Week 2 - Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept

[wvrevy]

Ok, it's still a new game, so here are the rules:

1 - Try to take new shots each week to post. The idea is to encourage people to get creative and actually take pictures, not just post those that you've taken in the past.

2 - Each person can post up to three different pictures to the thread. This should give everyone the opportunity to try out some different ideas.

3 - Discussion on the thread is highly encouraged. Wanna know how someone got that great shot? ASK, cause there's probably three other people wondering the same thing. :teeth:

4 - Let's try to keep the pics to a similar size as those on the "contest" threads. No real limit, but it makes it easier on everyone if we don't have to do too much scrolling to see your pics. Try to make it so that no one side of the picture is more than 800 pixels.

5 - Have fun! We're going to do this at least one more week as a "discussion" thread, both to generate more interest and to make sure that everyone is comfortable with posting their pics out there for others to see (I know I'm not the only newbie involved ;) ). But this is supposed to be fun, 'cause even if we do go to a "contest" format, the winner don't get nothin' but braggin' rights. :woohoo:

I will post a new "theme" each week on Monday sometime (most likely in the mornings, but it depends on what else is goin' on out here in the real world), and the theme will run through the following Monday. Once we get into this a little we may find a different schedule works better, but we'll try it out this way and see how it goes.

Ok...now for the fun stuff:

This week's theme is: Pink Elephants on Parade (Animals)

Description: Now that Spring has sprung / is springing, there are critters all over the place, from new baby animals at the zoo or in the wild to people walking and playing outdoors with their pets. So...let's see those shots of the fauna around you! Can be your family pet, or pretty much any animal you see...just try not to get eaten by any of your subjects!

THREAD END DATE: MAY 4, 2008

Upcoming themes:

May 5: Reflection (Umm...Reflections ;) )
May 12: Substitutiary Locomotion (Movement)
May 19: I Wanna Be Like You (Things in Pairs)
May 26: Part of Your World (Macro)
June 2: Colors of the Wind (Blue)

Ok...that's it. Now go grab those cameras and get to work! :thumbsup2

[MHolleman]

Here are my 3 favorite animal photos that I have taken recently.

Butterfly on my azaleas.
http://api.photoshop.com/home_b352f73f33f94f6ab128f29b2e397d19/adobe-px-assets/e0c8f5d401524e558883a9059e5e06bd


A couple of birds at the NC Zoo
http://api.photoshop.com/home_b352f73f33f94f6ab128f29b2e397d19/adobe-px-assets/df11633975654d31b27de54bcb714794

A busy little bee taking advantage of all the pollen. This picture has been cropped some and sharpened a little bit.
http://api.photoshop.com/home_b352f73f33f94f6ab128f29b2e397d19/adobe-px-assets/5123208c4cb34fb8b837cd027bee1cf8

[allie5]

These were taken on a short break 10 days ago. Dont get much chance to go out and shoot on spec, so I hope its OK to post these ones - they arent TOO old!! All taken with Canon 30D and Canon 70-300IS and shot at the Norfolk Broads, England.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/allie5/allie2/swan.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/allie5/allie2/heron2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/allie5/allie2/gull.jpg

[MHolleman]

This picture is stunning to me. Great work.


[QUOTE=allie5;24781054]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/allie5/allie2/swan.jpg

QUOTE]

[allie5]

This picture is stunning to me. Great work.



Thank you. It was a really overcast day so I wasnt expecting much. I set the camera to Av mode, used the largest aperture I could (which was a pretty mediocre f/5.6!!) and clicked away! This was taken from a boat - the kids were feeding the swans bread so they were quite obliging for pics!!

[wvrevy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/allie5/allie2/gull.jpg

I like this one the best. :teeth: For some reason, I just keep thinking...

http://www.o--rly.com/owl_orly.png

...when I see it. :lmao:

Beautiful shots, though!!!

[Suzann]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m270/Suzannlank/IMG_8891.jpg

[mommyofthreeboys]

Be nice to me! I just got my new camera last week and I shot this in auto mode! (((gasp))))

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee274/cddiesel/CSC_0081.jpg

[emmabelle]

Here kitty, kitty.....

I shot this at a local zoo last Friday. He was a great subject, very animated.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/lorabelle_2006/DSC_11082.jpg

[Suburbanmom]

Here kitty, kitty.....

I shot this at a local zoo last Friday. He was a great subject, very animated.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/lorabelle_2006/DSC_11082.jpg

That is a great photo!! You are doing so well with your new D-SLR. I bet you are just having loads of fun, because it definately shows. :thumbsup2

[allie5]

Here kitty, kitty.....

I shot this at a local zoo last Friday. He was a great subject, very animated.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/lorabelle_2006/DSC_11082.jpg

He is indeed a great subject, nicely caught! My only comment would be, I personally would crop some of the grassy area to left out, so the focus is more on this magnificent beast! A great shot though, well done!

[emmabelle]

He is indeed a great subject, nicely caught! My only comment would be, I personally would crop some of the grassy area to left out, so the focus is more on this magnificent beast! A great shot though, well done!


