Foreigner's recent activity
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Comment on The US "Ice Cream Truck Song" is rooted in racism in ~music
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Comment on You make friends *HERE*?! in ~tildes
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Comment on The US "Ice Cream Truck Song" is rooted in racism in ~music
Foreigner Link ParentAnd here I thought all ice cream trucks played "pop goes the weasel"!And here I thought all ice cream trucks played "pop goes the weasel"!
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Comment on How to make friends as an adult in ~life
Foreigner Link ParentYeah the bit in the article about striking up a conversation with strangers on public transport stood out to me. I suspect it would not be received the same way in Northern Europe either. One...Yeah the bit in the article about striking up a conversation with strangers on public transport stood out to me. I suspect it would not be received the same way in Northern Europe either. One thing that strikes me when I travel to the US is just how often people strike up a conversation with random strangers. I've had people practically tell me their life story before they even told me their name. When we travelled there with our kids, my daughter asked after a while if unfriendly people exist there - in New York City. Not to say people over here are inherently unfriendly, but it takes more work to make friendships happen.
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Comment on Disney pulls transgender storyline from Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’ streaming series in ~tv
Foreigner LinkCowards. They did the same thing with an episode of the new season of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur centred around a trans character (who is a recurring character but you would likely not know is...Cowards. They did the same thing with an episode of the new season of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur centred around a trans character (who is a recurring character but you would likely not know is trans outside of that episode).
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Comment on What are some professions, crafts, competitions, or activities in which being older is considered advantageous? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentThis has been my experience as well. I joke that I can't wait until I'm like 70 and then I can be a grumpy old person and people will just shrug and go "oh well, she's old".This has been my experience as well. I joke that I can't wait until I'm like 70 and then I can be a grumpy old person and people will just shrug and go "oh well, she's old".
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentI'm taking the EF out for a spin this weekend, I can't wait!I'm taking the EF out for a spin this weekend, I can't wait!
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Comment on What are your favorite special kitchen ingredients? in ~food
Foreigner (edited )LinkI see a lot already listed so I'll list a couple of more obscure ingredients: Piment doux d'Anglet - to use if you want the flavour of chilli peppers with 0 heat. Great if you're making something...I see a lot already listed so I'll list a couple of more obscure ingredients:
Piment doux d'Anglet - to use if you want the flavour of chilli peppers with 0 heat. Great if you're making something like a green curry or pico de gallo but for people who can't tolerate spiciness at all.
Colatura di alici - essentially a fish sauce, but specifically an anchovy extract. It's similar to a condiment that was used in ancient Rome. You can use it anywhere you'd use Worcestershire sauce but it tastes much better in my opinion, and you can use it sparingly. Adds some umami to soups and stews without overpowering the dish
Massa de pimentão - a paste made from red bell peppers used in Portuguese cooking, especially for marinades.
Edit - I thought of a couple more:
Black garlic - fermented garlic that's sweeter and less harsh than regular garlic. Makes an amazing garlic aioli and adds a nice layer to dishes where garlic is the star. I've seen it used in some fancy desserts but it's not my thing.
Belacan (fermented shrimp paste) - it's stinky but I think it's indispensable in certain dishes like thai curries
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentThank you and no I don't mind at all! If you look at the photo of the middle spotted woodpecker you'll see the edges are a bit "crunchy" and it's quite noisy when zoomed in. I definitely have a...Those are wonderful shots! You weren't kidding about the travel, those looked like species from all over the place! I faved a few of them, hope you don't mind. The action shots seem especially impressive, like the ones of birds eating or mid-flight. (Are those the ones that were too dark? Because of the faster shutter speeds maybe? Just curious since this subject fascinates me.)
Thank you and no I don't mind at all! If you look at the photo of the middle spotted woodpecker you'll see the edges are a bit "crunchy" and it's quite noisy when zoomed in. I definitely have a bunch of action shots that didn't even make the cut because there wasn't enough light at faster shutter speeds. This picture gives you an idea of the difference between the RF and the EF. I still think the RF is great to start with and I'm keeping mine for now. I just felt it was time to upgrade and thankfully could afford it at the moment.
Been a while since I've posted though, but you're inspiring me to get back out there!
You have some beautiful shots and the colours are amazing. I've also faved a few photos and gave you a follow ;) I guarantee you'll have a blast, you should definitely go for it!!
Here's the osprey in question. He routinely rests in the norfolk pine tree just outside my office, sometimes with his catch and sometimes just squawking for attention. We're pretty close to the water here which is why there are so many ospreys around (I know of like 4 or 5 trees in walking distance where they love to hang out, this one just happens to be literally outside my window). And here's a shot mid-squawk.
Those are some great shots!! That is one beautiful bird, you're very lucky to have such handsome neighbours :)
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentI love/hate photographing small birds because they're a fun challenge, but they're so fast it can be incredibly frustrating! I love kingfishers too, they're really pretty and interesting to...What sorts of birds do you see/photograph on these forest hikes?
I love/hate photographing small birds because they're a fun challenge, but they're so fast it can be incredibly frustrating! I love kingfishers too, they're really pretty and interesting to photograph. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera during Spring so there are a bunch of birds I haven't photographed yet, or took photos of under less than ideal circumstances. I'm lucky enough to get to travel for work and when possible I try to go out early and get some photos of the local birds when I have the chance. You can see the photos taken with the R10+RF100-400 on my Flickr page page, though it's a mix of species I included to document what I've seen and some nicer shots. You'll see some photos where I've had to crank up the exposure settings in Lightroom because it was too dark.
I'll check out that youtube channel too, thanks! Wildlife photography is probably my favorite type of photography, so it's always interesting to hear from the pros.
In that case definitely check out Simon's channel first. That's his speciality, and he's not a "gear snob" so the tips he gives on a lot of his videos can apply to different types of cameras and lenses.
Edit: No joke, like ten seconds after posting this comment I heard some squawking and looked outside my window to see an osprey in his usual tree. He's doing it as I type this.
Aaaah I'm very jealous you have ospreys right next to you!! I love them but haven't had the chance to photograph them yet. I'm planning to go to a spot they're known for in a couple of weeks and try out the new EF. Wish me luck!
I hope you're able to make the jump someday. It's a super fun and rewarding hobby, especially when you finally get a decent shot of that one fast little bastard you've been chasing for ages and never sits still!
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner (edited )Link ParentI'm not familiar with Fuji, I've been using the Canon R10 with an RF100-400 lens, so can only feed back on that combo. Here's a good review on the combo. I'm just about to upgrade to the EF100-400...I'm not familiar with Fuji, I've been using the Canon R10 with an RF100-400 lens, so can only feed back on that combo. Here's a good review on the combo. I'm just about to upgrade to the EF100-400 so I can give an updated review on that one in a week if you're interested. I will probably get a 1.4× converter for a bit more reach.
I'm not gonna lie, really getting into bird photography (or wildlife in general) is going to be a lot more expensive than most other types of photography, especially as it usually requires lenses that can focus at long distances. Other useful features include image stabilisation, auto-focus and eye detection, and the more features the more expensive it gets. I was happy using the combo I have as a beginner. The R10 has good auto-focus and eye detection, the RF100-400 has also good auto focus and image stabilisation. It also has the advantage of being fairly light which can make a big difference if you're hiking long distances to find a particular bird. It's a really great starting point if you seriously want to get into the hobby, but it still set me back about €1200 used. I did however start getting a little frustrated with pictures in low light situations, especially since I take a lot of photos in forested areas or on cloudy days. This can be compensated with a good noise reduction software (I use DXO PureRaw 3) and some work in Adobe Lightroom, but even then the image quality can be meh.
You can always continue to practice with the 50-230 on the less shy birds while saving up for a better lens (and I really recommend going for a better lens first). It helps to work on certain skills like hand eye coordination, practicing approaching birds without scaring them off, setting up the camera for the best shots, composition, etc. As one of my favourite YouTubers on the topic has said, it's better to take photos that tell a story and not focus so much on taking "nice" photos. Eventually though you will definitely want something with more reach than a 50-230, ideally at least a 400. I highly recommend Simon d'Entremont's and Jan Wegener's videos if you're getting into bird photography. The titles can be a bit clickbaity, but the content is really good and very straightforward. You'll find a lot of valuable info to get you started on those channels.
