In which I acknowledge the inevitable: a new camera

 I've gone through a lot of cameras in 12 years of writing this blog.

Blueberry buds.  Macro setting in bright sunlight

There were new cameras in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017.  I've used my phone a lot lately, because the "new" (2017) camera was beginning to fail.

These are the 2017 (left) and 2014 (right)--I basically re-ordered the same
camera, because it had lasted longer than most others.

I do not deny that I am hard on cameras:  in my care, they get wet, they get dirty, they get dropped. 

Sometimes I'm extra-efficient and drop a camera into a muddy puddle, thereby delivering impact, dirt and water all at once.

That's why I chose the Olympus TG-6 "Tough" camera this time: the instruction book literally recommends cleaning this camera in a bucket of water!

It's like they know me.

But does it take good photos?

Here are some samples from the new camera's first week on the job:

Rumplecatskin. Indoors low-light, no flash

Floofs.  Overcast day, no shadows

Garden, yard, and barn.  Sunny day.

Garlic.  Bright light and messing with white balance here

Raspberry canes.  Macro setting

Trailhead.  Dappled sun

Trail.  Deliberate flare shooting into the sun

Dar on the longe line.  Indoor arena on a rainy day

Me and my Dragon.  Backlit

Ponying in the arena.  Rapid-fire

Everybody loves Mama.  Taken from the saddle

Impulsion.  Shot from across the arena, telephoto + cropped

Parade of riders.  Shot from a moving platform

Salmonberry flower.  Macro shot from the saddle, dappled light

Hana's canter.  Moving target, telephoto and cropped

Wiggly baby.  Close up with moving target

In step.  Cropped photo

Acupuncture for Dar.  Barn aisle

Mat Mountain.  Mud and rain

plus:  video!

Baby kisses.  In the barn aisle, straight out of the camera

"Take it places you don't dare take your cell phone" says the ad.

Well, okay then.  I guess I will.