British Columbia – Page 12 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

November 2, 2015

2015-11-02: Monochrome Monday

A raven (or a really, really big crow) calls out on a grey, snowy day. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1600 — A raven calls out on a grey, snowy day.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1600

November 1, 2015

2015-11-01: What I’ve seen this week

I was driving home from a morning trip into town, thinking that I would have nothing to post for this week, as it had been a slow week for both bird and animal sightings, and I already posted the lone landscape photo I liked for my monochrome Monday shot… and about the lack of a Wordless Wednesday post… I kinda forgot what day it was – oops.

Just as I was about to turn onto my street, I noticed something perched on a fence post at the end of the road; I couldn’t quite believe my eyes as it was an owl (at noon no less). I stopped in the middle of the road to watch for a moment, and then hurried home to grab my camera and the dog. I drove back up hoping I might be lucky enough for it to still be there, and it was. I managed to get the car into a great position without causing and ruffled feathers, and sat for about 10 minutes snapping photos before I decided to head off, as the dog needed a walk. It was rainy and miserable though and other than doing what was necessary, Spencer wasn’t too keen to stay out long, so I decided to take another drive and see if the owl was still there. This time I stayed longer, and managed to see a couple failed hunting attempts before I headed back home.

I’m really happy with how well the photos turned out despite the weather, but even more, I’m very grateful to have had such a cool, and unexpected, afternoon with wildlife.

I hope you enjoy the photos!

She showed off all angles while I happily snapped away.

Watching the ground for mice and other critters. Based on the leftovers I have been seeing on the road the last few days, she is fairly successful.

I love the angle on this photo, and the streaking raindrops in the background. 1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800 — I love the angle on this photo, and the streaking raindrops in the background.
1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800

If you look closely, you will see that there are remnants of another bird stuck in the fencing.

After watching the grass along the roadside intently, she launched off, but sadly did not make a catch. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000 — After watching the grass along the roadside intently, she launched off, but sadly did not make a catch.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000

I included this only to show the beautiful variation in the feathers. Unfortunately the photo is blurry, a combination of too slow a shutter speed (due to the light) and user focusing issues!

Coming back in to land after an unsuccessful hunt.

A bit of post flight grooming and fluffing of feathers.

With this, she was off again and we left her in peace. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000 — With this, she was off again and we left her in peace. By the way, look at those talons!!!
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000

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October 25, 2015

2015-10-25: What I’ve seen this week

This week has seen a fair bit of rain and fog in my area, so I didn’t take my camera out with me as much as I would like. When I did, much of what I tried to shoot suffered from poor light and a lot of noise. So, just a few pictures this week to share, all taken today.

I was happy to see the northern shrike again, and this time, have my camera at the ready. This one is a juvenile based on the plumage. — I was happy to see the northern shrike again, and this time, have my camera with me. This one is a juvenile based on the plumage.

Another view of the northern shrike. If it hadn't been for a sizeable flock of other birds that caught my attention (finches or sparrows, or perhaps the crossbills) I wouldn't have even noticed this lovely bird. — Another view of the northern shrike. If it hadn’t been for a sizeable flock of other birds that caught my attention (finches or sparrows, or perhaps the crossbills) I wouldn’t have even noticed this lovely bird.

The three birds posed in the treetops are part of a much larger group that were pecking at the pinecones. With the fog, I wasn't able to make a species ID. — The three birds posed in the treetops were part of a much larger group that were pecking at the pinecones. With the fog, I wasn’t able to make a species ID.

October 20, 2015

Photo Challenge: (Extra)ordinary

I used to spend a lot of time looking up and watching planes, but now that I have moved north, I see them with much less frequency (the dikes where I used to walk were below one of the landing paths into YVR, so it was the opposite). The trails of a passing jet are turned a peach colour by the rising sun. 1/400sec, f8.0, ISO 1000 October, 2015 — I used to spend a lot of time looking up and watching planes, but now that I have moved north, I see them with much less frequency.
The trails of a passing jet are turned a peach colour by the rising sun.
1/400sec, f8.0, ISO 1000
October, 2015

PHOTO CHALLENGE (Extra)ordinary

October 18, 2015

2015-10-18: what I’ve seen this week

I liked the X marks the spot clouds and all the lovely tones in this early morning photo. — I liked the X marks the spot clouds and all the lovely colours in this early morning photo.

