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Did a birding trip with Rodrigo Reyes of Birdwatching Chile. From pelagic to the mountain environment in the Andes, we got great views of a large number of interesting birds, including many endemics. Great trip, and I strongly recommend Rodrigo.
This is one of the most useful modern soft focus lenses made for 35mm format, in my opinion. At 85mm, its ideal for both landscape and portraits and with the variable diffusion, the photographer has both a sharp and a soft lens at hand.
It is composed of six elements in five groups and is based on Japanese Patent granted in 1975, JP15454075A. Introduced in 1978, it had a short production life which ceased in 1993 or 1994. These lenses are somewhat rare and I have the impression they were primarily sold in the Japanese market. There must have been some sales directed elsewhere, however, as mine came with an English language instruction sheet. I am the second owner of this particular lens, wielding it since about 1986.
It will focus to 2.6 feet, has apertures from f/2.8 to f/16, essentially, all you would need under any circumstance except low light. It uses a 55mm filter and weighs just under a pound. Because the lens is both multi-coated and fairly deeply recessed, a hood is rarely required. The barrel length changes with the softness setting, shortest at the “3” setting
Although designed for 35mm format, it performs perfectly on the larger Fuji GFX format of 33 x 44mm as these images attest. A Fotodiox adapter mounted it to the GFX body.
Quoting from the manual: “… diffuses light passing through it by intentionally introducing a controlled amount of spherical aberration. This causes every point on the subject to be images as a sharp point surrounded by a diffuse halo.’ Any true soft focus lens operates on these basic principles, which cannot be duplicated by a filter which simply degrades the image.
A ring marked 0, 1, 2, 3, determines the degree of diffusion with “0” being none and “3” being the maximum. As the manual notes, “When the diaphragm is set for apertures of f/5.6 or smaller, the diffusion-causing spherical aberration will be eliminated regardless of the softness settings … ‘ As a result I did not test this lens past f/5.6 except for an example at f/16 and “0”.
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens + Variable ND Filter
HDR (-1 / 0 / +1 EV) + Tone Mapping in FDRTools Basic
ISO Speed 100
Aperture : f/18.0
Exposure : 2 secs @ 4 secs @ 8 secs
Focal Length : 17mm
Variable Checkerspot (euphydryas chalcedona)
It was cool and we spotted a couple of these sunning themselves on different trails this morning.
Slight flash overkill on this one but the conditions were dark here.
The male of this species is black with a white ring around the neck. The female is pictured above.
Photo taken in Cerro Ancon, Panama.
A long recognized naked-eye variable star, R Aquarii is actually an interacting binary star system, two stars that seem to have a close, symbiotic relationship. About 710 light years away, it consists of a cool red giant star and hot, dense white dwarf star in mutual orbit around their common center of mass. The binary system's visible light is dominated by the red giant, itself a Mira-type long period variable star. But material in cool giant star's extended envelope is pulled by gravity onto the surface of the smaller, denser white dwarf, eventually triggering a thermonuclear explosion and blasting material into space. Optical image data (red) shows the still expanding ring of debris originating from a blast that would have been seen in the early 1770s. The evolution of less understood energetic events producing high energy emission in the R Aquarii system has been monitored since 2000 using Chandra X-ray Observatory data (blue). The composite field of view is less that a light-year across at the estimated distance of R Aquarii. via NASA go.nasa.gov/2u0qjul
For the Hot Grips this is the variable heat dial to control the temp and is within reach while riding ;-)
The Lewisias are succulent members of the Purslane family (which also includes Talinium, Anacampseros, Phemeranthus, the "Moss Rose", the wildflower "Spring Beauty" and many others). Approximately 20 species are recognized - all are native to the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. The species inhabit a variety of habitats, but most of them grow in rocky outcrops, or upland plains at higher elevations, and grow best when provided with sharply drained soils, good exposure to sunlight, and moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. All species produce rosettes of lax succulent leaves, and fleshy rootstocks. The shape of the leaves are highly variable, and may differ markedly from one species to another. The rootstocks are considered edible, although they are quite bitter, and may require special processing to reduce their bitter flavor. The roots of these plants have factored in the diets and medicine of the native peoples of this region, and many of the species are known by the common name of "Bitterroot". There is a huge range of variation in the flowers of the various species, with colors ranging from white, yellow, pink, magenta, purple, and orange, with flower sizes running from perhaps as little as 1/4 inch across to nearly 2 inches wide, and petal counts ranging from 5 to as many as 19. Meriwether Lewis (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) first collected the plant which would later be given the name Lewisia rediviva in 1805. "Bitterroot" served as an emergency food for members of the Expedition, and the genus was later named Lewisia to honor Meriwether Lewis.
