Carol is home from the hospital and has a confirmed diagnosis of stage three ovarian cancer. She will be back in the hospital in 3 weeks to start chemo, but the prognosis is very good with the Dr. stating that with the chemo she will only have a 1% chance of a recurrence.

Sherry’s mom is also home from the hospital – yes we had two in at the same time in different hospitals at opposite ends of town. She is also doing well so far.

Hopefully this is the end of the family crises for a bit and I plan on working back into active membership over the next week.

On a more fun note: I received an email from National Geographic -

One of your photographs has been chosen to be part of the Readers Collection on National Geographic stock photography website.

This is the shot of the Elk you have seen before but I will post it to this thread soon so you may see it again.
#1521522

Congratulations on your photo being selected by National Geographic. I look forward to the repost so I can see it. I used to live in Colorado about 30 miles southwest of Denver. We often had elk in our yard in the ealy morning and evening. The wildlife there was awesome.
#10633653

Beautiful picture of the Kestrel. There's been one near my workplace that I've gotten a few pictures of, but with too much stuff intervening to make them useful.

When you're up to it, talk to Dale about front/back focusing and lens calibration. He thinks he might be having some problem with that with one of his Sony lenses. This image might be a little front focused, depending on what your camera says was the focus point. #10633780

I think what Stephen if referring to is a note I sent to all members just a moment ago regarding tweaking the front/back focus on some cameras. Mine does it, but not sure if the option is available on other brands. It helped me find one lens that was off. Have not had a chance to test it in the field yet though. #10633821

Thank you Stephen I have missed all of you too. It has been a rough couple months and I am looking forward to getting back to normal.

I look forward to seeing our Kestrels every year and and always a bit down when the babies fledge and the daily visits and watches disappear until next year.

Thanks Dale it was a very pleasant surprise. Of course it remains to be seen if anyone ever purchases a copy, but just being selected was a nice surprise.

I read your BP mail before replying here. Thanks for the info. I will take a look at my lenses using this method in order to see if there is anything out of dead on focus. The 5D does allow for micro focus adjustment and stores up to twenty lenses with individual adjustments and automatically applies the adjustment for a particular lens when you mount it. #10633907

Congrats on the NatGeo image! #10635212

Congrats on the National Geographic image!! #10635296

I am glad to see things are getting back to normal. I wish the best for Carol, not a fun thing to have to go through. hope all is well with your mother inlaw.

As for the the image for NatGeo congratulation, this is such an awesome image. Really a beautiful capture. #10635853

Beth our Kestrels are here year round. We don't see them much except at nesting time, but we know they are arround as if any other bird get close to their box they show up to protect it. #10636250