Tuesday, December 13, 2022

[Dave]

Today brings the first of two semi-final matches in the World Cup: Argentina (ranked #3) vs Croatia (#12). It's likely the last chance to win the World Cup for Argentina's Lional Messi, regarded by many as the best player ever. I suppose Argentian is favored, but Croatia has been playing very well. I'm thinking Argentina will win in a low scoring game. Game time is 11:00 a.m. PST on FOX.

The second semi-final is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m PST: France (#4) vs Morocco (#22). France is the favorite, but Morocco has overachieved by drawing with Croatia, beating Belgium (#2), and beating Canada (#41) in group play, then trouncing Spain (#7), and edging out Portugal (#9) in the knock-out stages. A Morocco win wouldn't surprise me. Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. PST, on FOX.

The losers of these two semi-finals will play each other in a consolation match on Saturday to determine who gets 3rd and 4th. The winners meet in the Championship game on Sunday.

During a walk yesterday after an overnight rain, I spotted a nice pink rose...

   

Still struggling to understand why some of my images look over-saturated, I made three versions: one was clearly a bit garishr, one appeared to have relatively lifeless and pale colors. The one above is between these two in color intensity.

[Don]

Good morning Dave, thanks for starting the daily. Nice rose to start the day with too.

I'll continue that theme with a yellow flower, shot from a boardwalk with a telephoto lens. And I'll add a close up of a spider. I've shot this particular species of spider in the past but this is the best shot I have ever gotten.

Rich, I somehow missed your post from yesterday. Wow, what a nice waterfall! We visited Niagra Falls years ago, in the late 1970's. Quite a sight.

Great colors on your butterfly from yesterday Peter. One of my favorite subjects to photograph. For a while I tried keeping a list and learning the names but didn't keep that up. Now I only know the names of a couple of common species.

[Luv2shoot]

Good morning Fellas.
Dave, I guess I lost interest in the World Cup after USA lost.  I find it difficult to watch games when there is little to no scoring.  I see that the thrill is in the attempts, close calls, and super saves made by the goalies and players.  However,  I do get annoyed by the dramatics that the players exhibit as they fake injuries.  Come on already!

Your pink bloom looks natural on my screen.  It is nice to see remnants of the rain drops peaking out from between the petals.

Don, Yes, that is a great capture of that colorful spider.  Your photo makes it look like a large critter but I bet that it is quite minuscule which makes your capture even more impressive.

It sure was a great thread yesterday.  I enjoyed all of the additional photos and comments that came later in the day.
MFI, The markings on the wings of the second butterfly looks like fingernails with red polish on them.  How unusual, as is your mistletoe.  The mistletoe here in the states has green berries on it and it grows in large clumps. 
Rich, the photos of the falls are wonderful.  You sure have enjoyed traveling in your day.  I was at the falls a while back for our 25 wedding anniversary.  It is quite spectacular.

Well, as I continue to gather my photos I enjoy sharing them with your first.
Here is another:

[Dreamin]

Dave, another lovely rose...I bet this ones smells nice....you chose a nice way to compose your image....this one would make a great card cover....room on the left for some text....anyone make their own cards? I do.....
Don, I love both of these. That spider shot is really detailed, what a great abdomen this one has!! Great find!  That yellow burst of color is cheery! Also very nice composition!
Lorell, that is a very moving photo...wide angle lens? Good job on the processing, great texture .....was going to post this in December challenge only, but I find not everyone looks there so I decided to post in both.....

   

[Man From Ironbark]

Nice rose Dave. Maybe you should check your gamma settings in your screen settings?

Don, while Australia has a lot of unique things there are some that are very similar to yours. ie: the famous black widow is so very close to our red back. Hourglass and all.
In your image of the orb weaver, it is almost the same as our silver orb weaver. Like your yellow flower. For identifying flowers try; four petals, yellow. You'll get a lot to look through and maybe you'll have to add other keys like the shape of the leaf and words such a central vein. Yes, like butterflies flit, spiders can vibrate their web or the wind does it for you. Since my shots are all hand held, I get a lot of duds.





Lorell, is that a fisheye pew view?

Thanks for the Chrissie card Natalie.


Here's the latest in my search for flies that do the job of bees. ie: pollinate. This one also imitates bees and is called a bee fly.

[Dave]

From Monday:

Lorell, the bee in the bottle brush is exquisite.

Don, another winner with the brownish butterfly.

MFI, more fascinating flora and fauna from your country - always welcome photos from you.

Rich, you captured enormous power - well done.

From today's Daily:

Don, beautiful colors, soft light, unusual but solid compositions. That spider photo belongs on a magazine cover.

Lorell, interesting shapes and light pattern; a powerful image. Fish-eye lens, and some texture added?

I have watched soccer for almost 40 years (since my daughter starting playing AYSO), so I've learned to appreciate a scoreless or low-scoring game. But I absolutely agree with you about the idiotic attempts to fool the ref by faking injuries. An opposing player brushes by and the other player grabs his head or knee and rolls over 3 or 4 times as if he's tumbling down a steep slope, screaming in such agony that one suspects the docs will have to perform an emergency amputation right there on the field. That's one reason why I prefer watching the women's game - they show more class than the men by not faking injuries, are just as skilled, and absolutely just as tough. US player Michelle Akers played with many injuries and later in her career with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - that's unimaginable. I remember one game on TV when Michelle took cleats right to the face - didn't phase her at all. And in a match against Canada, recently retired Carli Lloyd was on the ground after a collision and an opposing player intentionally stomped on her face. Carli got up and continued playing.

OK, back to photography: Natalie, that's a beautiful Christmas card. (I used to make cards out of my photos; still do now and then.)

MFI, very impressive spider and bee captures.

[Luv2shoot]

Love all of today’s bugs. What great macros.

Natalie, that card is so sweet. Nicely done and your bokeh makes it a winner.

Well, I think I have all 20 of my photos selected for my club’s photo show on Thursday. As a result, I have more new stuff to share with you too. More coming your way tomorrow.

YES, I took that one with my fish eye lens. I will have to make a note of how much you liked it. Rarely have I used it from that angle, but I think it works.

Thanks all.
See you tomorrow.

[Don]

I'll start the Wed daily in a bit if no one else has...

Nice "pew" photo Lorell. It's different and I like it.

Thanks Natalie for the Christmas wishes.

The spider images are good Peter but the bee fly is excellent. I really like that one!  Most of my shots are hand held as well so yeah, lots of duds.

Off to select a photo for today's daily.

[Rich]

Dave, your rose is perfect here. No blopwn highlights and detail in the shadows!
Thanks Dave!

Thanks Don! Was quite a thrill riding the Maid of the Mist.

Spider...WoW! Sharp!
Flower is beautiful!

Lorell,What a great shot. Exposure right on and the shadow interest is tops! Placing the hymnal at an angle really adds interest to the photo.

Natalie, What a cute photo and the addition of the greeting is great.

Peter, good spider shots. Well done on hand held photos!
The fly does look like it has bee markings. Another insect sharing the wealth there.