Just Another Rant from Hannibal the Disgruntled Consumer

My adorable, significant other, "Cuttidad" ordered a gift for me in advance for my birthday (Dec 14). Cutti wanted to give me this gift before we left on vacation to Costa Rica. I would need a flash in the rainforest, as the canopy would cast shadows throughout, and to capture the many creatures that live within, I would have to depend on something other than my standard flash which isn't up to par for long ranges. With all that in mind, my research led me to the Canon 430EX Speedlight. The best price was at "Express Camera" on the net. Cutti orders the flash, and then (of course) has to call the company for confirmation. Express says that they have an even better flash, and that all the 430 owners are upgrading to this new digital flash. It has features that the 430 doesn't have and it is formatted for digital cameras, unlike the 430, so the accuracy is superior. Sounds great! The price was just a few dollars more, and if I am not happy, I have 7 days to return it. Sounds reasonable! O.K., lets get this one. I write down the make number, and jump on the net, after the order. I can't find any reviews on this new flash. Hmmm, must be extremely new, since no one has reviewed it. I am not feeling so great about this anymore. All I want is some confirmation that what I am about to recieve is worthy of the price and the justification that it is indeed as good as, or better than the 430. We wait for UPS to deliver, so the testing can begin, since I only have 7 days. It arrives, and seems to function properly, but the testing is limited to short distances. This flash does have a zoom function, but the zoom is maxed out at 150mm. Extra long distance shots would be void, and I never really expected a flash to shoot so far, thats kinda ridiculous. Hopefully when we are in the jungle, the sloths, toucans, monkeys, hummingbirds, poison dart frogs, scarlet macaws, and hundreds of varieties of bird species will be kind enough to introduce themselves at close range.
Anyway, after recieving the product, I find a web address and discover that Amazon sells this beauty for $160 less than what Cutti just paid. Immediately, we want to send it back. I call customer service for the RMA number that you need to return merchandise and speak with a guy I shall name "Dick".
The conversation went like this:

me: I would like an RMA number.
Dick: What are you returning?
me: The 942 flash I purchased on the 22nd.
Dick: This is a great flash ma'am, why would you return it?
me: I don't like it.
Dick: Did you try it?
me: Yes, and I don't like it.
Dick: You tried it.-What camera did you try it on?
me: Canon Digital Rebel
Dick: Well I can give you $60 off and you can keep it instead of sending it back which will cost you more than what you bought it for.
me: Ummm, no, I have 7 days to return it for a full refund
Dick: I will give you store credit (interrupted by me)
me: No, No, No, No, No, I don't want store credit, I want a refund, can I have the RMA number?
Dick: I'm not going to give you an RMA number until you tell me why you don't like the flash.
me: I don't have to tell you why I don't like the flash, I would like to speak to your manager.
Dick: I am the manager
me: I would like to speak to someone over you.
Dick: There is no one over me
me: Really? What is your name?
Dick: Henry
me: Whats your last name?
Dick: Eefelt
me: Spell that.
Dick: E-e-f-e-l-t
me: So if I call back and ask(interruption from Dick)
Dick:Could you hold please..(click)
I am on hold for over 2 minutes and start to think he is not coming back. Then, the line gets kicked into the system intro, and I knew he ran from Big Bad Me. I hung up the phone, and realized that every one of my co workers heard the entire conversation. I then, chose to explain the whole thing to them but it wasn't enough for my blood pressure to let off steam, it probably got me even more worked up. I wanted justice. I wanted to know if Henry was this dicks real name. Could he be that stupid? I called up and asked for him, and the operater put me through. I hung up. I am shocked. He was that stupid. I then called back to speak with a manager. This guy was also a guy I shall call Dick. I explained that I wanted an RMA number and he must have taken notes from Henry. He asks me why I wanted to return such a great flash. I explained that I didn't like it, and he said, did you try it? (here we go again) FAST-FORWARD THRU ALL THE NONSENSE: I told him I honestly didn't like how I was treated, and that I could get this flash for $160 less at Amazon. He said fine, I can give you an RMA number but it will cost you $36 for using and returning it. It is now an "open box" item. Plus, the postage to ship it and I am already out $10 for the shipping to me in the first place. He would knock off $100 to settle this right now. I was done. I didn't want to fight any more, so I took the deal. Whether it was the right choice is still pending...All I know is, if I have 1 piece of advice to internet consumers out there, just do your research, and stick to your original decision. These scammers are hard sellers and push products that have huge markups, verses the item you want to buy with a lower markup. Don't let them sell you something because they say it is better. If you are unsure, hang up and research this new item, then call back. Oh, and don't order from New Jersey. The salesmen are all named Dick! Remember the warranty company I had to deal with for my broken camera? New Jersey! Cuttidad, Thank you for my flash. Don't let the dicks taint your gift to me.

