Aug 17, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
Without even trying, our ten days at the Maasai Mara became a lion fest. Of the 23k files images I came home with, 6500 of them were of the the Marsh Pride. This famous pride with its own TV program and numerous books is unique for many reasons. One of the interesting ones is the fact they don’t seek shade when they sleep, the only lions to do such, anywhere. We saw them a lot, from making six kills, ranging over large range of land and as their name implies, at the marsh a lot. We have so many stories to go with all those images, but the story behind this image is a favorite of mine. It sums up the Mara, the Marsh Pride and the success basic biology can bring to a photograph.
It was literally our last drive of our stay. We had a spectacular sunrise with part of the Marsh Pride so didn’t expect anything the rest of the morning. That’s how it normally works, you don’t get more than one great opp in a shoot. We were out looking, shooting and simply enjoying the beauty that is Africa. Then our amazing guide Duncan scanning the grasslands spots another part of the Marsh Pride. It was hanging up by the “airport” when it got up with that stance that said they saw something of interest. To the untrained eye, you might take their actions as simply strolling. With their first few steps, Duncan said hold on and down the dirt road we bounced. Soon we could see with our naked eyes what Duncan had seen through the bins. Then it seemed we were going to go right past the pride. Then it seemed we were not even going to stop for them. At this point, other vehicles were following us, it was obvious from Duncan’s driving something was up. Then, not too far from the dirt runway, Duncan turned to the left, crossed another road and stopped. He just looked off towards the ridge and not to much longer, we saw the pride. I had the Df / 300PF on my lap and ready. Duncan said, “They are going to walk right down the road.” How he knew that from a mile away is beyond me but sure enough, as you can see, a few minutes later they were walking right down the lens barrel.
You can’t help at first to think of them as just large pussy cats. Then you see the efficiency of a hunt as they all play their role and there is no doubt they are the top predator of the plains. Then you see their greeting as they move about and you think once again, they are just big cats. We will always treasure our ten days with the Marsh Pride, look forward to getting back to see how they survive the test of time. Their biology is fascinating, the individuals intriguing and their life on the marsh is better than on TV. There are many joys in wildlife photography, none more so then being let in the world of your subject if just for ten days to see what their world is like. It will be forever in our hearts!
Aug 10, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
As a wildlife photographer, I’ve always searched for that experience that goes beyond filling a hard drive and fills the heart. There is without a doubt that Sharon and my experience this last two week in Africa, Maassi Mara to be exact filled our hearts. It’s hard not to be effected when you sleep next to a river full of hippos and hear their antics all night long. Or wake up to the road of a lion that a few moments later you are staring at through your lens. Who you’re staring at here is #3 of the Marsh Pride on the Mara. Ya, he’s just #3, there are bigger and badder and we were with them as well. He’s cruising Rhino Ridge here, following the lionesses who were on the prowl for an easy meal but had no success. We had seen up a long, long ways off and were able to watch him walk literally right down the lens barrel in what seems like minutes. It’s hard to express in words the feelings when you’re able to witness such a magnificent critter as this big male lion with total freedom walk right up to where you’re seating, look you right in the eye, rub against your vehicle and then go on his way. Wow!
This shot was taken with the D4s / 800mm and all I took for gear was this, Df, 300PF and 24-120VR, that’s it (oh ya, very excited to carry all my gear in our new MP-1 V2 which is KILLER!). This alone brought back 23k filed images but more importantly, memories of an experience that has sincerely moved Sharon and I. There is no doubt we’re going back, working on those plans already. I have a lot more to share, working on doing that in a number of ways with this being only a start. Our safari just reinforces what I’ve come to say a lot this year, I love my life!
Jul 13, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
I have a thing for weasels. I large part because the family of weasels takes in critters like Sea and River Otters. Those are the easiest of the family to see and photograph. When you get to the Least or Long-tailed Weasel, you’re talking almost pure luck to see them let alone get glass on them. Quite often when you see them, it’s out of the corner of your eye and you shake your head because you thought you saw somethin but when you look closely, nothing is there. That’s what makes them so damn cool!
