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| The Chronicles of Moby Who? |
© 2008 Gail Hunter
| Go To Pete's |
| July 2008 Page 2 |
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
The perfect day for a visit to downtown Burlington.
As we drove down Mallett's Bay Road - one of my favorites -
perfectly banked turns, smooth fresh blacktop, dips and doos,
and some of the prettiest scenery around, we came upon a
scene I could kick myself for not stopping to take a snapshot.
The perfect day for a visit to downtown Burlington.
As we drove down Mallett's Bay Road - one of my favorites -
perfectly banked turns, smooth fresh blacktop, dips and doos,
and some of the prettiest scenery around, we came upon a
scene I could kick myself for not stopping to take a snapshot.
I'll try to describe it: Steamy hot day. A hollow just before the steep
sun-drenched green hill. At the lowest point, right by the side of the road, a
perfectly formed maple tree, branches out-stretched, casting a round dark
shadow on the ground. There, nestled around the trunk of the tree stood at
least twenty beautiful black and white cows. They were all facing the tree, just
nibbling the wet grass and enjoying the shade. This is what's called a Photo
Op, for sure.
I started to turn in the next driveway, but thought I'd get them on the way
home. "Did I?" You guessed it, they'd moved on.
I'm learning a lot about photography. If you see something, stop! If you want
"just the right photo" of a plant or animal (human included) you have to have
lots of patience - Lots!
I've also learned to have your subject nearly fill the frame. I have too many
wide shots where the center of interest is no bigger than an ant.
I have Adobe Elements 3 and the corresponding $40 plus book, but haven't
had time to read it. I'm using Picasa (by Google) for editing and storing. It's
good, it's easy, it's free, but I'm beginning to want something a little more
sophisticated.
sun-drenched green hill. At the lowest point, right by the side of the road, a
perfectly formed maple tree, branches out-stretched, casting a round dark
shadow on the ground. There, nestled around the trunk of the tree stood at
least twenty beautiful black and white cows. They were all facing the tree, just
nibbling the wet grass and enjoying the shade. This is what's called a Photo
Op, for sure.
I started to turn in the next driveway, but thought I'd get them on the way
home. "Did I?" You guessed it, they'd moved on.
I'm learning a lot about photography. If you see something, stop! If you want
"just the right photo" of a plant or animal (human included) you have to have
lots of patience - Lots!
I've also learned to have your subject nearly fill the frame. I have too many
wide shots where the center of interest is no bigger than an ant.
I have Adobe Elements 3 and the corresponding $40 plus book, but haven't
had time to read it. I'm using Picasa (by Google) for editing and storing. It's
good, it's easy, it's free, but I'm beginning to want something a little more
sophisticated.
Wny? I don't know. We're carrying around well over 4000 old slides (dating back to the '50s)
in the belief that I'll get around to digitalizing them - for the kids, I tell myself. There are twice
that many in storage in New Hampshire. I keep thinking they'll be great when I'm in the
nursing home. But will my eyesight hold out that long? I'm sure I'm not alone in this dilemma.
in the belief that I'll get around to digitalizing them - for the kids, I tell myself. There are twice
that many in storage in New Hampshire. I keep thinking they'll be great when I'm in the
nursing home. But will my eyesight hold out that long? I'm sure I'm not alone in this dilemma.
In the meantime, we
had a gorgeous,
peaceful, restful day in
downtown Burlington,
strolling down Church
Street, sitting on a
bench to watch the
passersby. Not many
dogs today: too hot?
had a gorgeous,
peaceful, restful day in
downtown Burlington,
strolling down Church
Street, sitting on a
bench to watch the
passersby. Not many
dogs today: too hot?
As I took a breather on the bench, Cor ambled
on down the avenue, looking for "persons of
interest." Pay Day! On left - the one-man
band; harmonica, guitar, and drums, beaten
by tugging on the strings attached to his two
shoes. A bit further he came across a
three-wheeled wonder: hot red, fully loaded,
on down the avenue, looking for "persons of
interest." Pay Day! On left - the one-man
band; harmonica, guitar, and drums, beaten
by tugging on the strings attached to his two
shoes. A bit further he came across a
three-wheeled wonder: hot red, fully loaded,
Goal Reached: We wanted to show
the outdoor eating area at one of
our favorite restaurants in Burlington
Leunigs! They have all sorts of
events: for the Marathon, you could
make a reservation for a table on
the sidewalk - but, you had to be
there before it began (8:00 a.m.)
and you couldn't leave until it was
over. Click here for Leunig's website
the outdoor eating area at one of
our favorite restaurants in Burlington
Leunigs! They have all sorts of
events: for the Marathon, you could
make a reservation for a table on
the sidewalk - but, you had to be
there before it began (8:00 a.m.)
