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wish I could come up with something witty to say about these cows...  I made the image on the last day of my autumn tour and just after I was turned around from trying to cross the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the southern Washington Cascade Range... snow, turned me around, or rather the snowplow I was following that turned around influenced my decision.  So, I had to return south to the Columbia River to get to I-5 and homeward...   I met these cows near the river where it had just begun to snow and the cows were wandering as they do... even when they ran, their tracks wandered all over... and that says something...

In my experience, domestic animals wander but wild animals take a direct route... follow a pet dog's tracks and you're find that there seems to be no reason to the trail... just this way and that and some more that and return to a former location and then this way and that again... but a coyote or wolf track is unmistakable (beside size) in that they move across the land with purpose, no loitering here or there to visit this post or that mailbox to read the latest peemail...

so, how do I know these were domestic vice wild cows?  they wandered... plus, I don't think I've ever seen a wild cow. (bovine that is)

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Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)
©2009 Ed Book


This is one of the peonies from the garden.  The air was moving too much outside so I brought this blossom into the kitchen and set it up on a stand under the skylight.  As the sun was going in and out of clouds and changing the light coming from the skylight, I experimented using a small reflector directing it differently for each exposure.  The character of the flower changes considerably depending on where and how intense the primary and reflected secondary sources of light light the subject.   Most of the light being from directly above with indirect diffused light coming from the skylight walls, I used the reflector to direct light at the bottom sides of surfaces to lessen the shadows. 

I used a Canon EOS 1DsMkII camera body with 180mm macro lens.  I checked to see how an added polarizer would treat the flower and decided against using it as there petal surfaces weren't needing to have shine minimized.  I used f/32 for rmost of the exposures to maximize depth of field.  I have some more flowers waiting for their turn tomorrow.

some more peonies

Peace




 

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two gables of the snowed-in Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
Snowed-in at the Paradise Inn

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Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) wintering at the Skagit River delta in Skagit County, Washington, USA. ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens)
wintering at Fir Island on the Skagit River delta, Washington, USA.

©2009 Ed Book

Canon 1Ds MkII 500mm L IS lens with 2X teleconverter ISO 1000 1/320 sec @ f/16

Peace

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Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) wintering at the Skagit River delta in Skagit County, Washington, USA. ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) wintering at the Skagit River delta, Washington, USA

©2009 Ed Book

Canon 1Ds MkII - 500mm L IS lens with 2X teleconverter - ISO 1000 - 1/200 sec @ f/16

Peace

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Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) wintering at the Skagit River delta in Skagit County, Washington, USA. ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens)

©2009 Ed Book


Canon 1Ds MkII 500mm 2X teleconverter ISO 1000 1/250 sec @ f/16


Peace

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Bobcat tracks in the snow along a Mount Tahoma Trails cross country ski trail, Washington, USA ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
Bobcat tracks along the trail

©2009 Ed Book

I see Bobcat tracks along the trail often but have only seen an actual cat a couple times and it was in the summer. Their main food is the Snowshoe Hare which I noticed this winter being rare probably because of the extremely deep snows of last year and the resulting dip in population of bunnies and kitties... Also, I've noticed a dip in the frequency of Cougar tracks too this winter. The cats are probably hungry about now and I don't move too quickly--hmmmm, don't tell the kitties.

Peace

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A Mount Tahoma Trails Association ski patroller gets ready to groom the cross country ski trails with a Pisten Bully grooming machine in the Cascade Mountain Range near Mount Rainier, Washington, USA ©2009 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)
Mount Tahoma Trails Association Pisten Bully 70 cross country ski trail grooming machine

©2009 Ed Book

Here's Jay getting ready to start grooming again with our ancient Pisten Bully gromming machine after a short break at Copper Creek hut for some tea. I was driving one of the Skidoo snowmobiles pulling a groomer because Jay had become proficient enough to groom without me along... and the old groomer passenger seat is sized like the passenger seat on some Harley's and the ancient machine seems to ride as rough and loud as a Harley of the same age. The skidoos are four stroke 1000cc and smoooth... Then, I parked the machine and skiied up the trail and back down... on my nicely groomed trail. We should have skiable snow until July so if you're at all inclined to get out in it, let me know and when I next go up there maybe I can have some company on the trail.

