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 🙂
Old man’s beard and other assorted lichens decorate the branches.The flowers of last summer long ago spent.From the ground up…The blue sky didn’t last long…A birth tree with a bare midriff. Whether people picked away at the bark, or animals or birds did, I don’t know.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.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. I’ve been seen this plant everywhere lately, I have no idea what it is, but I like the texture and detail.
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.
Lilac Breasted Roller Okavango Delta, Botswana, April 2015 1/1000 sec, f5.6, ISO 320
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!
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.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.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.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).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.I couldn’t have asked for better light. Midday sun up north in the winter comes in at a pretty gentle angle.The branch shadows are a bit unfortunately, but at least the body positioning leaves the stunning yellow eye exposed.Up and away. I did briefly see the pair when I returned home, circling high up, reminding me of the vultures in southern Africa.What more could you ask for on a Tuesday lunch break?I always love the opportunity to capture birds in flight. 1/1600sec, f5.6, ISO 180
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.
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.
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
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
Part of an elephant parade on route to a waterhole for an early evening drink. Sabi Sands, May 2015
A rhino calf eyes us up while his Mom has a drink. Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015
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
