Wednesday ~ September 17, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 17, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

Gabby and Mama Jeanne

Happy Hump Day Wednesday!

Some more images from the fly in breakfast this past Sunday.  I love this image as Gabby is asking me to take her.  What ever happened on the river a couple of weeks ago continues as she is my girl now.  Angie said that she will now say “Papa” but she won’t yet say “Mama.”  Well all I can say is she took her sweet time warming up to me.  🙂

Joshua

You can see the wonder in his eyes.  Last year he was just so excited to see real airplanes up close.  This year he wanted to actually fly them.  Just being up close to them was not enough this year.

My buddy Jake and I are taking a golf lesson this evening after work.  My golf swing is so bad I’m having trouble even hitting the ball.  So I called the pro from the club I use to belong to and he said “sure come on out and we’ll see if I can fix you.”

So yes it’s late in the season and I may only play one more time but I can’t stand thinking about my awful swing the entire winter without doing something about it. 🙂

Good by for now

Josh waves at us as he, his Mother and Gabby head for their vehicle.  We had a fun time at the airport, although I’ve never had to stand so long in line before.  9:30 a.m. is just a little too late to get out there.

I stopped and got some more bird seed last night as the birds go through it like gas through a funnel.   By the time I “chored” around the feeder line it was getting a little dark and there were no birds to photograph.  I’ve really let my bird feeder project get away from me.  Hopefully as migrations start soon I’ll be able to get some different species of birds for my project.

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

Tuesday ~ September 16, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 16, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , .

September-13-2014-2C

Happy Tuesday!

Some more images from my river walk visit on Saturday.  The river walk is an interesting place to spend some time.  It offers some wonderful sights of the river and interesting subjects if you are into people watching.

Saturday was a bright sunny day with a brisk breeze and lots of traffic on the river.  I could have spent a couple more hours there but had tasks to complete before I could rest so my time was limited.

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There are always pretty flowers along the river walk.  These caught my eye because of the color combination of red, white, and blue.  Just call me patriotic.

Interesting day yesterday with a variety of human emotions encountered throughout the day.  When your business is people no day is ever the same nor is it boring.  🙂

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Finally I’ll leave you with this image of a lowly duck just swimming along minding its own business and enjoying the water.  Perhaps even enjoying just being a duck.  I often marvel at the complexity of our world and yet at other times enjoy the beauty of its simplicity.  Is that profound or what?!

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

Monday ~ September 15, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 15, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , .

September-14-2014-A

Happy Monday!

A short post today as I’m running late.  We enjoyed the fly in breakfast yesterday at Dubuque Regional Airport.  Angie and the kids joined us as Ben was on call and at the hospital.

Joshua loved all the airplanes again this year, but unlike last year now he wants to ride in them.  Next year he will want to do the controls.  🙂

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I did take several pictures of the airplanes.  I would have taken a  lot more but Gabby wanted Papa to hold her and I’m not going to pass up a chance like that.

There weren’t as many war birds as there has been in the past.  This one is a scaled down replica of the T-28.  There were three of those at the breakfast.

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There was a helicopter giving rides for $40.  The ride lasted about 8 minutes.  They were also giving rides in small fixed wing aircraft.  I didn’t inquire about those prices.

I ran into an old friend of mine while standing in line for breakfast.  He also has diabetes and he introduced me to a couple of his friends who also have diabetes.

I only ate the scrambled eggs and some sausage links but I noticed they had pancakes, potatoes and milk.  I asked them how they could eat like that without getting into a sugar problem.  The answer, they take insulin.   I would rather do without some of those things than take the shot.  🙂

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your Monday.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful.

Sunday ~ September 14, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 14, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Turkey Buzzard

Happy Sunday!

After a trip to the barbershop I headed to the river.  Nothing going on at the Lock and Dam so I decided to take a stroll on the Great River Walkway.

I always seem to find something of interest along the river and yesterday was no exception.

Yes I know he is an ugly bird.  They are difficult to look at up close but he flew directly over the top of me and I had to take the shot.  I almost fell over backwards trying to keep the lens on him.  🙂

For some reason there were a bunch of them flying over the river.  They may do that all the time, it’s just that I have never seen them fly for long periods of time directly over the water.  Usually they are flying over trees and land.

Sail Boats

These sail boats were cruising on the river and I captured several images of them.  I’ve walked past sail boats in the various harbors around Dubuque and they look extremely complicated to operate.  I do understand they have a motor for assistance but you still have to work with the sails, otherwise what’s the point of having them?

Muskrat

After visiting the river I drove by the 16th Street Basin.  There were some water fowl in the middle of the pond, too far for my lens but just as I was getting ready to leave this little guy came out of the weeds looking for something to eat.

I’ll admit I’m not the best at identifying various critters but I think this is a common Muskrat.  It was fun to watch him eat and then he would stop, look in my direction, determine I was not a threat and continue eating.  Great fun.

Jeanne got home about 7:30 p.m. last night.  It was a long day for her, Angie and the kids but they all enjoyed their visit to Great Grandma Jay.

Today I hope to make it out to the airport for the fly in breakfast.  Usually there are some interesting planes to photograph so I’ll try to capture some images of them.  I’ve already had breakfast this morning so I won’t be eating their offerings.

My numbers continue to be great!  Mid 80s each time I test so apparently the diet and exercise are working pretty good.  I’m feeling great, just hungry all the time.  🙂

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your day, should be a good one weather wise.  Be careful.

 

Saturday ~ September 13, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 13, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , .

September-12-2014

Happy Saturday!

Busy last couple of days for me and I just have not been able to either shoot any images nor post any dribble from my feeble mind.

Yesterday evening on the way home the sky was really interesting and I wanted to capture something (anything) with the sky in the background.  The problem was it rained most of the way home.   I did find a place between showers so that is what I have for you today.

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Not a particularly special tree.  It just happened to be there as I turned around from shooting the windmill (on the other side of the road.)

Jeanne, Angie, and the grand kids are on their way to Ames this morning to visit Jeanne’s mother.  They are just doing a day trip and will be home later this evening.  Tomorrow is the fly in breakfast at the airport.  I always try to go to that and hopefully the weather will cooperate this year.  Last year they didn’t have many planes to view.

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That’s it for today.  I have nothing on my mind that I can share.  I’ve been asked by some of my readers about the shooting incident this past week in Maquoketa.  I know all the people involved.

We see stories like this on our television sets almost every week and think it cannot happen here.  People are people and there are some who have to deal with their own demons and when they can’t successfully, bad things happen.  Fortunately no innocent people were hurt seriously in this incident as they have been in so many other situations.

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

Thursday ~ September 11, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 11, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , , .

September-07-2014-2A

Solemn remembrance of the events that happened 13 years ago.  I like you will never forget where I was and what I was doing that fateful day.  I remember driving home that day after work thinking that our country would never be the same.  I pray that lessons learned that horrible day have not been forgotten.

I have the final images from the river ride that I enjoyed last Sunday with Angie, Ben and the kids.  They were holding the Dragon Boat Races on the Mississippi near Miller Park on Sunday.  We happened by as this race of 10th grade kids as it was just getting started.  Fun to watch.

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Some more of Angie’s daredevil antics on the jet ski.  She knows no fear when it come to excitement.  🙂

I remember the first time we took the kids to Adventure Land Park in Des Moines.  At first we rode all the safe rides and Angie had fun.  There was a small tame roller coaster that had three or four hills to it and a couple of sharp turns but nothing too bad.  It took a little convincing to get Angie on the ride but she finally did go.  She was probably 9 or 10 at the time.  We got the front car and I sat on the small bench and then she sat right in front of me between my knees so I could hold on to her.

As soon as the ride started she buried her head in her hands and bent over so she couldn’t see what was going to happen.  I thought Oh no, I can’t stop this ride and she is going to start screaming.  I kept talking and reassuring her but to no avail. When the ride was over I was worried that she would never trust me again.  She looked up at me with the biggest smile on her face and sparkling eyes and said, “Let’s go again Daddy!”  🙂

From then on we had a little daredevil.  We rode all the roller coasters in the park that day even the Tornado, which I found to be a little more violent than I wanted.  But not Angie, she wanted to ride it again and again.

Nick Roling

This is Ben’s younger brother Nick.  He followed us around the river on this machine.  It is incredibly fast and maneuverable.  I think if I were attracted to the river I would have one of these as opposed to a full-sized boat.  They sure look like they would be a lot of fun.

On the health front some very good news.  My numbers have been low and consistent.  My Endocrinologist has told me that I only have to test 6 times a week (3 in the morning and 3 in the evening.)  I continue to lose weight at about 2 pounds a week and I am adapting to the smaller portions of food (although I’m not thrilled about them.)

The results of my Echo Cardiogram revealed no defect in the heart and no leakage so it is termed a “benign murmur” with no further testing or treatment needed.  🙂

So we will keep on with our diet and exercise regimen because it seems to be working and we’re getting good results.

I’m in Cedar Rapids all day getting some training on the ACA law.  Hope to capture some farm scenes on the way home.

That’s it for today.  I hope you enjoy your day.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful.

Tuesday ~ September 09, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 9, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , .

September-08-2014

The beauty of a well manicured golf course is deceptively enticing.  It promises a wonderful  journey with nature, to be outdoors and to bask in the fragrances and sights of flora and fauna.  Truth be told the frustration and pain that await the unsuspecting golfer is unfathomable.  How something so pristine and peaceful can elicit such profanity is at times unimaginable.

Let’s just say the clubs are in the lower level storage area of our home and there they shall remain (until at least next year) when perhaps all the pain and frustration have evaporated from memory.  🙂

The comradely and fellowship with friends and colleagues is enriching to be sure, but the pain, oh the pain overshadows such an enriching experience.

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

Monday ~ September 08, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 8, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , , .

Angie and Josh

Happy Monday!

Great weekend.  I hope your weekend was great as well.  Friday I had my Echo Cardiogram.  I won’t know the results of that for a few days.

