Lighting – Photo 101

Before Dawn
Before Dawn Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
Before Dawn
Lone Bird – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

My favorite time of day for light is about 30 minutes before sunrise. In this part of the world there is usually a reddish glow everywhere with a dash of clouds on the horizon enhancing the colors.

In the first pic there’s a couple of rafts of coots. In the second a lone heron roosting in the tree.

Both these shots are taken looking towards the north east away from the actual sunrise.

Springtime

breed iris
Iris in Breeding Plumage – Blanchard Park – March 2015

“Use the talents you possess – for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best.” Henry van Dyke

Here’s an ibis in breeding plumage – note the red face feathers. I’ll have a couple more pics like this during the week.

Quote found at http://www.allgreatquotes.com/bird_quotes3.shtml

Mystery – Photo 101

heron
Searching – UCF – March 2015
fog egret
Egret in the Fog – UCF Arboretum – February 2015

Not sure about these pics. there’s no mystery about what they are looking for – food. So we have to go with lighting. 1st pic the reflections are interesting. This pic was taken just after the golden hour – but before the light got too harsh. Second pic was a foggy morning at the arboretum.

I need to learn how to capture the mystery of fog – any tips are greatly appreciated. Because I “see” a smokey moor and capture a cloudy picture.

Directly Overhead

vulture
Vulture Silhouette – near UCF – March 2015
“I’m so nervous. I’ve always been nervous, ever since I was a kid.” Elvis Presley
Something about a vulture directly overhead……..
Second post of the day – I accidentally scheduled my regular daily post for yesterday – so it published immediately,  https://picturethisbyfrank.com/2015/03/12/couples-flowers-this-time/

Couples – Flowers This Time

lantana
Lantana – Lake Claire, UCF – March 2015
flowerpink
Flower – Mead Botanical Gardens – March 2015

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” William Shakespeare

This marks the reappearance of lantana – probably not the last time as it’s colors and shapes fascinate me.

And, with the second pic I have added a new location – Mead Botanical Garden. This is a 50 acre oasis in Winter Park Florida, great spot for a break from civilization. I believe I spotted a reddish egret there, I will be asking my birding friends on Saturday for confirmation.

Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_nature2.html

Natural World – Photo 101

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
bark
Bark – Lake Claire, UCF – March 2015

This assignment was interesting to me. I take lots of photos seeking to expose lines and patterns in nature.

The top picture is a sparrow sitting among the lines of the water reeds. And needless to say I was shooting the sparrow, the pattern of the reeds was a bonus.

Bottom pic is an oak tree with a lonely air plant, hugging the bark.

Bird Wednesday #3

American-Coot
Going – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
American Coots
Going – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
American Coots
Gone – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow” – Chinese Proverb

There were hundreds of American Coots at the wetlands on Sunday. I was amazed as they took to flight. They are not very good flyers, their wings never seem to escape the water.

Quote found at http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/flight/2.html