Florida Beach Bird Photography: Part I

Make no mistake about it, observation and photography of birds found in woodland habitats is greatly enjoyable and rewarding having devoted a lot of time to the pastime these past weeks during the Fall 2013 season.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

There is, however, greater personal enjoyment in making observation of shore and wading birds at the beaches in southwest Florida with virtually no concern of the time of year. The images presented in this article were photographed on 9 October 2013 at Bunche Beach Preserve in Lee County.

The immature Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The immature Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

I was in touch this past month with Mitchell Harris reporting from Brevard County who gave some great insight into pelagic birds he's seen near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. His initial late summer 2013 report included "roughly" 700 Red-necked Phalarope among a handful of Pomarine Jaegers. Mitchell's observations were made at Canaveral National Seashore's Playalinda Beach. At this time, Mitchell's Seawatch images cannot be viewed readily. Snow Bunting has been reported at Playalinda Beach in November and December in recent years.

The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

Reports of boobies continue on the west coast of Florida with irregularity in 2013. My recent trip to Bunche Beach was made with the company of Frank Constantin. We each chose our observation points to document the wildlife. It was my great fortune on this day to capture a personal best image of all wildlife I've photographed these past six years.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer with juvenile above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

My favorite wildlife photograph thus far captured, which will not be included in my pbase favorite's gallery (poorly maintained), is the only image readily available for your personal enjoyment with printing and framing in mind. Contact me at swflorida.birder@gmail.com to discuss its details (please use "skimmer" in the subject line). No beach home or another should be without it.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The immature Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

A repeated visit to your favorite wildlife venue could offer more than the expected. If taking photographs, be sure to attempt to improve upon your previous effort no matter the conditions and subjects.

The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Western Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

A request was made of me this week for an image of a Wilson's Plover chick, apparently on behalf of Margo Zdravkovic. Too bad her email address provided didn't work for potential international conservation interest of the species.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

I again filled the hard drive on the computer this past week and had to transfer older files to an external hard drive.

The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2013.

Please see: Florida Beach Bird Photography: Article II

Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

There are certainly many photo contests available for you to express your skill, patience, and interest in wildlife and more.

The contest highlighted in this article is for the rapidly closing request for your best efforts at Smithsonian Magazine. This is their 11th annual effort. I do not plan on entering this contest, though will be entering the Audubon Magazine contest again next year.

The rules and prize details for the Smithsonian contest are in italics below. Please see the helpful Audubon rules here.

Enter your image(s) at the Smithsonian Magazine contest here.

Photo Contest Prize Details

Fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories. Smithsonian will notify the 50 finalists by February 28, 2014. Finalists' entries will be published on the magazine's Web site on March 4, 2014. At that time, readers can vote online for one readers' choice winner. The Smithsonian will award eight prizes, as follows:

Grand Prize: $2,500

Category Winners:
The winners of each of the five categories will receive $500

Readers' Choice:
The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500

Mobile:
The best photo in any of the five categories that was taken with a mobile device will receive $500.

One cash prize per person; winners may receive additional noncash prizes. Winners must sign a release and license, declaration of eligibility, and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/11th-annual/Photo-Contest-Prize-Details.html#ixzz2iVrZ8lnU
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter


Photo Contest Rules

Term:
Smithsonian.com’s 2013 Photo Contest begins January 2, 2013 and ends November 29, 2013, at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest and states that they are 18 years old or older.

Who may enter:
Photographers who are 18 years old or older-except for individuals affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, including employees, emeriti, Regents, trustees, interns, volunteers, fellows, research associates and their immediate families (children, siblings and spouses) and others living in their households-are eligible. The Smithsonian will determine winners’ eligibility in its sole discretion.

What to enter:
Five contest categories are drawn from subjects of special interest to Smithsonian.com:

The American Experience—Events, objects or activities connecting the American people to their history or their cultural heritage; photographs that tell us what it means to be an American and provide a sense of what it is like to live in this country.

The Natural World—Animals, plants and landscapes; geological or climatological features; and scientific processes and endeavors.

People—Individuals from all walks of life.

Altered Images—Photographs manipulated for artistic purposes by applying digital and/or traditional special effects (i.e. colorizing, toning, collage, photo composites, HDR, etc.).

Travel—Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place.

A sixth category is for images taken with a mobile device (phone or tablet). The Smithsonian will award a prize to the best photograph submitted in any of the five categories that was taken with a mobile device. You must affirmatively check the provided box to submit your annual contest entry to the mobile competition.

Photographs must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2011.

Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. We do not accept digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos, except for those entered in the Altered Images category. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable for all five categories. If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo, they reserve the right to move the photo to Altered Images or to disqualify it.

For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must secure a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian and provide it to the Smithsonian upon request. A sample release is available at http://media.smithsonianmag.com/documents/PC2013_web_modelrelease.doc.

Photographs that have won any other contests are not eligible. We define winning as having won a grand prize or 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place overall. Photos that violate or infringe upon another person's rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible.

Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. We do not accept digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos, except for those entered in the Altered Images category. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable for all five categories. If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo, they reserve the right to move the photo to Altered Images or to disqualify it.

How to enter:
Please submit photographs and requested information on-line through our web site at smithsonian.com/photocontest. We do not accept photographs submitted through the mail. Submit no more than seven (7) photographs per category. We do not accept more than one contestant per e-mail address.

High-quality scans of non-digital photographs are acceptable. Digital photographs should be taken at the highest resolution possible. Use the on-line entry form on our website. Complete a separate form for each photo submitted. Photographs must be in a .jpeg, .jpg or .gif format. Files submitted may not be larger than 5Mb. The 60 finalists will be asked to submit a high-resolution file or an original negative, print or slide. Original negatives, prints, or slides will be returned to finalists.

The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to disqualify incomplete entries and/or contestants who are unable to submit, upon request, a high-resolution photograph of at least 300 dpi at 3,000 pixels on the longest side or an original photo negative, print or slide.

The Smithsonian may collect a photograph’s metadata upon entry.

By entering the contest, entrants grant the Smithsonian Institution, and those authorized by the Smithsonian, a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly and all other standard Smithsonian purposes. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The Smithsonian Institution will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

Entry deadline:
All entries must be received through the Smithsonian magazine web site by 2pm Eastern Time on November 29, 2013.

Judging:
Judging of the annual contest will be conducted by the editors of Smithsonian and Smithsonian.com. Winning photographs will be announced on Smithsonian.com in spring 2014.

The Smithsonian will notify the winner via the contact information provided at the time of entry; the Smithsonian may disqualify anyone who fails to respond to the notification within five business days.

We will select 10 finalists per category plus the mobile category. Five category winners will be selected, one for each category. The grand prize winner will be chosen from 60 finalists.

The 60 finalists will be notified of their status by February 28, 2014 and will appear on our web site on March 3, 2014. At that time, the public can vote on our web site for one readers’ choice winner from the sixty finalists. The reader’s choice winner will be revealed online in spring 2014.

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Smithsonian reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, the Smithsonian reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. The Smithsonian reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of the Smithsonian are final.

Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging.

Prizes: The Smithsonian will award eight prizes, as follows:

Grand Prize: $2,500

Category Winners:
The winners of each of the five categories will receive $500.

Readers' Choice:
The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500.

Mobile:
The best photo in any of the five categories that was taken with a mobile device will receive $500.

One cash prize per person; winners may receive additional noncash prizes. Winners must sign a release and license, declaration of eligibility, and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/11th-annual/Photo-Contest-Rules.html#ixzz2iVr59cGP
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

Birding In Paradise: October 2013

In the midst of warbler migration season in the Fall of 2013, a trip was made to the Sanibel Lighthouse at Ybel Point on 4 October with additionally a visit to Harns Marsh Preserve and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on 8 October.

The Western Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The visit to Sanibel Lighthouse was with the prospect of Tropical Storm Karen producing a fallout that would be unprecedented for this time of year. The storm was far enough in the Gulf of Mexico that the sky remained clear with light winds in the Fort Myers area.

The Western Kingbird with Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Western Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

In the article (hyperlink above) from Mr. Walsh, senior editor at TIME, he notes an apparent disappointment of the storms this 2013 season. He comments with apparent certainty that the seas will rise.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

I was at the right place and right time at the Lighthouse to make by first observation of a Chestnut-sided Warbler. The bird was immature so it lacked the chestnut color. Vince McGrath was present, and as always offered insight into the wildlife seen.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The juvenile Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

Harns Marsh Preserve again offered observation of Crested Caracara leaving their roost at dawn, though there were only two of the birds seen in much lower light. It is evident the caracara have no particular preference as to where they go although the initial direction of their flight is always the same (northwest).

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The House Wren above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The immature Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

I was also fortunate to make my first observation of Red-headed Woodpecker at Harns Marsh this day as it flew toward the west and north of the cypress stand near the parking area. I made my first observation of Pied-billed Grebe for the season on this visit to the Preserve.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The immature Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

Master wildlife photographer Bob Blanchard has been kayaking at Harns Marsh Preserve routinely and has been making observations of American Bittern among other species at very close range. My visit to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was rewarding as well as I met up with Bird Patrol volunteers Tom Obrock and Walt Winton.

The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.

The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The boardwalk this day offered my first observation of Black-throated Green Warbler. Walt offered interesting insight of the importance of having a pair of binoculars for a much more rewarding wildlife experience. I will acquire Nikon Monarch 7 when it's available at a decent price (about $325 with an offer from Amazon if you apply for their credit card).

The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The White-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Black-throated Green Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.

Tom Obrock advised me this week that he observed a Snail Kite at Harns Marsh Preserve on 10 October.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.