Hurrican Ike Taking aim at Texas

My family will have to evac out again from the southeastern coast of Texas once again.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Hadron Collider Getting Ready to Run...

Scientists turn on biggest ‘Big Bang Machine’

Chapter 3: After 14 years of work, atom-smasher comes to life amid hoopla

Maximilien Brice / CERN

The eight torodial magnets can be seen on the huge ATLAS detector with the calorimeter before it is moved into the middle of the detector. This calorimeter will measure the energies of particles produced when protons collide in the center of the detector.

Will it work or blow up the Earth?  We will soon find out!

Lets hope for the best!

Technorati Tags: Science, Technology, Hedron Collider

DSC09490: Blury

DSC09490: Blury, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I love this photo even it is blurry! We were driving down the road and i turned around to get the shot. I will go back soon and do a nice long exposure.

Exposure: 1 sec (1)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 60 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Yesterdays Storm Clouds.

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Street Dogs!!

Oct 7 2008 6:30P

Bluebird

St Louis, Missouri

They are playing in St Louis






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Morning Sun...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

DSC09407: Pine Tree

DSC09407, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

All were taken with the Minolta 35-105mm F 3.5-4.5 Lens. Pine Tree This was just a little DOF trial with the new lens.

Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 45 mm
ISO Speed: 200

DSC09539: At Night...

DSC09539: At Night..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

This was taken with the Minolta 35-105mm F 3.5-4.5 Lens. I was trying to see how it did at night doing timed exposures and traffic trails. I have the Sky A-1 filter on the lens as well. It is a very crisp lens.

Exposure: 5 sec (5)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Picture Comparison...

I took this one several days ago using the Quantaray LD 70-300mm f4-5.6 Tele-Macro:

Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 160 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Taken with the Minolta 35-105 f/3.5-4.5:

Exposure: 0.4 sec (2/5)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200


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DSC09382

DSC09382, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

This was taken with the Minolta 35-105mm F 3.5-4.5 Lens.

I took this at a friend's home today. He just got out of the hospital and someone gave him this get well flower arrangement. I walked over to his home to show him the new lens. He is a shutter bug as well.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Flash: Flash fired

Before the rain...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

MP3 Player.

MP3 Player., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

My MP3 player on our bed. The white really stands out against the orange and tan. It is a 40gig Creative Zen Touch. I bought it in 2005 while i lived in Massachusetts.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Flash: Flash fired

Photo of the week!

I got the photo of the week at 90.7 KWMU located in St Louis.

Use this link to go there.
http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/arts.artsmain

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ZZ Bush

ZZ Bush, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I love the way this plants looks. The leaves are so glossy! The green really contrasts with the white wall behind it. The different angles that the stalks go are real nice against the wall as well. I love the glossy leaves that they have and they are very easy to take care of.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/10
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Flash fired

Bike Ride on Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning we rode the MCT trail system as the GORC mountain bike trails were very wet and muddy. We started our ride at 7.45am and made a 20 mile loop tarting at New Poag road and riding do to I255 and then back to our starting point. Total ride time was about 1.40 minutes.

We rode the Orange trail south to the MCT Bluff trail, then back to MCT Nature Orange Trail, connected to the Schoolhouse Red trail back to the Goshen trail north to the Watershed Blue to our parking area.

It was a besutiful morning and i cannot wait to go and do it this week at the regular GORC/SIUE ride at 6pm on Thursday evening.


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The Night Light

The Night Light, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

A light at a neighbor's home. I love the light cast on the wall.

Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100

New Lens on the way!!

MINOLTA MAXXUM 35-105mm AF f/3.5-4.5 w/MACRO "RESTYLED"

I got this little diddy on EBAY for around $80 in perfect condition!! Here are several pics of the lens. I should have it home by Tuesday. I will post some pics when i get it.

---

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Spider Web.

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone. Saw it before our ride this morning.
From RMStringer

Sun through trees...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Morning fog...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

DSC06709

DSC06709, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

More From The Zoo Set. Taken in the Butterfly Dome.

Gold and Green. I wished that his wings had been unfolded to get a better photo of him. It is a Monarch butterfly.

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Flash fired

DSC06710

DSC06710, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

More From The Zoo Set. Taken in the Butterfly Dome.

This butterfly is really pretty. I love the colors that it has. On the rocks, it really stands out.

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 140 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Flash fired

DSC06741

DSC06741, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

More From The Zoo Set. Taken in the Butterfly Dome.

I love the background on this photo. The blur was really done well. The flower very delicate, is in focus and the butterfly is not in full focus.

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 150 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Flash fired

30 ft off ground!

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Stainless Steel Life...

Stainless Steel Life..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

This stuff has been sitting on my CD case since i unloaded it. I placed it that way about two weeks ago. I was just shooting around the house and it caught my eye. Very interesting contrast between the steel, wood, and wall. I used a Rear Flash on this photo.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 120 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Flash fired

Bokeh Portrait...

Bokeh Portrait..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Me looking through the window located on the stairs. I thought that this was a really cool Bokeh example. It turned out very nice they way i was in focus but the trees outside were blurry and my reflection on the glass in focus.

Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Close to the Cross...

Close to the Cross..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

A close up photo of the old cross on a tombstone.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 130 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Amy Goodman Arrested!

Dear Friend,

I'm outraged by St. Paul law enforcement's overly aggressive and violent tactics to stifle independent journalism.

Yesterday, police in St. Paul arrested several journalists, including Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and an AP photographer as they were covering protests of the Republican National Convention. Get involved in this campaign by demanding that press intimidation cease immediately, and that all charges be dropped.

Take action at: https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?id=281
To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?s_oo=HI8flVZHFt_7r-5TnlSCoA..&id=281
If the text above does not appear as a link or it wraps across multiple lines, then copy and paste it into the address area of your browser.

A Tac Weld...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Metal Fab...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Flickr Scripts.

I use this all the time when i am on Flickr It is a great script when used in conjunction with Greasemonkey. This is the page where i got most of the scripts that i use when i am on Flickr. http://userscripts.org/tags/flickr This is the link for many useful scripts.

Flickr - Multi Group Sender

It overrides the flickr "Send to Group" button above your photo/video and lets you send your Flickr image or video to multiple groups simultaneously

Donate

If you like the script, find it useful, or it saves you a lot of time, please make a donation, to show your appreciation

About

This script enables you to easily send your Flickr images/videos to multiple groups at the same time. It works by overriding the normal "Send To Group" button on your flickr photo page.

Screenshot

Heres a screenshot of the script in action:

Share this Script on Flickr

More Flickr Scripts

This script and all my other Flickr Greasemonkey scripts and some other Flickr programming projects are available on Steeev's Flickr Tools and Projects Page

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DSC09205

DSC09205, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Old Cross weathered with a backdrop of blue sky.

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 100

DSC09207

DSC09207, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Another Cross...

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Sitting 1.3

Sitting 1.3, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I love her reflection in the window. I used my Rear Flash for this. The Bokeh is nice as the window is in focus with her but the trees are blurry. Really cool effect if you ask me. There is some nice contrasting between her and the window seal. It is really hard to see her feet.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Flash: Flash fired

DSC08246

DSC08246, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Another Pass from the C130!

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Labor Day Party!

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Reflected Crown

Reflected Crown, originally uploaded by _davidh_.

I found this photo in a group that i am in. It is called 469 Photographer

"Reflected Crown

I was surprised to find this reflection, hadn't had that on any other drops shots. Clutching at straws, but I say it's something different!".
Uploaded by _davidh_ on 24 Aug 08, 12.40AM CDT.

Marigold 1.6

Marigold 1.6, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

This whole series was an experiment in Depth Of Field (DOF) for me. I used many different settings to get the effects that are seen here in this set of photographs. I love the flowers to the front being in sharp focus and the ones to the rear getting more and more blurry or called by the correct term, Bokeh.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Sunflower 1.8

Sunflower 1.8, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Another in the Sunflower Set that i took about two weeks ago. I wonder what it is looking at. I love the fuzz that is lighted up due to the direction of the sun. If you look closely, you can see a bug at the 9pm position on the left center.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 180 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Another shot!

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Evening sky!

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Mack's Acceptance Speech

 

Thanks to Mac for letting me publish this on my Blog.

 

Take That, You Rascally Republicans

 

All the world turns its attention to the upper midwest this week, because when you're talking about Republicans in Minnesota, you're talking about some serious excitement, boy!  When Uncle Edgar and Aunt Mabel wear their funny made-in-China Uncle Sam hats and start chugging some discount-store champagne on the convention floor, sooooeeeee, look out!

