Scenic Aperture

Canon 7D with Canon EF600mm f/4.0

This year marks my sixth consecutive year photographing the spring migration of Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska. I just wrapped up three days shooting from Rowe Sanctuary, various points along the Platte River, and nearby cornfields. Rowe Sanctuary is owned and operation by the National Audubon Society.

Each year has certain similarities but also unique aspects. This year was unique for two reasons. First, it was really hot. I’ve never shot cranes in 88 degree heat!  Normally after an afternoon shoot your fingers and toes are numb from the cold. This year we needed a cold drink and a shower. Second, this year for the first time in my experience, the Rowe Sanctuary blind was not photographer-friendly. Never before have I felt unwelcome in the public viewing blinds. This year however, it was clear that serious photographers were to be tolerated but severely restricted. Granted, Rowe has specialized photography blinds, but for many photographers, the public viewing blind is a better alternative.

It’s not clear if the new photography restrictions were a result of new policy or just one over-enthusiastic volunteer. Rowe is clear about their mission – conservation of Sandhill Cranes and their habitat – not the care and nurturing of a photographer’s habit. However, in years past, I felt sanctuary staff  was welcoming and accommodating.  This year, in addition to previous rules, high-speed continuous shutter bursts were prohibited and LCDs were required to be turned off or covered. I’m no crane expert, but I find it hard to believe the cranes’ well being requires such restrictive measures. More importantly, disparaging comments from the Rowe Sanctuary staff  made the experience uncomfortable. I am fully aware the Sanctuary is privately owned by the National Audubon Society and as such they get to set the rules. I appreciate what they do and am grateful I have an opportunity to visit their facility each year. However, it seems to me they could further their cause by being a little more supportive and accommodating to nature photographers. Just one photographer’s humble opinion FWIW.

Ok, the rant is finished. Now on to more important matters; photography. Despite the heat and hostile attitude, I must say this year was quite productive. We were treated to some fantastic sunrises and sunsets and even though the number of birds were down about 50% from their peak a few weeks ago, there were plenty of photo opportunities. One of my goals this year was to capture cranes engaged in courtship dancing. Sandhill Cranes are monogamous and mate for life. They dance and call to to their partners during the mating season (and other times I’m told). The dance involves jumping, bowing, and extending their wings. You will also frequently see them throw a stick or corn cob into the air. I guess to a crane, all this dancing and stick throwing is quite a turn-on.  Any way, I wanted to come home with some quality images of these rituals, not only from the river, but also from nearby fields.

I spent considerable time cruising the back roads south of the Platte working on “dance” photos. I learned many years ago that cranes are quite skittish when approached. However, moving cars don’t bother them. Cars, even travelling at 75 mph on the Interstate don’t inhibit their dance. But getting out of ones car to setup a tripod and camera does disturb them. They will walk or fly away if you so much as open your car door. So using your car as a blind minimizes disturbance and gives you the best opportunity to capture their  behavior.  I’ve tried bean bags of many types for in-car camera support and until now have not found one that works for me (the top of the door is too low with the window all the way down or the support is unstable with the window partially up). However, a newly discovered gadget, the Puffin Pad, made shooting from a car a breeze, even with a 600mm lens. It is contoured to fit over the top of the door when the window is fully open (which is still too low for me) and it has a slit that fits nicely over a partially extended window for a very stable and sturdy support which of course allows you to adjust the height to suit your needs. The Puffin Pad worked great. It allowed me to get the shots I hoped for without disturbing the cranes. I highly recommend it to any wildlife photographer.

Here are a few 2012 favorites:

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Last week I spent a few bucks in an effort to take better photos. Not on a new lens, but rather to join friends in Florida for a photography outing. It was a relatively small investment and it payed off in a huge way. We hired Captain Terry of Reelin and Chillin Charters to take us to rookeries off the west coast of central Florida. This was my third outing with Terry but certainly not my last. Terry is a photographer too so he knows what is important to us; light, timing, and a steady boat – and he delivers!