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Comment on The secret history of risotto – The dish is governed by a set of laws that are rooted in tradition, rich in common sense, and aching to be broken or bent in ~food
Foreigner Link ParentYep, this is true. Kenji (Serious Eats) has a good write-up on how to make really good risotto with minimal stirring.Yep, this is true. Kenji (Serious Eats) has a good write-up on how to make really good risotto with minimal stirring.
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentI've not tried other apps to be honest, something about a lot of them felt too "committal", if that makes sense? For me it's important to have an app that gently encourages me to do better, but...I've not tried other apps to be honest, something about a lot of them felt too "committal", if that makes sense? For me it's important to have an app that gently encourages me to do better, but doesn't make me feel guilty for not getting it right or not following through each day. I have the kind of anxiety tied to perfectionism that makes me avoid doing things, and then I feel horrible about myself, and then freeze until panic tips the scales towards action.
I feel Finch is gentle enough that it doesn't make you feel bad for not doing everything right, and you can set and meet goals at your own pace. It's more focused on self-care than "habitifying" your life, so it also provides advice on things like meditation, mindfulness, naming your emotions, etc (though in a fairly shallow way). I also appreciate that you can use the app without signing up or using your email address unless you want to. Like a lot of things, your mileage may vary.
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentDon't let that stop you from enjoying rollerblading. It's riskier than standing still for sure, but I've known people who broke limbs just tripping while walking normally.Don't let that stop you from enjoying rollerblading. It's riskier than standing still for sure, but I've known people who broke limbs just tripping while walking normally.
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentMy kids are trying to get me into skating and I keep telling them I love my knees too much to risk it!My kids are trying to get me into skating and I keep telling them I love my knees too much to risk it!
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
Foreigner LinkI started birdwatching this year and pretty quickly transitioned to photographing birds. I love it and try to do it as often as possible, despite it involving three things I really dislike -...I started birdwatching this year and pretty quickly transitioned to photographing birds. I love it and try to do it as often as possible, despite it involving three things I really dislike - getting up super early, being outside dealing with the elements, and physical exertion. I only ever put myself through those things for my kids, so it has to be true love that's keeping me going :)
Edit: this might sound dumb but have you considered "gamifying" building good habits? I use an app called Finch, which is like a self care Tamagotchi (but it doesn't die or get upset if you don't check in daily. I know there are other apps out there all about building good habits in a more fun or gentle way. It seems stupid but it works for me somehow!
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentEven a discreet Bluetooth earbud in only one ear wouldn't be possible? Look up invisible earbuds, those might be low profile enough to get away withEven a discreet Bluetooth earbud in only one ear wouldn't be possible? Look up invisible earbuds, those might be low profile enough to get away with
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
Foreigner Link ParentThis is a good suggestion - you can also find browser versions of some of the major reading apps (like Kindle) that will allow you to read on your computer.This is a good suggestion - you can also find browser versions of some of the major reading apps (like Kindle) that will allow you to read on your computer.
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
Foreigner LinkAre you allowed to wear headphones? If so there are many interesting podcasts worth listening to depending on your areas of interest. If it's a question of browsing the web or watching videos...Are you allowed to wear headphones? If so there are many interesting podcasts worth listening to depending on your areas of interest.
If it's a question of browsing the web or watching videos discreetly, you might find the Decreased Productivity plugin interesting (there's also a version that works on Chrome).
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
Foreigner LinkI have a few: My Canon camera (R10 with an RF 100-400 lens) I use for bird photography, though I'm about to upgrade the EF 100-400 lens so not sure that counts? An electric heated blanket. I...I have a few:
My Canon camera (R10 with an RF 100-400 lens) I use for bird photography, though I'm about to upgrade the EF 100-400 lens so not sure that counts?
An electric heated blanket. I practically live under that thing during winter.
A cashmere scarf my wife bought me for Christmas several years ago. I call it my emotional support scarf.
I had no idea ice cream tricks could lead to such a dark and awful rabbit hole...