Boundary Bay ~ Snowy Owls

I recently traveled to British Columbia to Photograph Snowy Owls. There I met up with Matthew Studebaker for a week of Photographing the areas Snowy Owls along the Salt marshes in the Boundary Bay Area.

We joined up with two other Photographers  Dick from Massachusetts and Joe from Georgia. Also Local Photographer Connor Stefansion shot with us on our first morning there and several times there after. His knowledge of the area led hugely to our success and also Matthews organization and pre scouting paid of big in allowing Images from the get go.

The weather was not in our favor with Heavy fog for the first 4 days of the 6 day trip. Light conditions and locating the Owls in the heavy fog and mist were challenging at best.

Upon locating our first Owl on a pleasing perch and creating some images, We quickly realized the fog created a mystique and sense of mood in our images that made them unique and different from the normal images you see. The Image below is one of the first Image we created from the area.

 

The fog remained heavy the entire Day making flight images impossible,  so the First several days we focused on creating pleasing static Images on interesting perches.

This next Image was captured at Brunswick Point also located in the Boundary Bay area. 

This time we were photographing this perched Snowy when another photographer was approuching from the opposite side we were shooting the bird, his presence caused the bird to fly allowing me to capture this image as it was lifting off tis perch.

As this bird flew off we monitored its direction and refound it a few hundred yards away as it re roosted on a beautiful piece if timber. I really liked this image from the trip with the leading lines taking you to to the bird, also the mystical fog creating a misty mood within the scene. We played with Compositions but felt this worked best.

Later that Day we once again Joined up with Connor Stefansion and also Jess Findlay, Both extremely talented young Photographers who both have won some great awards and accomplished allot in there young careers.

This time to locate a Barred Owl near his home, We  were not having much success then as we were leaving the bird appeared from the forest shadows allowing some great photo opportunities in the fading light of day. We visited this bird on 2 occasions, hoping to get some better light as the forests there are very dark with the tall conifers. 

We were able to create some great static images, I had to use a remote trigger as shutter speeds were in the 1/20th-1/40th area and even a 2 second timer would not stabilize the camera enough it seemed.  Here are a few images from the time spent with the Barred Owl.

We had a break in light which allowed for some diffused light 4 1/2 days into the trip, We then attempted some flight photography in the area of the snowy Owls moving from the marsh areas and bay to building tops of a tomatoe greenhouse located nearby.

 Here the Snowy on the rite attempted to land and disrupt the other bird from its perch, It eneded up roosting elsewhere.

We also had some fun opportunities with Short Eared Owls and Even a Barn Owl, The area was amazing for raptors and all owls. Truly an Amazing place!

This Barn Owl We happened to spot on the way In, It perched in someones yard, Matthew asked permission and the homeowner granted us permission where we were all able to capture some Images.

W even had some time to Photograph waterfowl, there are some tremendous location in the area with Burnaby Lake and Reiffel Bird Sanctuary all close by. The weather was not sooperative but we still managed some images.

Also with Connors guidance he turned us onto some resident Oystercatchers and Turnstone in the area, both life birds for me and new species to photograph. our time was limited but we tried to make the best of it.

All in all it was a terrific trip, I will certainly make it back at some point, the image opportunities are endless, I certainly appreciated the invite from my friend Matthew Studebaker, He has been a huge influence in my photography and I will be forever thankful.

Until next time!!! Dan

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Nest

What a tremendous experience it was for myself and 2 good friends Matthew Studebaker and Joshua Clark. To Travel to Gahanna, Ohio near Columbus and photograph this Ruby Throated Hummingbird nest located on the Big Walnut Creek Trail over the recent Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

The weather was looking fairly ominous upon our arrival, But as we located the nest we quickly realized we were blessed with an amazing opportunity, the light and skies began to cooperate for us allowing for nice diffused light and the 3 of us were able to create some great images of this late season nesting family.

