asthma medication was notworking as well I bit the bullet and saw the Doctor on Friday. Long story short I was sent to the hospital then and there with an irregular heart beat. Two cable pacemaker fitted today!!!!!! Much better now. Look after yourselves.

Well done. Was your asthma addressed?

Around 2001, I had a cardiac ablation, which is a procedure where the doctor went through my femoral artery & threaded a wire to my heart. The bad heart “wiring” that caused the problem was then burned.  It stopped the worst of my cardiac arrhythmia, the death rhythm part (I hope!) that’s ventricular but not 100% of all the different types I have. I take meds for the rest, Mainly for the tachycardia. I’ve had over 240 beats per minute before. The medicine has mostly stopped that.

[Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg]

Oliver Anthony responded to my comment on one of his Youtube videos.

(not good news, gobsmacked news)

He is record setting US country music cultural phenomenon.

He was unknown couple months ago.