Generally, my first stop at Callaway Gardens is the Overlook Azalea Garden. What I stop to view is the winding cart path connecting the golf course. Of course, I can’t not walk through the garden especially when there are blossoms to photograph. I’ve had these images done for a few days and actually forgot about them before this morning. Now you can see why I stop here…
Seeing Double Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 100
Bridge Over Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/25s, f/8, ISO 100
I suppose I should feel a little guilty for harassing the heron. I have been enjoying my friend Dawn’s posts of the birds she has been meeting and I got excited when I arrived at this park. Let me backup a little…
It started all the way back in early February when I found the lone goose at Callaway Gardens. During the same visit I was lucky enough to have a very accommodating mockingbird sit in a tree outside the butterfly house. Put all those events together in the jumbled mess of my mind and you get me wanting to find more fowl subjects.
On our drive to Callaway Gardens on Thursday my daughter mentioned she had been invited by her neighbor to go for a walk at Cooper Creek park. I was like, “hey, my friend David at work says I should visit that park.” We tentatively agreed to go to the park in the near future.
I didn’t wait. I know, I’m bad, but she works on the weekends. And I really wanted to go…
I already visited the botanical garden in the morning but hadn’t completely scratched the photography itch. That feeling was partially fueled by more than one photography session occurring at the garden. This limited my opportunities and I know it isn’t exclusively my garden but I didn’t like it… 🙂
The afternoon was beautiful so after I fed the boys their dinner I gathered up my gear and headed out to see what Cooper Creek park had to offer. The front of the park is a tennis center but once you drive through the court area you find a wooded area around the reservoir full of trails.
Did I mention the reservoir? It was a flurry of activity for water fowl. I was so happy!
The macro lens came off the camera and the 70-300mm zoom was quickly attached. I was on the chase.
There were plenty of geese and a few ducks. They obviously were accustomed to being around people. I was able to get quite close allowing for a few great close-ups. And then I found the heron, a Great Blue Heron, I think (or at least that is what Google Lens told me). And that is when the harassment started…
Great Blue Heron Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/500s, 280mm, f/6.3, ISO 200
He (I’ll assume) was intent on fishing and finding dinner. I happily clicked away and then decided to explore a little more of the park. As I was returning to the area with the heron, he flew across the trail to try his luck in another section of the reservoir. It worked to my advantage as I needed to pass by his new fishing spot on my way back to the car.
Fishing Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/250s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 200
I’m pretty sure he was aware of me but his desire for something to eat won out over his instinct to put some distance between us. As he was stalking his prey I remained as still as possible with the camera focused on mine. It didn’t take him very long to capture dinner.
Dinner Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/1250s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 400
I attempted a few action images as he gulped down his food in one big motion but I struggled with focus. I was aiming on his head and probably should have used his body. I’ll know better next time. And then, he flew off again. I was ready though… the camera was setup to track my subject and I managed to get a great action image.
Don’t Follow Me Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/1000s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 400
He landed at the water’s edge further along the trail but I thought it best to let him relax and not to be pursued by a zealous photographer. I’ll be visiting this park more often and I’m positive I’ll have other opportunities.
Oh, right, I need to make sure I come back with my daughter like we agreed… 😉
It wasn’t my ideal sunrise. I had grandiose ideas floating in my head as I drove to Cocoa Beach in the pre-dawn hours. Realistically, I knew what the weather was forecast to be but I still had hope. It had been almost three years since my last visit to the Florida coast. Weather be damned…
Solo Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/125s, 40mm, f/11, ISO 100
I struggled this morning to see the image. I suppose I let the less than perfect conditions inhibit my vision. This ended up being the last image captured. There was a small group of people setup with tripods and cameras working the fading sunrise when this person calmly walked through the scene. Not a typical image for me but I decided in the moment to go with the flow.
And yet, you get one none the less. Go ahead, prove me wrong.
I don’t…
Don’t what? Have to prove anything? How about you stop arguing with yourself and get to typing.
I… never mind.
I find it interesting I choose a Wednesday, which is normally Wordless Wednesday, to start using my words again. The irony is not lost on me.
I went to Flat Rock park late Sunday afternoon to get in a little walk and see what I could find with the camera. I incorrectly chose to use my 50mm lens and ended of being overwhelmed with all the macro subjects I was finding. I ended up leaving the park earlier than I anticipated due to neglecting to account for the beautiful weather and the amount of people who also decided to visit the park. It was easier to return another day…
Tuesdays at work is my long day. There is a standing meeting that goes from 4-5pm. I’m not a fan but dutifully attend. Lately I have been going home around 3:30pm and attend the meeting (Zoom) from the comfort of my apartment. As soon as it was done, the cats and I had dinner before I was heading out the door. This time the macro lens mounted on the camera and my ring light packed in the camera bag.
The hour I spent exploring the park washed away the whole day. Work? What is that?
I was almost back to the car when I found a favorite subject… a dandelion. I captured quite a few images with various viewpoints and compositions, but this last one is the keeper for the evening.
And Karma, it was your voice I heard as I converted this one back to color. It was complete as a B&W but didn’t “feel” right. Thanks!
Release Me Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/80s, f/8, ISO 100
MLCreations Photography 