Random ND'ing ...

Over the last couple of days, I have been out experimenting with the Neutral-Density Filters. Technically, an ND filter reduces or modifies the intensity of all wavelengths, or colours of light equally, giving no changes in hue of colour rendition ~ not that I have noticed …!!

What I like about the filters is the addition of motion blurring to moving objects or water and (I think) the increased sharpness of stationary objects.

It is all very much experimentation for me, attempting to learn the fine line which exists between over and under exposure in different parts of an ND photo.

The first two below pictures were taken yesterday on the LaHave Islands, while all others were from today at Stonehurst and Blue Rocks.

All were taken at 100ASA with a ND1000 filter.

F-Stop 16 with 20 Second Exposure

 

F-Stop 16 with 20 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 8 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 8 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 5 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 3 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 6 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 8 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 5 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 3 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 5 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 6 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 6 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 5 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 6 Second Exposure

F-Stop 16 with 8 Second Exposure

All legs, arms and fingers accounted for ….

Since Hurricane Dorian which came by early September 2019, we have had a tree out in the forest which has been inclined at an angle of about 45°. Last week with “Post-tropical storm Teddy”, the tree finally came down. With the potential of obtaining some good firewood, we decided with the aid of the chainsaw, we would cut the tree up into 16” lengths.

Throughout my life, regardless of how much care I take and thought to all the permutations of how I could cut myself, I have often found out, that almost just being in sight of a blade cause me damage, so using a chainsaw gets me more than a little nervous and tense …

Fortunately, all went very well and I report with much relief and a great deal of pleasure that between us, we have four arms, four legs and the correct number of fingers ..

You can see the introduction of the chainsaw at ~ A new family member ~ https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-new-family-member.html

After Teddy ...

To quote a recent headline from the Washington Post ~ “Ginormous storm Teddy, 1000 miles wide puts on a powerful display in Canada” ~ well not really, or at least not in Pleasantville …

By the time it hit Nova Scotia on Tuesday (22^nd), Hurricane Teddy had been downgraded to “Post-tropical storm Teddy”. Indeed, there was wind and rain, but nothing like we had with Dorian just over a year ago.

Now that the “Ginormous” panic is over, the natural life is all back to normal. Little Chipmunk Buddy is trying to figure out how to get to the birdfeeder when it is hanging from the clothesline. When he is not around, Blue Jay Buddy is enjoying the daily menu of mixed seeds. 

At Rissers Beach where I went this morning, the sun is shinning bright, the air is warm and the sea calm and tranquil. Little Caterpillar Buddy is out for a wander and … well that Lobster claw is Ginormous …!!!

Only a four- hour flight away ....

…………. Only kidding ~ it's not some exotic destination in the Caribbean, it is in fact just down the road from us.

With a couple of buddies visiting from Ontario (who had completed their required 14 days of Covid-19 isolation), we decided in absolutely perfect weather, to drive south down the coastal route and take in a few of our local beaches. They included Carters Beach, Beach Meadows, White Point Beach and Cherry Hill Beach.

There was a Haar which came inshore at Carters and stretched along all the 50km which encompassed the four beaches mentioned.

See more about a Haar here at “Is it a Haar …?” ~ https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2020/06/is-it-haar.html

All pictures below are of Carters Beach except for the last four which are taken at White Point Beach

Piping Plovers on Cherry Hill Beach

Saving little birds (we hope ..)

A couple of days ago a little Ovenbird was found dead on the front deck of the house. It was obvious that he had flown into the window so hard that he stunned himself.

There are a few trees out front which causes a constant reflection; over the summer with the increased number of birds around us, we have noticed on occasions they are hitting the window thinking it is a tree.

After a google search, a hopeful solution to the issue is now being tried out. Vertical white lines three inches apart drawn on the window using an Art Paint Marker, the lines apparently deter birds from flying into the reflection ~ I hope it works ..

An Ovenbird

The reflection

The vertical lines

Toad Buddy has a little pond …..

Our new resident was again out and about today providing moments of entertainment. With the hose nozzle set on the fine mist setting, it is amusing to see Toad Buddy come up close for a soaking. Later in full view of the little guy, I made a small pond, soon after he was in there trying it out …

Meet Toad Buddy ....

 He (or she) has been in residence now for a few weeks.

We are finding much care and caution is required when navigating around the garden, a few times over the last couple of days Toad Buddy, has been very close to meeting the sole of a shoe.