Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 39 (View from Sentinel Dome)

View of Half Dome from atop Sentinel DomeHalf Dome viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

After hiking the trail to Sentinel Dome (elevation 8,122 feet), the dome itself may look a bit steep, but if you are in good physical condition for hiking, I encourage you to try it. The surface of the rock is not slick and good hiking shoes will grab onto the surface ridges. There is an “established path” that the hikers on the left of the picture are following.

Once on top of the dome, the valley opens up with El Capitan, the Merced River and meadows to the northwest and Half Dome and the falls to the northeast. It is truly impressive.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 39 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0358.NEF
Capture time: 12:01:03 AM/PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/18
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

CATS: Nature, Hiking, YOY, Photography

STATUS QUOtes — 20160731

“They are so knowing, that they know nothing.” — Terence

“Television is the first truly democratic culture – the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want.” — Clive Barnes

“The amount of energy necessary to refute falsehoods is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.[ed]” — Alberto Brandolini

“What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others.” — Diogenes

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 38 (Sierra Fence Lizard)

Fence Lizard along Taft Point TrailNorthern California Fence Lizard

If I had to take a guess, I would suggest that this is a picture of a Sierra Fence Lizard. The photo was captured along the Taft Point Trail at Yosemite National Park. We saw several scampering about in the sunny, damp woodlands.

Having hiked extensively in the southwest, this lizard is just one of many that I have come across and photographed. They are a very diverse, colorful and interesting group of reptiles.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 38 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0382.CR2
Capture time: 1:36:03 AM/PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/200 sec @ f/8
Focal Length: 94mm
ISO 125
Canon SX50 HS

STATUS QUOtes — 20160730

“In the abundance of water a fool is thirsty.” — Bob Marley

“It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.” — James Gordon

“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.” — Kahlil Gibran

“I’ve been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.” — Martina Navratilova

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 37 (Old Stone Bridge)

Old and beautiful stone bridgeStone bridge…old…authentic!

I am a sucker for stonework and Yosemite has more than its share. There are a good number of causeways, curbs and cottages made of stone throughout the park. Using such a natural resource only adds to the beautiful surroundings.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 37 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0275.NEF
Capture time: 7:02:46 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/15 sec @ f/5
Focal Length: 40mm
ISO 640
Nikon D3300

Pickleball – Up the Creek Without…

When I first began my pickleball play, there were very few paddles available in brick-and-mortar stores. As a matter of fact, one way I gauged the popularity of pickleball was to take note when sporting good stores began to carry paddles and pickleballs. Now they can be found at many outlets including some Walmart stores.

When asked which paddle I should buy, nobody could give me a solid answer and there were no obvious choices. Do I select wood, composite or graphite? How is one to know which paddle to get? Well…I think I can safely say that the paddle is not my problem no matter which paddle I am using.

I decided to watch those players I considered to be good or very good and I saw that many of them used the Z5 Wide Body Paddle. I thought that if they could play that well with the paddle, it must be good (little did I know that the paddle had no magic!).

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A problem that occurs under the above circumstances is that quite a number of players end up using the same paddle. I know at least four players in my PB circuit that use this same paddle in the same color. This may become a problem when paddles are put down; one looks like the other.

To avoid any problems, I took a couple of steps:

[ NOTE – I am not recommending these. I am just putting them out there to generate ideas. One could just as easily change the grip to a specific color, etc.]

I cut my name from an address label and placed it on the right-hand side edge of the handle:

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I also took red tape and placed it on the bottom of the paddle with my name on itt

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I also wanted a way to locate my paddle no matter what edge was facing me so I put pieces of white tape or pieces of an address label along the edge so I could identify it.

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One could write a name on the white tape pictured below prior to placing it on the paddle.

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I also have another paddle that I allow other players to use and I put a complete address label on the front of the paddle bottom near the handle.

XXXXXX

NOTE – Address is intentionally blurred and is legible on the paddle.

Taking all the above precautions now allows me to easily identify my paddle and if, for some reason, it gets misplaced, the chances of it finding its way back to me are greatly improved.

NOTE – There are rules and regulations issued by the USAPA regarding what is and what is not allowed on paddle surfaces. For your information, I am printing them below so that you can make sure any modifications you make will comply with official USAPA rules and regulations.

