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Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

September 24, 2007 02:06 AM Forum: Telescope Making

My New Red Flashlight

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]For a while now I've been thinking of replacing my several-years-old Infinity LED observing light. It's a single AA battery light that is reliable and light weight. As with most astro flashlights, it needed several coats of red nail polish to dim the LED enough for my tastes. My only issues with the Infinity were the difficulty in turning it on and off and its weight, although that is really not a big issue.

Here's a pic of the Infinity along with the "new guy".
Bill[/COLOR]

September 30, 2007 07:52 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Three in One

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I saw the Monarch caterpillar and the little spider so I took the shot. When I brought it up on the laptop, there was the aphid on the right!
Bill[/COLOR]

September 30, 2007 07:54 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Green Hopper

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]This guy or gal was sitting quietly out front today. Looks like they left a "memento" on the leaf.
Bill[/COLOR]

October 8, 2007 02:56 AM Forum: Telescope Making

My Latest "Mirror"

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"][/COLOR][COLOR="Purple"]Actually, it's an ash tray that Corning made to commemorate the casting of the 200" Hale telescope mirror. wink

I wonder how many of these things are out there. I've only seen a couple for sale. I picked this one up for its historical tie in to Corning.

No, I don't smoke so it won't be used as an ash tray!
Bill[/COLOR]

October 11, 2007 11:36 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

New Camera...New Lens!

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I finally took the DSLR plunge and got a Sony a100. That was Friday. Today I picked up a Sigma 50mm 1:1 macro lens.

These were outside my front door (macro subjects are everywhere!) this evening on some milkweed plants. Couldn't find any monarch caterpillars. sad

Note the "artsy" cropping. wink
Bill[/COLOR]

October 24, 2007 12:29 AM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Monarchs!

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I encountered thousands of Monarch butterflies in Big Bend National Park last week. They were overnighting in an off-the-beaten-path canyon and I got there as they were taking off for the day. It was wonderful to have hundreds of silent butterflies flying around me in the canyon!
Bill[/COLOR]

October 24, 2007 12:33 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Roadrunner

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]This roadrunner visited my camp site in Big Bend National Park last week. He wasn't very concerned about me taking pics from near by. Here he's spreading his wings preparing to preen underneath.
Bill[/COLOR]

October 26, 2007 02:48 AM Forum: Landscape Photography

Big Bend National Park -

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I was in Big Bend NP last week. Here's a pic of one of the ranches occupied in the early 1900s, if memory serves me.
Bill[/COLOR]

October 27, 2007 10:09 PM Forum: Reflectors

Obsession 15" UC?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I see that Obsession has the 18" UC on their web site. Does anyone know if they are going to offer a 15" UC in the future? The 18" is tempting but a 15" might be more practical for me.
Curious,
Bill[/COLOR]

December 11, 2007 10:06 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

EQ Platform Group?

Posted By Bill Byrd
I've had a platform for many years now and find it hard to observe without it. I've just upgraded to a Tom O aluminum model (Thanks Steve!) and was wondering if there is a discussion group somewhere for users (as opposed to builders) of platforms. If there is an interest, I'll see about starting a forum here. Or maybe this falls under the category of mounts?
Thanks!
Bill

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