Non-idle hands, and all that

Posted on 3August2019 by

Sometimes life has one sit and wait for stuff to happen. Like, for instance, a few times this week.

Well, then, one takes out their Note 8 — if one has a Note 8 — and snaps a few photos.

Those were hanging in a dentist’s office, of all places.

Other times, one takes out their Note 8 — if one has a Note 8 — and plays with said photos. One plays with the Snapseed App.

See, one took those photos trying to minimize reflections on the picture’s glass, including the potential for an accidental selfie.

Continue reading →

Posted in Android apps, Effects and Filters, Photo Post-processing, Photoshop Express, Samsung Note 8, Smartphone Photography, SnapSeed, Software | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Got me more hummers videos

Posted on 29July2019 by

hummingbirds are very distracting, I tell you what.

Take, for instance, yesterday evening. I wanted to work on a few things but I kept hearing them . . . humming.

. . . so I went out with my phone . . .

I’m about two feet away. The trick is to not make any sudden movements. Also, I’ve learned — or think I’ve learned — they react much more to eye movement than to other small movements. That’s why I either wear sunglasses or keep the phone between them and my eyes.

There’s a problem with keeping the phone too close . . . sometimes I don’t notice the shot isn’t in focus.

Still, I captured some decent slow-motion shots. These are “regular” slow motion (1/8 speed). Samsung “improved” the video editing software to where it’s now near impossible getting a clip of what I want from a longer video so I had to jump a few hoops to get these next three clips the way I wanted them.

This first video is about a minute long and includes the visual treat of watching a hummingbird crap in slow motion . . .

This next video is one minute and twenty seconds long and shows the interaction between hummingbirds.

This next video is two minutes and there’s a short “dead zone” in the middle that I could not clip out. Maybe someday I’ll invest the money and time on a decent editor.

I could have stood out there much longer but a mosquito came near and bit me while I was filming. I figured it was time to head back in because where there’s one mosquito there are many.

Today, I kept inside . . . but saw things like the scene in the following twenty seconds video. It’s not a great video because it’s shot through glass and a screen, but it gives you an idea.

That’s quite the sight . . . five birds on one feeder. I’m guessing they were exhausted from chasing each other and had to take a break and refuel. Mind you, these scenes don’t last long.

Here’s another thing that was happening all afternoon. Watch the whole thing.

. . . to think I was concerned about attracting hummers . . .

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

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, it’s definitively a good idea to read both the About page and the FAQ page.

Posted in Animation and Movies, My YouTube, Video | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Haines – Alaska Cruise 2017 – Part 3

Posted on 28July2019 by

Note: this is a long post. I mean it; long, long, long post. If you just want the photos, go to the bottom and check out the gallery sans the witty, incisive, profound, and irreverent banter.

This is the third and final post documenting our September 12, 2017, visit to Haines, Alaska, a long-delayed continuation of my documentation of our 2017 Alaska Cruise. Previous posts relating to this cruise is HERE. The following introduction is the same as that of previous posts so that’s something else you can skip.

There’s a gallery at the end of each post and a SmugMug gallery HERE. Photos in SmugMug can be viewed full-size. Note that the SmugMug gallery will contain all the photos from Haines; those from this post (Part 3) and those of the previous two posts.

You can click on the photos in the body of this post to see a larger-but-less-than-full-size-version. If there’s a panorama, I’ll link the full-size files but be warned . . . they’re typically huge. Huger than people have ever seen before. Don’t click on those links unless you’re enjoying a biggly Interweb connection. Also, if you have biggly Interweb but you’re reading this on a phone — which is sad; VERY SAD — I wouldn’t bother with the full-size photos because they are HUGE; huger than anyone else’s huge photos. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska 2017, Boats/Ships, Macro Photography, Nikon P900, Photography Stuff, Photos, Samsung Note II, Travel Stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A litle of this and a little of that

Posted on 27July2019 by

On a recent update, Samsung added the capability for Super-slow Motion to the Note 8. Mind you, it’s very limited. By limited, I mean that you can only shoot a few seconds of video and end up with about 6 seconds of slow motion captures.

The problem is that you have to catch whatever you want to film just right . . .

I’m about 18-24 inches away from these guys, for them who want to know. Continue reading →

Posted in Animation and Movies, My YouTube, Photography Stuff, Samsung Note 8, Smartphone Photography, SnapSeed, Software, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A quick video out my window

Posted on 27July2019 by

When we moved here, I was a bit concerned (but hopeful) about whether I’d be able to attract and see hummingbirds.

This next video is of poor quality because it was shot out my office window . . . through a window and screen.

Mind you, it’s not as good as some of THESE, but I’ll be getting some from outside soon since they are already pretty used to me being around.

Hmm . . . this is a pretty short post.

Oh, well . . . it’s how it’s gotta be.

