Death is an Irreverent Bastard

Wandering around "The Granery" in Boston, I was looking for funerary art that was atypical. Most of the 18th century grave stones had cherubs, urns with bending willows or the most common, winged skulls.

Edward Richards' stone caught my attention and made me chuckle. The Irreverent Bastard, Death (the skeleton) is sitting on a skull, presumably Edward's. Flanked by cross bones, Death is also accompanied by a winged hour glass on his right (Time Flies) and a scythe behind him, the tool of the Grim Reaper.

Canon 20D - 1/125th second, 28mm @ f/ 7.1, ISO 200

Proud Sailor

And rightly so, considering his post on the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel, the United States Ship Constitution.

Thanks to him and all of the active duty and veteran servicemen and women of the US military.

Canon 20D - 1/250th second, 10mm @ f/ 10, ISO 100

Paul Revere

The Freedom Trail takes you on a walking tour of historic Boston. Just east of the Old North Church is the well known statue of Paul Revere riding away from the church on his famous midnight ride.

Lesser known, but no less important are the two OTHER riders from that night who alerted the Minutemen, Wiliam Dawes and Samuel Prescott.

Canon 20D - 1/30th second, 53mm @ f/ 9, ISO 800

Dancing with Death

I spent several days in and around Boston while on vacation and several hours were spent in the historic old cemeteries looking for unique funerary art. Rebecca Gerrish, who's marker we see here, was burried in the King's Church cemetery, Boston's oldest, after she died in 1743.

You'll see more of these images and details about the various iconography in the coming days.

Canon 20D - 1/200th second, 71mm @ f/ 2.8, ISO 100

Molino Canyon, Santa Catalinas - 51578

I always enjoy this view up Molino Canyon on my commute to work. As you head higher into the Santa Catalinas, you enter this canyon surrounded by Saguaros. As you leave the far end there are no more Saguaro but instead you are within the High Chaparral.

Canon 20D - 1/60th second, 28mm @ f/ 11, ISO 100

Late Afternoon Snack

I was watching & photographing the hummers coming to my backyard feeder when this Cactus Wren swooped down and did a little foraging. He came up with this caterpillar in the plant behind him

Canon 20D - 1/1000th second, 500mm @ f/ 6.3, ISO 3200

Thimble Peak

You have to love how green the desert around Tucson gets during the monsoons. Especially in years with above average rainfall, like this year!

Thimble Peak is visible to the left, Tucson is beyond the ridge line of the front range of the Santa Catalinas. Seven Cataracts is located off to the right.

Yet another image published on KOLD TV's View Views web site.

Canon 20D - 1/125th second, 28mm @ f/ 13, ISO 100

Immature Annas

I'm not sure if this is the same Anna's Hummingbird as imaged below, but he has some additional red feathers in his gorget and on his head.

Canon 20D - 1/640th second, 417mm @ f/ 7.1, ISO 1600

Seven Cataracts - 51207

Many of the springs and creeks in the Santa Catalinas were flowing due to the monsoon rains since last week. Here is one shot of Seven Cataracts that is also featured on KOLD TV's Viewer Views.

Canon 20D - 1/200th second, 98mm @ f/ 7.1, ISO 100

Adolescent Anna's

A young male Anna's Hummingbird was visiting my feeders today. He made the sixth species of hummingbird I have now seen.

Canon 20D - 1/400th second, 500mm @ f/ 7.1, ISO 3200

Gibbon Mountain - 51130

Canon 20D - 1/40th second, 20mm @ f/ 22, ISO 100

Clouds over the Santa Catalinas - 51058

Canon 20D - 1/400th second, 191mm @ f/ 9, ISO 100

Santa Catalina HooDoos - 51045

Canon 20D - 1/400th second, 137mm @ f/ 6.3, ISO 100

Shaft of Rain for the Rincons

Canon 20D - 1/400th second, 10mm @ f/ 13, ISO 100

Cooperative Magnificent!

This female Magnificent Hummingbird was a magnificent model. I was waiting for the sun to come out from behind some clouds so I could get a much wider shot of this Yucca flower, the surrounding boulders and the Rincon Mountains and the building clouds in the distance. I had visualized the photograph I wanted several weeks ago and today was the day when all of the elements finally came together.
Almost as if she were being directed, immediately after the sun peaked out from the clouds, she zipped up to the flower and started feeding.

Canon 20D - 1/1250th second, 500mm @ f/ 20, ISO 1600

Thimble Peak Vista

Canon 20D - 1/800th second, 10mm @ f/ 5.6, ISO 100

Building Thunderstorm over the Rincons

Canon 20D - 1/160th second, 20mm @ f/ 14, ISO 100