Gemstones
Project complete
As a project for 2023, my plan is to focus on color this year as I enjoyed the monochrome project last year. As a method to diversify the color range, I will be using the primary color from the months’ gemstone. There are different gems depending on the source but I figure that part will work itself out.
January is Garnet. February is Amethyst. March is Aquamarine.
April is Diamond. May is Emerald. June is Moonstone.
July is Ruby. August is Sardonyx. September is Sapphire.
October is Tourmaline. November is Topaz. December is Turquoise
For ease of tracking, I will change the gallery cover photo when I update the images. I am adding dated posted (date taken) at the first and exposure information at the end.
December is Turquoise.
12/22/2023 - (2/20/2019) Red-Shouldered hawk soaring over the Everglades.. 1/1600 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, 600MM
December is Turquoise.
12/15/2023 - (4/17/2016) Injured Eastern Bluebird recovering at the zoo. 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO560, 300MM
December is Turquoise.
12/11/2023 - (7/3/2020) Starting December a bit late. Abstract shot of an agave catus. Nom nom nom, tequila. 1/640 sec @ f/1.8, ISO100, 50MM
November is Topaz.
11/24/2023 - (9/12/2015) While he may look like the Egyptian God Horus, this is an Australian Golden Pheasant. It is one of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. 1/500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO900, 300MM
November is Topaz.
11/17/2023 - (5/15/2016) Common Yellow warbler from an early trip to Magee Marsh for Biggest Week and Spring migration. Would like some breathing room at the bottom beause his foot is cut a bit but he is a very cute bird. 1/160 sec @ f/8, ISO400, 300MM
November is Topaz.
11/9/2023 - (9/9/2023) The morning view outside the resort in Bar Harbor Maine as Bella and I got ready for a day of photography in Acadia National Park. Wanted to keep the birds sharp so I went with a faster shutter being handheld. 1/1000 sec @ f/4, ISO72, 55MM
November is Topaz.
11/3/2023 - (3/14/2015) Field near the house during golden hour. 1/320 sec @ f/8, ISO200, 55MM
October is Tourmaline.
10/23/2023 - (2/18/2019) Roseate Spoonbill in Everglades National Park. The bank starts right where the reflection cuts off unfortunately or this could have been a special photo indeed. 1/800 sec @ f/8, ISO200, 260MM
October is Tourmaline.
10/16/2023 - (3/15/2015) Pretty orchid in bloom at the Franklin County Conservatory. 1/250 sec @ f/8, ISO200, 210MM
October is Tourmaline.
10/12/2023 - (10/9/2020) Looks like October is destined to be short of photos…. Still recovering from trips and flu season. This is from a spot at the back of Hocking Lake in Hocking Hills State Park Ohio. I went down to see if the fall foliage was peaking. It was not. 25 sec @ f/11, ISO64, 17MM
September is Sapphire.
9/28/2023 - (4/29/23) Looks like September is destined to be short of photos with only 3. Between vacation, and flu season, I just have not been up to snuff. I hope everyone likes this proud little tree swallow. These fast-flying birds a joy to watch but a pain to photograph. 1/1250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO800, 600MM
September is Sapphire.
9/15/2023 - (9/7/23) The post is a bit delayed because my daughter and I were galivanting around New England. Bella and I had a great trip. This is the first photo from the cruise that I would like to share. Lots more editing to do. 1/2500 sec @ f/5, ISO220, 150MM
September is Sapphire.
9/2/2023 - (5/25/21) The is Sapphire Pool in Yellowstone National Park. It might be a bit more famous if it was adjacent to Grand Prismatic Spring. The steam raising in the area makes up close photos tricky. While this photo location was a no brainer, sapphire is harder than I thought it would be. Blue skies seem easy until you realize most photographers actually avoid big bright blue skies. . 1/2000 sec @ f/3.8, ISO220, 160MM
August is Sardonyx.
8/31/2023 - (10/16/22) I am a bit behind as I was under the weather last week. I will be behind starting September as well as I will be traveling the first part. As compensation, I am posting this and the associated dad joke. It is a SardOryx. I’ll see myself out. 1/1000 sec @ f/5.3, ISO220, 210MM
August is Sardonyx.
