Monthly Archives: April 2010

Whats it Like?

I know, I know. I have done a terrible job of blogging the last few weeks. I apologize. To make it up to everyone I have some cool content I have been working on. More on that in the coming weeks.

One question I received from some “wildlife photography newbies” was “whats it like to photograph wildlife”? So I thought it would be interesting to show everyone some “scenes” from 2 of my recent Florida birding shoots. Thanks to fellow photographer Ralph Liniado for providing the photographs of me (save the emails and comments, I know I have a bald spot on the back of my head)!

The first picture is of me on Pass-a-Grille Beach. Getting low gives bird photography a whole new perspective. Not to mention a wet backside. We did a lot of “scooting” that day, and it was cold!

Sunset on Pass-a-Grille Beach

The result of working the scene above lead to the following photo opportunity.

Laughing Gull, Pass-a-Grille Beach

The next picture of me was from the Brandon Harley Davidson Rookery, what a great place to take bird photographs at sunset!

Brandon Harley Davidson Rookery

This position on shore led to one of my favorite clicks from Florida.

White Ibis Prepares for Landing

Hope you enjoyed this and maybe, just maybe it gave you some motivation to get out and shoot this weekend. The weather forecast is for spectacular conditions in New England this weekend.

Reddish Egret

Reddish Egrets became a new specimen to add to my files this winter. I was fortunate to find several at the Audubon Sanctuary in Tampa Bay.

Reddish Egret lookng for love

The photographs above and below show the Reddish Egret in his breeding plumage.

Reddish Egret eyeing a meal

It was great to have a chance to add this terrific bird to my list of birds I have photographed. Alas, because the weather was rainy, I will have to go back to Florida and try to add a few shots with some sweet light!

American Bald Eagle

One of the highlights on my recent trip to Florida to photograph migrating birds was spending time at an American Bald Eagle nest.

Male American Bald Eagle watching over nest with 2 chicks

With this being my first time photographing American Bald Eagles, I was hopeful to learn some biology as well as come away with a few shots worth keeping. There was some interesting history associated with this nest. Apparently American Bald Eagles are very good parents. 2 weeks prior to our arrival, an Audubon biologist climbed this pine tree and placed an orphaned chick in the nest with the biological chick. The result? The mother and father took to the orphan just like there own. The only difference was double the fish to catch!

Male American Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

Given the beautiful weather it was a pleasure to be outside this morning. In fact this was the nicest of the mornings we had to date. There were also some local photographers and bird enthusiasts around so picking up some local knowledge about the nest was easy.

It was however a little strange waiting for the sweet light at sunrise. You see this nest is in a cemetery!

I wish I were able to show you closer images but I had equipment trouble at the end of the trip and my lens was just not long enough. The story of my life!