Thanks Bill ... I go back and forth about the B & W.
Dale

Here's one of mine. Shot at 6am just before it dropped behind the hills. Prescott, AZ

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I went from a Canon G2 to the D100 then D2s and back to the D300 and now the D500. 300 was and still is a great camera but the 500 is far superior but for a starter I'd try to find a nice D300.

Ditto that! Both great, but do rally like #2. Perspective on the horses seems a bit off, probably because had to be above the horse ... but probably just me. Nice color.

Just going over some old images and doing some B & W conversions. Taken in 2004 with my Nikon D100. Definitely an intersting place and I like the B&W look too.

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The only wasp type creature I will go out of my way to kill. I'm a tarantula fan and they don't have a chance against these creatures!!! Other than that, I'm a pretty mellow fellow :)

Have really enjoyed your "Larry" posts Earl. These are really great. I had Australian Bearded Dragon for 10 years (died in March). They would go through a thing peopled called "Brumation" ... Not really a hibernation, just would lay around and do nothing for weeks at a time. Does Larry actually hibernate? Thanks again for the images.
Dale

Oh my .... put that post in late last night and obviously did not proof it. I apologize for the spelling/grammar errors!!!!

Very nice of you. It was actually a new bird for me as well.

Thanks for looking Leicaflex!

With temps cooling and days get slooowly shorter the bird's habits and activity is changing presenting some new opportunities. This morning was at Watson Lake in Prescott. Lake was a bit busy with labor day activity .... kayaks and sail boats. I just found a nice sheltered place in the shade on the back and waited. Technical: Nikon D500 with Nikon 200-500mm F5.6, Hand holding. The latest setup sI have been using is BBF. I have been shooting in manual mode with shutter speed 1,250 and aperture at F10. ISO is on automatic. I carry the system on an OpTech sling with one point of attachment. A little scary but if you hook up both eyelets all of the straps are right in front of you face when you go to shot.The one point of attachment is rated at 140 lbs and my camera and lens equal about 11 lbs. Definitely more comfortable than a neck strap. I must admit that I support the system a bit wit my left hand (I'm left handed so used there "Genger Changers" to make it work for us lefties.

Anyway did get a few decent captures for your perusal. A nice one of a Pied Billed Grebe sitting on a next, A couple of a Green Heron and a new bird for me, a Yellow Headed Blackbird.

I import my RAW files into Lightroom CC. I adjust for Lens Correction then open a tif copy into Topaz DeNoise where I quickly correct the noise. Save the image back to LR. Crop the image and any PP that is needed. I do not sharpen at this time. Now open another copy of the image in ON1 Effects. Here I will generally use "Dynamic Contrast," "Tonal Contrast," and apply a soft vignette and save back to LR Final adjustments are done in LR.

Pied Billed Grebe

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Green Heon coming in for a landing

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Landed

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A small flight of Yellow Headed Blackbirds

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More Yellow Headed Blackbirds

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And Still More

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My wife says "just forget about it, who is this person anyway?" Probably a good idea ... but I can't. You don't know me at all, yet you make these demeaning comments ... compared to all of the others and their helpful suggestions. Granted, I don't know you either but I have a pretty good idea based on your ill informed comments.

Why would you think I know nothing about post processing? Just because I didn't over process the image like you did? I guess I have been "Post Processing" since dodging and burning in the 60s in my darkroom. Yes, I did some processing with that image (currently I use Lightroom, ON1 and Topaz Denoise and, when necessary Photoshop). The detail difference between the left and right side of my image were, as several knowledgeable folks commented, due to several things such as atmospheric haze and phase of the moon. Nothing to do with PP. So, thanks again for taking the time to look at my image and have a nice day.

Great image as usual Regis. Love the detail. By the way, thanks for looking at my moon image from a couple of days ago.
Dale

Not sure what to say. I guess thanks and ..... no comment.

Thank you everyone!!! A lot of really good information from you all. Can't wait for the next one to come around and give these suggestions a try. Thanks again for the prompt and helpful replies.

Dale