I’m not known as a “people photographer” but when these two young runners passed by I had to make the click. This was a month ago and I walked with our little dog at sunset on the Heritage Trail in the valley below. Due to the wildfires in Colorado, Montana, and California the sun had this hazy, almost dirty appearance and made for interesting back-light on the leaves and logging equipment in the background. While I was still debating with myself if this would be enough for a picture, the girls entered the scene. And suddenly I had a photo that made sense…
GALLINULE, FIRST TIME WITH OFFSPRING
Common Gallinule with offspring, Green Island Wetlands, Iowa
Many of the waterfowl is very secretive while they care for their offspring. In particular the Common Gallinule is sometimes hard to spot. You may hear them calling in the reeds but getting the bird in front of the lens isn’t easy. Yesterday I made a short visit in the Green Island Wetlands and for the first time I had an opportunity to see a pair of gallinules caring for two little chicks. Although already late in the day the light was still harsh, the scene was backlit, and exposure was a challenge. As you can see in the second picture, their big feet allow the birds to walk on the leaves of waterlilies and other aquatic plants. The parents did their best to feed the young gallinules and it was fun watching them. I’m not 100% happy with the quality of the pictures. Shooting from the car without a chance to get into a better position with less backlight wasn’t ideal, but I think the story of this exciting moment is still told and I like to share it with you.
Both photos: Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens
LOVE WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER…
Mississippi River, Finleys Landing, Iowa
I often struggle with scenes that are backlit, in my wildlife photography and as well with landscape work. This evening I left the Mississippi River with a smile on my face, I knew I had something. I wished light would prevail always this way and the decision how to dial in the settings in camera would match my imagination about the final image as it did today.
Waters are high in the Mississippi right now, for example, the flood gates were closed at Ice Harbor in Dubuque, Iowa, but the higher water level makes the muddy banks below the grass in this shot disappear. Knowing the location helped to anticipate the shot before I even went there. Oh, I love when it all comes together sometimes…
WHEN LIGHT BECOMES THE SUBJECT
At Lewis Mountain campsite, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Ok, I’m jumping back and forth between actual photos, like the Tundra Swans from yesterday, and little stories and images from our tour through the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia in October.
Photography is all about light and how we use it to bring out the subject in our pictures. During an early morning walk around Lewis Mountain campsite in Shenandoah National Park I tried to work with backlit subjects, like ferns and grasses. With every minute more warm light from the low sun was pouring in and putting out some real magic. All the backlit plants are still in the frame but they play only a small role in the story. Suddenly the light itself, hitting the forest floor, became the subject. Not a bad way to start a day…
Nikon D750, Nikkor 16-35mm / f4, @ 35 mm, 1/25s, f/8, ISO400,
FUN IN THE MORNING
American Goldfinch --------------
The days are getting longer and if the sun is out, it hits my northeast facing office window for a short time in the morning. The birds that land at the bird feeder next to the window are backlit but the snow on the ground, and maybe even the window, reflect some light and throw it back at the birds. I can’t use a fill flash because that would not go well with the glass of the window between me and the bird. The Nikon D750 with the Sigma 150, f/2.8 lens attached sits right on my desk and I can grab it quickly and shoot from less than two feet away. Nothing really special, but a fun way to start in the morning…
NATURE CLICKS #342 - RED FOX PUP
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens -----
The morning when we pulled out of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada and moved on with our tour around Lake Superior we decided to check out another small lake not far from the road. As we came around a corner we suddenly saw this young Red Fox right beside the gravel road. We stopped, sneaked carefully out of the car and started shooting. The fox decided to ignore us. There were several challenges to master beside not scaring the critter away. One was to deal with some “stupid” grass in the foreground. I have several images where it is right in front of the eye. Not good! The second challenge was the backlight situation. I have ruined many photos in the past with similar light but this time I learned from previous mistakes and chose the right exposure compensation. The rim light separates the fox from the background and works very well for this shot. Starting a day like this is hard to beat… 😊
SHOOT IT WHEN IT'S THERE!
Joan didn’t have to work this evening and we were able to see today the young Great Horned Owl together at Mud Lake. The owlet sat in a different tree , much easier to spot than yesterday evening. Overall the light wasn’t really bad for anything today, but it was a different quality and the photo I show you would not have been the same.
Last night, when I walked back to the car, with the tripod over my shoulder and a big smile on my face (see yesterday’s post if you don’t know why… :-) ), I saw these backlit trees on the other side of Mud Lake Park. The house in the background, hit by the light of the setting sun, I just had to make the click. Well, I still had the Sigma 50-500 on camera, and even if this is not a perfect lens for landscape shots, but by zooming in to 230 mm I got what I saw in this picture. Spring is just a wonderful time…!! :-)