Greetings from Skagit Valley Washington, USA

Hello,

I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks now, and since I've read so many threads I thought it best to join up and get active rather than stay a passive member.

My name is Mike, and I live in a little town called Concrete in the upper Skagit Valley in Washington. "Backwoods Rural" is the best description I can give of our area, and the most famous thing ever to come out of Concrete is the film "This Boys Life" starring Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio (actually showed much of the local area in the film, including all 100 meters of Main St. plus the concrete silo's (that's all there is to the town..lol).

My wife and I are alone now with the kids all grown and gone (7 grandkids already :eek:), and our home sits above the banks of the Skagit River, which is designated as "Wild and Scenic". We get to see a lot of wildlife daily (some too close), including Bald Eagles, Osprey's, Beaver, Coyote, the odd Bobcat and oodles of Raccoons and other foraging critters. Elk are abundant, and the local herd numbers close to 75.

I've always had an interest in photography, but never had the time, funds or opportunity to pursue it until recently when I got bit by the photo-bug once again. I've taken many images with my Fuji FinePix A700 P&S, and while none of them are spectacular, I am proud of a few. The camera has a few user set functions, but it also has many limitations. I know this image can be vastly improved on, but here is one of my best from last winter:

http://www.pbase.com/dizzygazer/image/136619958

I found CiC while searching for tutorials to help me learn the functions and operations of DSLR's, and have spent considerable time viewing the wonderful library of tutorials that Cic offers. I've got a million questions about camera selection (yet to purchase, but have settled on a 60D, so far) but that is for another thread.

I have been involved with astronomy for the past few years, and co-Admin an amateur astronomy site (Astroholic.Com) along with a couple of well known Australian astronomers. Some of our members there are incredible astrophotographers, and it is long past time for me to get in that game, also. I can find my way around the night sky (barely..:rolleyes:) and hope someday to be a better photographer than astronomer.

Having spent so much time lurking, I must say I am very impressed with the quality of communication among the members. Mature, respectful folks are hard to find these days, and I look forward to learning and sharing with you all as time passes.

Mike (aka: Dizzy or Dizzygazer)

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge

Hello again, Mike and a very warm welcome into CiC. Glad you've made the big leap from lurker to 'signed-up' participant.

Hopefully you've already picked up on the friendly and helpful nature of CiC and the fact that it is very much oriented towards supporting people develop knowledge and skills.

So, please do join the discussions and, of course, keep posting up images.

Welcome to CiC, Mike! If you've enjoyed reading, you'll love participating. :) I'm a Pacific Northwest girl and know that you do live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country... definitely 'wild and scenic' and just plain pretty. Welcome.