Mum's the word

We stopped by Home Depot to get mulch for the beds and trees this afternoon. Smitten with the mums on display, I retrieved my new camera, which is my new bff accompanying me everywhere, and shot these with the 400mm lens, hand held. We're still getting to know one another and I'm still trying to think of a good name for her, but overall I am happy with the new purchase. I was almost starting to regret buying the 5D MKII with its full frame sensor (a cropped sensor gives you more reach with lenses X 1.6; i.e., a 400mm lens becomes a 640mm lens). BUT, here's where the major difference is: the full frame sensor lets in more light and the quality is superb. So while I was debating if the loss of the extra reach was worth it, I am now convinced that it definitely is.

Processed with a Shadowhouse Creations texture

Sorry, I don't know the origin of this texture; it was one of the first ones I downloaded years ago. 

About the LSU vs SC game: my ears are still ringing and my right arm is bruised thanks to the inebriated, overzealous fan who stood next to me. Every time LSU made an awesome play, he'd grab my arm and shake me like a rag doll. Thank goodness LSU only made two exceptional plays or I might have a concussion. LSU won, yet I am the one bruised and battered. What the heck? Oh! And with 92.5k fans pouring out of the stadium, I ran into my first cousin. What are the odds?

I am headed out to my dad's for a few days, so I won't be around to comment on blogs or post until later in the week. Y'all have a good one!

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Have camera—will shoot

Last week I was informed that I would receive one more small check from my mother's estate. This bonus, if you will, allows me to continue the rest of the year without working, plus a little extra to treat my kids when they come to visit in December and maybe a toy for myself. Imagine my delight when I saw that the Canon 5D MARK II was discounted $400. Could I resist? I'm sure you know the answer to that! To make it all a little less painful, my good friend is buying my 50D. Mabel II (50D) has 57k clicks after two years, so her life is half over—just like mine. Time's a wastin'! There are pictures to be taken, dadgummit!

Sometimes I surprise myself at all the justifications I can come up with to satisfy my photography habit. If there is a photography addicts group, I don't want to know about it. Thanks. :)

The camera arrived after dark, so I tested the ISO to see if it was as good as the reviews claimed. Uh, I'd say the hype is real. This is one of the first shots I tried. None of the dogs wanted to cooperate, but Izzy is always good for a profile shot. Taken with the 35mm at f2.0, 1/40 sec, 3200 ISO. There is virtually no visible grain at 3200! Normally I shoot in RAW, but the camera settings were already on jpg. Hmmm....not bad. Very minimal PP. I like!

Today I couldn't wait to test the 100-400mm lens at the botanical garden. After 200+ shots, I am slightly disappointed that the automatic focus seems a tad slow, but the high ISO might make up for that. The ability to bump it up to 1600 in bright sunlight and get a really fast shutter speed to freeze action gives me much more flexibility. Another slight negative with the 5D is the high speed continuous (burst) mode is not as fast as the 50D. I missed some shots between that and the slow AF, but overall I am quite happy. These all needed very minimal processing; basically crop, levels adjustment and slight sharpen. Not bad for our first time out together!

Sulphur

Skipper

Gulf Fritillary

Monarch

Skipper

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail

Sulphur

Bye bye!

Should I christen the new camera Mabel III or come up with a new name? I think the name Mabel is ready to be retired for my camera line.

Double D scored tickets to the LSU vs SC game tonight, so I'm sure my ears will be suffering tomorrow. LSU Stadium is called Deaf Dome for a reason. :/ I'd love to hear your plans for the weekend. Hope everyone has a good one!

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Geaux Tigers!

So here are the photos from our long, wild day. Be sure and read the final paragraphs below and let me know your thoughts. :)

Great Dane painted like Mike The Tiger. Wish I could've gotten a better shot, but I saw him pass by too late.

Another quickie resulting in a blurry shot, but you get the idea.

After the tailgate party, my friends talked me into going to a college bar with them. Really, I had no choice since they were my ride. :/ Our group included two girls in their 20s and three of us in our 50s. I almost wish I had been drinking to lessen the impact of the antics I witnessed. College boys have become much bolder since the 70s & 80s. Tattooed butt cheeks and ripped shorts exposing underwear were highlights of the evening, as were vulgar language and mimicking certain "activities"--a demonstration to us Cougars what we're missing. Not! 

Listen to me, I sound like the old person I've apparently become! Being inebriated would've lessened the impact assaulting my senses, but I chose not to go there, and although I probably appeared like an uptight granny, I didn't do anything that went against my principles. Well, I might have let go a chuckle here and there. My friends are quite fun and funny.

I did pray for the boys and myself the next morning like a good Catholic. Don't get me wrong, the tailgate party was a lot of fun and I'm glad we were included, but I'm SO over the whole bar scene. Have you ever been placed in an uncomfortable situation like that? Inquiring minds want to know. Hee.