An update on the “N” stories and other stuff

Perry and Gary have sent me their “N” stories . . . and I’m close to getting an idea for a story. Yes, I’m late again. If I get hit by a flash of inspiration and a case of fast-finger-typing, there’s a small chance I might be able to put something up later . . . 

. . .but — realistically — I’m more likely to have something by tomorrow. Still, I want to post something . . .

Remember that guy? He appeared in THIS<<link post.

I want to share something . . . the 1:1 crop showing the amount of noise in the original photo.

Notice how much cleaner the processed photo is in comparison. The power of Topaz Denoise AI.

Once I have that, I can do this . . .

But, I want to show some recent files . . .

Some might remember my post featuring hummingbirds just outside my window. Well, they are still there, and even more of them.

Here’s the main dude guarding the feeder. Personally, if he would just concentrate on drinking his share as opposed to fighting off other hummers, he’d be a lot better off because he wouldn’t waste as much energy . . . but, like in humans, greed and avarice are powerful drives.

The weird reflection on his eye is the frame of the window I’m shooting through. Now, that’s not a bad photo . . . but here’s a 1:1 crop of the original (click for a larger view) . . .

As you can see, very noisy . . . that’s because it’s shot at 1/3200 sec shutter speed, f/6.3, and an ISO of 20000 (yes, 20,000). You see, I wanted to freeze the movement of the wings.

Again, the path from the noisy original to the clean output goes through Topaz Denoise and Color Efex Pro 4.

Here’s another shot (this one at ISO 28800) . . .

But, I mentioned I wanted to freeze me some wings . . . first, let me explain the bird tries to perch on the shepherd’s hook where the feeder is hanging . . . and, of course, it’s much bigger than the grip of his tiny feet in addition to being smooth. So he often slips . . . and flaps his wings to balance.

Again, high shutter speed, very high ISO. Also, this is shot with the 70-300mm lens. Eventually, I’ll post the better shots I snapped using the 105mm macro lens.

By the way, here’s the 1:1 crop of the above before processing.

Here’s a shot of him mooning me . . .

And here’s the reaction of a female that was trying to drink as he launches from his perch for the ungentlemanly attack . . .

And, yes, I also have videos . . . in both slow-motion and ultra-slow-motion. Some were shot outside (by the same feeder) holding the phone no more than a foot away from the feeder. Others were shot from inside using the D7500 and 105mm lens.

I’ll probably try to get a hummingbird to land on my finger, although it might be difficult to capture.

OK, I need to start writing if I want to end up with a story by tomorrow.

You can see the full-size photos in the SmugMug Gallery HERE.<<<Link

By the way . . . we are halfway through the Alphabet Challenge and that gallery now has 524 photos. I will probably start a new gallery for the second half of the challenge.

Meanwhile, here’s a gallery of the above . . .

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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