Monday Musings – White Breasted Nuthatch

I have to admit, I have a little obsession going on here. Over the years I have photographed White Breasted Nuthatches countless times. I have hundreds of images of this bird but still not “the” shot.

White Breasted Nuthatch After Snow

As I meet more photographers, I think searching for “the” shot is a genetic abnormality. Who else but a photographer could have hundreds of images of the same species, possibly from the same location and still want to photograph the subject more? The reason is simple. The captures I have don’t relay the story I want to tell.

Spring is Coming, White Breasted Nuthatch

Im sure I will receive some email telling me that these images are really good. For that I thank you in advance. 🙂 But over time, I have started looking at my work with far more critical an eye. I realize now that one trait I suffered from when I first started to seriously photograph wildlife was something I have heard described as “Never Again” sickness. In essence, you make images that are less than optimal because you are not sure you will ever again have the opportunity to photograph that subject. But as I have filled out my image library and visited many places I have come to realize that enjoying the experience is more important than capturing the experience.

So how could I have done better with these two images? In the first image the light is too flat. There is not enough drama even though there are great elements in the frame. In the second imageI don’t like the background. The branches in the distance slice the bird like a knife and distract me. As I said before real picky, I know. But this is the way my eye and thinking have evolved. The really difficult task is to stop myself from deleting my earlier work. I think I will avoid that problem (many photographers delete older work) because I learn a lot from going back and reviewing what images I have made in the past. There is usually something I missed and by reviewing the images I will make sure not to repeat the mistake and hopefully get closer to “the” shot.

What a Catch!

Herring Gull with Big Catch

I loved photographing these Herring Gulls at Compo Beach in Westport. Connecticut has some of the most beautiful shoreline in New England. Unfortunately much of it is off limits to none residents, ehhh I mean protected, so it is difficult to photograph even if you are willing to pay. Very sad situation if you ask me. 🙁

Herring Gull Making a Landing with Fish

This Herring Gull caught its feast a long way off the beach. It was pretty tired when it landed. The bird sat with the catch in front of it for a few minutes before it started to snack on its fresh catch. Some not so tired gulls that happened to be in the neighborhood forced this fellows hand I’m afraid!

Herring Gull with Crab

Gulls are some of my favorite bird subjects. They are abundant, not too shy and if you watch them long enough, they will do something worth capturing.

Herring Gull in Flight at Sunrise

If you live in New England it is supposed to be a great weekend, weather wise that is. Get out there and make some images!

Images captured by D3X, 600 f/4 on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Monday Musings – Backlit Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Hovering

I was photographing this Ruby Throated Hummingbird at a feeder. At the time I was under a tree, using it as camouflage. After spending several minutes at the feeder, the bird landed on a branch right next to me.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Sticking out Tongue

I knew at the time the image would not be exposed properly because of the back lighting but I took the shot anyway thinking I might create some nice silhouettes.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Scratching

Well they are not dark enough to be real silhouettes but there is something about the images that I like.
Im curious, what do you think?

American Goldfinch

Two American Goldfinches at Feeder

I am the first one to admit I don’t like bird images created at the feeder. The feeders are a necessary part of attracting breeding pairs to the property that I have. Same with the bird bath, water like food is a necessary part of keeping a healthy bird community, but those objects don’t belong in my images unless the story I am looking to tell is environmental in nature (no pun intended). 😉

Male Goldfinch in Breeding Plumage at Feeder

So I made an exception here and am showing these American Goldfinches at one of my feeders because…….
I think the effect the light had on the coloring of the birds was great this day. If was very overcast and a little misty. That gave a richness to the landscape. The birds great color did the rest, making the subject pop off the page. Are these award winning images no, but they are good enough to show everyone what a beautiful bird this is.

Images captured by D3X, 600 f/4 w TCe 1.4 II on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow in Wind

I had the chance to photograph a new species for me this weekend, the Chipping Sparrow.

Chipping Sparrow on Perch

I almost ignored the bird at first thinking it was a female white throated sparrow. But that rufous cap grabbed my attention!

Chipping Sparrow Profile

I look forward to watching this species in my yard. It seems like a great bird.

Images captured with D3X, 600 f/4 w 1.4 TCe-II on Lexar digital film.

