August Heat

We really can’t complain, August is hot in central Florida and we’ve lived here for decades so know that. Like July this year, the forecast more regularly calls for near record temperatures. We get out early for a walk or a run, then do any outside work before retreating indoors.

Our July program “Nature Photography with Any Camera” attracted an audience of about 40 people. We went over our time with the program, and then another half hour at least answering individual questions and showing features on cameras. We loved it, and hope the people who spent part of their Saturday with us went away with some good ideas. We also volunteered a few times as Gallery Docents for the art show in the auditorium gallery.

The Wildflower garden, directly outside the doors, attracted a lot of butterflies so I spent my breaks trying out various cameras and settings. The shot above was taken with a Panasonic Lumix FZ300, a “super-zoom” camera lightweight enough to slip into a small bag along with my mobile phone. The two now serve as my “take everywhere because you never know where a photo opportunity may present itself” cameras. One of the people attending our program told Karl that this type of camera is being marketed as the bridge between mobile phone or classic point and shoot cameras and the heavier and more expensive SLRs. I am working with all the various settings on mine, and testing its strengths and limits. I actually read part of the manual! Midnight the cat is a semi-willing subject for testing as long as I don’t disturb her nap too much.