 

I just want all of You People out there beneath the embracing wings of my private jet to know that I am waiting for The Call to serve you, my little People, you 'umble little working men and women who keep the wheels of American industry turning, as your next President and Saviour.  Indeed, I pre-pre-release my pre-prepared pre-acceptance speech, for which in return my underground banks of secret computers manned…um…personned by my operatives are even now mining your personal computers for information:

 

My fellow Americans,

 

As I stand here tonight, bathed in the glorious reflected light of myself, the guy for whom I have been waiting, pushing the envelope and thinking outside the box, I just want you to know that the future lies ahead.  The past is behind us.  Tomorrow is another day.  We have nothing to love but love itself. Nothing stands between us and the spirit of victory except the spirit of defeat.

 

Yes, we can – we can use commas to set single nouns of affirmation apart from independent clauses.

 

My running mate is a Washington outsider who brings years of Washington experience to the ticket in order to call upon veteran lawmakers to revolutionize business as usual in order to bring America to a brave new dawn of hope, because, after all, yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is a new day, and the sun shines on all persons regardless of creed, color, or walk of life.

 

As we open a new chapter of life on the long and weary road to a brave new world, the key to the future will unlock the envelope of opportunity for all, equality especially for the marginalized who build this great country daily with the sweat of their tears and the muscles of our toils. 

 

Let us ensure that never again will Joe Six-Pack and John and Mary Catholic be burdened with having to think too much about errant hyperbole or have to deconstruct shades of meanings, or meanings of shades, because the blue-collar little people need to sit around their kitchen tables as they plan in hope the riding of their bicycles to their humble little jobs as they save the planet from global warming caused by a failure to think outside the pre-paid mailer and the inefficient recycling of fueled fossils and solar wind power for all the people of the world in peace, love, and harmonic convergence because life is like a delicate flower that must be gently nourished so that it will grow to be like a mighty oak sheltering the world from America's occupation of Tibet.

 

My fellow Americans, let the nuance go forth from this second and minute and hour and decade from this night which defines a new generation of nurturing and loving souls who are passionate in their dedication for an America which looks more like the world, and a world which embraces each other in her loving arms because at the end of the day the bottom line is that we are all children of Mother Earth who is crying for her children through tears stained by pollution and a failure to love as the green torch of hope is passed from loving hand to loving hand and from loving windmill to loving windmill in the ever-expanding passionate quest from renewable energy sources under the selfless guardianship of my old pal T-Bone, who also just happens to own most of the ground under which those windmills sit.

 

I also want to thank my spiritual leader, The Reverend Doctor Bishop Brother Billy-Bob Hairdo of the Bright Light Free Will Four Square Full Gospel Holiness Sanctified Temple Fellowship Outreach of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Lamb and Taco Stand, your Visa Card welcome.  I know he would love to be here with you tonight, but he got crossways of the district attorney and is even now being brutally tortured in a FEMA trailer.

 

With an unfailing confidence in the future that the sun will shine bright on a new America cleansed of last week's news because it is all so last year, I pledge to you, my fellow Americans, my pledgeness that I will pledge to serve you in my beingness of soul and extend my blue-collar backgroundness through my simple Spode china dinner settings at a table open through all the highways and byways of this great land to all God's / Buddha's / Allah's / Gaia's children.  With all my layered humility I pledge to thank you with all my heart and soul and prayers and thoughts.

 

-30-

 

A casual perusal of the Democratic Party Convention reveals that that all the delegates are old and wear funny hats, rather like Uncle Bert and Aunt Ethel getting giddy on Sam's Club champagne on New Year's Eve, and wearing lampshades. Where are the young Democrats?

A Fly...Crop

A Fly...Crop, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I just wanted to see what a cropped photo of the fly would look like. It is a little soft but a good photo non the less.

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Sunflower 1.3

Sunflower 1.3, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Not ready just yet to open. I need to go and check to see how big it has gotten.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 210 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Sunflower 1.1

Sunflower 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I took this photo last week. Look at the bees and other bugs on the flower. The must also like sunflowers. I like this photo about as much as i like the other sunflower pic i took during this set.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 200 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Evening sun.

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

A Fly...

A Fly..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I saw these flowers at a home today so i stopped to get a few photos. This flower for some reason has a fly on it. I do not know why. I took several photos of it and this turned out to be the best.

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Steeple 1.1

Steeple 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Here is the complete steeple of the St Clair's Church. I really like it and it can be seen from a great distance away. The red and black really contrasts with the blue sky.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100