by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Mar 19, 2022 | Bird photography, Nature Photography, Pennsylvania, Photo Workshops, Snow Geese, Swans, Wildlife Photography, Winter Photography
Snow geese lift off at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
At the beginning of March I spent a day and a half at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania, approximately a 2.5 hour drive from my home near Baltimore. This was my first visit to the area. I could not resist packing up my camera gear and heading north when a friend from one of my photo workshops sent me a great image she had just taken at Middle Creek of a huge flock of snow geese taking off from a farm field.
Many years ago, 40,000 snow geese visited Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in November. I recall one afternoon during one of my photo workshops, while driving the Wildlife Loop we encountered thousands of snow geese in the impoundment and near the road. Periodically they would rise in unison from the ground sounding like a plane taking off. They would fly overhead, circle, and return to the same spot that they had left. Not only did they do this once, but repeated the behavior several times more. I have never forgotten that day. But in recent years the number of geese at Chincoteague has dropped dramatically. Many are now spending the winter at Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges in Delaware with the geese feeding in the fields of the Delmarva Peninsula. It is reported, seasonal counts have exceeded 200,000.
At Middle Creek, I was a reminded of the past scenes at Chincoteague but with even more birds. During my visit on March 4th, there were 78,000 snow geese present with nearly 3,000 tundra swans. Periodically, the number of birds present in the winter were as high as 200,000.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is located on the boarder of Lebanon and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania, north of the town of Lancaster in the middle of Amish Country. Middle Creek is operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission which is in charge of managing the wild bird and mammal populations at Middle Creek. This roughly 6000-acre wildlife management area is home to hundreds of species of birds and mammals. It is crucial for the hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, and swans that visit during their spring and fall migration.
A number of accommodations are available approximately 20-25 minutes from Middle Creek at the towns of Ephrata and Lititz, PA.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
At Middle Creek there is a Visitors Center with interpretive displays, an auditorium, and an observation area with feeders and views of Middle Creek Lake. Also there are a number of walking trails, several picnic areas, a vehicle tour loop, and areas set aside for fishing and hunting. During the peak of the fall migration of waterfowl, to reduce disturbance of the birds, portions of the tour loop are closed to vehicles. However, from 1 March until 30 September, vehicles are permitted on the interior, northern part of the tour route.
The Lake
The impoundment (lake) where the snow geese, tundra swans, and other waterfowl congregate was created by the construction of a dam in the early 1970s. It is quite shallow, with an average depth of only three feet. Waterfowl attracted to the lake are those that prefer shallow water, compared to the diving ducks of the Chesapeake Bay. The deepest part of the lake is just above the dam where you might see herons, egrets and kingfishers.
Visitors Center Pond
The Visitors Center pond during the spring and fall migrations is an excellent spot to observe at a distance mallards, black ducks, northern shovelers, ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, hooded mergansers and others. The “tree-house” type structure located behind the pond is a bat condominium intended to serve as a maternal colony for up to 6,000 bats.
Kleinfeltersville Rd
Just past the road to the Visitor Center along Kleinfeltersville Rd on the right is an open area with a relatively clear view of the lake. When I was there, the cove was filled with snow geese in the morning and evening, with some at close range. They shared the area with Tundra Swans.At times more geese joined the group filling the sky with birds before landing. Eventually the main group of geese flushed and in mass, joined the other geese farther back in lake. To my surprise, the swans did not join them.. It may be a good spot to photograph flying geese at sunrise. However, most visitors gather at Willow Point for sunrise.
Willow Point Trail
The Willow Point Trail is very popular when the geese are present. It is an easy 10-minute paved walk that leads visitors to an observation point overlooking a large portion of the 360-acre lake. During spring migration, there are days when the waterfowl put on incredible flight displays, moving from one section of the lake to another. Occasionally, they would fly over the head of visitors before circling back to the lake. It was suggested that they took off in response to a bald eagle that left its perch on a dead tree across the lake and headed towards the flock.
