Apple

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 →

Day 3 of the Micro.blog June Photo Challenge: Shadow

L-188 Electra, operated by AirSpray, at Chico, CA (KCIC)

#MBJune #Aviation #AvGeek

A medium four propeller fire tanker airplane with a red nose is parked on an airfield under a partly cloudy sky, with the sun shining brightly.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 →

We’ve a bumper crop of volunteer Holy Basil plants and we’re extremely pleased #Yarden Young Holy Basil plants growing in a garden with a drip irrigation system. Orange pin flags are placed at almost each plant. The ground has soil with small rocks and other organic matter.

Monday, May 26, 2025 →

Today we suspended shade cloth over the avocado trees. The trees will now survive 100°F+ temperatures coming later this week. Heatwaves are on the way to California!

A shade cloth covering a small area of trees. A wheelbarrow is partially visible to the right, and ropes are stretched across to keep the cloth from resting on the small trees. The ground is covered with wood chips and gravel.

Two short avocado trees with a shade cloth suspended overhead and attached by rope to a fence. There is a gravel path along the far fence and close to the camera with wood chips inbetween. A drip hose snakes between the two trees. The sun is already shaded out with the cloth’s shadow projected along the fence.

#Yarden #Gardening #AvocadoTrees #HomeOrchard #California #CaWx

Sunday, May 25, 2025 →

#SilentSunday #Sunset #Fujifilm #SOoC a boat view, but with no boat visible, of a sunset over the Pacific ocean with a 98% clear sky and gentle waves, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. To the right, an island can be seen on the horizon. It is either Maui, Moloka’i, or Lana’i

Saturday, May 24, 2025 →

Yarden pool season has begun. Rubber ducks (and more elsewhere) serve as life rafts for insects. Most of this water was carried over from last year. Under a canopy, an above-ground pool with clear blue water, a metal ladder, and a towel hanging on the edge. There's a garden in the background with a shed, grapes, elderberry, various trees, and a horrible sunshade nextdoor. Little sun bleached rubber ducks float by.

Thursday, May 22, 2025 →

October 2023 at Chico Municipal Airport: BAE 146-200s, Reg. C-GRNT and N908AS. Owned by AirSpray. I assume these are to be converted to wildfire tankers

#PlaneSpotting #CGRNT #N908AS #B462 #KCIC #AvGeek #Aviation #Fujifilm #SOoC

Two BAE-146 airplanes parked on an airport tarmac. The plane on the left is white with black and orange accents, while the plane on the right is white with partially scraped off blue accents. Three orange-red CalFire aircraft with numbers painted on their tails are partially visible.

A parked four engine BAE-146 on an airport tarmac with engine covers on. The aircraft with poorly scraped off blue accents has a high-wing design and a distinctive T-tail. Its door is taped off with red tape. The background has a blurred hazy flat landscape with trees.

Two parked BAE-146 on a tarmac, noses facing the photographer obliquely, with protective orange covers over their engines.

A profile view of a parked BAE-146 on an airport tarmac with four engines, distinctive red engine covers, and a T-tail design. The fuselage is white with black and gold accents. A second BAE-146 is behind the first one and is barely visible.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 →

Iberia A330-2 & ITA A330-9

An Iberia A330 twin engine aircraft is landing over a runway with a blue ITA A330-9 plane positioned in the foreground, lined up and ready for takeoff. The background is a hazy sky. The foreground has calm San Francisco bay waters.

#WidebodyWednesday #PlaneSpotting #Aviation #AvGeek #SFO #ECMLB #A332 #EIHPA #A339

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 →

Alternate angle of today’s surprise Fence lizard.

#FenceLizard #Fujifilm #SOoC A brown striped Fence lizard stares straight at the camera with sharp black eyes. It’s on a cement pad with a bit of moisture in front of it. There’s an out of focus hose crossing the photo frame to the left.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 →

Preparing for takeoff May 1, 2025: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 flying SFO-FRA and United Boeing 777-2 flying SFO-AMS

A Lufthansa Boeing 747 and a United Airlines aircraft taxiing obliquely, tails together, across a fetch of San Francisco Bay water. The Lufthansa tail is blue with an orange circle and a stylized flying stick. The United tail has a dark blue to light blue gradient with a globe of meridians and parallels in its lower right corner.

