Blue Sky Hunter

Spent a full day shooting American Bald Eagles along the Mississippi River. While warm winter weather has the birds spread out along the river (rather than concentrated near the dams) we were able to get a number of good shots. The new Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens worked out nicely.

The Eagles are coming

Took a side trip to the Mississippi River near Burlington, Iowa and took a thousand pictures of the Eagles wintering near the locks and damns where the river doesn't freeze. Going to have to edit them but I like the colors in this subtle shot.

Got a birding lens....of course, now there are no birds

Got a new lens to take some birding shots and thought I would go to the backyard to shoot some birds. Of course, there were none around. This is the neighbor's bird feeder. Have to get one of those this spring. Hopefully, I will see some American Bald eagles this weekend in Iowa. If they are around, I have the glass to get a shot. This is with the new Sigma 150-600mm zoom lens.

An after work walk on the beach

Saw a nice but chilly after work walk on the beach near Santa Monica. I liked the stacking of the scene.

Newark Passaic River....In Good Light

Almost anything will look good in good light. That is even true while on the Amtrak train crossing over the Passaic River heading into Newark. I saw this light and was looking for something to focus on while speeding along from New York to Philly. Caught this average scene but again, in good light, it doesn't look bad. Even Newark looks good in good light.

Philadelphia's 30th Street Station

Philadelphia's massive 30th street station. Lots of open space for figuring out where to go.

A Little Abstract for a Friday Morning

Shooting up into a chandelier at the Chicago Restoration Hardware store.

Santa Monica--Selling Color

The backlit umbrella makes for a lot of color as this artist tries to sell his wares on the Santa Monica Pier to the tourists.

Santa Monica--End of the Trail

I had forgotten that Route 66, which runs near our home in Naperville (basically, it is now I-55 and some of Joliet Road) ends in Santa Monica, at the pier. Makes one want to drive the whole trip, even though most of the line is taken up by interstate highways now. Some is still left, especially out west. Might have to do that some day.....

Santa Monica Pier

Hanging out near the Santa Monica Pier last week before a dinner and got a few minutes to walk around. Your typical tourist trap but nice sunset views as always can be found along the beaches in California.

At Least 22 TVs and I can't have a Beer

This is a picture of me standing at a window and I can't go in. This Manhattan Beach restaurant/bar has at least 22 TVs in this shot (I counted. It might be more in the bar overall) and they are all dialed in to the National Championship College Football game and I decided to go ahcohol free in January! Boy, January is a tough month to go without any beer. But so is February, March, April.....

Clear Skies in Indian Wells

Saw a beautiful cold morning in the desert near Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Palm Springs. Look forward to coming back to the area for more than 24 hours and checking out the nearby Joshua Tree National Park.

Well Organized Person

I am always on the look out for color--even if it is inside the house. I will say that my wife is a very organized person.

VE Day KIss in San Diego

This photo is at least the third time I have the statue of the famous VE day kiss. I've seen it in Florida, with this shot in San Diego in 2015 along the pier next to an aircraft carrier and I saw a small version just this past Veteran's Day in a parade in NYC. I wonder if there are any more in the US that I haven't come across yet? With the aircraft carrier in the background, this has to be the best version, although the actual kiss was from a photograph in New York City, if I recall. Photos can make a difference.

Tampa Pop of Color

When you are a photographer on the lookout for color, this is a scene, while not pretty, is going to stand out. I suppose that is the point with this ship. On any blue sea, you are not going to miss this ship. Taken from my hotel balcony in Tampa, just as a summer storm was about to come through.

Branching out in Photography

Lots of fern branches, vines and Spanish Moss in the Sarasota tree on the Ringling Brothers Museum property.

Someone in St. Petersburg, Florida Loves Christmas Lights

I took this picture of this extremely well-lit Christmas light display yesterday in St. Petersburg, Florida. (1) It was already January 5th and (2) this is only part of the display. Behind where I am standing there is another yard full of Christmas lights from this same family. Someone in this house, really, really likes Christmas lights. And I barely got a couple of strings up on the 2 trees in front of our house. Puts me, and most everyone else, to shame. I suspect this house generates lots of pre-Christmas traffic.

Hoover Damn, Two Views

Hoover Dam, taken from a trip I did last year, from two angles. The first is from on the dam itself, looking up to the bridge over the gorge and the second, from the bridge looking back down along the dam. Good side trip that many of you have taken from Las Vegas. Got in a nice tour of the facility and it was free, complements of our US taxes.

Chicago from Above

Its hard to get a super sharp shot at 200mph but this is a great view of the city. I will be in one of those buildings today.

Last Day of R and R....Dallas

Bears, Bulls and Hawks all play today, a last day of rest and relaxation before hitting the road again in 2016. Already have 5 or 6 trips planned for work. This outdoor couch in Dallas doesn't look that relaxing but I will take whatever I can get today.

No Pictures Allowed

I was walking inside this beautiful old building turned into a mall with Michael in Asheville and the security guard sees my camera and says, "No pictures allowed". So, of course, I take a shot as I exited when he walked away. It seems stupid to decorate this building and not let any pictures be taken. What is with these rules against pictures?

Before I die....in Asheville, NC

Looking for an appropriate shot to post on New Year's Day, found this one which seemed to fit the bill. Great idea in downtown Asheville, NC to encourage people to make resolutions. I bet it got used a lot last night. I think I would have put something smart like; "Remember to post this on Shot Of the Day."