We got a break from the really hot weather for a day or two. Saturday was just beautiful. Less humidity and low 80s. Perfect for our bike ride. We had a hankering for ice cream, so we did a circuitous road route to get to Martha’s since we live a lot closer to it now.
And it begins:
Seriously – is anyone influenced by a bandit sign endorsing a candidate? I am more likely to follow that garage sale sign…
It was bright and sunny, but a lot of our roads gave shade:
I actually brought along the new camera to take some shots – which made me nervous 🙂 . I am still getting used to it. John portrait:
Snack portrait:
After 20 miles, we arrived at Martha’s:
Sundae with cheesecake flavor ice cream, hot fudge, raspberry sauce and cookie crumbles. Ride worthy. We headed out for another long road ride. I had put on extra sunscreen for the rest of the ride. This is out by our municipal airport:
It sort of feels like the middle of nowhere, but it is only 4 or so miles from home here. This is actually pretty close to where I found that bird last week.
The thought bubble over John’s head would be something like “Stopping for more pictures?? Sigh…“
Ride stats:
Miles: 31.1
Top speed: 32. 4 mph (yeah!)
Average speed 12.4 mph
Calories burned: 933
A shorter ride than usual on a Saturday, but a good ride.
So, I have been muddling around with the new Rebel! It arrived along with 4 lenses and some other stuff. It is going to take a long time to figure all of it out, but that’s the joy of a new toy, isn’t it?
I have been taking pictures around the house.
I even left unfluffed pillows and a glass there. I probably should have neatened that up for the picture 😀
I have spent time on the patio taking a billion bird pictures at the feeder, too. This is a downy woodpecker and a white breasted nuthatch eating together in harmony:
I finally realized I should have it set for multiple shots in a row for the birds since they move so much. I haven’t tried that yet.
On a side note, this is a squirrel proof feeder. Those leaves close down over the holes when a squirrel gets on there. Chipmunks are too light and the holes stay open, but at least they don’t eat as much as squirrels do. The squirrels don’t climb on the feeder anymore since they realized it won’t yield them food.
And some macro experiments:
Anyway, this week’s pictures should be fun.
Have a great Labor Day! I will be laboring – gotta pay for that camera!
Try using sport mode for pictures of the birds. I was able to get some AMAZING shots of hummingbirds in one of my plants one year using sport mode and multi-shot. Good luck. 🙂 (http://www.110pounds.com/?p=20208)
P.s. love the last photo of the flower! 🙂
I definitely need to use my tripod to do macro. At least flowers sit still unless it is breezy 😀
Yummy sundae!!!
You are having such fun with your new toy!
Is your camera heavy? That’s one thing I really don’t like about mine.
It’s not super heavy, but definitely heavier than my other digital camera, especially with the zoom lens on there. I don’t like how it flops down when you carry it by the strap, so I need to figure out some sort of solution for that.
I’ve never heard of those political signs referred to as “bandit signs” – so funny how things are different around the country. What’s the same is how annoying it is to see them everywhere…and even more so when the election is over and they are still up!
I think the term comes from how people will go like a thief in the night and place signs illegally. Or how competitors will come along and steal said signs in the middle of the night 😀
Happy one Lori!! What fun to get a new toy! Can’t wait to see more pics! Pics of cookies & Pixie! 🙂
I LOVE John’s face and patience with you and the photo opps.
He reminds me of my daughter that way.
<3
I love the macro shot of the flower at the bottom! I look forward to your ongoing adventures with the new camera 🙂
You’ll have to let us know how you like the camera. I really want to get a fancy one too but have no idea what to get.
About those candidate signs… years and years ago there was a guy running in SC that had the exact same name as one of my class mates (we were in 4th grade I think). We were in SC visiting my grandfolks and saw this sign and freaked out laughing. Then my dad pulled over at the corner of this crazy busy intersection, dashed out, and GRABBED the sign!! When we got home we brought it over to their house and they would put it in their front lawn each election year ever since. I wonder if they still do that… 🙂
Haha – you bandited a bandit sign! 😀
So excited for your new camera! I’ve had my DSLR for 5 years and still have so much to learn. Youtube videos help though – just enter your camera and you’ll find tons of tutorials 😀
Your pictures are just beautiful. I’ve been thinking about upgrading from my little camera. Let us know how you like your new one 🙂
Thanks! I am liking it so far. It’s great to have control of what you focus on.
It is always interesting to hear about the campaign in the US. It’s more a show than here and it is longer too. Here it’s usual a week or 6 to 8 before elections that you see politicians in every news show or talkshow 🙂
Is it a reflection of you and John I see in the TV?
I hate politics so much. It is all show, blow and bluster. And then nothing ever changes.
That is a reflection of John in the TV. The TV is actually on there. It’s a show on stars and space, so the picture is dark LOL.