Sunrises in Summer

After much debate, I finally decided to purchase a Lee Big Stopper neutral density filter. The problem is that they are difficult to get due to a long back order. I decided to put my name on the waiting list at B&H and it finally became available. I am just getting around to trying it out. Saturday I went to Cocoa Pier with some of my fellow camera club friends for a sunrise shoot. I had mixed success but for the most part liked the way it handles. I find that it is easier to slide it in and out to refocus than if I had one that I had to screw on and off. With the long exposure I don't have the luxury to take many different compositions as the sun rises. Some of my exposures were 4 to 5 minutes long and shorter as it got brighter.

Cocoa Beach Pier - iso 100, 150 seconds, f/16



iso 100, 150 seconds, f/16

iso 100, 20 seconds, f/25

Monday morning I decided to do another sunrise shoot in Titusville, at Space View Park. This was my choice because it was the closest place I could go and their was a nice wooden pier. It was a better sunrise than on Saturday with some nice clouds. A guy who was there enjoying the sunrise told me to also check out Marina Park which is just a little to the north. Lots more photo ops in this park and a nice view of the Max Brewer Bridge.

Space view park - f/16, 4 minutes, iso 100

 

f/16, 30 seconds, iso 100

f/11, 183 seconds, iso 100

 

More Polo Photography and Fun

With the forecast for spring like temperatures, I found it a perfect day to return to the Villages for some Polo. This time I went by myself so I decided to tryout the "tail gate" sections. This is the side of the playing field opposite the club house. There a nice shade trees along the sidelines so it was a very pleasant place to sit, stand and photograph the matches. Since the official photographer stands in the end zone, I tried to get as close to the end of the field as possible. For the main match I actually was able to stand in the end zone next to the trees which are back from the field. With the long lens I could still zoom in enough to get good shots. With my camo lenscoast on my lens, I got comments from two people that I must be a bird photographer. I guess I need to dress the part to attend the polo matches. But, I draw the line at wearing white pants! Here are a few of my favorite shots. I am still trying to get the bend in the mallets just before or after striking the ball.

Consolation Match

Main match shot from the end zone

Polo at the Villages

As the Polo season at the Villages is winding down, I am just getting to a match. There are maybe three more weekends left for the Spring Season. It's a bit of a drive and takes up most of the day so its not easy to find the time. Once I go, I can't wait to go back and do more shooting. This was the first time shooting with the 80-400 lens and it didn't disappoint. It was mounted on a monopod which worked out pretty well. I need to work on timing to get the action shots just before or after impact of the stick with the ball. I have been studying the photos of the official photographer to see what I need to work on. It was a very muggy day so I stayed in the shade in one location and waited for action to come to me. Next time I am going to try to shoot from the end zone if it is allowed.

Attempt at motion blur

More fun Photographing the Swans

I just love the swans and their soft and fluffly babies. One swan pair is finished with their family and have three little ones. They were all swimming with Dad this morning. I checked the other nest and there are three babies hatched and maybe a few more eggs to go. This one doesn't have a mate so the babies are staying on the nest with Mom until all her eggs hatch. The park volunteer told me they are feeding it while on the nest. I don't usually get photos of the cignets on the nest so this was a real treat. I will go back in the morning and see how they are doing. There is one more family and all six are swimming in the "big" lake.



Mom's favorite

Seven Swans A Swimming . . . . . Coming Soon

Springtime at Lake Eola in the heart of downtown Orlando bring many nesting birds and especially the Swans. As the activity at the Swan nests increases I make more frequent trips down there with a camera. The cignets are cutest after a day or two after birth and its always nice to catch the little ones on the nest snuggling with mom. They grow up so fast and after they start swimming they can be out in the middle of the lake. Unfortunately the numbers decrease as the days go by due to the many predators in the area. I try not to get too attached to the swan families.

Mute Swan Family from 2013

Whooper Swan with first born imitating Mom.

First born but Mom is sitting on 2nd born and third to hatch soon.

There are now two swans a swimming

Dad is a good teacher.

Back to my home town, Longmeadow...

I was recently up in Massachusetts, Longmeadow to be exact, visiting with my Dad who is in rehab from a fall back in March. In between visits and my to do list I found a little time to check out a wildlife sanctuary that is only minutes from the house. The place is called Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Sanctuary and runs between Interstate 91 and the Connecticut River. We refer to the place as the "Meadows" and I had never thought of it for photo ops. I didn't bring my "birding" lens but had a 18-270 lens with me. I found some interesting wildlife. I saw the first beaver I have seen in many years. He was moving fast but when he stopped to gnaw on a tree it was hard to get a clear shot with the sticks and twigs between us. The next day I did see a smaller beaver who was out in the open. There was a huge Canada Geese nest out in the water. Goslings will be hatching soon. The most prevalent birds were red winged black birds, robins, yellow rumped warblers and tree swallows. Later on I did see many different types of warblers but am still trying to ID them. I love the look, feel and sounds of springtime. I thought I would only be taking pictures of flowers but I was too early for my favorite Bleeding Hearts. Tulips and daffodils were blooming along with the forsythias, dogwoods and other flowering trees.

Canada Geese