Some of what I'm about to share may be familiar to you. I've been telling the story of the Osprey pair for a while now. It's an interesting one because so few of these birds nest in south central PA (though that may be changing). It's interesting, too, because I've been given access to property … Continue reading Osprey Time
Category: Camera settings
Two Days in August
A quick note to readers. This blog is mostly about birds and bird photography. It isn't particularly technical, but I never rule the technical out. Though each post stands alone, I tend to build on or expand upon previous ones. For example, this one builds on what I've written about a local greenspace and its … Continue reading Two Days in August
Photography and Art
This isn't an essay on photography and art (by any stretch), nevertheless I touch on both here and hope you find what follows interesting and helpful. Before we get underway, here's another female bird we can add to the "pantheon." This is a female Wood Duck—a perching duck, as you can see. Here, she was … Continue reading Photography and Art
A Few Sights and Sounds
What follows are a few late winter/early spring Mid-Atlantic region sights and sounds. I'd like to begin with some Red-shouldered Hawk photos, but first, here's one of a Great Blue Heron grabbing a bluegill for breakfast. I took it on the same morning I took the Red-shouldered photos. The Red-shouldered Hawk Let's go to those … Continue reading A Few Sights and Sounds
Water Sources and Winter Light
Several readers asked me about the thrush photo in "More Photo-Worthy Moments." It was nothing special, but I chose it because it perfectly complemented the quote just above it. If you're interested, I took the photo in the woods. It was quiet, the bird was close, and it was easy to "feel that connection." The … Continue reading Water Sources and Winter Light
A Few Photo-Worthy Moments
Many readers enjoyed the American Black Duck photo in the last blog, "Be There," and several asked me about the EXIF or image file data. Here's the photo once again. And here's the data: Canon EOS R5 EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x III lens 700mm f/8 1/2000s 1600 ISO. Here, also, are some of … Continue reading A Few Photo-Worthy Moments
Be There
I mentioned "f/8 and be there" at the end of "A Special Moment." A reader who'd never heard of it before sent me this: "I should put that on a T-shirt and wear it on every outing. Great advice!" I think it is great advice. F/8 has to do with photo gear and technique. Being … Continue reading Be There
Consider The Background
We brought up "best quality photos" in the last blog. I noted there that many had blurred backgrounds and that those backgrounds may have accounted for the higher ratings. I provided Josh Houck's Facebook photo (below) as an example. Folks on Facebook raved about it and responded to it. I responded in this way: "All … Continue reading Consider The Background
Capturing Moments
I ended my last blog, "Old Friends," with the following quote: "And when confronted by a seemingly alien place, say a desert or mountain tundra, the birds carry me from confusion to understanding." The idea that birds can carry us from confusion to understanding is an intriguing and powerful one. Human Activity Folks have asked … Continue reading Capturing Moments
Self-Care to Spoonbills
My wife and I may be getting closer to moving day, but I still try to find time to bird, to photograph birds, and to learn about photography (and everything else). I also still try to find time to write. Even in the midst of a move, and maybe especially in the midst of a … Continue reading Self-Care to Spoonbills
Elizabeth River Bird Blog 