Rocky “What am I?” Quiz
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What am I? -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3600 — map & image datanearby photos
What am I?

I put up my previous “What am I?” quiz (“Just-Arrived-After-a-Long-Flight “What am I?” Quiz) after I arrived for a summer at my folks' place a month ago, but now that I'm ready to spend the next couple of days in a tin can for our return to Kyoto, it seems reasonable to put up another quiz.

Any guesses left in the comments will remain hidden from public view until jet lag starts to relinquish its hold on me this weekend.


40 Years of Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Lenses
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Different Eras Two Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lenses, separated by 40 years and a lot of character -- Akron, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/200 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3200 — map & image datanearby photos
Different Eras
Two Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lenses, separated by 40 years and a lot of character

The lens on the left is a new AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens, and on the right is a circa-1969 Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f/1.4.

The modern version has autofocus and a built-in CPU that communicates details about settings to the camera body, but is also made of plastic rather than the steel of the original, and comes completely devoid of character. Foremost a lens is a tool, but I wish it would at least aspire to look good.

Modern Nikon lenses may well be optically wonderful, but looks-wise, they look to me now the same way that 80s hairstyles look to me now. Ugh.


Rock Climbing at Katie Patterson’s Birthday Party
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Going Up -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 800 — full exif
Going Up

Anthony again attended the birthday part of a family friend, Katie Patterson. Last year was bowling. This year was rock climbing.

Katie was turning six, and not intimidated by The Wall at all...

Birthday Girl Katie goes past vertical -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1600 — full exif
Birthday Girl
Katie goes past vertical

Anthony, on the other hand, was not so unintimidated, and it took a while for him to want to try it.

Getting Harnessed Up ( I had good focus on similar shots, but I liked the hands in this one, even if out of focus ) -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4500 — full exif
Getting Harnessed Up
( I had good focus on similar shots, but I liked the hands in this one, even if out of focus )
Locking the Carabiner -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3200 — full exif
Locking the Carabiner
First Steps -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3600 — full exif
First Steps

He quickly decided he didn't like it, and descended.

Most of the other kids were eager to climb...

Quintessential Spiderman Shot Griffin tackles the far route -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1100 — full exif
Quintessential Spiderman Shot
Griffin tackles the far route

Anthony eventually decided to try again...

Past the Difficult Part and heading to the top -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2200 — full exif
Past the Difficult Part
and heading to the top
Made It -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2800 — full exif
Made It
Coming Down -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1800 — full exif
Coming Down
Enjoying the Ride with Pride -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 — full exif
Enjoying the Ride with Pride

In a previous life I used to do a lot of rock climbing, but I gave it up when I got married because my wedding ring would cut painfully into my finger, and I wouldn't take off the ring. (I've never had it off, and don't intend to.)

Now I'm older, fatter, weaker, and less skilled, so I have no idea why I thought to give it a try.

Locking the Carabiner these photos by Ray Patterson -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Ray Patterson, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 720 — full exif
Locking the Carabiner
these photos by Ray Patterson
Mild Reverse Incline meant it was a bit harder than a ladder -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Ray Patterson, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1250 — full exif
Mild Reverse Incline
meant it was a bit harder than a ladder
Arms of Jelly -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Ray Patterson, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1600 — full exif
Arms of Jelly

My arms quickly turned to jelly. This climb was little more than a bumpy ladder, and back in the day I would have never even bothered with it, but it was quite beyond my abilities now, so I cheated without remorse, figuring not many would even realize that I was cheating. 🙂

“Borrowing” a Foothold from a different route -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Ray Patterson, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1600 — full exif
“Borrowing” a Foothold
from a different route

Anthony was happy that I had tried, and I was happy that I didn't kill myself in front of an audience.

Best Part coming down -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Ray Patterson, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1800 — full exif
Best Part
coming down

There was ample time for climbing (all the kinds and a few of the parents), and then it was time for copious amounts of cake...