#TailTuesday #PlaneSpotting #AvGeek #Aviation #D-ABYH #N788UA #B748 #B772 #Fujifilm #SOoC

Sunday, May 18, 2025 →

Family photo of Mount St. Helens (foreground) and Mount Rainier (background). Probably on a flight from KSMF to KSEA, somewhere just north of Portland  #MountStHelens #Aviation #AvGeek

A photo from an airline passenger seat where Mount St. Helens is in the foreground, mostly in shadow, with some ridges poking out by surrounding stratus clouds. Mount Rainier is in the background but only partially covered by clouds. There's some snow on Mount Rainier and the saddle between Point Success and Mt. Rainier peak is easy to see.

Tips for Porting out of T-Mobile (mid-May 2025)

Sunday, May 18, 2025

T-Mobile raised prices on their "uncarrier” plans that, in plain language, originally claimed prices would never increase. So as T-Mobile is now like any other carrier, I transferred our lines to US Mobile.

Rather than tediously explain my decision, I’ll offer some tips to port your lines to US Mobile, and probably any other carrier. The instructions below may seem daunting, but it really is easy provided you can convince T-Mobile’s account website to give you a port out PIN.

I apologize that I can’t give specific page names as T-Mobile disables your account soon as the primary line is ported over. This is why you must first start with a non-primary line (if you have one).

As of 5/17/2025, using eSims:

  1. Update your phones to the latest operating system
  2. Log-in to your primary T-Mobile account however you like
  3. Disable all SIM Protection features for all lines under Line Settings or Security (I forget where exactly). You should be able to toggle both lines off on the same page
  4. ALSO Remove SIM Protection from your line feature add-ons. This is the page where you can buy new add-ons, but instead you’re just removing the add-on. You must do this line by line
  5. Confirm your phones are unlocked. If T-Mobile does not have a status, they are likely unlocked. Call if you’re unsure but don’t let them send you to customer retention. If they ask, just say you’re thinking of selling your phone
  6. Log-out of the T-Mobile account
  7. To request a temporary port out PIN using your Primary account phone:
    1. Turn off wifi. Using Cellular data on your primary account phone, log-in to your T-Mobile account
    2. Using the upper right search box, type in Port Out
    3. Tap on the first result for Port Out PIN. The website should attempt to authenticate that you’re using your primary account device. If it fails authentication, log-out, toggle Airplane mode on and off, turn off wifi, and try logging in again and repeat the above. This was the most frustrating part: their help is out of date or they purposefully removed port out PIN from line settings. Last resort, to save frustration from boiling over, you may need to call them. Just tell them you’re moving to another country and that should prevent customer retention maneuvers. While you’re on the phone, check your device lock statuses
    4. Write down your Port Out PIN. This PIN is for all lines on your account
    5. Write down your T-Mobile account number
  8. Transfer your non-primary line first, then lastly your primary account line:
    1. At US Mobile or your new carrier, check-out and begin activating/porting the secondary or non-primary line. Take note if you’re signing up for Dark Star (AT&T), Warp (Verizon) or Lightspeed (T-Mobile)
      1. If you text with Android people, you’ll want RCS. So choose Dark Star
    2. You’ll need to enter your T-Mobile account number and the port out PIN
    3. Eventually your new carrier will issue an eSim QR code to your email and/or account line settings
    4. Your secondary line must be on Wifi
    5. You should wait until your phone goes into SOS mode or no longer has a signal. That will indicate that T-Mobile as disabled your eSim
    6. Your secondary line will be removed from the T-Mobile account
    7. From the secondary phone line, scan the eSim QR code or, if you have it on your phone, long-press and tap Install eSim
    8. Follow the prompts
    9. It’ll take a minute or two
    10. If your T-Mobile eSim was disabled before you installed the new eSim, then you should be good to go. Now port your primary line as you did the secondary
    11. If your T-Mobile eSim was not disabled before you installed the new eSim, you may need to go into your phone’s Cellular settings and swap your eSim to the new one
    12. If you’re using US Mobile, I suggest that you install their Cellular profile for a better experience. You’ll need to know if you’re using Dark Star, Warp, or Light Speed
    13. Once your primary line is ported from T-Mobile, you’ll no longer be able to log-in to T-Mobile
    14. You can then delete the disabled old eSim under Cellular settings
    15. Be sure to call your own phone number from your phone to set up your voicemail

Thursday, May 15, 2025 →

The Northern Mockingbird pair are mostly absent from their nest. I guess the ambient temperature is warm enough that they don’t feel the need to lay on the eggs?

