Captured this sequence at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve, Such a beautiful spot probably saw 30-40 different species of birds. Got some great water bird shots. I noticed this fellow has red eyes. Hadn’t encountered that before, but did twice today.
Now I’m just having fun with these 4 pics. I’m sure this all went according to the heron’s plan.
But this guy showed true determination. That post was the prime hunting spot in that particular canal.
As I began my wandering on Sunday I firmly had my goals in mind. Seeing/photographing (my morphism od seeing/drawing) from Franck and nature’s interrelationships from Patterson.
I started walking in the Econ Wilderness Area, a small Seminole county park in Oviedo that I had not been to in several months. After a bit of walking, listening to birds singing, I began to notice the smaller things. A mushroom, a patch of lichen, spider webs, and the beginnings of a flower blossom. I have chosen not to clear debris or remove items from my pictures. You see what I saw in all natures perfection and imperfection.
On the technical side I had to use a flash for the mushroom and lichen because I couldn’t maintain a handheld shutter speed with the available light within the forest. The technical aspects of shooting are becoming second nature and not interfering with capturing the moment.
I need to remember to slow down – a common theme with me. I become so excited with the wonders that I see, I do not take the time to capture them properly. I should have walked the park 2 times.
Loved the composition on this. Plus thought a little snow would break up the Florida. Thank you nature has no boss.
Snow, water and light combine to make a wonderful sight. Photographed on the banks of the Firehole river in Yellowstone National Park while skiing towards Lone Star Geyser on a sunny winters morning.
I have begun a journal of sorts in Evernote to document what parks I go to and when and will be available in the field. This was so I can 1) document when I was there, what I did and 2) remind myself what I wanted to do the next time I got there. Perhaps after 6 months or so the journals can become posts of their own.
Next I am struggling with a new name for my blog, I want to rename it so I can obtain a URL of my own. PictureThis is taken, so I am reaching around and asking folks for suggestions. Would PictureThiz work? Hmm glad I wrote that – don’t like the way it sits on the page.
Just finished a quick read on Rousseau called Interpreting Henri Rousseau by Nancy Ireson. Lovely little softback book laden with pics of Rousseau’s best works.
Ms. Ireson gives us the picture of a rather complex man who would feign naivete to promote his pictures or escape jail time, when in reality he was quite a worldly individual savvy in the ways of modern(1890’s) Paris. Sadly his fame came after his death.
I know that whatever the circumstances of his life and death, he has given me much joy gazing at his pictures and influenced many of my life’s choices. I still have a print of The Sleeping Gypsy hanging in my house as it has in every place I have lived for the past 40+ years.
I am actively looking about for a way to photographically capture the spirit of his jungle scenes. Obviously they will be without lions and tigers as I will have to concentrate on the foliage. Here in the sub-tropical zone the jungle like foliage is landscaped so careful framing will be necessary.
This is an almost adult white ibis, they gradually lighten as they age. The adults are really beautiful when they fly – pure white with black tip wings. Some day I will capture one, so far haven’t gotten a clean shot. Either no clear, or tail shots, I am learning more about their behavior, so I can get the signals that they are about to take flight.
I was at the local park on the Little Econlockhatchee River (Econ for short). There’s a shallow part where birds usually gather to feed. So I was able to walk up and sit down without bothering them. Interesting experience, At the same time I got some good shots of this bittern feeding. Not sure if I posted it already but here it is again. Feel free to correct my identification, open water is really not their habitat and the neck seems a little long.
As a result of my photo taking and nature walks I have developed an interest in birding. To that end I have borrowed The Audubon Society Handbook for Birders by Stephen W. Kress from the library. Very informative book that covers many details about bird identification and behaviors. There is even a chapter on photographing birds.
Currently I am studying the basic parts of a bird and feeding behaviors. Since there are close to 30 different parts and more than 20 feeding behaviors documented in the book I will concentrate on them before moving onto other behaviors. On my next walks and picture sets I will be looking out for these things.
The above picture was taken at Orlando Wetlands Park. This is an example of stalking feeding behavior. It was taken during a photography workshop in November of last year. There were 8-10 of us with our tripods set watching and waiting for the bird to strike. It was quite fun and reminded me of a celebrity appearance where you here multiple camera shutter sounds. I would love to see some of the other pictures that were taken.
I finished The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck and the last paragraphs were so beautiful I feel obligated to share. Plus if I document it here I will have it forever. I hope it’s OK to copy this. He wrote:
“This life is my windfall! That it happens to be a human life is the one chance in a trillion to be able to realize That Which Really Matters.
In seeing/drawing, that which matters can be perceived through the senses, not denied but maximally affirmed.
While seeing/drawing I glimpse into Nature, I taste Nature, The Nature of Reality. THE WAY OF SEEING IS A WAY OF KNOWING!” -Frederick Franck
I would ask – What is your seeing/drawing?
Picture This by Frank 