Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Retirement

Preparing to Photograph the Eclipse

filter.jpgI ordered some solar filters for all of our cameras so we can try to get images of the annular solar eclipse in May. The filters aren’t very substantial since they are made with cardboard tubing and have polymer filters, but they are cost-effective (~$10 each) and they work.

The filters come with an adhesive felt liner that you install to allow a snug fit when you slip the filter over the objective lens of the camera. Once installed, the filter doesn’t interfere with the auto-focus mechanisms nor with any other camera function.

Image: Solar filter slipped over my Canon SX-40 with inset of solar photo – click to enlarge

After some experimentation, I found that trying to use the cameras in auto modes (other than auto-focus) does not give good results; camera motion would blur most images. I tried using a tripod, but getting the image centered in the camera was taking too long. The eclipse would be over before getting all the proper adjustments.

I finally settled on using the camera in manual mode where you can independently set the film speed, aperture and shutter speed. I settled on ISO 3200 film speed, F5.6 for the aperture and 1/1250 second shutter speed. Holding the camera in my hands, the image was good enough to resolve sunspot 1445 currently transiting the solar surface. I uploaded a large image of the sun to the image viewer. Click on the link to view.

31 Mar 2012 by Astronomy Photography Retirement

More Thoughts About the New Camera

telephoto.jpgI’ve had the new Canon SX40 HS camera for over a couple of weeks now and I am still getting used to all the features. This camera is just enough different from the old PowerShot that I have to think about how to operate it.

One thing I like a lot is the camera’s ability to zoom in on distant objects and get a clear image even though the camera is not on a tripod. The cottontail in the image above was sitting under a cholla about 25 yards up the wash behind our house. The red-eyed black bird was a bit closer, about 10 yards up in a mesquite tree across the road.

The viewfinder is sort of interesting; it’s not optics but rather there is an LCD display monitor behind the eyepiece. It acts as though it were a viewfinder on an SLR like Damsel’s Canon XTi. It takes a little getting used to it, but it works OK. If you open the flat panel display, it becomes active and the viewfinder is disabled.

Later this week, we’re going to take a trip across the Arizona Outback and head to some friends that live on the Colorado River near Parker, AZ. I plan to take a lot of pictures during the excursion. It will be our first trip in the new mobile home.

Click on the image above to enlarge.

25 Mar 2012 by Photography Retirement Travel

Hitched!

Damsel took this photo shortly after the dealer hitched our new travel trailer to the CapnBobMobile. The trailer is now safely parked in the RV pullthrough at our home in Wickenburg. Click on the image to enlarge. You can see the trailer in the RV port here.

hitched.jpg

14 Mar 2012 by Retirement Travel Wanderlust

New Camera Preliminary Evaluation

composite.jpgAbout a week and a half ago, I blogged about a new camera I ordered. Yesterday, the post office delivered my new Canon SX40 HS. I unpacked the box last night and followed the getting started instructions this morning.

Image: composite of four photos I took today – click to enlarge.

As soon as I finalized the order last week, I downloaded the users manuals from the Canon website. I browsed through the manual to get familiar with the camera’s controls and specifications which gave me a head start on operations.

So, several times today, I took the camera outside and shot some sample photos. The top left image above is a bird perched in a mesquite tree about fifty feet away. At top right is a neighbors flagpole taken at a range of about 400 feet. Bottom left is a view of the home taken this morning. Finally, bottom right is a Cleveland sage flower I took in the courtyard this afternoon.

I am reasonably pleased with the performance, notably the telephoto images. The image stabilizer works much better on this camera than the old one. Close up photos aren’t usually my thing, but I think the camera performed well on those as well.

Speaking of the bird in the photo above, you may be able to help me identify the species. It is black with white stripes on the bottom of its wings, has a topknot like a jay or cardinal, jumps into the sir like a mocking bird dancing and has a whistle-like call ascending in pitch like a human whistling for a dog to come. You can click here for a large view of this bird. We can’t find it in any of our bird reference books.

09 Mar 2012 by Photography Retirement Travel

Adjusting the BP Meds

sphygmo.jpgThe Good Samaritan Hospital Trauma Center in Phoenix had me wired up to the vital signs monitor after I was admitted following my Humpty Dumpty experience. Thankfully, all the vitals looked good (heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen levels, etc.) except that my blood pressure was curiously lower than I would expect having not taken my BP meds that morning. Indeed, even after spending the night in the hospital, my blood pressure remained normal or a bit lower still despite having taken no BP meds for the second day in a row.

Image: Wrist band blood pressure monitor showing normal reading

Almost two weeks after the incident, I was at the Community Clinic to have the staples removed. During the visit, the Medical Assistant took my blood pressure. It was quite low – like 97 over 53. The PCP discussed this with me and told me to cut the meds in half. That was a week ago.

I got out my little wrist band sphygmomanometer today and took several readings. The at rest readings were still a little low, on the order of 105 over 65, but with normal activity the readings looked quite normal. I am due to go in for another follow-up next week and will further discuss the readings as well as take my wrist model along to see how it stacks up with the clinic’s sphygmo-whatever.

07 Mar 2012 by Medix Retirement

2012 Annular Eclipse Trip Update

eclipse-path.jpg

Since February, we have modified our plans to view the Great Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012. We originally thought that we would like to view the eclipse from Chinle, AZ, near Canyon de Chelly National Park. That would have been nice, but although the RV campgrounds in that area are nice, they don’t offer full hookups for the new travel trailer (electric, water, sewer). So, we redirected our target to another Arizona location near the center line of the eclipse path: Page, AZ, near Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.

I called the campground and confirmed our reservations for the nights of May 19 and 20. The eclipse will occur near sundown on the 20th. If the weather cooperates, we should have front-row seats for the show. I also ordered custom eclipse shades specifically printed for for the 2012 event from Rainbow Symphony.

We also planned a few other stops to maximize our journey into Northern Arizona. Don’t forget that there are some other attractions nearby, such as Grand Canyon, Wupatki, Sunset Crater and lots of Apache and Navajo sights. It’s going to be fun.

03 Mar 2012 by Astronomy Retirement Travel

One Step Closer

I went on-line and applied for an RV loan from our credit union. Within a few minutes, I received an email that said the loan was conditionally approved. A couple of hours after that, a credit union representative called and we discussed some details about income sources and credit history. Tomorrow, a credit union “closer” will be in contact to finalize the deal. It looks like the travel trailer may be here within a week.

Damsel took some photos of the unit we’re probably going to get on the lot yesterday. The slide show below shows some of the interior and exterior details. Roll over images with mouse to pause slideshow – roll out to resume.

01 Mar 2012 by Retirement Wanderlust

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