Peace

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...and then, there are the drifts
Fir trees on snow ridge at dusk with forest on the next ridge, Mount Tahoma Trails, Ashford, Washington, USA Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
wall of snow




Winter skyline of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest from the Mount Tahoma Trails High Hut, Washington, USA ©2006 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://archive.edbookphoto.com
The Gifford Pinchot NF from High Hut

©2008 Ed Book


Peace

ps we saw the first hummingbird of the season today

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Cross Country Skier on the Mount Tahoma Trails near Mount Rainier, Cascade Mountain Range, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
near the Puyallup Ridge Trail, Mount Tahoma Trails, Cascade Range, Washington, USA

©2008 Ed Book

It gets to be a bit of a challenge when you have to be your own model. (the loneliness most)

Peace

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along a cross country ski trail in the Cascade Mountain Range, Mount Tahoma Trails, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
along the Puyallup Ridge ski trail - Mount Tahoma Trails, Washington, USA

©2008 Ed Book

Peace

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Mount Rainier reflection in the water and ice of Reflection Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Mount Rainier in Reflection Lake early ice

©2008 Ed Book

winter isn't just lurking 'round the corner...

Peace

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Mount Rainier's Nisqually Glacier, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Nisqually Glacier on Mt Rainier, Washington, USA

©2008 Ed Book

Peace

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redalder with catkins in late winter, along the road to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
red alder along the road to Paradise

©2008 Ed Book

G9

Peace

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Tatoosh Range beyond Paradise Valley in a snowstorm, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Tatoosh peaks beyond Mazama Ridge - snowstorm

©2008 Ed Book

Peace

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snowstorm at Paradise - Mount Rainier National Park, Cascade Mountain Range, Washington, USA ©2008 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphtoto.com
Paradise with twenty feet of snow - Mount Rainier National Park

©2008 Ed Book

last week on big snowshoes

Peace

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winter waterfall near White Pass in the Cascade Range - Wenatchee National Forest, Washington, USA ©2006 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
White Pass, Wenatchee National Forest, Cascade Range, Washington

©2006 Ed Book


some like it vertical

Peace

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winter waterfall near White Pass - Wenatchee National Forest, Cascade Range, Washington, USA ©2006 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
White Pass - Wenatchee National Forest - Cascade Range, Washington

©2006 Ed Book

Peace

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peace sign scratched by foot in beach sand on Ocracoke Island - Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)  http://edbookphoto.com
Ocracoke Island - Outer Banks in the Atlantic Ocean - North Carolina

©2004 Ed Book

Peace


ps yes, it was I who put it there

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USA WA alder big beef creek calm cold color creek flow forest kitsap peninsula plants puget sound state stream tidal tidewater washington western red cedar white winter ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
freshwater from Big Beef Creek freezing in Hood Canal tidewater

©2007 Ed Book

Peace

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Big Beef Creek winter with a light snowfall, Hood Canal tidewater, Kitsap Peninsula, Puget Sound, WA, USA  ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Big Beef Creek at the Hood Canal tidewater

©2007 Ed Book

fresh snow at sealevel

Peace

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llama walking through a pasture covered with a blanket of snow at Nika Trail, Kitsap Peninsula, Puget Sound, WA  ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Mz Quilcene llama at Nika Trail

©2007 Ed Book

llama wool = excellent insulation

Quilcene was on a mission in this image. She walked all over the pasture looking for something. It wasn't food as I give them more bale alfalfa and llama vigor (a suppliment which they consider candy) Corn/Oats/Barley (for energy and to add fat in winter).

If you know llamas you will probably know what she's intent on finding. What is it?

another poll...
Poll #1112676 What was Quilcene looking for in the pasture?
Open to: Friends, detailed results viewable to: Friends, participants: 41

New Text Question



(the answer can be seen after you answer)

Peace

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light snow on a bog on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound lowlands, Washington, USA   ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Kitsap Peninsula - Puget Sound lowlands (bog along Sesame St up the road from Nika Trail

©2007 Ed Book

Contrary to some opinions that I may have generated with my last post of some peaks in the Olympic Mountains from our home here on Nika Trail... Although we have views of the mountains like that view, we're not in the mountains but in the Puget Sound lowlands and our home is at about 350 ft above sea level. The Olympic mountains rise to about 5700' along the Hood Canal (fjord) that separates our Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic Peninsula and the peaks are about 20 miles away.

Peace

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track in the sand at the Eureka Dunes in a remote part of Death Valley National Park, CA, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Eureka Dunes - Death Valley National Park

©2005 Ed Book

Ron asked so here it is... I have no idea what made the track, I didn't.

...well, Ron, what did it?


Peace

EDIT: I think I know what made the track but will wait till I hear what Ron has to say about it first.

