Posted on by Anne Sandler

Edited Epcot images

Oh my tired index finger! I’ve been doing editing to my images and finally got them all done–at least the ones worth editing. Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with them all.

Today’s post is on Epcot and our character breakfast at one of the Disney resort hotels. The adults enjoyed the food and the kids enjoyed meeting Goofy, Donald and Minnie. They were so excited, they couldn’t eat. I quietly asked the waitress if we could take out what was on their plates. She obliged us with some cups, and, of course, they snacked on the food during the morning. I’ll try to just post images you haven’t seen before, but I know there will be at least one repeat.

At least having them all edited, the going will be easier from here on. Remember, I don’t do much editing since I still don’t know how!

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

California, here I am! Edited photos from Disney World, Florida

I have to admit it–I love California! It’s always great to come home even though it’s overcast. Hopefully we will get some needed rain. We had a great time in Orlando and Disney World, but I brought the cold home with me. So today, I’m resting and working on photographs. I need to get rid of this cold because I have a photo outing tomorrow–weather permitting.

Today I’ll show you some images from our first few days at the resort and in the Magic Kingdom. I kept comparing this park to Disneyland, my favorite park, and I guess I shouldn’t do that any more. The Magic Kingdom has changed since we last visited more than 20 years ago–for the better. However, you do have to go chase down some of the Disneyland attractions in the other three parks. However, the Magic Kingdom is not my favorite of the four parks.

I may have posted some of these images unedited so I hope you don’t mind seeing them again. I also need to get the photos of Olivia playing the Beast in the little Beauty and the Beast play play. Ryan was the cupboard. (Remember, I had left my spare battery at the hotel in my backpack.) Bummer, but it was wicked good to observe it.

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The Animal Kingdom unedited

It’s tough. It’s tough to go to a Disney park and have a bad time even when you are suffering from a cold. And, this cold just won’t give up! The day after we went to the Animal Kingdom, Richard and I moved the family to another time share. So, moving day, we did nothing but moved suitcases and set up the two bedroom suite while the all the kids were in a park. We didn’t mind because we weren’t feeling up to going.

The next day it was raining and cold in the sunshine state, so we stayed at the hotel. Greg started setting up the booth at the trade show. Yes, vacation was over from some of us.

This brings us to yesterday, Sunday. Jess, Richard and I took the little ones into Disney Studios. You’ll read more about that and see some images maybe tomorrow.

Right now Richard and I are relaxing with the grandchildren while their parents are working the trade show. And, I’m taking the opportunity to at least start this blog about the Animal Kingdom. I just loved that park. There’s a lot for the children to do, and the decor is wicked wonderful. I was a little disappointed with the Safari ride mainly because the road was so bumpy and it was difficult to take pictures. I carried both cameras, and thanks to my new sling, I was comfortable all day. Richard, the grandkids and I are going back tomorrow, but I think I’ll just take one camera. After all, I still have the cold and the going is sort of tough.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Colds and Disney World unedited

What can ruin a vacation? Maybe lost luggage, rainy days, getting sick? Well, we didn’t lose our luggage, but the other two are something we’ve experienced. Even though three of us are down with a cold, we went into the parks anyway. Right now Richard and I are in the timeshare resting while the rest of the family went into Disney Hollywood Studios. When Greg called, he said that they were freezing. Greg also has the cold.

My post today is about Epcot. It was great. I wasn’t that impressed about the various “land exhibits,” but the rest of the rides and shows were wicked wonderful. One nice ride was about how they are growing vegetables in different ways like rice in dirt and tomatoes in trees. There was a lot for the children to enjoy, which they did. Here are some unedited images.

 

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Some lessons are hard to learn: Disney World unedited

Yes, I did it again. I forgot to check the battery in my camera before we left for the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, and didn’t bring my spare. I got in a few shots before we got too far into the park and then stowed the camera back into the car. Fortunately, my daughter-in-law had her camera along and was the picture taker for the day.

I brought along both my cameras, but decided to use the D3100 since I would be taking mostly snapshots and didn’t want anything to happen to the D7100. We came to Orlando with our son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Jessica, and young grandkids, because our company is involved in a trade show here and thought it would be a great vacation. So, right now it’s day 5 and three of us out of six have colds. Jess is down at the pool with the little ones. This is a good time to do a blog, I thought. But, I have no editing program or computer with me! It’s a good thing Richard brought his laptop.

Our first two days in Disney were at the Magic Kingdom. It was crowded and they have a different system for using fast passes. It took us a while to catch on, but we did. Here are some memorable moments: Olivia was chosen to play the part of the beast in Belle’s castle play and danced with her (I have to get the pictures from Jess).  Ryan wants to be a pirate after going through the Pirates Of The Caribbean ride. We found some characters and took pictures with them. And, I got my highest score ever on the Buzz Lightyear ride!

Here are some images of our experience so far–unedited! I hope to get some study time in on the D7100 today, and tomorrow I will remember my extra battery and SD card!

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

A cause to celebrate

She calls it her “Birthday Celebration.” Harriet Baum is 20-years sober and considers her sober anniversary her rebirth. I was fortunate to be invited to this Birthday celebration on Sunday, January 19, 2014.

