The Boys of Summer

May 8, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

American White Pelican captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC @840mm

The first American White Pelican boys have arrived at Lee Metcalf NWR signalling the migration north is in full swing and nesting is around the corner. The “horns” on their mandibles and their deep orange color signals they are breeders. They are so much fun to watch them motor about the large pond as they forage in unison. At times on the far side and out of lens reach only to do an about face and come driving back in our direction. I regret I’ve not spent enough time with them to know how long they will stick around the refuge (a wonderful place) but hope to find out this year. I simply love spending time with the boys of summer!

American White Pelican captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC @840mm

It’s All Fun & Games

May 3, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Osprey captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC w/Z2.x @1200mm

We were real fortunate to find this active Osprey nest at the beginning of our week. The platform is physically low and with our elevated advantage post, we can see the activity nearly at eye level. That’s rare with nesting platforms. We were also fortunate that the pair had just started to build their nest. There were just a few sticks and a whole bunch of garden clothe at first. The female (the bigger of the two) soon tossed out the garden clothe so the male uped his game.

By day four, you can see the nest platform was taking shape. It was funny to watch the male bring in a stick and the female throw it out and down into the water. At first I thought it was because she didn’t approve of the stick. But after a while she launched from the platform and grabbed the stick from the water. She did this a couple of times so I’m thinking she let them soak so the stick would be plyable.

Our last time to the nest we planned to have the setting sun providing some nice light for the Osprey’s romance. Everything was going as planned until the wind direction changed. You want the sun and the wind on your back photography birds in flight. With the wind in your face, you get this, the business end of the bird. It was a great time at the platform, learned a lot and shot even more. I loved it all, it’s all fun & games!

Osprey captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC w/Z2.x @1200mm

Waiting for the Light

May 2, 2024 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Currituck Sound captured by Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8 Dark Monochrome

Back for my second day at this amazing Osprey nest, it was raining when we parked. After setting up the Z 9 / Z600f4TC I noticed the skies were breaking in a somewhat dramatic fashion. So I grabbed the Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8 for any landscape opportunities that might arise. No sooner than I was at the nest when the light started to work it’s magic. I set the Z 8 to Dark Monochrome and let it bring home the light on Currituck Sound. The photo above is right out of the camera. Within thirty minutes the energy of the storm was gone, the skies cleared really fast. It was a great show! And with that, I turned the Z600 to the nest that was still in the shadow of the remaining cloud and enjoyed my time waiting for the light.

Landscape with A Twist

Apr 30, 2024 | Landscape Photography

Wright Flyer replica, Kitty Hawk Memorial captured by Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8

Had an excellent morning photographing flight! First, a nesting pair of Osprey building their nest and then at the Wright Brother Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. The location where first powered flight occurred is where the brothers proved their “wing warping” principle actually worked for sustained flight. Wing Warping is something the Wright Brothers received a patented for in 1906. What is wing warping you ask? That’s where the wing tip are “warped” or perhaps better understood as “twisted” to change the direction of flight. With few folks around today, I was able to shoot through the Wright Flyer to the Memorial erected on the dune they used for their glider experiments prior to powered flight (though the wind moved the dune to where it is today) in the background. Looking through the wings that they “warped”, it occurred to me that I was taking a landscape with a twist!

Not So Nice!

Apr 26, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Sanderlings captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC @840mm

Sanderlings are the sweet little shorebirds that most know for chasing the waves back into the sea. They dart about following out going waves looking for food deposited by the wave. While on migration, some establish a small, temporary territory, much like grouse and prairie chickens and defend any intrusion by other Sanderlings. I have seen these “fights” for decades and have tried and tried to get the conflict on film. It’s a challenge as they happen and end so fast. I finally did lying on the sand of Bolivar Flats so now I have images that show that they are not so nice. (be sure to look at the series below)

The Valley is Calling!

Apr 25, 2024 | Landscape Photography

Upper Yosemite Falls captured by D3x / 70-200f2.8

The Sierra has a good snow pack, the spring rains are bringing green and the sun is kissing it all creating a gorgeous May in Yosemite. May tends to have the greatest amount of water in the falls, one of Yosemite’s magical elements and it’s calling all photographers. May is the last month before summer when the park swells with people coming to soak in its beauty as well. Now is the time to plan your trip. You want to hit the falls of course, but there are lots of trails in The Valley and upper reaches of the park with great treasures. Hitting the trail is a great way to leave the public behind and have the park all to yourself. Focus in on the trails along any water way will reward you with critters, high sierra wildflowers and the creeks themselves. As Muir would say over and over again, The Valley is calling!
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