Waterfowl Propagation Areas
From the Observation Point Parking Lot past Willow Point, it is possible to see activity within the waterfowl propagation area which is off limits to people. It is set aside to allow birds a place to nest, rest and feed unmolested year-round. In the spring and early summer you may see a variety of songbirds. Bird boxes attract tree swallows and bluebirds. In the fields you may see bobolinks.
On the southwestern portion of the lake there are three different types of nesting structures provided for waterfowl. Tire and tub structures provide a nesting areas for Canada geese. The straw tubes are provided for mallards and black ducks, while the box style structures are for wood ducks.
View from the interior loop road.
After observing the movement of geese from Willow Point and talking to other photographers, on my last afternoon in the area, I drove to the northern end of the interior tour loop where I thought the geese might be landing in a field close to the road. There were a number of cars parked at the side of the road which suggested I was right. I left may car at the end of the line and walked to where I had a clear view of the field and a number of geese on the ground. As I stood there photographing, other geese left the lake and joined the group. More and more geese arrived with some on the ground taking off and flying overhead to a field behind me. As sunset approached, the parade of geese leaving the lake continued with one “V” formation after another heading in my direction. I had hoped they would pass in front of where the sun was setting but most did not. However, I did capture a few images of lines of geese in front of the warm colors in the sky.
I plan to return in future years. Great wildlife photography opportunities.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Apr 21, 2019 | Assateague, Chicoteague, Nature Photography, Photo classes, Photo instruction, Virginia, Wildlife Photography
Photo Opportunities
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge & Assateague Island National Seashore
Ospreys can dive to catch fish. Their feathers shed water easily and their talons specifically designed to be able to grab and fly with their catch.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore
Location & Management:
Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge covers 14,000 acres of beach, dune, marsh, shrub and forest habitats. The majority of the refuge is located on the Virginia end of the narrow, 37-mile-long barrier island of Assateague (Assateague Island National Seashore) just south of Ocean City Maryland. The refuge is managed to benefit wildlife and to protect critical habitat for both resident and migrating species. Birds found on the refuge include ducks, geese, heron, raptors, warblers, and shorebirds plus deer, raccoons, Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels, muskrats, foxes, and otters.
In recent years, there has been a significant drop in the number of migrating snow geese visiting the refuge in the fall. Once reaching nearly 40,000, but today the numbers are much lower. Grabbed this shot several years ago as they landed on the beach. This fall, they were there again this year.
Large numbers of snow geese sometimes stop at Bombay Hook National Wildlife refuge, DE instead of proceeding south to Chincoteague in the fall. This flock circled several times before landing.
A number of impoundments have been created by refuge staff where water levels are managed to provide resting and feeding areas for waterfowl and other species. Some dikes bordering the enclosures are topped with roads adjacent to water-filled borrow ditches where birds congregate. This arrangement offers excellent opportunities to photograph wildlife from your car, steadying your camera on a bean bag or using another means of support. Because the animals are protected on the refuge and are used to seeing people and vehicles, they are less timid than elsewhere and more easily photographed.
Clapper Rails are secretive birds found in the marshes. They feed at low tide on the exposed mud flats. Rails are often heard before seen.
Wild ponies are a favorite photo subject among visitors. Smaller than standard horses with heavy coats to protect them in this harsh environment. They appear perpetually pregnant with bloated bellies from their diet high in bulk and salt.
New born. Wild pony family.
Constant Change:
As with all barrier islands, the sand shifts with the season and strong storms. The ocean cuts through the dunes sometimes forming temporary inlets. Water-laden sand rolls over the land creating new marsh. With the landscape constantly changing, there are always new and exciting opportunities for photography. No matter when you visit, you will always find something to photograph. Even in the summer when the public beach is packed with people, you can still find photo subjects by venturing out in the early morning and late afternoon when there are fewer people to interfere with your activities.
