by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Mar 19, 2022 | Bird photography, Nature Photography, Pennsylvania, Photo Workshops, Snow Geese, Swans, Wildlife Photography, Winter Photography
Snow geese lift off at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
At the beginning of March I spent a day and a half at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania, approximately a 2.5 hour drive from my home near Baltimore. This was my first visit to the area. I could not resist packing up my camera gear and heading north when a friend from one of my photo workshops sent me a great image she had just taken at Middle Creek of a huge flock of snow geese taking off from a farm field.
Many years ago, 40,000 snow geese visited Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in November. I recall one afternoon during one of my photo workshops, while driving the Wildlife Loop we encountered thousands of snow geese in the impoundment and near the road. Periodically they would rise in unison from the ground sounding like a plane taking off. They would fly overhead, circle, and return to the same spot that they had left. Not only did they do this once, but repeated the behavior several times more. I have never forgotten that day. But in recent years the number of geese at Chincoteague has dropped dramatically. Many are now spending the winter at Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges in Delaware with the geese feeding in the fields of the Delmarva Peninsula. It is reported, seasonal counts have exceeded 200,000.
At Middle Creek, I was a reminded of the past scenes at Chincoteague but with even more birds. During my visit on March 4th, there were 78,000 snow geese present with nearly 3,000 tundra swans. Periodically, the number of birds present in the winter were as high as 200,000.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is located on the boarder of Lebanon and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania, north of the town of Lancaster in the middle of Amish Country. Middle Creek is operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission which is in charge of managing the wild bird and mammal populations at Middle Creek. This roughly 6000-acre wildlife management area is home to hundreds of species of birds and mammals. It is crucial for the hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, and swans that visit during their spring and fall migration.
A number of accommodations are available approximately 20-25 minutes from Middle Creek at the towns of Ephrata and Lititz, PA.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
At Middle Creek there is a Visitors Center with interpretive displays, an auditorium, and an observation area with feeders and views of Middle Creek Lake. Also there are a number of walking trails, several picnic areas, a vehicle tour loop, and areas set aside for fishing and hunting. During the peak of the fall migration of waterfowl, to reduce disturbance of the birds, portions of the tour loop are closed to vehicles. However, from 1 March until 30 September, vehicles are permitted on the interior, northern part of the tour route.
The Lake
The impoundment (lake) where the snow geese, tundra swans, and other waterfowl congregate was created by the construction of a dam in the early 1970s. It is quite shallow, with an average depth of only three feet. Waterfowl attracted to the lake are those that prefer shallow water, compared to the diving ducks of the Chesapeake Bay. The deepest part of the lake is just above the dam where you might see herons, egrets and kingfishers.
Visitors Center Pond
The Visitors Center pond during the spring and fall migrations is an excellent spot to observe at a distance mallards, black ducks, northern shovelers, ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, hooded mergansers and others. The “tree-house” type structure located behind the pond is a bat condominium intended to serve as a maternal colony for up to 6,000 bats.
Kleinfeltersville Rd
Just past the road to the Visitor Center along Kleinfeltersville Rd on the right is an open area with a relatively clear view of the lake. When I was there, the cove was filled with snow geese in the morning and evening, with some at close range. They shared the area with Tundra Swans.At times more geese joined the group filling the sky with birds before landing. Eventually the main group of geese flushed and in mass, joined the other geese farther back in lake. To my surprise, the swans did not join them.. It may be a good spot to photograph flying geese at sunrise. However, most visitors gather at Willow Point for sunrise.
Willow Point Trail
The Willow Point Trail is very popular when the geese are present. It is an easy 10-minute paved walk that leads visitors to an observation point overlooking a large portion of the 360-acre lake. During spring migration, there are days when the waterfowl put on incredible flight displays, moving from one section of the lake to another. Occasionally, they would fly over the head of visitors before circling back to the lake. It was suggested that they took off in response to a bald eagle that left its perch on a dead tree across the lake and headed towards the flock.
Waterfowl Propagation Areas
From the Observation Point Parking Lot past Willow Point, it is possible to see activity within the waterfowl propagation area which is off limits to people. It is set aside to allow birds a place to nest, rest and feed unmolested year-round. In the spring and early summer you may see a variety of songbirds. Bird boxes attract tree swallows and bluebirds. In the fields you may see bobolinks.
On the southwestern portion of the lake there are three different types of nesting structures provided for waterfowl. Tire and tub structures provide a nesting areas for Canada geese. The straw tubes are provided for mallards and black ducks, while the box style structures are for wood ducks.
View from the interior loop road.
After observing the movement of geese from Willow Point and talking to other photographers, on my last afternoon in the area, I drove to the northern end of the interior tour loop where I thought the geese might be landing in a field close to the road. There were a number of cars parked at the side of the road which suggested I was right. I left may car at the end of the line and walked to where I had a clear view of the field and a number of geese on the ground. As I stood there photographing, other geese left the lake and joined the group. More and more geese arrived with some on the ground taking off and flying overhead to a field behind me. As sunset approached, the parade of geese leaving the lake continued with one “V” formation after another heading in my direction. I had hoped they would pass in front of where the sun was setting but most did not. However, I did capture a few images of lines of geese in front of the warm colors in the sky.