I got rid of some of the grass. :thumbsup2 I've been a little hesitant to crop my pictures lately, just in case I want to print them out. I accidentally cropped some pictures too much and when I went to print them out, they were cut off at the top and bottom. :eek: I'm trying to just frame them better when I take them to avoid that. ;)

[emmabelle]

That is a great photo!! You are doing so well with your new D-SLR. I bet you are just having loads of fun, because it definately shows. :thumbsup2


Thanks! I shot this through a glass window and I was so glad not to see the glare from the window, which was present in most of the 20 or so pictures I took of him. :rotfl:

[dcg0317]

Here's a painted turtle sunning himself.
http://amtphoto.smugmug.com/photos/287508307_FCesX-L.jpg

[oliviansmom17]

This is a stray that showed up at our door at midnight one evening about 4 months ago...my son is very attached...;)
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj22/brookita02/DSC_0014.jpg

[AndrewWG]

A Piping Plover from eearlier today. They show up in Spring and nest on the beaches. Endangered here in Mass.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w148/AndyG1970/Plovers_2008-2.jpg

[emmabelle]

Really cute Andy. Is that shot somewhere south of Boston? I live north of Boston on the coast.

[Pea-n-Me]

Yikes, the Piping Plovers!! :scared:

[AndrewWG]

Really cute Andy. Is that shot somewhere south of Boston? I live north of Boston on the coast.

Yep, down near the Cape actually! Are you nearby? PM me if you are and maybe we can all go out on a shoot someday.

Yikes, the Piping Plovers!!

Yep, the dreaded pipers. Those little guys cause more trouble for the poor people who want to go 4 wheeling on the beach. Oh well, they are done nesting by mid June and the tourists come in droves starting July 4th so it shouldn't be so much of a problem. Actually on this beach, 4 wheeling isn't allowed, but on the Cape, it is a REAL issue for some.

[cc1075]

Piping Plovers - protected on Lake Michigan also - but here the DNR would like us to fence off our beach until mid-July - -!!!

Not many sign up for that option!

[cdfl30]

I took these last week at the Jacksonville Zoo... I'll be going out of town tomorrow and won't be able to upload any new photos before the thread ends. I hope this is ok!

Cheers,
Candis

Gorilla
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2426435672_c6e217a564.jpg

Flamingo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2425616389_fe898e1352.jpg

Inca Tern
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2425600265_6b9291d747.jpg

[Mr._The_King]

Flamingo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2425616389_fe898e1352.jpg
This picture is gorgeous

Inca Tern
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2425600265_6b9291d747.jpg
This bird is crazy looking. Reminds me of a totem pole.

Great shots:thumbsup2

[Merrywheather]

Wow - all the pictures are really nice:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 !!

I took this today on my way home from work...
http://hh4202.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p637948475-3.jpg

This little guy was pestering me at a baseball game over the weekend. He was on my fleece.
http://hh4202.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p172387488-3.jpg

[mikamah]

There's some beautiful pictures here. I love the plover pic, Andy. Too cute.

Just a couple of seagulls I took over the weekend.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l7/mikamah/IMG_8017.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l7/mikamah/IMG_8020.jpg

I thought this monkey was so cute, last week at the zoo. It was inside and behind glass, so I used iso 1600, f8, 1/60. I think I was in aperture priority. It would have probably been better at iso 800 with a wider aperture.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l7/mikamah/IMG_7740.jpg

[Gdad]

Great pictures all- I will add a few from today. My daughter and I went out to the estuary to take a few shots at sunrise. :)

Ducks-
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804365_JiC9T-L.jpg

Great Blue Heron-
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804283_Z52UJ-L.jpg

River Otters-
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804378_xYNXp-L.jpg

Daughter- (I know that's 4 but the bird is OOF so it does not count. ;) )
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804416_GwWdX-L.jpg

[Gdad]

She would also like me to add 3 of her pictures from this morning.

Osprey-
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804210_zdeHm-L.jpg

GBH-
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804225_KPdfY-L.jpg

Otters- (scampering away-)
http://scl.smugmug.com/photos/288804538_VaVW6-L.jpg

[BluOrchid2]

Taken last week:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/bluorchid2/DSC_5371.jpg

flock of 17 wild turkeys
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/bluorchid2/turkeys.jpg

and when they got frightened of us...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/bluorchid2/turkeysflying-1.jpg

[Virgo10]

This is a picture of my daughter's hand while we were at the butterfly house in EPCOT this past Thursday. That butterfly stayed there for at least 15 minutes.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/virgo10/EPCOT%202008/butterflyh600x520.jpg

One more from there.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/virgo10/EPCOT%202008/tinkbutterfly.jpg

[emmabelle]

Since I only posted one picture before, I thought I'd post another. He was funny, he came right up to the glass to check us out when we were visiting the flamingo's at the zoo last week.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/lorabelle_2006/DSC_1130.jpg

[rtphokie]

This one has a bit of a story... We've been noticing a pair of rabbits hopping through our backyard far more frequently lately. Finally figured out why this afternoon. I went to clean the weeds out of a planter on our deck to plant some new flowers we'd just brought home when the soil moved. In a hole about 5-6" deep and across are 4 baby rabbits. We called our vet for advice and were told that they would most likely be out of the nest in a week based on their size and that momma has been tending to them at least daily for at least a week or more (we never noticed and neither did our dog). Our dog has now noticed them so I've put up sturdy cardboard box that momma rabbit can get through but not our dog and will be leaving some food out to help ensure that momma returns. We were careful not to touch them while checking them out and snapping some some photos (of the one on top at least, they are really crammed in there).