I stopped when I heard a "Peep peep peep" from the trees, and then spent the next 10 minutes watching this one move from tree to tree, all the while staying in lovely light for me to snap photos. — I stopped when I heard a “peep peep peep” from the trees, and then spent the next 10 minutes watching this hairy woodpecker move from tree to tree, all the while staying in lovely light for me to snap photos.

The hairy woodpecker posing perfectly for photos. — The hairy woodpecker posing perfectly for a photo.

A group of black billed magpies. This photos isn't sharp the way I would like, and the depth of field is all wrong...but I like it anyways. I love all the different wing shapes, and the birds seemed so joyful flying around the neighbourhood. — A group of black billed magpies. This photos isn’t sharp the way I would like, and the depth of field is all wrong…but I like it anyways. I love all the different wing shapes, and the birds seemed so joyful flying around the neighbourhood.

What appeared to be a dull grey sky day had a few spectacular moments. It's all about timing. — What appeared to be a dull grey sky day had a few spectacular moments. It’s all about timing.

October 11, 2015

2015-10-11: What I’ve seen this week

This week has brought some really variable weather, and with that, some dramatic skies. Birds have provided some frustration this week. My elusive local northern flicker made an appearance today, but at such a distance the photo isn’t even worth posting. I saw a new bird this week as well, of course the time I left my camera at home 🙁 I managed a snap with my cell (absolutely not worth posting!) but through the blur, I think I can identify it as a northern shrike, which are winter residents of my area. I also could be 100% wrong on that; I’ve not been lucky enough to see it again and get some decent photos to do a proper ID. I don’t have any great photos to share, but it has been lovely now that most of the leaf cover is gone to watch the chickadees flittering about. They are such sweet birds and really make me smile (I also enjoy calling to them “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” while out walking and having a bit of a conversation… I guess that’s a slight admission of being crazy!

I had one other interesting sighting yesterday; you’ll have to scroll to the end to see. The pictures aren’t the best, but I was walking two little dogs at the time (I’m currently looking after my brother’s mini schnauzer Dylan) and didn’t want to risk wandering any closer; we were already under some rather intense scrutiny.

I hope you enjoy, have a lovely day, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians.

Evergreens silhouetted against a colourful morning sky.

Such beautiful, saturated colours this week.

An awkward shot, as I was aiming above a roof, but the light on the trees was too amazing not to try to capture something.

Stunning skies this week almost every morning.

We spotted a coyote at the end of the road yesterday morning.

The big, bushiest tail I've seen. — The big, bushiest tail I’ve seen.

October 4, 2015

2015-10-04: What I’ve seen this week

I’m going to start with the most recent pictures and work my way backwards. Yesterday, I started the day reading a post on Facebook by Cheryl Richardson that said “Stop trying to make sanity out of an insane situation. If your schedule is crazy busy, you don’t need time management, you need space.” Lately I have definitely been feeling that is something needed in my life; but looking back at the compositions I made yesterday morning, I guess it was also something I also desired in my photos.

After quite a windy day earlier this week, colourful leaves in my neighbourhood are getting few and far between. 1/320sec, f11, ISO320 — After quite a windy day earlier this week, colourful leaves in my neighbourhood are getting few and far between.
1/320sec, f11, ISO320

A few leaves clinging on. 1.320sec, f11, ISO320 — A few leaves clinging on.
1.320sec, f11, ISO320

Naked branches reaching into the blue. 1/320sec, F11, ISO320 — Naked branches reaching into the blue.
1/320sec, F11, ISO320

Half moon and about a half dozen leaves. 1/320sec, f11, ISO320 — Half moon and about a half dozen leaves.
1/320sec, f11, ISO320

Probably my favourite picture of the bunch; I can't put my finger on why :) This is straight out of camera, I didn't even run sharpening on it. 1/320sec, f11, ISO320 — Probably my favourite picture of the bunch; I can’t put my finger on why 🙂
1/320sec, f11, ISO320

Hot and cold. I think this would have been a lot better with my macro lens, but that isn't the best walking around lens, in case an interesting bird decides to fly by. 1/200sec, f5.0, ISO640 — Hot and cold.
I think this would have been a lot better with my macro lens, but that isn’t the best walking around lens, in case an interesting bird decides to fly by.
1/200sec, f5.0, ISO640

This week has been an interesting adjustment photographically, as I have put away my D610 and my Tamron 150mm-600mm, as both need to go in for some work. My first thought when primarily shooting with my D5100 again was how wonderfully light it is! It also doesn’t have the same warm colour cast when using auto white balance that I have found my D610 has. The downfall for taking it out walking early in the morning is it does not have an auto ISO option in manual mode, so there’s one more thing to remember to do. Hopefully this week I can get all the equipment shipped off (and hopefully get everything back working good as new). Here are the photos I selected from the earlier part of the week.

