photoartflightBlackwater NWR Morning Clouds at Sunrise Panorama
Posted on October 12, 2014
I found this series of morning cloud images from a previous visit to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge Maryland. I was photographing Eagles in the morning with the warm light when I noticed this cloud formation. I was using a Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO telephoto lens with a Canon Series III 1.4X teleconverter. I just shot a series of 23 images handheld along the length of the cloud formation. For this image I assembled the 23 images in Photoshop with soft edge masks between each image. The final image came out to be 196″ x 13″ at 240 ppi. I do not know what I am going to do with it, but it was fun to put together. I might try printing it just for the fun of it. Also a group of other photos from the same day at Blackwater NWR.
Bald Eagle on Snag. Canon EOS 1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO, w/ Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/14 @ 1/800 sec, +1 exposure compensation, ISO 1250.
Sunrise at Blackwater. Canon EOS 1D MkIII, Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS @ 105mm, f/16 @ 1/125 sec, ISO 400.
Sunrise at Blackwater. Canon EOS 1D MkIII, Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS @ 105mm, f/16 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 400.
Bald Eagle in Flight. Canon EOS 1D MkIV w/ Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens, Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/11 @ 1/800 sec, + 0.33 exposure compensation, ISO 800
Immature Bald Eagle in Flight. Canon EOS 1D MkIV w/ Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens, Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/11 @ 1/640 sec, + 1.33 exposure compensation, ISO 800
Morning at Blackwater. Canon EOS 1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO, w/ Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/13 @ 1/1250 sec., -0.67 exposure compensation, ISO 800.
Morning at Blackwater. Canon EOS 1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO, w/ Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/13 @ 1/2000 sec., -1 exposure compensation, ISO 800.
Sun Shinning Through Clouds. Canon EOS 1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO, w/ Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/14 @ 1/1250 sec., -1 exposure compensation, ISO 1250.
Bald Eagle on Snag at Sunrise. Canon EOS 1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO, w/ Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/14 @ 1/250 sec, +1 exposure compensation, ISO 800.
Bald Eagle at Blackwater NWR
Posted on August 22, 2014
On our last trip to Blackwater NWR we found this Eagle roosting in a tree along the Wildlife Drive. We were able to get a few shots before it flew off across the refuge. I used some fill light with a flash with a Better Beamer Flash Extender since some of the Eagle’s body was in the shadows while the head had a spot of sunlight on it’s head, to help equal out the exposure. It is always fun and exciting to photograph Bald Eagles.
Blackwater NWR Osprey Moon
Posted on August 19, 2014
There were 2 Ospreys, flying around the first observation platform along the Wildlife Drive, fishing off in the distance at about 9:30 in the morning. I was waiting for one of them to cross over the moon, but they never did.
Dragonfly Eating Dragonfly at Blackwater NWR
Posted on August 18, 2014
We went to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge looking for Dragonflies and Eagles and we found both. At the first observation platform I saw this Dragonfly, off in the distance about 20 feet away, feeding on another Dragonfly. The larger reddish Dragonfly was munching away on the smaller Dragonfly for quite a white. They were in the shadows and I did not have a flash with me, so I opened up the shadows in Adobe Camera Raw and further in Photoshop, trying the best to retain detail. I liked the Red of the Dragonfly with the rich greens in the background grasses and foliage.
Dragonfly Eating Dragonfly. Canon EOS1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens, Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO 640
Dragonfly Eating Dragonfly from the shadow side. Canon EOS1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens, Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/8, 1/250 sec, + 0.67 exp. comp., ISO 640
Dragonfly Eating Dragonfly from the shadow side. 10 minutes after above image showing progress of the meal. Canon EOS1D MkIV, Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens, Canon Series III 1.4X Teleconverter, f/8, 1/250 sec, + 0.67 exp. comp., ISO 640
Soldier Fly
Posted on June 9, 2014
I found this Soldier Fly on this interesting plant background when we were at The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge by Cambridge Maryland. I like the green in the bug and the green in the flora that complement each other. This was at the new Large Observation Platform on the Wildlife Drive. At the entrance to the platform there are lots of plants along the drive, with a large variety of bugs and dragonflies moving about. Also look for webs with water drops (if it had rained) or condensation on them early in the morning. We usually go there for birds. They are known for Bald Eagles Ospreys, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, White Pelicans, etc. When it quiets down around noon it is a great place for macro or closeup photos, landscapes, or just wandering around to see what you can find. During the warmer months it is also a good place for a wide variety of Dragonflies. You do not need a macro lens to have fun shooting bugs or closeups. When I am out wandering around I always have a set of extension tubes in my photo vest. They come in handy when you find an interesting subject. Try using extension tubes to get closer to your subject and have fun seeing what you can find.
