Tag: nature photography

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 17, 202610:10 pm

An Iris for Your Troubles?

All I wanted was to share the Featured Image, converted to JPG from RAW. More than an hour after I started said process, progress was zero. The photo was pixeled in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and editing option was greyed out. No online search, even with Artificial Intelligence insight, revealed any discernable solution.

I worked on ARM-based Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, running native Lightroom. I eventually abandoned the effort, because the night waned away; I don’t like to give up without solving something. I instead processed the NEF file on Intel-based Microsoft Laptop Studio, which is older and considerably slower—and with atrociously disappointing battery life.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 16, 20269:54 pm

That’s not a Citrus Tree, It’s a Grove!

To commemorate the (so far) unceasingly unseasonably warm weather, I present the Featured Image and companion, which communicate something about living in Southern California. Look at the tree, which, unless my eyes are mistaken, presents several different citrus fruits.

Yesterday was the hottest day during this protracted summer-like period here in San Diego. Temperature reached 26 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit). Today marked a slight cooling trend: 25 C (77 F). We can expect about the same air temperature tomorrow.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 10, 202610:12 pm

December Dusk

My wife entered full flu today, while mine continues marginally diminished. Friends popped up everywhere wanting to help. One special friend sent lemon soup via Uber Eats; we wouldn’t let her come by to prevent viral exposure. At a distance another friend dropped by a walnut cake with cute cats card inside. Bianca and Jennifer, we are humbled and grateful.

That brief introduction brings us to another quick and easy Featured Image—once again from Pixel 10 Pro XL. Annie pointed out the incredible setting-sun sky on Dec. 29, 2025. I chose the Google smartphone over Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra because it more accurately renders colors—and without oversaturating them. Vitals: f1.7, ISO 32, 1/120 sec, 24mm (film equivalent), 5:09 p.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 5, 20268:43 pm

Adventures in Anthropomorphism

We the people crave relationships, including inanimate objects that are given human characteristics (e.g. anthropomorphizing) so that there is something shared in common—something familiar, relatable.

Take the Featured Image as example. One of my neighbors ever-so-slightly adorned a cactus with eyes, making meaning in the process. The taller cacti suddenly is an adult—let’s say single parent—standing alongside a shy youngster. Maybe someone else sees a shaggy little dog instead. Regardless, some story suddenly emerges where before there was nothing more than two cacti.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 16, 20259:34 pm

Tire Planters

Believe it, or not, the Featured Image is from one of the alleys in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens to capture the moment on May 19, 2025. Vitals: f/11, ISO 200, 1/160 sec, 24mm; 3:05 p.m. PDT.

I typically edit photos from RAW, but this one is a JPEG straight from the camera—unaltered and composed as shot. I like the simplicity and oddity of the tire planters set against bamboo stalks. The things people put, or in this case keep, in one of the alleys.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 16, 20259:35 pm

Two Pandas and a Cat

I am way behind posting and make an executive decision: To share a few photos from our second trip—today—since rejoining San Diego Zoo as annual local members (first visit pics are forthcoming). My wife and I parked around 50 minutes after opening, and already the place was packed with families; by the accents, many were adult tourists and their kids.

Annie loves the red pandas (see second shot); a male lives in the main zoo and the female in the children’s area. On the way to the male, we passed the Giant Panda enclosure, where one could be seen sleeping. You tell me: Is that Yun Chuan or Xin Bao?

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 6, 20259:57 pm

Kooky Koalas

When my wife and I entered San Diego Zoo on April 4, 2025—the first time since summer 2000—a staffer approached and offered to suggest a destination. The Australian recommended the Koalas, which were being fed at that moment. So off went Annie and I, as you can see from the Featured Image and companion.

The eucalyptus addicts were indeed chowing down, but they kept (purposefully?) behind poles or trees, making getting good shots to be difficult. I would have walked out with nothing, if not for Nikon Zf and attached NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 22, 202510:05 pm

Medical Office Oasis

I (rightly) complain a lot about the insane amount of residential building going on in San Diego—much of it obliterating charming cottages or Craftsman-like homes and greenery galore. (What’s the use of having a backyard for the kids to play when you can build an Accessory Dwelling Unit and rent it, eh?)

That said, the city also is lush, with well-manicured properties packing yard spaces full of flowers, plants, trees, and other natural paraphernalia that add charm and character. Consider the Featured Image, captured two days ago using Nikon Zf and NIKKOR 40mm f/2 (SE) lens, to be representative.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 5, 20259:58 pm

Cute But Cautious

My wife interrupted our walk on Feb. 28, 2025 to point out “cute” birds in a tree ahead of us. I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for a couple of quick captures. The Featured Image is best of six. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/250 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 4:16 p.m. PST.

I am not a bird watcher, so identification is a bit tricky. My guess, with a little Google Lens assistance, is American Goldfinch. I dunno. Meaningful 10x zoom fully made this moment.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 4, 20259:54 pm

Bee Friend

As I waited for my wife to join me on a walk, somebody visited. He was friendly, too, such that moving him from my hoodie sleeve later proved to be difficult. But I eventually helped him to a safe space.

Before that, I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and captured the Featured Image. Vitals: f/2.2, ISO 50, 1/3200 sec, 13mm (film equivalent); 10:10 a.m. PST, Jan. 28, 2025.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 8, 20257:28 pm

Nikon Zf and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at Sunset Cliffs

While walking about our neighborhood of University Heights, today, my wife and I spontaneously decided to get in the car and drive to Ocean Beach; an errand beckoned us. Once completed, we continued onwards to Sunset Cliffs.

I already carried Nikon Zf with NIKKOR 40mm f/2 (SE) lens attached. However, what was needed: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. So Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra pinch-hit for the long shots.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 16, 20254:17 pm

Why Nikon Zf?

I am a longstanding fan of the Leica Q series of cameras. I owned the original, Q2, and Q2 Monochrom. The 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens is fantastically sharp, the body is compact, and the overall ergonomics are exceptional. I was particularly intrigued when Leica released a 43mm Q3—enough to consider trading both Q2 models against the purchase price.

But the newer Q3 is perennially out of stock, being a fairly recent release, and it’s quite expensive. I instead sold both cameras locally and used the funds to buy the Nikon Zf and 40mm lens kit and two additional lenses: NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (for focal length, low-light capability, macro shooting, and portraits) and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR.