Sunday, November 28, 2010

Pen Turning - One Of My Hobbies


Before we start turning the blank we have to drill a hole where the tube will fit. Since I'm turning a Wall Street II Style Pen a 27/64" hole is required.
We are ready to start turning the blank....
.....and the blank is tuned to correct dimension for the pen we are going to assemble.
Since I'm doing a "fancy" pen I have moved the piece over to another machine - The Pen Wizard. It's an ornamental lathe to create novel and interesting patterns on pens and pencils. Information can be found at "The Beall Tool Company".

Ready to be polished.........
.......and assembled.
The final result.
Here is where I buy my wood and accessories: Woodcraft

Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Day After Thanksgiving

These are images of bread in our bird feeders the day after Thanksgiving.  
The bread is my wife's made with all natural ingredients so there are no 
preservatives or colors that could be bad for our feathered friends.
Some people consider sparrows and starlings to be nuisance birds, but we find them fun to watch.
The interaction between the Starlings who tried to be in charge and 
the Sparrows who were determined to get their share...
...provided for a show of acrobatic accompanied by a noisy chorus.
The sun was just right...
...to get some great shots of fluttering wings...
...with my Canon 7D camera and Canon EF 70-300 mm lens IS USM.
Focal length 300 mm, Exposure 1/3200 sec at f/5.6 and ISO 6400.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Blue Ridge Parkway


The Very Blue Blue Ridge Mountains

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Once Upon A Time


Once Transportation, Now Decoration

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Hunting For Fish

This series of images shows a Gannet (?) spot, 
then suddenly dive into the sea to catch his lunch.
 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Mountain Farm Museum at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.





Monday, November 15, 2010

Key West


Down at the Historic Dock

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Mingus Mill


Mingus Mill is located just outside Cherokee in North Carolina at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mingus Mill was built in 1886 and the turbine was made in in Springfield, Ohio.

My Wife and I have visited the Mingus Mill several times. Unfortunately, the Mill was not operating the last time we where there since the steel pipe leading the water to the turbine was damaged by rust. The total cost for repairs was estimated to $20K. Hopefully, the Mingus Mill will be back in operation soon as possible.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010