by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jun 6, 2015 | Bird behavior, Bird photography, Digital Photography, Nature Photography, Photo classes, Photo instruction, Photo Technique, Photo Workshops
Rudy Turnstone.
Value of Patience when photographing wildlife.
The key to good wildlife photography is patience. During my photo workshop on Assateague Island, I observed two ruddy turnstones at Ferry Landing. Class participants took several fine photos capturing interaction between the two. Since I don’t typically photogrpah with the class, I could not resist returning to the same area on the following day in hopes of having similar success. That morning I spent several hours photographing ruddy turnstones, willets, and least sandpipers until canoers arrived interested in launching their boats from the shore. My patience resulted in several great shots including one showing the turnstone flipping shells in search of food, another feeding on eggs, one bathing, another stretching its wings, etc. If you want to capture action, you must watch and wait. If lucky, you will be able to capture behavior that you can not see with your eye. Of course you need fast shutter speeds for this. That is where fast lenses and cameras that perform well at high ISOs give you an advantage, With careful observation, you may be able to predict what is coming next which makes your images more unique. This sense of satisfaction is part of the reward for pursuing wildlife photography.
RuddyTurnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone bathing.
ruddy turnstone
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | May 7, 2015 | Photo classes, Photo Clubs, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops
I received several nice comments and notes such as the following after serving as a judge for the NBCC photo competition May 6, 2015. “You undertook a long drive and a tough subject, and came through in spectacular fashion!” Such complements are always appreciated. I have both presented and judged competition previously for the club. This time, as before, I was impressed with the talent and creativity of the members. Although the topic, “it’s raining” is pretty far off my wildlife/nature photography radar, I really enjoyed reviewing the images. It is always a pleasure seeing how photographers vary approaching the same topic. As do the images from my students, seeing these photographs also expanded my vision. If you have an open mind, there is I always something new to learn. I may even borrow the topic “it’s raining” as part of an assignment for my Creative Photography workshops. My hat is off to the competition winners. http://www.nbccmd.org
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Mar 19, 2015 | Digital Photography, Nature Photography, Photo Technique, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops, Wildlife Photography
Hunting vs. Wildlife Photography
Young javelina attracted by corn under log. Shot from blind.
Similarities
Both disciplines require knowledge of subject, i.e. where and when to find the animal. What does their behavior indicate? The hunter and photographer can both gain useful knowledge from signs that an animal is present – tracks, scat (cat, bear, etc.), rubs, scrapes (deer), slides (otter), broken branches and claw marks on tree (bear), freshly gnawed logs near a beaver lodge or dam (active beaver), paths through vegetation, etc.
Game calls Found at hunting stores – Bass Pro, Dicks’s, and Cabelas.
At times hunters attract animals using decoys, game calls (predator, courtship, challenge}, camo clothing or netting for concealment, cover scents (fox urine, skunk), baiting, stalking, or blinds/hides So can the photographer. (see later blog).
Ghille suit used to hide from wildlife. Option to a blind.
Shot during a workshop in SD. The workshop group tracked a herd of pronghorn. Eventually the male left herd and approached us . It stop, stared and slowly turned around and walk away with his females. Guess we were to ugly for his herd.
Differences between hunting and photography (besides the obvious that the animal can walk away).
Hunting depends on concealment & you can successfully bag your prey at 100 to 200 yards. On the other hand, photography depends more on acceptance and the shooting distance is much closer (mallard, ¾ frame, @ 30 feet w/600 mm lens.) Much of the time photographers cannot approach the animal close enough to be able to photograph it successfully without being seen. Therefore stealth is critical and the ability to carefully approaching the subject in a non-threatening way (see later blog on stalking techniques). Approaching from the water can make the task easier whether you are wading in the surf or photographing from a canoe or kayak. It appears that without your legs showing you are not perceived as a threat. The animal’s curiosity also acts in your favor. These factors do not mean that blinds and camo cover should not be used when required.
Painted bunting. Because of the bird’s small size, used a 600 mm lens with 1..4 tele-converter for this shot. Was at my closest focusing distance, less than 15 feet away.
Waded into the icy waters of Iceland for this shot. Curiosity drew him closer to me.
