David's Photo Blog

I am back here for a little while

2009-08-24T21:43:00.002-06:00

I was trying to use Wordpress for blogging, but I need to spend more time with it to learn how to do formatting, links, and putting in images vs links in the post. So Iwill hang out here for a little while longer.

Till later

David

New Bag for My Laptop - The Think Tank Airport Check In

2009-08-24T21:22:00.004-06:00

If your a photographer and need a excellent bag for your laptop, there is only place to go and get the bag. That place is Think Tank Photo. I ordered my bag last week and got it today from the guys in the big brown truck. I am already loving the bag and I have only put just a few items in it. I put my laptop in there of course, a 15.4" HP and also could put my Wacom tablet in there with the laptop in the same compartment. In the other compartment, I used the Cable Management Bag that comes with the main bag, yes it comes with another great bag for managing all those accessories you have in your computer bag, for my laptop battery change and power cord and some USB cables. In the front for the small stuff, it has two pockets that are just the right size for my 2 portable laptop hard drives. But wait there is more, it more little bags and places to store more stuff. The pen holders work just great for my Wacom Tablet's stylus. It looks very professional and I would not hesitate to take it with to a business meeting. I think that is the point.

Think Tank just makes outstanding products. I have the Rotation 360 and several of the smaller bags I used to make for cleaning kits and other stuff.

Thank you Think Tank for making a great product!!!!!

Think Tank Photo Airport Check In

Moving

2009-07-12T13:23:00.004-06:00

I am moving my blog over to my own self hosted account. I am moving to Wordpress. I like the themes and other features available there. It is a work in progress since I have just started the construction project.

I can be found at David Staggs Photo Blog

But I will still keep this site up for a while....

Here Doggie Look at the Birdie

2009-06-27T14:15:00.005-06:00

Every day when I go to work on the access road to the parking lot where I park everyday these guys have been awful tempting to take a shot at. Today was the first real nice morning for a weekend to go take a shot at them and have the sun on the right side of where I needed it. Did not want to get too close since they are known carriers of some really bad things (think back to your history lessons of the Dark Ages). After sitting there with in the parking lot for a little to get them use to me sitting there and then I started shooting them. And they did not disappoint. Wish I could have spent more time with them, but I wanted to head to RMNP and go marmot hunting......

Well Changes Have Begun

2009-06-19T18:38:00.002-06:00

Changes here have begun. The new memory cards are here and the now the Pocket Rocket is full of fuel and ready for some good shooting. The filters are here too and they are just itching to help bring to you some silky water from the snow melt here. Also a lighter, more versatile camera backpack that will let me take with me what I want and no more and also serve as a daypack for carrying goodies like snacks and lunch. So many straps and buckles and other places, it going to take a week just to finish exploring the new bag from Think Tank (it the the 360 Rotation backpack if you look at the site). Well, everyone have a good one and oh yea one more thing, I AM NOT ON CALL THIS WEEKEND...... YEA!!!!!!

Changes on the Way

2009-06-17T18:37:00.003-06:00

Well to the folks down south that follow my blog, sorry no new updates in a while. Work has been very hectic and I am finding it very hard to find any free time to even go shoot. And when having time to shoot, I don't have the time to put them on the pc and go thru them. I have 2 full 4 GB cards just waiting to be loaded and gone thru. I guess it is a good thing also, since I am planning on ripping out my "old" 500 GB hard drives and install some "new" 1.5 TB drives in the computer and completely rebuild the OS so I better utilize my drives and the new space it will provide. I have also filled out my "pocket rocket" from Think Tank Photo with 4 more 4 GB CF cards. This will give me 40 GB of storage in the field. With that much storage available in the field, you can now see why I am going to 1.5 TB drives. Also coming are some new ND filter, replacing one that got scratched horribly last year shooting at Ouzel Falls. It has lived a good life, now time for it to retire.

So now it is time to go and grab sometime to eat for me and the truck and hopefully, I will not get paged trying to eat.

Here is a plug for one of the blogs and a worldwide event that is occuring on July 18, 2009. It is called Photo World Wide Walk. Here is the link for it:Photo World Wide Walk. It sponsored by the folks of NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). So check it out, time is running out and if you lead one and have a group, you and your group could win stuff if the photos win prizes if submitted.

