The peacock's iridescent plumage really shines when the sun hits it just right. In the zoo, it's sometimes difficult to get a good shot because often there will be a chain link fence between you and the birds or some man made structure behind the bird once you've got the right angle on it. To get a good picture of unpredictable animals (this includes children!), there are a few ways to go: (a) plan ahead and set things up so you can get the shot, (b) figure out where you want to be for a shot and wait patiently until it happens, or (c) shoot away and hope to get lucky. All three work but it depends on the circumstances which one you want to employ.

Handheld, 1/4000 sec at f/2.8 on ISO 200, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens

Handheld, 1/250 sec at f/3.5 on ISO 1600, 105mm f/2.8 macro lens

I was walking back from our data center to the Fanpop "offices" when I took this photo. Every time I get close to the Bay Bridge (which is a few times a week), I marvel at just how gigantic it is. Almost underneath the bridge on Spear St., it's hard not to feel how massive and somewhat oppressive it feels. I don't think I was able to capture that on film - it's just too big (which is exactly what I said when I showed up at the Grand Canyon… I don't know how to photograph this - it's just too big)

Handheld, 1/25 sec at f/2.8 on ISO 100, Lumix DMC-LX2

A glass blower uses a large pair of tongs to mold this piece of glass into a vase. (Captured at the Renaissance Faire.)

Handheld, 1/160 sec at f/2.8 on ISO 200, 105mm f/2.8 macro lens

I received a lot of feedback to keep both Photo of the Day and What I Ate going, but I just can't do both. So, I decided to try this - I'll keep the What I Ate going and scale back the Photo of the Day to twice a week - there will be a Wednesday Photo and a Photo of the Week (on Sundays).

A Maori woodcarver works on a future sculpture as a demonstration of this traditional art form. I took this at the Tamaki Maori Village, a reconstructed pre-European village run by a local Maori group, near Rotorua, New Zealand.

Handheld, 1/30 sec at f/2.8 on ISO 400, 17-35mm f/2.8 lens

This photo would  have worked a little better if I stopped down the lens a bit more (probably to f/16) so the Capitol Building would actually be focused. A fill flash also might have been able to brighten up the foreground star on the wrought iron fence.

Handheld, 1/200 sec at f/9.0 on ISO 200, 17-35mm f/2.8 lens

While on my way to attending the 2008 Slow Food Nation, I looked down the hill and saw the line of people waiting their turn to buy tickets.

Handheld, 1/2000 sec at f/2.8 on ISO 100, 105mm f/2.8 macro lens

I grabbed this shot one morning during light snowfall. New York has a pretty distinct look - even without capturing any of the tell-tale famous buildings. A few fire escapes, water towers, and brick buildings are enough to evoke the "feeling" of New York City (well, specifically Manhattan).

Handheld, 1/60 sec at f/4.0 on ISO 100, 17-35mm f/2.8 lens

I took this photo inside the Greystone Cellars in St. Helena, California. Greystone is where the California continuing education campus of the famed Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is located.

Handheld, 1/20 sec at f/3.5 on ISO 800, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Tina doesn't really like it when I gave her flowers when we were dating (because they require some care and clean up and then it needs to be thrown out or dried), so once I gave her a framed 8×10-in. photo of this pink rose. (I took the picture at a place that grows roses for sale near Half Moon Bay, California.)

Handheld, unrecorded exposure on Velvia 50