From the INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PICKLEBALL (IFP) OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULEBOOK

2.E.2. Surface. The paddle hitting surface shall not contain holes, indentations, rough texturing, tape, or any objects or features that allow a player to impart additional spin on the ball. Paddle roughness is determined using a Starrett SR 100 or its replacement testers such as the Starrett SR160 Surface Roughness Tester. The allowable limits for roughness shall be no greater than 30 micrometers (μm) on the Rz reading (average maximum height, peak to valley), and no greater than 40 micrometers on the Rt reading (maximum height, peak to valley). All readings will be taken in 4 different directions. The paddle hitting surface shall not be adversely reflective, such that it has the potential to obscure the vision of opposing player(s). (revised Apr. 15, 2016)

 

2.E.5. Alterations. The only alterations that can be made to a commercial paddle are changes to the grip, adding an edge guard, and adding name decals and/or other identification markings on the paddle face. These decals/markings can extend no farther than 1″ (25.4 mm) above the top of the handle nor more than 1/2″ (12.7 mm) from the outer edge of a paddle, or paddle edge guard if in place. Altered paddles must meet all specifications. Homemade paddles are not permitted. (Effective January 1, 2014)

 

2.E.6. Prohibited Surface Features and Mechanical Features.
2.E.6.a. Anti-skid paint or any paint textured with sand, rubber particles, or any material that causes additional spin.
Section 2: Court and Equipment 2.E.6.b. Rubber and synthetic
rubber.
2.E.6.c. Sandpaper.
2.E.6.d. Moving parts that can increase head momentum.
2.E.6.e. Springs or spring-like material.
2.E.6.f. Flexible membranes or any compressible material that creates a trampoline effect.
2.E.6.g. Electrical, electronic, or mechanical assistance of any sort.

If you have ways to distinguish your paddle that are not mentioned above, leave them in the comments section.

STATUS QUOtes — 20160729

“Thinking is the hardest work anyone can do—which is… why we have so few thinkers.” — Henry Ford

“The emotions have … their own sense of scale. In the emotional world a small thing can touch the heart and the imagination every bit as much as something impressively gigantic.” — Henry Beston

“Know that some storms are just trying to wipe you clean…” — Alejandro Agüero

“Revenge is sweet and not fattening.” — Alfred Hitchcock

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 36 (El Capitan Puzzle Solution)

Spoiler Alert If you want to try to answer the puzzle, see yesterday’s YOY #35 and return to this post after that.

If you don’t care to take a guess, then click HERE to go to today’s Yosemite picture(s).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is yesterday’s picture with the hint circled. Do you see that red object?

Rock climbers on El CapitanRock climbers on the face of El Capitan

We were very surprised to learn that the park service allows rock climbers to mount El Capitan since it is such an iconic landmark. There were a number of climbers trying to ascend during our visit and onlookers were lined up under trees in nearby fields to watch the climbers make their way to the top.

We were told that the climb can take between three and six days depending on a variety of factors. Climbers must bring everything with them to sustain them during this feat. Plans need to be made for sleeping, eating, etc.

The red item is one of the bags used to carry supplies and below that there appears to be a pail and a weight. Above the bag there are two climbers with additional supplies. This may be hard to discern so I enlarged a portion of the picture which appears below.

Rock climbers on El Capitan 

Rock climbers on the face of El Capitan Close Up

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 36 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0363.CR2
Capture time: 11:20 AM
Capture date: June 8, 2016
Exposure: 1/160 sec @ f/6.3
Focal Length: 34.5mm
ISO 125
Canon SX50 HS

CATS: Nature, Hiking, YOY, Photography

Video – Hawk-ish on the Weather Report

Every once in a while something special and unplanned happens. You can call it serendipity or call it fate; I call it interesting. Humans have taken control of the world and created buildings and structures of all sorts. I have often wondered what the other animals “think” of these man-made creations they may come across.

The video below shows a hawk inspecting a weather station. There seems to be significant interest on part of this bird of prey. It is not often we capture videos like this.

From the 10/11 News Weather Team’s Facebook page – “Nobody probably thought they would see something like this today. Our friend, Mr. Hawk, is VERY interested in the camera atop our tower at 40th and Vine in Lincoln, NE today!”