Have a good one and remember this, a day shooting in the field is hell of lot better than being in the office.

Later......

Finally Got Me a Birdy

2009-05-15T18:18:00.008-06:00

Going to work in the early morning up here and I have been noticing a Great Blue Heron flying in to the local park here in Fort Collins. I got to take off from work today and as I was driving out past the park today on the way to get my ears lowered a great deal. Low and behold, I looked over in the park and I found my friend the GBH strutting around near one of the ponds in the park. I worked with him for about a hour and managed to fill up my 4 GB CF card with images. This image is one of the last images before he flew off to another pond in the park and was no longer in the good light. I might try to go down early in the morning to see if he is back and if he there I am going to work him some more. Have to get there early before all the soccer kids and doggies and fishers get there and scare him off.

The Snow is Melting

2009-04-12T20:28:00.001-06:00

Here is a touch of a stream in RMNP that is starting to experience spring melt. Did not feel like getting out to really work the area. maybe next week. It was just uck outside.

Look at the Birdy

2009-04-12T20:20:00.004-06:00

We had a heavy visit today at the bird feeders. Jays, little birds, robins, and even those big bullies of the neighborhood, black birds. Shooting thru the living room windows. Did get a few better shoots this time around and it helped to clear all the junk off the window.

Yes Virginia, It is SUPPOSED TO BE SPRING

2009-04-12T15:40:00.003-06:00

Yes, I know I am shouting in the title, but hey it is my blog. Taken yesterday up in RMNP and converted to B&W. It was cold and dreary and that was the mood I saw the picture in. Here it is April 12 and spring just cannot make it stick. One day it is nice and shirt sleeve weather and 5 minutes later, we are rushing for the parka's and gloves.

April Showers and May Flowers

2009-04-04T12:00:00.010-06:00

To heck with the saying April showers bring May flowers, lets try April Snow brings May Flowers. Yes, it is April 4, 2009 and do not let that fool you. We have 6 inches of fresh heavy wet snow of the ground right now and I am loving it. Only loving it because it gives me something to shoot here in the neighborhood.

Now these two are just loving it also.

Nikon D2x 70-300mm VR, Ridata Pro 150X Card

Now I don't know about you, but these guys seems like they are having too much fun, including chasing my geese away that I was working .

Nikon D2x 70-300mm VR, Ridata Pro 150X Card

And this one of the two above is having just way too much fun. I wish I could have that much fun sometimes.

Nikon D2x 70-300mm VR, Ridata Pro 150X Card

Nothing to say here....

Nikon D2x 70-300mm VR, Ridata Pro 150X Card

They Are Coming Back

2009-03-22T20:27:00.003-06:00

I was going through my pocket rocket (my compact flash card keeper) and found a card that I had not uploaded to my computer yet. These were outside the house I live at one morning after cominghome from working the mushroom shift and shot these thru a very lousy window to be shooting through. They were coming in for a drink and then they would fly off tothe feeder for a bite and then back for a drink and repeat. Had sveral type of birds come up. Now I am long from being a bird id expert. Hey if it has feathers two legs and flys a little or a lot, it must be a bird right. One ofthe hardest animals to me to photography, but I do hope to get better.

San Juan Skyway

2009-03-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

Old Mine Chute Coming Down from Red Mountain Pass along San Juan Skyway

Mountains in the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains

Lizard Head (0n the right)

This weekend I left from work Saturday morning with plans on going to the San Juan Skyway. For those that do not know of the San Juan Skyway, let me give you a little info. San Juan Skyway consist of the US 550 from Ridgway, Co to Durango, Co going over three mountain passes (Red Mountain Pass, Molas Pass, and Coal Bank Pass) with the town of Silverton found between Red Mountain and Molas Pass. From Durango, you go west towards Cortez on US 160. Once you get to east side of Cortez, you make a right on CO145 and go north. This puts you on the path to one of Colorado's famous ski areas, known for high quality powder and extreme areas to ski in. The area is Telluride. From there head on up a little more of a piece on CO145, then make a right onto CO62. Once you go over Dallas Divide and look back where you have been, you are just amazed at the view of where you have been. And that is the case of any place you look back at and look at in front of you.

