New Mystery Object

We found this interesting tool in the tech. shop at the studios.  We can figure out what it is for.  As you can see in the bottom picture, the one hole goes straight through, so maybe it is a drilling jig - sorry for the fuzzy pix.

Anyone know what it is used for?

Ultimate Zoom Lens Bargain

Have I got a deal for you...   If you don't happen to have $26,000.00 lying around to buy the Sigma 200-500 F2.8 zoom lens.  (free shipping at Amazon!)

You can now rent one from lensrentals.com.  A four day rental will cost you a mere $1050, plus shipping.


Actually, if you want to rent their copy of the lens, you'll have to wait 'till after the World Series, because that is where it will be, probably attached to Fox's super high speed camera system.
Here is a picture of the lens in action  from the lensrentals.com web site.

Star Trails

Here is a star trails picture similar to the one I posted back in March of 2011.  I'm going to try making a poster of this one at www.shortrunposters.com.

The gaps in the star trails were caused by clouds passing by.  This site was dark enough that the clouds showed up as dark blobs in an otherwise starlit sky.

The fairly wide pink trail towards the lower left of the picture is the Eta Carina nebula.

When is a Dog not a Dog?

Answer:  When it is a chew-toy Hog.  They've since chewed the ends right off both of these Nylabone chew toys.

TX Site Stars

Back a week or so ago, before the winds stopped and the clouds rolled in, we had a really clear night.


I zoomed out to the TWR transmitter site and took some pictures of the setting Sagittarius Milky Way behind our antenna towers.


I'm planning to use these shots as promotional posters when we report back to our sponsors and prayer partners later this fall.

Each shot is 30 seconds, at ISO 3200 and F2,8 with a Samyang 14mm lens.

 

 

Dog Days of October

The no trade winds days of October have finally arrived.  We've had either no wind or backwards breezes since last Friday.  Had a couple thunder storms too.

The island is looking green and the mosquitoes are swarming.

But, on the other hand, no-wind days are great for bike riding and for diving on the normally rough east side of the island.

Here is a view of Goto Lake from my bike ride Saturday morning.  The water was glassy smooth, which is quite rare here.