Not always birds...

Well, there are those who think I only shoot birds. This is not true at all.   I actually only shoot birds 95% of the time. I love all wildlife. So just to show that it’s not all about the birds here are a few shots.

I really like flowers, they don't move all over the place like those pesky little birds.  This one is particularly pretty!

Are squirrels not the best friend a person with a new camera.  They are everywhere and I have lots and lots of pictures of them.  Never have I taken one that I really like until this one.

Turtles are so cool.  Imagine our surprise when we see this huge snapper crossing the parking lot.  We didn't have any problem catching up to him.

I had such high hopes for this picture of a Painted Turtle when I took it.

An added bonus of Magee Wildlife Area is the oportunity to see snakes. I saw at least 3 different snakes, Water snakes, Black rat or racer (is there a different??) and this awesome Fox Snake!

High ISO

While discussing photographic situations and problems with my friend Greg, we discussed the need for speed. Shutter speed that is. In photography it is truely a give and take world. A properly exposed picture is the right combination of shutter speed and aperture based on the sensitivity of the sensor. These three things play together. In perfect lighting situations, an ISO (the sensitivity) of 200, aperture of f7.1 and shutter speed of 1/1000 second would produce a nice image. As the light fades, we need to change these settings. When we increase the ISO, we introduce noise to the photo. F7.1 is the sweet spot for my lens, when I open the aperture up, the pictures loose clarity and with slower shutter speeds I run into camera shake and motion blur.

So what are the compromises. This year, I’ve been making an attempt to shoot off a Tripod as much as possible. That helps with camera shake. In this discussion with Greg, he suggested that shutter speed was more important than ISO sensitivity. So, I’ve been cranking up the ISO to see what happens. With the Canon 40D, I’ve been getting good results with very high ISO’s. Some photos have simply amazed me.

The leaves came out really early this year and the forests became very dark under a heavy canopy. As I went out searching for birds to shoot, I also looked for breaks in the canopy that might allow for better lighting. Traveling though Scioto Trail State Forest, I came across this stunning Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The lighting was just terrible. I turned up the ISO and held my ground with f7.1. Shooting on a tripod I got these 2 shoots. I am just simply amazed. . Camera: Canon EOS 40D; Exposure Time: 0.01s (1/100); Aperture: f/7.1; ISO: 1000; Focal Length: 400mm (640mm in 35mm)

Camera: Canon EOS 40D; Exposure Time: 0.01s (1/100); Aperture: f/7.1; ISO: 800
Focal Length: 400mm (640mm in 35mm)

Huddleland - May 9th

My friend Greg owns property in the Hocking Hills region. Greg is an excellent photographer, but has never paid any attention to birds, until now. We went there on Saturday May 9th to see what was there. It was a beautiful day, but very windy. The wind was so bad that we basically setup where we could find the least amount of wind. We were there all day and had a great time. Our first stop of the morning provided us with a wonderful little Blue-winged Warbler.
After enjoying the company of this fine fellow for about an hour or so, we headed off. There was a place where Indigo Buntings, and White-eyed Vireos were singing up a storm, so we sat down. As we were sitting there wondering why the Buntings and Vireos were not coming out to play we noticed a beautiful Common Yellowthroat. He was very cooperative and gave us wonderful views.
The day was wrapping up with very unsuccessful attempts to get photos of a singing Hooded. What else is new? We also attempted our luck on a pair of Ovenbirds, but they did not seem interested in having their picture taken either. So we decided to take a last spin around the property on ATV's. They are so much fun to ride. As Greg took me to the creek with a small falls in it, we found a pair of Louisiana’s making a nest.

By the time we got to the Creek it was very overcast. It was very dark and the canopy above did not help. I vowed to return on a day when the sun was out. It was neat to watch the pair gathering up nesting material.

Delays in posting

I'm still about 2 weeks behind, please be patient with me and stop back often.

Shawnee State Forest (May 5th and 6th)

For the second week in a row I got to work in souther n Ohio for 3 days. A birders dream come true! Again, after work I went to Shawnee State Forest. I do truely love this place. Last years fire, pushed me to the East side of 125, but this year I went back to my favorate places. The first night, the birds just did not want to come close, so I really did not get any pictures. The socond day however was totally different. I found a great little spot that was holding the newly arriving Chats. Once again these guys showed up seeminly over night.


Yellow-breasted Chat. Just a little fired up.
















In this same area was a pair of Scarlet Tanagers hanging out.

Lastly before the evening set, I saw this Hooded. These guys are so dificult to get a shot of. Even though he was a little far, and I had to leave a little more enviroment around him, I am still pleased with the shot.

To end this even of wonderful bird shooting, I was blasted with the sound of Whip-Poor-Wills!

Jackson County (Apr 28, 29)

I got to explore the Cooper Hollow WA for two evenings after work. This is a beautiful place. I found the expected birds and had a very nice time. One of the highlights was running into the most flashy White-eyed Vireo I've ever seen. This guy forgot he was known for his elusiveness and just came right out to sing. Add some excellent evening sun and I got a couple good shots of him!

Yellow-throated Warblers and Blue-winged Warblers seem to be the popular bird of the spring. Everywhere I go, there they are!!

I always take time out to shoot a passing deer. In the spring, these guys can look so scraggly!



Not only did the early leaf out that occured this year make it harder to see the birds, it also blocked a lot of light. Lack of light always seems to be my enemy.





On the way home from Jackson Friday night, I stopped at Scioto Trail SF. I enjoyed running into some birders stopped on a bridge over the Scioto. They were checking out the mass of Cliff Swallows. I was greatful to see them too. It's been a few years since I last saw a Cliff.
The Scarlet Tanagers were no where one day and the next day they were everywhere. The woods were filled with they're Chick-burs.

Spring is here

I havn't posted since Fall. Wow, that's just too long. I didn't really do a lot of shooting over the winter, except in my backyard. Well, at least until now. Last weekend I went to Shawnee State Forest with a couple guys from Lens and Leaves Nature Photography Club.

We were greeted right off the bat with a singing Blue-winged Warbler. A perfect place too. He was right along the creek bed, with a row of Dogwoods and other trees to perch on. Having 3 of us in individual chair blinds, we had plenty of room and as the bird moved up and down the row, he gave each of us nice looks. Of course, he only landed on the “perfect” perch for about 5 seconds. Here he is, singing away, like it’s spring or something.

After the Blue-winged gave us a card full, it was time to move. We did try (with no success to get another bird to this area). We decided to move to the other side of the creek and see if we could entice a waterthrush out into the open. No luck so we started to pack up. As we were putting our stuff in the truck, Kelly pointed out a beautiful Yellow-throated Warbler right there. So, he was our next subject. These pictures turned out the best of the day.

On to a new spot. As we drove, listening for a next subject, We ran into a group of birders and stopped to share notes. They pointed out a spot where they had seen a waterthrush, so we headed out in that direction. This next spot did have a waterthrush. As a matter of fact there were lots of birds at this place. Besided the Louisianna Waterthrush, there was an Ovenbird, B&W, and Worm-eating. The only pictures I came away with were of the Worm-eating Warbler. An awesome bird no doubt!

The day was getting on and everyone seemed to want to see a Prairie. So, off we went. Come to the top of a hill and as we approached we could see that there was a clearing. We knew, this was perfect habitat. Not more than a split second after thinking that, did we here this guy singing. He was not a very cooperative guy. Surprisingly enough he was hangin in the woods right next to the field. Not a lot of shot opportunities, so this was the best I could do.

All in all, we had a great day. Even when it seems like everything falls into place, I only end up with a few good shots. But if it weren’t a challenge then it wouldn't be worth it!

God Bless,
Bruce