It was such just a nice long drive. It was the kind of drive I needed. I needed the quiet time to myself in the venue that I enjoy. I needed the myself time (no computers) to allow me to think and think things through some. This allowed me to recharge some batteries in me that have been seriously depleted in the last few months and I hope they will stay recharged. The scenery was great and fresh. It was scenery I have not seen and will be going back more. Some of the towns I drove through were just so nice. I always love Gunnison (I think Gunnison is heaven on earth) Montrose was easy to drive and Durango the same (even with the construction). The people in Durango were so nice, especially the ones at their local Supercenter ( I needed some stuff ok).

Just Playing Around Here with Lightroom 2.2

2009-02-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

Not getting out here lately, so I am here playing around with some features of Lightroom 2.2 based on some online classes I have been watching. This is done with post cropping vignetting. The top one was taken in Gunnison County last fall and the lake is Spraque Lake in RMNP, one of my favorite spots in the park.

A Cabin in the Woods

2009-02-25T02:48:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x Sigma 24-60mm Ridata Pro 150x media

Taken in the west side of the Rocky Mountains. Notice the trees in the background. They have been killed by the Pine Beetle infestation here in the Rocky Mountains. If you go to the west side the Rocky, don't expect to see any green trees. They have been pretty much all killed or in the process of being killed by the pine beetle. It is just a lightening strike away from a massive forest fire that will basically wipe out the western side of the Rockies as far as trees goes. Just imagine from the Colorado-Wyoming State line all the way to past Vail south with no trees. Basically what we have now, just standing dead trees.

Big Horn Ram Sheep in Grant, Colorado

2009-02-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

This is part good and part rant so pardon my ranting. Ok for the good, I was out today riding around with no specific goal to obtain or anything. Had my camera's in the truck just in case something looked good to shoot. I was going down US 285 from Denver to Fairplay and before I got to the turnoff for Guanella Pass in Grant, this guy with a a whole bunch of ewes and a couple of young rams from what I could see were eating some snow for their water. Now for my rant, while shooting these guys and we were minding our own business, me the photog and them the sheep. All of sudden a Harley with straights guns the motor just as hie passing the herd and spook's the crap of them. The only reason the biker did was because he had to slow down while other cars were slowing down to see the sheep. This is not the only other time I have had problem with Harleys or other bikes with straights and I am sick of it as a photog. I love shooting wildlife in their environment and do not mind sharing that with other people either, but when other people are totally disrespectful of what is there that everyone is observing and they gun their illegal modified engines (straight pipes), it just totally rubs me the wrong way. I have worked along time to get my craft where it is and I am always working on to improve it and when inconsiderate A$$HOLES disrupt things I love and puts more stress on animals that are already under stress from weather illness, predators, I have to draw a line.

Well till later

Snow Pictures for Folks Down South

2009-02-13T00:38:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures taken of some crab apple trees around the house after the last snow we had this week (Tuesday night). By later that Wednesday morning, it was all gone. When it snows, it is so fry that is comes as a powder snow. You can just blow on it and it comes off. Now when it melts, it still makes things just as wet and slick. We are suppose to get some more snow today and this weekend. I need to get my butt up in the mountains and get some shots. Maybe I will do that this weekend.

Till later

Snow and More Snow

2009-01-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

No pictures today since I have not been out and about getting any. This is from last year up in RMNP.. We had over 5 inches of snow here in FTC today and a lot less in Denver. And it is just frigid cold, it was ZERO when I left for work on the truck thermometer display and the bank had a big ole -1 on it. And that is without the wind (which was basically zero thank goodness).

Have a good one

Till later

Home Again for a Moment

2009-01-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

State Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi. It is often seen in Marshall Ramsey's cartoon in the local paper with screaming eagle on top. No luck today. It is a beautiful building. I took these shortly after getting my first DSLR (Nikon D100). Would love to get some shots of it inside once again.

Till later....

