More stitchcraft

QUILT DETAIL, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Pentax *ist DS
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55 at 33mm
1/30 sec. f4.5
ISO 800

Another closeup shot of a quilt at the show we visited the other day, this one of a leaf applique. Many if not most of the quilts in the show were hand-designed, then their schematics transferred to a computer program and machine-stitched, a good example of an old art brought up to date with the latest technology. Deborah Abbott took the hand-held photograph.

Stitchcraft

QUILT DETAIL, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Pentax *ist DS
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55 at 45mm
1/15 sec. f4.5
ISO 800

One of the unexpected pleasures of our trip to the Botanic Gardens yesterday was the last day of the "Fine Art of Fiber" exhibition of quilting and other needle arts at the gardens' Regenstein Center. Deborah Abbott captured this sharp detail of a colorful quilt at a slow shutter speed with the camera's "kit lens" wide open -- and without a tripod. Now that's a steady hand.

Today's mallards

MALLARDS, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Pentax K20D
SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f4.5 ED (IF)
Top: 1/350 sec. f8
Bottom: 1/750 sec. f8
Both ISO 400

Today's trip to the Botanic Garden early in the morning, at about 8:30 a.m., resulted in better mallard photos than usual because the sun was low in the hazy sky, yielding gentle illumination, rather than being high at noon and casting a harsh light. The softer light picked up the iridescence in the males without blowing out the highlights.

Squirrel No. 9

GRAY SQUIRREL, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 7, 2009

Pentax K20D
SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f4.5 ED (IF)
1/350 sec. f4.5
ISO 400

Its detractors may call it a "tree rat," but the American gray squirrel, like the ring-billed gull, is a favorite photographic subject of mine largely because it's so ubiquitous -- all you have to do is sit and wait until it comes within range, and capture its image. One of these days I will get close enough for the perfect head-and-shoulders portrait.

Cat

DOMESTIC TABBY, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 25, 2009

Pentax K10D
SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f4.5 ED (IF)
1/750 sec. f8
ISO 400

The other day this neighbor cat, the only one I have ever seen that can dominate my big half-Lab, sauntered under my legs and out into the back yard, ignoring my "here kitty kitty" calls except to turn and flash a brief gaze of aloof disdain. The moment made a pretty fair feline portrait. (Nov. 7: I am told the cat is not a tabby, but an American Bicolored Longhair. I guess that means a house cat that has been to college.)

Smuggler

EASTERN CHIPMUNK (TAMIAS STRIATUS), EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 25, 2009

Pentax K10D
SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f4.5 ED (IF)
1/125 sec. f8
ISO 400

Not much goes on in my back yard at this time of year, except for chipmunks cleaning up leftovers under the bird feeder for winter storage. In the space of half an hour this one stuffed his face, scampered away to stash the swag, then returned for more no fewer than eight times. Now that's diligence.

Hogwarts Midwest

CHIMNEY, EVANSTON ART CENTER, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 21, 2009

Pentax K20D
SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f4.5 ED (IF)
1/750 sec. f8
ISO 400

Looking for all the world like a brooding battlement suitable for a game of quidditch, this ivy-bedecked chimney atop an art center in the American Midwest offered an interesting range of textures for a long lens.

Driving to the lake

CHILD'S PLAYGROUND AUTOMOBILE, LAWSON PARK, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 21, 2009

Pentax *ist DS
SMC Pentax-DA 50-200 at 50mm
1/500 sec. f8
ISO 400

Deborah Abbott captured this toddler's-eye view from a playground car in a lakefront park. The out-of-focus background and foreground set off the steering wheel and dashboard in striking fashion.