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

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, it’s definitively a good idea to read both the About page and the FAQ page.

Posted in Animation and Movies, My YouTube, Video | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Another all too common modern tale

Posted on 23July2019 by

“Did you hear what that {not a nice word} (liberal/Democrat or conservative/Republican) said?”

“No; what did they say?”

“They said something I don’t agree with, and now I’m so mad! I wish they would just shut up! In fact, they shouldn’t be allowed to say those things.”

“Did they come up to you to say it?”

“No, I read it in a newsletter I subscribe to.”

“Wait; why are you subscribing to their newsletter?”

“No, it’s not their newsletter; it’s a newsletter keeping track about what those {not a nice word} (liberals/Democrats or conservatives/Republicans) are saying. And not just what they are saying but what the most radical of them are saying. I get so mad when I read it, I tell you what!”

“If it makes you mad, why do you subscribe to it?”

“Because if you don’t keep track of what those {not a nice word} (liberals/Democrats or conservatives/Republicans) say, you can’t argue against them!”

“Ah . . . so, then, you have a counter-argument to what they say. Good job!”

“What? No! I just want them to shut up about (random hot-button issue) because I don’t like hearing it. Didn’t you hear me? I get so mad I could pop a vein!”

“Let me get this straight; you go out of your way to read about what people you don’t agree with say just so you can complain that you heard it and feel indignant enough to wish they would shut up about it?”

“Well . . . yeah . . .”

“It sounds like you want to get mad.”

“No, I don’t want to get mad; that’s the point! I want them to shut up.”

“You seriously want someone — presumably, the government — to keep them silent so you don’t have to hear it?”

“Well . . . yeah. I mean, look, (liberals/Democrats or conservatives/Republicans) are the cause of everything that’s wrong, and they aim to make things worse. That’s what makes me mad.”

“But, don’t they feel the same way about the stuff you believe?”

“Well . . . yeah; I guess.”

“And, you want to be able to keep saying the stuff you believe, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“But you want them to shut up?”

“Yes; I don’t want to hear that stuff.”

“But, but . . . you wouldn’t have heard it if you hadn’t gone out looking for it!”

“Well, I know they’re saying those things and even worse, and I want to make sure I keep on top of it! Why, I even heard they torture small animals . . . and I want to hear about it in detail!”

“But, if you know that, why go looking for it just so you can be mad? I mean, it seems unhealthy.”

“I need to keep myself motivated; not allow myself to be complacent.”

“Wait; if you don’t hear this stuff, you won’t vote for your (Democratic or Republican) candidates? You wouldn’t support your party or causes?”

“No, of course not! I’ll always vote for my candidates. I’m loyal (liberal/Democrat or conservative/Republican) and never question anything we do, and I always criticize everything the opposition does!”

“Let me summarize: you want the right to always express your opinion and views, but you think others — those who don’t agree with you — should shut up. Or even better, be made to shut up.”

“Well . . . yeah . . . Yeah, dagnabbit! I shouldn’t have to listen to opinions that differ from my own!”

” . . . we are so screwed . . . “

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

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

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, it’s definitively a good idea to read both the About page and the FAQ page.

Posted in Just Stuff, Other, Writing Stuff | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Fifty Years Ago On A Sea Far, Far Away

Posted on 20July2019 by

I’m reasonably certain anyone wanting their fill of Apollo 11 has been thoroughly satisfied with the coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing. I vaguely remember it but — as I’ve mentioned before — to my then 16-year-old eyes and expectations, it didn’t seem that extraordinary.

I mean, yes; amazing that we went to the moon, but — at the time — it was a foregone conclusion that it would happen. Not only that, many assumed that it was just a precursor to us going to the stars (and no, I don’t mean the Kardashians . . . they weren’t a thing back then).

We know the rest of the story . . . but, perhaps, when you have a chance and you remember to do so, raise your eyes and really look at the moon.

I confess to my current ignorance as to where Apollo 11 landed. I knew once, oh so long ago, but today, I had to look it up. And then, I wanted to map it onto my own photo of the moon.

Take a moment to ponder that twelve people landed on that spot (roughly a quarter of a million miles away)

It was surprisingly difficult finding simple references to locating the landing site. Many of NASA’s photos of the site are close-ups and my cursory look didn’t land me on any page that explained where to look when staring up at the Moon . . . hence this post.

I used a combination of sources to map the site as accurately as I could on my photo. Here’s a close-up.

I could be (on that scale) a millimeter or two off from the exact location. I triangulated a number of photos using surrounding terrain features and intersected a number of lines to come up with that spot.

HERE is a neat photo from NASA that shows the footprints path the crew left on their visit.

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

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, it’s definitively a good idea to read both the About page and the FAQ page.

Posted in Photography Stuff, Photos | Tagged , , | 14 Comments