![<span id="date">_09/29/10_</span> <span id="title">Swarm</span>
I got my <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500mm-f5-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma">Sigma 150-500mm</a> rental from <a href="http://www.lensprotogo.com">LensProToGo</a> today! I got it early to practice before I visit the San Diego Zoo this weekend. I must say - it is a beast. Each of the lenses I own can fit inside the Sigma's lens hood. On my DX-format Nikon D80, the effective range is 225-750mm.
I took it down to my usual proving grounds near the beach in Santa Monica and took shots at sunset, which was quite lovely. Just before sunset, what appears to be every single seagull in the city decided to fly around the pier. It was quite a sight, I almost missed it.
So how much zoom is 500mm? I was standing over 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the pier when I took this shot.
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#665617477_nvZLw">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-3WkqBQx/3/ad8e1ff7/L/2010-09-29%20Swarm-1-L.jpg)
_09/29/10_ Swarm I got my Sigma 150-500mm rental from LensProToGo today! I got it early to practice before I visit the San Diego Zoo this weekend. I must say - it is a beast. Each of the lenses I own can fit inside the Sigma's lens hood. On my DX-format Nikon D80, the effective range is 225-750mm. I took it down to my usual proving grounds near the beach in Santa Monica and took shots at sunset, which was quite lovely. Just before sunset, what appears to be every single seagull in the city decided to fly around the pier. It was quite a sight, I almost missed it. So how much zoom is 500mm? I was standing over 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the pier when I took this shot. [last year]
animalbirdferrisflocklenspiersanta monicaseagullsigmasunsetswarmwheel
![<span id="date">_07/26/10_</span> <span id="title">Wide Bug</span>
I noticed this piece of dead grass on our front gate as I went to get the mail. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an insect, and a weird one at that. I grabbed the camera and fired off quite a few shots, hoping at least a few would have the head in focus, since it was such a small depth of field. I think I got most of the important stuff here, although I wish the right wing-thing was in focus like the left one. I asked the bug to bring it up a little, but it didn't listen.
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#602857884_s8HYr">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-DTBbxt6/3/444d1ac1/Ti/2010-07-26%20Insect%20on%20Screen-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_10/01/10_</span> <span id="title">Dapper Duck</span>
This afternoon I went to a nearby park to practice using the Sigma 150-500mm lens with a monopod. It's not quite as intuitive as I thought - I'm glad I practiced.
Tomorrow we'll be going to the San Diego Zoo! Hopefully I'll come away with some good shots. Stay tuned...
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#667444779_LxNDq">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-FZtg42R/2/8c104f16/Ti/2010-10-01%20Duck-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_12/02/10_</span> <span id="title">Turtle Lei</span>
Another Hawaii-themed shot! This is the lei I was given by my cousin as we got off the plane (er, walked out of the terminal). They also gave us leis made of flowers that smelled wonderful, but didn't quite make it off the island - but don't worry, we didn't throw them away! This one is made of kukui nuts painted black with colored turtles.
To get the shot, I hung the lei from a light on our ceiling and pointed an off-camera flash at it while getting real close with my macro lens. Quick and easy.
By the way, my <a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Travel/Hawaii2010/14883306_hHp9Z">Hawaii photos</a> are uploaded! There's still work that needs to be done, but you can at least see the photos now!
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#730466910_RBzpA">[last year]</a> <em>I like this single-exposure shot...</em>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-rFDZpBh/2/aa5355e1/Ti/2010-12-02%20Turtle%20Lei-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_10/02/10_</span> <span id="title">Western Gorilla</span>
(<em>Gorilla gorilla gorilla</em>)
Today my wife and I visited the San Diego Zoo! She had never been and I hadn't been in at least 10 years, so it was great to make the trip.
As mentioned in my last few dailies, I rented a monster Sigma 150-500mm lens that allowed me to take shots like this - it was a blast! I got a lot of keepers, but this was my favorite. I just wish that twig wasn't there... :) The lens was quite a burden to carry from 9-5, but well worth it, I think. I was able to get amazing close-up details of the animals that would have been impossible otherwise.
I relied heavily on auto ISO because the lens is very slow at f/5-6.3. A lot of darker subjects pushed it to ISO 1600, but I figured that was the price to pay for non-blurry subjects. The lens is certainly not of the highest quality - even my sharpest shots have some aberration and softness even stopped down to f/9. Regardless, I had a great time and highly recommend renting a super telephoto for your next zoo trip!