Once endangered, Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels were transplanted on Chincoteague and now they are often seen at the edge of the maritime forest.
Locating and approaching wildlife:
Spotting animals requires careful scanning of the environment for shapes, tones or colors out of place, and movement. By studying animals, whether photographing or not, you gain insight into their behavior and are better able to capture action shots. Creatures of habit, animals often visit the same locations repeatedly so check these spots on a regular basis. Know your equipment well and be prepared to photograph at any time. Have a suitable camera/lens combination ready with exposure settings pre-set for conditions you are likely to encounter. Once a potential subject is spotted, plan your approach. Consider the lighting, background, subject temperament, and the animals direction of movement. If it is following a predictable path, move slowly and indirectly to position yourself where it is heading. Be careful not to cause it to alter its behavior. Rapidly moving directly towards the animal will normally causes it to flee.
I watched the direction the fox was moving and carefully position my vehicle on the shoulder of the road at a distance in front of where I thought it was going. I made sure the warm afternoon light was illuminating its beautiful red coat
After hearing its distinctive call, I spotted this Belted Kingfisher on one of its favorite branches. As I positioned my camera, it plunged into the water and emerged with a small crab in its bill before returning to its perch. To capture various poses of the bird as the bird struggled to consume the crustacean, I held down the shutter release button and repeatedly fired a series of shots using a high number of frames/second.
Shot from my car with my Nikon D850 camera and 600 mm lens resting on a bean bag. Settings: ISO 800, F10, and shutter speeds approximately 1/2000 second.
Belted Kingfisher stretched wing just before it dove after fish.
Suggested lenses and other gear:
- A wide-angle for beach scenes, flocks of birds, and sunrise/sunsets and perhaps a 80 to 200 mm zoom lens to isolate portions of the scene.
- A 300, 400 or 600 mm telephoto for small or timid subjects such as shorebirds. It is preferable to buy long lenses that have collars for mounting on a tripod. This makes it easier to handle the camera/lens combination and it allows for quick adjustment of orientation from horizontal to vertical or in-between.
To spot animals, I look for movement. This Cedar Waxwing was part of a flock attracted to the berries. Shot with my 600-mm lens.
- A 1.4 tele-converter to extend the effective focal length of your primary lens for photographing small subjects. Note: The tele-converter reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, cutting shutter speeds in half. For best image quality, buy one matched to your prime lens.
- A 200-mm macro lens for close focusing and high magnification when photographing a shell, insect, or flower. Compared to shorter macro lenses, with the 200-mm lens, you can obtain the same magnification at a greater working distance from your subject–a benefit if photographing something timid such as a ghost crab.
- Other gear: An electronic shutter release to prevent camera shake when using long exposures or high magnification. A polarizing filter to remove unwanted reflections and shine on surfaces of vegetation intensifying colors. Depending on the angle of the sun, it can also make the sky appear bluer. You might want to include a neutral density filter that reduces the amount of light entering the lens in order to create special effects by using slow shutter speeds to suggest motion of moving objects – the surf, the wings of birds, etc.
The lighting and pose made this photo of a Great Blue Heron special. Shot in the early AM.
- A sturdy tripod, preferably without a center post for maximum stability when using long telephoto lenses. The tripod should be topped with a professional ball head that can easily support the weight of your camera/lens combination or with a Wimberley Head (gimbal) which is preferred by many photographers for manipulating large lenses and tracking animals and birds.
- If shooting on the beach, the wind off the ocean can be fierce and unpredictable, so never walk away from the tripod. Also, watch where you place your camera gear since an incoming wave can swamp your equipment or worse, wash it away. When around blowing sand or dust, shield your camera when changing lenses to avoid particles entering the throat of the camera and making their way to the sensor resulting in dark spots on your images.
Willet picking up mole crab. Shorebird behavior is often predictable. They follow the edge of the surf, probing for organisms as waves retreat.
