Northern Cardinal

1/125 sec. – f/5.9 – ISO 100
(Click Image for Larger Version)

I've been trying for many months to get a decent photo of a northern cardinal, and this morning I was blessed with just such luck. As I sat against a tree in the woods photographing every bird that presented itself, this beautiful male perched on a distant branch and posed for about a minute before moving out of sight.

A Stroll in the Garden

1/400 sec. – f/5.9 – ISO 400
(Click Image for Larger Version)

Nature Photography Tips

1/250 sec. – f/5.9 – ISO 200
(Click Image for Larger Version)

I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to nature photography. I often say that taking pictures is merely a hobby of mine, partially because this keeps me from feeling too guilty that most of my photos aren’t nearly as good as the ones printed in nature magazines or published in calendars. But I have learned a thing or two over the past several years that have brought about noticeable improvements in my recent work, and which I feel are worth sharing.

1. First of all, anybody who is looking to seriously pursue photography of any kind needs to do their homework. Go to the library and check out as many books as you can that review the basic rules of photography: the functions of aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and how all of these things effect the final photograph. Study the rules of composition, such as the rule of thirds (below), and the many necessary elements to pulling off a successful wildlife shot.
   
   
   
   
2. While some people like to believe capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot depends on nothing but talent and determination, the fact is you will eventually have to invest in a decent camera. I’m not recommending you go out tomorrow and spend $1,000 on one you have no idea how to use, but you’ll eventually have to pay more than $100 for the on-sale model at Wal-Mart. I personally have yet to invest in a DSLR, but my Nikon CoolPix P510 gives me an unmatched 42X zoom, along with 16.1 MegaPixels. Perhaps most importantly, it allows me to customize my shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Auto Mode might work 90% of the time, but it will never produce silky waterfalls or freeze a bird in mid-flight on a cloudy day. If you want above-average pictures, an above-average camera is a necessary part of the equation.
   
3. Take LOTS of pictures! I recently visited the St. Louis Arch and went on a sight-seeing cruise up and down the Mississippi river. Over the course of a single afternoon I took over 400 pictures, the majority of which were deleted when I got home. I ended up keeping 116 for myself, and sharing only 5 with the world via my Flickr stream. The math is simple: only about 1% of the pictures I take make the final cut.
   
4. Many people erroneously believe using any form of photo editing software constitutes cheating. And honestly, this belief is usually apparent in their photographs. Failing to correct crooked horizons, pale colors and lack of contrast is sometimes all it takes to turn what could have been a true work of art into a distraction. I don’t encourage over-editing your pictures, but don’t be afraid to digitally enhance your image in such a way that brings out more of the original beauty you witnessed.
   
5. Back them up! When it comes to storing your digital photo on a PC, never fail to back up any more pictures than you are willing to lose. Personally, I pay for a subscription to Flickr Pro (it only costs about $2 per month), which gives me absolutely unlimited online storage for my photos. They’re all saved at full resolution and can be easily downloaded at any time.

Lonely Lovebird

1/500 sec. – f/5.5 – ISO 100
(Click Image for Larger Version)

When Patience Pays Off

1/400 Sec. - f/8.3 - ISO 200

“Be Sure & Get My Good Side”

1/800 sec. - F/5.5

I’ve been playing around with my new camera this afternoon and have been putting its continuous shooting mode to good use. What do you think?

Barred Owl

Ducklings!

For the last four weeks I’ve been privileged with a front row seat to the miracle of life. One of my ducks, Dorothy, spent the hottest part of this year so far tending to a nest of eggs laid in late June and she now has three newly-hatched ducklings to show for her patience.

Relatives

Just reminding you that, if any particular photo you see here catches your eye, you can use the button found on my sidebar to purchase a full resolution digital download through PayPal. The more photos I sell the faster I'll be able to get that DSLR!

Photographer? Where?

Reporting for Duty

Midday Snack

This photo won 3rd place in the Wildlife Gardeners June Photo Contest.

Preparing to Land

It took hiding in the freezing pool for 30+ minutes with my head lowered and my arms raised, but I was finally able to get the shot I've been after for more than a week.

Honey, Something Just Touched My Foot...

Duck, Duck...

It's Not Even Labor Day Yet...

A Long Winter's Nap

Bye-Bye Birdy

This hawk hangs around our place all the time and, after months of trying, I was finally able to get a decent picture of it. It's tough to get close enough to one without it seeing you and taking off, but I was able to use that fact to my advantage today and get this neat shot of one in mid-flight.

8 Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

Yesterday this whole flock of doves landed in our yard and spent a little while snacking on some bird seed that had fallen to the ground. Thankfully they stuck around long enough for me to get a decent picture.

Watch the Birdie!

 

Birds are one of my favorite things to photograph, because (a) there is always a bird you haven't yet photographed, and (b) it's always a challenge. I really like this shot because the lighting and focus turned out wonderfully, not to mention that it's very difficult to capture a bird on camera without it looking dry and boring.