Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Vachellia Farnesiana

Obviously, I had to look up the name of this tree—I am no botanist. At least, I'm pretty sure this is the name. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Here is a web site that seems to support my conclusion, as well as the Wikipedia article where I got the alternate name:

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=acfa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vachellia_farnesiana

I took these using the inverted 50mm lens trick. I haven't done any macro photography in quite some time. I was walking Bawoo and these caught my attention as a perfect subject.



Monday, April 29, 2013

24-105 = -81

When you type 24-105 in Google, you get a calculator with -81 as the appropriate answer. Of course, I was really searching for information on the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS lens I just purchased.

For a long time now, my camera bag has been missing one good walk around lens. I finally decided it was high time for me to get one with the Korea trip coming up soon. These photos are just from playing around with it and testing out its capabilities. The last photo is the most pedestrian, but also the most important—you just know I'll be foodtographing the heck out of everything I eat in Korea!







Friday, April 26, 2013

Arch Rock

This photo is from our overnight camping trip to Valley of Fire a few weeks ago. We chose the more primitive Arch Rock campground over Atlatl Rock. And it seems that whenever I go camping, I try to capture another star trails photo. This one is not spectacular by any stretch, but certainly worth posting. I brought along my cheap eBay intervalometer, but I didn't realize I didn't know how to actually use it. I've since fixed that and I'll be better prepared next time.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Kalbi of Fire

We did an overnight camping trip to Valley of Fire. Though the photo is actually of samgyeopsal (fatty slices of pork belly), I like the play on words that "Kalbi of Fire" provides. Plus, I did indeed grill kalbi after the photo was taken.

It was quite the campground KBBQ feast considering it was just the two of us—tons of meat. I had trouble lighting the charcoals in the grill, so I threw them into the fire pit instead and ended up grilling there. It made for a better photo anyway.

White Domes Loop

The White Domes Loop is a great short hike inside Valley of Fire State Park. Loops are nice because you don't have to backtrack. On the flip side, you have to carry the doggie poop bag the rest of the way instead of being able to leave it and pick up on the way back.

The highlight of the hike is this narrows section. It's a cool shaded spot that's perfect for a break. It's also great for a quick photoshoot. Bawoo is such an awesome hiking dog.

Here is my everytrail trip posting.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Rose Hills

I captured some candid photos at a recent funeral at Rose Hills Memorial Park. This little girl was so cute; she kept picking the weed flowers.



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Potato Knoll

I don't hike as much as I'd like. It was great to get out with a large group of Yelpers and try a trail I had never even heard of before. The "Potato Knoll" trail is a nice and easy 4.5-mile hike near the Red Rock Canyon NCA. You don't need to actually enter the fee use area. This saves you the entrance fee and the 13-mile drive around the scenic loop.

I started my GPS late, but here is my EveryTrail trip posting.