My ProShotCase Passed my Waterproofing Test

My ProShotCase passed my waterproofing test. I will trust it when I snorkel using my new iPhone XS Max.

I had to replace my iPhone 7 Plus as it had a crack in the glass and it was starting to glitch out. I replaced it with the new iPhone XS Max just the other day.

This iPhone is reported to be water resistant. I also purchased a case that will protect it should I drop my cell phone. Sadly, I have been known to occasionally let the iPhone slip through my fingers. Guilty as charged. Sigh!

One of the highlights of this new phone is that it has a 10X Zoom ability. I thought that it would be ideal for snorkeling if only they sold a waterproof casing for it. It turns out they do.

So I ordered a ProShotCase that is specifically made for the iPhone Xs Max. It claims that it is safe up to 50 feet under water aka 15 meters. It also comes included with a floating hand grip.

It warns that you need to test it out before trusting it to your cell phone. So, as you can see from the above picture, I placed a folded tissue inside and placed it underwater for 2 hours. Then, I let the case drip-dry so that no droplets from the outside of the case would sully the results. 

The next morning, I opened up the case. The tissue was absolutely dry and safe to use. I was so pleased.

There is even a free app to download to the phone called PROSHOTCASE. It is easy to use. I have tested it out as well.

So, now, the next time I go snorkeling, not only do I have my full face mask ready to use, I will be able to trust this case with my new iPhone XS Max. Naturally, I will post my snorkeling pictures on this blog. I am so pleased and very relieved.

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Starling is nest-building in Decatur, Alabama plus Robin and Geese on 3-15-2019

The Common Starlings aka European Starling is nest-building in Decatur, Alabama. Using Nikon CoolPix P1000, photos of American Robin and two geese, as well. 

I love, love, love how every animal has a story to tell. I also adore it when a group of photos help illustrate this story. 

With the help of a monopod (instead of a tripod), I am improving in my photography skills as I train myself using the Nikon CoolPix P1000. This has an amazing 125X Wide Optical Zoom and takes photos between 4.3 to 539 mm.

After watching some tutorials on YouTube, I decided to test out the following settings. My reaction: "Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner!" These settings are what I will likely use from now on.

A - Aperture priority-auto
Continuous - Pre-shooting cache

The beauty of this setting is that eight or so pictures are taken in the time span of a second or so. That way, when the bird quickly moves around, you usually get at least one good shot in that series -- sometimes more.

• ISO - Auto
• Exposure bracketing - Off
• AF area mode - Target finding AF
• Autofocus mode - AF-F Full-time AF
• Flash exp. comp. 0.0
• Noise reduction filter - NR+ High
• Active D-Lighting  - Normal
• Startup Zoom position - 24 mm
• White Balance - Auto (normal)
• Picture Control - Standard SD
• Image Sharpening - 3
• Quick adjust - 0
• Saturation - 0
• Vibration reduction - Active (framing first)
• AF assist - Auto
• Digital Zoom - On
• Image Quality - Norm

Okay, here is the photo series demonstrating that the starling is nest-building.

Here my favorite photo of the robin.

Here are two shots of these visiting geese.

I am so very grateful that my learning curve is improving. I look forward to getting hopefully better and better with the passage of time and more experience.

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful day!

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Alabama Songbirds, Mallard Ducks, and Coots in Decatur, Alabama on 3-14-2019

Red-Winged Blackbirds, Common Starlings aka European Starlings, American Robin, Mallard Ducks, and Coots photos taken in Decatur, Alabama on 3-14-2019. These were taken using a Nikon CoolPix P1000.

With the help of a monopod (instead of a tripod), I am improving in my photography skills as I train myself using the Nikon CoolPix P1000. This has an amazing 125X Wide Optical Zoom and takes photos between 4.3 to 539 mm.

In the late afternoon and early evening, I took pictures of the following:

• Red-Winged Blackbirds
• Common Starlings also known as European Starlings
• Mallard Ducks
• American Robin (using a flash)

I took the following pictures yesterday in the sunnier part of the day:

• Mallard Ducks
• Coots
• American Robin

These are my favorites of this group. Since they are labeled, no further identification is necessary.

FYI - I found out that the European Starlings are considered an invasive species. Also, many of them were taken in the treetop across the pond.

I am so excited with the potential of this camera. I also am enjoying this opportunity to try to improve on my photography skills.

Have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

First visit to Wheeler's National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama

This was my first visit to Wheeler's National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama. I was testing out my Nikon CoolPix P1000.

Today, I finally visited Wheeler's National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama. It was a lovely place with an observation area with one-way glass. There are nature trails, as well. I will have to save them for a future visit.

I wanted to take some more practice shots with my new, to me, Nikon CoolPix P1000 with a 125x wide optical zoom range. It is capable of taking pictures from 4.3 to 539 mm. Of course, the closer you zoom in, the more steady you need to hold the camera to get a clear shot.

I took over 600 pictures. Only about a quarter of them are worth keeping. Part of why I took so many is I am trying to transition from always taking automatic photos to trying to learn how to use the manual settings without any formal training.

Given that I can make repeated visits, I felt I could afford to use this as my practice day. I would not feel the same should I be on a cruise with a shore excursion that I paid a lot of money for. I knew I needed to train myself to use this camera before I go on my next cruise. 

Sadly, I apparently was two weeks too late to see the Sandhill Cranes. Today, I saw ducks, turtles, gulls, egrets, herons, squirrels, cardinals, and a beautiful little songbird taking a bird bath. I also saw a muskrat swimming in the water.

I realize that I really need a tripod or a monopod to do a better job taking pictures. I went to Walmart afterward to purchase one to try out. I needed one compact enough and light enough to carry with me on future cruises. So, that will be something else to field-test.

Eventually, I experimented and found a setting that feels pretty good. I used the following settings:

• A - Aperture Priority-Auto
• Image Quality - Norm
• Image Size 16M 4608x3456
• Picture Control - Standard
• White Balance - Daylight
• Metering - Matrix
• Single rather than Continuous
• ISO Sensitivity - Auto
• Minimum Shutter Speed 1/125
• Exposure Bracketing - Off
• AF area mode - Face priority
• Autofocus mode AF-F
• Flash (never used)
• Noise Reduction - NR+
• Active D-Lighting - Off
• Zoom Memory - Off

I also used the UV 77 mm filter that was one of the three that came with the camera.

(For trained photographers - you may find this rather laughable. But like I said, I have had zero training in this and have a lot to learn. I mostly am listing this for amateurs and for my own reference so I can repeat these settings again.)

Here are just a few of my very favorite shots.

And finally, here is this lovely purple flower that was near the bird feeder that the cardinals were using. I would be grateful if somebody could identify the flower in the comment section. It was part of the ground cover.

Have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Ducks, Coots, and Geese in Decatur, Alabama on 3-11-2019

Here are some ducks, Coots, and Geese in Decatur, Alabama on 3-11-2019. These were taken using a Nikon CoolPix P1000.

This is my first day of testing out my Nikon CoolPix P1000. This camera has an amazing zoom. 

It is definitely heavier than my previous cameras I have used. I think I am going to get some amazing left-hand muscles. Lol! That is the hand I use to support the camera while I zoom in and click away using my right hand.

I am so excited with the potential of this camera. I am working on improving my learning curve as I test it out.

One of the very cool things you can do with this camera is to edit the camera on the screen by enlarging and centering shots. I did the final edits using PowerPoint.

I deleted many pictures of the over 100 shots I took. I narrowed the final keepers to 50.

Check out the picture of the pond just after some ducks went zooming by, skimming the surface.

Here are my three favorite duck shots taken today.

Here are my three favorite shots of Coots taken today.

Of course, that one includes a Mallard Duck as well. I couldn't resist.

Here are my three favorite shots of geese taken today.

The geese picture and the swimming fowl were taken quite a distance away.

Since I often use the Gazebo as my litmus test for testing out cameras, I will include the shot I took of it, as well!

I am totally in love with this camera! I may never be the same again! Lol!

Now, as a bit of a puzzler, this is a picture I took of a pair of ducks today. I would really like to know, should there by any duck experts out there, is that an egg in that female duck??? Please respond in the comment section, if you know the answer to that. 

Have a great day!

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Spiny Leaf Insect from Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales, Australia

This is a Spiny Leaf Insect from Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales, Australia. It’s real name is the Maclaey's Spectre Stick Insect.

Have you ever heard of a Spiny Leaf Insect from Reptile Park in Somersby of New South Wales, Australia? I know I hadn't.

Here is what this insect looks like. Just passing by, I can imagine that most people, including me, would have concluded it was a dried-up looking fall brown leaf. But if you look closely, you will see that this insect has eyeballs. Here are three pictures plus the posted sign describing it.

It appears that its real name is Maclaey's Spectre Stick Insect.

Just imagine. This insect's eggs takes up to two years to hatch. Wow!

Enjoy this live Australia critter feature. Have a great day!

Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com