Silver & Gold Fever at 1900 Degrees

24kt gold is poured into ice cold water to make grain.

One of several silver bars poured from a melt that was well over 100 pounds.

The silver melt is well stirred before pouring. 2000 degrees F. in there.

Hydrogen and oxygen at 5000 degrees F. But the direction of the heat is so well controlled a bare hand can stir the melt with a simple solid quartz rod. I really like the way the light illuminates the hand.

Mariposa @ Griffith Park Observatory

Easily the most difficult shots I ever even got close to getting. Apart from the shot of the butterfly on the pine needles, it was on the fly all around this picnic area. Maddeningly the focus was the most difficult aspect. I have now, after the fact learned to change the focus points as I see fit with a 7D. Switchology held me back here a bit. Composition? Hah! Random. Not as sharp as I would like but hey, these are the few successes of about 50 frames.

I rented this great lens, and had such a good time with it I bought it when I got back to Camera craft. Lens comes with a hood, and I got a polarizing filter. Essential in California sun and glare. It is the Tamrom 18-200mm lens. Yes, 18 to 200! Not a fast lens light wise, but very fast auto focus.