Useful tips:
- By having with you two cameras mounted with different lenses when in the field, you can avoid changing lenses in the open and can more quickly switch from one focal length to another.
- When on the beach, wipe or brush the sand off your tripod legs with a damp cloth to prevent particles and salt from entering the joints between tripod segments and making it difficult to adjust the tripod’s height. You can buy or create water-proof tube covers for the lower legs to minimize sand-related problems and to allow you to submerge the legs in the surf.
- If visiting in the spring, summer or early fall, bring insect repellant to guard against mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks potentially carrying Lyme disease. Reads more on CDC’s website. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/on_people.html
Adjacent to the refuge is the town of Chincoteague with a small boat harbor. Sometimes loons are found here. It is also a good place to photograph sunset.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Aug 22, 2016 | Bird photography, Brazil, International photo tours, Nature Photography, Photo Tour, Travel, Wildlife Photography
Brazilian Pantanal photo tour–sights, photo tips, equipment, challenges.
I have been to the Brazilian Pantanal twice in the past, once on a scouting trip and most recently conducting a photo tour. In both cases, I worked with an excellent naturalist/guide/photographer who I have known for more that twenty years, Alejandro Ronchetti of KÚntur Expeditions based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hyacinth Macaw
On this past trip, we flew from Dulles Airport non-stop to São Paulo and then on to the city of Cuiabá where the tour started. After a good night’s rest, we left the city in a van and headed southward, stopping briefly in Poconé for supplies before entering the Transpantaneira Highway. During the tour, we stayed overnight on two eco-friendly ranches and at the hotel Pantanal Norte at Porto Jofre. Along the Transpantaneira Highway, it was relatively easy to spot birds and other wildlife. We stopped frequently to take photos. The number of birds seen on the trip was unbelievable with remarkable numbers of snail kites and hawks in addition to many colorful birds. At one of the larger bridges, we had the opportunity to photograph a large assortment of birds–limpkins, spoonbills, herons, kingfishers, anhinga, and other birds feeding in the marsh below.
Our first stay was at the Pouso Alegre Ranch. Although the rooms were modest, the food was good, and wildlife abundant. At dawn, just outside our room were agoutis (small rodents), Southern Lapwings, rheas, toucans, and several curassows. Close to the lodge was a marsh and lagoon that straddled the road and was populated with a large number of herons, kites, kingfishers, and hawks. During the day, caiman congregated at the end of the lagoon and sun themselves on the road. One of the most unusual birds was the capped heron with a striking blue bill that was feeding along the bank in the vicinity of a a number of caiman. As we explored the ranch roads, we had the opportunity to photograph coatimundi, brocket deer, ibis, and jabiru storks. The tapir we were hoping to see eluded us, leaving only it tracks behind in the mud.
Sayaca Tanager
After 3 days on the ranch, our next stop was the riverside hotel at Porto Jofre where we had the best chance to see jaguar. The accommodations were modern and very nice with an assortment of birds just outside our rooms– buff-necked ibis, hyacinth macaws, caracaras, chaco chachalacas, toucans, just to name a few. Behind the rooms was a boardwalk leading past giant lilies and other marsh species. Twice a day for 3 days we navigated the Cuiabá River and its tributaries at Parque Estadual Encontro das Aguas (Meeting of the Waters) State Park in search of jaguar and other wildlife species. Here jaguars are protected and openly hunt spectacled caimans, capybaras, tapirs, and other animals along the riverbanks. This magnificent cat is the largest in South America and is a proficient swimmer and with its strong jaws can easily crush the skulls of its prey. Although never witnessing a kill as we had hoped, we had several opportunities to photograph jaguar relaxing and walking along the riverbank. In each case, the light was low and the animal was often in heavy shade requiring ISO settings of 1250 and above. Our boat was stable and large enough for the four of us plus Alex and our photo gear. With care, I was even able to use my 600 mm, F4 lens mounted on a tripod to photograph jaguar and small birds. Our boat driver was proficient positioning us for the best photos and was in radio communication with other guides, so when a jaguar was spotted, we knew the location. In most cases, when a jaguar was located, 4 or 5 boats would eventually arrive at the location and anchor at a distance off shore to observe the cat that seemed to be oblivious to their presence. Later in the season, when there are more tourists, I suspect the number of boats would be greater. Besides jaguar, we photographed other wildlife including giant otters, capybaras, caiman, yellow-billed terns, a pied lapwing, kingfishers, and more.