The mother seemed to return every 30 minutes or so for a feeding, which seem to last about 15-30 seconds. An incredible privilege to see and witness. The nest the size of a golfball and made from spider webs and Lichens was nestled in the crook of a sycamore trees branch overhanging the creek, directly over Big Walnut Creek. Upon leaving the babies would flap there wings testing there ability to fly. We realized these birds were a day or 2 from fledging.

Our only hopes are there not to young entering into there long journey south, We have come to know the birds fledged less than 36 hours after these images were captured. We wish them well and will be forever be thankful for the opportunity to witness this nest along Big Walnut Creek, located in Gahanna Ohio.
 

Springfield Bog

With Summer upon us, Things have greatly slowed in the Avian world. However when it comes to Grassland species birds. Things are more active as their actively raising young at this time of year.

 At Springfield Bog, I joined up with 9 other Photographers from "Midwest Photographers Enthusiast Group" Owned and operated by Mark Perry.

Springfield Bog is relatively a new area and it's fast becoming a favorite, It's still in it's infancy and the birds are quickly locating  and recognizing it's potential. as that happens and the area matures, I'm confident it will be one of the better areas in Northern and all of Ohio for Grassland species.

Thus far Good numbers of Dickcissels, Grasshopper Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Indigo Buntings and Red Winged Blackbirds have located it, As we made these birds out focus for the day.

Thanks to Ann Gulbransen for taking this Image of several of the Photographers from the Group Shoot. Please Visit Ann's Website here> Photography by Ann Gulbransen
Here were setup on a Grasshopper Sparrow Capturing some Images.

Some results  we Captured of the Grasshopper Sparrow at this particular location

 

 

 We were also able to Locate a cooperative Male and Female Dickcissel within the grasslands, This is a nesting pair, We Photographed it briefly as to not overly stress the birds as they were actively raising young in the area.

Male- Perched upon Daisy Fleabane

 

Female- Perched on an emerging star flower

We also found a Cooperative Male Indigo Bunting, although starting to Molt, he Hit our perches with regularity and offered some great photo opportunities.

  I think everyone had a great time, I know I did, Its an exceptional area, appreciation goes out to Joshua Clark for reading about and sharing the area with myself and Friend Jim Buescher. I also want to Thank Jim Buescher for his help on this Groupshoot outing, He was great help in assisting with locating and bringing birds in for photo opportunities.

There both talented Photographer's and we shoot together fairly often.  I suggest you check them both out there websites and work can be seen as follows.

 Joshua Clark > momentsinature  

Jim Buescher >  Jim Buescher Photography

So next time your looking to shoot some Grassland species Birds or some Wildflowers and landscapes head to the Springfield Bog, It's sure to not disappoint!

Spring Migration 2012

Spring Migration 2012

This Spring has been busier than Most with Trips taking me to Southern Ohio's Shawnee National Forest, Day and weekend trips to various areas of Northern Ohio and a trip to Michigan's Upper peninsula within the Hiawatha National Forest where we encountered Forest Fires within 10 miles of where we were staying.

The focus has been songbirds, primarily warblers for the most part. As birds move through during Migration. The goal is to always catch them as they first come onto territory, At this time they are most responsive. Conditions were more difficult this year due to the early leaf out of the trees. Contrary to the leafing out the Warblers schedule for arrival remained the same.

Starting out in Southern Ohio's Shawnee National Forest. I was able to photograph, Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler and Black Billed Cuckoo's and Yellow Breasted Chat. Weather was less than Ideal with heavy overcast conditions morning and afternoon with only midday harsh light. but e tried to make the most of it.

A few images from the trip:

Prairie Warbler

Black Billed Cuckoo

Northern Parula

Yellow Breasted Chat

We then Focused on Northern Ohio specifically within the Cuyahoga Valley National Par, which I know pretty well. Here we spent much of our time after normal work hours and weekends chasing species locally.
We had good opportunities with, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Red Eyed, Warbling, and Yellow Throated Vireos. also, Indigo Bunting, Cereleun, Blue Winged, Ovenbird,Common Yellow-throats and Northern Rough winged swallows. as well as others.

Some Images from my Northern Ohio Travels:

 Orchard Oriole

 Warbling Vireo

 Northern Rough Winged Swallow

 Ovenbird

 Cereleun Warbler

 Indigo Bunting

 

 Red Winged Blackbird

 Blue Winged Warbler

 

Red Eyed Vireo

Baltimore Oriole

 Yellow Throated Vireo

  We finished up Spring Migration with a Trip to Upper Michigan's Upper Peninsula located in the Hiawatha National Forest, This trip was with good friend Matthew Studebaker and the focus was primarily warblers on Territory, We were especially happy to have an opportunity with a Connecticut Warbler. As well as many others. Here we encountered great weather the 4 days we were here.
A forest fire lingered 10 miles away and early on we had smoke filled skies throughout the day. but by day 3 and 4 all was fine as winds shifted and the threat of fire in our area was suspended.

Some Images from the trip:

Pine Warbler

 Cape May Warbler

 Chestnut Sided Warbler

 Connecticut Warbler

 Nashville Warbler

 Palm Warbler

 Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

Summer patterns are starting to set in and things will surely slow as most birds on territory are now nesting!, We hope to get out and chase species here locally so stay Tuned and Thanks for looking!

San Diego Bird Photography

I Visited the San Diego area of California from the 10th-17th of February, exclusively to Photograph Birds. The trip was more than I could have ever Imagined.

I was fortunate to add 19 species to my files on this trip. I visited 4 areas while there, Santee Lakes, LaJolla Cliffs, Imperial Beach and the Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, each area offered a different flavor of terrain and species, with many overlapping.

My first stop was Santee Lakes area, where I had nice light and some newly found species opportunities. Here I photographed Black Phoebe, Ring Necked Duck, Pied Billed Grebe, Snowy Egrets and an Osprey.

Upon entering the first bird I seen was this Black Phoebe, so together we created a photo session, here is one from that encounter.

Black Phoebe

American Widgeon

Ring Necked Duck

 I had a fun opportunity with a Pied Billed Grebe, they would fish along the shoreline, this particular bird caught and ate a fairly substantial meal for his size.

Soon after photographing this guy, This Osprey swooped in for a easy meal of the freshly stocked rainbow trout.

afternoon light  brought this opportunity of a perched  Snowy Egret on this rock.

With the day winding down, I found this Cormorant perched on a rock in Lake #2 as I was making my way out of the park.

The following day I spent the morning at LaJolla cliffs, here there were Double Breasted and Brandts Cormorants as well as Brown pelicans in breeding plumage. As well as two of the coastal species of gulls for this area. Western and Heermann's Gulls.

Brown Pelicans

Brandt's Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorants

Heermann's Gull

Western Gull

After a full morning at LaJolla cliffs I made my way over to Mission Beach which is rite on the Mexican border, here I hoped to photograph some shorebirds. I had nice opportunities at Marbled Godwits, Snowy Plovers, Black Bellied Plovers and even a Willet.

Marbled Godwit

Black Bellied Plover

Snowy Plover

From Imperial Beach I packed it in and headed to Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve in Orange County, about 2 hours North of San Diego, Here I photographed both species of Hummingbirds, also a Loggerhead Shrike as well as Reddsih Egret's, Grebes,Various waterfowl and others.

Loggerhead Shrike

 Western Grebe

I also found Allan's and Anna Hummingbirds on territory, each defending its territory and eagerly chasing off intruders.

Alann's Hummingbird

Anna Hummingbird

Also found here was a Reddish Egret, Further North than it's typical range would have it, I suppose the mild winter had something to do with that.

Reddish Egret

Also sveral Duck species were seen and Photographed here as well Including Buffleheads, Red Breasted Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, American Widgeon and Northern Pintails. I even seen a Surf Scoter but images were for ID purposes only.

It was a great trip, Grueliing with long days and often 5 mile hikes with my gear, but an experience I will forever remember, Plus a nice winter get away!