David's Images of the Day Photoblog
Greater Rhea with three chicks on an Estancia in Patagonia. I don’t remember if we had crossed into Chile yet. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec).
Several months ago I started replacing some of the incandescent and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) lights in my house with LED lights. The LED lights are still relatively expensive, but the price is starting to come down. In addition there are now some more choices in the color (soft white, cool white, daylight, warm white) of the LED lights. The LED lights do use less power and are supposed to have a longer lifetime. Note that when the CFL lights came out, they also claimed to have a longer lifetime than incandescent lights – however I have had several CFL lights fail. I also like that the LED lights come to full power instantly vs. the warm-up delay with the CFL lights. I purchased several different brands for testing and have been relatively satisfied. So all is good — sort of….
I live about half way between the New York City and Philadelphia TV transmitters, so with a high-gain TV antenna in my attic I am able to receive over the air high-definition digital TV signals from both markets. Some times when the seasons and temperatures change I have to tweak the alignment of the antenna and re-tighten the antenna cable connections. I was really looking forward to the season premiere of Downton Abby, but the signal from WHYY in Philadelphia was getting scrambled. Trying to realign the antenna didn’t help. I did notice that the interference was only happening on stations that broadcast in the lower (what used to be VHF) frequencies. I about gave up, and figured that I would have to wait until the NJ PBS stations rebroadcast Downton Abby two weeks later. I turned the lights in my office off, and was going to go bed and read a book. Normally, I turn the TV off first (before the room lights) but didn’t this time. As soon as I turned the lights off the reception for WHYY was crystal clear. Turn the lights back on, and the interference reappears. What is going on????
I did a search on Google, and found several references to LED lights causing radio and TV interference. Apparently, some of the cheaper LED lights do not have sufficient shielding for the electronics converting the AC voltage to DC needed to power the LEDs. Bottom line, make sure that the LED lights you purchase are rated for low radio frequency interference. Some do have FCC markings, this one didn’t have any identifying information. I wonder if it is even UL tested/approved???? None of the other LED lights that I have been testing cause radio or TV interference.
I got up early for one final view of Mount Fitz Roy at dawn but it was hidden behind the orange clouds. Still a dramatic panorama. Before leaving, I got more colorful lupine flower images. After a long drive, we arrived at Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
It started snowing last night, and was still snowing when I got up. The temperature stayed cold enough to keep the snow as a very fine, light powder. The high winds kept the snow from building up on the tree limbs. Several of my trolls went out to play in the snow — reminding them of their home in Norway. Later in the day I dug my car out and made a path from the house to the street. Not too much of a problem since the snow was so light.
We stayed several days at Hosteria El Pilar near El Chaltén in Argentina. With the constant wind and extreme weather, the trees in Patagonia take on some unique shapes. After a long hike, there was a rainbow visible from the back porch at the Hosteria.
