Nikon Sniper: 3/14/10

Friday, March 19, 2010

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

4:04 am, Los Angeles. I was just shaken awake by what I thought was someone grabbing the bottom of my bed and shaking it up and down. I went down the hall to the reception desk at the Comfort Inn in Monterey Park and I looked at the night clerk who is usually asleep and said, Did something just happen? Yes, he replied. That was an earthquake.
I went back to my room and called Braff Zackton who was already at work in Chicago. Braff ran his earthquake search that he does every 30 minutes and informed me that I just rode a 4.4 in the Greater Los Angeles Area at 4:04am. It seems no one else is alarmed but me! That is completely whack and a first for me.
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9:20am update
I just got back from breakfast a few minutes ago. Still no one was talking about this event. It's the most reported event in a while on the Did You Feel It? web site. Rare breed these Californians. It's like ... the whole L-A area got up and went for a drive on the I-5 in a bumpy Rambler Station Wagon at 4am for no reason ... and nobody even talks about it. That is crazy.
I literally thought there was someone in my room picking up the bottom of the bed and clipping it to the lift on a Six Flags grade roller coaster. Isn't there a T-Shirt for this kinda thing?
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You might ask ... Why would I would call someone in Chicago about an Earthquake in California? Well, here's a little more background on Braff Zackton you may like to read.
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4:07pm update
OK, OK ... some of you have suggested that I was probably scared. C'mon! Me? No way! I eat this stuff up and spit it out.
OK well, the truth is ... I haven't slept since. I keep thinking I am feeling the ground shake again and now I am on the fourth floor of a building near LAX airport. And I will say that I couldn't sleep probably due to my sobbing like a baby. That kinda made it hard to settle down. Can't wait till the wheels are up at the end of the runway tomorrow morning.
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For those of you interested ... here is an Earthquake Article from this mornings excitement.

Is God Green?

Hello, NikonSniper followers. Well, my trip to the Los Angeles area is coming to a conclusion. That's right, dear ... I'm coming home!
One of the things I do for comfort when I am alone and away from my family for great lengths of time is to listen to sermons online. I know, I can almost hear you shouting "BORING"! OK, OK, some of you are about to quit NikonSniper for good! You've heard enough. I have just proved to you that I am completely looney!
Well, some of you know I was a bit of a creative kid. I was A.D.D. before being A.D.D. was cool! So I was, ... let's say, a bit of a handfull. For those of you who are new, here's a little Background to give you an idea of what kind of rodeo clown I was when I was a kid. Anyway, I tell you this so you don't go around thinking I have my head in the clouds with no clue of the real world.
Anyway. I was raised in a Christian home. More than that, ... my father was the pastor of a large church that we attended (sometimes in handcuffs). Oh, please don't cast me as some kind of religious fanatic. In fact, truth is ... I don't believe in religion whatsoever. I believe in a person and YES I know Him. And that God-man is Jesus.
Anyway, ... I don't want to scare you off ... because I DO completely respect your views. Here's what I wanted to say.
I find that as I age (get more older and more wrinkled-er) I appreciate nature more. If you would have told me when I was 30 that I would enjoy photographing butterflies one day ... well, I woulda told you that you were a complete ding-dong (probably not those words though). I so often feel at peace when I am sitting on a bench watching God's wonders. Like seeing wild deer up close just staring at you, giving you a close look, like they were sent to you. Well, I recently watched a sermon about the Christian in nature that I enjoyed called, "Is God Green?" You can hit the link and watch it if you like. It's good! It is by one of my favorite speakers named John Ortberg from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, CA. He won't bore you!
Go on, give it a listen ... I dare ya ... it's a risk free way to tell your mom that you went to church. Pastor Ortberg speaks on how we are to respect the world of the Creator.
I hardly ever lift my camera in the mountains, or near rivers, streams or great oceans without thinking about ... How Great Is Our God!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
NikonSniper Steve

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sassy Trees

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Welcome To NikonSniper

Welcome to NikonSniper! Thank you for coming!

