This is my weekly commentary on a recent photo I've shot, describing subject, location, shooting conditions or anything else I think is interesting.
Sunset Season - 5/20/08
As the rainy season arrives in Florida so does "sunset season" for photographers. There's a few things that seem to make a better sunset photo this time of year; Clouds that add color and depth to the sky at sunset, less wind to ripple the water surface making for terrific reflections, and later sunsets so there's time to get to a good location. Sometimes I like to shoot sunsets with a telephoto lens and this can cause a serious hazard to the eye, like staring at the sun with a telescope. NOT recommended! I wait 'til the sun is low and dimmer, then aim with my eye held away from the viewfinder. I use the LCD display to adjust composition and exposure, then shoot until I get a good result.
- See my Sun & Sky gallery for more sunsets.
As the rainy season arrives in Florida so does "sunset season" for photographers. There's a few things that seem to make a better sunset photo this time of year; Clouds that add color and depth to the sky at sunset, less wind to ripple the water surface making for terrific reflections, and later sunsets so there's time to get to a good location. Sometimes I like to shoot sunsets with a telephoto lens and this can cause a serious hazard to the eye, like staring at the sun with a telescope. NOT recommended! I wait 'til the sun is low and dimmer, then aim with my eye held away from the viewfinder. I use the LCD display to adjust composition and exposure, then shoot until I get a good result.
- See my Sun & Sky gallery for more sunsets.
Osprey glut - 5/5/08
Remember a few weeks back it was Osprey season? Now all the chicks have fledged (learned to fly) and for every nest there are now the 2 parents AND the one or two chicks flying all over the place. This photo was taken on Pine Island at a location with lots of snags (dead-tree perches) left over from hurricane Charley. This area is crowded with these birds, screeching and flying around - usually with a half-chewed fish. This is more Osprey than I've ever seen. I wonder about their population cycle and if they'll over-fish the area and then decline for a while? Hmmmm... I'll need to find out.
- Loads of Osprey in my "Birds of Florida" gallery.
Remember a few weeks back it was Osprey season? Now all the chicks have fledged (learned to fly) and for every nest there are now the 2 parents AND the one or two chicks flying all over the place. This photo was taken on Pine Island at a location with lots of snags (dead-tree perches) left over from hurricane Charley. This area is crowded with these birds, screeching and flying around - usually with a half-chewed fish. This is more Osprey than I've ever seen. I wonder about their population cycle and if they'll over-fish the area and then decline for a while? Hmmmm... I'll need to find out.
- Loads of Osprey in my "Birds of Florida" gallery.
Red-bellied woodpecker - 4/20/08
OK, here's an example of a many-month's long exercise in persistence... I have been shooting lots of lousy photos of this bird species. I could never seem to get them in sunlit conditions, and they have a habit of always being on the other side of the tree from the light. I spotted this nesting hole in a dead palm while shooting on Sanibel. After waiting an eternity (10 mins.) I spotted a pair of red-bellies making trips in and out. My first attempts at shooting them were lousy 'cuz the morning sun was on the left side, again - so "AHA!" I thought... Come back in the evening when the sun is shining on the hole and wait for the birds to land. Finally - here's the result.
- See them in my "Birds of Florida" gallery.
OK, here's an example of a many-month's long exercise in persistence... I have been shooting lots of lousy photos of this bird species. I could never seem to get them in sunlit conditions, and they have a habit of always being on the other side of the tree from the light. I spotted this nesting hole in a dead palm while shooting on Sanibel. After waiting an eternity (10 mins.) I spotted a pair of red-bellies making trips in and out. My first attempts at shooting them were lousy 'cuz the morning sun was on the left side, again - so "AHA!" I thought... Come back in the evening when the sun is shining on the hole and wait for the birds to land. Finally - here's the result.
- See them in my "Birds of Florida" gallery.