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sand ripples at the Eureka Dunes of Eureka Valley in a remote part of Death Valley National Park, CA, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com
Eureka Dunes, Eureka Valley - Death Valley National Park

©2005 Ed Book

Peace

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sand dune ripples, Eureka Sand Dunes, Eureka Valley, Death Valley National Park, California ©2006 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

©2005 Ed Book

Peace

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Eureka Sand Dune in the remote Eureka Valley of Death Valley National Park, CA, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2005 Ed Book
Eureka Dunes at the south end of the remote Eureka Valley of Death Valley National Park, California



Peace

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Stovepipe Wells sand dunes and the Grapevine Mountains of the Amagoso Range in Death Valley National Park, CA, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2005 Ed Book

'lots of folks on the dunes (easily seen at 100% - this view is about 17%)

Peace

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stovepipe wells sand dunes and the Grapevine Mountains of the Amagoso Range - Death Valley National Park, CA, USA ©2005 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2005 Ed Book

I made this image from near Stovepipe Wells where the dunes were a couple miles away (see the folks on top the dune) and the top of the far ridge was about ten miles distant. Scale in the desert is extremely misleading.


Peace

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Peace Rose Petals ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed book


Peace

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Peace Rose macro petal detail ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed Book

Peace

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Peace Rose macro ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed Book


Peace

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monotone peace rose macro ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed Book


Peace

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waterlily and dragonfly ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed Book

Canon EOS 1Ds MkII with 180mm macro. ISO100, 15sec @ f/22 with polarizer. lighting was ambient and I was holding an umbrella covered with a dark tarp overhead to reduce the sky reflection from the water highlights. The water lilies are growing in a muck bucket waiting for me to finish the pond. The flower is about 3/4inch across. Another muck bucket has the larger lily that will bloom later in the summer.

The dragonfly––was one of a few that I collected from the windows inside the house at the end of last summer. I put them in ziploc bags and stored them in my film refrigerator. (I no longer need a film refrigerator... maybe I'll take up beer drinking and will have a place to store the beer.)

Peace

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Tree Peony ©2007 Ed Book (all rights reserved - DO NOT COPY)   http://edbookphoto.com

©2007 Ed Book

I made a few exposures with the 180mm macro lens but couldn't get far enough away enough for the composition I wanted unless I went to get a ladder so switched to the 24-105 macro zoom and added a D500 auxiliary compound closeup lens. The distance from the petals and flower internals was too great for them both to be in focus even with the aperture stopped all the way down so I made multiple exposures with different focus distances.

The images were downloaded to my computer and imported directly into Photoshop Lightroom where they were initally adjusted the images narrowed to the two I would use and exported into Photoshop CS3.

In Photoshop, I tried the improved Photomerge feature of CS3 to bring both images into one file and align them but found that it also did an automatic blend and I didn't like what parts were used from each image. So, I did it the old way– I put both images in different layers into one file and then lowering opacity of the top layer, I lined up one point common to both layers. Then I chose the Transform command with 'rotate' and lined the center point to swing on at the common point of both images. I then rotated the top image till both lined up where I wanted them. Then I returned the opacity of the upper layer to 100%. The reason both images didn't line up satisfactorily using Photomerge was because when making two exposures with different focus distances, there is a slight change in image size.

Then, because the inside of the flower was darker because it was lit by light coming through the petals and the little opening in the flower, I was able to use a Threshold adjustment layer to select only the inside of the flower in the top layer (I would use the upper layer for the petals–the lower layer would be the flower inside) I used a mask based on the selection made using the Threshold adjustment layer and softened the selection edges by applying a gaussian blur to the mask.

tree peony image layers Here's an image of the layers palette with all layers when the file size was >6GB. Then, I made curves and saturation/hue adjustment layers and used the new CS3 smart filters so I could go back to what I didn't do with adjustment layers to readjust later if needed for fine tuning prints. Resizing to print at 360ppi at ~24"x30" increased the file size to greater than 6GB and caused my computer to slow way down and it took about two hours for it to resize. It kept stopping along the way to rest and catch its breath, I'm sure. Then, when I tried to save the file, it chugged along again slowly and after generating all it needs to do, refused to save the file because it's greater than the normal Photoshop filesize limit of 2GB. I flattened the file and saved, safely arriving at a filesize about 500MB.



I planted the Tree Peony about 6 years ago and last year we had the first four flowers. This year, we'll have over a dozen flowers before they finish. The flowerrs are about 5-6 inches across. We have more Peony but their flowers are different and the blossoms require ants to open them. I'll photograph them when they're ready.

Peace

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