Neat pictures I've taken

[lumberjim]

Amanda and Willie:


Shortly after this, he gave her a kiss on the cheek, and shook my hand. VERY cool brush with greatness. I can't think of a bigger country star. Maybe Johnny Cash... but he aint kissin nobody. He said something to Amanda like... 'he's a big fella, if he's not nice to you, you call me. you got my number right?' and then shook my hand again. and then a third time.... and then as he walked away, he said, 'nice to meet ya Jim'

We were just in the right place at the right time. I wasn't really sure it was him until I spoke to him. You recognize his voice immediately from roles he's played in movies, and interviews. I'm still all like... WOW. Willie Freakin' Nelson.

[glatt]

Wow. He always seemed like he would be a nice and approachable guy. Glad to hear that he was.

[Gravdigr]

So. Jealous. Right. Now.

ETA: Bastidge.

[BigV]

you sure that ain't willie and amanda?

[bigw00dy]

Willie is the best! Awesome picture LJ!!!!!

I met Willie in Atlantic City 10 years ago. We shared a bottle of JW blue. Good times

[lumberjim]

Yellow Argiope Spider ( Charlottes Web Spider )

an unwelcome tenant outside Amanda's front door. he had 5 buddies scattered throughout her bushes, too. I relocated 5 of the 6, left on up high in a boxwood bush... and took one home.

this is the biggest one. he is now across the street in a tree that stands alone under a lamp post. Should be good hunting there.



this one I took home. It immediately set up shop in the zinneas:

[ZenGum]

Nice work, Jim, relocating instead of just squashing.

[Ibby]

Reminds me somewhat of the Gold orb-weaver, which were really common up in the hills around Taipei. Argiopes live there too I think - I think I recall running into both in the jungles around the city. I'm not much of an arachnophobe but they're definitely big enough to freak the hell out of me.

[plthijinx]

weather pictures, lightning specifically, is a bitch.

i could use a little help here taking weather shots. i've been trying shot after shot after shot to get this right. could i have some camera setting suggestions? the focus i know....i need to work on that too but given what i'm trying to take photos of is pretty hit and miss.

i was outside for about an hour and this is the only one worth posting i obviously re-sized it for here:

[Gravdigr]

Nice catch! I would suggest putting the camera in something like landscape/scenic mode, where the camera is focused to infinity. And, if your cam will do it in this mode, a long exposure, say, five seconds or more in a frequent strike storm.

Timing the pressing of the button on a digital camera for something this precise is teh suck.

Also, small aperture setting. Lightning is bright.

Truth in advertising: I've never caught a decent lightning strike.

[Elspode]

I have an app for my iPhone which is supposed to capture strike photos. Unfortunately, we haven't had enough stormy weather this year for me to even begin to try it out.

[Razzmatazz13]

Originally Posted by Elspode

I have an app for my iPhone which is supposed to capture strike photos. Unfortunately, we haven't had enough stormy weather this year for me to even begin to try it out.

Well feel free to visit here for a day or so then... my back yard is literally growing algae from all the stinking rain. Ugh.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Truth in advertising: I've never caught a decent lightning strike.

I was about to give advice earlier and then remembered that all my lightning pictures suck.

[ZenGum]

Well first, yer hafta catch the lightning in a jar. Then yer can photo it all yer likes. :p

[BigV]

Better?