The Lewisias have long been known and grown by alpine and rock gardeners, and a number of excellent hybrids and select cultivars have been been introduced over the years, yet this genus remains largely unknown outside of these circles, and plants of lewisia are very uncommon in the mainstream nurseries. Occasionally one of the "Big Box" nurseries will carry a few plants in a larger selection of mixed perennials. I had grown a plant of Lewisia "Little Plum" some years ago from a small selection of rock garden plants at a local nursery, but very recently, I had the good fortune to locate a number of quart sized pots of this plant at my local Home Depot; I couldn't resist. Lewisia "Little Plum" is an exceptional plant with especially showy flowers on compact rosettes of fleshy lance-shaped foliage. The flowers are smallish measuring to about 1.5 inches to nearly 2 inches across, and are brightly colored in pinks with deeper magenta veins; many newly opened flowers also show apricot tones in their petals - these typically fade to pink as the flowers age. The effect is so striking that plants in full bloom can attract a lot of attention. A succession of flowers are produced in early to mid spring: there are rumors that this plant may produce additional flowers intermittently through the season, but this does not reflect my experience with this plant. I would hazard that "Little Plum" is a hybrid of one of the evergreen species (most likely L. cotyledon), and one of the deciduous species, as this plants shows a tendency to loose at least some of its foliage during the heat of summer (about half of the lewisia species are deciduous, loosing their leaves in the summer and going dormant after flowering: these species typically do best in full sun, while the species which are considered "evergreen" are better grown in partial shade).
While many growers insist that the Lewisias are reasonably easy to grow, I am of a slightly different opinion - these plants do not thrive in all situations, and may not be generally suited for all gardens (or for that matter, for most gardeners). "Little Plum" requires sharp drainage, and a soil that has been enriched with organic material - well rotted leaf compost is best, but some Moo Nure worked into the soil may work well enough in a pinch. It requires good light in the morning and into the afternoon, but should be shaded during the hottest part of the day. Most of the Lewisia species grow in regions with an extended summer drought, and these frequently go dormant during the summer months. At this time most plants will loose at least a portion of their leaves, and will have a generally poor appearance. Most gardeners would interpret this incorrectly, and would try to revive the plant by giving it extra water at this time - which could possibly result in root rot and the loss of the plant. If a Lewisia is showing signs of dormancy in the summer, DO NOT give it any extra water, allow it to remain dry. In my past experience with "Little Plum", it broke dormancy in late summer or early fall as the days become cooler. At this time, it may produce a few new leaves before temperatures become too cold for any additional growth. It is my belief that the Lewisias are best grown in regions with cool summer nights, and are really better suited to higher elevations, or gardens further north, where summer temperatures can be a bit milder. Subjected to unmitigated summer heat, even the evergreen species will tend to become dormant, loosing a majority of their leaves. It may also be a good idea to protect this plant from excessively wet winter conditions by covering the plant and its surrounding bed with plastic.
Lewisia "Little Plum" is one of the gems of the greater Purslane family. Its compact size and exceptional flowers has made it a popular rock garden plant - its smaller size making it suitable for container gardens (including hypertufa troughs). Those of us who are already growing some of the winter hardy cacti, Delospermas, Phemeranthus, and other hardy succulents may already have a suitable place to plant "Little Plum". Other growers may need to prepare a site with improved drainage, and properly sited to provide the morning and early afternoon sun favored by this plant. Admittedly, this is not a plant for the average gardener; it requires a bit more attention to detail than the average gardener would be willing to provide, and even under then, success cannot be guaranteed. But for those growers who are looking for a charming accent for the front of the bed, and who do not intimidated by a plant which may be just a bit on the finicky side, "Little Plum" would be an excellent choice.
