I have searched all over for the name of this little cute y.   The closest I can find is Grace’s Warbler.  I can’t find a photo online or in my guide books that shows the little black horns though.

What do you think?  I would really like to call this one by name……

Found him at Antelope Island Saturday.  He did a lot of searching in the low brush.  I am assuming for meals?  Sure made for some fun photographs.

]]> http://jimchildphotography.com/2012/02/05/graces-warbler/feed/ 2 http://jimchildphotography.com/2012/01/29/take-off-again/ http://jimchildphotography.com/2012/01/29/take-off-again/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:36:04 +0000 jim http://jimchildphotography.com/?p=2517 One of the hundreds of Harrier take offs I have on file.

Captured this one this morning!  Another bright and beautiful day in Utah.

But in reality you can see them a mile away.  Ok 100 yards or so!

Nikon D3s, 600mm lens @ f/4 and  1/5200 second.

Exaggerated contrast by high key Silver Efex Pro2 filter and Pheasant layer erased back.

And have a new tool.

I have been going back and deleting files that are substandard, out of focus or too clutter y (what the heck the “y” keeps falling off when spell checked).  It’s been real fun.  Haven’t had this much fun with no stress or tasks attached for a long time.  With the new Cintiq I tried a technique that I have always liked.  I will filter a color photo through Silver Efex Pro2 then back out some of the color.  With the Cintiq I can be exact.  The final in print form is nice.

In the past the Wacom tablet performed well but not this exact.  I zoomed in 200% and finished the edge all around the Egret.

At some point I will be in trouble for spending a good 4-5 hours in the Man Cave playing with pic’s.  It really has been wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Probably more hunt in groups.  But I see regularly predators hunting alone.  There is something to be said about being alone and able to survive.

Herons, Egrets, Kestrals, Hawks, Grizzly Bears, Coyotes all hunt alone.  But not “all” alone.  They all were raised by a pair.  TWO adults.  Instinctively the young learned how to hunt and survive.  Many by watching the example of the “adults”.  Over time they become alone to fend for themselves.  Some find a mate.  But still hunt alone.

As humans we are much the same.  We raise our offspring to hunt alone.  They hopefully will find a mate.  The hunting part is their “gig”.  I have heard and repeated this quote many times “Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves”.  As a parent we feel very alone at times.  Watching our kids grow.  And learn.  I have a friend at work that often when we cross paths at work we end up talking about our kids.  The good and the bad.  It’s Ok.  I have never met her’s and she has never met mine.   We have a lot in common.  We are adults. And we have kids.  Adult kids.  Who have learned or are learning to stand or hunt alone.  The hard part for us as parents…… watching……. and letting them be themselves.  Of which we created and taught.

Probably the most productive shooting in the last while.  Captured a female Norther Harrier devouring a duck, another White Faced Ibis (still here?), and a perched American Kestral.  All but the duck dinner filtered through Topaz’s “Buzsim” filter and subject erased back.  The duck plucking by the Harrier had to be done in video.  No critics please……

Hawk Eat Duck

What a nervous nelly.  But man can she pluck a bird.  I watched as she ate most the bird in 5 minutes or less.  I thought she was was pretty well camouflaged….

Soon a crowd was gathering.  The big lens I use usually draws a crowd.  And as usual one admirer got out of her car to get closer with her point and shoot and off the Harrier flew……

Add to photographic surprise a White Faced Ibis flew right across i front of me right where the Harrior had been.  I am blown away by two things.  One that they are still here this winter.  Have only seen one.  And two how beautiful Ibis are.  Unbelievable!

As I was leaving my always present American Kestal.  Took this one as more of an “arsty fartsy” shot…..

All in all a very short visit at FBWR.  Didn’t even make it to the back gate.  It was fun!

Yes it’s Saturday but I had to drive north to measure a store.  Flying out Monday and won’t have time next week.  Driving north almost always means a stop to visit my winter flying critter friends.

Today it was Mallards and a Northern Pintail.  Beautiful birds.  Extremely colorful.  I guess prized by the guys carrying the shot guns.  The ducks do not look tasty to me.  In fact long ago I tasted duck.  Yuck!  Never again.  Besides I am getting into the watch, photograph and enjoy the ducks alive and moving rather than on the grill.

I was moved again to push the post process a wee bit.  All the shots were ran thru the Topaz filter then erased back about 37% just on the ducks…..

This Northern Pintail has a broken or damaged leg.  Hope he makes it.  I really think these guys are beautiful.

After I sat there a while they got a little used to me and took a nap.

Incoming!

Not too often do I get to photograph a bird flying right at me.   But when I do I dig it!

All shots with Nikon D3s, 600mm lens and 1.7x converter.

And graceful.

I have been following Moose Peterson’s web site (daily) for years.  He spent time in Florida recently and has been posting with shots from the area.  He is a master photographer.  An individual that is always looking forward.  Knows the craft and art of photography as good as anyone.

And he has an opinion.

My Dad always said “Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one”.

 I have sat in Moose’s classes a few times and learned tons from him.  Very direct in his teaching approach.  He comes across as his way or the highway.  But not really.  He will give direct reasons why we should not crop.  Why this or that process is not the best.  In the end he is teaching the best knows how.  His is teaching from professional experience.  And he wants to make his students the very best they can be.  The reality is photography is sort of an art form.  A subject can be photographed almost an infinite number of ways.  Some people crop.  Some don’t.  We all use post production tools in different ways.  So I say listen to Moose.  Learn from him but in the end enjoy your very own style, look or feeling in a photograph.

The following is a great example.  I photographed this Egret in Florida.  He flew across in front of me.  While doing so he dragged his feet (claws?) and put his beak into the water while flying.  Pretty cool shot.  I stopped the action.  The water droplets were flying.  The wings in a strange contortion.  I liked the shot.  But it felt like it was missing something.  Going back to Moose Peterson…he is a purest when it comes to wildlife photography.  In a lot of ways so am I.  But there are times when I just want to push the creativity in post.  Probably not my most graceful day but this Egrets……..Oh Yea!

And yes I did get crazy in post.  Used a Topaz filter to mimic an oil painting.  Closest I will EVER get.