Author Archives: Mike

The Path to Riches

Posted by Mike on

Well, maybe not the path to riches exactly, but at least it was a path to fishes…

It was another beautiful day here in Central NY and I ventured out in the late afternoon to track down some more eagles. The young one was once again perched on the tree by the Black River but after I scared him away I found my way up to Delta Lake State Park for a little sunset action.

It was a little disappointing in the sky, the colors were more muted than I had hoped for but this view along the snowmobile path out into the frozen lake was cool.  I was hoping for a more contrast between the warm sky colors and the cool ice/snow. I’m not complaining though, I had a great time exploring and just being outside was good. I’m sure I’ll be back before the winter is over…

The Path to RichesNikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1/15, 1/4, 1s bracket), 42mm, f/18, ISO 100

The Path to Riches
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1/15, 1/4, 1s bracket), 42mm, f/18, ISO 100

Weekly Photo Challenge: Home

Posted by Mike on

This week’s photo challenge from The Daily Post is Home. Check out the original post here Weekly Photo Challenge. There were numerous approaches to this challenge but I settled on capturing images around my home.

When I started this photographic journey in 2011 I spent quite a lot of my time wandering around the house, the yard and the fields surrounding the house playing with my old point & shoot camera. I learned about light, shadows, perspective, composition, depth of field, exposure and everything I use today when I am out exploring with my camera.

I still find I can walk the fields or even my yard and discover images to capture. I love landscape photography and dream of taking the big trips to capture those iconic images I see everyday on my screen, but home is where I learned and these simple images within walking distance of my house will always evoke the sense of home in me.

Lil' Mountain Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/2000s, 165mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Lil’ Mountain
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/2000s, 165mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Remnant Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 90mm, f/11, ISO 200

Remnant
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 90mm, f/11, ISO 200

Cattail Light Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 200mm, f/11, ISO 200

Cattail Light
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 200mm, f/11, ISO 200

Leftovers Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1600s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Leftovers
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1600s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

I Found the Eagles!

Posted by Mike on

I’ve heard the stories. I’ve talked to other photographers. I’ve seen the pictures. Until you actually see them for yourself, none of that other stuff matters. I found the eagles!

The winter storm Nemo did not have the reach everyone originally thought. We received about 6 inches of snow starting last night and definitely ending before I awoke at 4am. I went out early this morning to clear the driveway of the white stuff and contemplated exploring with the camera but I needed it to warm up a little before I ventured outside again. The day did not disappoint!

The sun, which had been on full all day, managed to get the temps up to the mid-twenties so I packed the camera into the car and went exploring. I didn’t have a destination in mind but the need for gas in the car prompted the start of my adventure to be a gas station. The closest being over in Rome I decided to go back to Delta Lake dam and poke around in the fresh snow cover.

My intent was to find some new views of the dam or walk the trails along the Black River to see what caught my eye. After grabbing some interesting images of the turbulent exit flow I spotted a couple down the road staring down river. I wanted to check out the opposite side of the dam area so I wandered in their direction. They were watching a young eagle perched high in a tree along the river. Of course I had the wide angle zoom lens on so I continued my original plan for exploring.

On the way back to the car I noticed the eagle was still sitting in the tree. I swapped lenses for my modest telephoto and headed down the trail along the opposite side of the river hoping to get close enough for a few captures. I now wish I had gotten the 70-300mm lens rather than my 55-200mm. I just didn’t have enough reach. Every time I would almost be close enough the eagle would fly further down stream. I pursued!

Luckily I’m a little stubborn. As I chased the eagle from tree to tree I came upon more perched eagles. I still could not get close enough for a good close-up image but now I know where they like to hang out. I will be making numerous trips back to this area and if I’m lucky I’ll be in the right place at the right time to get some more images of these fantastic birds!

Eagle One Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/1250s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

Eagle One
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/1250s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

Eagle Two Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/640s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

Eagle Two
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/640s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

Eagle Three Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/800s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

Eagle Three
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f4-5.6, 1/800s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 200

and in this corner…

Posted by Mike on

Today on Google+ is Powerline Friday as one of the many photography themes curated by G+ users. This particular theme is run by Natosha Davis. I took the opportunity to try out a new preset I downloaded from Matt Kloskowski’s Killer Lightroom Tips website. It gives the image a little over the top B&W HDR look. I think it worked well for this one…

and in this corner...Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 55mm, f/11, ISO 200

and in this corner…
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 55mm, f/11, ISO 200

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique

Posted by Mike on

The Daily Post at WordPress.com offers up a weekly photo challenge. This week’s challenge is unique. It can be an image of something unique, a unique view or take on a common item, someone unique in your life, etc. You can read about the challenge here: Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique.

This is the first weekly challenge from The Daily Post in which I am contributing an image. Although I have a great group of regular visitors I found participating in these types of events helps me in a couple of ways. One, it gets me thinking and seeing differently when I am out exploring. And two, it gets me exploring outside my comfort zone. Writing more within the post, viewing a bigger pool of blogger’s work. Pushing myself to comment on other’s contributions. I promised myself I would be less of a voyeur online and more of a participant.

I thought this image of a tree remnant in the middle of a frozen swamp was quite unique. Typically, the trees are standing tall or if they have fallen they still remain straight and true. This gnarled, contorted tree stump or root has a lot of unique character. I wish I could have been about a foot higher in elevation to isolate the subject a little better. I’m thinking of going back with my telephoto lens and searching for a better vantage point that will help me remove a few of the distractions.

Unique Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Unique
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Conifers in Winter

Posted by Mike on

I’m going to consider this my practice image! I have had this image in my head ever since the snow started falling here in Central NY. I keep seeing this grove of conifers with their branches covered and the sun catching everything in the early morning. There was actually one moment already this year where the scene was almost as I envisioned but I was unable to capture it before it disappeared.

The January thaw didn’t help my chances but the snow we just received has re-sparked my desire for this image. It still is not “right” since there is not enough snow on the branches of the trees but it is getting closer. Saturday morning the sun was doing its part but by the time I walked down to the field the clouds decided my walk would be in vain. I did take the opportunity to check out the possible views in the field and from various locations along the road. I’ll be ready when the snow completes my image!

For now another entry in my Monochrome Winter series…

Conifers in Winter Nikon D5100, 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/60s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

Conifers in Winter
Nikon D5100, 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/60s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100