Smoking

Here's one of the salmon fillets that I smoked on my smoker for about 7 hours yesterday. It is simply the best way to cook salmon - PERIOD!

Notice the curled up tail at the end. That's the best. Really this is best served cold over a saltine cracker. 

Sunday Butterflies

Well I took my camera on a 20-miler this Sunday AM. Of course, most of the wildlife took the cue and disappeared, but I did get some pretty cool shots of butterflies. Along the trial they have these butterfly gardens. I stopped by one to take some shots. They had a good crop of butterflies in this garden.

I did see a cotton mouth, but he slithered off too quick for me to get a shot. I may go back out this afternoon - maybe I'll luck into some good shots. 

Touchdown

 

You can see his butterfly tongue!

 

Kind of Got Under This One

 

A pair

 

Three At Once

 

Not Bad

 

Nice Ride

Had a nice ride this AM on the trial. Went out early to beat the heat. It is supposed to get up to 95 degrees today. Another plus was the wind was still in the morning. The last several days that I've riden, it has been blowing like 20 mph.

There were as many folks out as I've seen on the trial. Guess everybody had the same idea. People seemed to be more inclined to wave and say good morning too before the heat kicks in.

Anyway I didn't carry the camera today, so of course, there were all kinds of wildlife out and about. Saw a Blue Herron, which posed pretty as you please. Then some other exotic looking bird - one I've never seen before. There were several bird watchers on the trial, so they had a plenty to look at.

I am thinking about heading out to some other area trials this weekend. 

Playing with Picture Effects

Playing with some the picture turning toys. This is the same photo as the one below. 

Back on the Trail

Took the camera on a 15-miler this AM. I swear these animals know I am coming with the camera and hide. They are like the Amish.
This was the only duck I saw. I like the way the water reflection played in this one. 

Soft Focus

Here is one with soft focus tool 

Momma and the babies

 

An Okie

While most of the other wildlife was scarce, I could count on my legless friends showing up. This little oak snake posed for me. 

Funny Focus

I was having trouble with the Auto Focus because I was in so tight with the 75-300 lens - So I went to manual - still it was to much lens for the subject. 

Sunday Morning Ride

Did a 15-miler this AM. Carried along the camera. Usually it's a like wild kingdom on the trail where I ride - ducks, geese and all kinds of birds and other critters. Well, they must have known I had the camera because I didn't see but two ducks and they were too far off. Wonder if ducks sleep in on Sundays? I did get one interesting subject as you'll see below.

BTW - I am enjoying the bike. Best riding bike I've ever owned. I'll probably do another 15-miler this afternoon. 

Back in the Saddle

This is the best bike seat that I've ever had. Most seats like this I've had in the past, gave me a feeling that I was having an inappropiate relationship with the seat, but not this one. It is quite comfy. 

Finally Something to take a shot of...

I spied this copperhead as I rode along today. This trail should be called snake trail - as I see a snake virtually everytime I ride. Saw this fellow and another today, but that snake was moving too fast. Ramona has expressed great desire to visit the trail.

I was able to get close to this fellow. Some crazy guy on a bike rode by, and like the Croc Hunter, was saying "ain't she bute" Then he poked the snake with his finger to make it slither off to safety in the bushes. I said "you know he is poisonous?"

DOUBLE CLICK TO SEE A BIGGER IMAGE 

Such pretty colors

 

Give Me a Kiss

 

Look at those Eyes

 

Under the Bridge

Here is where the trail goes under Germantown Parkway. Kind of creeps me out! Sure hope the big one doesn't hit while I am riding under there. 

Nice view of Wolf

Nice shot of the river in my last round on the trial.