A young male deer at the top of my road. The light wasn't very favourable, but that just made the photos less than stellar, not the moment. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO800 — A young male deer at the top of my road. The light wasn’t very favourable, but that just made the photos less than stellar, not the moment.
1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO800

This really isn't a great photo, but it's a bit of a family portrait of the three deer that were grazing. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 800 — This really isn’t a great photo, but it’s a bit of a family portrait of the three deer that were grazing.
1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 800

I've seen lots of bunnies around my area, but never when I have my camera. This little one was about 10 feet from my driveway, spotted on the way home from our morning walk. He was quite calm and I felt bad startling him when I got too close, but I had to get in and get on with work. 1/640sec, f7.1, ISO2000 — I’ve seen lots of bunnies around my area, but never when I have my camera. This little one was about 10 feet from my driveway, spotted on the way home from our morning walk. He was quite calm and I felt bad startling him when I got too close, but I had to get in and get on with work.
1/640sec, f7.1, ISO2000

I'm glad I managed a picture of this guy (or girl) as the flock was too far away to ID without taking pictures. One of the photos taken before the Tamron got packed away. A juvenile red crossbill. 1/100sec, f7.1, ISO800 — I’m glad I managed a picture of this guy (or girl) as the flock was too far away to ID without taking pictures. One of the photos taken before the Tamron got packed away.
A juvenile red crossbill.
1/100sec, f7.1, ISO800

Cheryl Richarson Quote

September 27, 2015

2015-09-27: What I’ve seen this week

I was originally planning to hold off on this post, in the hopes of including some photos of the super blood moon eclipse… but it’s mostly overcast here at 4:45pm, and it seems pretty unlikely that it will clear in time to see anything. C’est la vie.

This week has seen me finally sort out the annoying camera spots (sensor dirt, so time for a trip to the service centre). I’ve also started having a somewhat annoying issue with my Tamron 150mm-600mm; it occasionally will register f0 and stop working. I need to turn the camera off, unmount and remount to get it back to normal. Sadly it seems like it is a common problem after doing some research; so that might end up taking a trip to a service centre too.

Hardware issues aside, I’ve managed to remember my camera on most of my walks this week, and was prepared to capture what I saw along my walks. I hope you enjoy!

A black billed magpie flying through the fog. 1/800sec, f6.3, ISO 2000 — A black billed magpie flying through the fog.
1/800sec, f6.3, ISO 2000

I like this shot because it shows off the beautiful wing tips. 1/800sec, f6.3, ISO280 — I like this shot because it shows off the beautiful wing tips.
1/800sec, f6.3, ISO280

The wire perch was to my advantage, as the fog wasn't as much of an issue. 1/800sec, f6.3, ISO 6400 — The wire perch was to my advantage, as the fog wasn’t as much of an issue.
1/800sec, f6.3, ISO 6400

One wildflower clings on, it's neighbour having already given in to the chill of autumn. 1/160sec, f6.3, ISO800 — One wildflower clings on, it’s neighbour having already given in to the chill of autumn.
1/160sec, f6.3, ISO800

Earlier this week, a Mom with a fairly large fawn spent some time in the front yard; again I saw them when heading out for our afternoon walk. These ones were far less comfortable with my presence and hopped off deeper into the bushes very quickly. 1/500sec, f6.3, ISO2800 — Earlier this week, a Mom with a fairly large fawn spent some time in the front yard; again I saw them when heading out for our afternoon walk. These ones were far less comfortable with my presence and hopped off deeper into the bushes very quickly.
1/500sec, f6.3, ISO2800

A couple days in a row, this ruffled grouse was in the long grasses at the roadside (I couldn't see him at all) and when Spencer and I walked within about 20 feet, he shot off noisily deeper into the bushes. On this occasion, he flew straight towards us and passed within about 5 feet, but it allowed me to track him to his perch in a evergreen tree, and finally get a few better shots. Still not ideal with the low light and the fog, but an improvement nonetheless. 1/640sec, f6.3, ISO 6400 — A couple days in a row, this ruffled grouse was in the long grasses at the roadside (I couldn’t see him at all) and when Spencer and I walked within about 20 feet, he shot off noisily deeper into the bushes. On this occasion, he flew straight towards us and passed within about 5 feet, but it allowed me to track him to his perch in a evergreen tree, and finally get a few better shots. Still not ideal with the low light and the fog, but an improvement nonetheless.
1/640sec, f6.3, ISO 6400

