They did my left eye - the worst - the first Monday in June and my right eye the next Monday. I was wearing glasses to correct for close up and distant vision problems prior to the surgery. I did not have astigmatisms either eye. They also put "Slits" in each eye to lower eye pressure caused by glaucoma. I noticed a big difference in each eye on the second day following the surgery. I was able to pass my vision test for my driver's license without glasses at the end of June. My optometrist told me my vision was good but not 100% closeup. He told me I didn't need glasses. Today - three months later - I do not wear glasses and do not put drops in my eyes anymore. I go back to the ophthalmologist the first week in December to see where I am. I suspect results vary from one person to another; however, I wish I had it done earlier in my case. To me it was a success story!

Bleier, you are correct, The plant is Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) It is a member of the Asteraceae family of plants.

Definitely Downey

Congratulations! I doubt they could have found a better person to be their photographer and friend.

Very nice picture of a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis). I would say it is most likely an older female.

Yes, I have been interested in photography all my life since I was a small child back in the mid 1940s. I was also an avid hunter. I hunted for the food, not the trophy. In any case, I fired my last shot while on my last hunt in Germany in 1982. I now hunt only with a camera and am enjoying it more as I grow older, I am now 76.
I have nothing against hunting animals and go with people on hunts to take pictures. I love the opportunity to be outside enjoying the great outdoors. For me, I made the best decision at the right time.
I certainly hope you enjoy photographing wildlife as much as I do!

I think the best advice anyone can offer is to get out and use your camera. I love mine; however, if I could do it over again I would have bought the D800E. I very strongly recommend you purchase Darrell Young's book, MASTERING THE D800. It is an excellent book and will help you a lot.
I hope you enjoy your new camera as much as I have mine and I wish you the very best.

Congratulations! I have a D7100 and like it very much. It is indeed a fine camera. I purchased MASTERING THE NIKON D7100 by Darrell Young and use it extensively. It is well written and easy to understand. Yes, I still have the Owners Manual but I haven't used it since I got this book. I hope you enjoy your camera.

I have both of the Nikon 70 to 200 MM Lenses (F2.8 and F4.0) Given a choice I much prefer the F4.0 lens because it is lighter, the vibration reduction seems to be more effective, and I get more better pictures with it. It is a superb lens; however, there are times when you just need the 2.8 lens for either the speed or to blur the background. Both are high quality lenses.

The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is an absolutely beautiful park. We have visited it for about three weeks a year for the past twelve years. It is beautiful anytime sun, rain or snow. Trails in the park are spectacular and well maintained. If along a stream they can be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than in Gatlinburg. Porter Creek trail in Greenbrier is a nice trail. One of our favorites is Little River trail in Elkmont. It is a nice flat trail right beside a beautiful stream. A trip up highway 441 to Clingman's Dome is a rewarding trip. A stop at Newfound Gap just before turning off to the dome is worthwhile. There is a nice trail just at the end of the parking area that goes to Andrews Bald. All the "Nature Trails" are enjoyable. A trip to Cataloochee to see the elk is worthwhile. We have never been there when we have not seen elk. You need yo be there in the early morning or (better) the late afternoon. The GSMNP is just full of beautiful things and I couldn't begin to list them all.
You should have a most enjoyable trip. Email me if I can be of any help to you.
Pete

You did! Lighting makes the picture. These pictures are superb! You certainly had better lighting for these pictures. You have to do the best you can with what you have and having flash, a tripod, and reflector makes it easier - provided you can get it to where you are taking the picture.
Again, thanks for sharing these great photos. Dogwood is always a fascinating subject.

Dave, I like ALL of the dogwood pictures. I have a lot of pictures of dogwood blossoms but few good ones. You provided us with some excellent pictures and difficult choices. I sort of like the next to last picture the best because of the background. The picture draws attention to the flower with a very pleasing background for emphasis. I think it depends on what you like too. I like the one where you show the center of the flower. I would say you did a terrific job in capturing all of the shown photos
Pete

Thank you very much. Nice to be welcomed!
Pete

I served in the army for 23 years and purchased my Nikon F camera in Vietnam. I have been with Nikon ever sense. Later on while stationed in Germany I purchased a Roliflex 2 1/4 camera which I loved. We just returned from Texas. We were in San Antonio visiting our daughter and her family. I have never owned a Leica camera but I am sure they are fine cameras. The free shipping almost makes it worth buying; but, I think I'll wait and see if the price drops.
You know, we can buy all these fine cameras and lenses but I'm not sure we're capable distinguishing the difference between them and a good Nikon or Canon lens. Maybe if you crop it and blow it up you could recognize the quality. Now we have the Nikon 800 at 36 mrgapixels. Amazing!

I am new to this forum but not to photography. I started off with a Argus C3 in the 1940s going to a Nikon F SLR camera in 1962 eventually ending my film cameras with a Nikon F5 and went strictly Digital in 2004 with the Nikon D2X. Today I use the Nikon D700 mostly and the Nikon D300 for Wildlife and when I want to use my telephoto lenses.