Thursday, February 10, 2022

[Dave]

While waiting quietly for some hummingbirds to visit the feeder a few days ago (one of the feeders is just to the left and above the area in the photo), I took a few shots of this dark corner of the inner yard...

   

[Rich]

WoW Dave, you nailed that one. Nice lighting!

Back from my  "time out" to Gulf Shore, Alabama. A nightmare getting there with the snow storm but made it. Went to Mobile, Alabama to visit the USS Alabama  and Museum. Was hoping for a blue sky day but didn't get it. I have many photos to share. This one is coming aboard shooting from the stern toward the bow. Amazing amount of armament!

[damar]

Beautiful purples, Dave! I like the contrast and light in this one.
Very nice touches of sunlight! The green leaves are pretty.

Hi Rich!

Wow...that is an impressive photo! Actually the overcast gave you a perfect exposure with no deep shadows.
I just read up on her...129 guns and 2500 crew members. Some decent firepower and trained resources.
USS AL
(Im not a war hawk, but its good to know our bases are/were covered then and now)
I can't wait to see more of the museum and ships.

Well, I don't have anything new from the camera;
(will spare you my snaps of my retired WW2 vintage pressure canner.
I had it out to compare dimensions with the new ones that I'm looking at)
We checked the pressure on it, (air pump + tire gauge) the gauge is off a bit, the bottom isn't flat anymore and
it does have some pitting. 
This renders it fully retired.
It's nice to take it out and look at it. Memories.
(I've had it for 42 years +/-)
Ah well...I'll keep it for a few more years
and buy the one I always wanted (in a smaller size)
I still believe that dehydration for most fruit and vegetables is the absolute best way of preserving food.

[Dave]

Thanks Rich and damar. Yeah, the light was pretty nice, but the credit for that goes to Mother Nature. I was just there to record it.

Rich, I agree with damar - the light for your photo of the Alabama is ideal. It avoids harsh shadows and seems to suit the subject well. Impressive vessel, well captured.

damar, your story about your retired pressure camera is kinda similar to me finding many of my old Walter Foster art books (not WW II vintage but going back to the 60s when they cost $1.00).

[Don]

Hi all -

Great photo Dave.

Rich, that brings back memories... I was with a unit that did annual inspections on the USS Alabama. As such we got to go all over the ship, to places not allowed for the general public. Interesting to go way below decks and into compartments that remained locked for the rest of the year. We were checking for leaks, rust, etc to make sure things were still "ship shape". The Navy still has the responsibility of inspecting all the museum ships, once a year. I lead an inspection team for maybe 2 or 3 years, and it was quite an experience. I've got a photo somewhere that someone took of me on the deck of the Alabama.

[Luv2shoot]

Oh my, Rich, what an impressive ship and loaded with so much artillery. Your perspective gives it a majestic look . It would have been a goosebump moment for me.

Patty, it is hard part with some old dependable cooking pieces of apparatus when they served us so well in the past. I know. I got a huge old George Forman Rotisserie in the basement that has not been used for years since I buy the “hot and readies” from Sam’s club for $4.99!

Dave, the colors and contrast are excellent in your morning capture. Any more signs of the hummers?

Don, interesting story about your experience with the ship. It is nice how photos jog the memory.

[Adamphotoman]

Thursday continues....
Dave,
Again I am jellos. We still have winter. As Rich said perfect lighting.
Rich,
Now that is a lot of Battleship Grey.
Hi Don,Patty & Lorell...

[Rich]

Patty, thanks!
No one likes war but good to know we have a defense!
I have been reading about people checking their vintage pressure cookers. Good idea!

Thanks Dave!
I had a library of the Walter Foster books. Sold them all on a garage sale when we moved to the Condo.

Don. what a great job to have for a Navy Vet! I bet you saw some dark places! Hope you can find the photo.

Lorell. thanks! It was a fun day for me!

[damar]

Vintage Stuff: The old WW2 Canner was given to me by my camera/bicycle friend back in the late 70s/early 80s.
During WW2 the gov't really encouraged Americans to not only raise a garden (Victory Garden) but to can their own food and cook with pressure for optimal nutrition since food was in short supply.
This man and and his wife lived through the Depression (an era that left a mark on many of us "boomers" because our grandparents AND parents told us how life was back then.
And yes, men my dads age signed up for service not only as duty to Country but it also meant 3 squares a day in hard times.

Dave: Did you look at ebay to see what those books are going for now?

Lorell, I bought the electric rotisserie accessory for the grill and DH was like..why? you can buy a ready-made one off the supermarket chicken ferris wheel for $5

Cause I like doing my own?

Don, that is so cool about doing marine surveys on the historic navy ships.
I have been on some vintage Liberty ships (supply ships) when my dad worked as a civilian in a naval mothball fleet.
Unforgettable smell...paint, steel, oiled canvas, fuels. When I went below decks on the USS Yorktown it was a strong Deja Vu!

Hi Grant..hang tight! Winter always turns to spring!
(or what we used to call "mud season")

Rich, I'm heading to Fridays posts to see if you have more ship stuff there!