Three Northern Mockingbird eggs with a rust red speckle on a green shell rests in a cozy nest. The nest is in a grapevine. It is shaded by grape leaves, and sunlight is trying stream through.

#NestWatch #Nest #NorthernMockingbird #Birds #Fujifilm #SOoC

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 →

First year our milkweed has bloomed!

#Milkweed #BloomScrolling #Yarden #Fujifilm #SOoCA close-up of pale pink and white Milkweed flowers with green leaves in the background. The flowers have a star-like shape and clustered arrangement.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 →

These compound eyes! Close-up of a western black horsefly with detailed compound eyes and a hairy body, resting on a surface.

#WesternBlackHorsefly #Insect #InsectPhotography #Fujifilm #SOoC

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 →

This morning in California after the rain #CaWx #California A serene landscape featuring a field of tall, golden grass under a clear blue sky. The sun is rising on the horizon, casting a warm glow across the scene. Distant towering clouds can be seen at the horizon. Tree branches frame the image from the top.

Saturday, May 10, 2025 →

Our (male?) Northern Mockingbird is still actively inspecting and improving the nest in our grapes just outside our glass slider door. I think they’ve partnered up so perhaps the nest will be fully occupied soon! #NestWatch #NorthernMockingbird #Birds #BirdPhotography #FujifilmA Northern Mockingbird is sitting in a nest surrounded by green leaves and branches. It has an outstretched neck to peak out while its tail is almost straight up. It is surrounded by grape leaves and vines.

A Northern Mockingbird stands on a nest, tail at a 45° angle, surrounded by lush green grape leaves and vines. It is clearly getting ready to fly off

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 →

A claw machine house on Grant Avenue in San Francisco #BlackAndWhite #SanFrancisco #Photography #Fujifilm #SOoCIn black and white, a person stands alone in a nearly empty room with walls on both sides covered in claw games. They’re gazing at the LED bedazzled claw machines under harsh fluorescent lights on a reflective faux wood floor. There’s an odd mural and a closed door on the bare far wall. A security camera fixed to the ceiling is sentinel.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 →

Hawaiian A330-243 (N391HA) HNL-SFO on May 3rd, 2025, south of arrival runways #N391HA #A332 #AvGeek #CloudyPlaneSpotting #PlaneSpotting #AviationPhotography #Aviation #Fujifilm

On a day with low clouds, a Hawaiian A330-243 (N391HA) HNL-SFO makes its approach with eagle-clawed landing gear out, landing lights visible through the nose struts, and with a vapor trail streaming off the wing.

Saturday, May 3, 2025 →

Me getting Dim Sum for breakfast in San FranciscoA man wearing a hat, KN95 mask, and camera stands in a small takeout Dim Sum restaurant. The floor has a checkered tile pattern with WATCH YOUR STEP tape on the threshold. There's a digital ordering kiosk, a TV on the wall.

Friday, May 2, 2025 →

Bayfront Park. 📍

A bumblebee enjoying a carpet of asters (probably invasive capeweed 😕) at Bayfront Park, Millbrae A close up of several bright yellow daisies in a field with a bumblebee hovering in the upper left corner of the photo. #BloomScrolling #Bumblebee #Insects #Fujifilm #SOoC

Saturday, April 26, 2025 →

Backyard native flower status: Pink and white California roses and Elderberry. There appear to be flower buds on the milkweed! A pink wild rose in full bloom surrounded by green leaves, with a background of branches and more foliage.

A white wild rose with yellow stamens, surrounded by green leaves.

Clusters of small yellow elderberry flowers with green leaves on a bush against a cloudy sky background.

A cute tiny ladybug resting on a large green Milkweed leaf with visible veins and a cluster of flower buds in the middle.

#Yarden #NativePlants

Saturday, April 26, 2025 →

Backyard trees have decent fruit set. New Century Asian Pears, Hosui Asian Pears, and a Nectarine Green leaves and an unripe, small unripe green New Century Asian Pear fruit growing on a tree branch with a cloudy sky in the background.

A young tree with small, green Hosui Asian Pear fruits growing among glossy green leaves. The tree is supported by a stake. The background is a blurred garden setting.

