Two days turn into six

[DrEntropy]

Went to mum-in-law's place Thursday to attend youngest nephew's wedding the next day, taking MIL with us ninety miles up the east coast and returning her home that evening. Mits and I to return here to the hovel on Saturday. At least that was The Plan...

Toyota "threw a shoe" (right front wheel bearing) half-way across Alligator Alley on the way down. Horrible grinding sounds. Limped to Mum's home slowly. Rented a car for one day on Friday AM to get to the church on time and back, had the Toyota hauled to a shop. The shop manager said "Monday or Tuesday" as they were busy. Mits came back on the train to work on Monday, I stayed behind to wait for the repair. Spent two days without transport. Alleviated boredom by taking a camera on short walkabouts. Returned today.

Some of the results:

Urban wildlife






Full moon over Miami Monday eve, flat on my back with the 300mm:

 

[GregW]

I'd say that was a successful birding expedition.

 

[DrEntropy]

I'd say that was a successful birding expedition.

The neighborhood is a retirement community, lots of folks out for a daily walk in the early AM. On Saturday at sunrise I'd opened the trunk-lid of the rental and sat on the edge waiting for the ducks 'n squirrels. A woman passing by commented and I told her I had an urban duck blind. Tho hardly needed, as the ducks had no fear of humans and would even follow folks down the street. "Shooting ducks in a barrel" is about accurate. I now have a reference library of dozens of DUCK photos!

 

[Basil]

Picture #3 looks like a Northern Mockingbird that has gone south for the winter. Nice shot, great bokeh.

 

[Basil]

Just for grins I ran your Mocking Bird through Topaz Sharpen AI program. Here's the original and the "Sharpened" - Your original was only slightly soft, so not a huge difference, but there is some. (Slightly sharper eye and a bit more detail on the feathers, especially at the top of the head).

 

[DrEntropy]

A different frame of the Moon photo. Looked more closely at the several shots and this one is a bit sharper. Ran it thru Darktable to further sharpen and dial in a bit more contrast. Cropped the shot fairly severely, too. For being basically a "hand-held" image it seems acceptable:

 

[Basil]

Definitely not bad for hand held.

 

[DrEntropy]

 

[Basil]

View attachment 84131

Is this the same fellow in your first picture?

 

[DrEntropy]

Yup. That's him. Followed me around.

 

[Basil]

Yup. That's him. Followed me around.

Musta been attracted to the sound of those flip flops!

 

[DrEntropy]

Looked thru the images from that first trip again, found a couple sharper shots.

Full frame:



cropped: