tdierikx

They are retailing at around $1835 new - but I've seen them at $1720 new in some stores. I'd say if it were in good condition, you'd be looking at around $1500... but it's oh so worth it! It will take some getting used to - as it's a push/pull zoom mechanism - and it's heavy (1.3kg)... but you do get used to it very quickly... honest! You want to see the photo of Dixie the Whistling Kite doing around 60kph again... just to help you make up your mind? 27-10-2013-taronga 858-dixie2 by tdierikx, on Flickr ... and that was taken hand-held on a Canon 60D using AF and the Sports mode preset... AND shot purely in JPG! Just think what your photographic skillset will do with one of those lenses in your arsenal! T.

I'm sorry... even if it were my heart dog... if it freaking attacked me for any reason, it wouldn't be alive. What about the time she'll be out in public and the dog decides that someone else should be a target for it's aggressive tendencies? We'll hear the "he's never done that before" bullshit story... *slaps forehead at the stupidity of some people* T.

I've seen a lot of dogs in pounds, in rescue, and in the community in general... never seen one that actually looks anything like that 3D model. The closest I've seen would be the generic "staffy crosses" - the ones that look quite Staffy, but have longer legs... no purebred blood in any of them... T.

Shame on the local vet for not even looking at a payment plan option to treat the cat for something so serious... That is one well loved cat I'd say... trekking through Alaska and traversing 2 avalanches to get it the help it needed... well done to the young owners! T.

... and we HAVE been naughty on occasion, right HW? I know I've come VERY close for sure a few times... lol! T.

Hang in there Astro... the hardest part is nearly over little man... T.

Any photo of one of your gorgeous Rotties is awesome... and this one looks like she's being very delicate... T.

I think you have a great talent Kirislin... and a great eye... T.

I've yet to receive ANY warnings Anne... you must have been REALLY naughty to get yours... lol! T.

No words... just mega healing vibes from me and mine to you and yours... and some extra huge cyber hugs for good measure... I'm currently living the aftermath of a litter of parvo infected rescue pups... I feel your horror and fear. T.

Tip for anyone going to Taronga Zoo - if you have a camera around your neck with a big white Canon lens on it, this seems to be the indicator for all happy snappers to hand you their own cameras (or even worse - their iPhones!) and want you to take photos of them with Sydney Harbour in the background... *sigh* T.

Seriously - not every dog needs to be or may want to be a social butterfly. If it doesn't fancy the rough and tumble free-for-all at the dog park, don't take it there... simples... My Lab is perfectly fine at dog parks - plays happily with others of all sizes and breeds, doesn't get upset if a small yappy decides to annoy her, etc... but after I've seen what she is truly capable of if her buttons are pressed just so, I simply don't want to chance that ever happening with someone else's dog. T.

Sounds like a new vet is in order Staffyluv... I'd be going for full bloods at a bare minimum before prescribing heavy duty drugs and fobbing you off about their possible effects long term. T.

Rescues call the RSPCA on each other too... if there was ever a haven for crazy people, it would definitely be in rescue... errr! I've never met a more "interesting" bunch of people... Then again, rescue also has some that are the most selfless and kind people that have ever walked the earth... thankfully I've met a handful of them too... *grin* You and I have had our disagreements here HW... but I will always count you as one of the "good guys"... we don't always have to agree, and it makes for some lively discussions, doesn't it? T.

I downloaded the trial version of SageLight today... might install it on the weekend and have a play... if I like, I'll pay the $40 for the full version to tinker with while I'm off work recovering from my gallbladder removal... T.

Only 6 years coming up for me... seems like longer... *grin* T.

*eyes are leaking... happy leaking* What a gorgeous advert... shame it's for beer... says something so amazing in 30 seconds... T.

Haha! The only editing I currently do is a bit of contrast and maybe a little sharpening... I might look into obtaining a "free" copy of Sagelight... it looks less scary than Photoshop (I have CS4 here somewhere... err!) T.

Could he have been bitten by a bee or other insect? T.

So - for the decent photos I have in RAW, what should I be looking at in the editing phase to make them really "pop"? T.

Well - I went out to the local mini lake and set the camera to RAW+JPG... boy that eats a LOT of your card, and is a lot slower transferring the huge RAW files from the camera to the card! 295 photos later, and I really can't see too much difference between the RAW images and the JPG ones... and have no idea what I should be looking at adjusting on the RAW ones anyways... HELP! I really need a complete idiot's guide as to what to do with DPP... *sigh* I was shooting in the Sport preset as I was trying mainly for birds in flight or moving... have quite a few really blurry ones that even editing won't be able to save, but that's OK... I have plenty of pretty nice ones too. T.

I usually go to Symbio or Taronga zoos on saturday and sunday... this saturday I'm going to Featherdale again with a friend... and sunday will be Symbio. The following weekend I'm not sure, as I'm getting my gallbladder out on the 6th Feb, and don't know if I'll be up to travelling to my usual zoos and walking about for hours... *grin* So I reckon my photos will be zoo animals predominately... but I may throw in the odd one from the local mini lake with birdies (ducks, cockatoos, ibises, and the like) if that's ok? T.

I'm thinking she might like all of the fun smells the dog park has to offer her - she can meander about and check it all out at her own leisure... which is most likely why she associates "park" with something she wants to do. What she isn't fussed on is not being in control of her own space. Maybe you could find a time at the park when it's not busy, and see how she likes having it all to herself? I'm thinking she'll be in doggy heaven... Not all dogs should be or should want to be social butterflies - some are more like hermits prefering to have plenty of their own space in order to feel comfortable. T.

If it weren't so expensive to fly my dogs over to you OSoSwift... *grin* What got me in the craw was the girl's attitude on the phone... they're our new prices, and that's what you'll be paying - regardless that you made the booking after being given the price at the time of booking... and I'm not going to be giving you ANY opportunity to talk to someone who can reverse MY decision on the matter. Some people really shouldn't be allowed to deal with the public... *sigh* As for the clinic that DID get my booking - the difference in attitude of the lovely girl I spoke to there couldn't have been a bigger breath of fresh air. She had all of the information I was asking for at hand, answered all my questions professionally and happily. T.

http://www.beaglerescuensw.org.au/ T.