Tag: nature

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2015-09-28: Monochrome Monday

You'd think it would be easy to edit a zebra in black and white.. but surprisingly it took me some time before I found the look I was seeing in my minds eye. Grazing in the Sabi Sands, May 2015 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO110
You’d think it would be easy to edit a zebra in black and white.. but surprisingly it took me some time before I found the look I was seeing in my minds eye.
Grazing in the Sabi Sands, May 2015
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO110
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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
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2015-09-021: Monochrome Monday

A gorgeous female leopard lounges on a fallen tree. I love the positioning of her head and the curl of her tail. I even like the harsh shadows, as it shows she was out and about long after leopard are usually tucked away for the day to beat the heat. 1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO 640 Monochrome conversion using Nik Silver Efex Pro
A gorgeous female leopard lounges on a fallen tree. I love the positioning of her head and the curl of her tail. I even like the harsh shadows, as it shows she was out and about long after leopards are usually tucked away for the day to beat the heat.
1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO 640
Monochrome conversion using Nik Silver Efex Pro
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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.
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!
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.
Wispy fog and wispy clouds.
Wispy fog and wispy clouds.
A beautiful foggy morning.
A beautiful foggy morning.
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.
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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
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