Hank – Page 80

April 25, 2010January 14, 2013

White-faced Ibis at Baylands

White-faced Ibis At Sunset — A white-faced ibis stops searching for food briefly as it soaks in the last rays of daylight

A few weeks ago I was at Baylands in Palo Alto, photographing at sunset. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a white-faced ibis, which I had seen several weeks before, but only briefly. This bird is a rarity in the area, and seldom emerges from the pickleweed, choosing to hide in the wetland vegetation. However, a pair have been spotted in the Palo Alto and Mountain View area more regularly since January of this year, and up to three have been seen intermittently over the last few years. Whether this is a migratory aberration, or more likely a few year-round rogues, it is exciting to see one up close.

This specimen does not follow the normal head plumage that give the white-faced ibis its name, but is an alternate of the same species. Its iridescent bronze-brown feathers glow in the sunlight. I was very lucky on this day to see the ibis out in the open, fishing along a slough just as the sun was setting behind me.

I almost missed it however – as I was packing up my gear for the day, I saw another photographer with a large lens speed-walking toward a slough with open views. I hoped that the thing that had caused this rare burst of speed was the very bird I was looking for. I decided the effort was worth the chance, and unpacked my gear to follow him. I was happily rewarded when I saw the ibis poking through the mud, in gorgeous evening light. I had about five minutes with the bird before it was spooked by passerby’s and flew off for the day.

April 19, 2010January 14, 2013

American Avocet With Food (Photo of the week)

I photographed this american avocet at first light, just as the sun was peeking over the eastern horizon. Like most avocets this time of year, this one is in full breeding plumage, with reddish feathers all around its neck and head. In non-breeding plumage, its head and neck match the white of the rest of its body. This avocet had just snatched a food item from the shallow water. They feed either by dunking their entire head into the water, or by skimming their upturned beak across the surface of the water.

Early morning is a great time to photograph wetland birds as the water is usually very still, and the birds tend to be very active with morning feeding. Also, with the still water and low sun angle, reflection shots are possible.

Here are a few more photos from the same morning of this and other avocets.

American Avocet With Open Beak — An American Avocet opens its beak to call as it feeds in early morning

American Avocet With Grass — An American Avocet is reflected in a shallow pool, a blade of grass decends from its beak

April 14, 2010January 14, 2013

Creativity tip #2 – Go small

Princess Flower Dew — Dew stands out on the petals of a princess flower (Tibouchina)

Tip number two in the creativity series is to enter the world of macro photography. If you ever feel that your photography is getting stale, or would just like to try something new, think about taking photos of life’s smaller members. You need the following to get started:

1. Your camera. Whatever you normally use – point and shoot, SLR, whatever.
2. At least 1 hour of uninterrupted time. This should give you some time away from your normal day to think and let the creative juices flow.
3. A confined space (a backyard works well). You should limit the area you cover so that you are really forced to see this space in a different way.

Flower Abstract — In abstract, macros of flowers can create unusual patterns

Your goal is see your designated area with an eye toward the details. Get down on the ground to get eye-level with a rock. Move in close on that flower petal. Capture the veins of a leaf. Many point-and-shoot cameras have a macro mode (look for the icon of the flower) that will allow you to focus closer than normal. For SLR users, if you don’t have a dedicated macro lens, you can employ the use of an extension tube in between your lens and your camera body (I use a set of Kenko tubes). This moves the focal point of the lens further away from the film plane or sensor, essentially allowing you to focus your lens closer to your subject than its normal minimum focal distance.

Blades Of Grass — Sunlight shines through the backs of blades of grass

Don’t be discouraged if you get bored after the first half hour or so. It is after this point that you will really start to reap the benefits of this forced creativity. At this point, think about new angles on old subjects. Shoot your house as an ant might see it by peaking your lens between blades of grass. Capture some detail of an ice cube melting in the sun. Whatever you do, think outside the box. Your hour will be up before you know it, and you should walk away with some pretty intriguing photographs.

Storm Remnants — Rain drop remain on the broad leaf of a calla lily after a passing storm

April 12, 2010January 14, 2013

Snowy Egret Reflection (Photo of the week)

This photo was take this week just after sunrise. When I got to the area in which I wanted to shoot, I looked for a spot next to a pond where lots of birds were congregating. As I approached that area, they all moved to the opposite side of the pond (as expected). However, I just sat down and waited, knowing they’d be back.

By lowering my tripod close to the ground and sitting behind it, I accomplished two things. First, I knew by my low profile and by keeping very still, the birds would stop perceiving me as a threat and move back to their original locations. Second, by getting down to their eye level, I could create more intimate images of the various species.

This egret actually showed up to the pond just after I did, apparently unaware (or uncaring) that I was hunkered down beside the shoreline.