Swanson Shootout

The 2014 Psycowpath racing season is underway!  The first race of the season was held yesterday at Swanson Park, Bellevue, Nebraska.

With below freezing temperatures, there was some 30 trail runners for their race.  Runners had a start time of 8am and ran 5+ miles over the Swanson Park trails..  I did not arrive until 9 (Was at ham radio breakfast before). Was there in time to shoot photos of the trail running podium.

Large field of bicycle races.  I heard there were about 40 racing the 4 hour marathon.  Once the Juniors, Marathon, and Category 3 races were off, i headed into the woods for shots on the trail.  Found a vantage point not too far from the shelter.

Temperature were still under freezing.  Missed some of the riders when my fingers would stop working trying to actuate the shutter button.

Visited for a while between races.  Shot the start of the Category 1 and Category 2 races.  Ended up with the photos of the early bicycle race podiums.  By then, I had enough for the day.  Stopped by the bike shop and grocery store on the way home.

Thanks for the race promoters, the volunteers, and officials.  Great job by the THOR (TrailsHaveOurRespect.org) trail maintenance crew.  Special thanks to Edge Physical Therapy for grilling and providing burgers and hot dogs.

Shooting at the Zoo

It had been nearly 10 years since I visited the Zoo here in Omaha.  Bought a Zoo membership this Winter, figuring to get out when weather is not good for bike riding.  It would also give me a chance to hone my photography skills.

I did not want to overload myself with gear, so only brought my Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens, a spare battery and cleared SD card.  In my 2 1/2 hour walk in sections of the zoo, I got a good feeling for the versatility of the camera/lens combo.

Desert Dome, March 19, 2014

Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens  f/8.0 at 1/320 sec  Aperture Priority  22.0mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9


A real challenge was shooting in the Aquarium.  Issues with low light, moving subjects, and shooting through glass were on my mind.  I did have some problems, but was still able to get some good shots.

Jelly Fish,  Scott Aquarium,  March 19, 2014

Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens  f/6.3 at 1/40 sec  Aperture Priority  35.0mm  ISO 3200  Processed from RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and finished with Photoshop Elements 9 

Gorilla, Hubbard Gorilla Valley.  March 19, 2014

Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens  f/6.3 at 1/60 sec  Aperture Priority  42.0mm  ISO 250  Processed from RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and finished with Photoshop Elements 9

I had started in the Desert Dome but did not take many photos there as much of the dome is under reconstruction.  However, I was able to use the telephoto section of the lens in that dome for the shot below.

 Rabbit/Hare in the Desert Dome,  March 19, 2014

Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens  f/6.3 at 1/250 sec  Aperture Priority  200.0mm  ISO 400  Processed from RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and finished with Photoshop Elements 9.

All-in-all, it was a successful day scoping out the zoo and verifying equipment needed.  My only disappointment was the Lied Jungle. Since it was a cool day outside and with the humidity in the jungle, I gave up.  It just took too long to get the camera and lens temperature stabilized.  Will have to wait until warmer weather.  Also looking forward shooting some of the flora when they come into bloom.

Faces on Mt. Rushmore

Over Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, I visited Mt Rushmore.  Was in the area for the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival.  This was my first trip with the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i.   May 27, 2010

4 Presidents

Canon EOS Rebel T1i with Canon EF 75-300 (1.6 cf) lens  f/14.0 at 1/200 sec  75.0mm  ISO 200  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9

George

Canon EOS Rebel T1i with Canon EF 75-300 (1.6 cf) lens  f/14.0 at 1/250 sec  230.0mm  ISO 200  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9

Tom

Canon EOS Rebel T1i with Canon EF 75-300 (1.6 cf) lens  f/14.0 at 1/250 sec  300.0mm  ISO 200  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9

 Teddy

Canon EOS Rebel T1i with Canon EF 75-300 (1.6 cf) lens  f/14.0 at 1/200 sec  300.0mm  ISO 200  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9

Abe

Canon EOS Rebel T1i with Canon EF 75-300 (1.6 cf) lens  f/14.0 at 1/250 sec  250.0mm  ISO 200  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) Processed from RAW by HDR Darkroom 2 Pro with finishing with Photoshop Elements 9