202 - West African Crowned Crane

From 365 Project

Went over to the Virginia Zoo at lunch today. It's a great place walk and get some exercise, especially when carrying about 15 pounds of camera gear. The West African Crowned cranes are just so photogenic. They are beautiful and great posers. Canon 40D, 1/325 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens fully extended at 400mm on a monopod. This lens has a nice bokeh effect (soft background) when opened all the up.

201 - Morning Reflection

From 365 Project

As I was leaving home this morning, this refection of the early morning sky caught my eye. With my travel mug of coffee planted on the roof of the car, I took out my trusty G10 and captured the scene for today's post. Canon G10, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 54mm equivalent focal length.

200 - Mermaids on Parade

From 365 Project

A few years back the City of Norfolk Virginia adopted the mermaid as a symbol and the slogan "Life Celebrated Daily." A number of interesting mermaids were created by local artists and displayed at public places and businesses throughout the city. The mermaids have moved beyond the artists' work and onto street flags, construction signs and anything else that can hold a logo. These street banners line the recently rebuilt Smith Creek Bridge on Brambleton Avenue. Canon 40D, 1/400 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 220mm focal length.

199 - 100 Days of Color

From 365 Project

The Crape-myrtle is sometimes referred to as the tree with 100 days of color. They start blooming in late June and can bloom through the month of September. I had never closely examined the blooms until recently. This bloom comes from a tree that was an Arbor Day sprig I planted in my yard many years ago. The macro photo shows the bloom is a ring of independent petals. Because the blooms are massed so close together we rarely notice nature's grand design for this ever popular tree. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/18, ISO 400, 70mm macro with off-camera flash.

198 - Mr Peanut's House

From 365 Project

The once grand mansion and home of Amedeo Obici, founder of Planters Peanuts, rots away from neglect. Amedeo and his wife Louise built the Art Nouveau-style mansion in 1924 using many Italian craftsman. Now painted white, it was originally "Planters Peanut Yellow". The red tile roof, architectural details and inlaid parquet tile floors are some of its many treasures. But most amazing is the sweeping view of the Nansmond River from the back porch. While listed on National Register of Historic Places, the home's restoration is pending current efforts by the City of Suffolk, owner since 2002, to find a funding partner. Canon G10, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 100.

197 - 7-5-7

From 365 Project

7-5-7 is our area code here in Southeastern Virginia. As area codes go, it's a pretty good one. Much better than our old area code of 804 which Central Virginia (the "old" money) got to keep and even better than the less original 703 which once covered all of Virginia and is now relegated to Northern Virginia (the "new" money). The picture was taken at Fire & Vine in Virginia Beach. The wine is a 2007 Tait "The Ball Buster" Shiraz-Cabernet-Merlot from the Barossa Valley. Of course with a name like "The Ball Buster" you know the wine is Aussie. BTW - It was excellent! Canon G10, 1/4 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, in macro mode.

196 - Sunroof

From 365 Project

While driving home from work today I was sitting at a stoplight when I happened to glance up through the sunroof. The low afternoon sun was breaking through this tree and casting an interesting color aura. Lucky for me, the camera was right there on the passenger seat, got off three frames before the light turned green. The picture I planned for today will have to wait for another day. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 100, 55mm focal length.