Planet Earth

[DLJeff]

Yes, tree swallow. I have a nest box in that ghost juniper and they check it out but never use it. I think it's actually too small.

Anyway, I might have to test a few shots in raw again. I completely agree with you about editing. Over editing feels like one is creating something other than the photo. And over saturating colors just looks fake.

[DLJeff]

Solar flare activity last night and supposedly over the week end is generating some aurora activity this far south. Had to get up early this morning for my usual and decided to take a look. To the naked eye, if you didn't know the aurora was supposed to be there, you'd never notice. It looked like there was a layer of fog or cloud just above the mountains with an ever so slightly paler line of light above it. But with a long exposure photo, it emphasizes the light and you can see it better. Not great but still kind of cool to see it this far south.

[John H]

I like it. Maybe someday I will spot the Northern Lights.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have always promoted early retirement and "travel big" as soon as you can.

John H is already "living the life".

[John H]

My wife went out looking for the lights a couple of nights ago and did not see anything. She said there were lots of cars out waiting for a sighting. I was too tired for that and was asleep at 10.

[DLJeff]

I didn't know this but my neighbor got some pics with a lot more color than mine. He said within 15 minutes it had faded away. I thought once they appeared they would be seen for quite awhile but I guess they can come and go fairly rapidly.