Thursday ~ June 18, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 18, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , .

June-06-2015-4A

Happy Thursday!

I have some more flowers from my Arboretum shoot of last week.  I love to photograph flowers as I think it, like so many other types of photography, lets us look at something we see very often and almost every day, in a new and unique way.  We can really study and appreciate the beauty of these wonderful gifts.

June-06-2015-4B

A couple of observations from my day yesterday.  We have a new intern program that we just started and through that program we have six very intelligent and incredibly capable college students that are working with us for 8 weeks learning the workings of our financial system, leadership skills, and community service.

I am impressed with their sense of contribution, service to others and work ethic.  It is refreshing to see that these future leaders want to do it right.

June-06-2015-4C

I recently purchased a software plug-in for Photoshop.  For those who may not know what a plug-in is or does, it is usually a tool to help create a certain look or fix a problem with a digital image that is both time-saving and lets the user create looks that they otherwise might not be able to.

Adobe just released their new update to the Creative Cloud (Photoshop CC 2015.)  My favorite plug-in had a problem with the new release and crashed repeatedly.

I researched the web for possible solutions but since the new release only happened Tuesday there wasn’t any information on the web.  I sent an email to the company that makes the plug-in not really expecting to hear from them for a few days.

To my surprise by the time I got to work yesterday I had an acknowledgement of my email, an apology for my troubles and the promise that a solution would be coming soon.  By the time I got home I had the update to the plug-in along with another apology and a thank you from the company for my patience.  🙂

Customer service is not dead.

That’s it for today.  I hope you have an enjoyable day.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful.

Tuesday ~ June 16, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 16, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

June-13-2015-2A

Happy Tuesday!

These images for today are from last Saturday.  After the Grandview Gallop Jeanne and I went down to the river to see the water levels and to find if there was any wildlife to photograph.

We went to the Lock and Dam #11 and then through Miller Park.  Lots of campers but not much in the way of wildlife.  I liked this image of the lone fisherman framed against the Julian Dubuque Bridge.

June-13-2015-2B

We were getting ready to head for home when we found these four pelicans swimming very near the shore.  They were fighting a pretty strong current and they would swim upstream for awhile and then float back to where we were.  I like the look that the trailing two are giving us.  🙂

Short post today.  Back to work and lots to do so I need to get going.  Hope you enjoy your day.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Be careful.

Monday ~ June 15, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 15, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , , .

June-14-2015

Happy Monday!

Sorry more images of the Grand Kids today.  We were able to attend Josh’s soccer practice and game yesterday.  It is like anything else in life.  You learn from your experience.

Next time I won’t take the 600 mm lens, it was way too big for the game.  I think the 70 – 200 mm lens would be perfect for this type of activity.  You sit right on the out-of-bounds line so there is no need for a long lens.

Take an umbrella.  The sun was hot and brutal.  The kids were all drenched from the heat and we were too.  I did a 32 mile bike ride yesterday and finished up in time to take a shower and get to the game on time.  What a waste (taking a shower), had to take another one when I got home.  🙂

June-14-2015-B

Now about the soccer game.  I remember the first time I went to one of Mark’s T-ball games.  I had missed the first one and so when I got there I saw 20 kids in the infield and a few in the out field.  I told Jeanne, no one will be able to get on base.  She said, just watch.  It was great fun to watch.

At the soccer game they play three on the field.  There was one standout on Josh’s team and he scored 9 of the 10 goals.

This was Josh’s favorite thing to do, run to the goal and defend it.  Not a bad idea when you think about it.  It was great fun watching the little guy play and the social interaction they all had.

June-14-2015-A

Even Gabby got in on the action.  She had fun running up and down the side of the field.  During one of the breaks she decided to show her skills.  She actually did a pretty good job of kicking the ball.

Angie and Ben bring a little pop up tent to the game to keep the kids cool and out of the sun.  But Gabby could only stay in there so long and then she had to burn off some energy.  🙂

June-14-2015-C

Can’t leave Austin out.  This was his position during the entire game.  He slept though the game and the Grandview Gallop.  I can’t wait to watch him grow as well.

So it was a fun weekend watching the kids do their thing.  I hope to get in another bike ride today but right now the weather looks uncooperative.

It’s been seven months since my cataract surgery and I’m still having the same issues with my eye that I had the day after the surgery.  I have a 3:30 p.m. appointment with my surgeon.  Hope I can get some answers and some alternatives to the situation I have now.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Tomorrow something other than Grand Kids.  🙂

Enjoy your day and be careful.

Sunday ~ June 14, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 14, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , .

June-13-2015

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday was a fun day despite the crappy weather.  It was the 10th annual Grandview Gallop.  This is the first year in memory that Angie or Ben didn’t run in the event.

This was all about Joshua.  He and Ben ran in the children’s one mile run.  We arrived at the race about the same time as Angie and Ben.  Josh was pumped and very excited about his race.  I’m not sure any of us thought he would be able to run the entire mile but was sure that he would finish.

June-13-2015-A

There were a variety of age groups that ran in the event.  Many parents ran with the smaller kids and as Ben and Josh went by our vantage point we made sure he heard our encouragement.

Ben said at one time Josh said, “I’m getting tired Daddy.” and Ben replied, “It’s a good thing you have your fast shoes on then isn’t it.”  To which Josh said, “Yes it is.” and then he increased his speed.  🙂

June-13-2015-B

He finished the race in a very respectable time of 10:04 and had a huge grin on his face as he crossed the finish line.  Not quite as big a grin as his Dad had though.

Josh couldn’t wait to tell us all that he ran the entire time.  Ben confirmed that he indeed did run the entire mile without walking or stopping.  We were all impressed.

June-13-2015-C

His trophy was this red-white-blue Popsicle and he displayed it with pride for all to see.

I saw a lot of young people feeling very good about themselves and the wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It was a heartwarming event for all who attended.

We hung around and watched the regular event as well.  It was a fun morning spent with Angie, Ben and the Grand-kids.  More images later.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your Sunday and be careful.

Thursday ~ June 11, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 11, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

June-06-2015-2CC

Happy Thursday!

I’ll finish up the Arboretum photo shoot today with the last of the flowers from that visit.  I love to photograph flowers and this first one I was lucky enough to capture a bee doing his thing.

June-06-2015-2AA

My new (and never been flown) Phantom arrived yesterday back from its 8 week odyssey to the California repair shop.  I cannot see that they did anything to it however the email I received from the company stated that they updated the firmware and made “some adjustments” then test flew it.

By the time I got home had a couple of adult beverages and we finished dinner it was too late to test it.  I’ll probably give it a test flight tonight.

June-06-2015-2BB

I have several projects in mind to video and photograph with the new Phantom once I’m satisfied it is dependable.  My other Phantom (the one that crashed into the water) flies but I don’t trust it especially over water.  So I’ve been waiting for this one to get back so I can move forward on my ideas.

June-06-2015-2DD

That’s it for today.  I have an early meeting so I gotta run.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Enjoy your day and be careful.

Wednesday ~ June 10, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 10, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

June-09-2015

Happy Wednesday!

A sign from above?

Interesting clouds yesterday on the way home.  When I turned the corner at the industrial park to head home I saw this scene (a lot of it in my mind) but the clouds and the sun helped fulfill the vision.  🙂

June-09-2015-A

I love to photograph farm scenes with dramatic clouds in the sky.  It tends to make me think of how the farmer is so at the mercy of the weather.  They take a huge risk each season to help feed us all and put it all on the line every year.

Not much babble today.  I’m late.  Nothing new.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your hump day and be careful.

Tuesday ~ June 09, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 9, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , .

June-06-2015-2B

Happy Tuesday!

I have a few random shots from our visit to the Dubuque Farmer’s Market last Saturday.  We always have a good time there and see things that sometimes makes us scratch our heads and other times feel like WOW, I like that.

The food, smells, and variety of crafts are abundant.  Lots of people wandering through the blocks of vendors and on about every block there are some type of minstrel group making sweet music.

June-06-2015-2C

I’m not sure if these guys are a family or just a group who have formed to make music at different events.  Jeanne and I really enjoyed their music and hung around for awhile just listening to them.

This is the first time we’ve been to the Market since I acquired diabetes.  It was not uncommon for us in the past to come home with several loaves of bread and a home-made pie or two.  Now we could only look at them and imagine them but we couldn’t buy them.  😦

June-06-2015-2A

There were a couple of photographers selling their images as well.  Mainly landscape images of our area and one particular one that I enjoyed featured many of the city’s old mill district buildings rendered in black and white.  I got some inspiration from the ones she had on display.

June-06-2015-2

It was enjoyable to watch this artist work on her canvas.  We spent a fair amount of time watching her.  Like I said earlier it is always an enjoyable time at the Farmer’s Market.  I’m not sure why we don’t go more often.  I guess just lazy.

Each time I visit the Market one of the most enjoyable past-times for me is to people watch.  I am often tempted to do some “street” photography but I know that a lot of people don’t want their picture taken by a stranger or a strange man.  🙂

That’s it for today.  I’ve enjoyed a 5 days respite but I’m back at it today.

