Tag: Photography

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Group of herons

I've only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn't have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle. 1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400
I’ve only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn’t have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle.
1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400
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Great Blue Heron

Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned...unless a coyote got to it first. After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I've had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos :) 1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned…unless a coyote got to it first.
After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I’ve had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos 🙂
1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
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Osprey returning to her nest

Even with my 300mm lens, I had to crop out an awful lot of the photo to get in this tight, as the pillars where the osprey nest are quite a distance out from the dikes. Even though it isn't as crisp as I would like; I am getting used to a new camera with a different focus system, and the morning haze makes the photo look a bit noisy - I don't care. I am grateful to have captured this moment of the mama osprey returning to her nest with building materials while her little one looks on. Plus, there are three starlings hanging out at the base of the nest, probably looking to sneak off with any leftover tidbits!
Even with my 300mm lens, I had to crop out an awful lot of the photo to get in this tight, as the pillars where the osprey nest are quite a distance out from the dikes. Even though it isn’t as crisp as I would like; I am getting used to a new camera with a different focus system, and the morning haze makes the photo look a bit noisy – I don’t care. I am grateful to have captured this moment of the mama osprey returning to her nest with building materials while her little one looks on. Plus, there are three starlings hanging out at the base of the nest, probably looking to sneak off with any leftover tidbits!
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Osprey

I was spoiled for choice with all the birds to photograph in one day: yellowthroats, robins, heron, ducks, and these beautiful osprey.

I don't have quite a long enough lens for a good shot of a nesting osprey, but I've posted this as reference to show how huge they build their nests. Early in the spring, I captured some shots of an osprey carrying huge branches - this is why! 1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
I don’t have quite a long enough lens for a good shot of a nesting osprey, but I’ve posted this as reference to show how huge they build their nests. Early in the spring, I captured some shots of an osprey carrying huge branches – this is why!
1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
1/4000 sec, f5.6, ISO 400
1/4000 sec, f5.6, ISO 400

Osprey in flight

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Starling in Silhouette

A starling singing in the early morning. I was shooting into the sun and the sky was very clear and bright with lots of glare on the leaves; a bit of tinting to the black and white conversion completely changed feel of the photo. 1/4000 sec, f 5.6, ISO 400
A starling singing in the early morning. I was shooting into the sun and the sky was very clear and bright with lots of glare on the leaves; a bit of tinting to the black and white conversion completely changes feel of the photo.
1/4000 sec, f 5.6, ISO 400
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Great blue heron (and a duck)

The still morning provided a lovely reflection of the great blue heron on the water. I was lucky enough to catch a duck taking off at the same time. 1/200 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
The still morning provided a lovely reflection of the great blue heron on the water. I was lucky enough to catch a duck taking off at the same time.
1/200 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
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Common Yellowthroat

These are a few more photos from my wonderful walk last Sunday morning.  It took me some time to identify the type of bird when I got home; going back and forth from the computer screen to my bird book and bird websites to figure it out.

A common yellowthroat (bottom right) in the long grasses that line the river. I am not certain what type of bird is top left. 1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
A common yellowthroat (bottom right) in the long grasses that line the river. I am not certain what type of bird is top left.
1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
I included this not because it is a great picture (clearly, it isn't). When reviewing it though, it reminded me a bit of those old Where's Waldo books. There is a yellowthroat in this picture... somewhere :)
I included this not because it is a great picture (clearly, it isn’t). When reviewing it though, it reminded me a bit of those old Where’s Waldo books. There is a yellowthroat in this picture… somewhere 🙂
I knew it wasn't a goldfinch I was seeing when flashes of brilliant yellow appeared in the trees and grasses while I was out walking (although I have seen goldfinches along other stretches of the dike before). It took a bit of searching through my bird book in order to figure out what to call this beauty. 1/400 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
I knew it wasn’t a goldfinch I was seeing when flashes of brilliant yellow appeared in the trees and grasses while I was out walking (although I have seen goldfinches along other stretches of the dike before). It took a bit of searching in order to figure out what to call this beauty.
1/400 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
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Deer

I saw this beauty driving home this morning.   I was amazed when it calmly stood by, my car parked no more than 6 feet away, while I snapped a few quick pictures with my phone.

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