****PLEASE READ****PLEASE READ**** *****RE-INTRODUCTION***** Been a while since I posted an introduction and new pic of me. Sorry internet. Old and ugly, as promised. First my name REALLY is Ray. Second ALL the images here are my own work and NEVER AI. Ok, A little about the guy in the picture. I JUST turned 60 on May 6th, 2026. I'm an honorably discharged, decorated veteran. I served 10 years in the US Air Force as an aircraft crew chief for 3 years and a combat arms instructor for the remaining 7. I'm an expert marksman and still hit the range several times a month to keep in practice. I'll post targets now and then. I served 7 years in the US Border Patrol then as a civilian combat arms instructor for the Air Force. My photography has always been a hobby. NOT INTERESTED IN NFTs. Terrestrial photography is ALWAYS of nature. I TRY not to get ANY humanity in my pictures. No, I'm not a fan of humanity. I'm the guy that roots for the asteroid! I'll be there with a baseball mitt on to try to catch it. LOL Wildlife, landscapes and weather are primarily what I focus on. The instruments I use are a Canon EOS t7 with basic kit lenses, DJI Mini 2 & 3 Drones, and a GoPro Hero 13. My Astrophotography is my true passion. Since childhood I have been fascinated by Astronomy. I ALWAYS wanted to take pictures like the ones I saw in Astronomy, Science News, and Sky & Telescope Magazines. Back in 2011, I was FINALLY able to get the gear I needed to do BASIC Astrophotography. Now, I am fulfilling that dream and sharing it here. My main scope is a Williams Optics Red Cat 51 Gen 3. (Scope in pic with ugly old man) Politics. Ugh! I have VERY strong opinions. THIS site is not about that for me. It is about photography. I don't care what side you are on, what you identify as or who you vote for. I will NOT engage in political debate here. Anyone that tries will be immediately blocked whether you are on my side or not. PLEASE, if any of you feel I am being political, let me know and I will correct that behavior. Thanks for sticking around to read the ramblings of a strange, ugly old man. This is who I am and I'm too damned old to care or change.

A couple more re-works. First is Cadwell 49 The Rosette Nebula. First was last year, second was yesterday. Next is NGC-4631 The Whale Galaxy. First is earlier this year. Second was tonight.

Here we go again. IC-443, Jellyfish Nebula Re-Work. First one is from last year. Second one was today.

🌿 Nature A to Z Photo Challenge 📷 Today with Q Show us your 'Q' in nature. Share a quote, leave a comment or post your photo and join the challenge! 📷 Mine is the Stephan's QUINTET of galaxies. Imaged with a Celestron 8" Telescope.

Another Rework. This is SH2-157. Lobster Claw Nebula. Same data just different processing. First one is the old. Second is the new.

Here's the final on NGC-6914. A reflection Nebula in Cygnus. 77 X 5-minute subs (6.25 Hours). Imaged with my Red Cat 51, Gen 3, ZWO ASI 533 MC Cooled Color Camera Pro, ZWO AM 5 Mount.

Give me a Backroad Current background on my computer.

We need more photography on 𝕏!📸 If you agree, post a picture! Going to change up here and post a sampling of ALL my work.

Another Re-Work. NGC-7635 Bubble Nebula. The BIGGEST change is the crop. Again, both have merits. Wide angle is from 2025. Cropped in is from last night.

🌿 Nature A to Z Photo Challenge 📷 Today with L The Lagoon Nebula.

Another Re=Work since I still have clouds. Ugh! This is the reflection Nebula M-78 in Orion. The first one was processed last year. The second one Processed tonight. Both have merits but I prefer the detail in the one I processed tonight.

Relaxing day at the range. Took the Rock Island Armory 1911 .45. Just put 50 rounds through it at 5, 7 and 10 yards. Just plinking and relaxing. Not bad for an old man.

Give me a backroad... My current desktop.

🌿 Nature A to Z Photo Challenge 📷 Today with J Mine is Jupiter 📷📷 📸🌿

Would you look at that, it’s #SquareCropSaturday rolling around again! let’s see those squares 🔲

Do you have a picture of the color blue? 💙 The Skull Nebula.

Last 2 nights were surprisingly clear! WooHoo!! This is NGC-6914, a reflection nebula in Cygnus. Will be adding more data to this as weather permits.

Kind of a change up from my timeline. I TRY to showcase my Astrophotography here but just got back from a VERY needed trip and wanted to share a couple images. Both are drone panoramas. First is the Catalina Mountains and second is the Superstitions.

Would you look at that, it’s #SquareCropSaturday rolling around again! let’s see those squares 🔲

X needs more Photography! Do you agree? If so QP or Share something https:// All the planets and a comet I imaged.