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Animals/SanDiegoZoo2010/">More Zoo Photos</a>
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#668221536_G6uoU">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-HVdmX54/2/8d0b2b54/Ti/2010-10-02%20Western%20Gorilla-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">__02/24/11__</span> <span id="title">Bee on Blossom</span>
Well, it's almost March, which means I'm almost done with Year 3! In honor of my <a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year1/4429824_zbVM5#265379628_sxHaz">first daily photo</a> in Year 1, I've made it a tradition to photograph a bee on a cherry blossom each year, even though I wouldn't normally repeat myself like this. I decided to take the photo today, since it might rain tomorrow, and this is the best shot I got. I think I prefer <a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#797794861_qkdh2">last year's</a>, but this one's OK, too.
The main challenge was that the tree is is such full bloom that the bees have too many choices of flowers - that means I never know where they're going to land. Following around a bee with a camera is not ideal and results in many, many blurry photos. At least there were a lot of bees today.
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#796607603_WsZoj">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-4gZMBnB/2/008f37e3/Ti/2011-02-24%20Bee%20on%20Flower-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_03/30/10_</span> <span id="title">Fat Koala Waits for the Bus</span>
Um... yeah. The title pretty much sums it up.
I decided to walk home from work today (4 miles) and happened upon this. I took a photo, kept walking...
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/gallery/7157835_BfJPF#502480372_44Kcg">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-r79rthx/3/f0a46df2/Ti/2010-03-30%20Fat%20Koala%20Waits%20for%20the%20Bus-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_04/21/10_</span> <span id="title">Bee on Flower</span>
Yeah, so I've done bee-on-flower photos before, but this one is all about the smell. The bee is checking out a mock orange tree (<em>Pittosporum tobira</em>, native to China and Japan). It smells wonderful! I walked by and was hit with this delicious orange blossom smell and decided I would have to take a photo of it. This bee just happened to land on it :)
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/gallery/7157835_BfJPF#518156112_AKJqd">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-HMwPSkv/4/12819553/Ti/2010-04-21%20Bee%20on%20Flower-Ti.jpg)
![<span id="date">_09/29/10_</span> <span id="title">Swarm</span>
I got my <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500mm-f5-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma">Sigma 150-500mm</a> rental from <a href="http://www.lensprotogo.com">LensProToGo</a> today! I got it early to practice before I visit the San Diego Zoo this weekend. I must say - it is a beast. Each of the lenses I own can fit inside the Sigma's lens hood. On my DX-format Nikon D80, the effective range is 225-750mm.
I took it down to my usual proving grounds near the beach in Santa Monica and took shots at sunset, which was quite lovely. Just before sunset, what appears to be every single seagull in the city decided to fly around the pier. It was quite a sight, I almost missed it.
So how much zoom is 500mm? I was standing over 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the pier when I took this shot.
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year2/7157835_BfJPF#665617477_nvZLw">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-3WkqBQx/3/ad8e1ff7/Ti/2010-09-29%20Swarm-1-Ti.jpg)
![2011-07-22
Here is my librarian friend Janet posing with two of her most colorful cross-stitch creations. They were on display today at her retirement party, which was quite the shindig. She was kind enough not only to pose, but to give a great smile too!
I edited a bit in Lightroom, mostly to correct color issues caused by the all-fluorescent lighting. I love this room with all the old books - they provide such a <a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year4/16022532_dVzfk#1383101170_Dmb7W7G">great backdrop</a>.
<a href="http://www.jawsnap.net/Daily/year3/11272102_ACXDJ#944328977_zAJaD">[last year]</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Animals/i-kmvS4qZ/2/a4601087/Ti/2011-07-22%20Bird%2C%20Janet%2C%20Bird-Ti.jpg)
Howard's Photography
on October 11, 2010Amazing shot! Can't imagine being that far away and still getting a shot like this. Incredible!
sharkbayte
on October 1, 2010awesome! almost reminds me of the birds!
fotomom
on October 1, 2010Wonderful late day light. Amazing detail for that distance. Wow!
Kerry Milkie Photography
on September 30, 2010Very cool shot - remids me of a Hitch!+$% movie
Howard Brown Photographic
on September 30, 2010Nice, and at 500mm 180 ISO & 125th second -- Handheld? Was here a few weeks back on 9-11. Parked a few blocks north and walked to the end of the pier. Well done! HB
EyeImage
on September 30, 2010impressive . . . . . nice shot!
fotoeffects
on September 30, 2010Incredible shot! Cannot believe how far away you were.
428857RichardKane
on September 30, 2010Fantastic image, very well done. I had that lens, it is a beast, a fantastic lens but I sold it. Used it once in a year. Well done again on a superb image!
dakotacowboy
on September 30, 2010amazing detail at that distance