Last November on a private K&M Adventure to the Bald Eagles of Haines, one day we were standing there on the edge of the river watching eagles when … out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white. It could only be one thing, a Ermine or better know as, Long-tailed Weasel. Their coats turn white in the winter and they are more gorgeous and cute than a photo does justice. I was shooting with D4s / 800f5.6 on the Zenelli a top the Gitzo 5561SGT so I whipped around but the sucker was too smart … gone! That’s when you’ve gotta stop, watch their behavior and look for the pattern. They will typically follow the same route/routine as they explore about. And this one did just that. I prefocused on the culvert pipe it was using for a runway and got lucky, got a shot of it emerging and then being cute. We saw it a couple of times during our time on the bank but never long enough to make “the” photo but oh man, what a great looking critter!
Jul 3, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
Na, not a great shot but it breaks the jinx. This Williamson’s Sapsucker kid first made its appearance at one of our bird baths back on Father’s Day. A riparian, high altitude species, I’ve seen them plenty of times over the decades but never got any glass on them. When this juvi first appeared, I had to get the Sibley’s out and figure out which juvi sapsucker it was. When I figured out it was a Williamson’s, I got very excited. Then the travel kicked in and I wasn’t home to get a click of it. Sharon kept an eye on it and figured out the time of day it appeared the most frequently. Tonight, I had the D4s with 800f5.6 AFS on the Gitzo 5561SGT w/ Zenelli Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head set up and pointed where it comes. You’re seeing the wood perch wired on to the bird bath just for our woodpecker friends. If it all works out like normal, the juvi will become an adult and then as an adult, it will bring its kids back and over time, they will hopefully become friendly and I can make that unique shot. For now, I’m just happy it’s here. A new species to add to the property list. See Moose do a happy dance.
Jul 1, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
This Cliff Swallow colony has nested in the same place forever! Every year I swear I’m going to spend more time at it than the year before and get the image. Sadly, some years I don’t make it down at all, other years which this is looking to be like, only once. It kills me to have such a marvelous opportunity and not take advantage of it. You see, what makes this colony of Cliff Swallows special is, they are nesting below eye level and just feet away! Yep, don’t have to shoot up at them but down. How cool is that!
So there I am shooting away with the D4s / 800mm /TC-1.25e on the Gitzo 5561SGT w/ Zenelli Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head trying to get the shot I’ve always wanted. It comes from a photo I saw long ago, taken in film days with a pretty elaborate flash set up. Back then not having the money for the flash, I set out to get the shot with what I had, the sun. It makes it challenging and this year, I got the closest I’ve ever gotten only to find, sun isn’t key. Biology is!
What’s the shot I’m after? Well, it’s not the bottom image of them flying in. That’s pretty simple, watch the mud hut with the most activity and just wait. In this case, the swallow is coming in with more building material, a mouth full of mud. If you have a handful of duck down, you can throw a couple feathers in the wind and the swallows will be your best friend as they catch it on the wing and take it into the cup. Nope, those aren’t the images I’m looking for.
I want the shot of them coming out of the hole and taking flight. I got much closer this time, physically with the gear, to the side rather in front and saw that when they explode out, they have their wings totally tucked in. In fact, they explode out, fall and then start to fly. Getting that shot of them taking to the wing right out of the hole requires a windy day when the wind gives them the ability to take flight without the downhill momentum. Now if I had been more observant, and more important my finger working faster, I think I would have captured the frame showing this to me sooner. But now I know. So the next trick is to remember that next year and, spend more than one morning with them. If nothing else, sure is fun trying!
Jun 23, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
They live at the top of the world. The animals the color of winter, Mountain Goats have long been a favorite species of mine. Their home is nothing short of spectacular! How do you say that in a photograph? This recent photo is a quick example (not the best though) to illustrate my point. How do you say in the same frame, “They live at the top of the world?” Well, you gotta include that in the frame and the easiest way is with a long lens. Not for image size cause as you can see, that’s not what I’ve done. But because of the narrow angle of view and ability to pull in the background. Shooting with the D4s/ 80-400VR3 at 250mm and getting below the Billy, the background pops and in doing so, makes it pop while telling its story. It’s a simple recipe that works so powerfully, long lens depth.
