Fort Douglas Military Museum

Today is another "long" day at work, so I went to the Fort Douglas Military Museum on my lunch break.  I didn't actually go inside the museum (other than to sign the guest book) but instead I wandered around the outside exhibits, including the 'cannon garden'  (I think that's what the person at the front desk called it), the tanks and the helicopters.

The artillery was pretty cool.

Yeah, okay, this was very cool.

The Sherman tank was pretty cool, too.  I actually didn't realize how small they were...

But I was most interested in the helicopters. 

They have a Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter - it's no wonder these things set world records for speed and endurance - they are teeny.

They also have a Cobra.

Very small cockpit!

And, of course, they have a Huey.

It was a fascinating place to visit, and maybe the next time I visit, I'll actually see what they have inside!

And a final comment; taking a picture a day (or many pictures), especially on "long" days at work, has encouraged me to visit places on campus that I haven't been to in a long time, and I'm really glad that I'm being pushed to get out of my office and "see the sights".

Recently I have been shooting primarily with the D90.  Today's pictures were all taken with the P520, mostly on manual, except for a few shots (like the inside of the Huey) where I was put it on 'auto' and hoped for the best.

Day 212/365.

A few more unidentified birds

I don't know anything more about birds today than I did yesterday.  But apparently 5:45pm is dinner time on the porch...

Waiting in line.

Day 211/365, part two.

Slow-ish Action Photos

Today was another rainy/cloudy day, and I took the girls out for some tennis ball action.  I was a tad lazy and didn't change the lens, and left the 55-200mm lens on.   In an attempt to get photos that weren't totally dark, I dropped the shutter speed to 1/640 (I am usually at 1/1250 at the slowest for action photos).  In hindsight, I probably should have switched lenses.  Ah well.... Lesson learned!

 Day 211/365.

Birdies

I know absolutely nothing about birds; I don't know what kinds of birds are native to the area, I can't identify birds beyond being able to determine that a bird is either a robin or 'not a robin', and I certainly can't tell an African swallow from a European swallow, nor do I know the velocity of the aforementioned swallows...  *ahem*  You get the idea.  So don't ask me what sorts of birds these are.

All I know is that I was getting ready to make dinner when my husband commented that we had some action at the bird feeder.  Of course, I whipped out the camera and got a bunch of photos of birds.

Clearly developing coconut-carrying skills.

I think these two were having a chat.

I don't know what they were chatting about, but it went on for a while.

Birdie gymnastics.

I think this guy was as interested in me as I was in him.

"Just keep shooting away, lady.  It's not like I'm here to eat dinner or anything..."

 

Whatever this is, it is pretty.  Although I'm 99% certain it's not a European sparrow.

Because I hadn't expected the birds, I got some photos of the girls when I got home from work.  For some reason, Abby was looking guilty in all of the photos.  I haven't figured out yet what she's done, but I suspect she's trying to sell beachfront property in Arizona again...

Day 210/365.

Indoor Fun!

It started raining about 10 minutes before we were done with our bike ride, and by the time we made it home, we were seriously considering building an ark.  We need the rain, but it ALL came at once....  Anyhoo, with the rain pouring down and the thunder and lightning, I decided to get some shots of the girls inside.

Bookends.

The girls also got in some squeaky ball time.

Apparently Sasquatches like squeaky balls, too!

And the girls were able to chase down some of the rodents that have been plaguing them as of late!

Day 209/365.