landscape – Page 10 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

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 30, 2015

2015-09-30: Wordless Wednesday

September 14, 2015

2015-09-14: Monochrome Monday

A parade of oryx cross the Sossusvlei desert. Namibia, April 2015. 1/1250sec, f11, ISO 1600 — A parade of oryx cross the Sossusvlei desert.
Namibia, April 2015.
1/1250sec, f11, ISO 1600

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.

September 7, 2015

2015-09-07: Monochrome Monday

Here are a few photos from my wanderings in the past week, that I thought would look interesting converted to monochrome.

Have a great Monday!

A bit of an odd photo, but I like it, so I included it. I just loved the way the frost glistened on the hood of this truck. If I wasn't on my way off to walk with Spencer, I would have gone back for my macro lens and played around; given we are just moving into fall, I guess I'll have lots more opportunities! 1/3200sec, f5.6, ISO 320 — A bit of an odd photo, but I like it, so I included it. I just loved the way the frost glistened on the hood of this truck. If I wasn’t on my way off to walk with Spencer, I would have gone back for my macro lens and played around; given we are just moving into fall, I guess I’ll have lots more opportunities!
1/3200sec, f5.6, ISO 320

A few of the wildflowers have hung on despite the frost, but these ones seemed resigned to summer having passed. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 500 — A few of the wildflowers have hung on despite the frost, but these ones seemed resigned to summer having passed.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 500

Some of the roadside tall grasses, glistening with frost in the early morning sun. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 1250 — Some of the roadside tall grasses, coated with frost and catching the early morning sun.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 1250

September 6, 2015

2015-09-06: What I’ve seen this week

What did I see this week? The start of autumn! We’ve had frost several times now, and while it heats up as soon as the sun comes up, it certainly is chilly on my early morning walks with Spencer. I’ve even had to get out his sweater already. Hopefully there will be some lovely leaves changing colour in the coming weeks.

I had some interesting bird sightings this week, I hope you enjoy.

To me, it looks like these tree branches are trying to grab the moon.

I spotted some movement in the underbrush, and thought it might be a rabbit. Instead, it turned out to be a pair of ruffled grouse. The photo is lacking, but it was good enough to get an ID on the bird when I got home.

I was happy to get some photos in time to be able to ID this bird. As best as I can tell, it is a yellow-dumped warbler (Audobon's). There was a group of them handing around the yard. According to my bird app, our area is only part of their migratory route, so I guess I will be seeing them again in the springtime when they are ornate further north. — I was happy to get some photos in time to be able to ID this bird. As best as I can tell, it is a yellow-dumped warbler (Audobon’s). There was a group of them hanging around the yard. According to my bird app, our area is only part of their migratory route, so I guess I will be seeing them again in the springtime when they are on their way further north.

I spent some time today with the hairy woodpecker family (I posted a few photos of them last week as well). The light today was far better, and the birds were so much closer :) — I spent some time today with the hairy woodpecker family (I posted a few photos of them last week as well). The light today was far better, and the birds were so much closer 🙂

I believe this is one of the juveniles. The bird was on its own for most of the time I was photographing it. When I passed the spot I first saw it again on the way home from my walk, the whole family was together.

August 31, 2015

2015-08-31: Monochrome Monday

I exposed this shot for the sky, as I wanted to capture the amazing texture of the clouds and the suns rays visible behind the clouds. The trees naturally went into silhouette. Converting this to black and white emphasized the texture far more than the colour photo did. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 110 — I exposed this shot for the sky, as I wanted to capture the amazing texture of the clouds and the suns rays visible behind them. The trees naturally went into silhouette. Converting this to black and white emphasized the texture far more than the colour photo did. Okavango Delta, April 2015 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 110

August 25, 2015

The Sani Pass

Seeing photos of the Sani Pass between South Africa and Lesotho absolutely do not do it justice. The area is absolutely beautiful, and the pass itself a narrow, unpaved road with sharp switchbacks and steep ascents and descents. From the South African side, you can only proceed forward in a 4×4, but I don’t think the same rules apply from the Lesotho side!

Here are a few photos from my day trip this past April, and a few link if anyone is interested in seeing a dash cam video.

Table Mountain isn't the only flat topped mountain in South Africa. — Table Mountain isn’t the only flat topped mountain in South Africa.

One of several waterfall seen on the journey. One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12" of water! — One of several waterfall seen on the journey. One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12″ of water!

I wish I recalled what type of antelope these are. I hope a local stumbles across this post and will let me know.

A pair of dassies sun themselves on a granite boulder.

Beautiful hills - the scenery was just stunning. — Beautiful hills – the scenery was just stunning.

A traditional Lesotho herder's home. — A traditional Lesotho herder’s home.

Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa :) — Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa 🙂

Shooting starts into the sun wasn't ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks. — Shooting starts into the sun wasn’t ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks.

A beautiful cape rock thrush was perched at the roadside; luckily towards the bottom where it was safe to stop for a couple photos.

A gurney's sugarbird — A gurney’s sugarbird

Youtube: Driving the Sani Pass

August 24, 2015

Half Moon

I had hoped perhaps to see some northern lights last night as the predictions were for a good show, but that didn’t pan out. The moon however was amazing when I went outside at 10, so I went back and grabbed my 150mm-600mm to try to get a few photos. I’m sure if I had put it on the tripod, it would be a bit sharper, but all in all, happy with the result.

Half full or half empty??? A bright moon above Prince George. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 1000 Tamron 150mm - 600mm on the Nikon D5100 (effective 900mm) — Half full or half empty???
A bright moon above Prince George.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 1000, 600mm handheld
Tamron 150mm – 600mm on the Nikon D5100 (effective 900mm)

August 18, 2015

Travel Theme: Mellow

I did a quick scan through my last batch of travel photos to find a few mellow shots to share.

I hope you enjoy!

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-3 — A leopard rests peacefully in a tree top near Baines Camp in the Okavango Delta. 1/800sec, f9.0 ISO 640

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-4 — A lion cub chills out as dusk descends on Phinda Private Game Reserve. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-5 — A group of cheetah cubs take a rest on the road after a hard days play. 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 1100

Travel Theme: Mellow