2016-02-14: What I’ve seen this week

I managed to get out shooting yesterday with a few people from the photography group I belong to.  I went without expectations, only with the hope of putting the Tamron through it’s paces, as it is finally back from its second trip to service (and I must say, it seems to be focusing better than when I bought it, so fingers crossed the issues are resolved).  I also took out my new camera, a Panasonic FZ1000, to start learning how to use it, and again, so far so good (and SO lightweight!!!).

I’ve not had much time for editing, so I will post a few now, and a few more photos through the week.

Have a great week everyone 🙂

20160214_What I've seen this week-6
Old man’s beard and other assorted lichens decorate the branches.
20160214_What I've seen this week-4
The flowers of last summer long ago spent.
20160214_What I've seen this week-3
From the ground up…
20160214_What I've seen this week
The blue sky didn’t last long…
20160214_What I've seen this week-5
A birth tree with a bare midriff. Whether people picked away at the bark, or animals or birds did, I don’t know.
20160214_What I've seen this week-8
Moss, lichen, fungus and peeling bark; a whole lot of texture on one small tree trunk.  And all that green!  I’m really enjoying it after all the snow I’ve been looking at for months.  There’s still a fair bit on the ground, but it recess a bit each day.
20160214_What I've seen this week-7
I liked this photo for a couple reasons.  First, the spring buds!  I was surprised to see those.  Second, the repeating triangle shapes created by both the live and broken branches. 
20160214_What I've seen this week-9
I’ve been seen this plant everywhere lately, I have no idea what it is, but I like the texture and detail.

2016-02-11: WPC Vibrant

I missed last week’s photo challenge, but when I saw it, I couldn’t resist posting a photo of one of my favourite birds, the lovely lilac breasted roller.

20160211_WPC Vibrant
Lilac Breasted Roller
Okavango Delta, Botswana, April 2015
1/1000 sec, f5.6, ISO 320

WPC: Vibrant

2016-02-07: What I’ve seen this week

It was quite an exciting week for photos this week!  Given the continued icy conditions on my road, I’ve been driving a short distance away to one of the main roads to walk Spencer.  Tuesday morning, there were a huge group of ravens and magpies surrounding a ravine, so I stopped the car to see what  had happened.  During the night, the local coyote pack took down a deer, and the birds were tucking into the leftovers (evening at 9am, maybe only 1/4 of the deer remained.

We set off again at lunch for another walk, and this time the ravens and magpies were absent; while walking I figured out why – a beautiful bald eagle was watching over the area.  I grabbed a few shots and he or she flew off through the field, and I carried on with my walk.  On the drive home, I spotted the eagle again and grabbed a few more shots through the open window of the car, before realizing that there were two eagles in the area.  I followed one to the end of the cul de sac, and was lucky enough to be able to get a few more shots in before it was time to get home and get back to work.

Fingers crossed this coming week brings more wonderful photo opportunities.

Have a great week!

20160207_What I've seen this week
On Monday afternoon I spent a bit more time with the northern hawk owl. It was late afternoon and snowing lightly, and he chose the top of the tallest tree possible to perch. This was the best of the few shots I got.
20160207_What I've seen this week-2
First spot of the eagle; this was only the second time I have seen eagles in my neighbourhood. The first time was a fleeting glimpse far too quick for me to capture.
20160207_What I've seen this week-3
The deer carcass was at the base of this hill. The previous day, the snow was untouched; there certainly was a large amount of activity that went on in the night.
20160207_What I've seen this week-4
I stopped the car, put on the four way flashers, and took a few photos (I live in a really quiet area so it’s not a safety issue).
20160207_What I've seen this week-6
This is the second of the eagles I saw. I don’t know of the distinguishing features between sexes, so I don’t know if I saw two males, two females or one of each.
20160207_What I've seen this week-7
I couldn’t have asked for better light. Midday sun up north in the winter comes in at a pretty gentle angle.
20160207_What I've seen this week-5
The branch shadows are a bit unfortunately, but at least the body positioning leaves the stunning yellow eye exposed.
20160207_What I've seen this week-9
Up and away. I did briefly see the pair when I returned home, circling high up, reminding me of the vultures in southern Africa.
20160207_What I've seen this week-10
What more could you ask for on a Tuesday lunch break?
20160207_What I've seen this week-8
I always love the opportunity to capture birds in flight. 1/1600sec, f5.6, ISO 180

2016-02-01: Monochrome Monday

I wanted to do something a bit different for this monochrome Monday, so I edited this photo in a very stylized manner, hoping to be reminiscent of a painting.

Let me know what you think.

Happy Monday!

20160201_Monochrome Monday
A northern hawk owl

Prince George, BC, January 2016

 

2016-01-26: WPC Optimistic

I am optimistic that all of these beautiful creatures will have the opportunity to live out their lives in the way nature intended, without the influence of poacher’s or trophy hunter’s bullets.  That is my hope, and if like minded people continue to join together, perhaps it will happen in my lifetime.

 

20160126_WPC Optimistic-5
This pangolin was definitely the most photographed animal on Londolozi that day. It was one of my safari dreams to see a pangolin. 
Londolozi, May 2015

 

20160126_WPC Optimistic-3
A leopard with one of her young, as they worked to reunite with the second cup (gratefully we were able to witness the reunion). 
Ngala Game Reserve, May 2015

 

20160126_WPC Optimistic-4
Part of an elephant parade on route to a waterhole for an early evening drink. 
Sabi Sands, May 2015

 

20160126_WPC Optimistic-2
A rhino calf eyes us up while his Mom has a drink. 
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015

 

20160126_WPC Optimistic
We were fortunate to spend time with this lioness with her pair of young cubs (one was lying flat behind Mom when I snapped this). 
Kalahari Desert, April 2015

 

WPC: Optimistic

error: Content is protected !!