Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/320 sec, f/8, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Morning Run

Anthony went running with Grandpa again this morning. The first time was a week or so ago, and this was the second.

Last time Anthony just did one lap around the lake – about four-tenths of a mile – but today he did three laps. (My dad does six laps – two and a half miles – most mornings)

I got down there with my camera as they were finishing the first lap. These pictures are just about identical to the ones before, but I love'em anyway. I may be a biased daddy, but Anthony is just so cute when he runs...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/320 sec, f/8, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Victory of Lap One

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looking Strong

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 116 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Hi Daddy!”

I thought he might stop again after just the one lap, but he merrily continued on for another....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/350 sec, f/4, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Far Side of the Lake

He stayed in front of Grandpa for the two laps, but paused before doing one more lap. After three, he called it quits. That's better than my camera battery, which called it quits right after I took that last shot.

We're heading to Vancouver tomorrow, meeting up with Fumie for a week of sightseeing in Vancouver and Whistler, and to pay a visit to the lady that hosted Fumie's first homestay 15 or so years ago. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to post. We'll see....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 155 mm — ¹/180 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Stripped Down to the Bone

The other day when Anthony went running with Grandpa, I noticed that the leaves of one tree were almost completely stripped of every last bit of green, I assume by insects.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 125 mm — ¹/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Naked

I'm not sure whether they're actually leaves of a tree, or of some vine intertwined with a tree. In any case, the stripped leaves were intermixed with a different kind of leaf that was not touched.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 130 mm — ¹/180 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
50 / 50

It was impressive how thoroughly the one kind of leaf in just this one tree were so totally consumed.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 120 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Total Destruction

I tried to step back to get a picture of the whole tree, but it came out a bit muddy. From afar, you see mostly the leaves that are okay, since the ones that have been stripped clean have been turned into a fine mesh that disappears as you step away....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 80 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos

There are thousands of trees on my folks' property, but this was the only tree I noticed like this. Very odd....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 32 mm — ¹/45 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Taxes. Kids. Work.
It's stressful pretending to be a grownup

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/45 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Just Kidding

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — ¹/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sharp-Dressed Man

(These were quick impromptu shots that I had to use high ISO on, so they're really grainy. Sigh. Nikon's D200 doesn't do well at high ISO. Can't wait for the D700 waiting for me in Kyoto...)

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bent on Destruction

Part I was the initial sand-castle build.

Part II was a large, ambitious expansion.

This is the final part, part III: destruction

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/80 sec, f/5, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dozers to the Ready

Anthony decided that it was time to destroy the sand castle. It's not that he wanted to use the space for anything. He just wanted to destroy. (What do you expect? He's a five-year-old boy, you know.)

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Savoring the Anticipation

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/90 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Impressive Resilience

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Resistance is Futile

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/90 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
About to Take Out a Tower

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 44 mm — ¹/50 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Oh! That Had to Hurt!
( the sand castle )

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/100 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Gone in 60 Seconds

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — ¹/40 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
( no caption necessary )

When he was done, a lone tower from the original castle stood. I have no idea why he spared it...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/80 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Survivor

As far as I know it's still there today (10 days later), although we've had some incredible thunderstorms that I'm sure have left it a bit battered and soggy. (I've posted before about what heavy rain does to sand.)

I've had a cold for the last couple of days, but am feeling good enough today to continue from Part I...

Now bitten with the sand-castle bug, Anthony and I went out and, at his direction, we built two large additions to the sand castle he'd built the other day. Once we were done, I went for the camera...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/1250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Finishing Touches

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/320 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Flag

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Construction Completed

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 155 mm — ¹/3000 sec, f/3.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Outer Wall

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/640 sec, f/3.5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Towers