Optics for 2007

It's time to add some goals for 2007. In addition to some personal goals, I have the following optical goals for the upcoming year.

First and foremost, I will get out of the big city and back to the country to do some astronomy under a truly dark sky. Words cannot express the ache in my heart these past several years for being trapped under a light-polluted sky. This one is way overdue.

Second, I will pursue digiscoping and wildflower photography with more organization and spend more time on each. Nothing quite gets me through the long winter months like spending some quality time reviewing all the bird and flower pics I took over the year. Might be time to add a new camera (as if I need an excuse.) I've been looking at the new Canon G7 or this might be the year to add that digital SLR like the Canon 30D.

Third, I need to add more birds to my Illinois list. This gets harder to do every year, but I still have not found my honey hole for shorebirds. I know I'm not in Nebraska, anymore, but if I could find a good spot, locally, for shorebirds, I will probably pitch a tent and live there. This one is also way overdue.

Fourth, I have recently acquired a LOMO SF-100 microscope and plan to add a LOMO BMH4-BF. I will be using these both visually and photographically, so while I am out there doing the first three above, I will also be collecting specimens. Can't wait to find a dirty, stagnant pond full of little critters. Talk about fun!

Fifth … well, it would be nice to find someone to keep me company while I do resolution one through four.

Happy New Year, everyone.