It just takes One heartbeat

Mar 17, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

Gulls seem to be ignored by most so I guess I feel when in their presence, I’ve gotta make up for that somehow. Personally, I find them really very entertaining and when you can find that one unique individual, photographically rewarding.

This Ring-billed Gull at first seemed to want nothing to do with me. But after only a couple of minutes, the temptations of the sand flees coming up took over the fulls natural impulse to eat. I would keep its back to me for a while, making it easy to fly away if it were scared. But finally it got use to my standing there and I got the shot I had previsualized, that look just prior to make the snatch on a flea. But to me, it appears the gull is listening to some silly joke the flea is telling it as they passed on the beach. I love capturing those moments.

Work it Baby, Work it!

Mar 16, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

Yeah, there are Fl Brown Pelicans there and how can you not focus in on them, they are just such characters!

And you can’t just photograph any old pelican that happens to land in front of your lens. You have to be picky. You want to look for adult males in prime breeding plumage. That gets you the brown throat, yellow forehead and greenish tint to throat pouch. This is a great example of just that.

And then you’ve gotta push it, go for the next step in working it. This afternoon, this is whata I came up with. I like!

Royal Flight Photography

Mar 16, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

Laughing Gulls weren’t the only thing taking to the airways. We had a great variety of birds, one of them were Royal Terns.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0659-2.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

One of the great things about the location we go to do our panning practice is the birds are flying nearly eyelevel with us while at the same time, giving us a really clean background. It’s the perfect set up.


[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0655.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

Sharon just got a 500VR lens (honest, it’s hers) and being the dutiful husband, I had to test the lens and break it in so she doesn’t get hurt by it. That’s because the 500VR is one sharp lens! I’ve used it for the Reno Air Races with killer results but after today, I’m thinking it might be my Sharon’s perfect flight lens.


[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0653.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Photos captured by D3s, 500VR handheld on Lexar UDMA digital film

Laughing Flight Photography

Mar 16, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

It was practice the basics day at Base Camp and nothing is more basic or essential then panning. And there is no better subject to practice on then gulls. In FL, one of my favorite gulls is purty common, the Laughing Gull. What makes this gull a favorite is the black head and red bill.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1327.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

There are two ingredients needed for successful flight photography (bird going without saying). Light and sun on you back. Well we had that and man, did it provide the results.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1341.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

And wanting to challenge myself, I went for shooting headshot flight shots. It was a challenge and I like the results. But I need to spend more time with this and perfect. Thank goodness there are gulls, best practice subject there is!


[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp0751.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]


Photos captured by D3s, 500VR handheld on Lexar UDMA digital film

Back in the Sunshine Again!

Mar 15, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

Base Camp FL has started and I have to tell ya, it feels great to have the ooz of Tampa Bay between the toes and FL sun on the back. And with all of that, I’m back with friends.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP2202.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

Yeah, Laughing Gulls, they make me laugh!. It’s breeding season so they look great and act so goofy. The challenge, finding the right light for that black and white, find that light in enough quantity to freeze the silliness in the frame and not drive yourself mad in the meantime. The wind didn’t help today, going the wrong direction to get flight stuff.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP2263.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]

Then there was this gift. Yeah, I’ve photographed the American Oystercatcher before here in FL, but it was always on the beach. This morning, had this individual on an actual bed of oysters! Now that’s cool. The time and tide were against us, but hope to find him there again this week. It was a great way to get back playing in the sun!
Photos captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film

Simple Click – Not Really

Mar 3, 2010 | Wildlife Photography

Say hi to a Light-footed Clapper Rail. While this is a simple click, straight out of the camera, actually getting the photo is anything but simple. The Light-footed Clapper Rail is a very endangered species. It is one of the first T&E species I started working with 30yrs ago. I had the opportunity to make a couple of new clicks of them so I thought I would just introduce you. You’ll be seeing more of them in my upcoming book.