Verna and Bob's Weblog

Bob

Point Vicente Whale Watching Site

I took a series of snapshots with my Canon A710IS while I stood on the main observation deck of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. At home, I used the photo stitch utility that comes with the camera to create this nice panoramic view of the main whale watching area at the center. From left to right you can see the Point Vicente Lighthouse, Catalina Island and Verna with camera in hand holding Bear‘s leash. Further right is the pathway along the cliffs, the Malibu mountains in the distance and finally the top of the amphitheater at the right.

You don’t have to pick out the features in the thumbnail below – you can click on the image for a closer look.

whale-watch.jpg

May 27, 2008 by Critters Leisure Panoramas

New Bird Feeders

finchesYesterday, we went to a local discount emporium and got a couple of new bird feeders to replace the aging ones. After putting them up in the yard, however, it seemed like the birds were leery of them. They preferred a feeder in another location which we did not replace.

Today, however, the birds seemed to figure out these were just as bountiful as the older ones and came in droves to feed. Here is a mated pair of House Finches enjoying the feast. He is the reddish orange guy on the right and she is on the left. Click the picture for a bigger view.

May 25, 2008 by Critters Photography

Military Assets

Last weekend we attended the exhibition after the Armed Forces Day Parade. All the services brought their showbiz stuff as well as some of their Military assets. In this picture, four valuable assets can be seen: a Howitzer cannon, a heavy troop transport utility vehicle and two United States Marines. God Bless all of ’em.

assets

May 22, 2008 by Military Photography

Upper Meadow at the Botanic Garden

This is a panoramic view of the upper meadow at the South Coast Botanic Garden. The Garden Foundation has this area set aside for special events. You can charter (for a fee) the area for weddings or other events. On the left and right edges of the panorama you can see the two pergola- covered paved patios which are adjacent to the meadow. Just to the left of center is the gazebo which is can be used as a stage for events. This panorama view subtends nearly 180 degrees. Click on the image below for the full-sized image.

upper meadow

May 12, 2008 by Culture Home & Garden Panoramas

The Future of the Space Telescope

diffraction lensIf you ever took a class in practical physics that included a lab, then you remember those little diffraction gratings that could be used as a substitute for a prism to observe the spectrum of light. The gratings exhibited the properties of prisms, but without the bulk. If you did not happen to have a physics lab, then you may remember those flat Fresnel (pronounced ‘freh-nel’) fish-eye lenses that were popular in the back windows of vans and motor homes. Again, the properties of a larger, bulkier lens made in a compact format.

Image: (L. Koechlin et al/OMP) – a metallic prototype of a diffraction lens – click on the image for a larger view.

Now, it appears that a diffraction grating is being considered as a lightweight, and even more accurate, optical device for focusing light without the usual mirrors and lenses. That will be a boon for the future of space and even terrestrial telescopes.

This excerpt from New Scientist explains how that is possible.

Continue reading…

May 2, 2008 by Nerdliness

More Golden Poppies

The California Golden Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is our state flower, possibly the most beautiful of all state flowers. We’re currently enjoying this pair and dozens of others in the back yard garden. These just ‘decided’ to grow here – and we’re glad they did. Click the picture to see the very large image.

California state flower

From Davis Wiki:

On December 12, 1890, the California State Floral Society voted to select a state flower – the nominees were the California poppy, the Matilija poppy and the mariposa lily. The California poppy won by a landslide. Sometimes known as the flame flower, la amapola, and copa de oro (cup of gold), the poppy grows wild throughout California.

April 29, 2008 by Culture Home & Garden

Avalon 1998

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