The Red-tailed Hawk above was photographed in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.I have only been able to confirm one of these birds to have an identification band with it meant to offer insight into the eagle upon the discovery of its death.
It was on this day that I discovered a truly stunning fault in my photographic technique.
The Loggerhead Shrike above was photographed in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.It has been my style to lay my arm over the barrel of the lens and determined that I may may be counteracting the autofocus of the camera as I capture an image.
I immediately thought with appreciation the time and effort Chris Baker had made in attempting to improve my imagery.
The Great Horned Owl above was photographed in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.Chris gave me the tip of testing the camera's micro-adjustment with my camera's setting previously at neutral and likely a contributing cause for soft images over the years.
Conducting a test virtually as Chris instructed, I was able to determine a +8 setting of this feature to offer the greatest sharpness for the primary lens I use.
The Great Horned Owl above was photographed in near complete darkness in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.Nine test images were taken with micro-adjustment settings from -8, -6, -4, -2, 0, +2 and so on.
Although this test was made with a book on the bumper of my car, renowned Florida wildlife photographer Artie Morris has a more sophisticated approach which he has written about here.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in December 2011.Hopefully an improvement in image quality will be noticeable going forward.
Of course an opportunity to revisit the beach could not be resisted with the chance.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in December 2011.My favorite beach venue at present is Bunche Beach Preserve where wildlife can be appreciated at virtually any time.
While observing the birds working San Carlos Bay at a rising tide, I again attempted to benefit from the rocks near the west channel while resting the lens on one allowing me a very low point of view.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in December 2011.I used my shirt to protect me from the very sharp shells to discover a towel much more suitable to avoid lacerations and improve comfort which I'll have to try to remember on future visits.
It was my pleasure to again see Birdpatrol volunteer and photographer Gail Campbell making good use of her photography gear.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.She was using the Nikon D7000 this day and was keen on utilizing the camera's video function.
I met for the first time John Van de Graaf, visiting from Massachusetts, whom was using the Canon 1dm3 and told me of a website previously unknown where he posts a photo a day.
Gail Campbell above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.What I found most interesting is that John actually captures his images the day he uploads them.
John has been doing this religiously at Blipfoto.com since 2 February 2010.
John Van de Graaff above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.We both had the very fortuitous opportunity to photograph an exchange between Willets fighting over a marine creature.
This event occurred mere minutes before the sun went behind the clouds of an approaching cold front from the north and west which allowed us the use of acceptably fast shutter speeds.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.With a followup visit made to Bunche for my last wildlife observations of the week, I was entertained by the cloud cover in the sky appearing almost exactly inverse of what was seen the day before.
The cause of the hundreds of the smaller shorebirds to simultaneously take flight on the first day was caused by American Kestrel while on day two a Red-shouldered Hawk did the same.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.This event is often unexplained as the birds will all take flight for no reason or a predator causing the event was too quick or far away to be seen.
I couldn't wait for the sun to reach closer to the horizon this day to provide some much needed warmth.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.I was in the water for merely an hour before I began to shiver uncontrollably.
Not a good thing you want to have happen when you are shooting in fairly low light and at slower shutter speeds.
The Western Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.The wildlife activity made it all worthwhile with the birds so much closer than can be seen at Ding Darling NWR.
It was stunning to see another food fight ensue after the quarry was again initially pulled up by a Willet.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.The crab was ultimately had by a Ring-billed Gull that was unfortunately for the Willets in the vicinity unlike the day before.
There were again countless birds observed on the beach and flats of San Carlos Bay this day.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.It was in fact difficult to stay focused on one subject.
The clear sky on the horizon had me in the right place at the right time to attempt to photograph Willet against a reflection of the setting sun which I never had the chance before.
The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.All of the immense enjoyment I had brings me comfort over the introduction to The Butterfly Effect: Part I.
Back in the north Cape earlier in the week I had a wildlife experience I certainly expect to never pall in comparison to future wildlife observations in my lifetime.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.It occurred during an early morning followup trip made to observe Burrowing Owls in north Cape Coral otherwise not seen since 22 May 2010 closer to the library off of Mohawk Parkway.
One of the newly discovered Burrowing Owls, with it making flight from one of its burrows to another, was taken down by a Cooper's Hawk which I have since dreamed about on a couple of occasions.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.The hawk came out of nowhere and may have been stalking its prey.
I believe that the grass and weeds around all known Burrowing Owl burrows should be maintained low to the ground to allow the owls the upper hand over Cooper's Hawk.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.There is a belief that the higher vegetation offers the owls a degree of protection from other predators however.
I cannot help but think that this event would not have happened in my absence.
The sunset above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in December 2011.The Burrowing Owl appears to be a resilient and adaptive species.
They are known to be very protective of their progeny and for that reason will likely continue to increase in numbers.
The Cooper's Hawk above was photographed in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.It was fitting that the surviving Burrowing Owl repeatedly and inexplicably looked into the sky like I had not observed the species to do after nearly 50 hours of study.
Will the demise of the north Cape owl result in an alteration of our future I wonder?
The surviving Burrowing Owl above was photographed in rural Cape Coral in December 2011.Certainly a more significant event than the fluttering of a butterfly's wings.
The Butterfly Effect: Part I
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteGreat resource and stunning images!
I'm taking a group of bird photographers (UK) out to Florida next month and would love to know where the rural cape coral location is.
I've been going to Sanibel every year since 2004 and have had little luck with Burrowing Owls. The Library was good for a few years but was very unproductive in Feb 2010. Any tips on location would be much appreciated.
Thanks
John N