My favorite of Helton Creek Falls

My favorite from Helton Creek Falls.

 

You may have to go back a few days to see the image that is similar to this one, the difference is in the first image the cascade in the front of the falls is more to the right. I like that image, but with this one, I feel it is “easier” to visually navigate the scene. In the first image you have to work around the large rock, but with this one it is more of a clear and straight path. Simple left and right, up and down movements while composing an image can make a big difference in how the viewer sees your image. Don’t worry about over shooting a scene, digital film is cheap and there is nothing wrong with filling up a memory card when you are learning how to capture your vision.

 

Tamron 17-35mm Di OSD lens on a Canon EOS RP via the Canon adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 100, shutter speed of 2.5 seconds, Sirui W2204 tripod and K20 ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735, #SiruiUSA, #BearWoodsPhotography

Another view of Helton Creek Falls

Another view of Helton Creek Falls.

 

There were many compositions to be had of Helton Creek Falls Sunday, and I did my best to get most of them! Which one was the right one? You tell me! The right composition is always in the eye of the photographer and the viewer. It will always differ. Off to Long Island for a seminar with Tamron to benefit the Relay for Life. I hope to see some friends up there.

 

Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di OSD lens on a Canon EOS RP, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 100, shutter speed of 2.5 seconds, Sirui W2004 waterproof tripod and K20 ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

Helton Creek Falls

Helton Creek Falls.

 

A great long time friend and I were talking late Saturday evening and we began to talk about the rain that was forecast for that night. We then talked about all the times we would chase waterfalls in the great light after a rainstorm. Well, you guessed it, we met early the next morning in Dahlonega and went to a waterfall, in this case, Helton Creek Falls. The conditions were perfect, short hike, long enough drive for us to catch up on a lot of conversation. I even got to do some video footage, hopefully I will post that today sometime on my YouTube Channel. My friend Rob and I joke about we met over 20 years ago when he took a class from me, well several classes actually. It got to a point I quit charging him because 2 reasons, first he didn’t need any more classes and secondly if he hadn’t learned it by then, I wasn’t the right teacher. We just have enjoyed each others company and friendship. I think if we had not made an image we both would have still felt like it had been a great morning. Thanks Rob!

 

Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di OSD lens on a Canon EOS RP mirrorless camera via Canon’s adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 100, shutter speed of 2 seconds, Sirui W2204 tripod and K20 ballhead, converted from RAW in Canon’s software then processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

Owlet, Cape Coral

Owlet, Cape Coral.

 

I have truly been on a whirlwind of adventures this year and am looking forward to a little slow down here in April, but when I think back on the incredible things I have seen in 2019 I am blown away. I am still going through some images from the trips to make sure I didn’t miss a “keeper” as well. This was an image of the Burrowing Owl chick as it checked me out waiting for it to emerge from the burrow. It was fine with my presence and only retreated when the parent owls spotted a cat roaming the yard across the street. This little owlet and many other images and stories will be a part of my lecture in Long Island for Tamron’s Relay for Life benefit, don’t forget to come see me if you are in the area on April 2!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1600, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod and PH20 Gimbal head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography, #BirdNirdvana

Tiger at Kowiachobee Animal Preserve

Tiger at Kowiachobee Animal Preserve.

 

I am still going through images from this year’s adventures and finding some gems like this one of the tiger at Kowiachobee Animal Preserve in Naples, FL. He as watching his friend, the lion, as it played with a ball for a few minutes. He looks as if he was debating whether he should join in or continue with his napping. In the end, the nap won. The tiger and the lion were raised together and are best friends.

 

Tamron 100-400mm Di VC USD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 560, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron100400, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

Winter’s Last Sunrise

Winter’s last sunrise.

