Tag: Photography

Posted on

2015-11-01: What I’ve seen this week

I was driving home from a morning trip into town, thinking that I would have nothing to post for this week, as it had been a slow week for both bird and animal sightings, and I already posted the lone landscape photo I liked for my monochrome Monday shot… and about the lack of a Wordless Wednesday post… I kinda forgot what day it was – oops.

Just as I was about to turn onto my street, I noticed something perched on a fence post at the end of the road; I couldn’t quite believe my eyes as it was an owl (at noon no less).  I stopped in the middle of the road to watch for a moment, and then hurried home to grab my camera and the dog.  I drove back up hoping I might be lucky enough for it to still be there, and it was.  I managed to get the car into a great position without causing and ruffled feathers, and sat for about 10 minutes snapping photos before I decided to head off, as the dog needed a walk.  It was rainy and miserable though and other than doing what was necessary, Spencer wasn’t too keen to stay out long, so I decided to take another drive and see if the owl was still there.  This time I stayed longer, and managed to see a couple failed hunting attempts before I headed back home.

I’m really happy with how well the photos turned out despite the weather, but even more, I’m very grateful to have had such a cool, and unexpected, afternoon with wildlife.

I hope you enjoy the photos!

My first sighting of a great grey owl.
My first sighting of a great grey owl.
Such an intense gaze.
Such an intense gaze.
The way owls heads rotate amazes me.
The way owls heads rotate amazes me.
She showed off all angles while I happily snapped away.
She showed off all angles while I happily snapped away.
Watching the ground for mice and other critters. Based on the leftovers I have been seeing on the road the last few days, she is fairly successful.
Watching the ground for mice and other critters. Based on the leftovers I have been seeing on the road the last few days, she is fairly successful.

20151101_What I've seen this week-5

I love the angle on this photo, and the streaking raindrops in the background. 1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800
I love the angle on this photo, and the streaking raindrops in the background.
1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800
If you look closely, you will see that there are remnants of another bird stuck in the fencing.
If you look closely, you will see that there are remnants of another bird stuck in the fencing.
After watching the grass along the roadside intently, she launched off, but sadly did not make a catch. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000
After watching the grass along the roadside intently, she launched off, but sadly did not make a catch.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000
I included this only to show the beautiful variation in the feathers. Unfortunately the photo is blurry, a combination of too slow a shutter speed (due to the light) and user focusing issues!
I included this only to show the beautiful variation in the feathers. Unfortunately the photo is blurry, a combination of too slow a shutter speed (due to the light) and user focusing issues!
Coming back in to land after an unsuccessful hunt.
Coming back in to land after an unsuccessful hunt.
A bit of post flight grooming and fluffing of feathers.
A bit of post flight grooming and fluffing of feathers.
With this, she was off again and we left her in peace. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000
With this, she was off again and we left her in peace. By the way, look at those talons!!!
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000

Should you wish to have a copy of any of these to call your own, click here.

https://jennifersawicky.smugmug.com/buy/46618501_HZ72M2/4483806964_B8dTQPn/

Posted on

2015-10-26: Monochrome Monday

Yesterday afternoon there were 3 leaves clinging to the top of this tree. After the snowfall this morning, only a lone leaf remains. Autumn is quickly giving way to winter. 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO500
Yesterday afternoon there were 3 leaves clinging to the top of this tree. After the snowfall this morning, only a lone leaf remains.
Autumn is quickly giving way to winter.
1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO500
Posted on

2015-10-25: What I’ve seen this week

This week has seen a fair bit of rain and fog in my area, so I didn’t take my camera out with me as much as I would like.  When I did, much of what I tried to shoot suffered from poor light and a lot of noise.  So, just a few pictures this week to share, all taken today.

I was happy to see the northern shrike again, and this time, have my camera at the ready. This one is a juvenile based on the plumage.
I was happy to see the northern shrike again, and this time, have my camera with me. This one is a juvenile based on the plumage.
Another view of the northern shrike. If it hadn't been for a sizeable flock of other birds that caught my attention (finches or sparrows, or perhaps the crossbills) I wouldn't have even noticed this lovely bird.
Another view of the northern shrike. If it hadn’t been for a sizeable flock of other birds that caught my attention (finches or sparrows, or perhaps the crossbills) I wouldn’t have even noticed this lovely bird.
The three birds posed in the treetops are part of a much larger group that were pecking at the pinecones. With the fog, I wasn't able to make a species ID.
The three birds posed in the treetops were part of a much larger group that were pecking at the pinecones. With the fog, I wasn’t able to make a species ID.
Posted on

2015-10-18: what I’ve seen this week

I liked the X marks the spot clouds and all the lovely tones in this early morning photo.
I liked the X marks the spot clouds and all the lovely colours in this early morning photo.
I stopped when I heard a "Peep peep peep" from the trees, and then spent the next 10 minutes watching this one move from tree to tree, all the while staying in lovely light for me to snap photos.
I stopped when I heard a “peep peep peep” from the trees, and then spent the next 10 minutes watching this hairy woodpecker move from tree to tree, all the while staying in lovely light for me to snap photos.
The hairy woodpecker posing perfectly for photos.
The hairy woodpecker posing perfectly for a photo.
A group of black billed magpies. This photos isn't sharp the way I would like, and the depth of field is all wrong...but I like it anyways. I love all the different wing shapes, and the birds seemed so joyful flying around the neighbourhood.
A group of black billed magpies. This photos isn’t sharp the way I would like, and the depth of field is all wrong…but I like it anyways. I love all the different wing shapes, and the birds seemed so joyful flying around the neighbourhood.
What appeared to be a dull grey sky day had a few spectacular moments. It's all about timing.
What appeared to be a dull grey sky day had a few spectacular moments. It’s all about timing.
Posted on

CEE’S BLACK & WHITE PHOTO CHALLENGE: SMALL SUBJECTS

I had fun going through my archives for photos that would fit this challenge, as I was able to select ones that may not have ever been worked on otherwise.

I hope you enjoy, have a great evening.

A grey heron takes a pause atop a group of hippo.
A grey heron takes a pause atop a group of hippo. Timbavati Reserve, South Africa, May 2015. 1/200sec, f8.0, ISO 640
A pair of pygmy kingfishers are small no matter how you look at them.
A pair of pygmy kingfishers are small no matter how you look at them. Chitwa Chitwa Lodge, May 2015. 1/1250sec, f5.6, ISO220
A woodland kingfisher is dwarfed by the buffalo weaver nest he is sitting next to.
A woodland kingfisher is dwarfed by the buffalo weaver nest he is sitting next to. Chitwa Chitwa Lodge, May 2015 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 560
Some of the large animals in the world look tiny when viewed in the vastness of the Okavango Delta by air.
Some of the largest animals in the world look tiny when viewed in the vastness of the Okavango Delta by air.  How many animals can you spot? Stanley’s Camp, Okavango Delta, April 2015 1/1250sec, f9.0, ISO 1100

CEE’S BLACK & WHITE PHOTO CHALLENGE: SMALL SUBJECTS

Proudly powered by WordPress
error: Content is protected !!