Another of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Another of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTNBjgmcAKQ

 

This was another from my short session with the Hummers in the front yard. Don’t forget to watch the video for a few tips. If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube Channel yet, please do!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2500, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P424s monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BirdNirdvana, #BirdPhotography, #BearWoodsPhotography

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Cardinal Flower (plus video)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Cardinal Flower (plus video).

 

Yesterday I finally was able to do something I have hoped and planned to do for about a year, photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the Cardinal Flowers. Wind back the tape for a minute…I was given several bunches of the flowers by a good friend and we planted them last year, but rabbits and deer did a number on the young plants so we didn’t get the tall stalks like I had hoped. This year there are plenty and they are blooming beautifully. With the bright overcast sky, the conditions were perfect to set up a chair on the porch and do some images with my trusty Tamron lens and Nikon D-500. I placed my chair in a position where the plants would have about 40 feet between them and the background so I could get an isolated subject. I decided since the conditions were so good I would do a little video as well, the link is below. The hummingbirds are busy fueling up for the long migration they will have in a couple months, so they are super busy and don’t mind my presence.

 

Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTNBjgmcAKQ

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BearWoodsPhotography

Flying off the handle

Flying off the handle.

 

There are some mornings you are tired, you have a cute photo of a cute bird, but search for a title to a post. Today is that day. This Juvenile Eastern Bluebird landed on the handle of our gardening fork, which is like a pitch fork but for digging in the garden. It posed for me for a few images, then flew off. Since it was on a handle, I feel it is accurate to say it flew off the handle. It wasn’t upset, it didn’t scream or holler, it just flew off the handle…sometimes you are tired and simply state the obvious.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BearWoodsPhotography

A Soft Focus Saturday

A Soft focus Saturday.

 

I am getting ready to head down the mountain to do a presentation to the Big Canoe Photography Club on “Creating Successful Landscapes”. These great folks are neighbors and incredible photographers, and it is always great to see them. I decided to celebrate the relaxed setting presenting up here in the mountains by posting a nice relaxing soft focus daylily image from Grace Gardens near Geneva, NY. I saw on the news this morning that the Atlanta area is currently in a streak of over 90 degree days. It is something like 9 straight now, but the record is 1995 when we had 17 days straight! I hope we start fall soon…

 

Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro lens on a Sony a7Riii camera via the Metabones adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f2.8, ISO 400, shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second, handheld, Shimoda Explore 40L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron90Macro, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

Workflow

Workflow.

 

Photography, like any other job, requires practice and a routine. A good practice and routine is what makes you proficient in your work. A huge part of the photographic process is the work done once the shutter is released. It is also the part that frustrates so many photographers. Like any other work, if you only do it occasionally, it is tougher to remember all the right steps. In post processing the steps are often referred to as “Workflow”. The way you become proficient in your workflow is to do it each day. I constantly mention in my lectures that I do, and you as a photographer should take one image each day and process it as well. This makes you proficient in the use of your camera and especially in your workflow. For me it is easy when I am at home, I just step into the backyard and photograph “The 3 Chairs”. Frustration down, Proficiency up…less stress…

 

Tamron 17-35mm Di OSD lens on a Canon EOS RP camera, Manual Exposure mode, f4, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/15th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod and K30 ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1735, #SiruiUSA, #The3Chairs, #BearWoodsPhotography

Peregrine Falcon with jesses

Peregrine Falcon with jesses.

 

It is up to the individual photographer of course, but when I photograph birds of prey that are captive I leave the jesses in the image. First of all, it is a lot of work to clone them out in Photoshop. Secondly, I don’t want anyone to think, even for a moment, that I used my catlike Ninja skills to sneak up on an unsuspecting Peregrine Falcon and was able to grab a few snaps before it took off. Even if it is obvious that I am fully capable of sneaking up on the fastest animal on Earth. There is nothing wrong with being honest when sharing the image and showing the bird’s hardware. It doesn’t make the bird less beautiful, it is still a Peregrine Falcon. If you want them out of the frame, simply crop for effect, but always be honest when sharing. Save your catlike Ninja skills for another day…

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z6 camera via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, Shimoda Explore 40L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdsofPrey, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

One of the Barn Cats

One of the Barn Cats.

 

At Angels on Horseback there are 2 Barn Cats. It took them a little while to warm up to me and others, but now they love the attention. They were given to AOH when their previous owner sold their farm. It appears they were taken in as feral kittens and raised for controlling mice in the barn. They are super sweet and starting to pose for me, be it reluctantly though. I was at the farm yesterday getting some ideas for my new project, Heroes and Healers. I hope to be doing a lot of portraits in the near future for the project and get more images on the page. I have some appointments with K9s, SAR Dogs, and a few individuals lined up in the next few weeks. If you would like to be included in the project, please contact me so we can get something scheduled. Free portraits and exposure to your group if you would like. Send me an email at bearwoodsphoto@gmail.com.

 

Tamron 35-150mm Di OSD lens on a Nikon Z6 camera, Manual Exposure mode, f4, ISO 280, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, handheld utilizing the Vibration Compensation feature of the lens, Shimoda Explore 40 backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron35150, #ShimodaDesign, #HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography