What do you get when you cross a new macro lens, a bright sunny day, and a backyard in bloom.
A: This post! Check out some recent forays into the world of the small and close up with a few lens ball photos thrown in as a bonus.
Lensball shot of the backyard pool
Lensball shot of the backyard pool
Nora took this picture - you can see her reflection in my eye.
Lensball shot of the backyard pool
Lensball shot of the backyard pool
A bougainvillea and jasmine bush are engaged in a slow motion duel for prime sunlight in the corner by the back gate. Jasmine seems to have an edge in shear force of foliage but the bougainvillea tends to send bold shoots to steal sunlight. If only they realized their real enemy is not each other but the gardener who will periodically hack them both back.
Desert rose bloom in back yard
Desert rose bloom in back yard
For vibrant color it is hard to beat a healthy ougainvillea
When bougainvillea and jasmine clash
More backyard flowers
Underside of a frangipani leaf on a sunny day
Im not sure what kind of flower this is but I like it.
Flower with ant
Purple Jasmine bloom. At least we think it is Jasmine. We are at least sure it is purple.
The two kinds of photography that currently have my attention are portraits and macros. I still need more time with my macro technique but I am enjoying the portraits. Hope you do too…
Crystal Portrait
Nora portrait
Portrait of Ben by Nora
Backyard succulent is preparing to bloom
Portrait of Nora
Lensball!
Another Crystal portrait
Backyard tomato plant is coming along nicely. The birds will be at them soon.
Webster has a hard life
Hunting spider caught in the house. We tagged him with a radio collar and let him go in the front yard.
It is such a treat to have the Ithra Knowledge Center so close. We’ve see a number of speakers and performances there but below are pictures of the first visit we made to the museum. We took in the Van Gough exhibit, toured other local artists work and then swung by the Energy Exhibit.
On a visit to the Ithra museum to see the Van Gough exhibit
Nora really want to be taller than Crystal
Approaching Ithra
Closeup of the thorns art piece
Nora by the disk of thorns
Desert thorns with crushed oil barrels in the background
Layered cloth art installation.
Crushed oil drums
Interactive art...stacking rocks
I forget the name of this piece - it was blue fluid constantly being pumped through these tubes.
Coming out the other side of Ithra and heading for the Energy Exhibit.
Ithra in bright sun. The roof was open so they could bring out the crane for cleaning the sides.
Lion fish at the Energy Exhibit.
Nora on the siesmic vibration panel as part of the exhibt that shows how they explore contours of oil reservoirs.
Nora next to a replica of the largest drill head in the world - used for boring large holes through soft rock.
A few more random pictures of Spring in Chez Jacobs.
Shammal on the road back from Abqaiq
Nora's group in the mountains in Oman
This strange picture showed us mysteriously as the background image on my phone. I think Nora meant to look menancing but ended up cracking herself up.
Nora practicing her ciabatta fold.
Dividing the dough
Dough!
Getting ready to place the dough in the brotforms
Nora kettling a batch of pretzel rolls.
Nora kettling a batch of pretzel rolls.
Lunch in the Nora Nook
We put a new little Ikea desk near the big window to the backyard. Nora promptly posted a sign that proclaimed it as the "Nora Nook". Believe it or not, this is her "clean" desk for when she getas tired of the clutter at her normal desk
T1G stands for Troop 1 Girls and it is the first female BSA Troop in the Horizon district which makes Crystal the first leader of a female troop in Saudi Arabia. The Troop is off to a great start with fantastic leaders and energetic Scouts. It is a real treat to see Nora be able to start her path to Eagle.
GT1 practicing their flag ceremony
Scoutmaster Jacobs at the pancake breakfast
Boy Scout trash pickup
Gril's Troop 1 (GT1) founding members
Nora waxes contemplative at the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast
Nora earned Scout rank!
Kai leading part of the Court of Honor Ceremony
Kai at the Spring Court of Honor
Crystal gets to collect a new set of mother rank pins
founding members of GT1
Nora getting ready to be recognized for the Scout rank
Nora leading the opening flag ceremony at the Court of Honor
Nora leading the opening flag ceremony at the Court of Honor