Apparently there is also a Zombie like Disease in Deer, Elk.

https://www.vox.com/2019/2/21/18233227/zombie-deer-disease-map

When new outbreaks start, they are virtually impossible to contain because, unlike viruses and bacteria, prions can’t be killed. There’s also no good way to find them. So we’re talking about an indestructible, killer pathogen that could be lurking anywhere.

kv

 

Boy I wish we had that sort of animals living in the nearby area ... most of the urban wildlife that one gets to see around it is comprised of possums, rats, and stray cats!

Though technically we live downtown, less than a mile from city center, we have a big variety of animals including river dwellers and, occasionally, a deer. This one really didn't want to hang around, it literally vanished. I followed the river bank with some difficulty but couldn't find it.

This shot is at 200mm, which is what I had at hand. It's about 200 feet away.

 

Oh yeah, I hear you...my so-called telephoto lens is 55-250mm. More than once I was faced with, "I just can't get there from here".

I really would love to play with a professional telephoto lens although they do not appear to be small or cheap https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-canon-telephoto-lenses I do see that my lens is still listed at #4, but at half the price that I paid for it some ~8 years ago.

 

Oh yeah, I hear you...my so-called telephoto lens is 55-250mm. More than once I was faced with, "I just can't get there from here".

I really would love to play with a professional telephoto lens although they do not appear to be small or cheap https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-canon-telephoto-lenses I do see that my lens is still listed at #4, but at half the price that I paid for it some ~8 years ago.

For birds and the like, I use an EF70-200 ƒ/2.8L IS USM with an Extender 2X III on a 7D Mark II body.

The 2x gets me 400mm, and the APS-C crop factor adds 1.6x for an effective 640mm. On that day, the 7D wasn't to hand, and the 70-200 was on the full frame 5D without the 2x.

 

For birds, I just accept that I will need to be opportunistic...


or camp out by a food source...

 

The bird setup is really very nice.

 

For birds and the like, I use an EF70-200 ƒ/2.8L IS USM with an Extender 2X III on a 7D Mark II body.

The 2x gets me 400mm, and the APS-C crop factor adds 1.6x for an effective 640mm. On that day, the 7D wasn't to hand, and the 70-200 was on the full frame 5D without the 2x.

View attachment 173378

Nice!

 

The degenerate gambler and son in Vegas.

Portland departure.

First class legroom using air miles.

A few drinks for breakfast

View from the comp'd corner view balcony suite

Some slot play to roll money on the player's card.

Nice comp'd dinner.

Room view of the fountain show before hitting the bed for the night.

 

The degenerate gambler and son in Vegas.

During the glory days of COMDEX I was in Vegas every year as a VIP (Press). Dozens of companies paying for comforts, and it was still a huge chore.

I think it’s worth visiting at least once, it’s a unique place.

You, however, do seem to be enjoying it. I hope you have a great time!

 

First look...


I wonder if it knows that the view coming in is a lot different than the one leaving.

 

During the glory days of COMDEX I was in Vegas every year as a VIP (Press). Dozens of companies paying for comforts, and it was still a huge chore.

I think it’s worth visiting at least once, it’s a unique place.

You, however, do seem to be enjoying it. I hope you have a great time!

I've been hitting Vegas since the 70's as a poor sailor with a few bucks in the pocket so I know the score. My trick to having fun in Vegas is never to lose more than the total comp's you get for top shelf food, drinks and lodging. After this winter, it's easy to have fun at 80+ outside at the pool.

It is hard to get out of bed the next morning.

Today is my Vegas Pinball day.
http://pinballmuseum.org/

 

There is one thing that wouldn't fun, being forced to watch this show. I've free tickets at the Park MGM but No thanks.

 

Always been very fond of shooting all kinds of botanical subjects and I can't wait for everything to start blooming.

 

We have a few flowers showing right now.



We have a lot of flowers on the way, our gardener is a genuine artist with flowers coming and going from spring through the end of summer.
Here's some...

 

We have a few flowers showing right now.
We have a lot of flowers on the way, our gardener is a genuine artist with flowers coming and going from spring through the end of summer.
Here's some...

Yeah, the first crocus (I think that first pic is a crocus) is always a sight of things to come.
I have lived near an area where magnolias grow see below (again, I may have the name wrong). Quite a sight to see one of these trees in full bloom - and hard to capture the sight in a photo.


I don't have a pic that I took to show you, but if you ever have the chance to see (well, smell, actually) a Corpse Lilly, do so, just for the experience.

(from:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-smelly-corpse-flower-about-to-bloom-12739846/)

This "creature" has managed to absolutely duplicate the olfactory chemistry of rotting flesh...you will not forget the experience...Feed Me!!!.

 

That was quite an explosion on that snow-topped mountain.

 

Last day enjoying the dinner leftovers before making a 'Strip' walk for exercise and a few drinks on the way to the Crommwell. Best 'free' drinks (Rye whiskey shots) on the strip while gambling.

https://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/resort/rooms-suites/wraparound-terrace-suite

See you again next year Las Vegas.

 

See you again next year Las Vegas.

Looks like you had a good time! You mentioned getting comp'd for meals and such. That's cool but unlike the old days, the casinos now know exactly what you spend and how, and in my opinion are more stingy with the comps than in the old days. It's probably a social faux pas to ask so feel free to not answer, but I'm curious what level of gambling you have to sustain in order to get the goodies. I'll probably never reach that level! But that's OK. I'll play video poker for a couple hours, get hammered on free drinks, and then go buy my own steak.

 

Looks like you had a good time! You mentioned getting comp'd for meals and such. That's cool but unlike the old days, the casinos now know exactly what you spend and how, and in my opinion are more stingy with the comps than in the old days. It's probably a social faux pas to ask so feel free to not answer, but I'm curious what level of gambling you have to sustain in order to get the goodies. I'll probably never reach that level! But that's OK. I'll play video poker for a couple hours, get hammered on free drinks, and then go buy my own steak.

My wife likes to play nickel & dime machines, she'll get up to $20 which I cash in for dollar slots, I was in Arizona on a machine that almost hit 7k but I only had one dollar left for a 2 dollar slot. Called my wife who didn't pickup as always because I didn't want to loose it to someone else out of frustration I pulled it to see where I'd be, damn it is all I could say never talked to her all the way home.

kv

 

Looks like you had a good time! You mentioned getting comp'd for meals and such. That's cool but unlike the old days, the casinos now know exactly what you spend and how, and in my opinion are more stingy with the comps than in the old days. It's probably a social faux pas to ask so feel free to not answer, but I'm curious what level of gambling you have to sustain in order to get the goodies. I'll probably never reach that level! But that's OK. I'll play video poker for a couple hours, get hammered on free drinks, and then go buy my own steak.

The degenerate gambler has a social past in Vegas that allows for tier matching up to at least Platinum at most houses so I've won or lost the equivalent of a family week at Disney world at few times on a yearly visit but it's vacation money from interest for 40 years of retirement saving (that I busted my ass saving) not bill money. The level of gambling you have to sustain depends on that past and the current large gambling event. The time slot Tuesday-Thursday between the First Round and the Sweet 16 is perfect for getting great deals. It's a dead zone on the strip with most places looking to fill empty March Madness premium suites before the restart. Most places you have gambled before are willing to deal room upgrades and food comp's for a chance to make a few bucks at their house instead of you gambling elsewhere.

Thank god I have a 'no' stand in that long line tier but it wasn't bad when I was there.