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/288921962_okaLT-L.jpg

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/288921971_PpJYp-L.jpg

[Pea-n-Me]

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/288921962_okaLT-L.jpg

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/288921971_PpJYp-L.jpg

Neat! We always have bunny families under our shed in the spring. They're a hearty bunch and fare just fine on their own. Our dog enjoys sitting and watching them from the house - we try to teach her not to chase them (but sometimes she can't help herself; fortunately they're quick :eek: ). Once the babies get older they disappear. Good capture. I've never been able to get any pictures of the nests. BTW, is that dog hair in the nest? When I brush our dog I leave out some hair and always find it in fallen birds' nests.

[rtphokie]

Neat! We always have bunny families under our shed in the spring. They're a hearty bunch and fare just fine on their own. Our dog enjoys sitting and watching them from the house - we try to teach her not to chase them (but sometimes she can't help herself; fortunately they're quick :eek: ). Once the babies get older they disappear. Good capture. I've never been able to get any pictures of the nests. BTW, is that dog hair in the nest? When I brush our dog I leave out some hair and always find it in fallen birds' nests.

No that's rabbit hair. The vet tells us that mothers shed before they give birth and while they are lactating for this very reason, to give them material to make a warm nest with.

[MarkBarbieri]

Adolescent Bird
http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/288959316_XE92e-L.jpg

Baby Gators
http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/288965965_7j4i7-L.jpg

[Pea-n-Me]

My buddy from baseball practice.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/paulandlinda/P5012219.jpg

[Russian-in-Kansas]

Can I share too? I am very, very new (still in the opening manual phase honestly)
Cat Fluffy
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/tatianalenina/IMG_0038.jpg

a friend asking for food
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/tatianalenina/P1010138.jpg

DH "fishing"
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/tatianalenina/P1010129.jpg

[newtodis]

DH "fishing"
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/tatianalenina/P1010129.jpg

This is amazing!! Our our subdivision (they're called plantations here) we have a couple of lagoons around our house and DS3 has named one of the gators Jeff. He was looking at this with me and thought this was great! He also commented that this was a bad choice and he should go to jail! :rotfl2: At least he listens to some of the things that I saw to him! ;) That's so great that your DH is brave enough to reach in and try to catch that and that you got the shot!

[dcg0317]

A few more birds I recently shot.

Male Eastern Bluebird
http://amtphoto.smugmug.com/photos/289532147_MSh34-L.jpg

Prairie Warbler
http://amtphoto.smugmug.com/photos/288096396_ev84H-L.jpg

Tree Swallow
http://amtphoto.smugmug.com/photos/289525874_tiBfH-L.jpg

[Amy]

What is with you people and all these alligator shots?:scared1: The only time I want to see an alligator is when there's heavy-duty plexiglass between him and me!

Ok, here are my 3 critter shots:

Black-capped Chickadee:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i187/mamagrumpy/Aug%202007%20thru/IMG_8213copy.jpg

Goldfinch:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i187/mamagrumpy/Aug%202007%20thru/IMG_8201copy.jpg

And my sleepy fur-baby, Charlie:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i187/mamagrumpy/Aug%202007%20thru/IMG_8463.jpg

ETA: Forgot to mention, all of these were taken with my Canon S3 IS.

[Russian-in-Kansas]

This is amazing!! Our our subdivision (they're called plantations here) we have a couple of lagoons around our house and DS3 has named one of the gators Jeff. He was looking at this with me and thought this was great! He also commented that this was a bad choice and he should go to jail! :rotfl2: At least he listens to some of the things that I saw to him! ;) That's so great that your DH is brave enough to reach in and try to catch that and that you got the shot!

;) Don't worry, you can tell your DS that the alligator was in no way hurt and was released after he was petted. And more importantly it should not be done at home--DH used to work on one of those boats in FL that takes tourists out to alligator swamps (?) and sadly enough for my nervous system he is a professional at catching them.

[Mickey Fliers]

Here he is. The laziest dog on the planet!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/my3pirates/Picture100.jpg

I took these with my new D40 and the 18-55 kit lens. I did use a fill flash to get his coloring right (he was half in the sun).

[wvrevy]

He looks kinda like I feel right now, Aime. :teeth:

Great shots this week everyone! Sorry I wasn't able to get any of my own shots in this week. Work's been an absolute beast and I've barely had time to visit the boards, much less actually break out the camera. I promise to get something together for this week though! :thumbsup2

New thread coming up shortly, and again, great job everyone!

[emmabelle]

My third and final pic. We see these two every spring, I'm pretty sure it's the same two. ;)

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/lorabelle_2006/DSC_1205.jpg