Apr 4, 2019 | Wildlife Photography
One of the unique adaptations of the bird world are the Nuthatches. They’re the bird that walks DOWN the tree trunk, head first looking for a meal. When you think about it, it’s really smart ’cause all the rest of the bird species go UP the trunk looking for a meal. Those species miss the majority of the time stuff stuck in the top of the bark, but not the nuthatches. While I love all three North American species, it’s the White-breasted I work the hardest at getting that single, clean portrait. What makes up that portrait?
Well, there are a number of elements, two of the more important ones are the bird and the tree. In the spring the breast is its whitest. It starts to get dirty once nesting season begins and they are drilling out their cavity. So you wanna catch them early and on a trunk with character. Then, you need to be able to get close to them ’cause they are small! Lastly, you want a background that shows off their unique biology of traveling down a trunk, curving their head out looking for the next meal or, competition. Doesn’t seem like much to ask of a subject but having chased them for years, it’s easier then it sounds!
I was very fortunate to set up the D5 / 180-400VR / TC-14eIII on a trunk right next to a hanging feeder the birds loved. This one White-breasted frequented it making is easier to get the shot. You can see three photos here. The top one is my favorite as the wind has blown its feathers just a tad and along with its pose, gives the White-breasted a little gesture with the light and texture. The second one, yeah, not a favorite at all! It appears like I grabbed the nuthatch and threw hard against the tree where it stuck. Yuck! I like the light on the last one but a tad of the tail is out of the frame and gesture like it wants out of here. Just like portraits of folks, those of critters need to tell a story and share its character, especially the White-breasted portrait.
Mar 27, 2019 | Landscape Photography
As Columbus pointed out, the earth is round. That curve though is often the bane of our photography as we work to square everything up perfectly. Embracing the curve not only requires seeing and thinking about it but having the right lens at the right time to make it all come to life in the viewfinder.
What I have here is a real simple example of what I’m talking about. The bluff on Flaming Gorge Reservoir screamed to curve. So in grabbing the Z7 / 8-15Fish first set to 15mm (top photo) and them 8mm (bottom photo), I brought in the earth’s curve. Doesn’t work with every subject, but by having the 8-15Fish in your bag, you can embrace the curve.
Mar 26, 2019 | Landscape Photography
Flaming Gorge Bridge
captured by Z7 / 8-15Fish
There are times I just wanna take photos but the light, well the light just sucks! When this occurs the first thing I tend to look for are dramatic shadows because that’s what hard light is really great at creating. When I find those shadows I look at what is creating them (other than the sun) and then see if there is a story to be had creating the photograph. That how it was when we ventured down into Flaming Gorge. What we found was not what I was thinking!
Flaming Gorge Bridge
captured by Z7 / 8-15Fish
The Flaming Gorge Bridge isn’t huge but the span it bridges is deep. There are all sorts of signs saying don’t walk (or dive) on the bridge. But the light, the hard light, and its shadow were perfect. There were two cracks, almost perfectly symmetrical on the road leading up to the bridge. Grabbing the Z6 / 8-15Fish, I got right up to those cracks and made an easy, simply click. The storytelling and shadows encouraged me to become a troll and head underneath it. There, the ropes of those much more adventurous then I awaited summer a swing out and down. In shooting B&W in the Z6 produces gorgeous results that are all done in camera. Even in bad light, there are photos to be made, just gotta look for the shadows.
Mar 21, 2019 | Wildlife Photography
Bobcat
captured through dual pane glass / Z6 / 300PF
It all began at New Years, a Bobcat was in the neighborhood and everyone was seeing him (I think it’s a young male). Then in January, I got my first glimpse of Bob. Over the last few months, we knew it was all over our property. Between Sadie’s nose and all the tracks, we knew when he’d been around and the path he was taking. But we never saw him, often missing him by just minutes (fresh tracks in new snow). And bobcats are just so cool so we were on a mission, especially Sharon. I was in the office packing just prior to going to England for The Photography Show (such a great event, thanks all!) and just zipped up the camera bag when I hear in that “I want your attention now voice” Sharon said, “the bobcat is here!”
Bobcat
captured by Z6 / 300PF / ISO 12800
I come out to see him on the corner of our deck taking a bath. It was dark as sin out so I took a quick iPhone photo through the window to quickly record the date and time. If someone was watching Sharon and me, they probably thought we were nuts as we were “hiding” in our own home so as to not scare off our visitor. There Bob sat as it kept getting darker and darker. It’s then I decided to get out the Z6 / 300PF / FTZ Adapter, crank the ISO up to 12800 and see if I could crack the door and get a shot of our new friend.
Bobcat
captured by Z6 / 300PF / ISO 12800
He knew we were there, the only surprise is when the door started to open. The hinges on that door are well greased so it opens real smooth and quick (not the first time trying this technique). He instantly stopped what he was doing (he had jumped to Tree 3 and was sharpening his nails) and stared down at Sharon and I. My first thought is he would scent Sadie and be gone. To my great surprise, after a moment he went back to his nails. He probably smells Sadie all over the property so no biggie. He then stopped, kinda hunched down and watched us for a few minutes, just as curious about us as we, him. One thing I really LOVE about the Z6 is it make NO noise when shooting. I slowly put the rig up to my eye, got off some shots and then stopped as it was so bloody dark. He sat there for a few more moments and then went up the tree a few branches to take a nap. While over in the UK, Sharon had Bob back two more times. There is a pattern growing so if lucky, tonight I’ll have more time with him. He’s welcomed anytime!
Mar 20, 2019 | Wildlife Photography
I was in great company Monday at the Walthamstow Wetlands! Along with my dear friend Michael Eleftheriades and the Nikon Owner gang, I got the privilege to explore the newly opened wetlands just north of London. This urban wildlife wonderland was simply spectacular that I so enjoyed. I had seen a European Robin in the past but never when I had a lens to capture it by. I was so hoping to have an opportunity this trip now that I was prepared and I wasn’t disappointed … and a lot more!
Knowing I was going on this adventure and wanting to travel light, I brought the Nikkor 180-400VR / Nikkor TC-14eIII which turned out perfect. Using simple biology, the birds and the bees, I came across of pair of European Robins working on a nest. With sex in the air, getting close was easy. I just had to wait for the background I wanted. Another really cool bird (there were tons!) was the Great crested Grebe. It’s that time of year when they pair bond by dancing on the water. I regret we didn’t get to see that! They are great looking birds.
The main point though is this “urban” wildlife refuge is a great resource for anyone in or around London for amazing wildlife photography in site of the Olympic Park or downtown. I can’t encourage you enough to take advantage of this or any urban wildlife in your own backyard. And to Michael and the gang … thanks again for a brilliant day and a great dinner!!!
Mar 18, 2019 | Wildlife Photography
Sanderling
captured by D5 / 800mm / Panning Plate
This is a real simple blog post, light and its emotional quality (warmth) has to be captured! This example shows what happens when lieing on the sand with a Sanderling when a cloud goes in front of the sun. The quality of light, both its quantity and its warmth disappears. The “blue” or cold tone brought by the cloud cover stops the photo from going out and grabbing heartstrings. With the sun out, that warmth opens the door letting the viewer quickly in to engage with the Sanderling. This is something that won’t improve with changing the WB in the camera or in post. It only comes from the sun and you must look for and embrace it when it shines!
Sanderling
captured by D5 / 800mm / Panning Plate
