What’s Up?
Me, early again, as usual. I am getting started packing for the big UK trip. For me, packing begins with doing laundry, completely unpacking my two checked bags, and charging all the camera batteries.
I shot a new video yesterday on some of the finer points of using the FlexShooter Pro head; it will be posted soon. I fly on Wednesday afternoon to Chicago and then catch a red-eye flight to Edinburgh, Scotland to meet the group on Thursday morning. We should be photographing gannets that afternoon.
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This image was created on June 11, 2019, by Anita North down by the shore at Basket Lake near Dryden, Ontario Canada. She used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped-up Nikon D850. ISO 250: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3. Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here. artie before his birthday haircut |
Thinking About It
I had been thinking about shaving my head for a year or two. In late May, I made the decision to do it on my 73rd birthday on my visit to Basket Lake. I knew that Anita North could do a good job; as a brain surgeon, she has shaved more than a few heads during her career. I tooled around Amazon for a bit and ordered a Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110.
As I was sitting on a chair in Anita’s kitchen with a towel draped over my shoulders it brought back memories of being on a gurney outside the operating room when I had major spinal surgery in the early summer of 1991 — perhaps this is not a good idea. As it turned out, I love my new haircut.
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This image was created on June 11, 2019, by Anita North down by the shore at Basket Lake near Dryden, Ontario Canada. She used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped-up Nikon D850. ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3. Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here. artie after his birthday haircut |
The Top Ten Reasons I Shaved My Head
- #1: Scott Van Pelt (SVP). Sports Center with Scott Van Pelt: “It’s midnight eastern time and I’m not tired.” Scott is the coolest, nicest man on the planet. He is sweet and kind and clever and smart and humble and funny and knowledgeable. He is highly respected by pretty much everyone, including the very biggest stars in the world of sports. Two features, The Best Thing I Saw Today and 1 Big Thing, often leave me in tears. Love you man. If you think that I might be exaggerating, check out Scott here on raising daughters.
- #2: James (Froggy) Shadle, good friend, and captain of the Hooptie Deux, aka the Spoonbill Boat. I had long-admired his bald head (fine as frog hair).
- #3: No more snarls! At times it would take me an hour to get all the tangles out of my ponytail.
- #4: Twenty-seven years is long enough for a ponytail, even an iconic one.
- #5: I no longer have to worry about losing my (one, beloved) hairbrush.
- #6: No more buying shampoo and expensive conditioner (to combat #3).
- #7: Shorter showers!
- #8: No more hair blowing in my eyes while photographing on windy days.
- #9: I look a lot younger, less gristly, and a no longer grizzled.
- #10: I wanted to do it, to stir the pot a bit if you would.
- #11 — sorry, I lied about ten: I swim faster. (That’s a joke — nobody swims slower than me).
Happy Birthday Artie!! The new look looks good on you!
Distinguishing Artist look my friend, Jim Brandenburg would approve. You let go of some things when you cut off that many years.
Trickery!
How to remove hair like this and tons more, covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
Just kidding, Artie. Love it. Looks great and must feel great, too.
Looking good Artie! I chuckled at #5…I’ve been using the same hair brush for years…a lot of the bristles (plastic) have since moved away, but it’s the only brush I like. It’ll probably last longer than me!
Well, you did it! You told us when we were at the Lakes you were going to ( or were thinking) for flag day (your BD). Looking good. Safe and productive trip to Scotland.
Sigmon and Sadako
Thanks. Which Lakes?
with love, artie
Good haircut Artie! Interesting that you mentioned not having hair blowing in front of your face. It was the reason I cut my hair many years ago. I was trying to photograph a mushroom at the time and it just kept getting in the way. You look great.
Clive
You’re rocking the new look. Actually, makes you look younger.
Cheers
Thanks, Tony. The last time I saw you you were looking pretty good too!
with love, a
Two thumbs up Artie!
Holy Moly! Looks awesome! Now you just need this: https://www.amazon.com/HeadBlade-ATX-Razor/dp/B009S7D2A6?th=1 🙂
Thanks. I am looking for something that will shave my head really close. The problem is that they all have lots of really bad reviews. Just like the one that you linked to 🙂
with love, artie
New look is great.
Thanks, Bart. Say Hi to Betty. with love, a
Wow…. so do I love your new haircut. Way to go, my friend.
🙂 Tanks, Joe!
a
You look very nice, Artie!! Just keep a cap on your head when out shooting in major sunny area and time. Don’t want to get a sunburn on your whole head!!
Thanks. I am A+ when it comes to sun protection, all with clothing.
a
Looks great, Artie!
Thanks, Mark!
a
Well Artie, you certainly rock the look. You are 9 1/2 years older than me, I guess I’ve got a while to think about doing the same.
Have a great time in Seahouses. I know doing that IPT in 2015 was a highlight in my life! I marveled folks didn’t sign up en mass this year, absolutely fantastic trip, no better place on the planet to photograph Puffins in flight!
Thanks a stack Bill. I was thinking about you the other day. I can wait to try them with the SONY a9/100-400 GM!
I do hope that all is well with you.
with love, a
Looks, great, keep it
Thanks. You mean keep it down 🙂
a
Mr Artie,
Love it… l love changes… God Bless You…
Enjoy your days… Joe
Many tanks. Will do, and ditto.
a
Not bad, I shall get used to it…
That’s what all my friends and family have been saying 🙂
a
I think you shaved at least “10” years off your appearance, but you are still a kid at heart.
Thanks. How do I keep a yarmulke on now?
with love, artie
I once went to a funeral and at the cemetery the wind was really blowing. I used chewing gum. It worked.
For us 1946 models, you are now really looking pretty young and spiffy! The new look works! Congratulations, and happy birthday!
Thanks, Jim. It is good to hear from you; it has been a while. We’ve both been lucky!
with love, a
I love your new doo, you handsome devil!
Thanks, Donna. See you guys somewhere 🙂
with love, a