Pond

There's a couple of ponds fairly close to the house.  It's Sunday morning, a beautiful day so I figured I'd see what I could shoot.   Was out about an hour, was hoping for some dragonflies, but I only saw a couple and they didn't want to cooperate.  So here is what I have.

Bike the Bricks - 2013

Friday night was the Annual Bike the Bricks in downtown Mckinney.  This is the third one I have attended (spectator) and the second one I have shot.  This year I was particularly looking forward to it as I have a new flash that has second curtain sync.  Its the first time I used it though so still getting used to it but overall I was pleased with the capabilities of the flash on many fronts.

The weather this past couple of weeks has not been very typical, with lots of clouds and developing storms.  The sky was fairly grey, but fortunatley the rain held off till near the end of the evening.  I took almost 500 shots and had very little garbage, comparatively speaking.

Here is a handful of shots from the evening. 

This guy wrecked, I heard the crash to my left and couldn't believe he didn't get hit by anyone else.  It was in the middle of a turn, and in a large group, I don't know how all these guys were able to course correct themselves.

Probably one of my favorite shots of the evening.  Just illustrates how close you can get to the action. 

Not sure how this happened.  I have a couple like this.  I suspect the ghost image is the result of someone elses flash firing close to mine.

Backyard

They say you can find lots to photograph in your own backyard.   It it very true but it can be easy to overlook things.   I think you have to look hard, and look small.  By that I mean get very close.  Over the past few years I've had a little garden in my back yard.  I have a very active bird feeder this year as well, hopefully I can figure out how to get some shots of the cardinals and other birds that are frequenting the feeder.

These pictures below have been taken over a couple of weeks, maybe close to a month, as my garden has been growing.  The don't represent that growth, but are some interesting shots I've taken.

This year I decided to try to grow some blueberries.  I figure it may be a couple of years before I get a good crop, and it looks like this year I may get enough for topping one bowl of cereal!

Also new for this year are beans.  That has been interesting.  I put in a new bed and I don't think the soil is "good" yet.  But the beans are finally starting to pick up and are now blossoming.  At least one variety anyway.  Will be interesting to see what I get.

 

For the past few years I have been trying to grow tomatoes.  This year I started them quite a bit earlier and also have a different supplier.  Last year I had plenty of cherry tomatoes but very few other tomatoes.  I planted some Heirlooms this year and wow, they are doing very well.  Its still early, I actually had to cover them three times to protect from frost, but it was 93F yesterday, so I think the risk of frost is long gone.

Finally, what is a garden without small creatures.   Spoiler, if you are freaked out by spiders, stop now!  These are on my lime tree.  I had a ton of blossoms and was expecting a great crop, but unfortunately not a single blossom germinated.  Oh well, maybe next year.

Mckinney Skatepark

Mckinney get its own skatepark.   Man I wish I was younger and still skated.  I'm tempted (not really) to try it, maybe at 6 am when no one else would be there!    Its pretty cool, and a good size.  Has a great pool that makes me drool, but I know I'd never, ever try that!   No half pipe though, too bad.

It was opening day and very crowded, I tried to get some shots but will have to go back so treat these as teasers.

CMRA Racing

Photo meetup shoot today.  CMRA Street Bike Racing in Decatur, Tx.    Its been years since I shot motorcycle races.  Mosport Park in Shubenacadie, NS and many, many years ago.  I was looking forward to this.  I got to the track about 9:30 and somehow managed to snag a photo vest.  This gave me access to the track that other would not get. 

I'm on one knee, and this other guys asks me if I've ever shot here before.  I say no.  He offers words of wisdom, suggets I stand, its quicker to move....    Thanks!    A short while later, I have left that area and sure enough a motorcycle, and rider, end up approximately where I was.   Mental note....

Anyway, great day, great shots.   Here are some (a lot) of my favorites.

Downtown Memphis

Was on a work trip to Memphis last week.   Was fortunate enough to be able to stay downtown, within walking distance to Beale St and other areas.   I took my camera with me but unfortunately the weather only cooperated one evening so I just managed to get a few late evening shots. Nothing too exciting.