10-10-13 Change of Seasons

The Lake Area Technical Institute Photo/Media class took its annual field trip to Sica Hollow, near Sisseton, South Dakota yesterday. Finding a perfect day near mid October in South Dakota is difficult but we got lucky. With little wind, blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s, it's hard not to think that life is good.

We don't get a riot of color in the fall as some states that I've been to do, but if you look, you can find good examples of the flamboyance of fall. I guess these leaves are in the throes of death. But they are going out in style.

Canon 5DIII 1/400s f/2.8 ISO400 100mm

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10-09-13 Sister Ship

This is a companion to yesterday's post to give you a better sense of what I was talking about. This is not our boat, but a companion ship in the Un-Cruise Adventure line named the Wilderness Explorer. We were heading back out of Glacier Bay in the dwindling light when I spotted this ship on the horizon. The word "horizon" is used loosely since it is not real distinct. I turned this photo to black and white but in fact there was very little color in this scene to begin with. As I said yesterday, the stillness and the quiet of this place was palpable. And it was eerie - but in a wondrous sort of way.

Canon 5DIII 1/500s f/5.6 ISO400 280mm

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10-08-13 Atmosphere

Our journey into Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska on the Un-Cruise Adventures Safari Endeavor was unlike anything I have ever experienced. What I remember most about this place was the eerie, fog-shrouded silence.The fog certainly muted the colors of the rocks and trees on shore but it also seemed to mute the steady drone of the diesel engines of our ship.

This photo is one of those shots where I was in the right place at the right time. Besides the blue tones of the rock and the wispy white of the fog, I like the arching line of the ledge the pine trees are growing on.

As with so many things that we experienced in Alaska, I will say, "You had to be there," though I think this photo gives a pretty good sense of what this particular place was like.

Canon 5DIII 1/800s f/6.3 ISO400 175mm

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10-07-13 Fashionista

Though the title of this post suggests it, Glenyce Jane isn't particularly fashion conscious. Nor am I, her grandpa. But I do know that the right hat can help accessorize a beautiful face. And here's the result.

Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/2.8 ISO500 130mm

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10-06-13 Happy

I suggested the other day that I might post a new photo (or two) of our our grand daughter Glenyce Jane. So here you go.

This was an informal capture from yesterday morning. Perhaps I'll get some more. . .

Canon 5DIII 1/40s f/5.0 ISO1000 100mm

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10-05-13 Corey

10-04-13 Variation On A Harvest Moon

In case you are counting, this is the third Harvest Moon photo I've posted in the last couple weeks. Why do I repeat myself? In part because I like full moons. And thieves, sailors, lovers and vampires love them. But the best reason is to illustrate the fact that the same subject (the moon) can have very different looks given the variables of time, place and composition.

This shot is very similar to this one. But I thought I would show you how I experimented with the leading lines that were present - in particular, the road, the fence and the horizon. Incidentally, this is an HDR photo in which I combined two exposures. Which do I like better? I can't say. . . .

Canon 5DIII 1/80s f/13.0 ISO200 200mm

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10-03-13 Fall Fire II

Since I posted a "dusting of snow" photo a couple days ago, and since we are really beginning to see fall colors, I figured it was appropriate to post a "colorful maple tree" photo. Though I'll have to admit that this is from the 2012 archives.

I took this one in late September last year on a class field trip to Sica Hollow, a state park about 90 miles north of Watertown, South Dakota, where I live. Enjoy!

Canon 5DIII 1/320s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

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10-02-13 Fun & Games?

I don't normally take requests for this blog - largely because I don't get them. But yesterday, Brad H, one of the instructors at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota, saw me and told me I needed to post more Alaska photos. He said, "You must have more than we've seen on your blog!"

The fact is that I do have more but I'm trying to show my versatility by posting other photos. :-) But, because Brad asked for one, here's a whale for you.

We saw many whales on our cruise to southeast Alaska in August but only once did we see one frolicking as this one was. Though "frolic" may not be the right word since experts don't necessarily agree on why they jump out of the water. Whatever the reason, this young whale put on a heck of a show for us on a day that would have been perfect even if he/she hadn't shown up.

Canon 5DIII 1/640s f/8.0 ISO250 170mm

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10-01-13 West of the River

Yes, it is October 1st but no, the snow hasn't started falling yet. But it could do so soon. Such is the nature of living in the upper Great Plains. I'm guessing that some of my readers are more enthralled with snow than I am. I would also guess that many of those same people live in places where snow is a bit of a novelty. But it isn't a novelty to me: I don't like winter all that much, in spite of the fact that it provides attractive photo opportunities from time to time.

Incidentally, this isn't the first time I've photographed this scene.

Click here to see green grass.

Click here to see even this same scene on the same day in different light.

Canon 5DII 1/200s f/7.1 ISO400 58mm

09-30-13 A Perfect Fall Day

We spent this past weekend at Lake Okoboji in northwest Iowa. And while the weather was far from perfect when we got there on Friday night, Saturday turned out to be a great day to be at the lake. In our part of the world, fall can be one of the most beautiful times of the year but it also means that the nights are longer, the days are colder and winter is on the way.

Canon 5DIII 1/400s f/18.0 ISO320 32mm

09-29-13 Baby With Her Red Dress On

It has been a while since I've posted a photo of Glenyce Jane, primarily because it's been a while since Deb and I have spent quality time with her. But next weekend . . .

This photo was taken at GJ's baptism celebration in the Black Hills and the red dress is one that she will not be likely to wear again - kind of like a gown an actress would wear to the Academy Awards, I guess.

Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/4.0 ISO640 50mm