Before she made the decision to enter the 12-Step Program she describes her life as one of depression and terror. She was doing things that were not good for her body and couldn’t share her feelings with anyone. She felt alone and friendless. “I had a birthday party for myself and nobody came–not even my family,” she says.

Now life is wonderful for Harriet. “People love me, want to spend time with me. I’m hanging out with people who are not drinking alcohol or taking drugs. I finally have the life I’ve always wanted,” she says.

But, maintaining this happy life is not easy. It’s still a daily struggle for Harriet who goes daily to an Alcohol Anonymous meeting and talks with her sponsor. And, she’s helping others by sponsoring someone. “I’m still working on staying sober. I’m very blessed,” she says. “I’m back in college, working towards being a doctor. I’m a work in progress, and I’m not backsliding!”

Happy Birthday Harriet.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

The Bald Eagle

One way to get a bird to pose is to catch them while eating. We were almost finished with the auto tour at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge when my friend Sandy saw an eagle. I immediately stopped, backed up a little and started shooting. After my excitement waned a little, I noticed what the Bald Eagle was doing. He was dining on his dinner, a Coot (a fellow meetup member told me). Talk about being a sitting duck!

I watched and shot. The eagle even looked at me, but didn’t move from his task. It was simply amazing. I’m posting some images from the more than 100 I took.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Learning the hard way and The Sacramento Wildlife Refuge

Why do I insist on learning the hard way? I haven’t had, or taken, the time to fully learn the D7100 before I used it at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge  on Friday. So, that meant I lost a couple of potentially good shots because I was trying the camera on different settings without truly knowing how to set them or get out of the setting. I’m also having trouble with the auto focus–way too sensitive. There’s probably a setting that will help, but!! And worse, I left the camera’s field guide at home.

Now, I’m going to make sure I prioritize time for the camera and me! In spite of that frustration, my friend Sandy and I had a wicked good day. I finally used my sling with both cameras, and it made shooting easier because I didn’t have to switch lenses. Most of all, the sling made carrying the cameras comfortable. It was worth the cost.

We got to the refuge about 2 p.m. and stayed until sundown. This was a Meetup originally scheduled by Dennis Ariza, Wildlife and Landscape group. Even though I couldn’t go on Saturday, Dennis allowed me to post my shots on the website. If you are local to the Bay Area and surrounding California communities and do photography, check out this Meet Up group. Dennis always has interesting places for us to go to.

One good thing about going out during the week is the quiet as you walk around. It was peaceful. By the time we got onto the auto tour, the sun was starting to set, and the marsh took on an orange glow. We saw one “fly up” by the snow geese, but I wasn’t too thrilled with my images as compared with last year’s. I’m beginning to get more picky. We ended the drive with a nice sunset that lit up the waters.

That was Friday and today is Sunday. I still haven’t picked up my manual, book or field guide for the D7100. I’ve got to set that priority. Today I’ll show you some images, excluding the eagle. Tomorrow more about the eagle. Suspense!

 

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Expectations and the Sand Hill Crane

I must be setting my expectations a little too high when it comes to the Sand Hill Crane. After not being able to photograph them very well at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, yesterday I went to the Consumes River Preserve hoping to capture some images of the gray creatures.

When I read that there was a Visitor’s Center at Consumes, I was excited. I go there and be guided as to where the best viewing spot was. The Visitor’s Center consisted of two small billboard type signs and a pit toilet! Fortunately, there were bird watchers who helped guide me to where I could see the cranes.

Also, when I left home, the sun had come out and all was calm. I expected to have a great morning, relaxing and capturing the cranes with my camera. By the time I drove 30 minutes to the Preserve, the wind had picked up and was wreaking havoc in the marshes. Small birds were having a difficult time feeding, and even the large hawks were having trouble flying. The wind was harsh and cold. No one was hanging around, sitting and watching the wildlife.

So much for my expectations! It was windy, cold and the wildlife and my camera were struggling. It was difficult to focus as the camera kept correcting for the constantly moving marshland. I was able to capture images of the birds in flight, and have some of those shots to show you.

As you could guess, I didn’t stay very long. But, I did get some images of the cranes in flight and experienced the wetlands in not so friendly conditions. The ducks were huddled against little islands in the water, geese were staying on top of the islands and only large turkey vultures, geese and Sandhills were taking to flight.

Did I set my expectations too high? I guess I’ve learned that you can’t assume what nature will deliver. I might try again before the Sandhill Cranes leave the area.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Olympus Point Sculpture Park

Do you have a place where you live that you’ve been meaning to get to but never do? I’ve lived in the Sacramento, California area for 13 years now; I pass this big red sculpture on the I80 freeway all the time, but have never taken the time to see it up close. Yesterday I finally visited the Olympus Point Sculpture Park.

This sculpture by Aristides Demetrios is called “Cosmos,” and was dedicated to the Roseville, California community in 1990. I was between activities and brought my camera along with the intent to find the park and take images of the large red sculpture. I was disappointed and delighted. Disappointed because the area around the sculpture was not kept very, well and in some areas the sculpture needed re-painting. Delighted because it was fun to photograph from all angles. I started out with my 18 – 55 mm lens and then went back to the car to switch to my 10 – 20 mm lens.

There is a nature trail near the sculpture. I saw people coming and going, but I didn’t have time to investigate. Now when I pass the big, red sculpture while driving, I can have the satisfaction of having been there.