Monday Musings – Getting Close

Male Brown Headed Cowbird at Feeder

Want to make better bird images? Here are some tips!
1) Birds don’t allow you to sneak up on them. Even if you can move like Fred Astaire you are not nimble enough to get close without them knowing. So the first tip is to let the birds come to you. Find a spot that will afford good backgrounds and park your tush.
2) Don’t try to take any pictures for the first 10 minutes of your arrival at a spot, you will only prolong the amount of time it will take for the birds to acclimate to your presence. Just relax and observe your beautiful surroundings.
3) No straps! Whenever I photograph wildlife all the straps come off my cameras and binoculars. Swinging straps frighten wildlife and resemble talons of predators.
4) Wear dark colors and make sure none of your clothes have anything hanging (see item 3 above).
5) Don’t make sudden moves. Even if you keep your feet still, moving the camera on a tripod in sudden moves will spook your subjects. Birds are incredibly smart. They know you are tracking them with a lens. Don’t believe me? Go to the beach and track a gull with any lens you can hand hold. They will change directions in 90 degree turns to avoid you tracking them!
6) Put your cell phone on vibrate.

Female Brown Headed Cowbird on Perch

Now I know some of you are saying I used big, heavy, expensive glass to make these images and the answer would be you are correct. Both of the above images were made with birds only 12-18 feet away from me. If I didn’t adhere to the above principles, I would not have subjects as close as the ones I photographed. Neither of the above images are cropped!

I hope these tips help you make better images and get more out of the hobby of birding!

Images captured by D3X, 600 f/4 VRII w/TCe 1.4 II on Lexar UDMA digital film

Ruddy Turnstone

Those that know me, know that Florida has a special place in my heart. One of the places I love to photograph is Jupiter Inlet, just outside of the Jupiter Lighthouse. One of the subjects always present feeding on the scraps left by fisherman working the jetty are Ruddy Turnstone.

Ruddy Turnstone Against Rocks

Although I have several images of Ruddy Turnstone, I still dont have what I think is the perfect Ruddy Turnstone image. These are close, but just missing the drama. I actually think if I could place the bird in the first image against the second image background, I would be pretty close. However, I am a purist when it comes to “documenting” wildlife so that is not an option for my photography. I will have to keep on trying until I can get it right in the camera.

Ruddy Turnstone Against the Water

Have a great weekend.

Touching Video About Midway Atoll Albtross

I first saw this clip on Chase Jarvis’s blog and became instantly captivated by the work of the photographer, Chris Jordan. I have to admit that some of the images are graphic so watch with some discretion.

Im not sure what it is about this video and the work Chris is doing that I find so compelling and moving. I suspect what moves me is the realization that all our carelessness with the environment is directly affecting the lives of other creatures. The proof is powerful. If you really think using styrofoam cups and soft drink bottles doesnt have an impact on our lives, spend 5 minutes and watch this video.

Monday Musings – My First Publication!

The current issue of the BT Journal published by Wildlife Research Photography (WRP) contains a portfolio of images I created during the time I studied under Moose Peterson’s Master of Light Program (MLP). Here is the link for that story.

This is a really special opportunity for me. My images in the BT Journal are the first images I have ever had published professionally. I can never thank Moose and Sharon Peterson enough for their help and guidance during and after the program. I am truly honored to have my images included in this great publication. Below are 3 of my favorite images from my time in the MLP

Moose in Baxter State Park

As Moose states in the BT Journal article, I always wanted to photograph Moose. I can’t wait till the fall so I can get back up to Baxter and have another crack at some more images. I hope to one day make it to Alaska to photograph the bigger Moose of the species.

Feeding Time
Osprey Being Harassed by Red Winged Black Bird

The thing I love about this last image is the fact that you can tell which bird is harassing the female osprey, Being able to capture the red in the Red Winged Blackbird made the image special. This Osprey nest is one I worked for several months on Long Island. Moose encouraged me to keep working nests so that I could not only learn about the species biology but also document it through my photography. I look forward to returning to that nest this Spring.

The Flashbus Tour

Over the years, the many mentors in my life have impressed upon me that learning should never end. I make an effort to learn something new every day, even at my rippening old age. 😉

Flash Bus Tour Logo

So yesterday I traveled to NYC to see The Flashbus Tour. The tour is the brain child of David “The Strobist” Hobby
and Joe Mcnally who are the most prolific users of small flash in their photography. Many people consider this painting with light. To me, what they are teaching is the use of flash to augment and control ambient light and as a tool for enhancing texture and detail in our photography.

The day was filled with great tips and a lot of learning in a fun environment. If you have not had luck with using your flash in a complementary way in your photography, I highly recommend sitting in on one of the tour stops. While I usually prefer smaller venues when attending photography courses, I am glad I did not pass up this opportunity to see David and Joe in all their glory.

DaBus

Note: Pictures courtesy of the Flash Bus Tour and The Strobist websites.