Enjoy this Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

Monday ~ June 08, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 8, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

June-07-2015-A

Happy Monday!

After the storms passed through yesterday I decided to take my road bike for a spin.  I got in 28 miles before I ran out of gas.  The difference between the road bike and my hybrid is dramatic.  The road bike is harder to ride but much faster.  I average about 3 – 4 mph faster on the road bike then the hybrid.  I did 28 miles in 2 hours and that same route on the road bike took 2 hours and 37 minutes.

The hybrid is more comfortable for me and it takes the hills better.  It has 27 gears and the road bike has 21.  Those additional gears in Dubuque make a lot of difference.  So you expend the same amount of energy it just depends on how far you want to go.  When riding the routes that I ride speed is not necessarily the most important thing.

June-07-2015

I didn’t make it to Josh’s soccer game as by the time I got back, cooled down and showered it was time for the kids to come over for dinner.  I will get some images of Josh playing soccer this summer however.

June-07-2015-B

We had a wonderful time with Angie, Ben and the kids but one of the nice things about being the grandparents is that you can say “See you soon.”  No baths, no bed time stories, just sit down in the easy chair and veg.  🙂

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoy your Monday.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Be careful.

Sunday ~ June 07, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 7, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , , , .

June-06-2015

Happy Sunday!

Because of a work scheduling change I was off this past Thursday and Friday.  My original intent was to get some photography in and as is the normal case, the best laid plans often go astray.

I did a 25 mile bike ride on Thursday and 28 mile ride on Friday so there wasn’t much chance for any photography.  I spent the entire morning with Mediacom.  Our high-speed internet was anything but high-speed.  So I had to wait a week until they could come out Thursday.

As is the case every time they come out they want to test all my connections, modem, and router.  No matter what I tell them (and I’ve been through this a ton of times) they always do the same thing.  Well as usual the problem was on their end and they had to string a new cable from the outlet box to our house.

What that means is that I have to figure out how to mow around this stupid cable for the next month until they finally get around to burying it in the ground.  They did the same thing 13 years ago and it was 6 weeks before they finally buried it. 😦

June-06-2015-B

Yesterday I decided to give my legs a rest and take a day off from bike riding.  Jeanne and I went down to the Farmer’s Market, which is always fun and interesting.  I grabbed a few shots from that excursion and will possibly show them later in the coming week.

That afternoon (as you may have guessed) we went out to Dubuque Arboretum.  I sometimes ride through the Arboretum on my bike and have noticed the beautiful flowers, so I’ve wanted to get out there with my macro lens.  We had a good time looking at and photographing the flowers.

There was a wedding that was just finishing when we arrived and lots of people dressed up walking around the flower beds.  As we were getting ready to leave another wedding party was arriving for their wedding.  Nice place to have a wedding for sure.

June-06-2015-A

One more story about the “squeaking wheel finally gets the oil.” Eight weeks ago I sent my new (never been in the air) Phantom back to DJI to repair or replace.  Cost me $27 to ship it standard ground, which took 8 days to get to California.  One week later I received an email that said they had checked it in and would do an evaluation.  If I had not heard anything in six weeks I was to call an 800 number.  😦

Thursday (one day short of the six weeks) I called.  I was on hold for 45 minutes…  Yes I know but if you want to talk to them you have to play their game.  Finally I got a guy who put me on hold for another 4 minutes only to report back to me that it had not been a full six weeks and that I should call back tomorrow.  Then without so much as a have a nice day he hung up.

I sent them an email and although I did not use any profanity, I did explain a couple of things about customer service.  Friday I received a reply that they had repaired my Phantom and was express shipping back to me.  🙂

I’ve already babbled longer than I should, so that’s it for today.  Josh is supposed to have a soccer game this afternoon so I hope to get some shots of that.  🙂

Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Enjoy your soggy day and be careful.

Wednesday ~ June 03, 2015

Posted by Dave Updegraff on June 3, 2015
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , .

June-02-2015-Final

Happy Hump Day!

I’ve shot a lot of images of the moon.  This is not my favorite one, however I was out enjoying the evening on the patio and it called me to photograph it.  🙂

I had the camera sitting on the gimbal tripod, which is not as steady as the ball head tripod.  Additionally I used the timed shutter release instead of getting a shutter cable release.  So all those things contributed to the results of the image.

I also used the Sigma 150 – 600 mm lens, which in my opinion is not as sharp as the Tamron 150 – 600 mm lens.  I shot in manual mode at 1/200 of second @ f11 ISO 100.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your day and be careful.