This is why I need a new computer.
1/2000, f,6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I think this drake Northern Pintail was lost. Or blind. Or maybe both. I almost never see pintails on this large pond and those few I do see are extremely wild and shy. But six days ago while I was shooting from my tripod on the shore this guy plopped down in the water right next to me, as if he didn’t even know I was there. And I actually don’t think he did because about three seconds later, when he realized how very close I was, he exploded out of the water and was gone. I only had time to get off two shots of him in a burst.
Despite the fact that the light was a little harsh on his bright whites I decided to post this photo for two reasons. Around here Northern Pintails tend to be a pretty difficult subject because of their shyness. As a result I don’t have many quality photos of them so I was happy to get this one, even though it’s ‘just’ a duck on the water.
The other reason I’m posting this photo is because I didn’t have a lot of choice. My primary computer has been slowly dying for over a year now and as of the last few days it’s on life support. To say that Photoshop and my photo organizer aren’t communicating well with each other is an understatement. Last night it took me over an hour to get both programs up and running but I never could get them to recognize each other so I could search for an image to post and then import it into Photoshop for processing. But even without the organizer I knew approximately where this image was in my files so eventually I found it and imported it into Photoshop. Finding any other precise image would have been an impossible task.
So late yesterday afternoon I purchased a new computer. The task for today, one I’m definitely not looking forward to, is to get it up and running and all my required programs and apps loaded and playing well together.
Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally have time to begin to learn how to use my new camera, the Canon R5.
Ron
A handsome quacker for sure! I love all birds so there is never “just” an anything for me.
The Northern Pintail is stunning! Sounds like he was very focused on landing and did not recognize the ‘stranger on the shore’. I have never seen a Pintail in NC. And you are very brave to tackle at new computer and a new camera! I would be overwhelmed and asking for help with the computer from a 12 year old!
Believe me, Melanie – I’m overwhelmed and asking for help too.
Ron- Sounds like you might as well buy a new smart phone at this point…spend all your time updating tech stuff.
Marcia, I’ve been having nightmares about my phone biting the dust right now.
Good luck with that. I get that feeling of depressed anxiousness that comes with tackling a new piece of tech just reading about it.
I know the feeling, Michael. Intimately.
Ron,
New Camera, New Computer. Christmas in March!
Best,
Stephen
Christmas, sorta. A painful Christmas but it should be fun when (if) everything finally comes together.
It’s not really winter here for me until the Northern Pintails flocks arrive at the nearby harbor. For some reason, my impression is that they seem to be considered close to Mallards as not worth mentioning. They definitely are as your photo demonstrates.
I’m glad you didn’t share your decision-making process for what kind of computer you got. The comments section on choosing a camera were long enough. Opinions on computers would probably have run into the thousands.š
Lyle, let’s just say I ended up getting a gaming computer, even though I’m not a gamer. With the heavy loads I put on my primary computer a gaming computer was the overwhelming consensus among the “experts” regarding what I needed.
And with the new camera those loads will only get bigger. The image files of the R3 are huge.
I donāt envy you setting up the new computer or ārelearningā all the bells and whistles on the new camera. But I certainly appreciate you keeping the American economy humming!
Nice picture too!
I’m doing my darned best with the economy, Ken. This kind of thing has to come to a screeching halt for me. And soon.
That is a handsome duck! Congrats on the new computer and it’s never too early for whiskey (or tequila) when tech is involved. I make my living in the tech world (30+years!) so am expert on this topic š
” itās never too early for whiskey (or tequila) when tech is involved”
I’m quickly becoming a devout believer in that, Kathleen.
I enjoy “messing about with computers” and that was one of the reasons I got involved in digital photography. But …. it takes more “messing about” than I desired. Good luck with the computer and camera setup processes. Looking forward to seeing your images acquired with the new camera.
David, at the moment I’d rank “messing about with computers” only one notch above multiple root canals on the same day.
Ron, with all that’s new on your tech plate, needing your attention RIGHT NOW, thank you for making the effort to still post a beautiful bird for your ever eager audience. Good luck with the technical gremlins. Looking forward to the new glories you will produce!