Spring did not officially begin until 5:58 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, so yesterday’s sunrise was actually the last sunrise of winter. I didn’t go out and photograph the full moon last night but it was interesting to have the first day of spring fall on the vernal equinox. I was trying to capture an image of the ISS fly over my yard, but I miscalculated where SSW was in relation to my house vs the town of Jasper. It ended up being a little to the left and behind some trees, so I didn’t get the nice long streak I had hoped for in the image. However, I am very impressed with the new Canon RP and am enjoying using it for landscape work. It gave me nice clean images for the night sky, as it did here for the sunrise image yesterday. Notice the setting moon on the right side of the frame too! In this image I played with a little processing technique I learned of from Thomas Heaton’s latest video to change luminosity in dark and light areas. This old dog is learning new tricks…

Tamron 17-35mm Di OSD lens on a Canon EOS RP, Manual Exposure mode, f4, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/5th of a second, Sirui T025SK tripod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

A Lecture for a Great Cause

A lecture for a great cause.

If you can free up your evening on April 2, and make it to the Tamron USA Headquarters, please join me for a lecture benefiting the Relay for Life. I will be doing a presentation on “How to Photograph Wildlife”. The cost is only $29 with 100% of the fee going to Relay for Life. It is a great cause that Tamron has been very involved with and it is an honor for me to be included in their efforts. This is a link to their Events page for more information: http://www.tamron-usa.com/special/events.html

This is an image from Kowiachobee Animal Preserve, and the concept of photographing animals in preserves and rehabilitation centers is part of my presentation, since they offer great opportunities to photograph beautiful animals and practice for times in the “wild”. Come join me for an evening on Long Island!

Tamron SP 100-400mm Di VC USD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron100400, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

Burrowing Owl Perches

Burrowing Owl Perches.

 

I have to admit that I was really confused and even worried when driving into Cape Coral for the first time years ago seeing all the “crosses” on the roadside. It seemed that they were everywhere. I know that people will place one at the scene of where a loved one died in a car wreck. My first thought was Lee County, Florida and Cape Coral must have the worst drivers for there to be that many fatal accidents. I was literally horrified. Then after researching Burrowing Owl sites, I learned that they like to perch and the residents of the city placed them there for the birds. I was very relieved to say the least. So if you find yourself near Cape Coral and you see these roadside markers, that is a great place to find an owl, but pull off the road, let’s keep it a marker for the owl sites and nothing else.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 560, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod and PH20 Gimbal head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography, #BirdNirdvana

More Diamond Beach

More Diamond Beach.

 

I realized I sort of shared a similar image to this on one of my pages on Facebook, but this one is probably my favorite of the series of these 4 large blocks of ice on Diamond Beach. This was at sunset and from the western side of the beach. You can see folks lined up on the eastern side in the image. I am very pleased with the images I captured while in Iceland and am looking forward to returning next February/March while helping to lead a workshop, details soon I promise. Here’s what we know so far…limited to 10 participants, there will be a guide (the best in Iceland) and 2 instructors (Cecil Holmes and myself), lodging will be included, transportation during the workshop will be included (you just have to get to and from the hotel when you arrive and depart, very easily done). Dates as of now are Feb 23 – March 2, 2020, those are pretty solid. We will have a final price soon, just waiting on one detail. It will be a trip of a lifetime for some folks and we will make it a great one! I hope you can join us!

 

Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-850, Manual Exposure mode, f22, ISO 64, shutter speed of 1.6 seconds, Sirui W2204 tripod and K20 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1530g2, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography

Nice Kitty Cat…

Nice Kitty Cat…

 

My field trip in Ft Myers for the Florida Camera Club Council was to Kowiachobee Animal Preserve, near Naples, Florida. Our group was treated to some great information, but opportunities to photograph some beautiful animals as well. We were always safely separated by plenty of protective fencing and no one attempted to do selfies with any big cats. The big cats were absolutely gorgeous animals and seemed to pose a bit even. The big tiger didn’t care at all as I snapped a few images of him grooming. You could actually hear the cats purr. In situations like this I prefer using the Tamron 100-400mm lens or the 18-400mm, in this case I used the 100-400mm @100mm with a monopod to stabilize the camera a little more. What a great fun morning with some great folks.

 

Tamron 100-400mm Di VC USD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 500, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron100400, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsPhotography