Tag: Lens-Artists

MG MGB

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

As I strolled to the back of the Neshanic Station flea market, the vibrant hue of the red MG MGB immediately caught my eye. It stood proudly, parked amidst other classic cars, exuding a timeless charm. Like a woman in red, the car's red dress and sleek body pulled me in.

The MG MGB is a symbol of British automotive heritage. Its iconic chrome grille, smooth lines, and elegant curves harkened back to a time when automotive craftsmanship was an art form. The red MG MGB evoked nostalgia for my youth. Dad owned a Mini Cooper, then a more family-oriented Volkswagen Beatle. But my Uncle Clifford owned a Triumph sports convertible. Uncle Clifford would drive around with some of us boys crammed into the back seat.

Approaching the car, I stared at its exquisite details. The well-maintained leather seats exuded an air of luxury, and the polished wooden steering wheel exuded a gentlemanly sophistication. As I ran my fingers along the sleek exterior, I could almost sense the car's history.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

But it wasn't just the car that captured my attention; it was also the passionate owner who stood nearby. With a grinning smile, he eagerly shared anecdotes about the MG MGB's history, regaling curious car enthusiasts with tales of the car's adventures and the joy it had brought him. It was evident that he had poured his heart and soul into preserving this automotive gem, cherishing every moment spent behind the wheel. He told me about the roads he had travelled and his adventures.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I am a technologist, but in an ever-changing world of fast-paced advancements, there is a timeless appeal in the past's simplicity, elegance, and craftsmanship.

Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)

My Blue-eyed Grass plants produce flowers that are more purple than blue.

Since I had "rediscovered" my MCEX-16 macro extension tube and had just completed photographing the lepanthes telipogoniflora in my wabi-kusa forest terrarium, I turned my attention to the small purple flowers growing in my container garden of native plants.

The Blue-eyed Grass, a perennial flowering plant native to New Jersey, tends to be overlooked in some gardening circles. The online descriptions and photos feature a plant with petite blue flowers and yellow centres blooming on stalks above grass-like leaves. But the flowers on my blue-eyed grass plant appear more purple than blue. This is not a trick of the light or an incorrect white balance on my camera sensor. To my eyes, the flowers appear to be a deep shade of purple.

Blue-eyed grass blooms from late spring to early summer. The plant forms small clumps of grass-like leaves that can slowly spread, serving as a ground cover and helping to retain moisture in the soil.

Blue-eyed Grass thrives in consistently moist soil but can tolerate some drought once established. My patio planters have a basin at the bottom that catches and retains rainwater. There is also a layer of moss growing in the planter. Both of these things help retain moisture and keep the container soil moist.

Blue-eyed grass is not grass. Blue-eyed Grass belongs to the Iris Family and attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This was one of my main goals in planting Blue-eyed Grass. While having bees on my patio could be annoying, I wanted to attract butterflies. With any luck, I may attract some interesting photography subjects.

Blue-eyed grass plant can be found in all regions of New Jersey and thrives in specific ecoregions like the coast and Pinelands. Princeton is far from the coast or the Pinelands area of New Jersey.

Forty-two images were captured and stacked using the DMap method in Zerene Stacker.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

In late May, I started using Merlin ID to identity photograph the birds in my backyard and the nearby woods.

Now that I have the Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R OIS LM WR, I use it at every opportunity. In late May, I used the Merlin Bird ID app to identify and photograph Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) in the wooded area behind my backyard, just on the other side of the fence.

The variety of bird species that call those woods their home is fascinating. So far, I've managed to identify almost a dozen different types of birds there. Their melodious calls fill the early morning air, adding a delightful touch to the surroundings.

The Northern Cardinal stands out with its distinctiveness, elegant and vibrant red plumage. Cardinals choose not to migrate, allowing me to enjoy their beauty all year round. They are a delightful sight, especially in winter when they contrast against the snow-covered landscape.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) · Wednesday 31 May 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 at 1⁄80 sec · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR at 600 mm

Unfortunately, a 74-acre property on the other side of the fence, owned by Trap Rock Industries, is planned for housing development. This proposed development sits between two fragile and protected wetlands, which serve as crucial feeding and watering habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. These habitats are interconnected, with the wetlands separated by a narrow grassy corridor.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) · Wednesday 31 May 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 at 1⁄80 sec · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR at 255.5mm

How will this affect the woods and wetlands? I’m not sure how much longer I can continue backyard bird photography.