A fruit tree with green leaves and reddish unripe nectarines, growing among the foliage. The ground is covered in gravel, and a shed is partially visible in the background.

#HomeOrchard #Yarden

Saturday, April 19, 2025 →

Ospreys are amazing. Last week, before our eyes, one plunged into Black Butte lake and caught a fish! To grab a fish, an osprey plunged deep into to lake water, while keeping its head above the water. There is a large dead tree branch overhead, and the background is full of Willows.

A osprey, with a captured fish in its talons, flying low over a body of water surrounded by trees. Branches frame the foreground, and the bird's wings are spread mid-flight.

A blurred image of an osprey in flight over a body of water with lush green trees in the background. The osprey has a more noticeable fish in its talons. #Osprey #Birds #BirdPhotography #BlackButteLake #Fujifilm #SOoC

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 →

You got this  #WrensDay #SacramentoWildlifeRefuge #Birds #BirdPhotography #Fujifim #SOoC

A small Bewick's Wren is perched on a winter naked Willow branch. This Wren, for once, isn't singing but is squat against the branch, looking out. It has a really long narrow and dark tail and white stripes on its head. Its body is mostly gray.

Monday, April 14, 2025 →

At Black Butte Lake this last Saturday, we were treated by a flying formation of American White Pelicans. They are captivating flyers. #AmericanWhitePelican #BlackButteLake #BirdPhotography #Birds #Fujifilm #SOoC

Against a blue sky, four American White Pelicans are in a straight line formation, spaced by mere feet. They are photographed as a diagonal across the frame. The rear edge of their wings are black, the rest of their body is white.

Sunday, April 13, 2025 →

Yesterday: Damselfly and a Mosquito at Black Butte Lake #Damselfly #BlackButteLake #Fujifilm #SOoC A blue damselfly resting on a rock surrounded by wet, sandy ground with small pebbles and a mosquito to its left. Both are surrounded by wet brown muddy muck.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 →

Okay, dilapidated front yard sprinkler valve assembly is removed and system capped off. The water line diverged before the valve assembly so I simply capped it off after the T so the backyard assembly and hose bib still gets water. PVC primer & cement hardly used and will go bad before next need 😜The image shows a cluster of irrigation valves partially buried in the ground, surrounded by soil and gravel. Wires are connected to the valves, which are part of a lawn or garden sprinkler system. The wires are disconnected from the sprinkler line.A removed irrigation valve assembly next to a house foundation, surrounded by dirt and rocks. A shallow pit where the sssembly was is nearby, and an irrigation box lid leans against a wooden fence. A red PVC cutter tool and a hand trowel on the ground.The image shows a pit with cut PVC piping connections, surrounded by dirt and gravel. A red pipe cutter is lying on the ground nearby. A disconnected sprinkler valve assembly is discarded to the right. A PVC cutter tool is visible.A small, muddy excavation pit next to a building with exposed pipes and finished clean (compared to older pipes) white cap fittings. There are tools and work gloves nearby, along with gravel and a trashed valve assembly.

Friday, April 11, 2025 →

My latest project is to remove one entire unused sprinkler valve assembly. Took a bit of care excavating but now I know to cut four pipes and cap at least the inlet (the pipe coming from the bottom of the photo). In a perfect world, I’d remove the three PVC runs into the front yard (mostly native plants there & no lawn!) but that’s a lot of work for no practical good payoff whatsoever. #yardenA trench and excavation revealing three standard Orbit sprinkler valves connected to PVC. One line tees off around the valves, presumably to the backyard valve box. There are two wires coming out of each sprinkler head. The soil is moist with some red coloration. Clearly the soil has experienced moist anoxic conditions.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 →

Bushtit! A small gray-brown Bushtit is on a tree branch surrounded by green leaves and twigs. It has a rather active pose, like it’s in the process of turning around.#Bushtit #Birds #SacramentoWildlifeRefuge #Fujifilm #SOoC

Monday, April 7, 2025 →

Loggerhead shrike from the Refuge the other weekend #LoggerheadShrike #Birds #BirdPhotography #SacramentoWildlifeRefuge #Fujifilm #SOoC

A small Loggerhead shrike, mostly gray with black eyeshadow, is perched on a bare tree branch against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and blurred Willow foliage.