Apr 1, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
In my mind at least, the day starts on the Platte at sunset. That’s when the magic unfolds on a scale that can’t be communicated in a single click. When you can see five thousand cranes out the small window of a blind, that number is nothing when you know there are about fifteen thousand within reach of your lens!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp5307.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Our evening in the blind was capped off by a blazing sunset that lit up the world. The calls of the cranes which echoed in my mind all night as we slept beside them, they in the Platte and us in the blind just instills such an inspiration for these gentle creatures. It was hard for me to sleep last night, excited with what sunrise would bring. Let me show you how the rest of the 24hrs went.
Photo captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-20e3 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 31, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
The Platte River and especially its temporary guest, the Sandhill Crane is simple put, one of nature’s great spectacles! I’m here again with my good friend Mark Chitwood revealing in this magnificent event.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4950.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
It all starts kinda late. We were inserted into the blind (a 4×8′ plywood box, has carpeting though) around 16:00. At around 19:30 the first cranes started to float by in camera range and by 20:00, they were in perfect range. Sunset was at 19:59 and we had cloud cover so there wasn’t much to be photographed at sunset. But you’re not really here for sunset.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4965.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
The at 07:34 the sun rose but we were up an hour prior. So were the cranes. You sleep in the blind, you are not permitted to get out, for any reason! Going to sleep by the calls of the cranes is one of the best parts of the experience for me. Then before the sun pops, the cranes stir.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5072.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
The cranes just mill about for literally a couple of hours and appear to spend the time socializing. Pairs tend to do pair bonding and unattached do that courtship thing. What’s that courtship thing?
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4483.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Well, they pick up sticks, they chase around and they dance. That’s the courtship thing and it is really, truly, the coolest thing to watch!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4426.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Then, just as the 5000 cranes arrived the night before, by 10:00 they are gone. They head out to the fields to forage for the day prior to returning to the safety of the Platte and its waters.
We were let out of the blind just after 10:00, that’s 18hrs in the box for those who are counting. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. I love it, it’s an experience that is beyond words and as far as this post is concern at least, beyond photographs. I have little time and a horrible connection to get this posting up but wanted to provide you a little taste of what I’m up to this week. The images are a collection of D3x / D3s with 600VR with one using the TC-20e3. Enjoy!
Mar 23, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
The first “FL” bird I photographed way back when was the Reddish Egret. It was so sweet to me, coming right up to my lens permitting a clean head shot, I feel for them instantly. That love affair still runs hot.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp2835.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
They do have an attitude during the spring when their breeding plumes are at their best. You can see it here when all is well.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp3303.swf, 469, 600 [/swf]
Be a male coming into the area another male feels is his territory and the hackles get raised. Of course, us wildlife photographer love this riff and the photo opp that comes from it. One of the problems is it often happens in the early morn or late evening when the light levels are low. Action with slow shutter speed can often mean not tack sharp images.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp3100.swf, 469, 600 [/swf]
The “trick” to making the shot is simply shooting, shooting and shooting some more year after year. That dang old time thing, it always get’s in the way. At least, it seems to.
Be sure to keep an eye on Jake’s blog this week. He has a series going from last week and I know first hand, he has some sweet images to share!
Photos captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 23, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
Pink on blue, what a dynamic color combo! The trick, getting the blue because in FL, getting the pink, the Roseatte Spoonbill is pretty easy (compared to getting it like in KS).
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp2691.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Here’s the problem, there was plenty of pink but not the blue. You have two options, don’t shoot or make the most of what mother nature has presented you. Shooting is just in my blood so I don’t know anything else under these conditions and while gray skies is the last background I would prefer, that’s what we had.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp2880.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
There is a rule in wildlife photography, don’t shoot a bird in flight against a gray sky. This is because of exposure range. Exceptions include pink birds and when a tad, very little, the smallest sliver of light slips under the cloud to kiss the subject.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp3576.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
And if you have gray skies then you will have gray water so the rule applies to both. It can put you in quite a pickle or, if you look for the slightest variation, opens the door to new possibilities. Don’t get stuck behind rules, click and make merry!
Photos captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 22, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
All I could think as I admired the incoming flight of White Ibis was, spectacular. That’s until I saw this one itching its back while flying in. Then I just thought, show off!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp2293.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
There is a very special rockery in Tampa when there is a westery breeze, the evening flyin is just a photographic delight. It is a challenge for your panning skills to say the least as you’re using big glass. There are some visual obstacles in the flight path which can take your eye away from the subject. And the rate of keepers is much lower than normal. But when you do make that sweet click, it is indeed sweet.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp2110.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Making the shot required a teleconverter but with the ever decreasing light, the loss of light made AF operation sluggish. The trick is to prefocus on an object you think is about the distance of the subject when you first want to acquire it. This speeds up the system and makes it possible to make the click.
Photos captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 22, 2010 | Wildlife Photography
Sitting, or standing as it were, at a nest site for long hours is something I have done alot over the decades. Nesting birds perform on demand or on a schedule, they do it all on their own time. That gives one time to ponder the questions of time, or clean their nails.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp3937.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
There are many cool moments to be seen and photographed at an active nest. Many want to get the “flyin,” when the adult brings the fish into the nest. Me, I kinda like the antics after that event.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp4029.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
As is so aptly put by Jay Maisel, we’re looking for light, color and gesture. The light in this case is fading as the sun sets. The color is constantly changing as the clouds float by behind the subject and in front of the sun and the gesture, that’s the biology.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp4039.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
And here’s the deal, take your eye from the viewfinder for a second and you will miss the shot. How do I know this? I’ve suffered from that plight way too many times!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp4117.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
And then there are those moments when the artsy-fartsy appears before ya and you know you’ve paid your dues for the day. Time, it does cure so much in life and photography!
Photos captured by D3s, 600VR / 600VR w/TC-20e / 600VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