Jaguar
Our last stop in the Pantanal was two days at Fazenda Santa Tereza ranch. Here we encountered a crab eating fox, hummingbirds, yellow-chevroned parakeets, a rufous-tailed jacamar, and other birds at feeder and near the lodge. From outside our rooms and from a scaffold near the nest, we could watch a pair of jabiru interacting and fortifying their nest. We were taken to see a great potoo at its daytime roost. It was so well camouflaged as part to the tree, that it would have been nearly impossible to see without a guide. Each day we explored the river adjacent to the inn by boat and photographed black-collared and black hawk, ringed kingfisher, and herons, snatching up fish tossed in the water.. During our exploration of the river, we photographed anhinga, a sun bittern, jabiru storks, river otters and a spectacular sunset. The Pantanal was well worth visiting and I would love to return.
Added to the Pantanal trip, we had an excursion to Chapada dos Guimarães, a national park with picturesque tablelands located 65 km northwards from Cuiabá. The highlight of the visit was the Veu da Noiva Waterfall from where we could admire the tablelands and one of the highest waterfalls of the park. Of particular interest was the opportunity to photograph red-and-green macaws flying in front of the falls and canyon walls. The Pousada do Parque Lodge where we stayed was lovely with many birds visiting the grounds early and late in the day. It was the perfect place to relax at the end of the tour. However for serious landscape photography, the park was disappointing since visitors only have access between 9 AM and 5 PM, not the best time for extraordinary light and dramatic images.
On a previous trip, we flew from Cuiabá to Campo Grande and drove to the town of Bonita with access to the Southern Pantanal. The highlight of our visit was the huge sink-hole, Buraco das Araras, where red and green macaws nest. Loved it.
Sun Bittern
Lighting challenges:
The variety of birds seen was mind-boggling but lighting was not always optimal. Although on the road early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the light was warm and soft, we were also in the field when the sun was higher in the sky and the light was harsh, washing out colors, obscuring details with dark shadows, and contributing to distracting backgrounds. Since I wanted to capture the range of animals for a program on the Pantanal, I took chances on shots that required more editing than I prefer to minimize problems. The best photo opportunities during non—prime hours were when a light layer of clouds softened the light or when the subject was in open shade. However in the later case, images tend to appear flat and colors slightly muted. To compound the periodic lighting issues when shooting in jungle or forests, there were vines, branches, light colored grasses and other vegetation either in front of subjects or contributing to an undesirable background that could not be avoided. But remember, this is the real world and not a photo studio.
Equipment:
It is always a challenge to transport camera equipment on the plane. I use a Gura Gear light-weight photo backpack but it appears large on my small frame. I am always concerned bout having the bag taken away from me and placed with checked luggage. Airline personnel have challenged me on several occasions, but they reluctantly allowed me to keep the bag once I explained the delicate nature and cost of the contents.
On this trip, I took my Nikon 600 mm, VR, F4 lens. It is quite heavy and large. When shooting from a car window on a large beanbag or on a tripod, the lens is wonderful for photographing small subjects and I will continue to use it for these applications. But from the confines of the van with other photographers, the lens was difficult to maneuver and nearly impossible to hand-hold. When exiting the van and mounting the lens on a tripod, I lost precious time positioning the lens and missed a shots I may have gotten with a smaller, lighter rig . Today, its large front element and high light gathering capacity is less critical than in the past now that high end cameras such as Nikon’s D5 perform fairly well at high ISOs, producing less noise (similar in appearance to film grain) as in the past. Note: Problems with noise is magnified when underexposing an image. After observing the ease of handling and quality of several lighter and less expensive zoom telephoto lenses carried by fellow travelers, I just purchased Nikon’s 200-500 mm zoom lens for increased flexibility. Although lighter that the 600 mm, this lens is still not a feather-weight. We will see how well it performs on my next photo excursion.
Red and Green Macaws
Besides the afore mentioned lens, I took with me a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod with Arca Swiss head, 35 to 70 mm zoom lens, an 80 to 400 mm zoom lens, 62 and 77 mm polarizers, Nikon D5 and D4s cameras, spare batteries, charger, empty beanbag, 32 and 64 G fast compact flash cards, Apple MacBook Air computer and two Seagate Backup Plus 2 T portable drives for image storage. For the Pantantal, insect repellant and sunscreen are a must. Dehydration is always a consideration when spending hours in the sun on an open boat so carry an adequate supply of water. I have a water bottle with a mister attachment. Not only can I drink water from the bottle but I can also spray myself with water to cool down quickly.
Timing of my trip:
On both trips to the Pantanal, I arrived in late June and stayed until mid-July. The water level is still dropping after the wet months. Less bank is exposed compared to later in the season, making animals a little more difficult to see and photograph. Accommodations in the Pantanal are limited, so it is imperative to make reservations early. Later in the tourist season, available rooms in the best locations are more difficult to find.
Flight info:
I booked my flights to São Paulo and Cuiabá on-line directly with United Airline (the flight to Cuiabá on GOL, a partner airline). I was issued both boarding passes at the United Airline desk and our bags were checked in all the way to Cuiabá. Therefore when I retrieved my checked bags after my US flight and passed through customs, I could immediately re-check them for the remaining flight.
Coming home there was 10 hour lay-over in São Paulo Airport, so checking the bags right after the arrival of the domestic flight was not possible. Therefore we rented small rooms on a hourly basis at hotel in the airport called FastSleep. This allowed us to survive the layover comfortably, being able to nap, catch-up on e-mail, exercise by walking throughout the terminals, and pick up last minute gifts. After observing the experience of one of my fellow travelers, next time I will reserve a room using Booking.com as opposed to dealing with the hotel directly.
Great egret
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jul 8, 2015 | Wildlife Photography
Safety/ethics
– Don’t corner an animal or block its path.
Watched me for a moment and even approach me closer but decided I was not threat and resumed eating. Good sign that you are not stressing an animal.
– With animals, be aware of signs of agitation or aggression: scrapping ground with hoof, thrashing grass or bushes with antlers, strong stare, ears back, showing whites of the eyes, bluff charge, growl, bearing teeth, etc. If approached by a predator, don’t run and appear as prey. Make your self appear large and slowly retreat.
Saw when returning to car from hike. I paused of a second and she did a bluff charge. I immediately returned to my car. Grabbed by long lens and got photos from the car.
– Just because an animal is in a national park or refuge, don’t assume it is not dangerous.
– Animals with young are the most dangerous.
Guanaco. If they run at you with their head down, you are definitely in danger. They will spit, kick, and “chest but’.
– Be careful not to slip and fall on wet grass, leaves, seaweed, moss or muddy surfaces.
– Be careful crossing muddy surfaces. You can slip, fall, or worse yet, get stuck in the soft mud. Some muds are like quick sand.
On slippery seaweed. Difficult to cross rocks without falling.
– Take care near cliff ledges. The support beneath them can be undermined and the ledge may break away.
Red-legged cormorants on cliff in Argentina. Much prettier than ours. Laid on belly on a secure part of the cliff to get shot.
– Be aware of the incoming tide and rising surf. You may become stranded.
– When hiking, be careful of tripping hazards: rocks, branches, roots, etc. Wear boots with good ankle support and gripping soles.