Soldier Fly. Canon 1D MkIV, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS DO zoom @ 300mm, 25mm Canon Extension Tube, f/9, 1/640 sec, ISO 400
Soldier Fly. Canon 1D MkIV, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS DO zoom @ 300mm, 25mm Canon Extension Tube, f/9, 1/640 sec, ISO 400
Snow Geese Launch
Posted on January 11, 2014
This goes back a couple of years. We were going through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge outside of Cambridge Maryland. We mostly go there for Bald Eagles, but a few years ago they had huge flocks of Snow Geese. By themselves, One by One, they did not seem that interesting, but when you see huge flocks of them filling the sky they are quite impressive. You would see thousands of Snow Geese in one group. Sometimes they would lift off in waves, other times they would all go in one group. Needless to say, it was IMPRESSIVE. Plus the sound of thousands of birds, you could hear them from the other end of the Drive. Sadly, last year, we did not even see one there. We heard they moved to an island off the refuge. We are hoping they will return someday.
Canon EOS 1D MkIII, Canon 400mm DO f/4, f/7.1, 1/640 sec, ISO 640.
Effective focal length of 520mm with the 1.3 crop of the 1D MkIII.
Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 300-800mm DG Zoom @ 300mm, f/16 (to maximize depth of field) 1/400 sec, ISO 400. Effective focal length of 480mm with the 1.6 crop sensor of the 20D.
Canon EOS 7D, Canon 24-105mm @ 105, f/11. 1/100 sec, ISO 250, +0.67 exp. compensation. Effective focal length of 168mm with the 1.6 crop sensor of the 7D.
Canon EOS 7D, Canon 24 – 105mm f/4 zoom @ 24mm, f/11, 1/100 sec, ISO 250, Exp. Compensation +0.33. Effective focal length 38.4mm with the cropped 1.6 crop Canon 7D sensor.
Canon 20D, Sigma 300-800 DG lens @ 800mm, f/11, 1/250 sec., ISO 400, Exp. Compensation -0.33. Effective focal length of 1,280mm with the 1.6 crop sensor of the Canon 20D.
Blackwater NWR Bald Eagle
Posted on December 20, 2013
This Bald Eagle was sitting in a tree along the Wildlife Drive. He was back on the branch in the shadows. Usually they seem a little skittish when you come upon them along the drive, but he did not seem to pay any attention to us. I used a flash with a Better Beamer to brighten him up somewhat. I set the flash to – 1 f/stop and set the camera to -1.33 exposure compensation in aperture priority.Canon EOS 1D MkIV, 1/125 sec @ f/11, 2500 ISO,400mm f/4 DO with Canon 1.4X teleconverter, effective focal length of 728mm.
Red-Winged Blackbird Flocks at Blackwater NWR
Posted on December 11, 2013
In the colder months there are huge flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds flying through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge outside of Cambridge Maryland. The number of Bald Eagles increase also during the colder months to approximately 150. When the water freezes over the Eagles sometimes are seen taking Red-winged Blackbirds or Canada Geese for their meals. Here are some photos of the flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds flying through the refuge and also photos of Eagles guarding their lunch.
Canon 20D, Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 zoom @ 731mm (1170mm with 1.6 crop factor of 20D sensor), 1/2000 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, aperture priority, -0.33 exposure compensation.
Canon 7D, EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM +1.4x teleconverter, 560mm (896mm with 1.6 crop factor of 7D sensor), @ f/8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, -0.33 exposure compensation.
Eagle w/Red-winged blackbird, Canon EOS 7D, Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 zoom @ 1023mm with 1.6X crop factor of 7D sensor), 1/2500 sec, f/8, ISO 400.
Red-winged blackbirds flying by the snag at sunset.
Red-winged Blackbirds scattering after Eagle swooped in for a meal.
Favorite Bald Eagle Snag at Blackwater NWR
Posted on December 8, 2013
Bald Eagles like their snags to roost on at Blackwater NWR. Over the years you get to know where the popular spots are, and also good opportunities for photography. Not only for them on the snags, but also going to and from these spots for great opportunities for in flight photos of Bald Eagles. This was one of the favorite snags year after year, near the end of the Wildlife Drive. But this year, sadly it is gone. It was often used by multiple eagles at once. Nothing stays the same, so hopefully this will open up new possibilities for even closer spots in the future. Header image Canon EOS 7D, Canon 400mm DO w1.4X teleconverter, 1/1250 sec @ f/8, ISO 400. Being Old School, I usually stop down at least 1 additional stop, over the additional f/stop loss when using a teleconverter. I believe this just adds a little more sharpness.
Eagles on snag. Water was frozen over so this Eagle picked a Red-winged Blackbird for a meal. You can see the feathers falling. Canon EOS1D MkIII, 400mm DO f/4, w/ 2X Teleconverter, 1/1250 sec f/14 , ISO 640, effective focal length 1040mm
Crop from above series.
Misty Morning at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Posted on December 7, 2013
This is from a trip to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge outside of Cambridge, Maryland a few years ago. The morning was very misty with a heavy fog starting to lift along the Wildlife Drive. The sun was staring to shine through the loblolly pines and was glowing through the fog. The header photo is one capture. The following photo is a 2 shot vertical stack put together in photoshop. Canon EOS 1D MkIII with 400mm f/4 DO lens, 1/2000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 640, effective focal length 520mm.
2 image vertical stack
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