8/16/2023 - (4/19/2015) Flowers seem to an easy choice for the challenge. Since i like them, I don’t see that changing. I hope you enjoy this picture. 1/400 sec @ f/8, ISO200, 185MM
August is Sardonyx.
8/11/2023 - (5/15/2021) Apologies in the delay, I forgot basically to add a photo here while I edited a couple of recent trips. I think a human for scale maybe on the foreground hill would really benefit this composition. Badlands National Park. 1/100 sec @ f/8, ISO264, 35MM
August is Sardonyx.
8/2/2023 - (2/18/2019) Sunrise over the Everglades National Park in Florida. A super Zoom is not a typical lens option for landscape but I like the layer and large sun from zooming into 600MM. 1/500 sec @ f/11, ISO200, 600MM
July is Ruby.
7/31/2023 - (1/15/2018) A cardinal in a snowstorm is my final July photo. I like the wind in the mohawk best. 1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO500, 300MM
July is Ruby.
7/25/2023 - (7/15/2023) This photo of Michigan cherries is the first photo I have posted with the Nikon Z8 I purchased when it released on May 25th. Hopefully a bit of practice will improve my results. 1/400 sec @ f/4, ISO500, 120MM
July is Ruby.
7/18/2023 - (6/13/2022) While Carri and I visited this lighthouse last weekend, this photo was taken last year. The Big Red Lighthouse is often listed as people’s favorite Michigan lighthouse. 1/640 sec @ f/8, ISO90, 35MM
July is Ruby.
7/10/2023 - (6/25/2016) Continuing the simplicity trend, a single leaf with water droplet. I may need to calibrate my monitor as it looks a bit pink here. 1/800 sec @ f/8, ISO200, 85MM
July is Ruby.
7/03/2023 - (8/15/2015) From a few years ago. I like the simpplicity of the phote. 1/5000 sec @ f/11, ISO320, 55MM
June is Moonstone.
6/30/2023 - (5/16/2021) Moonstone - Moonscape - you can see where I am going with this one. This is Badlands National Park. I highly recommend spending time exploring South Dakota. 1/320 sec @ f/9, ISO 64, 35MM
June is Moonstone.
6/23/2023 - (4/24/20) Turkey may not be known as the smartest of prettiest birds but don’t tell this proud fellow. Showing off its iridescent feathers with a air of superiority. You're going to need that attitude to get through Thanksgiving. 1/1250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 900, 600MM
June is Moonstone.
6/15/2023 - (4/19/15) Lovely flowers at Innis Woods Metro Gardens. 1/400 sec @ f/8, ISO 200, 195MM
June is Moonstone.
6/8/2023 - (8/8/2019) One of my favorite subjects. Aggie’s daemon eye is the subject here. 1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 250, 300MM
June is Moonstone.
6/5/2023 - (12/14/2018) Since June has 3 traditional gemstones, I let me daughter decide which to use in this project. She chose Moonstone. This should be a challenging month. I selected this juvenile flamingo as the first entry for its beak’s coloration. I hope you enjoy it. 1/800 sec @ f/6, ISO 250, 340MM
May is Emerald.
5/21/2023 - (7/12/2015) The green framing this waterfall at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. June is next but I have not picked which birthstone it will be since 3 are popular at claimed. Handheld. 1/30 sec @ f/8, ISO 64, 56MM
May is Emerald.
5/24/2023 - (7/12/2015) II had never heard of a Hummingbird Moth before moving to Ohio. They get there name from there mimicry of hummingbirds fliting about. 1/250 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, 300MM
May is Emerald.
5/18/2023 - (4/28/2018) In honor of the Biggest Week in American Birding that just concluded, here is a Black-Throated Green Warbler. 1/250 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, 600MM
May is Emerald.
5/9/2023 - (10/9/2020) Fungi on a moss covered log in Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve part of Hocking Hills State park. 1/200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, 260MM
May is Emerald.
5/2/2023 - (7/12/2015) A cute bullfrog chilling in a pond at Innis Woods Metro Gardens. 1/1600 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 450MM
April is Diamond.
4/20//2023 - (4/17/2016) Young Nora the Polar Bear cub at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from a few years ago shining bright. 1/800 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200, 300MM
April is Diamond.
4/15//2023 - (12/6/2015) Berries in winter covered in ice. 1/400 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200, 135MM
April is Diamond.
4/5//2023 - (2/3/2017) Bridal Veil Falls at Niagra Falls. Taken from our room across the river in Canada. Was so, so very cold. I do love the area in winter though. 1/320 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, 450MM
April is Diamond.
4/3//2023 - (12/30/2014) Chihuly Chandelier at the Frank Park Conservatory. I want to take this photo again and position better. If i recall chairs and such prevented me from being able to center properly under it. Also, weird shadow in the upper left might be avoidable. 1/60 sec @ f/3.8, ISO 320, 22MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/28/2023 - (10/8/2017) Bluejays are one of my favorite birds. I wish i was a little higher so i was at eye level for this shot but birds don’t often cooperate.1/1600 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 300MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/24/2023 - (8/18/2019) I like the range of blues on this dragon fly.1/1000 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 180, 600MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/20/2023 - (3/15/2015) We have been planning to get to the Franklin Conservatory for a while now but have not managed to get over there. This blue butterfly will have to hold us over until we can get over there .1/160 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, 450MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/14/2023 - (6/21/2022) As predicted (promised, threatened?) here are some puffin pictures featuring lots of wavy blue water. I will try to make the next March photo is not water themed as it really is the easy way out on this month’s color challenge. 1/1250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 220, 600MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/6/2023 - (6/9/2016) Bruce Bay Canada on Lake Huron in Blue Hour. Peaceful. Not puffins, yet..1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 280, 35MM
March is Aquamarine.
3/2/2023 - (6/21/2022) A juvenile Northern Gannet with the blue North Atlantic Ocean. This was taken while on our way to see the Puffins which will probably be the next photo I post.1/1250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 220, 600MM
February - Amethyst
2/27/2023 - (3/13/2021) Mountains in West Virginia at the Blackwater Falls State Park. The sun disappeared quickly after this in the transition to blue hour.1/4 sec @ f/8, ISO 64, 35MM
February - Amethyst
2/24/2023 - (3/13/2021) Handheld shot in the Museum of Natural History and Science. This was an archeological exhibit from the Aztec and Olmec peoples in the Central American region. These colorful pyramid displays with their purple stairs were simply amazing. 1/50 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 6400, 35MM
February - Amethyst
2/17/2023 - (2/18/2019) Wildflowers blooming in late spring at Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado. Flowers seem like an easy selection for colors so i am trying to limit it. That said i feel this gives more of a full story that simply a purple flower. 1/2000 sec @ f/6, ISO 4000, 450MM
February - Amethyst
2/8/2023 - (2/18/2019) Purple Gallinule in the Everglades National Park. February is a great time to go to the Everglades. Dry season, tons of birds and way less of the bird sized mosquitos Florida is famous for. 1/1000 sec @ f/6, ISO 500, 525MM
February - Amethyst
2/2/2023 - (4/19/2015) A Bit frustrated that i couldn’t find a Punxsutawney or Phil picture. So i took the easy way out and went with a flower picture. If you are interested the Punxsutawney pictures are here. 1/640 sec @ f/9, ISO 800
January - Garnet
1/30/2023 - (2/23/2020) Series of red headed ducks. I posted both because I am not sure whether I like it cooler (first image) or a bit warmer (second image). I tried to get the Aperture up a bit to get the depth of field up but couldn’t push it too far on a cloudy day while maintaining decent shutter speed and low ISO. Both shot at 1/640 sec @ f/9, ISO 800
January - Garnet
1/20/2023 - (1/16/15) Shhh. He’s sleeping.
1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 2200 390MM
January - Garnet
1/14/2023 - (1/16/15) Unexpected for two reasons: Carnation is the January official flower (who decided that?) and most people would answer yellow if asked what color a sunflower is.
1/800 sec @ f/4, ISO 500 150MM
January - Garnet
1/11/2023 - (1/16/15) Art installation outside the Franklin Count Conservatory. The way the light shines up i see some haloing on the tips which looks unnatural but I still like the way the red pops here.
1/200 sec @ f/10, ISO 100 36MM
January - Garnet
1/2/2023 - (4/11/15) Juvenile male Mandrill taken at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The blue in his nose hasn’t quite filled in yet but the red is already brilliant. Both shot at 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400