Steve, Connie, Bruce, and I enjoyed a spectacular day at Alafia Bank Sanctuary and various nearby points in Hillsborough Bay near Tampa. The weather and the wind cooperated and we achieved our main goal of photographing nesting Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks. Of course we encountered many other species and were not shy about shooting them too. I’m very happy with the results – in fact, this outing has to be my most productive day of wildlife photography ever (I think also I said that last time I went out with Terry). Not to minimize the importance of long, fast lenses for bird photography, but this day’s photos were as much about location, light, and timing as they were about the latest hardware.

I’m still grinding through the 2,700 exposures taken between sunrise and sunset on Wednesday and will post more in the days to come. But here are two initial shots that I like and hope you do too.  Thanks for looking – if you like them, contact Terry and arrange your own “opportunity” to take better photos.

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Roseate Spoonbill - Canon 7D w/ EF400mm 1/3200s at f/5.6 -0.67 iso200

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Wood Stork - Canon 7D with EF70-200mm 1/1600s at f/5.6 -0.67 iso200

It’s New Years Eve, time to look back at 2011 and take stock of some favorite images from the past year. These are my favorites, maybe not my best, but the ones that stick in my mind for one reason or another. I chose one image from each month to include in my BEST OF 2011 gallery. You will notice there are only eleven images. For reasons I have now forgotten, my camera did not leave its bag during the month of May.

So except for May, each month of 2011 included interesting photo shoots and many fond memories. So please indulge me while I reminisce for just a moment. It all adds up to a pretty good year and a lot for which to be thankful. Thanks to my friends who visit and leave comments on this blog. Your kind words are appreciated. All the best to you in the New Year.

Cheers!

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I must not be the only nature photographer whose wife needs periodic check-ins for peace of mind. I frequently find myself off the grid in places where my iPhone serves only as a mediocre flashlight or paper weight. So when I’m shooting in areas with no cell phone service where I cannot be reached, my wife imagines the worst. Throw in a later-than-expected return home and she is ready to call out the Marines as she is sure I’m freezing to death at the top of a mountain with a broken leg while being stalked by a rabid porcupine.

All kidding aside, as nature photographers we occasionally take some risks to get the shot. Just stepping off the curb is risky. Add the inherent risks of being isolated in remote wilderness areas and a relatively minor accident can quickly become serious or even life threatening. To help mitigate these risks and to help my wife’s peace of mind, I’ve just acquired a new gizmo that will provide a life line when standard technology is useless.

SPOT Connect turns your smart phone into a satellite communicator. This very cool device uses bluetooth and a smart phone app to  send messages to contacts or to emergency response personnel.

From the SPOT web site, “Simply pair your smartphone with SPOT Connect, and get connected to a global satellite network that lets you send messages and GPS coordinates from virtually anywhere on the planet. Update Twitter and Facebook. Send email and text messages. Request non-emergency help from professional service providers. And in the case of a critical emergency, send an SOS message requesting emergency assistance.”

SPOT offers three levels of messaging. Which one to use depends on your circumstances:

• SOS sends your GPS location to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) for emergency assistance in life threatening situations.
• HELP sends either custom Type & Send or Predefined messages to recipients in your contact list for assistance in non-life threatening situations.
• CHECK-IN/OK sends your messages and your location to friends and family for casual updates. These messages can also be simultaneously sent to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

However, assuming this thing works as advertised – and I have no reason to doubt that it will – it seems like a pretty cheap insurance policy and essential camera accessory for the serious nature photographer. At a minimum, it will provide my wife peace of mind. Worst case (or would that be best case) it might save my life. I hope I never have to use the SOS button.

I am always looking for new ways to display, promote, and share my photos on-line. I’ve recently discovered an on-line tool, Animoto, to do just that. Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips, and music. There are four annual subscription pricing plans including a free option (although you can only make 30 second videos unless you upgrade to a paid level). Of course to get the really cool features you have to upgrade to the Pro version which might be a little expensive for the casual user.

After creating an account, you simply upload your photos, select from several pre-made themes, choose an audio track, and then click “produce your video”. It all happens on-line, including storing your photos. It takes several minutes after you click “produce” for your video to be made. When finished, you are notified by e-mail. Your video is then hosted on Animoto’s web site from which it can be viewed, downloaded, exported to YouTube, shared to social networking sites, or embedded on your website.

It’s definitely worth a look. Check out my first Animoto. . .