Brew's Photography Images for 2012....2014

[brewmaster15]

HI all,
This year I dusted off my camera and have been trying to get back into my age old hobby of photography. I've largely switched to digital now, though I stubbornly have kept all my old film era gear.. Thought I would post some pictures from a road trip we recently took from CT to Florida...Most are wildlife shots as thats my focus. I shot GBs and GBs of pics so it's going to take me some time to weed through them all. I'll start with a couple of cool shots I took while on the return trip. We stayed over at a small hotel in Staunton VA, and while I was packing up the car in the early am hours of predawn, came across what looked to be a dead bat. It was literally on the pavement in front of the hotel lobby. With all the bats dying these days from white nose syndrome, I was a bit saddened to see one that looked from a distance like it had been flattened by a car.:( Being a biologist , I had to get a close look and wanted to check it out to see if the muzzle was white ( a symptom of the fungus killing bats). It wasn't . and as I got closer, I noticed it was not just one bat....nor was it dead....quite the contrary!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP1166-1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP1160-1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP1172.jpg

Not everyday you see a pair mating. I was a bit surprised that they were flat out on the pavement...I figured a tree would have been a safer more logical place for bats to mate. The man at the front desk came out and looked at them and said he has seen that once before there..He thought they were dead until they flew away when he tried to sweep them up!. Not 100 % sure but I think these are Eastern Red Bats, Lasiurus borealis

And we thought only humans used hotels for a late night rendezvous...;):D

-al

[dpete9]

eeeek! the one on top looks like a hamster in the last pic. Great pics!

[Second Hand Pat]

That is awesome, but in the parking lot. Flat and warm I guess. I am fortunate to see bats at dusk most evenings. We tried to setup a bat house down near the lake but the silly woodpecker's got in the house and made a nice big hole. Never saw a bat use it :(

[brewmaster15]

Here are a couple of Little Blue Herons pics..

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP5962.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP5990.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP6018.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP6041.jpg

[brewmaster15]

Reddish Egret....

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6113.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6129.jpg

White Ibis.....

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6251.jpg

Alligator..

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6220.jpg

[DLock3d]

Great photos Al. Really interesting stuff.

[brewmaster15]

Night Heron....

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6180.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6300.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6370copy.jpg

snowy egret....

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6306.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6323.jpg

tricolored/ Louisiana heron...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP6355.jpg

[Moon]

I do not like blue herons. Last Friday I was working from home. Looked out the window at my pond. There it was with one of my best looking koi in its beak. I went out chasing it. It could not fly out directly because of the large number of trees. It did manage to fly and land on a tree. I had a go at it with my sling shot. It managed to take off with my prized koi.
That same afternoon it came back. I was prepared and scared it with some pebbles. That evening I surrounded the pond with netting. They usually land some distance from the water and walk to it. The next morning (7:00) it was back again. I watched it from my window. It was not able to go across the netting and took off. Haven't seen it to date.
Beautiful bird but not one of my favs.

[brewmaster15]

Great Blue Heron...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP0557.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/_IGP0565.jpg

These were photos taken at mid day...the glare makes it a real challenge using a telephoto lens in an open marsh like this...still, I'm pleased enough with it.

-al

[brewmaster15]

Florida Sand Hill Cranes have always been one of my favorites... Usually I see them in the winter, but they are year round residents... Lucked out and stumbled on a pair of them while driving around. Not wanting to startle them by digging my tripod out of my trunk..I grabbed my camera and shot hand held. Not the best option, but I think I got a few good ones in.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1044.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1055.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1059.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1078.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1085.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP1112.jpg

[Larry Grenier]

Brew, the bats had just finished listening to that song on the Beatles "White Album"; "Why Don't We Do it in the Road".

You were about 2 hours from my place in Manassas VA.

[brewmaster15]

Last set for now...
some miscellaneous spider and scenery shots...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0221.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0229.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0243.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0855.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0868.jpg

Hope you enjoyed them!
-al

[Teshi]

Very nice pics Al.

Do you know what kind of spider that is? The bat shots are really interesting.

[brewmaster15]

Brew, the bats had just finished listening to that song on the Beatles "White Album"; "Why Don't We Do it in the Road".

You were about 2 hours from my place in Manassas VA.

Hey Larry, Lol...yes I guess they were!:o


Very nice pics Al.

Do you know what kind of spider that is? The bat shots are really interesting.

Thanks Margaret..

I believe the first one is a Banana spider or golden silk orb weaver....if it is its a baby as they get the size of your hand.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0221.jpg

The second is a Black and Yellow Argiope...at least its back pattern indicates that..though the legs are a little off from most pics I have seen.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/brewmaster15/IMGP0229.jpg

-al

[Disgirl]

Great photography Al! I see Matt has some competition!Where is that beach?
Barb

[Second Hand Pat]

Al, quite often the sand hill cranes are quite tame. I have a pair which nest in the front pasture pond and raise the chicks on the property. Quite often you have to stop your car in my neighborhood to let them cross the road. One cool aspect is when they gather in large groups for pairing purposes. A pair will take turns jumping and flirting with each other.

