Watershed Nature Center

 A few photos from Watershed Nature Center, taken last week.  WNC remains one of my go-to places, over the past 30 years or so...   both for photos and to just spend some time in nature.  

A sudden rain cloud, which only damped spirits for a couple of minutes.

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Some shelf fungus, and shedded bark.

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"Seek" says New England Aster, though we're far from New England...

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"Seek" says this is a Variegated Fritillary. Who am I to argue!...

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This was one big grasshopper!

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Swamp Rose Mallow, just about finished.

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Water Landing, Canada Goose.

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Rain from the Marsh Walk.

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If you're thinking about retiring, you're retired

 "If you're thinking about retiring, you're retired" - Chuck Noll

I saw this quote recently attributed to Chuck Noll, Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers back in their dynasty days of the 70's.  But googling shows it attributed to other coaches.  Regardless, I like the sentiment.

It resonated with me, as I retired not too long ago.  We had talked about retiring for a while, and once I made a semi-firm decision (to retire in 6 months), my enthusiasm for work faded fast.  Just another form of "short timer syndrome" I guess.

What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round?

 

As we've passed the Autumnal Equinox, our hummingbird activity is slowing down. But this fellow was hanging around this morning. Pretty sure it is a juvenile male (Ruby Throated Hummingbird)..

A Good Crop

 Regular readers (should) know that I've done a series of posts through the years looking back at my "best" or favorite photos every year.  I call it "A Good Crop" in honor of an Ansel Adams quote: ""Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop".  Well, I was doing some maintenance on the blog today and realized I never did a 2023 edition!  I also never did a 2015 edition, but that's another story.

I guess I need to rectify that before it is time to do 2024!  STAY TUNED...

Meanwhile here's one of my most popular photos of 2023.  It received a 2nd Place badge, and a Photo-Of-The-Day recognition at BetterPhoto, as well as "Popular" and "Trending" at 365Project.  It'll be on the Good Crop list for sure!

R.I.P. Freddie Salem

We've lost another one, Freddie Salem, guitarist for the Outlaws. I saw them several times back in the late 70's / early 80's, they were one of my favorite bands. Salem wasn't an original member, joined the band for their "Bring It Back Alive" album, Replacing Henry Paul. He was a solid contributor over their next 4 studio albums, and wrote several songs.

My favorite Freddie Salem song is "I Hope You Don't Mind"....

Just Checking It Out

 I saw this Downey Woodpecker checking out the Bluebird box recently.  He hung out for a few minutes, pecked a little around the opening, seemed to be making itself at home.  Then he left and hasn't been back.  I've also seen House Finch and Chickadee checking it out.  It'll be interesting to see if somebody takes up residence for the winter...

 We're in between the start of Meteorological Fall (9/1) and Astronomical Fall (9/22), but it is starting to feel more like Autumn either way.  For sure, the sun is setting earlier...

This was taken Wednesday (9/18) at 6:14pm.  Just a humble phone photo...

Birding, or at least Birdsounds...

 So I went for a walk at Schon Park yesterday, and used the Merlin Ap to listen for birds.  I'm getting (A little) better at recognizing (a few) birds, but it's on ongoing process.

See below for a list of what I heard.  Not that I did see some Turkey Vultures, but they were as quiet as usual:

Merlin "heard: the following, in order of appearance. This was over ..

• American Crow
• Least Sandpiper
• Canada Goose
• Eastern Phoebe
• House Sparrow
• Downy Woodpecker
• Northern Cardinal
• Blue Jay
• Red Shouldered Hawk
• Red-Bellied Woodpecker
• Carolina Wren
• Tufted Titmouse
• American Robin
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Indego Bunting
• Carolina Chickadee
• Killdeer
• Chipping Sparrow
• Northern Bobwhite
• European Starling

Not a bad slate for less than an hour and less than 2 miles.  And at midday (just before noon).  I'm not confident of the Sandpiper, I didn't hear (or see) it.  Similarly with the bobwhite, although Merlin has heard them before at Schon.

