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Sandhill Chasing Whooping Crane

While taking pictures of a lone whooping crane, three sandhill cranes came flying in.  They apparently thought that they had power in numbers and tried to chase off the whooping crane.  It made for some very cool photo op’s.  They were almost successful when all of a sudden two other whooping cranes flew in what I thought was an attempt to save the day.  In reality, they ended up chasing away the original whooping crane.  Go figure…

1/500 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, – 1 1/3 exposure compensation

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head

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Posted by  |  August 6, 2017 | Categories: Birds | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sandhill Crane

Found this Sandhill Crane while exploring the back roads of NE Indiana.  Was checking out my favorite Osprey nest when this Sandhill started squawking right behind me.  Almost made me jump.  Turned around but couldn’t see him with a high berm along the dirt road.  Walked up an entrance into the field and saw him walking around very close to me.  He was apparently calling a couple other cranes that were hanging out in the field near the osprey nest.

1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 100-400 II with 1.4x III teleconverter, handheld

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Posted by  |  July 27, 2017 | Categories: Birds | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gun Range Photos

Made a trip to the local gun range with my two brothers while visiting them over the 4th of July weekend.  We typically don’t go home over the 4th of July but it worked out great with being able to spend more time together.

Got a chance to shoot several rifles and pistols and my camera, of course.  Took my 100-400mm lens this time for the Battle Creek airshow, which also worked out well for the gun range.  It was a blast shooting their guns but I also had lots of fun taking photos.

My first gun when I was in 7th grade was a .45 cal flintlock muzzle loader.  My goal at a young age was have an extensive gun collection but my wife is pleased that I changed gears to photography, except for the cost.

Converted these to B&W using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, in order to bring out the smoke and mood of the photos.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 100-400 II lens with 1.4X III teleconverter, hand-held

1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 1600, evaluative metering

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1/1000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 1600, evaluative metering

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1/1000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 3200, evaluative metering

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Posted by  |  July 16, 2017 | Categories: Guns | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

F-22 Raptor

Got a chance to see the F-22 Raptor again for the 6th time at the Battle Creek, MI airshow over the 4th of July weekend.  It’s an amazing plane that never ceases to amaze me with its maneuvering capabilities.

While planning a trip home to visit family this summer, just happened to look up the F-22 schedule and saw it was going to be in Michigan fairly close to home.  Took my two brothers with me and they enjoyed the show as well.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 100-400 II with 1.4X III telconverter, handheld

1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation, 368 mm

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1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1 1/3 exposure compensation, 560mm

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1/1600 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation, 560mm

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1/1250 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation, 318mm

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Posted by  |  July 9, 2017 | Categories: Airshow | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Skimmer’s Landing Gear

This black skimmer was doing a fly-by and actually skimming at Bolivar flats, which is a somewhat rare event in that location.  From my experience over the past several years, they usually just fly around looking for a place to land so this was a very nice change of pace.  Especially since this was during a guide trip that I was leading with three great guys from New Zealand, Canada and Indiana.

It’s always a challenge to capture these birds in flight while using a ground pod since your range of motion is limited while laying on the ground.  Added bonus was he briefly turned directly towards me.  Also like that his feet were hanging like landing gear coming down.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head.

1/1250 sec @ F10, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Posted by  |  June 25, 2017 | Categories: Birds | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

All Puffed Up

This white morph reddish egret was all puffed up while strutting around Bolivar Flats.  There has been a record crop of white morph’s around this neck of the woods lately, which is very cool.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head

1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation

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Posted by  |  June 23, 2017 | Categories: Birds | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Reddish Egret Stalking

This reddish egret was stalking its prey just after sunrise.  He had his head on the down low while running towards the fish.  His legs lined up perfectly that it looks like he only has one leg with two feet attached to it.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head

1/125 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation

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Posted by  |  June 11, 2017 | Categories: Birds | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments