Juvenile. Probably one year old. Not as shy as the adults to a camera. This beauty landed on a post at FBBR and allowed me to get a few head shots. Pretty cute guy!!!
Feb 252011
Feb 182011
9 Days in Guatemala.
Antigua, Chichicostenanga, Tikal, Lake Atitlan. All locations we travel to and through. My days…..7 of them spent in the hotel. Must have ate something. I won’t go into any detail of my “illness’. Most of my photography was done in and around the hotels or from bus. Not what I hoped for. All in all it is a beautiful place.
Every hotel we stayed at had McCaws with clipped wings to keep them on the grounds. Easy shooting of an animated bird.
This guy was an absolute riot! What a character. Enjoyed a few minutes with him. He really wanted my camera lens hood.
I was a little trapped with the fact I was shooting a lot of street scenes. This man above may or may not be homeless. He was seated outside the wall of a church. Maybe just a great place to picnic?
We were told by the guides and others that we should ask to photograph the locals. They have a deep seated religious belief that being photographed has negative consequences. So I asked. Pointed my finger at my camera then at the person. Then had a look on my face like…”may I?” This lady was selling flowers on the steps of a big cathedral. I though she was ok with me taking the photograph. By her look though I am not sure she really wanted me to do it.
There was all modes of transportation. Families on motorcycles…..
Even crammed into a “tuk- tuk”. Most were walking.
The company provided a luncheon where dancers performed. I was not eating much…so I photographed the dancers.
For the next few days I plan on sharing my unique trip in Guatamala. I hope you enjoy.
Feb 172011
Had to get a few shots in tonight…..
I rushed to FBBR tonight minutes before the sun was setting and caught this Harrier Hawk. She was feasting off some fish remains that the Eagles had left. Shot with D3S, 600mm f/4, 2x teleconverter, ISO 200 at 1/60, -1/3 EV. Lucked out with the low light, long lens and little vibration!
Feb 132011
Today was absolutely beautiful!
After church four hours was used up with my FBBR friends. Yesterday was the advertised “Eagle Day”. Talk about crowds! Bumper to bumper front to back on the dikes at the refuge. The birds stayed WAAAAY back. In the four hours there was only one opportunity to capture a Bald Eagle shot. From about three quarters of a mile a bald eagle saw a seagull drop a 6″ fish. We had the bird in our sights most the day. As soon as the fish was dropped the Eagle flew right at us, picked up the fish and went back to his perch way out there.
The shot above is a composite of two shots of the same bird. One just as the eagle was grasping for the fish. The other just as the fish was picked up. The eagles are thinning out. Especially since the big crowds are showing up at the refuge. Looks like another great year of clicks there…..
Feb 102011
Tuesday night was spectacular at Farmington Bay. Bright sunlight at just the right angles. A little break to Capture on the sensor some eagles. After 9 days in beautiful Guatemala (7 of 9 days sick in hotel room. More on that later.) I needed to see what was going on at the Bay. Luck was definitely on my side with the light and a very friendly (hungry) Bald Eagle. Cranked up the ISO to 1200 and shot wide open. Then let the birds put on their show….
Feb 092011
Back from Guatemala.
Last night I ran over to FBBR to see what I have missed for the last two weeks. Just before sunset this eagle snatched a fish….I snatched this shot! I kinda like it.
Jan 232011
They are back!
Been sick for a few days. Had to get out for fresh air. Day after being father-of-the-Bride. Refuge here we come. Hundreds of eagles. Most of them too far out on the ice. A few came close to check things out. My camera was on fire…..
I really could sit out there all day and watch the Eagles steal from the Gulls. The Eagles are the epitome of thieves.
It really is amazing how all of a sudden the number of Eagles, seagulls and herons has increased in a very short time.
Though I could not stay long because of how I felt it was a blast……….
Jan 202011
It is a lot of work to carry long lenses when flying.
My 600 and 200-400 lens stay home a lot. I have been in Wyoming since Tuesday. Tuesday until this morning in bed…..or kneeling in the bathroom. Sorry too much information. Feel a lot better today. My regret today is that I wish I had brought my long lens on this trip. The photograph above was taken from the roadside. The Golden Eagle was dining on a dead deer on the shoulder of the road. And Bald Eagles were waiting in the wings. Golden Eagles are dominant over Bald Eagles. I missed an opportunity to get a great shot of a Golden Eagle. Not to many shots of Goldens in my portfolio….in fact just a couple. This shot was taken with a 70-200.
Tonight I had dinner with Erika and her mother. Wonderful people. Good friends. Erika is now and will someday be a queen. “Rodeo Queen” to be exact. Though not technically a rodeo queen now…in my book she is royalty. She reminds me of my daughter that just married. Good people, good conversation and great food. Hope to see again before too long.
Jan 162011
Have you ever wondered what a sitting duck feels like?
Just before that little round hole he is looking at spews out pellets to kill?
In about two weeks we are going to Guatemala. Company trip. You know. The trip you are obligated to go on because it’s free? I always thought company trips were supposed to make you jump out of your seat and cheer with excitement. Kind of a motivational trip for hard working employees like me. Wives have to go. It’s the policy. “Honey we are going on a trip to Guatemala!” By my wife’s reaction I thought she thought I said I was going to cut out her fingernails one at a time!
Can’t carry anything valuable. Can’t go out alone. Can’t go out at night. Don’t be seen with a computer or cell phone. Don’t carry money. Don’t take pictures of kids. Don’t take pictures of people in nice cars. Don’t drink the water. Don’t swim in the water. Don’t buy food from vendors. Only pay with new crisp dollar bills (haven’t figured that one out yet). Lock up all your personal items. Travel in groups. Don’t travel on trails. Always be on the lookout.
Kinda feels like standing in the naughty corner!
But we are going.
I am taking a camera….a good one. Taking a couple of nice lenses. Taking shorts, shirts, shoes, socks and photography stuff. I plan on brining back a lot of photo’s. Thousands.
Who cares if I will be a sitting duck in Guatemala? I am bringing back memories regardless.
Jan 072011
My wife has asked me many times “how many pictures of the animal can you take?”.
“Millions”
I never get tired of shooting. Animals. Wildlife. Never get tired. Off the plane a little early tonight so I headed to FBNRRR. No eagles but quit a few herons and hawks.
With winter freeze abounding black and white was the order of the day for the Heron.
Like I have said many times these hawks are incredible hunters. Flying low to the ground stopping immediately to drop on prey. This shot was from window level.
They do do rest. But never take their eyes of me………