Stallking & the use of blinds – see upcoming blogs.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Dec 19, 2014 | Fun Photos, Photo Technique, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
UPCOMING PRESENTATION: Camera Clubs & Conferences
“A Passion for Wildlife Photography, The Stories Behind the Images”
by Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Based on my more than 30 years’ experience photographing birds and other animals, this program covers the knowledge, strategies, techniques, and equipment required to capture professional images. Includes interesting insight into Irene’s motivation for pursuing wildlife photography. I will cover methods for locating, attracting, and approaching animals along with prime locations for wildlife photography, the use of photographic blinds, and stalking techniques. Includes images and experiences from my recent trip to Brazil’s Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands.
CLUBS & DATES
St. Mary’s County Camera Club, 4 Feb 2015
Fairhaven Comcam, 13 Feb 2015
Florida Camera Club Conference – 6-8 Mar 2015
Churchville Camera Club, 6 Apr 2015
Ocean Pines Camera Club, 11 May 2015
Berks Photographic Society’s 2015 Photography Conference, 5-7 Jun 2015, www.berksphotocon.com
OLLI photo club (Fairfax Co.), 10 July 2015
Carroll Camera Club, 20 Jul 2015
New Clubs Welcomed
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jun 29, 2013 | Photo Tours, Photo Workshops, Tangier Island, Travel, Wildlife
Black Skimmer with fish flying over beach.
TANGIER ISLAND Photo Workshop
See Website for details (Schedule) & Photo Gallery: www.ospreyphoto.com
21-31 May 2015
In the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, just south of the Maryland line, is Tangier Island, VA. It is actually a series of small islands connected by narrow wooden bridges spanning marshes and tidal creeks. Tangier is a charming community and home to waterman who make their living, as did their ancestors, crabbing, fishing, and oystering. At dawn, we will photograph the waterman as they motor out to their crab shanties to gather supplies for the day. From a boat I charted, we will be able to capture images of the offshore structures and crabbers as they work.
Workboat at Sunset
We will also explore the beach, tidal creeks, and wetlands in search of wildlife – ducks, herons, skimmers, pelicans, and osprey which nest in large numbers nearby. Includes golf cart transportation, 2 nights at B&B, and image critiques.
Sunrise Tangier Island
Tangier Island Description
Just south of the Maryland line, in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, lies Tangier Island, VA. Covering approximately 1.2 square miles, Tangier Island is actually a series of small islands connected by a series of narrow wooden bridges spanning marshes and tidal creeks.
Dunlin. Visit the island during the spring.
Tangier is a charming community of waterman and shop owners, often referred to as the soft crab capital of the world. Many born on the island speak a unique dialect of English dating back to the language used by those who settled the island from Cornwall England. For visitors, animated conversations between islanders can be somewhat difficult to understand. Inhabitants make their living as did their ancestors for more than 400 years by crabbing, fishing, and oystering. Each day well before dawn, the waterman depart the island for their off shore docks and crab shanties to retrieve their crab pots, soft crab scrapes, floats, and other gear required to harvest the blue crabs which are abundant near the island. After hours on the water, they return to off load their catch for shipment back to the mainland and to tend to their soft crab shedding tanks. It is a difficult life, with long days at the mercy of the weather and seas.
Wildlife is plentiful in the marshes, creeks, beaches, and waters surrounding the island. Ducks, geese, herons, rails, shorebirds, terns, and pelicans take advantage of the abundant food supply and shelter.
To the delight of photographers, there is a healthy population of ospreys with many nesting on nearby structures and soaring overhead.
Isolated from the mainland, Tangier can only be reached by boat or small plane. Golf carts replace cars as the primary mode of transportation on the island since the streets are narrow and barely wide enough for 2 carts to pass. It’s a peaceful community with friendly people and no traffic lights or violent crime. There are no banks, arcades, and only 2 bed and breakfast accommodations. Bring cash since not all establishments accept credit cards. Cell phone connection difficult. Limited Wi-Fi.
Tangier Island is worth a visit for a rare opportunity to photograph a unique way of life that is slowly disappearing. Potential subjects include work boats, offshore crab shanties & docks, working waterman, an active waterfront, birds, beaches, and lots more. Best times to visit – mid April to early Oct. Favorite B&B – Bay View Inn (photo below).