Spent most of Saturday morning with yard work and then a 30 mile bike ride in the afternoon.  The ride was really fun and I felt good the entire trip with the exception of the bad decision I made to take Loras Boulevard instead of the arterial.  The arterial is a long hill with a steady grade.  Loras is a series of large hills.  Really big hills and I had a lot of difficulty getting up them.  I had to stop 4 times on the way up to regroup.  Finally made it and the rest of the trip home was a breeze.

Angie Does Her Thing

As you can see from the first two images I was on the river Sunday.  Angie and Ben invited Jeanne and I for a ride in their boat.  Unfortunately Jeanne had another commitment and couldn’t go.  Ben’s brother, David was also on the boat and his other brother Nick joined us on the jet ski.  This was my first time on their boat and it was a very enjoyable ride.  It has a V-8 engine and can really move.  As can be imagined it’s hard to take photographs from a boat going 45 mph.  🙂

Angie took Josh for a ride on the jet ski and went pretty fast.  She said all the time they were on the ski all he kept saying was, “Go faster Mommy.”  After his ride she took the ski out solo and did some of her radical turns.  She’s a daredevil when it comes to pushing the envelope.  She offered to take me for a ride but I declined.  I found the boat to be very comfortable.  🙂

Seaplane

I think I may have finally won Gabby over.  About halfway through the cruise she wanted to sit on grandpa’s lap and even when Angie offered to take her back so I could shoot some photographs she declined.  🙂

This sea plane surprised us all.  We anchored around Frentress lake watching Ben ride the jet ski when this guy came in very low and looked like he was going to land.  He got a few feet above the water but never did set the plane down and then he was lost behind some trees.  I was concerned for a minute and then he rose up over the trees and flew away.

After a couple of hours I was needing to eat and so they dropped me off back at the marina and took off again for some more boating, swimming, and fun.

September Moon

Last night when Jeanne and I went on our walk, we saw this beautiful full moon.  It was still pretty nice when we finished so I grabbed my camera and the gimbal tripod and made this image.  It’s not my best moon image but I still like it.

Camera specs:  On the river,  Nikon D610 | Nikon 80 – 400 mm lens | ISO 400 1/1250 sec @ f8.  The 80 – 400 mm lens is good for landscape photography but not for close-ups, hence no photos of the Joshua or Gabby in the boat.  Too close to focus.

Camera specs: Of the Moon, Nikon D600 | Tamron SP 150 – 600 mm lens |  gimbal on a tripod | ISO 400 1/350 sec at f13.

We have our company golf event today and I’m helping with that as well as playing in the final group.  Should be a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your day and be careful.  And as always, thanks for stopping by the blog.

 

Friday ~ September 05, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 5, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

September Moon

Happy Friday!

I know I’ve shown images of the moon several times on this blog but I never tire of capturing images of our closest heavenly body so please indulge me.

I captured this image from our back patio while making images for my bird feeder project.  It was just hanging around in the sky and it begged to be photographed so I obliged.

Camera specs:  Nikon D600 |  Tamron SP 150 – 600 mm Lens |  ISO 400 1/320 sec @ f6.5 (600 mm focal length) using a gimbal on a tripod. 

Decent day yesterday.  I had several meetings and I’m still trying to get my new office computer configured the way I like to work and find all the files.  You really don’t realize all the little tweaks and add ons you make over a 5 year period.

Then to start with a fresh new computer with nothing on it except the operating system and the suite of MS Office installed.  By the way (my point of view) was MS Office 2013 designed by people who were smoking something?  I adapted to Office 2010 and actually found a few things I liked but 2013 in my view is a waste of  programming.  Ugh!  It’s like the head project manager said, “Let’s just change stuff because we’ve got to make it different or no one will buy the upgrade.”   P_(&&^_(!!!!

Okay, enough ranting.  My numbers continue to be very good.  I go in this morning for a cardiology echo procedure because of the heart murmur my doctor found last week.  Wish me luck.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your Friday.   There are only 52 of them a year so each one is very special.  Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

Thursday ~ September 04, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on September 4, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: , , , .

A very fat Cardinal

Happy Thursday!!

This is the fattest cardinal I believe I have ever seen.  I’m not sure I’m responsible for this, but it makes me wonder.  Since I put out the feeders almost 4 months ago the bird population around our home had grown exponentially.  There use to be a few morning doves in the neighborhood and I would enjoy their morning calls when I would go out for the paper.  Now at any given time there are 20 or more around the feeder eating off the ground.

We occasionally would see a gold finch at the thistle feeder.  Now there are between 3 – 6 finches on a single feeder plus some on the ground and one or two at the safflower feeder.  More sparrows then I can count and boy are they ever messy creatures.  I spend at least a half hour a day “choring”  plus hosing off the patio to take care of their droppings.

The bird bath is a disaster every night.  Filled with excrement, feathers and God only knows what else.  The cost, about $89 every two weeks.  I’m beginning to wonder what the hell these birds did before we decided to feed them.  🙂

Then I think of the enjoyment and amusement I derive from watching and photographing the little creatures and it just makes it all worth while.

That’s all the mindless babble I have for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your day and be careful.