Return to Florida - Thursday 7:35

Just left the marsh area and the activity was great, but the light was fading fast . I got this guy as a last shot of the day. This great white egret was returning to its nest. Most of the birds are roosting and sitting for the night. Up and back in the morning at first light. Headed to St. Augustine in the afternoon. Everyone says it's really picking up there. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida -Thursday 1:25

I was in the marsh at 7:30 and found lots of activity with the birds. I caught this limpkin making a pass through the marsh. This one was the only limpkin I saw this morning. Lots of other photographers arriving as the action here is spreading throughout the birding world. Mike says the birds are about three weeks behind normal nesting activity because of the cold weather. It was 50 degrees at 7:30 and only warmed up about 5 degrees by noon. Taking a lunch break now and will head back around 4:00 for the sundown action. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida

After a trying drive, I arrived late yesterday and decided to unpack and use the time to clean cameras and lens. I was sound asleep at 10:00 and awoke at 6:00. I was in the marsh area about 7:30 and was thrilled to see so much activity. Mike Godwin and myself had the place to ourselves for about an hour and a half. I was surprised to see so many nests with chicks. Some were several weeks old and some that just recently hatched. The Great Whites are nesting just about everywhere and the wood storks are plentiful too. There are about 6 rosetta spoonbills cruising the area, but no nests so far. This pic was the same nest I posted before...sadly on one chick remains out of the three I photographed last month.

The weather is fine and I look forward to a great week of shooting. If you know of anyone that may like to sign up for my emails, just have them send me their name and email address and I will be glad to add them to my mailing list. If you would like to be removed, just shoot me an email and I will delete you from the notifications. As always thanks for following me and all comments are welcome. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Back to Florida

Leaving tomorrow morning, early. Headed back to Florida for the birds. Plenty of nest building and newborn chicks. Hope to shoot some close up videos of nesting birds, this time around. Look for daily updates here. Maybe even a short video.

Crutch

The Story Behind the Photo

In November 2005, I made a trip west to the four corners area. This is where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado come together. I was at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Area to photograph migrating birds in the western flyway. I was after sandhill cranes and was not having much luck in the early morning hours, until I noticed a pattern of these birds leaving the shallow pools and flying into the morning breeze which was coming in from the north. I followed this bird from the time he left the water, until he was out of sight. I shot 108 photos of this bird in 22 seconds. This was number 47. The moment came at 11:12 am on Thanksgiving Day, 2005. Canon 10D, EF 400mm Lens at F7.1, 1/2000 second. ISO 400.

Photo Tip of the Week

Stay close to your subjects ! You'll capture your subjects personality much better, if you fill the frame, with their faces. A great exercise is to take one shot from a medium distance and another from much closer. You will be surprised at how much better the second portrait is compared to the first. This technique is easier if you have a zoom lens, because you can zoom in close, without having to stand right on top of them. If you have a fixed focal lens, limit your portrait to the upper body, as getting close with this type of lens will sometimes distort the facial features. As always experiment and shoot from different angles. Happy shooting !

Crutch

Lastest from Kissimmee

I was at Gatorland at 7:30 this morning. There was a light rain for most of the morning. I did manage to get this rosetta spoonbill, but most of the birds were undercover and just did not come out. Headed to St. Augustine and hopefully clear skies.