Pretzel's Snack-A-Day (365 for 2014)
- Thread starter Pretzel
- Start date
BINGO! Had a few laying around, and never liked similar test shots I had taken before with the SB700 on camera, so tried it now that I can set it off to the side and it came about a bit better. Still some learning curve, but LOVE the options I have now!
Sadly (or maybe not so sadly), they're from a local celebration instead of the mayhem down on Bourbon Street...
Can't say that I've ever visited New Orleans at all, except for one drive through around 2 a.m. on a return trip from Florida, and THAT would have never happened if my navigator hadn't fallen asleep. We entered over the "shorter" bridge over Lake Pontchartrain, and came through both the Bayou Savage and Maurepass Swamp Refuge areas, but it was way too dark to enjoy much. One of these days, I'll get down there with a camera.
I'll tell ya this, the roads down there destroyed the shocks on our vehicle... :uncomfortableness:
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Been there once, 6 months before Katrina (saw my hotel room windows at the Omni blown out on TV). You couldn't get me anywhere near NOLA for Mardi Gras. Other times of the year? Absolutely. Way too much crime and too many amateur partiers throwing up in the streets during that event. Want to make JazzFest one of these years.
Been there 2 times. It's just way too much fun. We were scheduled to be there the day Katrina hit, but luckily for us, all flights and hotel were cancelled. Good food, good people, and great music. and I agree with BDH. Stay away 1 week before and 1 week after Mardi Gras. It's just a zoo during that time. There is so much more than Bourbon St, which is exactly like Beal St. Memphis, but on a larger scale.
Now look. We've gone and hijacked your thread. Now back to our regular programming.
Day 128 - Another day at LaFortune
Got a shot of a new friend, and a couple more shots of old friends.
1st, the RARELY calm Barn Swallow (locally referred to as a Blue Martin) Not great shots, as these guys will NOT let you get close, but I shot a few anyway as I've never seen one sitting still before!
You can tell he was ready to take off again as soon as I turned toward him fully, so I froze.
He decided to stretch out his wings a bit and get them limber just in case I got TOO close.
Then actually hopped down to give ME a closer look before launching himself back into the never-ending flight of the Swallow.
Also, it appears the Yellow Crowned Night Herons have made a home under the bridge, as this one came creeping out to prove that he's a regular now.
Then, one of my favorite "nuisances", the Great Tailed Grackle. This fellow was helping to keep the fairway healthy by removing the grubs.
Got a shot of a new friend, and a couple more shots of old friends.
1st, the RARELY calm Barn Swallow (locally referred to as a Blue Martin) Not great shots, as these guys will NOT let you get close, but I shot a few anyway as I've never seen one sitting still before!
You can tell he was ready to take off again as soon as I turned toward him fully, so I froze.
He decided to stretch out his wings a bit and get them limber just in case I got TOO close.
Then actually hopped down to give ME a closer look before launching himself back into the never-ending flight of the Swallow.
Also, it appears the Yellow Crowned Night Herons have made a home under the bridge, as this one came creeping out to prove that he's a regular now.
Then, one of my favorite "nuisances", the Great Tailed Grackle. This fellow was helping to keep the fairway healthy by removing the grubs.
Day 128 - Another day at LaFortune
Got a shot of a new friend, and a couple more shots of old friends.
1st, the RARELY calm Barn Swallow (locally referred to as a Blue Martin) Not great shots, as these guys will NOT let you get close, but I shot a few anyway as I've never seen one sitting still before!
You can tell he was ready to take off again as soon as I turned toward him fully, so I froze.
View attachment 88154
He decided to stretch out his wings a bit and get them limber just in case I got TOO close.
View attachment 88155
Then actually hopped down to give ME a closer look before launching himself back into the never-ending flight of the Swallow.
View attachment 88156
Also, it appears the Yellow Crowned Night Herons have made a home under the bridge, as this one came creeping out to prove that he's a regular now.
View attachment 88157
Then, one of my favorite "nuisances", the Great Tailed Grackle. This fellow was helping to keep the fairway healthy by removing the grubs.