and you couldn't leave until it was
over. Click here for Leunig's website
Other Burlington events: The Brewers Festival - showing off the micro Breweries; the
Burlington Marathon; The Dragon Boat Races; Chew-Chew - local restaurants sell
tidbits of their specialities; the Naked Bike Race - that says it all (if you are prepared, click
here to see it - thanks to Sy Simonds - In his e-mail to me, I copy:
See his photography website here. www.pixbysy.com/
Burlington Marathon; The Dragon Boat Races; Chew-Chew - local restaurants sell
tidbits of their specialities; the Naked Bike Race - that says it all (if you are prepared, click
here to see it - thanks to Sy Simonds - In his e-mail to me, I copy:
See his photography website here. www.pixbysy.com/
"--IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - EVERY June here in Burlap we have a bunch of
folks that like to show off their stuff. DON'T MISS IT NEXT YEAR!!! and Sy
adds his familiar sign-off: \\\\|////
(.) (.)
(_) "
folks that like to show off their stuff. DON'T MISS IT NEXT YEAR!!! and Sy
adds his familiar sign-off: \\\\|////
(.) (.)
(_) "
This photo, copied from
Wikipedia shows the kind of
cow in the field. We don't
know one cow from another,
so I went to online sources. I
understand Wikipedia can be
edited by anybody, so I just
hope anybody was right.
Wikipedia shows the kind of
cow in the field. We don't
know one cow from another,
so I went to online sources. I
understand Wikipedia can be
edited by anybody, so I just
hope anybody was right.
And now, for the childlike wonder of it all: The March Of The Ants - 7.30.2008
Cor was outside washing and folding up the polystyrene carpet that sits beneath the picnic
table, when he came running in, crying "Come Look!" I came - and saw his fascinating
discovery. It's probably 'Old Hat' to most of you, but the sheer distance covered and the
obstacles surmounted really impressed us - so without further ado, here is
The March of the Ants in full spectrum technicolor:
Cor was outside washing and folding up the polystyrene carpet that sits beneath the picnic
table, when he came running in, crying "Come Look!" I came - and saw his fascinating
discovery. It's probably 'Old Hat' to most of you, but the sheer distance covered and the
obstacles surmounted really impressed us - so without further ado, here is
The March of the Ants in full spectrum technicolor:
Cor Points
out the ant
hole
out the ant
hole
Food-laden ant
approaches hole
approaches hole
"Man, this pavement is hot and
my burden heavy!"
my burden heavy!"
Patience didn't pay-
I missed them all!
I missed them all!
And we are still getting our act together preparatory to moving to Burlington's North Beach
Campground for a week. Then a quick visit to family in Nantucket before hitting the road for
Colorado - the St. Vrain Campground, a state park near Longmont, and daughter Abby.
We will still be moving in two cars, aided by our Bluetooth technology. In case you missed it
before, we leave them "open" (Verizon to Verizon - no chargeable minutes), discuss routes,
relay GPS info and even harmonize sometimes.
Must go download the updated GPS maps now so we don't end up in bulldozed restaurants
like we did in Fort Myers. Bye for July...Boy! Tempus sure fugits!
Campground for a week. Then a quick visit to family in Nantucket before hitting the road for
Colorado - the St. Vrain Campground, a state park near Longmont, and daughter Abby.
We will still be moving in two cars, aided by our Bluetooth technology. In case you missed it
before, we leave them "open" (Verizon to Verizon - no chargeable minutes), discuss routes,
relay GPS info and even harmonize sometimes.
Must go download the updated GPS maps now so we don't end up in bulldozed restaurants
like we did in Fort Myers. Bye for July...Boy! Tempus sure fugits!
It all began when Cor noticed the long black line of ants, about 60 feet of them, coming from
the back of John's rig, past our car, over the road, and ending somewhere in the grass
across the way. They were carrying a cream-colored object, one after the other.
Conversely, he noticed them returning empty-mouthed...still in line, maneuvering around
obstacles, back through the clover, up over the red pump-out hose and out of sight.
Photographing them was a challenge. They move FAST! I began to pretend I was shooting
skeet - lead 'em, but I still couldn't catch them in the grass. When they reached the blacktop,
I could finally anticipate. I tried to catch them coming over the hose. After a half hour (better
spent packing to be sure) I gave up. Today is another day, and they are still marching.
the back of John's rig, past our car, over the road, and ending somewhere in the grass
across the way. They were carrying a cream-colored object, one after the other.
Conversely, he noticed them returning empty-mouthed...still in line, maneuvering around
obstacles, back through the clover, up over the red pump-out hose and out of sight.
Photographing them was a challenge. They move FAST! I began to pretend I was shooting
skeet - lead 'em, but I still couldn't catch them in the grass. When they reached the blacktop,
I could finally anticipate. I tried to catch them coming over the hose. After a half hour (better
spent packing to be sure) I gave up. Today is another day, and they are still marching.
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