tim merritt [dot] net

New photos up top: the fountains at the Bellagio, dancing to Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, an excellent introduction; and the gondolas outside the Venezia.

[Update: Nah. Got up this morning and didn’t like those. I’ll find uses for those and other images from Las Vegas, but I like these from Grand Canyon: three condors photographed at Plateau Point, in the canyon, and a pine cone at the South Rim. I showed them to Will and he said they’re kind of clichéd. He’s right, but they’re our clichés. So I like them.]

Many things happened; much food was eaten; many many photos were taken. Best experience: mule ride down the canyon on a snowy morning. Apparently it’s tough to get a spot, but as it was February, we signed up on Sunday and rode on Monday. Unforgettable.

Our Valentine’s Day gift to each other, just a few days before we go to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I’ve borrowed used a Nikon D70 at work several times, and it’s a sweet camera. We had long talked about wanting a new camera, one that was more responsive than the usual point and shoot. I had more patience for the inevitable shutter lag of a point and shoot than Ellen. Once she had a chance to try the D70, with its remarkable responsiveness, an SLR seemed a good choice. The D50 has more than enough features, more than enough for any situation in which I’ll find myself, and I’m really pleased. I look forward to sharing some photos here on the site and printing some for display in the house. I’ve long wanted to create some good images, and now I have the tools. Thanks, Ellen. You are the best.