View attachment 88158
I am impressed with your bird shots today. Thanks for posting them.
wreckdiver1321
Senior Member
Nice birds!
Day 128 - Another day at LaFortune
Got a shot of a new friend, and a couple more shots of old friends.
1st, the RARELY calm Barn Swallow (locally referred to as a Blue Martin) Not great shots, as these guys will NOT let you get close, but I shot a few anyway as I've never seen one sitting still before!
You can tell he was ready to take off again as soon as I turned toward him fully, so I froze.
View attachment 88154
He decided to stretch out his wings a bit and get them limber just in case I got TOO close.
View attachment 88155
Then actually hopped down to give ME a closer look before launching himself back into the never-ending flight of the Swallow.
View attachment 88156
Also, it appears the Yellow Crowned Night Herons have made a home under the bridge, as this one came creeping out to prove that he's a regular now.
View attachment 88157
Then, one of my favorite "nuisances", the Great Tailed Grackle. This fellow was helping to keep the fairway healthy by removing the grubs.
View attachment 88158
You might get closer to them if you offer them some BREAD CRUMBS!
Seriously, really nice shots, Pretzel! I'm not fond of grackles. We have some here that have an iridescent purple coloring to their heads. Sometimes they peck their long beaks into the bodies of the smaller birds such as sparrows to make them fly off. The grackles want all the food for themselves.
I especially love your 2nd Blue Martin shot with the outstretched wings and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. Nice work!
Day 129 - Just messing, nothing fancy
Decided to mess with creating a panorama in PS, so went outside and snapped off 4 handheld shots of the privacy fence down one side of the back yard to see what would happen. Much easier than I expected, and I'm pleased with the outcome. Soon I'll work on getting a pano worth looking at.
Lessons learned tonight, time to watch the playoffs.
Decided to mess with creating a panorama in PS, so went outside and snapped off 4 handheld shots of the privacy fence down one side of the back yard to see what would happen. Much easier than I expected, and I'm pleased with the outcome. Soon I'll work on getting a pano worth looking at.
Lessons learned tonight, time to watch the playoffs.
Day 130 - Takin' a ride! (2 of my favorite activities today, riding and snappin' pics. YAY ME!)
1st, as I was loading up the camera into one of the saddlebags, I decided to snap a pic of one of my new Darling Daisies; figured that would make a pic o' the day just in case I decided to keep riding and not stop. Then, after spending HOURS (after dark) of creatively messing with edits, I fell in love with this B&W version.
1st stop, a fave spot in town. Plain ol' whitewashed brick wall. Quick snap and back to riding.
Then, after a LOT of riding, I decided to try a few shots in a local parking garage. I think I'll head back here anytime someone wants a vehicle shoot, as there's always an empty level. Might even make for a couple of cool portrait sessions, never know!
These first few were deeper in the garage, under one of the lights. Left the bike's lights on as well, just to see the effect. I think I like!
Then I moved to a spot where the sun was shining in as the sun went down for a couple more. LOVE shootin' pics of my ride almost as much as I love ridin' it!
Mom's day tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mums out there!!
1st, as I was loading up the camera into one of the saddlebags, I decided to snap a pic of one of my new Darling Daisies; figured that would make a pic o' the day just in case I decided to keep riding and not stop.
Then, after spending HOURS (after dark) of creatively messing with edits, I fell in love with this B&W version.1st stop, a fave spot in town. Plain ol' whitewashed brick wall. Quick snap and back to riding.
Then, after a LOT of riding, I decided to try a few shots in a local parking garage. I think I'll head back here anytime someone wants a vehicle shoot, as there's always an empty level. Might even make for a couple of cool portrait sessions, never know!
These first few were deeper in the garage, under one of the lights. Left the bike's lights on as well, just to see the effect. I think I like!
Then I moved to a spot where the sun was shining in as the sun went down for a couple more. LOVE shootin' pics of my ride almost as much as I love ridin' it!
Mom's day tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mums out there!!
Ok, that's better. If you decide to get a Flickr account make sure you read the instructions on privacy. Otherwise it's great for a free TB storage site.