In A Sea of Clouds

2009-01-22T00:02:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x Sigma 24-60mm Ridata Pro 150X

Today is from the Great Smokey Mountains area. I was up high on a mountain highway and above the clouds that morning as the sun was coming up and the mountains were just engulfed in rolling clouds. In a few miles of traveling down the road, passed thru these clouds and to just another view.

Longing for Home and those Huge Oak Trees

2009-01-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2x Sigma 24-60mm Ridata Pro 150X

Oh for a familiar sight. Sometimes I miss being back in Mississippi. Yes, it has its faults and it has is pleasures. One of those pleasures is the satisfaction of being able to go to such historic places like Windsor Ruins. I was emailing with a friend there back home that did some work for me before the holidays and was talking about places to take pictures. There are tons of places to take photos and when I back home to either visit or to once live there again, I will be visiting Windsor Ruins once again. This was taken back in 2006 while I was driving around and decided on the spur of the moment to find this place once again that I had visited once before with my mom and sister. My sister never liked going to places like this, but I just loved places like this. I just love history. Guess it goes hand in hand with my love for photography.

Will someone buy me a 85mm PC-E Tilt shift lens for my Nikon, so I can get these right next time..

Till later

Changes

2009-01-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

It was time to make a few changes to the blog. Basically it is all new except for the content. Switched over to a different template and modified to taste. Allows me to post the photos in a better size and I think they show up better againest the black background with the white borders.

Future improvements might include the photos being in frames from photoshop.

Till later

Water and More Water

2009-01-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

American Falls from the Canadian Side

American Falls from the Canadian Side in B/W

Well today I think I will delve into the archives from back in 2006 from when I went up to Niagara Falls from when I was living in Cleveland, OH. Above are the American Falls from the Canadian side since that is the best place to view the falls from. Even the view for the Horseshoe Falls are outstanding from the Canadian side (The best view in my opinion). In the winter, the spray from the falls coat the trees that are near the falls with ice several inches thick, think more than 6". It is a great sight and the wait for them to light the falls is worth the wait. Get there before they light them, them watch the show.

Till later

A Meeting of the Minds

2009-01-13T01:59:00.000-07:00

Why can't people just meet in the middle sometimes. Diamond Reo is country group that record a song called Meeting in the Middle.

Well the real story is that I almost had a meeting in the middle with a good size Bighorn ewe (female bighorn sheep) this weekend at where I was shooting. We had only about 12-15 ft between us, but the nice thing was that it did not bother her and I am glad of that fact. I am really careful around wildlife as I respect them and want them to remain wild. Spent a good amount of time shooting her and I think her mom or her daughter.

Nikon D2x Sigma 150-500mm SanDisk Extreme III

Finally Got One

2009-01-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

After several trips to RMNP and other places in the area, finally got to see some Bighorn Sheep with adult Rams.

A New Start to a New Year

2009-01-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

Went today and renewed my Federal Park Pass for the year. One of the best bargains out there for people that visit a lot of the national parks and other federal lands that charge access fees. Here in Colorado, besides having access to places like RMNP here locally also allows access to Mt Evans when it is open. I figured today that if you just visit one park like RMNP one time a month for 12 months that is $240.00/ year. The park pass is $80.00/year. So do the math. Plus access to other parks and areas.

Well enough about that. Here is a 6x6 elk that appears he had too much celebrating last night at the elk new years party. You know those bull elk, can throw a heck of a party.

Nikon D2x, Sigma 150-500 SanDisk Extreme III media

It was taken in RMNP in the Horseshoe Meadow section along US34 in the park.

Have a nice day....

Saying goodbye to 2008

2008-12-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Goodbye to 2008. A year that has had a lot of stuff happen all over the place.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy celebration tonight.

The last sunset for 2008 and it was a nice one. This was taken after getting back from Bighorn Sheep hunting (for photo's) which was a total bust. But atleast I got out of he house and get some time behind the camera.

Well time will tell how 2008 will be remembered and how 2009 will be. Have to take it one day at a time.

Till later....

Hey Young Bullwinkle

2008-12-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2x Sigma 70-300mm Ridata Pro 150x

Mother moose and calf was taken over on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter of 2007-2008 along Trail Ridge Road (TRR). In the winter, TRR is partially open on both sides of the park, but you cannot travel the center section due to the snow and very high winds that are experienced there. They were in the parking lot of a picnic area licking the road salts that had been left there by parked cars. In fact, they licked the truck that was parked in front of me and my truck also. They loved the wheel wells and bumpers the most.

