Riparian Preserve 8.24.10

There has to be something fundamentally wrong with a place that is so hot you sweat at 5:30am - so began my day, standing in the shade of a tree trying to photograph the Goldfinches with sweat running into my eyes and down my back! It is surprising how personal comfort affects concentration and technique - it was something I was aware of as I was shooting and it was re-inforced when I uploaded my images at home. No matter, practice is practice I reckon - and so, here are today's selection:

Goldfinch (Click to enlarge)




















Exif: 1/100", f8, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Click to enlarge)




















Exif: 1/500", f8, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Snowy Egret (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f10, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

White Chinese Goose (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f16, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Dragonfly (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f16, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Gilbert Riparian Preserve 5.17.10

I took another early morning jaunt out to Gilbert this morning. This time I set off at 4am and arrived at 5.30 before most people got there. It was a good opportunity to take my gimbal head for a spin... I like it a lot, but I am going to have to practice with it as some of my distance shots came out a little on the soft side. I still managed plenty of satisfactory shots and I think that the preserve is fast becoming my favourite place. I am looking forward to seeing how the bird species vary month by month.

These are my personal faves from today:

Dragonfly (click to enlarge).

Great Blue Heron (click to enlarge).

Green Heron (click to enlarge).

White Chinese Goose (click to enlarge).