Carolyn, thanks for appreciating the effort. Depending on how things go today I may or may not be able to post in the next day or two.
When a computer works itās a beautiful thing… when it doesnāt I want to throw it thru a windowāļøGood luck with your new oneš
Thank you, Diana.
Ooh, the double-whammy. Sorry about the computer, Ron. Keeping everything crossed that the setup and transfer of all your files is as smooth as this gorgeous duck’s graceful head and neck. What a beauty he is.
Thanks for your good wishes, Marty. I’m going to need them. I’m in the process now.
Is it too early for whiskey?
it’s 5:30 pm someplace.
It’s never too early for a good Single Malt Scotch. š„
I’ve never seen a ‘pinny’ on the pond if it’s where I’m thinking. New camera and new computer all in a week! What an exciting and tasking time. Congrats!
Yup, it’s “our” pond, Shane. Come to think of it, this bird may be the ONLY pintail I’ve ever seen there. And I saw him for only about 3 seconds. When he took off he he left the area of the pond completely, I doubt he’ll be back.
Ron– I am old enough, and think you are too, to remember the constant
persuasion that “Computers will make everything we do SO MUCH FASTER and EASIER “…..Ha! They’ve brought a lot of good things with them, but arguably not those two !
Kris, life used to be so much simpler. I realize that’s both a good thing and a bad thing, but still…
You are really now deep in high tech tasks. Just starting a new very high tech camera and now adding a new computer. I am a very low tech guy Ron that would have to hire somebody to do both.
Northern Pintails – one of my duck favorites, are very present here in large numbers and never shy. I have often been very close to them when taking photos. Maybe because there are so many they tend not to be shy?
Good luck with all your projects.
Everett, around here pintails have a lot of hunting pressure so they learn to be skittish or they don’t survive.
Just wondering: will there ever come a time in our lives when we decide after a computer (or some other “appliance” that we have adopted as essential) dies that we decide NOT to replace it? Will we ever live without computers? if so, how???
“Will we ever live without computers?”
Sue, old farts like us almost certainly never will. I think computers have become a little like sprinkler systems – can’t live with them and can’t live without them.
Lovely shot of the Pintail….. š Very nice feather detail and the blue on the bill really shows up.
Don’t envy you the computer setup task – at least it didn’t just crash on you!
Dreary here also.
“at least it didnāt just crash on you”
Not yet anyway. But it’s been close. Thanks, Judy.
Hello Ron, I’ve recognized your comment “as if he didnāt even know I was there. And I actually donāt think he did”. My many years in the fields & timber with a variety of Wildlife encounters have convinced myself; Wildlife (on wings or legs) have a tunnel vision of single focus on a primary objective (your Pintail water landing) and, like your encounter, are oblivious to the surroundings, especially if you were standing motionless. Just my thoughts.
I think you’re right, Donald. And yes, I had been standing motionless when he landed.
Uh oh, a new camera AND a new computer!! in the same week??? That’s a recipe for a dangerously steep learning curve š
“Thatās a recipe for a dangerously steep learning curve”
Not to mention the hit to my finances.
I feel your pain. My computer has become nonresponsive since last Sunday, and Iām hoping that my computer support person can palpate it back into life today. If not, I will be singing the blues! Right along with youā¦
I guess we both have to keep breathing, right? And get some sun on our faces.
That’s the other problem, Alison. Apparently there’ll be no “sun on my face” for a while. The weather forecast looks ugly for photography for the foreseeable future.
Good luck with your computer!
Exciting times in the Dudley Household or Photography Household!!
Exciting and stressful, Dick.
Stressful here too, but for different reasons!
Hey as long as we stay engaged we will live a while longer!!!!! VBG!!!!
As I face the dark at the end of the tunnel, I’m finding the same to be true. I never minded quiet times when I was younger, but now I feel that even stress is better than extended opportunities for boredom… stay engaged, yes indeed!
Cheryl,
Glad you agree – Nature and photography are one way to stay engaged, it is the tonic that keeps me going!