It is a joy and blessing for me to keep chasing my perfect photo. I am always trying to improve my photography. Photography has really been the only constant hobby I have had for 39 years. I continue to try to photograph as much of life’s journey as possible ... and it has had its ups and downs! God has graciously allowed me to continue traveling the world to see His creative hands ... And it IS awesome!

I use Nikon cameras and lenses … however, I am not a Nikon snob. Great photographers use all kinds of cameras. I know some excellent photographic eyes using cell phones only!

Truthfully, photography is much more to me than a hobby. It has been awesome "get away from everything therapy" for me throughout my life. Photography has allowed me to escape and spend time in solitude, or with my wife ... or to have one-on-one time with close friends in order to see the wonders of creation.

I wish to record something in photography that will outlast me for my family and friends. It would be really cool if my great-great-great grandchildren could see the photos I have captured during my days … and just for a moment, see the world as it was through my eyes.

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement and support here on NikonSniper. I hope enjoy what you see on your visits here and are challenged and encouraged in new ways to dig out your camera and get clicking. God bless you all. NikonSniper Steve

Whoo-AHHH

Our daughter, Tara left home on Memorial Day 2010 and went to Combat Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She graduated on August 13th and shipped out to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to begin AIT Advanced Individual Training for 68 Whiskey (Army Combat Medic). Tara was part of Charlie Company, 232nd Medical Battalion and graduated from AIT on December 10. After a short stint at home Tara was stationed at Camp Casey in South Korea where she began her service to the country.

Update (5/25/2012)
Tara has now returned to the USA from a year in South Korea and is stationed at Fort Campbell, KY as part of the Charlie Company (Painkillers), 801st Brigade Support Battalion (Maintaineers), 4th Brigade Combat Team (Currahee), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
I am not really sure what all that means but thanks to all of you who have prayed for our beloved Tara while she was overseas. We are very proud of her and deeply miss being close to her during her military service. We thank you for your continued prayers while she continues training and preparing for her next Rendevous With Destiny.

Update (6/28/2012)
Tara has been promoted to Specialist (SPC). She will be home for her 2 week summer break soon.

Update (12/22/2012)
Tara came home with her roommate Bree on Christmas break. They brought an insane number (nine) of German Shepherd dogs with them + a chi-huahh-huahh (rat dog) for a nice round total of ten dogs. This is nuts!
Luckily, nine shepherds are staying at a nearby farm so we only have one extra dog in the house.
Great to see them again and makes for a great family get together for Christmas. The more the merrier in Woodstock!

Update (05/12/2013)
Tara is now in the final days of the arrival of her first baby, a boy, baby Jaxon! I am kinda pulling for a D-Day, June 6 delivery but I know Tara won't last that long. We are trusting in the Lord for a safe arrival of Jaxon to the Baird family. The Baird boys have begun a comeback. Jaxon will be our 8th grandchild and 2nd grandson after following 6 beautiful grand-daughters.

Fort Sill Basic Training
Lawton, OK
Completed 8/13/2012

Fort Sam Houston AIT
San Antonio, TX
Completed 12/10/2010

Camp Casey
Dongducheon, South Korea
Completed 12/20/2011

Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell, KY
Current

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT
SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY

To God be the GLORY

I have been so blessed to be able to photograph a small portion of the glory of God seen in His creation. God is a great God of detail and order and has blessed us with eyes to see His handiwork. All of my photography is offered to HIS glory alone!

Psalm 66:5
Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

Romans 1:20
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 97:4-5
His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Job 26:8-11
He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it his cloud. He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Psalm 33:8-9
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Psalm 147:4-5
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 8:3-4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Isaiah 40:22
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Job 37:14-16
“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge.

Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Jeremiah 32:17
‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Job 38:22-23
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

2 Corinthians 9:10
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Matthew 6:28-30
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Genesis 1:20-22
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Psalm 145:10
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

Psalm 111:2-4
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.

Job 12:7-9
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

1 John 4:8-10
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Scriptures Verses

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Psalm 119:9,11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

John 14:21 “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believes in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

2 Chronicles 16:9a For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

Psalm 37:3-7a Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned- every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 5:48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

John 10:9-10 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Trona Heights

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

WOW!

Is God Green?

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sassy Trees