I plan to return in future years. Great wildlife photography opportunities.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Feb 22, 2022
Outer Banks North Carolina Photo Workshop
(6-9 Dec 2022)
This Outer Banks Photo Workshop offers a variety of photographic opportunities —lighthouses, miles of pristine beaches, sand dunes, small boat harbors, historic sites, fishing piers, wildlife reserves, and parks. Over the ocean, along the shoreline, and in the marshes, waterways, and forests, we will look for photographic subjects including pelicans, herons, shorebirds, warblers, pelagic seabirds, dolphins, deer, fox, and other wildlife. Potential locations to be visited include Bodie and Currituck Beach lighthouses, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Duck boardwalk overlooking Currituck Sound, Wanchese Harbor, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve, and Hatteras National Seashore. On the Outer Banks, sunrises are often spectacular. The image below is of Avalon Pier as the sun is rising. Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head also offers opportunities for dawn photography and for a nominal fee, you can walk the 1000 foot-long pier hoping to capture images of flying pelicans, pelagic birds, propose and fisherman.
Note: As usual with my workshops, I will arrive several days prior to the group to access current local conditions and to scout the best locations for photography. The exact locations and times may vary according to weather, safety considerations, current road conditions, and desires of the group.
PRICE $ 1295 based on single occupancy; $ 1167 based on double occupancy.
ACCOMMODATIONS – Price includes 4 nights accommodations (John Yancey Inn, Ocean Front, Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks), but does not include food, transportation, tolls, any park fees or personal items. See details at end of this post.
Avalon Pier sunrise.
The Changing Face of Barrier Islands
The Outer Banks consists of a narrow string of barrier islands running parallel to the North Carolina coast for 150 miles from the Virginia border to Shackleford Banks in the south. A network of bridges and ferries join the islands together making it easy to travel from one to the next. The Outer Banks are separated from the mainland by bays and inlets, with Pamlico Sound being the largest (30 miles across at its widest). Like all barrier islands, those of the Outer Banks are in a constant state of flux being reshaped by the wind, waves, tides, & storms. Today’s shallow coves fill with sand and become the marshes of tomorrow. The most dramatic changes in appearance are caused by fierce coastal storms like the winter “nor’easters” and the fall hurricanes. When these storms coincide with seasonal high tides, the results can be disastrous, creating new inlets, washing out sections of the main highway running the length of the Outer Banks (Route 12) and tumbling beach-front homes into the sea. Our exact itinerary can be influenced by weather and changes in road access.
Wave with spray on windy day.
Tentative Schedule – 2022
Sunrise 6:59, Sunset 4:48
Tuesday
7:00 – 8:30 PM, (Orientation: goals setting, photo tips, logistics: itinerary, safety, car pooling.)
Wednesday
Sunrise – 11:00 AM, (Photography Bodie Light, Bonner Fishing Pier/Oregon Inlet, Life Saving Station and dunes.)
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Mid-day lunch, editing, image review – 3 images)
1:30 PM – Sunset (Currituck Beach Lighthouse & the Whalehead Club, Currituck Sound off of the Duck Boardwalk, Sunset)
Thursday
Sunrise – noon (Pier at sunrise, Hatteras National Seashore, & Pea Island)
Mid-Day – Lunch @ Duck
1:00 PM – Sunset (Corolla Horse Tour, Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve, Sunset over Currituck Sound)
Friday
Sunrise – 11 AM (Sunrise @ Beach, Jockey’s Ridge, Wanchese harbor, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Town of Manteo, waterside boardwalk)
Lunch in Manteo
Drive to Alligator River NWR for black bears, waders, waterfowl, turkey, wood peckers, and the elusive red wolf.
End of workshop.
Atlantic Ocean
Sea foam at sunrise.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
For thousands of years, North Carolina’s Outer Banks have survived onslaughts of wind and sea. This thin, broken strand of islands curves out into the Atlantic Ocean and back again sheltering North Carolina’s mainland and offshore sounds. Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects long stretches of beach, sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands that are part of three barrier islands– Bodie Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. It extends more than 70 miles south of Nags Head.
It and other undeveloped beaches, offer wonderful opportunities for photography–sunrise, waves, shells, patterns in the sand, dunes, driftwood, beach vegetation, and local wildlife. Because of strong currents and turbulence off shore, food is abundant, supporting not only large populations of seabirds, but dolphins, whales and other marine mammals. Those will longer lenses may be able to capture images of the sanderlings or other small shorebirds as they chase receding waves to feed on crabs and other tiny organisms in the exposed wet sand. Or you may have opportunities to photograph Brown Pelicans flying in formation and gliding just inches above the water’s surface or plunging head first into the ocean.
Sanderling eating mole crab at the surf line.
Sanderlings chasing each other on the beach.
Oregon Inlet
Oregon Inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean with Pamlico Sound. For years, the Bonner Bridge, the longest bridge on the Rt. 12 which runs the length of Outer Banks, provided vehicle access to the southern part of the Outer Banks. Due to shifting sand, strong currents, and instability, the Bonner Bridge had to be replaced. The 2.8-mile Marc Basnight Bridge now connects the northern and southern parts of the Outer Banks.
The southern portion of the old Bonner bridge was turned into a 1046-foot long fishing pier. The Bonner Bridge Pier opened on Oct. 1, 2021 with cooperation between the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Oregon Inlet is rich with marine life due to mixing of salt water with fresh and attracts fish, birds and fisherman. From the pier, we will try to get images of pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, and pelagic sea bird attracted to the abundant food supply.
Near the entrance to the pier is a historic US Coast Guard station, (formerly a Lifesaving station) that has great photo potential. Adjacent to the ocean, it sits in the midst of beautiful sand dunes.
Double-crested Cormorant swimming partially submerged.
Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station
Lighthouses
Sometimes referred to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” the waters off the Outer Banks are well known for dangerous shoals (shifting underwater sandbars) and colliding offshore currents. This deadly combination has resulted in the sinking of hundreds of ships over the years. Along the beach remains of the sailing ships can sometimes be seen protruding from the sands. Because of the large number of ships lost, lighthouses and life saving stations were constructed at intervals along the coast to guide ships away from dangerous waters. For easy identification from the sea, each lighthouse differs in appearance and signal.
Bodie Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters
Bodie Island Lighthouse
The Bodie Island Lighthouse was erected to mark the entrance to Oregon Inlet and is still operating today. It is located at the north end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, just south of Nags Head and 4 miles before the inlet. Todays lighthouse was built 1872 after the original one on the opposite bank of the inlet was destroyed in the Civil War. It was renovated in recent years, with the work concluded in 2013. It stands 150 feet tall and has a keepers quarters is adjacent to it. It is tucked away between tall pine trees and freshwater marshland. Deer are not an uncommon sight on the main entrance road to the parking area. There are several nature trails nearby including a .4 mile long boardwalk leading to a viewing platform overlooking a pond and marshland frequented by wading birds and others species.
Cotten-tail Rabbit back lit in field of clover near Bodie Lighthouse
Two-Hour off-road guided wild horse tour (Private Tour: 4-Wheel Drive Vehicle)
The wild horse tour features a unique round-trip North toward Carova Beach and False Cape State Park near the Virginia – North Carolina border. Stumps rising from the sand along the ocean and are the remnants of an ancient maritime forest. Picturesque scenery and unscheduled appearances of wildlife offer photo opportunities. Along the way, the horses are sometimes seen walking along the beach and even in the surf. The tour company has private access into the Wild Horse Conservation Easement, situated on secluded land, habitat set aside for the Colonial Spanish Mustangs. (Corolla Outback Adventures)
Horse in Surf
Duck Boardwalk and Currituck Sound
The community of Duck on the northern end of the Outer Banks constructed an elevated boardwalk that is nearly a mile in length and is adjacent to Currituck Sound. Herons, waterfowl, turtles, and other species can be photographed from the various points along the walkway. It is the perfect place to capture incredible sunsets with swans or cypress trees in the foreground.
Swans swimming in Currituck Sound at sunset.
Cypress Tree on Currituck Sound at Sunset.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Whalehead
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse still functions as a guide for passing mariners. It located in the heart of Corolla near the northern end of Rt. 12, the primary road that runs the length of the Outer Banks. This 162 foot tall lighthouse stands out for its distinctive red exterior. The design was intentional to set the Currituck Lighthouse apart from its Outer Banks neighbors. The lighthouse has been left unpainted so visitors could marvel at the sheer number of bricks involved in its construction. The lighthouse is adjacent to the the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, the historic Whalehead Club, and Corolla Park. The Whalehead, with its beautiful architecture, is a 1920’s mansion. Although serving other purposes over the years, it was once a secluded oceanfront retreat for this country’s wealthy hunters and conservationists.
Currituck Lighthouse
Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Located on the northern border of the town of Corolla and the 4WD accessible areas of Carova, the Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve is comprised of 965 acres of natural maritime habitat. The warm Gulf Stream Current and cold Labrador Current intermingle just offshore creating an unusual habitat where both northern and southern species of plant and animal life survive. The area is an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway where thousands of migrating birds rest on their long journey. A 1/3 mile wooden boardwalk extends to the Currituck Sound and offers spectacular views at sunset. Off of the boardwalk there is a more rustic 1.5 mile trail which leads into the deep patches of the maritime forest to the north. This path travels though a variety of habitats before reaching another overlook of Currituck Sound. On the reserve one might see a variety of birds including egrets, ibis, ospreys, ducks, Tundra Swans, cormorants, terns, etc. It is also home to mammals that find food and shelter in the maritime forests, the sandy dunes, and the mud flats bordering the Currituck Sound. Species include muskrats, nutrias, river otters, mink, as well as white-tailed deer, gray foxes, raccoons, opossums and even occasional feral hog.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Manteo
Manteo & Wanchese
On Roanoke Island, in the late 1800s, Manteo served as an important port and is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina with large ships docking at is waterfront. A short distance away is Wanchese, another fishing port. Once centers for boat building, both ports have diminished in importance today. But they still have small boat harbors where a small number of trawlers, crabbing, and other commercial and sports fishing boats dock.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is on the east end of the Manteo waterfront. Reaches 40 yards out into Roanoke Sound with a boardwalk for access. Unlike Bodie and other lighthouses on the Outer Banks, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a replica of a lighthouse that was constructed in 1877 at the southern entrance of the Croatan Sound in the village of Wanchese to help sailors and fishermen to find their way to port. It is a river lighthouse. So like its counterparts, it is much shorter and squatter than the other lighthouses on the Outer Banks. With its red roof, black shutters, and cottage-like appearance, it is a favorite subject for photographers. The town of Manteo, one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, is quaint and worth visiting with a number of unique shops, pubs, coffeehouses, restaurants, and a boardwalk along the water. It is a nice place to pick up a coffee or sandwich after an active morning shooting session. Nearby is the small community of Wanchese with a small harbor and marina with large sport fishing boats. Usually there are a few work boats tied up at the wharf along with fishing nets, crab traps and other gear. In the past, it has been a good location to photograph ospreys and pelicans.
Brown Pelican landing with fish.
Colorful crab trap & float.
PEA ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is on the southern side of the Oregon Inlet and covers more than 5,900 acres. The water level is managed by a system of dikes and ponds to favor the production of food high in value to wildlife. The refuge provides a safe haven for wintering migratory waterfowl with 25 species of ducks and more than 265 species of birds including osprey, Wilson’s plover, black skimmers, wading birds, and least terns. We will explore the overlooks and trails in search of photo subjects. In early winter thousands of waterfowl including tundra swans arrive at the refuge.
Tundra Swans flying
American Oystercatcher with mussel.
Alligator River
The Alligator River is a 152,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge located in eastern North Carolina along the Atlantic Coast on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula. It is managed as part of the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex which includes Pea Island. The main access is off of Rt. 64 west of Manteo. The refuge was established in 1984, to preserve and protect a unique wetland habitat type known as “pocosin” and it’s associated wildlife species. The habitat is varied and includes high and low pocosin, bogs, fresh and brackish water marshes, hardwood swamps, and Atlantic White Cypress swamps. The refuge is one of the premier habitats for the black bear in the eastern US. In the winter it attracts a variety of waterfowl including snow geese and thousands of swans. It is also home to wading birds, shorebirds, warblers, turkey, deer, fox, coyotes, bobcat, rabbits, raccoons, turtles, etc. You may even see a red wolf, one of the individuals transported to the refuge as part of a recovery program for their declining population.
Black Bear
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Red wolf with tracking collar.
The following locations may be included in the itinerary depending on the weather, photographic potential a the time of the workshop, and timing. Otherwise they can be visited before or after the workshop.
Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary
A 2.5 mile (one way) Nature Trail is open to the public on the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary. It follows the path of the old dirt road between Duck and Corolla. Habitats along the way include forests of Loblolly Pine and Live Oaks, stunted Oak forests, and the rare Red Bay Shrub Swamp. Two Overlooks, one near the south end and the other 1 mile from the north end provide sweeping views of Pine Island, Currituck Marshes, and Currituck Sound. Between October and December, a large influx of ducks arrive to include American Black Ducks, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teals, American Widgeons, Northern Shovelers, and Gadwalls.
Northern Shoveler swimming.
Gadwall flapping wings after preening.
Nags Head Woods Preserve in Kill Devil Hills
Situated on the sound side of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, the 1,000 acres of protected maritime forest found in the Nags Head Woods Preserve can be explored on foot. There are four trails in the ecological preserve cover approximately seven miles. The preserve includes maritime forest, wetlands, beaches and a historic cemetery.
Jockey’s Ridge
Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest natural inland sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Located in Nags Head, it is one of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks. The landscape is constantly changing with the prevailing wind. This unique location is best photographed either early or late in the day when the sunlight skims the surface of the dunes creating interesting textures and patterns in the sand.
Gulls hovering over beach at sunrise.
What to Bring
DSLR or Mirrorless camera, instruction manual, spare memory cards ,and batteries. Lenses from wide angle to 300 mm or more. Polarizing and a neutral density filter. Sturdy tripod. For the image review session and editing images, bring a laptop computer or tablet. Edited images should be saved to a flash drive for transferring to my computer for viewing by the group.
CLOTHING
It can be cold at this time of the year, so bring some warm clothing. But in early December temperatures can also be mild. Dress in layers. The workshop will begin each day at dawn to take advantage of the warm, early morning light. Activities will proceed in the rain, so bring rain gear and waterproof covers for your camera and lenses. At this time of year, ticks, flies or mosquitoes could still be present so bring insect repellant. For protection from UV radiation, I suggest wearing a hat and using sun screen. To prevent dehydration, bring water to each outing.
HANDOUTS
Also prior to our first meeting, please bring me on a thumb drive 2 sample images of your nature photography images for discussion. In a future handout, I will provide guidance as to file naming and formatting. Using the recommended naming protocol helps when sorting and reviewing the images. Besides info on what to bring, you will also be sent a liability release form and pre-workshop questionnaire that will help me to better address your needs. These should be completed before the class.
Yellowlegs after catching fish.
SPECIAL NOTES
I will provide individual attention to each participant in the field matching each their skill level. The itinerary is flexible and will be adjusted according to the location and availability of subjects, the weather, safety, group interest, and other factors. Paths may be uneven, wet in spots, or sandy. The trails I selected for the workshop are easy to moderate in difficulty. Anyone may abstain from any activity and select an alternate that is less strenuous. Boots with firm ankle support for hiking are recommended. The pace of the workshop is adjusted to the desires of the group and to allow participants to explore each location thoroughly and to ask questions. Car pooling is encouraged where possible. Much in terms of health precautions will depend on the situations relative to COVID at the time. I advise you to get travel insurance.
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PRICE $ 1295 based on single occupancy; $ 1167 based on double occupancy.
ACCOMMODATIONS – Price includes 4 nights accommodations (John Yancey Inn, Ocean Front, Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks), but does not include food, transportation, tolls, any park fees or personal items.
Maximum number of participants – 6
Full payment due 30 days prior to the start of the workshop. Deposit: 50% prior to that date. See cancellation policy posted with registration form on web site. If you have questions, contact me at (410) 679-2873 or (410) 960-5871 or e-mail me at ospreyphot@aol.com
(To register, complete the form at top of the “Events” web page).
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Mar 23, 2020 | Bird behavior, Bird photography, Blue Heron Reclamation Wetlands, Florida, Florida's Atlantic Coast, Nature Photography, Orlando Wetlands, Photo Workshops, Waste Water Reclamation, Wetlands, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Florida Sandhill Cranes at Orlando Wetlands
This is Part 1 of a report on the photography along Florida’s East Coast.
The last two weeks of February I flew to the East Coast of Florida to scout for a future photo workshop in March of 2021 or 2022. In the past, I have conducted several workshops in Florida but on the west coast and in the Florida Everglades. This time, I spent 12 days visiting 18 locations along the east coast from St. Augustine to Boca Raton. Sites included wildlife refuges, state parks, zoos, gardens, and wastewater reclamation wetlands. I spent the majority of time at locations where wildlife was abundant and accessible. At other sites, I limited my visit to just enough time to evaluate the area for inclusion in a workshop.
Because of my busy lecture schedule, my visit was limited to late February. Even though it is a month earlier than I plan to offer a workshop, wintering birds were present and nesting was beginning. Breeding birds were carrying sticks, constructing nests, fighting over territory, mating, and displaying. Many wading birds displayed nuptial plumes and the color changes that come with breeding. In a few nests, chicks were present. In late March and early April, heron rookeries are much more active with screeching, hungry chicks and parents busy feeding in order to care for their young.
Sandhill Crane Feeding in field. Orlando Wetlands.
Snowy egret photographed at Orlando Wetlands
Two sites covered by this newsletter are Orlando Wetlands and Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility and Wetland Area. These are natural and man-made wetlands fed by reclaimed wastewater, creating an environment beneficial to wildlife. Both are within a short drive from Titusville. Florida has a number of these sites with some open to visitation by birders and photographers and others are closed to the public. Some encourage visitation with boardwalks for easy access and viewing of wildlife. Several have bird rookeries within their boundaries.
Limpkin with snail at Orlando Wetlands.
What is reclaimed waste water? It is raw wastewater that has passed through a sewage treatment plant to remove solids, toxic contaminants, and some nutrients. To kill pathogens, the waste is treated with chorine which dissipates before entering the wetlands. This “reclaimed,” non-potable water is sometimes discharged into waterways or dedicated to uses like watering lawns and other purposes, but not as drinking water. However, in some cases when discharged to waterways, the nutrient loading may be high enough to create choking algal blooms which can lower oxygen levels as the algae dies and is decomposed by bacteria. Low dissolved oxygen in waterways can produce “dead zones” where aquatic animals cannot live. On the other hand, when discharged into man-made or natural wetlands, the marsh plants take up the phosphorous and nitrogen and flourish, creating environments suitable for wildlife. For sites using wetland treatment of waste, they are proactively managed and the water tested. Their condition is monitored to benefit flora, fauna, and biochemical processes. In simple terms, at both Orlando and Blue Heron Wetlands, sections of natural or man-made marsh populated with native aquatic plants are impounded and surrounded by dikes with provisions for adjusting the water level as needed. Wetland plants support large populations of tiny aquatic organisms that form the basis of a food chain that supports higher organisms. This rich supply of food acts as a magnet attracting wildlife. In addition, wetlands provide shelter and nesting habitat for birds and serve as a nursery for aquatic organisms.
Double-crested Cormorant at Blue Heron Wetlands Facility
In the case of Orlando Wetlands, you can walk along the extensive series of dike roads. At certain times, you can take a tram tour of the facility. In the case of Blue Heron Water Reclamation Wetland Area, you must sign-in & out at their administrative office on site. When I was there, you could drive selected dike roads that provided great opportunities for photography with animals at close range and use to human presence. However, for all locations that I mention in this and the following newsletter, you must check current conditions and regulations.
A number of images in this newsletter are labeled with the location where they were taken. I first visited Orlando Wetlands about a half hour from Titusville. I walked along the dike roads expecting wildlife to be far away and intolerant of my presences. I was pleasantly surprised that many animals just ignored me and went about their normal activities. Alligators, limpkins, ibis, egrets, gallinules, and sandhill cranes were within easy camera range for photography. After conducting several December photo workshops at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge where thousands of sandhill cranes spend their time from mid-November to mid-February, I was surprised to see several cranes feeding in the first field I encountered. These Florida Sandhill Cranes are resident birds that nest in Florida and don’t migrate. They are omnivorous eating seeds, insects, frogs, mice and other organisms abundant in the marsh. Near Viera Wetlands, I actually saw a crane feeding in someone’s front lawn in the middle of a development. Later I discovered that they can be found on golf courses, parks, and in other public places.
Wood Stork sitting on branch at Orlando Wetland.
To visit Blue Heron Wetlands on weekends, you must make prior arrangements. In general many of the locations I visited were closed on certain days of the week. Those providing early entry for photographers who have purchased photo passes, such as St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm and Gator World’s rookery near Orlando, limit this privilege to certain days of the week or particular months, unfortunate for me February was not included. It is critical to check each location before visiting for rules, open dates, and conditions. For example, a favorite of many photographers, Green Cay Wetlands was closed to visitation due to renovations starting in November 2019. I had visited it several years ago and was impressed with its long boardwalk and large population of nesting birds.
Great Blue Heron at Blue Heron Reclamation Wetlands exposing underside of wings.
In following newsletters, I will cover Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore plus several other areas along Florida’s east coast. The pelican/spoonbill photo at the opening of this newsletter was shot on Merritt Island one morning during my recent visit.
Great Blue Heron resting at Blue Heron Reclamation Facility.
Great Blue Heron at Blue Heron Reclamation Facility.
Red-shouldered Hawk perched in tree on Blue Heron Reclamation Wetland.
Purple Gallinule Feeding ay Blue Heron Reclamation Wetlands.
Tricolor Heron stretching on Merritt Island NWR Subject of next blog.
White Pelicans and Spoonbills at Merritt Island NWR.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Apr 21, 2019 | Assateague, Chicoteague, Nature Photography, Photo classes, Photo instruction, Virginia, Wildlife Photography
Photo Opportunities
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge & Assateague Island National Seashore
Ospreys can dive to catch fish. Their feathers shed water easily and their talons specifically designed to be able to grab and fly with their catch.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore
Location & Management:
Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge covers 14,000 acres of beach, dune, marsh, shrub and forest habitats. The majority of the refuge is located on the Virginia end of the narrow, 37-mile-long barrier island of Assateague (Assateague Island National Seashore) just south of Ocean City Maryland. The refuge is managed to benefit wildlife and to protect critical habitat for both resident and migrating species. Birds found on the refuge include ducks, geese, heron, raptors, warblers, and shorebirds plus deer, raccoons, Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels, muskrats, foxes, and otters.
In recent years, there has been a significant drop in the number of migrating snow geese visiting the refuge in the fall. Once reaching nearly 40,000, but today the numbers are much lower. Grabbed this shot several years ago as they landed on the beach. This fall, they were there again this year.
Large numbers of snow geese sometimes stop at Bombay Hook National Wildlife refuge, DE instead of proceeding south to Chincoteague in the fall. This flock circled several times before landing.
A number of impoundments have been created by refuge staff where water levels are managed to provide resting and feeding areas for waterfowl and other species. Some dikes bordering the enclosures are topped with roads adjacent to water-filled borrow ditches where birds congregate. This arrangement offers excellent opportunities to photograph wildlife from your car, steadying your camera on a bean bag or using another means of support. Because the animals are protected on the refuge and are used to seeing people and vehicles, they are less timid than elsewhere and more easily photographed.
Clapper Rails are secretive birds found in the marshes. They feed at low tide on the exposed mud flats. Rails are often heard before seen.
Wild ponies are a favorite photo subject among visitors. Smaller than standard horses with heavy coats to protect them in this harsh environment. They appear perpetually pregnant with bloated bellies from their diet high in bulk and salt.
New born. Wild pony family.
Constant Change:
As with all barrier islands, the sand shifts with the season and strong storms. The ocean cuts through the dunes sometimes forming temporary inlets. Water-laden sand rolls over the land creating new marsh. With the landscape constantly changing, there are always new and exciting opportunities for photography. No matter when you visit, you will always find something to photograph. Even in the summer when the public beach is packed with people, you can still find photo subjects by venturing out in the early morning and late afternoon when there are fewer people to interfere with your activities.
Once endangered, Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels were transplanted on Chincoteague and now they are often seen at the edge of the maritime forest.
Locating and approaching wildlife:
Spotting animals requires careful scanning of the environment for shapes, tones or colors out of place, and movement. By studying animals, whether photographing or not, you gain insight into their behavior and are better able to capture action shots. Creatures of habit, animals often visit the same locations repeatedly so check these spots on a regular basis. Know your equipment well and be prepared to photograph at any time. Have a suitable camera/lens combination ready with exposure settings pre-set for conditions you are likely to encounter. Once a potential subject is spotted, plan your approach. Consider the lighting, background, subject temperament, and the animals direction of movement. If it is following a predictable path, move slowly and indirectly to position yourself where it is heading. Be careful not to cause it to alter its behavior. Rapidly moving directly towards the animal will normally causes it to flee.
I watched the direction the fox was moving and carefully position my vehicle on the shoulder of the road at a distance in front of where I thought it was going. I made sure the warm afternoon light was illuminating its beautiful red coat
After hearing its distinctive call, I spotted this Belted Kingfisher on one of its favorite branches. As I positioned my camera, it plunged into the water and emerged with a small crab in its bill before returning to its perch. To capture various poses of the bird as the bird struggled to consume the crustacean, I held down the shutter release button and repeatedly fired a series of shots using a high number of frames/second.
Shot from my car with my Nikon D850 camera and 600 mm lens resting on a bean bag. Settings: ISO 800, F10, and shutter speeds approximately 1/2000 second.
Belted Kingfisher stretched wing just before it dove after fish.
Suggested lenses and other gear:
- A wide-angle for beach scenes, flocks of birds, and sunrise/sunsets and perhaps a 80 to 200 mm zoom lens to isolate portions of the scene.
- A 300, 400 or 600 mm telephoto for small or timid subjects such as shorebirds. It is preferable to buy long lenses that have collars for mounting on a tripod. This makes it easier to handle the camera/lens combination and it allows for quick adjustment of orientation from horizontal to vertical or in-between.
To spot animals, I look for movement. This Cedar Waxwing was part of a flock attracted to the berries. Shot with my 600-mm lens.
- A 1.4 tele-converter to extend the effective focal length of your primary lens for photographing small subjects. Note: The tele-converter reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, cutting shutter speeds in half. For best image quality, buy one matched to your prime lens.
- A 200-mm macro lens for close focusing and high magnification when photographing a shell, insect, or flower. Compared to shorter macro lenses, with the 200-mm lens, you can obtain the same magnification at a greater working distance from your subject–a benefit if photographing something timid such as a ghost crab.
- Other gear: An electronic shutter release to prevent camera shake when using long exposures or high magnification. A polarizing filter to remove unwanted reflections and shine on surfaces of vegetation intensifying colors. Depending on the angle of the sun, it can also make the sky appear bluer. You might want to include a neutral density filter that reduces the amount of light entering the lens in order to create special effects by using slow shutter speeds to suggest motion of moving objects – the surf, the wings of birds, etc.
The lighting and pose made this photo of a Great Blue Heron special. Shot in the early AM.
- A sturdy tripod, preferably without a center post for maximum stability when using long telephoto lenses. The tripod should be topped with a professional ball head that can easily support the weight of your camera/lens combination or with a Wimberley Head (gimbal) which is preferred by many photographers for manipulating large lenses and tracking animals and birds.
- If shooting on the beach, the wind off the ocean can be fierce and unpredictable, so never walk away from the tripod. Also, watch where you place your camera gear since an incoming wave can swamp your equipment or worse, wash it away. When around blowing sand or dust, shield your camera when changing lenses to avoid particles entering the throat of the camera and making their way to the sensor resulting in dark spots on your images.
Willet picking up mole crab. Shorebird behavior is often predictable. They follow the edge of the surf, probing for organisms as waves retreat.
Useful tips:
- By having with you two cameras mounted with different lenses when in the field, you can avoid changing lenses in the open and can more quickly switch from one focal length to another.
- When on the beach, wipe or brush the sand off your tripod legs with a damp cloth to prevent particles and salt from entering the joints between tripod segments and making it difficult to adjust the tripod’s height. You can buy or create water-proof tube covers for the lower legs to minimize sand-related problems and to allow you to submerge the legs in the surf.
- If visiting in the spring, summer or early fall, bring insect repellant to guard against mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks potentially carrying Lyme disease. Reads more on CDC’s website. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/on_people.html
Adjacent to the refuge is the town of Chincoteague with a small boat harbor. Sometimes loons are found here. It is also a good place to photograph sunset.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jul 17, 2017 | Badlands, Badlands National Park, Nature Photography, Photo Tour, Photo Workshops, Wildlife Photography
South Dakota Badlands Photos and Tips
The following blog introduces you to South Dakota Badlands Photos and Tips from my photo workshop this June.
In early June, I conducted a photo workshop in the Badlands of South Dakota with co-leader Sandy Zelasko. It is a great location for dramatic landscapes with striped limestone formations, sharp pinnacles, canyons, and sprawling prairie grasslands frequented by pronghorn and mule deer. In the past, I conducted photo tours in the Badlands and Blackhills in the fall. But this time, Sandy and I elected to hold the workshop in early June when newborn animals were plentiful along with vibrant spring colors. On most days, temperatures were comfortable in the morning but rose as the day progressed. Therefore, we were on location to shoot sunrise and photographed throughout the early morning. Then we took a mid-day break at our hotel in Wall to rest, review images, photograph around town, and grab an early dinner before returning into the field until sunset. From Wall, it was only a 25-minute drive to the park’s northeast entrance and 15 minutes to Pinnacles Overlook. The small town of Wall has several good restaurants, a grocery store where we bought snacks and food for breakfast, and a gas station plus a few convenience stores.
Note: Many of images you see in this newsletter were taken while scouting locations I the Badlands for the workshop. Sandy and I did photograph with clients at times but only if we were demonstrating techniques or in the event they did not desire our assistance.
Bighorn sheep are social animals with the females and lambs living separately from the males until breeding season. Rams, we encountered several times at the northeast end of the park near Big Badlands Overlook and the parking area at Notch, Door, and Windows trails. Remarkably, the length of the rams curled horns are managed as not to block their vision. While we photographed, they occasionally engaged in mock fighting which will become quite aggressive during rutting season in November and December as they compete for the attention of the females and run at each other heads down and horns clashing. The sound of the impact reverberates throughout the canyons. Even the youngsters engaged in shoving matches practicing for their roles later in life. The sheep’s ability to climb steep slopes even when small is amazing and is possible because of the rough pads on the bottom of their flexible two-toed hooves. It is wise to use long lenses (300 mm or greater) when photographing wildlife as not to alter their behavior. Wild animals are not predictable and these sheep can actually run at speeds of 30 mph over level ground.
These bighorn sheep once populated the park and other areas in the western U.S. in large numbers. But due to hunting and habitat loss their numbers dropped to near extinction at the beginning of the century. The bighorn seen the Badlands are Rocky Mountain sheep that were reintroduced into areas of the western U.S. In the Badlands, researchers monitor the health and distribution of the bighorn population by capturing lambs just after birth and attaching collars with tracking devices that will eventually fall off.
Young prairie dogs were one of the most entertaining but challenging subjects in the park to photograph. Our favorite family group was along Quinn Road where there was little traffic or disturbance. We photographed the youngsters at eye-level, lying on our bellies and using bean bags or low tripods for camera/lens support. This approach provided us with an intimate view of the animals and an out of focus background. Even though the background was blurred, we had to carefully examine the image in the viewfinder to be sure there are no strong forms or bright objects that could distract the viewer’s attention. The small prairie dogs were more animated than the adults particularly in the morning and during the cooler parts of the day. Therefore, we concentrated our effort on photographing them under those conditions, trying to capture their interactions — nuzzling, tail pulling, and playing.
Bison
Sage Creek Rim Road was the best location for bison. Late one afternoon as the sun was setting, I photographed a bison lit by the setting sun with the warm light illuminating the badlands in the background. One of my favorite photos from the trip.
Landscape Photo Opportunities
For dramatic landscape photos, we shot when the sun was low in the sky, warming and intensifying colors, and emphasizing the relief of the land. In the spring the weather is less stable than at other times of the year resulting in large cumulus clouds appearing in the afternoon along with dark, threatening storm clouds. Both add interest to images by replacing boring washed out or solid blue skies.
Some of the better views of the Badlands were at Yellow Mounds, Conata Basin, and Panorama Point Overlooks and the area from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to Norbeck Pass. I particularly liked the views along the loop road from Pinnacles Overlook to Conata Road. There were convenient pull-offs along the way where we could stop and photograph multi-colored yellow mounds with contrasting banded formations in the background.
Some of the locations we used for sunrise and sunset photography were at or near Pinnacles Overlook, the red eroded rocks along Sage Creek Ridge Road, Big Badlands Overlook and at Windows, Door, Notch Trails.
Sheep Mountain Table
Sheep Mountain Table is in the south unit of Badlands NP. At the base of the plateau there are unusual rock nodule and toadstool-like formations. The road leading to the top is narrow and dirt can be treacherous after hard rains. We had a limited amount of time to explore the area due to an approaching storm with ominous dark clouds. However, it was the storm that added dimension to our images of the surrounding badland formations. Among the grasses on top of the table, we found the giant fuzzy puff balls containing seeds for the flower goat’s beard. One participant with a mirrorless camera took photos of the plant using a macro lens with a modeling light built-in. When comparing his images taken with this set-up to mine, his were far superior as the light penetrated to the center of the sphere. Great job Jim!
Lessons Learned
When the light on a scene was flat due to heavy clouds or deep shade, I still took photos using high ISOs to freeze action and hoped for the best. In many cases, the high ISOs resulted in unacceptable noise levels in my images (looks similar to film grain). I used Nik and Topaz software plug-ins with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to reduce the noise but I was not always satisfied with the results.
What was worse, the subjects appeared unrealistically flat and blended with the background. On the last day of the trip, I resorted to shooting video with my Nikon D500 camera, something I had only tried once before. My results from that day were not always perfect due to the wind, a focus issue, and my inexperience. However, because the animals were moving and interacting during the video. they no longer blended into the background and the images were much more engaging. Needless to say, I plan to learn more about filming videos and plan to experiment with the technique more in the future.
Images in this blog are from scouting trip and photo workshop in the South Dakota Badlands. Planning similar program in 2018.
To see details from June workshop go to https://www.ospreyphoto.com/event/badlands-national-park-spring-escape/
