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11 years, 5 months ago 8

This morning, we finally got the perfect conditions, reasonable wind, deep blue skies and very few clouds on the horizon and the color show was everything you would have expected and more!  The release of a mass ascension of over 500 balloons was a tr , eat after several days of less than perfect flying weather. Standing on the viewing stand with two cameras, a D800 withe the 24-120 and a D600 with a 70-300, the frame rate was smoking!   While I miss Sherelene, my familyand home, I had to admit to myself that this was one great assignment.  I have witnessed many spectacles ranging from  sunrise in Arches, to sunsets in Olympic, but this one was spectacular, almost equal to any natural history thing I’ve ever seen.

 

I’ve really enjoyed working with Jay Miller, a true friend, and buddy,  and the great people of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!  I hope you can feel a little of the colorful display in these images!

 

God blesses us in so many rich ways, this week it has been visual!  The opportunity to share this experience with a good friend and feel this joy is pretty special!  It is said in scripture that we can’t even imagine the new colors we will see when we get to heaven.  This kind of a morning makes you anticipate the glory all the more!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

11 years, 5 months ago 2

 

Yesterday’s devotional from In Touch was a profound look at what we hope for in life, and how God has provided the opportunity for us to realize it.

 

This is the text from the devotional:

 

If you could have anything in the world, what would it be? Your answer reveals a lot about who you are. The psalmist writes, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4). There is nothing wrong with desires–they motivate us to achieve great things. But not all of our yearnings come from God.

 

Consider your aspirations and what they say about who you are:

 

Do you hope for a position of authority in order to be in control? Longing for personal advancement in order to manipulate others reveals a lack of integrity, whereas a godly person craves righteousness.

 

Do you dream about wealth and fame? Perhaps there’s a void in your spirit that you’re trying to fill. But only God can meet the insatiable needs of the human heart.

 

Are you afraid to ask the Lord for what you want? Maybe you think He won’t listen, but God tells us to approach His throne with boldness and confidence (Heb. 4:16).

 

If the Lord doesn’t respond affirmatively to your prayers, ask Him to make your desires conform to His will. Whatever you do, don’t take matters into your own hands and go after what you want. There is always a high price to pay for rebelling against God.

 

God cares for us bountifully, but that doesn’t mean we can expect Him to deliver whatever we want, whenever we want it. Only when our dreams align with His plan for our lives does He fulfill them. The thoughts that preoccupy us are an accurate barometer of the state of our relationship with Christ.

 

 

Psalm 145:17-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

17 The Lord is righteous in everything He does;
    He is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on Him,
    yes, to all who call on Him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear Him;
    He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The Lord protects all those who love Him,
    but he destroys the wicked.

21 I will praise the Lord,
    and may everyone on earth bless His holy name
    forever and ever.

 

I’ve often been asked why I believe so deeply in the words of scripture, God’s Holy Word?  It’s simple, it works, it has worked in my life.  God has brought about all His promises in my own life.  It is apparent in my relationships with family, and friends.  It is real, it bares the fruit that is promised in His word.  It is born out in the activities of each day.  He has met my needs and given me the desires of my heart.

 

His promises are available to anyone who makes themselves available to Him.  He is only asking one thing from us, follow His lead, He sacrificed everything to be with us, we have to sacrifice everything to be with Him.  When we do, He restores all we have sacrificed, and much, much more…..  No one, ever lost anything of value, in entering into a relationship with Him!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Note:  Lone tree standing against an adobe wall in Santa Fe.   Point and Shoot compact camera.

11 years, 5 months ago 8

It was late morning and I had just posted the mornings balloon shots and Jay Miller suggested we go out to the field to shoot some of the car show, car show?, could things get any better!!  I love to photograph classic cars, rusting and beautifully built like these today!  I continue to be amazed at the qualities of the D800.  In these kinds of shots in harsh light, dynamic range and gradation are both critical and the D800 passed with flying colors!

 

See if you agree??!!

 

Wow, this camera really makes shooting more fun than ever!   Hey, I sound like I work for Nikon!  Wait a minute, I do!!!

 

I’m posting my Monday post early as things will get busy tomorrow at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

 

In Him,

 

the pilgrim

11 years, 5 months ago 4

Well after yesterdays cold, cloudy windy weather, we finally caught a break and had great conditions to launch balloons in Albuquerque!  The D800 performed wonderfully as a hand held camera.  I used the 24-120 AFS VR f4 lens, everything shot at F8, Aperture Priority and Auto ISO with a high end limit of 3200.  Hope you enjoy the results!  It was so much fun I didn’t realize my fingers ere frozen till I got back in the Media Center!

 

 

Love my little buddy Elvis above!

 

……and Bill Pekala, if you’re out there, thanks for the job!!!!

 

Be blessed,

 

the pilgrim

 

This one’s for you Jim!  Nik’s Color Efex 3.0 Tonal Contrast to get a poor simulation of a Jim Begley HDR Masterpiece!!!