205 - Do-Nut Dinette

From 365 Project

The Do-Nut Dinette has been a fixture on Norfolk's Colley Avenue since 1952 and has always been strictly counter service. They make their own donuts and feature a pale green 1960's vintage Formica interior. The bright yellow umbrellas and sidewalk dining are recent additions but it still has the retro diner feel. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ F/22.0, ISO 800 (I forgot to set the ISO back to 200), 17mm focal length.

204 - Elm Leaf

From 365 Project

This is a closeup of a leaf from a large old American Elm that dominates the side of my yard. Between too frequent power line trimmings and the Dutch Elm disease that killed my other elms 15 to 20 years ago, it is amazing that it has survived to be so grand. The leaf was backlit while on the branch with an off camera strobe set at 1/32 power. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/18.0, ISO 400, 70mm macro and converted to back and white using Silver Efex Pro plug-in in Photoshop Elements.

203 - A Big Double Hex

From 365 Project

This is a big (3-1/8") double-hexagonal socket. It weighs about 5 pounds. Certainly it's made to tackle a big nut. Thanks to Rickey at the HRT gas shop for letting me take some photos of his tools. Professional mechanics provide their own tools. They have large mobile tool boxes with thousands of dollars of their own money invested to get their work done - kind of like photographers. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 50mm lens.

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.