Yesterday, was the first day of [astronomical] spring 2015 AD.  Sunny and nice, it did not live down to the haiku that I posted last week.  That was yesterday.  Today the skies are dull lead gray.  The sun is not visible and the earth is cold and damp.

Yesterday was also the day that my new camera arrived via UPS.  Sylvia had flown off to Florida very early that morning and she had her (it had been our) digital point-and-shoot camera.

While I was for the most part pleased with results from her camera, there were times when the images fell short of my hopes and expectations.

After surfing to Amazon.com and waiting a few days, once again I’m the owner of a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera.  This one has a 60 to 1 zoom ratio.  I’ll show you what that means next week.

Upon opening the package, I removed the battery and charger.  While the battery charged, I read through the basic owner’s manual, installed the lens cap and shoulder strap.

Then with the fully charged battery in the camera, I went outside to look for something that said, “first day of spring.”  I found one single blossom.  It was on the myrtle (aka vinca or periwinkle).

The first (only) blossom found here on 3/20

Not only is the sun at a far less than favorable angle, but this shot was hand held.  I was amazed at how well the image stabilizer worked.

From beside the road, I looked across at the neighbor’s pasture land.  A couple of curious geese were beside a drainage ditch.  They stretched up their necks to better see the intruder.  I pointed the camera in their general direction and “click.”  Later I cropped the image.

Getting a good look

I’m really enjoying this camera.  What’s next?