Blowing Out Her Candle Katie Patterson turns 6 -- Cuyahoga Falls YMCA -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 720 — full exif
Blowing Out Her Candle
Katie Patterson turns 6

The Surprise of Queen Anne’s Lace
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Lakeside Flora Queen Anne's Lace before a background of cattails -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/2500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Lakeside Flora
Queen Anne's Lace before a background of cattails

A couple of weeks ago in “Cousin Jena at the Lake”, I noted that 1-year-old Jena had taken a sprig of Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) to Grandma. After this, Grandma told me something surprising about Queen Anne's Lace that sent me back to with my camera...

As seen in the photo above, and in the close-up crop here, each “head” is a collection of a bunch of little off-white flowers...

( crop from the photo above ) -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
( crop from the photo above )

If you happen to look a little closely, you may notice something else...

Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos

What might appear to be a bug of some sort if you notice it at all, is really a small purple flower...

Central Purple -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/4000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Central Purple

Every head has one (and sometimes a few) tiny dark purple flower in the center. I'd never noticed.

Of course, not everything that looks like a bug at first glance is not a bug...

Couple'a Critters -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Couple'a Critters
On the Hunt? -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
On the Hunt?

I thought the bigger ant might be looking to dine on the first bug, but it walked right past without any apparent notice...

Ships Passing in the Night -- Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Ships Passing in the Night

The heads of flowers, before they open, make for quite a sight as well...
I thought this looked like a young head about to open, but my mom informs me that it's an old head curling up...

Rootstown, OH, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/8, ISO 560 — map & image datanearby photos

Somehow they look like a bunch of tiny Venus Flytraps.


Swimming-Pool Play With Friends
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( I think this is pretty much the perfect “summer fun” photo ) -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 170 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
( I think this is pretty much the perfect “summer fun” photo )

Our summer visit to The States is running down, and we've been so busy with family stuff and summer homework that it's hard to squeeze out time to process my photos and to write a post.

Last week, Anthony played at a community pool with a friend, 10-year-old Michael, and his next-door neighbor, 9-year-old Kenny....

left to right: Michael, Anthony, Kenny -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/800 sec, f/9, ISO 250 — map & image datanearby photos
left to right:
Michael, Anthony, Kenny
near to far: Anthony, Michael, (and in mid air) Kenny -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/6400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
near to far:
Anthony, Michael, (and in mid air) Kenny
Hunk (sort of) -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 340 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Hunk
(sort of)

I thought this photo reminded me of the three-year-old Anthony “Hunk” photo, but now that I compare directly, it's not quite there, but I'll put the photo and link here anyway.

Happy Kid Play -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 420 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Happy Kid Play
Riding “Kibbles” the blow-up blue killer whale -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/3200 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Riding “Kibbles”
the blow-up blue killer whale
Ride'em Cowboy -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/5000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Ride'em Cowboy
Enjoying the fruits of a well-aimed splosh -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/4000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Enjoying
the fruits of a well-aimed splosh
Kibbles Defends Kenny from Michael's splosh-gun attack -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Kibbles Defends Kenny
from Michael's splosh-gun attack
Michael is Unflappable -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 170 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Michael is
Unflappable
Playing “Ladies First” -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 140 mm — 1/800 sec, f/8, ISO 280 — map & image datanearby photos
Playing “Ladies First”
My Kid Is In There Somewhere -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 380 mm — 1/2000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
My Kid Is In There Somewhere
Untitled it pretty much speaks for itself -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 170 mm — 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Untitled
it pretty much speaks for itself
Kenny valiantly Defending the Ship -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/5000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Kenny valiantly
Defending the Ship
It's a Tough Life but somebody's got to play in it -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/4000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
It's a Tough Life
but somebody's got to play in it
inspecting the Mystery Cavern -- Hudson, Ohio, USA -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 500 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
inspecting the
Mystery Cavern