Trying out the Sigma Telephoto 70-300mm lens

On the way to Corpus today I asked my dear sweet husband if he would stop if I asked him to so that I could try out the new lens...And guess what?

HE DID!!

He stopped at Bayside on our way...

Then after visiting our dear sweet Grandson J.J. we took Michael to Whataburger on the Corpus Christi Bayfront for lunch...

This child, this dear sweet child...NEVER shut up the whole time we were gone...

Sheesh...Chatter box is what he is and I love it!! He's very entertaining and just a wee bit annoying but how can you NOT love that face and those sparkling eyes?????

Below was the view from the Whataburger of Corpus Christi's Bayfront Marina. It was raining and not too nice outside...


Then we were coming across the bridge and I took two photos of the USS Lexington and combined them in photoshop for one whole photo...Not bad...I am going to see if I can print it off on a 13x19" photo paper for Michael...He loves the Lex!

Fred stopped at Indian Point and let me get some more photos...He was so patient today...but then he also gave me time limits of 5 minutes, ugh!!

I thought the sign above was interesting, I noticed it while were stopped at Indian Point...I love history and did not know this historical fact!

This (above and below) were the main reasons I wanted to stop at Indian point...On the way to Corpus I saw Rosetta Spoonbills and they were still there this afternoon...Yea!! I was experimenting with the camera and lens...I have made a note that I do NEED to use the tripod!! Now if I had only had time to set it up...But there is no color distortion and that makes me very happy...I just love Rosetta's!

As we were coming back through bayside a cold front swept through...I wanted to get photos of the frontline as I thought it was very ominous looking...
I really enjoyed myself today...Meeting one of our New Grandsons and being able to take a few nature photos along the way...Thank you Fred for a good day and also for stopping and being patient with me...5 minutes here and there is better than nothing :o)

Jeremy Jr. (aka. J.J.)

Today we went to Corpus Christi to meet Jeremy Jr. (J.J.)....

Grandpa and Grandma with J.J. (Michael took this photo)

His first smile and we caught it on camera!!

Jeremy, Kathy, J.J. and Alexandra.

Grandpa was loving him soo much...

He is so precious and tiny!

I can't wait to go back and visit again...

Photo Equipment & a bit of advice...

Today I received a package with some much awaited photo equipment:

Monfrotto190XB Tripod with a 486RC2 Compact Ballhead

Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm lens

Arctic Butterfly SL-700 rotary sensor brush with sensor loupe

13x19" photo semi-gloss photo paper

I splurged a bit as you can see and I am thankful we are getting a refund on our taxes this year as it helped. I am totally in love with the Manfrotto tripod and ballhead, it's delicious!! I have 4 tripods now and 3 of them are junk!! I learned my lesson trying to save us money...do NOT buy cheap tripods and do NOT buy items from EBAY!! Anyone want to buy some tripods?

I haven't really had a chance to try out the Sigma lens yet. I was able to snap a few photos before the sun set (the flowers above) and there was NO color distortion. I hope to try again with the lens soon. This weekend we will be visiting the Grandbabies so I may have to wait until next week on the lens...I really want to try it out on the birds and wildlife.

As to the Arctic Butterfly sensor cleaner...this was NOT something that I thought I would need but when I noticed last week that my sky photos had dust specks even after I changed lenses I knew what the problem was...sigh!! Dust on my sensor...I'm a bit hard on my cameras and don't always change the lens as quick and clean as I should...Thanks to my friend John he recommended the Arctic Butterfly and it did a fantastic job...I have a clean sensor again!! I really would have preferred taking it into a camera shop and letting them do it but being that we live out in the middle of no where and the closest camera shop is over 2 hours away that wouldn't have been feasible...And can you just imagine me sending my camera in to be cleaned, Ekkk!

As to the photo paper it worked fantastic with my Canon Pro9000 printer and printing out 12x12 digi layouts that I have done or that were done for me...I am really impressed with the Canon printer and love the photos it prints...Pretty soon I am afraid our walls will be filled from top to bottom with photos, lol....

I hope that is it for the year...I doubt Santa will be tolerant if I purchase anything else...lol

But just remember the old saying "you get what you pay for" so make wise purchases! I know I've learned my lesson.

All time Favorite Person Photo!

I was asked a question and it was what is your All Time Favorite Person Photo...What photo just pops into your mind...

I've taken thousands of photos in my lifetime but the photo below is one that I will always remember...it isn't the greatest but I LOVE IT!!

It is my son at 2 yrs of age...He was so sweet! He is standing next to his favorite vehicle at the time, in his green rubber boots, holding his keys...Everything was green and it was a beautiful summer evening....

~Mom~ Digi quick page

Overindulgence!

Overindulgence: n. overeating, overdrinking, eating or drinking too much; see drunknness, eating, greed.

That is the first thing that popped in my mind when I saw the butterflies in the Jasmine today!!

He looks a bit tipsy to me!

Malachi

Here is Malachi!!

He's so precious and I am so Sad that I can't see him right now!! Grrr....

Very Happy and Proud Mom and Dad!!

Uncle Trey holding his Nephew!!

Fred did a fantastic job with the Powershot S3 camera and I am so glad all of the photos turned out...He even took a video, lol, (that he didn't know he took)...I am just really sad right now as I really want to see the baby in person...

Tomorrow Fred is headed to Corpus to see Jeremy Jr and hopefully will once again do a terrific job with the camera!