Sanibel Lighthouse - 4/10/08
I've been living around this area for years now and see this lighthouse all the time at the southern tip of Sanibel Island. Finally I'm getting around to photographing it. OK - Sorry if there are sooo many shots of this location - pick your favorite one and let me know! I have more but will leave it alone for now. What I will do is shoot the scene in different sky conditions as the summer comes around; clear, cloudy, sunset, stormy skies, etc... Keep coming back to see how it goes. I'm off to Boca Grande for more lighthouses tomorrow. I may have to make a "Lighthouse" gallery, eh?
- See more in my "Scenic" gallery.
I've been living around this area for years now and see this lighthouse all the time at the southern tip of Sanibel Island. Finally I'm getting around to photographing it. OK - Sorry if there are sooo many shots of this location - pick your favorite one and let me know! I have more but will leave it alone for now. What I will do is shoot the scene in different sky conditions as the summer comes around; clear, cloudy, sunset, stormy skies, etc... Keep coming back to see how it goes. I'm off to Boca Grande for more lighthouses tomorrow. I may have to make a "Lighthouse" gallery, eh?
- See more in my "Scenic" gallery.
Double-Crested Cormorant - 3/29/08
It was quite a sight to watch the cormorants fishing at Myakka River State Park. They spend a long time swimming underwater and eventually come up with a fish to eat, pinched in their hooked bill. Then the real fun starts while they try to maneuver the fish to swallow it headfirst. Of course the fish isn't too keen on this idea and resists by flaring out its' spines and fins. A few challenges to photographing these birds in the water; Try to get light onto their green eyes and make sure there's light on their face to avoid silhouette. Their feathers are very oily and the water on them seems to throw off my camera's autofocus, so I try to focus on their bill or whatever is in it. AND take lots of shots!
- See him in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
It was quite a sight to watch the cormorants fishing at Myakka River State Park. They spend a long time swimming underwater and eventually come up with a fish to eat, pinched in their hooked bill. Then the real fun starts while they try to maneuver the fish to swallow it headfirst. Of course the fish isn't too keen on this idea and resists by flaring out its' spines and fins. A few challenges to photographing these birds in the water; Try to get light onto their green eyes and make sure there's light on their face to avoid silhouette. Their feathers are very oily and the water on them seems to throw off my camera's autofocus, so I try to focus on their bill or whatever is in it. AND take lots of shots!
- See him in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
Look up - but watch your feet! - 3/18/08
Wow! I was setting out to revisit the ospreys on Lover's Key when I spotted this Great Blue Heron posing in a dead tree. I couldn't resist, and had to stop to take a bunch of shots of this guy. While I was focusing on the heron, I was maneuvering through the tall grass and sea oats with my tripod. I heard the snake before I saw it - looking down I spotted a long black snake taking off by my feet. It was most likely a black racer and luckily I didn't step on it. Moral: be aware of your surroundings, and don't forget to watch your step.
- See more of this great blue heron in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
Wow! I was setting out to revisit the ospreys on Lover's Key when I spotted this Great Blue Heron posing in a dead tree. I couldn't resist, and had to stop to take a bunch of shots of this guy. While I was focusing on the heron, I was maneuvering through the tall grass and sea oats with my tripod. I heard the snake before I saw it - looking down I spotted a long black snake taking off by my feet. It was most likely a black racer and luckily I didn't step on it. Moral: be aware of your surroundings, and don't forget to watch your step.
- See more of this great blue heron in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
Reddish Egret - 3/15/08
This the most spastic bird on the beach! Bunche Beach to be specific. I have photographed this bird a few times ( I think it's the same guy...) cavorting and jumping around in tidal pools along the shore. He runs and jumps after food in the shallow water, using his feet to stir up the bottom and doing all sorts of tricks with this wings. He's got a favorite pose where he brings one wing up overhead to shade the water looking for small prey. Every so often he fluffs out his feathers like you see him here. Then he spots something and is back to the chase.