– When walking avoid stepping into hidden holes – groundhog, badger, penguin, fox, moss-covered spaces between rocks, etc.
Could have been very aggressive but was not as long as i moved slowly and did not corner him. Seems comfortable with easy access to its burrow..
– When navigating through marsh, be aware that high grasses, soft mud, and changing water level may make navigation confusing and make it difficult to return to your origin.
– Let someone reliable know where you are going and when you plan to return.
– Don’t feed wild animals. It can result in their expecting food or bitting or kicking you. People food will make animals ill.
Wild Burrow in Custer State Park, SD. People had fed the burrows in the past and one expecting I had food gave me a surprise nudge from behind.
Fighting elephant seals. Stay clear of them for they weight a lot and can deliver a very dangerous bite not only from their teeth but the bacteria that dwell in their mouths.
Wild Horses Fighting & Biting – Just because they are on a National Seashore and wander past people in the parking lots, they will bite or kick if approached too closely.
– Be careful where you put your hands when moving logs or reaching under something where poisonous spiders, snakes, etc. might be hiding. Consider wearing heavy gloves.
– Look before lying on the ground – fire ants, etc.
Prairie Rattle Snake. Not very aggressive but still will strike if it feels threatened.
– Don’t leave equipment unattended even in parks. Be alert around strangers.
– When traveling overseas, visit your local travel clinic for the most recent info on health concerns, vaccinations, etc.
– Avoid insect bites. Tics and mosquitos can carry serious diseases. Spray clothes with permethrin and consider using insect repellent such as those containing 30 % Deet. Net jackets and hats can be helpful in areas where mosquitos are present in high numbers.
Night Heron with crab. Walking into a marsh can be dangerous. Mud can suck off your shoes, you can fall, and may have difficulty finding firm ground. In many areas tidal guts criss-cross the marsh and make it difficult to navigate. On the coast changing tides can complicate the problem.
– Bats carry rabies so if scratched or bitten seek medical help immediately. Without the proper shots, it can kill.
– Use sunscreen and SPF 50 rated clothing for protection from the sun and to reduce the chances of skin cancer.
– Wear a hat to shade your face from the sun.
– For emergencies, carry a whistle, cell phone, or personal locator such as a handheld satellite communicator. Depending on the model, some locators can send and receive text, track your location, and send out SOS in case of emergency. They vary in power, coverage, and application with some primarily for emergencies. Check out www.delorme.com or www.outdoorgearlab.com. The later web site helps you decide what type of device is the best for your application.
Samples of personal Locator Beacons
– Be considerate of other photographers.
– Avoid damaging habitat.
– Don’t stress an animal or put it in danger.
– Only enter private property with permission.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jun 6, 2015 | Bird behavior, Bird photography, Digital Photography, Nature Photography, Photo classes, Photo instruction, Photo Technique, Photo Workshops
Rudy Turnstone.
Value of Patience when photographing wildlife.
The key to good wildlife photography is patience. During my photo workshop on Assateague Island, I observed two ruddy turnstones at Ferry Landing. Class participants took several fine photos capturing interaction between the two. Since I don’t typically photogrpah with the class, I could not resist returning to the same area on the following day in hopes of having similar success. That morning I spent several hours photographing ruddy turnstones, willets, and least sandpipers until canoers arrived interested in launching their boats from the shore. My patience resulted in several great shots including one showing the turnstone flipping shells in search of food, another feeding on eggs, one bathing, another stretching its wings, etc. If you want to capture action, you must watch and wait. If lucky, you will be able to capture behavior that you can not see with your eye. Of course you need fast shutter speeds for this. That is where fast lenses and cameras that perform well at high ISOs give you an advantage, With careful observation, you may be able to predict what is coming next which makes your images more unique. This sense of satisfaction is part of the reward for pursuing wildlife photography.
RuddyTurnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone bathing.
ruddy turnstone