Photographing Landscapes and Cityscapes at Missouri Botanical Garden (Part 4)

  Part 4 of the series, see Part 1 for more background. This is the 2nd batch of photos (chronologically)  from my recent photo class at MBG.  

This is the last batch, as the sun was settings (and after)

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See all the posts from this outing using the tag PLC.  

 

RIP J.D. Souther

"But say goodbye, tell me goodbye

Say a pretty goodbye

Baby, you could be gone with a smile on your face

Instead of letting those good tears go to waste"

 - J.D. Souther, Pretty Goodbyes.

From the album Souther Hillman Furay Band (1974).  JD Souther passed away yesterday (9/17/2024) at the age of 1978.

I made a spotify playlist of songs written/co-written by JD Souther, I know it is FAR from complete.  Feel free to suggest additions!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10M45qWmxk7SpsPEjIrwpe?si=342b026d36cb4c26

Moon Crazy

 There was a partial eclipse of the moon last night, I decided to try a photo.  I think it turned out pretty well.  What say you?

Taken with my 100-400mm zoom, for an equivalent focal length of 600mm.  1/1000th sec exposure, f/10, ISO=640...  handheld.  This is the first moon photo I've taken that I was pleased with, I'll have to try some more.

Photographing Landscapes and Cityscapes at Missouri Botanical Garden (Part 3)

  Part 3 of the series, see Part 1 for more background. This is the 2nd batch of photos (chronologically)  from my recent photo class at MBG.  

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Seiwa-en, Japanese Garden

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Seiwa-en, Japanese Garden

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 Lichtenstein Victorian District

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 Lichtenstein Victorian District

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 Lichtenstein Victorian District

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See all the posts from this outing using the tag PLC.  

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Photographing Landscapes and Cityscapes at Missouri Botanical Garden (Part 2)

 Part 2 of the series, see Part 1 for more background. This is the 2nd batch of photos (chronologically)  from my recent photo class at MBG.  

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Backlit plant,

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Grigg Nanjing Friendship Chinese Garden

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Grigg Nanjing Friendship Chinese Garden

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Grigg Nanjing Friendship Chinese Garden

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Blanke Boxwood Garden

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Outside Blanke Boxwood Garden

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See all the posts from this outing using the tag PLC.  

Photographing Landscapes and Cityscapes at Missouri Botanical Garden (Part 1)

 I stepped a bit outside of my comfort zone this week, and did a photo "thing".  Hosted by Missouri Botanical Garden, this was a class. entitled "Photographing Landscapes and Cityscapes".  I'm generally a self-taught, solitary shooter kind of guy, but need to 

This class description read:  

All levels. Learn how to create more dramatic landscapes in the field. We will find several areas that emphasize foreground, midground, and background. By adding the elements of layer, shape, and leading lines, we will add depth to the image. In addition, we will discuss the importance of selecting an interesting foreground that creates balance. A tripod and polarizer are helpful, but not necessary.

Sounded good, more experiential than class room. So I decided to give it a try.  And it was a fun experience.  Very low key. 6 photographers wandering the garden with our leader (Scott Avetta), with him talking about general composition etc.  Nothing new or dramatic for me, but a really good experience all the same.  Three (3) hours with the Garden to ourselves (essentially), from late afternoon until after sunset.

I took 115 photos, which I culled down to 27 processed images, then down to a dozen for Facebook.  I'll plan to post the 27 here, in batches of 6-8...  presented chronologically.   Hope you enjoy!

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Outside the visitor center, the outdoor seating area for the cafe

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Linnean House

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Linnean House, Fountain

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Climatron, Central Axis

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One of the ponds on Central Axis, with Chihuly sculptures

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Water Lilly (1)

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Water Lilly (2)

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Stay tuned for more!

Back To It

 Well, not the first time the blog has fallen to the wayside....  sorry once again.  But time to get it back to happening:

Nice walk at Watershed Nature Center yesterday, managed a couple of sunset photos with the phone.  Here's the one I decided to drop to FB and the photo sites:

I was pretty pleased with this one there's a minimal of tweaking, here's the Straight Out Of Camera (SOOC) Version for reference below.  Can you tell the difference?