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
Mar 11, 2019 | Landscape Photography
Palouse Barn
captured by D5 / 70-200f4 / Cessna 185
I am often asked if when I’m doing air-to-air work if I ever shoot aerials. It’s really rare as there is typically no downtime to do such but this weekend, I happened to have a moment. We flew over this barn and I thought it would make a cool shot. Too late though, we’d gone past it. Luckily we went by it a second time, really rare and circled it right when I had a moment to take a snap. I love The Palouse and this simple click was just another way of looking at this gorgeous landscape, from 3500 AGL.
Mar 8, 2019 | Wildlife Photography
Balancing image size between physically moving (be it feet or hands) or not is the balancing act we need to dance every time we’re shooting critters. Understand I have to critical precepts to my photography, the first is, NO photograph is worth sacrificing the welfare of the subject. None! Second, I get it right, right in the camera. I don’t crop in post. Right or wrong, that is just my SOP, has been forever. With that in mind, working or “hiding” behind our big glass is essential in getting close physically, isolating with our optics while not altering the behavior of the critter to get the images size we desire. It is, a glass balancing act!
Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep
captured Z6 / 180-400VR w/int 1.4x
In this case, we have three, Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep rams coming down the slope to check out the ewes and see where they are going. I’m standing totally out in the open, they can see Moose with no strain. My moving though would have stopped their forward motion which not only is affecting their behavior but defeats the whole “getting a larger image size” to get a better photo philosophy. So if physically moving, walking closer, is out of the question, you gotta do something with glass. With big game, last fall I would have gone with the Nikkor 200-400VR2 / TC-14eIII option. If I was zoomed out to 400mm, the only way I could go longer would be to add the 1.4x. There were times when moving my arms/hands in that process isn’t possible because it would affect the critters behavior. That’s the principle reason why I spent the money and went with the 180-400VR. Adding the 1.4x is a simple flip of a lever. That isn’t the option for most and until it was available, wasn’t for me either. It just means that whatever glass solution you have, like the 300PF with 1.4 & 2x, High Speed Crop, or whatever your solution, you recognize what the critters behavior is or might be, what you need to do to get the image size you desire and act to get that photo without altering their behavior. It’s a tall order YOU can master, must master and is a huge part of the reward of wildlife photography when you succeed at the glass balancing act.
HSC
Mar 4, 2019 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography
I posted this photo on my IG account on the 1st. It’s a real simple click taken jumping out of the truck shooting the Z6 / 180-400VR hand-held and then hopping back in the truck out of the -16 temps. The photo is right out of the Z6 which was set to Monochrome (here are my in camera B&W settings). The only “Post” was done in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) using the Split Grad to make the clouds look angier. Below are those settings. And that’s it, easy peezy!
click on photo to see ACR Grad Settings