The Passing of the Secret Treasure

I am announcing the passing of the "not-so-famous" Albino Whitetail Deer that I have photographed so many times over the years. She was not famous, because she was a securely kept secret, treasured by her keepers. She lived to be at least 11 years old, as far as anyone could date her, so 11 might even be young. Anyway, she lived a very good life. A very long life. It is known, that most deer in the wild survive on average, about 7 years, but can live up to 15 years, depending on their environment. (A diet of woody vegetation grinds their teeth down faster, resulting in a shorter lifespan) She outlived the average. She also birthed plenty of babies in her years, so the recessant gene is out there, waiting...

I knew her to be curious. I knew her to be brave. Every time I caught a sight of her, and she of me, we would stare at eachother curiously. She took her time studying me, before she would even think of leaving. It was as if she knew I wasn't a threat to her. I am not the only one. Of the people who knew her, and saw her on a regular basis, she would almost never dash into the woods for cover. She would enter "people territory" and lay down not 50 feet from her secret friends. (Usually there was lake between) I took photos inside the house of the property owners while she rested in the weeds (picture above) I have a picture of the view from the dining room, and what a beautiful scene she created, but I will not publish that photo with respect to the owners.

She was a creature of habit. I could count on her to show up on a certain hillside during the winter months. It mainly had to be a sunny day, as I can only imagine that the hill provided wind cover for her as well as heat from the suns rays on those cold days. She liked that hillside very much. She stuck out like a sore thumb when there was no snow, but when the snow covered that hill, forget about it, she was invisible.

The property she lived on was well over 40 acres, and she roamed pretty much all of it. The landowners are heartbroken, as anyone can imagine. They hold out hope for the next albino, and the odds are in their favor, but coming to know this particular one, who shared their land with mutual respect was special, beyond description. How can anyone possibly describe the emotional attachment of a creature who would roam their/her land, and share eachothers lives from an undeniable distance of attraction? I cannot find the appropriate words for this loss. The weight of it is immeasurable to me. I will think of her often, as will all who knew her. There is a place I will no longer drive by, because it is now empty. It is empty of the mystery that once held a secret.

Note: She was found by the landowner while hiking through the woods. Her routine route would not have taken her to the white one, but something drew her to her final place. She was found near the waters edge. I nice place to rest.

Not for Lack of Trying...

This weekend was great, weather-wise, but the wildlife were not cooperating. I can always count on the pelicans though, so my post for this week is again, the American White Pelicans. To see them in flight is amazing! They take off from the water and circle the area until they get enough lift to clear the trees. Watching them in perfect synchronicity as they turn and bank creates a pattern in the sky like a kaleidoscope. As always, they are amazing to watch! Check them out in Channahon at McKinley Woods/Moose Island, they won't be here much longer.

I Wish my 50th Post was Filled with Mindblowing Photography...

Playing around with lens flares
A hole in the sky


I had an opportunity to capture some weather shots last evening in my back yard. The wind and clouds were fascinating, and everchanging with each minute. I wish I was at a scenic location for this spectacle, but I didn't put in the effort. The dishes getting washed were more important I guess. Anyway, I did see a few rainbows, but seeing them on "film" didn't really capture the moment. Taking the few pictures I did, didn't quite quench the thirst for my photography obsession. This time of the season is pretty much a lull in activity concerning wildlife. The birds have mostly migrated, and the deer have yet to come into "season", if you know what I mean. Everything else to find, is pretty much random, so I am waiting on good weather for weekend morning finds. Stay Tuned...

I Still Have Not Got Squat!

Sorry Folks! My head hangs in shame...

I Suck

I've got nothing to post. I've been screwing around with new headers, using pictures that were really not up to snuff for posting, to keep myself occupied at work. I've also been busy cleaning my house for a birthday and organizing my parents 50th wedding anniversary which was all held this weekend. In between all that, I have been playing Guitar Hero. Oh, and since the new T.V. season has started, I have been trying out new shows (most suck), and watching the great ones I am already addicted to. I've been distracted...but I hope to find some new stuff soon. Thanks for checkin in, and sorry for your disappointment. IT HURTS ME MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU...

Pelicans-A-Go-Go

I have been talking about the pelicans in Channahon alot lately, so now it is time to post what I've seen. The American White Pelicans are migrating back south from Canada and other cooler places, and they do this twice a year. Their route always follows rivers, so luck would have it that we have some long ones in a semi-direct route to each destination. In the Spring, when they stop over, they are sporting large fibrous plates on their bills for mating season. Being a very large bird (8-9.5 ft wingspan), you would expect them to sit quite low in the water, but the interesting fact is that they have air in their bones which causes them to be more bouyant.
Now there is a fun fact!-Share your new knowledge with a friend, or a stranger! They will undoubtedly find you more interesting and way more smarter than before!!!!!-WAY!