While photographing damselflies in the area of the Big Obsidian Flow at Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend, Oregon, I came across this possible immature Aeshna interrupta. It first landed low on a bush about three feet from me and almost immediately, it took off and lit on a nearby tree. Photo taken Aug. 9, 2009.
Arbol perennifolio de 6-12 m de alto, hasta 30 m en su hábitat, perteneciente al subgénero Arboreum, sección Arboreum. Corteza pardo grisácea, exfoliable en placas irregulares y delgadas, ramas jóvenes densamente grisáceo tomentosas. Hojas oblanceoladas, de 10-20 cm de largo x 3-5 cm de ancho, haz verde brillante, envés normalmente plateado. Flores agrupadas en densos corimbos redondeados, corola infundibuliforme acampanada, de 4-5 cm de ancho, rojo oscuro con manchas negras, pero también bastante variable en color, con 10 estambres blancos. Fruto en cápsula cilíndrica de cerca de 3 cm de largo. Especie nativa del Himalaya, Cachemira, Bhután y Assam. En Iturraran se encuentra en la zona 2.
Zuhaitz hostoiraunkorra, 6-12 metroko garaierakoa, 30 metroraino irits daiteke bere habitatean, Arboreum azpigenerokoa da, Arboreum sekziokoa. Azal arre grisaxka, plaka irregular eta fiinetan exfoliatu daiteke, adar gazteak ilupu grisaxka trinkoz estaliak. Hosto oblantzeolatuak, 10-20 cm luze eta 3-5 cm zabalekoak, gainalde berde distiratsua, azpialdea normalean zilar kolorekoa. Loreak korinbo borobildu trinkoetan bilduak, inbutu kanpai formako korola, 4-5 cm zabal, gorri iluna orbain beltzekin, baina nahiko aldakorra kolorean, 10 lorezil zurirekin. Fruitua kapsula zilindriko batean gordea, 3 cm luzekoa. Himalayatik, Cacheiratik datorren espeziea. Iturraranen 2 zonan aurki daiteke.
Arbre à feuillage pérenne de 6-12 m de haut, jusqu’à 30 m dans son habitat, qui appartient au sous-genre Arboreum, section Arboreum. Écorce brun grisâtre, qui s'exfolie en plaques irrégulières et minces, branches jeunes densément grisâtres avec du tomentum. Feuilles oblancéolées, de 10-20 cm de long x 3-5 cm de large, abaxial vert brillant, adaxial normalement argenté. Fleurs regroupées en denses corymbes arrondis, corolle infundibuliforme à campanule, de 4-5 cm de large, rouge foncé avec des taches noires, mais aussi assez variable en couleur, avec 10 étamines blancs. Fruit en capsule cylindrique de près de 3 cm de long. Espèce originaire de l'Himalaya, du Cachemire, Bhutan et Assam. À Iturraran il se trouve dans la zone 2.
Evergreen tree, 6-12 m in height, up to 30 m in its habitat, belonging to the Arboreum sub-genre, Arboreum section. Greyish dun bark that peels off in uneven thin strips, young branches are densely greyish tomentous. Leaves are oblanceolate, 10-20 cm long x 3-5 cm wide, bright green upper side, normally silver underside. Flowers grouped in dense rounded corymbs, bell-shaped, infundibuliform corolla, 4-5 cm wide, dark red with black patches, but also in quite variable colours, with 10 white stamens. Fruit in cylindrical capsule about 3 cm long. Species native to the Himalayas, Kashmir, Bhutan and Assam. In Iturraran it can be found in zone 2.
Carroll County, Arkansas, USA
Philip holds our first Sonora find of the day, while Bob photographs and Mitchell looks on.
This VDT site is in the Kennel Creek watershed. The prescription was intendend to stimulate the development of stand complexity in this second growth and it appears to be working well.
Random Variable A Random Variable is a variable which is concerned with random variable Probability Theory or we can say in Probability random variable are used for prediction of occurrence of events. Random variable can be defined as variable which obtains its value from measurement on a system and the components of system can vary. A random variable can also be described as a result of an occurring event.