Today was supposed to rain. I was supposed to work.The sun cancelled the rain. My client cancelled the job..soooo. I think that for clarity and settings I got these ones down fairly decent. Finally got a chance to use the D70,with the Nikkor 70-300ED. Only thing is I think I cropped this in camera a bit too tight on the first one.Not usually into people poses too much,but this guy caught my eye. C&C

This might have been better if pigeon cooperated just a bit more. But I think the crop is better.

Went all over the place today. I better get all the ducks in here before Donald gets back.

definitely very sharp... yes, a little tight on the first, better on the 2nd, great dof & the duck is quackers brilliant! what a beautiful sunny day to play with your new toys :]

these are all just totally fantastic, Doug!!!!!!!! the tight crop on the first one doesn't bother me. 2nd is definitely better. this man reminds me of my grandfather a bit. sigh Duck is magnificent! his head looks velvety & luv how the drops bead up. Helluva a day for sure!

Sheila when I put this in photoshop I thought hmmmm you would like the hands.

Yep, doug....you're absolutely right!!! :) the hands are EXACTLY why this man reminds me of my grandfather!!!!! I'm pretty sure i still have this pic i took of Papa the last time i saw him alive (1990). he's putting out bread on a picnic table for this blue jay. i'll see if i can work on it...post it in here or my gallery. i think you'll see why his hands made me think of Papa. that second one...verrrry special.

Looks like yer having fun Doug...have to agree, 1st two bit tight but hey...good practise...as far as I'm concerned, ANY shot is good practice. Shooting nice shots Doug :)...imagine, ALL the RR photographers together for one BIG field trip..WHOOOOOOO...!...yeah, imagine...lol

I like that 2nd one, how ya caught the pigeon in mid-air! That duck is cool too, the coloring is something I haven't see in these parts!

Actually I like both but the lady in the red coat in the second is a distraction for me...... so tight or not I like the first better anyway. And that duck is gorgeous.... wonderful shots all of them!

I am with Michelle but I like the second one too. the wings get that for me but the first one, wow! Why don't I find shots like these!?

Hey there Doug! Well I love people shots especially when they are not posed and in a natural setting such as this. You know, there will be a time when we are at that age when we sit on the bench and enjoy the little things that life offers us with the time we have left. This is actually very moving for me. I know that sounds strange...but I obviously see more in this than the typical. I agree with Michelle in the 2nd one with the lady in red being a bit distracting but again, for me, I still love these and believe they are worthy of your time. Glad you got to enjoy the day!

I agree with L8r about the pigeon - cracking catch! I guess Shell's Lady In Red didn't distract me, I never even noticed her ;-) (",)

Mike, i never noticed the lady in red either 'cause the image is so captivating! the interaction between the bird and man just grabbed my attention instantly and held me. Modesty, i try to sit on benches now and enjoy the little things. I dunno, i'm not morbid, but i always have this idea in the back of my head that we might NOT have tomorrow. ya know? i know you seem to enjoy life to the fullest too!! puss & kram!

I didn't notice the lady in red either! I totally love these shots and I too prefer the first one despite the cropping being a 'lil tight! There's so much emotions in that shot! The fantastic trust and bond between the old man and the bird! What a beautifully serene scene! I also love the light...soft, calm, inviting! And old people hands are like a book and they make me cry...! And that duck is a real beauty! ;) Fantastic shots, in short! Yep!

Pascale, i feel EXACTLY the same way!!! Well, except i think that ALL people's hands are like a book!!!! Seriously, show me your hands...there are sooooo many stories there. i can't say i have a hand fetish, 'cause that's not it. i mean, i just think hands are very much like eyes. you look into eyes and you can tell so much about a person. it's the same with their hands. Whenever i look at portraits, i want to see the hands there too. they're soooo important!!! hugz

Yes yes!! Totally!! I always pay attention to people hands too! And I'm not a fetishist either! LOL! ;)

Great Photos Bud....glad You skipped Work...it is so over rated ;]