A Major Winter Storm in Southern Louisiana and Web Updates

Bracing for a Winter Storm in Louisiana

Bracing for a Winter Storm in Southern Louisiana

We’re bracing for winter storm in Southern Louisiana. The forecast for Houma, LA, calls for up to six inches of snow, freezing rain, and sleet—conditions we’re not equipped to handle. While these might be routine for much of the country, they pose significant challenges here, from impassable roads to potential infrastructure disruptions.

To safeguard my equipment, I’m taking all my backup drives offline and conserving UPS power to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection during any outages. My portable emergency generator has been tested and I have several days of gasoline on hand to keep it going. Power glitches could damage drives, forcing a long and tedious recovery process from cloud backups. I’ll have all of my disk drives including my master image disk, offline if I’m running on the generator. This storm underscores the importance of disaster recovery planning—something I’m actively preparing to share in an upcoming blog post. Stay tuned for detailed insights on creating and executing a solid recovery strategy.

For those of you also impacted by this storm, stay safe and consider steps to protect your data, from regular backups to ensuring your devices are secure from power surges.

Website Updates and SEO Enhancements

Since my recent update to Squarespace, I’ve been refining all relevant website pages to optimize SEO performance. This process ensures my content is as accessible and engaging as possible.

However, this update may inadvertently trigger duplicate emails through the Mailchimp feed. If that happens, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience as I work to enhance your browsing experience.

Stay safe, stay warm, and stay tuned for more updates!

Hurricane Followup-2024-09-16 Short Blog Post

Sunset at Miller’s Lake May 2024

A quick note on my hurricane plan and results

In the newsletter that I posted last week, I discussed my plans for protecting my computer and camera equipment from the approaching hurricane. Here's my account of what happened during and after the storm.

• The hurricane landed in the afternoon of September 11th at Morgan City, Louisiana, then headed east and passed directly over us.
• We sustained winds of 85 mph with gusts to 100 mpg, lasting about 5 hours.
• Fortunately, we had no significant damage, and everything is now normal.
• As planned, I powered down and disconnected the desktop computer and prepared it for safekeeping in a pelican case, but I did not pack it.
• The camera equipment was packed in the Pelican case and ready to go in case we needed to leave.
• The power failed about an hour into the storm, and I disconnected everything but the Internet gateway. I disconnected the laptop from power and tracked the storm with it, relying on its battery. I have two UPS units. I planned on using the first until it ran out of power, and then I would switch to the other. The first lasted three hours, but the second would not power up; it failed when the power went off.
• The power was out for two days, and we were loaned a generator to power most of the house. I did not power up the computer equipment while on the generator.

I've now reconnected the desktop and tested everything to make sure it made it through the storm. It did. My plan worked, and the only glitch was the failure of one of the UPS units, for which a replacement is now on order.

Continuing My Photography Journey as I Age

The decisive moment captured with my Z8 camera at a high frame rate

For 24 years, I used Nikon DSLR cameras and Nikkor lenses. My go-to lens for bird photography was the Nikkor AFS 600mm f/4 lens, which I bought in 1997. The camera, lens, and tripod head weighed almost 25 pounds, and lugging them around had become too much for me. Also, my hearing and eyesight were deteriorating, making me consider other options for pursuing my passion.

I am grateful for the technological advancements that allow me to create stunning images despite the challenges of aging. The evolution of camera technology, computer capabilities, and improvements in my health have all played significant roles in maintaining and enhancing my photographic journey.

Camera Developments That Enable Me to Continue Making Photographs

Self Portrait with my 600mm f/4 in 2007

New Lighter Mirrorless Cameras and High-Quality Light Telephoto Lenses
The shift to mirrorless cameras has been a game-changer. These cameras are significantly lighter and more compact than their DSLR counterparts, reducing the physical strain of carrying heavy equipment. Additionally, advancements in telephoto lenses mean I can have a long telephoto lens without the bulk, making it easier to capture distant subjects. I've been using the excellent Nikkor 600 mm and 800 mm Phase Fresnel (PF) lenses, which are a fraction of the weight of my 600 mm f/4, with superior results. The 600 mm PF lens can be comfortably used hand-held, and the 800 mm lens on a tripod and head are approximately ⅓ the weight of the 600 f/4 and, for short sessions, can also be hand-held.

Red Shouldered Hawk photographed hand-held in a boat with an 800mm PF lens

Incredible Subject Detection Autofocus
Modern autofocus systems are incredibly advanced, with subject detection capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. These systems can quickly and accurately lock onto subjects, whether birds in flight or fast-moving animals, ensuring sharp and focused images with minimal effort on my part. The camera's ability to track a bird's eye enables me to nail the focus, although my reflexes and vision are not as good as they were.

High Frame Rate and Large Buffer Capacity
The ability to shoot at high frame rates with large buffer capacities allows me to capture fast-action sequences effortlessly. This is particularly useful in wildlife photography, where every millisecond counts. With my Z8, I can take 20 Frames per second, increasing the likelihood of getting the perfect shot.

Improved Noise Performance
Advancements in sensor technology have greatly improved noise performance, allowing me to shoot at higher ISO settings without compromising image quality. This is crucial for low-light conditions and ensures that my images remain clear and detailed, even in challenging lighting situations.

Improved Vibration Reduction
Image stabilization technology has advanced significantly, significantly reducing the effects of camera shake. This is especially beneficial when shooting handheld and using a tripod when it is not feasible. Improved vibration reduction ensures that my images are sharp and blur-free, regardless of the circumstances.

Landscape Photography The new technology has benefited not just bird photography. Electronic Viewfinders have improved the ability to see and focus in dim light, and focus peaking indicators enable me to view what is and is not in focus even though my vision is not as good as it once was.

Computers That Enable Me to Continue Making Photographs

Improved Computer Capacity and Speed
The increased computer processing power and storage capacity have revolutionized how I handle and edit my photographs. I can process large RAW files quickly and efficiently, allowing a seamless workflow from shooting to final edits. This has become essential as the resolution of modern cameras continues to increase.

Incredible Noise Reduction Software
Advanced noise reduction software has enabled me to shoot at much higher ISO settings, enabling higher shutter speeds and improving the keeping rate of fast-moving subjects. This software effectively reduces noise without sacrificing image quality, allowing me to produce clean and detailed photographs even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

Mockingbird Photographed at ISO 12,800 to freeze the action

High-Quality Sharpening Software
The latest sharpening software can mitigate motion and focus blur, enhancing my images' overall sharpness and clarity. This technology is invaluable for ensuring that my photographs are as crisp and detailed as possible, even if the original shot was slightly off.

Health

Cataract Surgery
Undergoing cataract surgery has significantly improved my vision, allowing me to see details more clearly. This enhancement in my ability to see has directly impacted my photography, as I can now better identify and focus on subjects, leading to more precise and accurate shots.

In addition, the surgery improved my color vision, prior to the surgery, I had a yellow green color csst on everything, effecting the way I processed images, now with the improved color vision, images that I've processed should appear more accurate to others viewing them.

Hearing Aid
With the help of a hearing aid, I can now hear birds and other wildlife more clearly, aiding in locating and identifying subjects. Improved hearing has enriched my overall experience in nature and allowed me to capture moments I might have otherwise missed.

Conclusion

The intersection of advancing technology and personal health improvements has enabled me to continue creating beautiful photographs as I get older. As the tools at my disposal evolve, I remain excited and motivated to explore new photographic opportunities and capture the world around me with renewed clarity and enthusiasm.