Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Printable Version +- Foto Friends (https://www.fotofriends.net) +-- Forum: Photo Forums (https://www.fotofriends.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=14) +--- Forum: Daily pub chat (https://www.fotofriends.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=10) +--- Thread: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (/showthread.php?tid=816)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Luv2shoot - 01-16-2024 Hi, hope you are hungry and that this looks appetizing. I think I worked on this too long and am still not happy with it. It needed something because it was too plain.   Our special assignment is FOOD for this week's photo club meeting. Have a terrific Tuesday, LORELL RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Adamphotoman - 01-16-2024 Food looks great. I am not a fan of the streaks of chili sauce on the plate though. Could someone eat all 3? Really! RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Dave - 01-16-2024 Lorell, maybe some sliced fresh jalapenos? That would spice up both the photo and the taste. If jalapenos are too spicy, maybe some dill pickle slices. In either case, I think the bit of added green would enliven the image a bit. Or you could chop up some green herbs and sprinkle over the chili. Here's one from February 2019...     It's a Monarch butterfly taken in my front yard. Not a great photo, but not bad. What makes it interesting to me is that the butterfly has recently struggled out of the cocoon (maybe 15 to 30 minutes before I took the photo). I can tell that because the wings are still folded and curled. Reborn Monarchs (and I assume other butterflies) need some time to pump liquid into tubes in the wings to make the wings rigid. It's a dangerous time for the butterfly, because it can't escape predators until the wings are able to produce flight. Hi Grant. I hope winter has given you a few days break from extreme weather. RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Adamphotoman - 01-16-2024 Hi Dave, It is a warming trend. So not as bitterly cold. The last few weeks have been brutal but we signed on for it. I like your ideas for Lorell's Chili Dogs. And the Monarch is a solid image....[good education too]. I especially like how the new Butterfly is hanging on as if for dear life.... RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Luv2shoot - 01-16-2024 Thanks, guys. My son  took me out for lunch a few months ago. Those three were in his stomach in no time! Dave, I like this perspective of the monarch. Yes, that is a fresh one! The whole process of transforming from an ugly striped green and yellow caterpillar to a beautiful orange and black butterfly is another one of nature’s miracles. Nice soft muted grays in the background. RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Man From Ironbark - 01-16-2024 Transmorphing. I had a similar experience with a local species The spotted/painted Jezebel. I was a bit later in finding it, in that it's wings were formed up but it was still resting gathering its energy. So I could get this close. RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Rich - 01-17-2024 Greetings all! Lorell, I am usually not a hotdog fan but love Cincinnati chili 3 way. I make that often. I keep hotdog's in my freezer for a quick lunch when I have no leftovers. I have a friend in Oklahoma City that worked  very close to a Chili Dog cafe. He was there at least twice a week.  Chili drips could be cloned out very easily I would take the two on the left off the plate and leave the over run from the bun for interest. Maybe the small one too. Good idea Dave! Warming trend starting here Sunday Lorell, you're next!. Glad Grant is seeing a little more warmth. Dave, awesome photo and explanation. Grant said "I especially like how the new Butterfly is hanging on as if for dear life...." I noticed that too. Beautiful butterfly Peter! RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Dave - 01-18-2024 Thanks, Grant. Usually the Monarch cocoons are placed in a more secure location, partially hidden by an overhanging limb or some foliage. This one was quite exposed, and as you noted, the butterfly is holding on tightly (to a thin pine needle). Thank you Lorell. I agree that this complex transformation process is wondrous. Great photos of that wonderfully colored Jezebel, MFI On another occasion I was able to capture the entire process, from the first crack in the cocoon to the fully developed butterfly. That involved visiting the park for several days, and some truly "wet belly" photography. I must find those photos again. Thank you Rich. We also have a recipe for Cincinnati Chili; we haven't cooked any in years but now I want to. I lived in Cincinnati from 1962, returned there after college, married my college girlfriend there in 1972, and stayed there until moving to San Diego in the fall of 1975. Cincinnati Chili (now usually called Skyline Chili) has been around for over 100 years and comes in a variety of forms, and recipes vary. But it starts with finely ground meat, and incorporates some unexpected seasonings like cinnamon, sometimes cloves, maybe nutmeg. (The aroma of this simmering chili is unmistakable.} Some recipes include chocolate in the form of cocoa powder, but I consider that an abomination. The chili usually contains no beans and is low on the spiciness scale. Forms of the dish: One-way: simply a bowl of the chili. (Not very interesting.) Two-way: Chili plus spaghetti. (Still rather boring.) Three-way: Chili spaghetti topped with a lot of mild shredded cheddar. (Now it's starting to get better.) Four-way: Add either chopped white onions or beans. (Even better.) Five-way: With both beans and onions, (The ultimate!) My favorite is a chili heavy on the cinnamon, Four-way (with onions, not beans), and always with oyster crackers. And for the perfect ending to this feast, several varieties of the fabulous and famous Graeter's Ice Cream. My favorites were Black Cherry, Peach (sadly no longer available), and Chocolate Mint. And if you prefer Chocolate, theirs is exceptional. It's available to buy online – rather expensive but worth every penny. RE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Rich - 01-18-2024 WoW Dave! What a great post about the Cincinnati Chili! I didn't know they had a special recipe for it too! Interesting! I have sometimes added a square of 72% Ghirardelli dark chocolate fo interest.