Something like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAqcpMEoLa0&feature=related

[terps]

Those are very nice photos Al. You should think about selling them online. I posted a good article link on this subject a few years ago.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?82285-Selling-Photos-Online

I'm going to join Shutterstock.com next month and see if I can get 10 photos accepted to become a photography seller on their site. It's always nice if you can make extra cash with your hobbies.

[Crystalwaters]

Thanks for sharing the photos. You have a gift :)

[Rummy]

Al, those are beautiful shots. I cannot pick out my favorite. Were they all taken with a telephoto lens?
You are smart to have taken the camera with you. We recently went to Florida. I didn't take my camera nor binoculars. I did not know we would be staying in a bird sanctuary. You can imagine how any times I wanted to kick myself for overlooking that detail! ;)

[Discus-n00b]

Really nice Al, the bird shots are great....all really sharp and clear. What camera/lens did you use?

[Trier20]

Very nice Al! I like your framing leaves your eyes focused on what you want them to look at.

[brewmaster15]

Those are very nice photos Al. You should think about selling them online. I posted a good article link on this subject a few years ago.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?82285-Selling-Photos-Online

I'm going to join Shutterstock.com next month and see if I can get 10 photos accepted to become a photography seller on their site. It's always nice if you can make extra cash with your hobbies.

Thanks Terps, I have thought of doing That myself..maybe someday... what do you photograph?



Thanks for sharing the photos. You have a gift Thanks Crystal. Its been a hobby of mine for many years...


Al, those are beautiful shots. I cannot pick out my favorite. Were they all taken with a telephoto lens?
You are smart to have taken the camera with you. We recently went to Florida. I didn't take my camera nor binoculars. I did not know we would be staying in a bird sanctuary. You can imagine how any times I wanted to kick myself for overlooking that detail!

Anik, Where did you stay there? The majority of the bird shots as well as the alligator were taken at JN DING Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanible Island....If anyone wants a great place to see alot of birds and not have to hike about the wildlife drive there is excellent. My son and I shot there a few mornings.


Very nice Al! I like your framing leaves your eyes focused on what you want them to look at. Thanks Brandon, sometimes a little post edit cropping makes an okay photo better....But sometimes you just are in the right place, right time and Picture is there as you would like to see it.:)

-al

[brewmaster15]

Great photography Al! I see Matt has some competition!Where is that beach?
Barb

Thanks Barb,
The beach is at Sanible Island, Fl. WE stayed at the Island Inn, historically one of the first resorts theres...small yet friendly. My wife and I had gone there for our honeymoon years ago and we got hooked.:)

-al

[Rummy]

We stayed at Ana Maria Island. The whole island is a bird sanctuary. We were there during TS Debby in June. We stayed on the beach and there were shore birds everywhere seeking refuge among the dunes. We had to walk through these flocks to get to the beach. For anyone that likes birds, it feels like a kid in a candy store. And NO camera. Grrrr. I've resolved that that trip must be repeated.

[Rummy]

I've heard about Sanibel. Now I really want to see it. Looks like a nice place for wildlife viewing.

[brewmaster15]

Really nice Al, the bird shots are great....all really sharp and clear. What camera/lens did you use?

Thanks Matt!

I use Pentax gear..Its what I started with years ago when in college, and since all pentax lens from film era work on digital SLRs, I went with Pentax when I moved to digital. I shot the birds with my film era pentax lens..300 mm F4.5 ED IF and the camera bodies I use are K20D 14.6 mp pentax Digital SLRs. The K20D is a decent model, I like it alot, but its a few years old now and has been superceded by better ones that are out my reach for a while. The 300 mm lens is still even decades latter rated as one of pentax best. I bought it second years ago and its been my absolute best and most productive lens, especially for birds.

The spiders were shot with several lens, it was a rainy day and I had to really bump up the ISO, but the black and yellow argiope was taken with my second favorite lens.. its a Pentax FA 50 mm 2.8 macro. First lens I ever bought new.Its been a great macro for years for me...and is highly regarded as well.

The bats and beach shots I believe I shot with my 28-300 or 28-200 mm Tamron aspherical xr LD (IF) lens. These are my general purpose lens, they do a great job , though they get a little soft in the 300's case at the 300 mm mark. Whats nice about them is they are remarkable compact and lightweigh. .. My 300 Prime pentax is a tank and weighs a ton by comparison.

The Sandhills were shot with several lens as well...But my best shots there came from my Tokina 70-210 AF lens...Its a heavy one too but decent to shoot with.

I tend to not Use AF for general shots, and switch to manual focus for the birds, and its just seems to produce a better shot for me.

thanks again,
al

[brewmaster15]

We stayed at Ana Maria Island. The whole island is a bird sanctuary. We were there during TS Debby in June. We stayed on the beach and there were shore birds everywhere seeking refuge among the dunes. We had to walk through these flocks to get to the beach. For anyone that likes birds, it feels like a kid in a candy store. And NO camera. Grrrr. I've resolved that that trip must be repeated.