- See his "salute" pose and others in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
This the most spastic bird on the beach! Bunche Beach to be specific. I have photographed this bird a few times ( I think it's the same guy...) cavorting and jumping around in tidal pools along the shore. He runs and jumps after food in the shallow water, using his feet to stir up the bottom and doing all sorts of tricks with this wings. He's got a favorite pose where he brings one wing up overhead to shade the water looking for small prey. Every so often he fluffs out his feathers like you see him here. Then he spots something and is back to the chase.
- See his "salute" pose and others in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
Osprey season! - 3/2/08
It's mating season and the osprey are out in force. I've spotted pairs of osprey all over southwest Florida - from Pine Island to Lover's Key and even in the cities of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Their whistling and shrieking call is a sure indication when they're in the area - not to mention the huge pile of sticks that they accumulate for a nest. Their frequent trips to and from these giant nests means many good photo opportuinites of them in flight as they pile on more and more sticks. I've staked-out a couple of nests on the western shoreline south of Estero Island, and will keep returning there to get better shots.
- See more osprey photos in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
It's mating season and the osprey are out in force. I've spotted pairs of osprey all over southwest Florida - from Pine Island to Lover's Key and even in the cities of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Their whistling and shrieking call is a sure indication when they're in the area - not to mention the huge pile of sticks that they accumulate for a nest. Their frequent trips to and from these giant nests means many good photo opportuinites of them in flight as they pile on more and more sticks. I've staked-out a couple of nests on the western shoreline south of Estero Island, and will keep returning there to get better shots.
- See more osprey photos in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
Pineland Sunset - 2/29/08
While I was out on a quick trip to Pine Island looking for eagles (to no avail), I noticed a terrific sunset shaping up. So I headed north to a spot that I'd scouted before - Pineland, on the west coast of the island. This is a small hamlet with a marina, the famous Tarpon Lodge, and just a tiny spit of shoreline overlooking the water. At the right time of year the sun sets over this spot with some beautiful results. Now was that time! If you're looking for a specific sunset shot, try to scout areas ahead of time. I've made fruitless trips to this place a few times before it paid off. And - watch for scattered clouds that reflect the sunlight colors adding depth to the scene.
- See more sunsets in my "Sun and Sky" gallery
While I was out on a quick trip to Pine Island looking for eagles (to no avail), I noticed a terrific sunset shaping up. So I headed north to a spot that I'd scouted before - Pineland, on the west coast of the island. This is a small hamlet with a marina, the famous Tarpon Lodge, and just a tiny spit of shoreline overlooking the water. At the right time of year the sun sets over this spot with some beautiful results. Now was that time! If you're looking for a specific sunset shot, try to scout areas ahead of time. I've made fruitless trips to this place a few times before it paid off. And - watch for scattered clouds that reflect the sunlight colors adding depth to the scene.
- See more sunsets in my "Sun and Sky" gallery
Black Skimmers! - 1/29/2008
I've been trying to get this shot for awhile, and will keep trying to get better ones. This is the Black Skimmer in feeding mode. This bird feeds by dropping his lower beak into the water and skimming across the surface. When the beak hits something - like a fish - it will pivot its' head and snap up the morsel. These guys travel in sizeable flocks, and exhibit some comical behavior: they'll rest with their bill tucked under their wings, all facing the same direction, they belly-bump other birds off the beach, and their tiny feet - long bill - and peeping call combine to make them the comedians of the bird world.
- See more skimmers in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
I've been trying to get this shot for awhile, and will keep trying to get better ones. This is the Black Skimmer in feeding mode. This bird feeds by dropping his lower beak into the water and skimming across the surface. When the beak hits something - like a fish - it will pivot its' head and snap up the morsel. These guys travel in sizeable flocks, and exhibit some comical behavior: they'll rest with their bill tucked under their wings, all facing the same direction, they belly-bump other birds off the beach, and their tiny feet - long bill - and peeping call combine to make them the comedians of the bird world.
- See more skimmers in my "Birds of Florida" gallery
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