Sept 25 Mt Auburn Cemetery II

Chi-town. . . Too easy for Michelle, Peyton, Elaine, Jim, Tony, Milt, Joani, Doris, and Mike!

"Not Sharing This! "

The photo gods were with me on this day. Still walking about the Mt. Auburn Cemetery with my new and hardly used Fujifilm mirrorless camera.

I noticed several groups of people sporting binoculars - birders! Mt. Auburn attracts two-legged as well as four-legged wildlife! Just as we passed this nature group someone asked about a large bird resting behind a headstone. The birders immediately identified it as a red-tail hawk. They noticed something in its talons - a small squirrel!

As we approached, it took off carrying its lunch with it. I quickly fired off numerous shots - none of which came out as the winged hunter was flying faster than the camera was registering. It did take refuge in a nearby tree. Slowly and quietly we approached the outdoor diner. All I had on my camera was the 18m to 55mm kit lens but I shot just the same.

I was quite happy with the results!

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

home to the Immanuel Church - a baroque style church built around 17th century. The church is also equipped with a 400 year old organ which attracts a lot of tourists.

Istana Merdeka -  the Presidential Palace. It is neoclassical in structure as it is built around 17th century.

Jalan Pekojan Old Houses are houses built in 18th century as a response to the growing community of merchants.

lots of theme and amusement parks here. The most visited are Dunia Fantasi, Atlantis Water Adventure, Taman Ompian Jaya Ancol and Sea World

Because of its rich history, there are many museums built within the city. Some of the museums are as follows: the City History Museum, Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, Wayang Museum, Bank Mandiri Museum, Each of these museums has different kinds of artifacts to present as evidenced on their names.

Kelapa Gading District is the city’s shopping district. It is located in northern part of the city.

A Word to the Wise. . .

"If you don't design your own life plan, 

chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. 

And guess what they have planned for you? 

Not much." 

                                                 ~ Jim Rohn

Murphy's Laws. . .

Gunter's First Law of Air Travel:

When you are served a meal aboard an aircraft, 

the aircraft will encounter turbulence.

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Sept 18 Mt Auburn Cemetery I

Berlin - way to go fellow blog followers!! Milt, Elaine, Jim, Joani, Mike, Michelle, and Peyton all came through with the correct answer!!!

"Bio-Chem Couple"

When another opportunity to get some experience with my new mirrorless camera arose, I jumped at it. Jeff has a Fujifilm mirrorless and had extensive knowledge of its ability and workings. 

I snapped at everything that crossed my path. By the lake we noticed outstanding foliage colors reflecting on it. An added bonus was this couple taking it all in. We did approach them about our intention to add them into our colorful fall image.

Turns out they are both professors - he at Harvard and she from MIT! So much smarts sitting there!

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

first permanent settler — and businessman — was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African-American from what is now Haiti, in 1779.

world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Company, was built in 1885.

The "Historic Route 66" begins here at Grant Park on Adams Street

Lincoln Park Zoo one of only three major free zoos in the country, is one of the country's oldest zoos with an estimated annual attendance of 3.5 million.

Home to the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.

 (extra credit if you know the oldest!)

Walt Disney was born here in 1901. He studied drawing at McKinley High School and the Institute of Fine Arts.

A Word to the Wise. . .

"Anyone who stops learning is old, 

whether at twenty or eighty. 

Anyone who keeps learning stays young. 

The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."  

                                                         ~ Henry Ford    

Murphy's Laws. . .

Rule of Accuracy:

When working toward the solution of a problem, 

it always helps if you know the answer.

Corollary: 

Provided, of course, 

that you know there is a problem.

It's Cartoon Time. . .

9 11 Moseley Mill

Mumbai - got many of you on this one as well! Gotta start using Google!! Correctly answered - Mike, Tony, Elaine, Peyton, and Joani.

"Moseley Mill"

Seems as if I have been spending a lot of times in mills or factories of late. Stony Brook Camera Club meets in a former mill and we were afforded the opportunity to shoot the nooks and crannies. I lucked out as only one other member showed up on the day I picked to photograph it.

We had ample time and freedom of movement for the two hours we were there.

A vast majority of the former Moseley Mill has been repurposed into offices, a salon, and even a church. There were areas where the hands of progress had not as yet reached. This was one of those places.

The sprocket thread was retired to a backroom after many decades of productivity.

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? After Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai, I thought you deserved a gimme. . .

the New York Times, in its list of ‘44 places to visit in 2009’ ranked this city at the Number 4 spot!

largest city and capital of its country and the second largest city in the European Union,

defining clue: the most distinct aspect here is its architecture, with the Brandenburg Gate being its iconic feature – its construction was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia, and was completed in the year 1791.

another architectural marvel is the Reichstag Building – its roof is made entirely of glass!

this city boasts of having the most diverse and scintillating nightlife in all of Europe. You visit the countless pubs and discotheques in the city.

also famous for its zoo which was established in 1844.

A Word to the Wise. . .

Lost time is never found again.      

        ~ Ben Franklin 

Murphy's Laws. . .

Yapp's Basic Fact:

If a thing cannot be fitted
 into something smaller than itself, 

some dope will do it!

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Kelby Shoot II Sept 4

Ho Chi Minh City - well you complained about these World-class cities being too easy. I tossed in a tough one and many of you folded! Way to go Jim, Joani, and Tony on Ho Chi Minh City. I had two (2) guesses for Paris (Notre Dame threw them off) - Peyton and Mike.

"Capital Punishment"

Not sure what I did to deserve this fate but. . .

On the third floor of the Stone Mill was a homemade electric chair! And, it was dark!! And, it was very quiet!!! You're right, another chance to try some ghosting!

There was a guy fiddling with the chair and items around it - he was the craftsman who designed and built it. So with his blessing, I got to ghosting - AFTER I made sure the plug was NOT connected to any wall outlet.

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

locals love to refer to the city as the ‘city that never sleeps’.

said to have more millionaires per square mile than Manhattan, perhaps that is why, it is also called the ‘city of dreams’.

the south of the city is known for its colonial architecture - one such grand example is the Gateway – it was built in 1924. It was built to commemorate King George’s visit in 1911.

take a Harbor Cruise to visit the famous Haji Ali Dargah. Built on an islet, this Dargah is considered a sacred place both by Hindus and Muslims of the city.

hire a boat to visit the Elephanta Island that is famous for its ancient cave temple. Worth seeing here is the 19.6 ft-high statue of the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva.

relax at the Marine Drive. Also known as the ‘Queen Necklace’ for the shape the night lights form around this ocean front, Marine Drive is a popular promenade.

Better start Googling as that's the best I can do. . .

A Word to the Wise. . .

Live life to the fullest, 

and focus on the positive." 

               ~ Matt Cameron

Murphy's Laws. . .

Barr's Comment on Domestic Tranquillity:

On a beautiful day like this 

it's hard to believe anyone can be unhappy 

-- but we'll work on it.

It's Cartoon Time. . .