Looks at the fluffy legs! 1/640sec, f6.3, ISO4000 — Looks at the fluffy legs!
1/640sec, f6.3, ISO4000

Cow-moo-flage. A pair of calves nearly disappear within the tall grass. 1/800sec, f7.1, ISO 6400 — Cow-moo-flage.
A pair of calves nearly disappear within the tall grass.
1/800sec, f7.1, ISO 6400

Just as I was leaving to take Spencer for his afternoon walk, I noticed this young deer grazing in my back yard. He spent a few moments watching me watch him, before getting back to eating. 1/1000sec, f8, ISO 2200 — Just as I was leaving to take Spencer for his afternoon walk, I noticed this young deer grazing in my back yard. He spent a few moments watching me watch him, before getting back to eating.
1/1000sec, f8, ISO 2200

Nibbling on some select bushes. 1/1000sec, f8.0, ISO 1600 — Nibbling on some select bushes.
1/1000sec, f8.0, ISO 1600

This little chickadee was clinging quite precariously to a branch, almost upsidedown. I like how the autumn leaves create a frame for the bird. 1/800sec, f6.3, ISO1000 — This little chickadee was clinging quite precariously to a branch, almost upsidedown. I like how the autumn leaves create a frame for the bird.
1/800sec, f6.3, ISO1000

September 20, 2015

2105-09-20: What I’ve seen this week

Due to general busy-ness, a business trip and the weather, I didn’t get a chance to get out with my camera too much this past week. I did however finally get a shot of my neighbour Northern Flicker (not a great shot mind you, but I was starting to think that it was taunting me by calling out while I was walking and flying amongst the trees just at the point where I was unable to capture it). Fingers crossed I’ll have a few more opportunities in the coming week to get out and shoot a bit.

I hope everyone has a great week! Enjoy 🙂

A lovely morning with a very expressive sky.

I've yet to have a good opportunity for photographing either the Juncos seen here, or our local chickadees. Both flit around so quickly, by the time I have figured out what tree they are in and have focused, they are long gone. — I’ve yet to have a good opportunity for photographing either the Juncos seen here, or our local chickadees. Both flit around so quickly, by the time I have figured out what tree they are in and have focused, they are long gone.

Unfortunately my chance to get a photo of the local northern flicker was marred by both low light and fog, but hopefully I will get another chance soon under more favourable conditions.

This hairy woodpecker was calling continuously from the trees while I was out walking, I believe this is a member of the group of three I have posted before.

There are two lovely horses that live on my walking route. If they happen to be grazing nearby when I walk past with Spencer, they usually come over to the fence to get a look. I think this one might be a bit overdue for a mane trim.

The other beautiful horse that I see quite frequently. I'm sure people driving by think I'm a little crazy as I stand there with my little dog and talk to the horses. — The other beautiful horse that I see quite frequently. I’m sure people driving by think I’m a little crazy as I stand there with my little dog and talk to the horses.

September 14, 2015

2015-09-14: What I saw last week

Well, Sunday came and went, and there were just more tasks than hours in the day… so I’m a day later than I had planned for this post. C’est la vie. I’ve had the sad realization this week that there is some pretty significant dust inside one of my lenses, and from research nothing to be done for it, except embrace the clone stamp tool as needed! Thankfully it’s in a spot that can normally be cropped out, and as I’m usually concentrating on wildlife, it’s not that big a deal.

Here are a few photos from my wandering last week. I hope you enjoy!

I love the hint of autumn colours coming in here.

The leaves are turning... and already falling. — The leaves are turning… and already falling.

An early morning self portrait with Spencer. This was my one opportunity to be tall and leggy!

I'm waffling between calling this a red tailed hawk and a northern harrier. I really do have trouble with raptor ID. The light wasn't great and he (or she) didn't stick around long enough to get any better photos. — I’m waffling between calling this a red tailed hawk and a northern harrier. I really do have trouble with raptor ID. The light wasn’t great and he (or she) didn’t stick around long enough to get any better photos.

On our way home from an early evening walk, Spencer stopped for a roll in the grass (one of his favourite things on a sunny day) and positioned himself perfectly for some photos. I couldn't resist an impromptu pet portrait session. — On our way home from an early evening walk, Spencer stopped for a roll in the grass (one of his favourite things to do on a sunny day) and positioned himself perfectly for some photos. I couldn’t resist an impromptu pet portrait session.