Click here for more photos.
Coming Soon
I've finally gotten around to posting photos of Carolyn. I think she's looking great, even though she's not feeling like it. Only a few weeks left to go, and then baby pictures!
Click here for more photos.
Click here for more photos.
Squishy, R.I.P.
Yesterday the world lost a gentle cat named Squishy. Squishy had been with my family for 16 years, greatly exceeding all expectations since my parents live near a busy street; his predecessors - Buddy and Squeak - only survived a few years between them. But, despite the moniker given by my sister, Squishy defied the odds and saw me through the end of elementary school, through high school, university, and beyond.
Squishy wasn't an extremely social cat. He didn't particularly like new people and would often just hide in the basement whenever the doorbell rang. And even after co-habitating with my father for 16 years, there was little ground gained in that relationship. But he was fiercely loyal to me and my mother. He often slept on my bed, and would sit underneath the desk lamp whenever I was on the computer. Even years after I had moved away from home, he would still greet me as though no time had passed, waiting to be pet.
Sadly, but perhaps not unexpectedly, his health declined as he grew older. His once regal, muscular physique deteriorated, despite a healthy appetite. He had survived a near-death situation a few years ago, but this time was different. It was time.
Thanks Squishy, for everything. We will always remember you.
Squishy wasn't an extremely social cat. He didn't particularly like new people and would often just hide in the basement whenever the doorbell rang. And even after co-habitating with my father for 16 years, there was little ground gained in that relationship. But he was fiercely loyal to me and my mother. He often slept on my bed, and would sit underneath the desk lamp whenever I was on the computer. Even years after I had moved away from home, he would still greet me as though no time had passed, waiting to be pet.
Sadly, but perhaps not unexpectedly, his health declined as he grew older. His once regal, muscular physique deteriorated, despite a healthy appetite. He had survived a near-death situation a few years ago, but this time was different. It was time.
Thanks Squishy, for everything. We will always remember you.
I love my new camera!
So I bought a new camera a few months ago - a Nikon D7000. I'd say it's about 100 times better than my old D70. It's great in low light, has a beautiful and large LCD screen, produces higher quality photographs, and has a bunch of handy features (like interval shooting and multiple exposure). One thing that it has that I really didn't care much for is the ability to capture HD video. I'm a photographer, not a videographer, so why should I pay extra for something I'll never use?
That's what I had thought, up until this morning. I discovered a beautiful dragonfly sitting in the grass this morning, seemingly waiting for the dew to evaporate off its wings before setting off for the day. It was sitting extremely still, so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to take some close-up shots. I grabbed my camera and attached my macro lens... and eventually my gorillapod too.
Before I get to the point of this story, I should also mention that doing macro photography is really nice with the live view feature of the D7000 - another feature that I swore I'd never need. It makes it much easier to fine-tune the focus on your subject without straining your eyes or back. Click here, here, and here to see photos I uploaded.
I took several photos from a variety of angles, and was about ready to call it a day, when the dragonfly started to move. At first I was going to snap some more frames, but then I remembered the video feature, so I thought I'd try it out. Below is the video I captured of this dragonfly, wiping droplets of dew from its head. I am quite impressed with the quality of the video, and even the sound. (The crunching noise you head is just me adjusting my position on a plastic bag - it was dewy and I didn't want to get wet!)
I'd like to dedicate this post to that dragonfly, who apparently didn't last much longer. I'm glad I could share his last moments.
PS Speaking of which: thanks Joy for your help with the bunny. Bad Jack!
That's what I had thought, up until this morning. I discovered a beautiful dragonfly sitting in the grass this morning, seemingly waiting for the dew to evaporate off its wings before setting off for the day. It was sitting extremely still, so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to take some close-up shots. I grabbed my camera and attached my macro lens... and eventually my gorillapod too.
Before I get to the point of this story, I should also mention that doing macro photography is really nice with the live view feature of the D7000 - another feature that I swore I'd never need. It makes it much easier to fine-tune the focus on your subject without straining your eyes or back. Click here, here, and here to see photos I uploaded.
I took several photos from a variety of angles, and was about ready to call it a day, when the dragonfly started to move. At first I was going to snap some more frames, but then I remembered the video feature, so I thought I'd try it out. Below is the video I captured of this dragonfly, wiping droplets of dew from its head. I am quite impressed with the quality of the video, and even the sound. (The crunching noise you head is just me adjusting my position on a plastic bag - it was dewy and I didn't want to get wet!)
I'd like to dedicate this post to that dragonfly, who apparently didn't last much longer. I'm glad I could share his last moments.
PS Speaking of which: thanks Joy for your help with the bunny. Bad Jack!