Christmas Present Comes Early

2008-12-16T00:40:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a Wacom Tablet for the longest and have been trying to decide what would be the right size for me to buy when considering I will be using it with a laptop and a desktop machine. I decided on getting a 6x8 tablet with mouse. Don't think I will be using the mouse much since I already have a mouse I like and I am used to using. This along with a bag from eBags to carry it in, unless it fits my laptop backpack easily.

You say what is a Wacom Tablet used for. It is used mainly in the graphic arts field in drawing, painting, and working with digital photography in Photoshop and other photo imaging software like Capture NX2. Allows you to more natually paint, point, and anything involved with graphic manipulation.

Have to love Amazon though, which is where I got mine through. It will be here on Wed. and it will be put to use that afternoon and night making Christmas presents.

Image Copyright Amazon.com

Snow and Deer

2008-12-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2X Sigma 70-300mm Ridata 150x

Taken along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park after a snowstorm. She is looking back at some other people that were trying to get some pictures of her or other deer in the herd. Glad she posed for me like this. This is fitting for today since it is currently 6 deg outside and snow on the ground from a snowstorm passing thru early this morning with more in the forecast. It is looking more like a white Christmas.

Just An Old Tree

2008-12-13T03:11:00.002-07:00

Nikon D2x Sigma 24-60 Ridata 150x

This was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on the western side of the divide. I was just walking around in the meadow and saw a bunch of these old weather tree trucks that were on the ground and started shooting them from various angles.

Till later..

Now Honey, Lets Discuss This

2008-12-08T20:33:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, Ridata 150x

It looks like one of these two geese is getting an earful from the other. Since they mate for life, it makes since. Actually they are talking about taking flight. They start honking if they feel under stress or like they are going to be attacked. Shortly after this photo, they did take flight and that is quite a sight in itself.

Maroon Bells

2008-12-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60 Ridata 150x

Taken from Maroon Lake one August morning, one of the most photographed places in Colorado. If you look at calendars for Colorado, it can almost be guaranteed to have a photo of the "Bells" in there in some form or fashion. I post processed this in Lightroom 2.1 using a special preset.

Ole Time Cabins

2008-12-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, Ridata 150x Pro

This fall while up in the mountains in Gunnison County along Ohio Pass Road saw these old cabins along the road with the aspens turing in the background. Lots of old stuff in the front of the building also.

Squirreling Away

2008-12-05T02:34:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60mm Ridata 150x Pro

Here we find a furry little guy stocking away for the upcoming cold winter. Today those nuts and everything stowed away is going to come in handy since we now have several inches of snow on the ground, temps are very cold and I am sure he is in his nice cozy den dreaming nice squirrel dreams.

A Little Bit of Christmas Color - Denver Style

2008-12-03T01:36:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60mm Ridata 150x PRO CF

This is part of the light display from the Denver City and County Building in downtown Denver, CO. Every year, this building, Union Station, and various other parts of the downtown are lit up in lights. This was taken last year on a very cold night. Hopefully I will be able to go down and get more shots with the Tokina 12-24 and get some really wide shots of the building and the lights.

Till later....

Jack Frost Visited after Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, PNY Pro CF media

After getting off work Saturday morning going up the highway I was looking at all the snow on the naked cottonwood trees and noticed this set of trees with the silo and farmhouse in the background. So I rushed home and grabbed my gear and came back knowing that the snow was not going to be melting anytime soon and grabbed this shot along with a few others.

George Washington at Mt Rushmore

2008-11-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Nikon D2x, Sigma 150-500mm Ridata 150x CF

Visited Mt Rushmore for the first time about a month ago and was really inspired by the majesty of the monument of four US Presidents. This is a shot that can only be obtained from the road that accesses Mt Rushmore. There is a parking area on the side of the road as you are heading back from the main area of Mt Rushmore. When the monument is lit, it is just something to see. I am very glad I took the opportunity to go see this monument.