wildlife
I'm a fighter jet . . . yea . . . an F-16! Yea . . . that's it . . . I'm a FALCON!
All kids dream big . . . don't lose your inner child.
This male juvenile Wood Duck was preparing for takeoff. You could tell he was still a bit uneasy with flight (or at least the take-off part) as it took him 4 "false starts" before he made the leap into the air on his 5th try. And only a bit of his tail hit the water!
Stay in Focus,
Mark
Another lesson in always being ready for the action. The Coot on the left was being mercilessly chased by the other for about five minutes - you knew something had to give. Sure enough, the "chasee" turned around and proceeded to kick the snot out of the "chaser" - and those are some serious feet to get kicked with!
I almost left this pond, but decided to hang around just in case. It's a good thing I was prepared, this brawl was over in about 15 seconds!
Stay in focus,
Mark
Courtship and mating season are an awesome time for wildlife photographers, I love the shows that are put on! Many species are at their most colorful and you can always count on a fight breaking out early on.
Males can suffer in many ways, loosing a fight is just one of them. I've seen many male Cormorants (like the ones above) put on the most detailed courtship dance . . . to a female that could care less, or wose yet - to one that was "already married"!
It's spring, and love is in the air!
Stay focused,
Mark
One of the neat benefits about nature photography is the opportunity to observe the creatures you're seeking to capture. We can spend so much time around our subjects that we learn a tremendous amount about their behavior through the long hours of observation. Over time, I've learned (and enjoyed) the courtship rituals of many birds and water fowl. I can usually tell when a fight is going to breakout - or when I fish has been spied by a heron.
In addition to just being plain down right fascinating, you can use this behavioral information to your advantage. I'd been watching a mating pair of Canada Geese as I saw another one looking for a place to land. I knew if he landed too close to the others that he was going to get run off. I prepared for the opportunity and was easily able to get a nice series of shots.
Waiting around for the perfect shot can either be boring or educational - your choice!
Stay in focus,
Mark
Sometimes you just never know what the lens of your camera will find - so take it as it comes!
I've seen others create images with this pose - and have actively tried to get my own for the past several years with no success. While chasing a Wood Duck recently (also with no success) - this little fellow decided to pose right in front of me for a few seconds.
Stay in focus,
Mark
Now, from a serious point of view - do make sure you "look behind you" when on nature and landscape shoots. Some of the best shots I've gotten were 180 degrees opposite of my primary subject that day. For example, the light in a sunrise shoot can be just as dramatic on the landscape behind you as the sunrise itself.
Use your eyes as well as your lens when out in the field. Constantly scan the field around you and keep your eyes sharp for interesting shadows and lighting - not to mention the occasional critter!
Stay in Focus,
Mark