WE drove down in a compact car,and the trunk was packed to the gills...My normal camera bag is a huge Tamron expedition. It has just about everything you can imagine in it...I was all set with that..until I packed the car...It didn't Fit!!!! no matter how I tried..So I had to downsize and leave some stuff behind...I did manage to squeeze in a few lens here and there.:) My biggest disappointment was a I could only fit my medium weight tripod. I have a massive tripod for when I shoot with my old 500 mmF4.5 SMC lens. I had to leave it out..I brought the lens and hoped I could stabilize it well enough on my medium tripod..no good though...it just had too much shake and movement. It was frustrating as I missed some great Osprey shots....Next time I leave my clothes and take all my gear!!!
-al

[nc0gnet0]

Al,

Love the bats! As a Koi owner myself Heron's make me real nervous, but beautiful none-the-less!

Rick

[brewmaster15]

Al,

Love the bats! As a Koi owner myself Heron's make me real nervous, but beutiful none-the-less!

Rick

I had Koi for years here Rick.. took them in everywinter..and inthe spring they went back out into the pond. I babied them. The pond was deep enough so I got lazy one year and left them out...All was well until the trees over the pond lost their leaves. A great egret flying by must have seen them and in a matter of days they were Gone. I was having a discus meeting here at the time and a few of us were standing in the driveway when my buddy Mark Says" Hey Al, whats that big white bird doing with your KOI?" :mad: So I switched gears...go thru it again or net the pond....I opted for neither.. I turned it into a frog pond..Its been carefree and extremely entertaining to watch now. :)
-al

[Rummy]

WE drove down in a compact car,and the trunk was packed to the gills...My normal camera bag is a huge Tamron expedition. It has just about everything you can imagine in it...I was all set with that..until I packed the car...It didn't Fit!!!! no matter how I tried..So I had to downsize and leave some stuff behind...I did manage to squeeze in a few lens here and there.:) My biggest disappointment was a I could only fit my medium weight tripod. I have a massive tripod for when I shoot with my old 500 mmF4.5 SMC lens. I had to leave it out..I brought the lens and hoped I could stabilize it well enough on my medium tripod..no good though...it just had too much shake and movement. It was frustrating as I missed some great Osprey shots....Next time I leave my clothes and take all my gear!!!
-al
I know what you mean. It is even worse when flying.

[Eddie]

Phenomenal photography Al! Amazing!

[John_Nicholson]

Great pictures Al, but you were on a beach in FL...where are the bikini shots?

-john

[brewmaster15]

Thanks Guys!


Great pictures Al, but you were on a beach in FL...where are the bikini shots?

-john sorry John....my wife has a real strong elbow.. last time I tried to get some shots, I was left gasping for air.... wild animals are safer for me to shoot.
-al

[Eddie]

Thanks Guys!
sorry John....my wife has a real strong elbow.. last time I tried to get some shots, I was left gasping for air.... wild animals are safer for me to shoot.
-al


LMAO.....ahahahaha

[Pardal]

Beautiful pictures Al, talking about the egrets I had some casualties but with racoons, they knock down two tanks with some of my beautiful wilds I ever had.
I was trying to take advantage of a hot summer, put two tanks in the backyard while painting the house. my fault for being stupid.
We keep trapping and relocating the racoons but they are the menace of every pond around Jacksonville Mayport Area the Kois or goldfish ponds don't stand a chance. Love the pictures , Al did you remember that movie about birds sighting . year of the birds or something, people in that hobby are crazier than us with discus so becareful my friend we need you here.
Sincerely
Julian.

[brewmaster15]

I Guess this is an old thread now, 2012 doesn't seem long ago, but I kinda lost 2013 so.. I'll pick up again here.

Had a interesting photo opportunity today. I was being a lazy bum laying in the Hammock today in the yard when I heard a loud flapping noise, and looked up to see a Turkey land with in 15 feet of me! I looked at it, it looked at me and then it rushed off...but in a crazy manner..running about and calling ...it didn't just fly away like they usually do. I just lay there and watched but then saw some movement in the branches of the trees. Looking up I saw several birds flying around from branch to branch. Too big for the regular birds in the yard.. Then I realized they were Turkeys... baby Turkeys. They barely had feathers, and were the size of juvenile chickens...and they were calling and flying from branch to branch about 40 feet off the ground. I have never seen baby turkeys this size or seen them fly except for adults. Usually when I see a turkey with chicks its tiny chicks. These guys were far from tiny and they really could fly well! The Mom must have been looking for them..

I headed in so I would not keep her from finding them, and a few hours latter, I saw movement again in the trees behind my house. There was the mom with her chicks... about 6 of them settling in for the night ...Again up in the trees, about 40-50 feet off the ground. It was getting dark but I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots.
They were not completely out for the night...not a great pic due to the light and distance...but I like the way they turned out.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82858&d=1404001001


http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82859&d=1404001009

[Second Hand Pat]

Great picture Al, that bird is looking at you pretty hard. About a week ago I let the dogs out the front door and they go rushing out. The front yard was full of adult turkeys and chicks. There were turkeys flying everywhere. The chicks were about the size of small chickens like you observed today. Seems like here the hens group up with their chicks and raise them together.

[musicmarn1]

This is a super set of photos!!

[DLFL]

Very nice work Al!