San Francisco de Asis at Sunset

San Francisco de Asis at Sunset.

 

Yesterday we led our Tamron VIP Group along the High Road to Taos. We made a few stops along the way before our final stop of the day at San Francisco de Asis for sunset. While there we explored many photographic options, even trying to recreate Ansel Adams famous image. We did abstract images of the adobe sides, images of birds taking flight from the bell towers, and images of the incredible blue skies and clouds. The sun had been hiding behind the clouds for a little while but put on a nice light show for us just before sunset. Most of the VIPs I talked with shot well over 500 images with a few saying they did over 1000 for the afternoon! We topped off the evening with a great dinner at Antonio’s Restaurant in Taos, and I am guessing more than a few slept on the drive back to our host hotel, La Posada, in Santa Fe. What an incredible outing so far!!!

 

On a separate note, I am absolutely loving the new Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di OSD lens! This was the first time I took it out and shot it without the aid of a tripod since we had a large group. Being so lightweight made handholding extremely easy. It is so incredibly sharp!!!

 

Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di OSD lens on a Nikon D-850, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 64, shutter speed of 1/30th of a second, at 17mm, handheld, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #TamronVIPSummit, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735mm

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St Francis de Asis Church in Rancho de Taos

St Francis de Asis Church in Rancho de Taos.

 

I am in Santa Fe and Taos for a few days with a special group of people called Tamron VIPs. The Tamron VIPs are folks who are part of a program Tamron started to recognize some of their best customers. They are treating them to 4 days in Santa Fe with not only a great stay but some shooting opportunities as well. I am honored to be the Professional here to help them with their photography experience. We all met yesterday and they are some of the nicest folks, and they share my excitement for Tamron lenses!

 

One of the locations we are going to take them is the Catholic Church in Rancho de Taos, St Francis de Asis or San Francisco de Asis, as it is called as well. The front of the church is beautiful, but the back of the Church was made famous by a photographer named Ansel Adams. I enjoy shooting it from all angles, but one of my favorites is getting close with a wide angle lens, in this case the new 17-35mm Di OSD lens. I like how the lens is able to capture great detail in the foreground and still capture the pigeons and their shadows along the top rim of the Church. I shot the lens exclusively yesterday and it is living up to all my expectations for sharpness and clarity. The weather here is spectacular and we will have some fantastic opportunities, and of course I will post images from our trip.

 

Tamron 17-35mm Di OSD lens on a Nikon D-850, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui W2204X tripod and K20 ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron1735lens, #TamronVIP, #TamronVIPSummit, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional

The Teenager

The Teenager.

 

One of my favorite “phases” of the Eastern Bluebirds is when they molt from the juvenile feathers to the adult feathers. By now, they are usually extremely good flyers and would be hard to distinguish them from an adult if it weren’t for the feathers. I love the colors on the breast and bellies change over and I will see how many males and females we have. There was one day last week where I had most all of the Eastern Bluebirds in from the last 2 broods in the backyard. I am hoping they hang out for the winter like they usually do before finding their own territories.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1400, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui P224S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary

Golden-winged Warbler (f)

Golden-winged Warbler (f).

 

So very often we look at the colorful male for species, but to me, the female Golden-winged Warbler is every bit as pretty as its male counterpart. This year has been a great year for me to photograph the Golden-winged Warblers that are coming through. I have had this female, or several, hanging around for a few days now. She was in and out during fair light, but she finally was ready for her portrait and landed on my favorite stick for a few images. It won’t be long before I have to wait months for their return, but I am definitely enjoying seeing them for now. I love seeing the “golden-wings” on her pose.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1800, shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, Sirui P224S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #TamronImageMaster, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary

The Saddleback Caterpillar

The Saddleback Caterpillar.

 

I had discovered the presence of several Saddleback Caterpillars on a plant on the front porch the other day and wanted to photograph them, but the wind did not cooperate. So after my birding session yesterday I brought the whole plant into the garage and put it on a table to photograph them. The Saddleback is part of a family of “slug” since they move more like slugs vs caterpillars on feet. They have venomous spines on their bodies and will cause much pain if touched. They are really beautiful, but you can see they mean business with their protective outer spines. They will eventually become a fairly dull looking brown moth. One of the caterpillars has already enclosed itself in a cocoon and I will have to see when it will emerge, they don’t have the beautiful cocoons like some butterflies, instead have a hard cocoon surrounded by silk webbing. They are less than 1 inch in length as caterpillars and are more of a medical pest than a pest to plants.

 

For the birding part of my day, I saw my first Red-breasted Grosbeak of the fall yesterday, and a Baltimore Oriole also came by for a visit. No great photographic opportunities though, maybe today…

 

Tamron SP 180mm Di 1:1 Macro lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f36, ISO 400, shutter speed of 2 seconds, Sirui W2204X tripod and K20X ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #TamronImageMaster, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary

Another really good day!

Black-throated Blue Warbler

 

Palm Warbler

 

Swainson’s Thrush

 

Another really good day!

 

It wasn’t there were a bunch of birds, 26 different species and 8 of those were Warblers, but it was a variety of opportunities. I thought it was going to be a rough day when it started a little after 7 with a Cooper’s Hawk chasing a dove over the hill. I am guessing it was unsuccessful since it took off a little while later and things got a little more relaxed in the backyard. Then I had a Black-throated Blue Warbler coming in and out, finally landing on one of “The 3 Chairs” to admire the view. He posed very nicely for a set, then off he went. Next I was visited by a new Warbler up here for me, the Palm Warbler! After updating the list by removing the Yellow-breasted Chat (it is no longer classified as a Warbler), then adding the Palm, it brings our backyard total to 25 Warblers this year so far. The day ended when I recognized the chatter of a Swainson’s Thrush. I saw him in the bushes to my left in bad light, but it helped me out by landing in the “Backyard Bird Studio” for a few frames before flying off to the woods. I sat for a few minutes last evening during a brief storm and am excited about what may be out there this morning when I bird. I had a small group of Blue-winged Warblers come in, then a White-eyed Vireo as well. Let’s hope tomorrow’s post is filled with nice images!

 

Oh, I forgot, a beautiful American Black Bear walked up to check out the Sanctuary happenings as well!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 3600 (1600 for the Palm Warbler), shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, Sirui P224S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #TamronImageMaster, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary

Northern Parula

Northern Parula.

 

Most of the Fall Warblers have some what drab colors, but there are a few exceptions, the Northern Parula is one of them. Its not that it is super bright and colorful, but it just has a beautiful combination of colors. Most of the time we see the front of a bird in images, but to me the back of the Northern Parula is just perfect.

 

I did have a new bird yesterday in the Backyard Bird Studio, a Nashville Warbler! It is a first for me up here. I have also had a Common Yellowthroat hanging around for 2 days now too. I did manage to get a couple “Bigfoot” photos of them and am deciding about posting them at some point. What is a “Bigfoot” photo, you ask? I also refer to them as ID photos. I will take an image of the bird, process it, could post it, but feel I can capture a better image. Hey, I have a reputation to live up to, right? I will share them with a few other Bird Nerd friends, but they definitely won’t make the calendar!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 3600, shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, Sirui P224S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronUSAMagazine, #TamronImageMaster, #Sirui, #SiruiUSA, #SiruiImaging, #SiruiProfessional, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary