The San Mateo County History Museum offers fascinating glimpse into the history of the San Francisco Bay region. Inside the rotunda, the magnificent dome dominates over the the Great Seal of the State of California.

With the 28-300mm lens, I’m pretty much limited to to the dome itself.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 180, 28mm, f/8, 1/30s

The 14-24mm bring in the second floor balcony for some perspective.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 14mm, -1 EV, f/8, 1/20s

A tile mosaic of the Great Seal of California appears on the floor of the rotunda.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 2200, 16mm, f/5.6, 1/100s

Life before the iPhone…

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 6400, 42mm, f/8, 1/40s

When riding coach was really first-class.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 6400, 28mm, f/8, 1/20s

Of course, the Rock-ola jukebox came from a different era, but it is just as antiquated as a stagecoach for today’s children.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 6400, 28mm, f/4, 1/100s

The museum had a Chevy Imperial to show how the rise of the interstate changed the Bay Area.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 6400, 65mm, f/5.6, 1/100s

These exhibits are only a small part of the museum’s collection. I hope to return soon to see and learn more.

Made a return visit to Shoreline Lake, but minus the excitement of Fourth of July fireworks.

Took the first shot on a tripod with the 14-24mm lens.

Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 24mm, f/8, 1/50s

Not that interesting. I wanted to experiment with a longer shutter speed to smooth the water. Using the no filter 14-24mm lens, it was much too light outside to do anything about that. So, I switched to the love/hate 28-300mm.

Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
ISO: 80
Focal Length: 28 mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 0.5s

I also added an ND filter and set the camera to bracket 5 shots by 1 EV, which I combined using Photomatix Pro. The HDR version has a lot more detail in the sky. I also like the reflections off the smooth, glassy lake. So, ethereal.

Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
ISO: 80
Focal Length: 28 mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/8s, 1.0s, and 2.0s

Taking photos is the fun part. But, the real learning comes from the post-game analysis. Before heading to Italy, I wondered which lens to bring. The 24-70mm f/2.8 was the main lens. However, I did have occasion to use the 14-24mm lens, particular indoors in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 400, 24mm, 0 EV, f/3.2, 1/40s

Now, I’m trying to determine whether any of the indoor photos could have been taken with a 28-300mm lens. I know that outdoors, the 28-300mm lens is great, particularly in good light. It struggles indoors, and I might run some tests next week to figure out at which ISO the noise becomes noticeable. I was a bit too wedded to shooting at ISO 100. Outdoors with a tripod, it makes no difference. But indoors, I would have been better served with a higher ISO and a faster shutter speed.

I have never noticed hummingbirds along the Stevens Creek trail. But, after I first spotted them earlier this month, I cannot help seeing them in the same location. I cannot tell whether this is the same hummingbird or different ones. Even from photo to photo, the colors of the hummingbird differs. Sometimes, the glint of violet shows and sometimes it does not. So, I have photographed an Anna’s Hummingbird with a 70-200mm lens and 24-70mm lens.

This time, I had the all-purpose 28-300mm lens with me.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 400, 300mm, -1 EV, f/8, 1/1,000s

This is the same hummingbird. See how the violet eye shadow appears in this photo, but not in the one above, which was taken a few seconds later?

Enjoyed a dinner and moon cakes with the extended family, followed by a quiet observance of the evening moon. The full moon is always amazing, and the ability to see craters on the moon from Earth is absolutely breathtaking.

Nikon D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 100, 600mm, f/8, 1/320s

Used a 2x teleconverter, hence the 600mm focal length on a 300mm lens.

A few days ago, I spotted a convoy of CH-46 Sea Knights flying overhead. The only camera I had was from an iPhone 4S.

iPhone 4S, ISO 50, 4.3 mm, f/2.4, 1/1,783s

Not bad, but a touch of noise. Today, I saw a lone CH-46 Sea Knight. I had a DSLR, but the lens was a bit short.

Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 70mm, f/2.8, 1/6,400s

Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 70mm, f/2.8, 1/8,000s

I had the 24-70mm lens on the camera instead of the 70-200mm lens. Despite this, I think I ended up with a better hummingbird photo this time.

Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 70 mm, f/2.8, 1/1,000s

At first, I thought it might be the same hummingbird. But, this one had a touch of violet behind its eye.

A few days ago, I was on my lunch walk when I spotted a hummingbird in the bushes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me. So, for the next few days, I brought my camera along, but didn’t see the hummingbird at all. Today, I spotted the hummingbird again in the same location.

I think it’s an Anna’s Hummingbird. The afternoon sun was a bit harsh today. And, the hummingbird hanging out in half shade and half sun didn’t help matters.

Nikon D800, Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 1000, f/8, 1/800s

I was not able to get a clean hummingbird in flight photo, but there’s always next time.

Nikon D800, Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 1400, f/8, 1/800s

Returned to the monopod after reviewing some more YouTube videos on how to properly use a monopod.

D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 800, 600mm, f/5.6, 1/400s

This Snowy Egret was seriously intense. It’s staring right into the water in search of food.

D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 800, 600mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

I think it caught a bite to eat. Looks like something with an antenna.

D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 800, 600mm, f/5.6, 1/800s