Don't forget to look for the pictures inside the pictures. While reviewing my shots of a civil war reenactment, I noticed the crazed expression of this one horse. I cropped in tight and did some focused processing and came up with a unique image.
"Crazy Horse" has been a strong seller in the online gallery.
Stay in focus,
Mark
One of the advantages to shooting at a high frame rate, you'll tend to grab a unique pose or element that you would have otherwise missed. In the next frame, the eagle's second foot was back parallel to its body. This split second shot imitates a perfect toe-nail pirouette worthy of the best ballet dancer!
Stay in focus,
Mark
He really did look like a crusty kinda fellow - crusty but cute! Thanks to the Stillman Nature Center for caring for these injured birds. Do a search and find out if there are any rehabilitation centers around your area - They're worthy of your support.
Stay in Focus,
Mark
Bosque del Apache is still the supreme fall location to find Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese but Jasper Pulaski (JP) is a close second for cranes. Located in northwestern Indiana, just south of Valparaiso, JP is a prime migration point with end of November crane counts in excess of 28,000. The preserve does a great job of providing access to viewers and photographers with a raised viewing platform position right in front of the morning and evening gathering spots.
You are limited to viewing locations (primarily shooting due west) so the time of day dictates your shots. Evening shots are either difficult low light shots or some fantastic silhouettes as seen above. (click the images to see a high rez versions). Learn to take what nature gives you and you'll come away with some great sunlit backdrops as the cranes arrive from feeding in the near by fields.
Get there at sunrise as the Sandhills arrive from their night time spots in the adjacent marsh and you'll be treated to wave after wave of arriving cranes, just as the light gets really sweet. Arrivals and departures will continue until around 10:00AM. Just as the best light starts to slip away, you'll get to witness a huge series of blast-offs as the cranes head out to the corn fields for daily feeding.
Weekends get a little crowded with fellow bird watchers and photographers - but weekdays are perfect for a relaxed adventure. The main parking lot is about an 1/8 of a mile walk from the observation deck and a dedicated handicapped parking lot is available right next to the observation deck. The deck is equipped with both stairs and an access ramp.
Crane populations have peaked but there will still be plenty of action through December.
Stay in focus,
Mark
Guided Missle . . . Locked on Final Approach!
Blackbirds will not hesitate to take on anything that penetrates their "airspace", even hawks and eagles. I missed the next shot (what a shame) where the hawk got nailed about 2/3rds of the way up his tail - costing him a few feathers. He didn't even see this one coming.
When you see a "blackbird escort" appear, keep your eyes open, something interesting is about to happen!
Stay in focus,
Mark
Dude! Get Your Foot Out of My Mouth!!
The sun came out and temperatures crept back into the 50's last weekend - a perfect time for the turtles to warm up a bit in the sun. Too bad there just weren't enough logs to go around!
Stay in focus,
Mark
