Barred Owl

  After the last visit to the old apple orchards and coming across a great horned owl.I decided to head back in search of him again.When I approached the orchards I spotted an silhouette in the branches,as I edged my way towards her I realize it was a barred owl.
  While I watched her rest I wondered if I would ever get this close again,so I sat and enjoyed our time together as we made eye contact she did not seem threatened by my presents.
  As I hiked back to the trails I ponder what could await me the next time I enter the woods.Guess that why I love hiking in with the camera and spending time in nature.

Barred Owl checking on me

Barred Owl enjoying nice day

Great Horned Owl

 While out hiking came upon a great horned owl sitting in some old spruce trees.After the surprise of shooting him,as he left I finished my hike checking on an old apple orchard and reliving what just happened and how  I should of done things differently.To my surprise when I returned back the owl had returned to the same area resting further up in the branches I watched him for about 1/2 hour as he watched over the the ravine before darkness chased me out of the wood.Here are few shoots of him,hopefully will have better luck this evening.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl stare down 

Sushi For Birds

  Over the past month while out shooting I've been trying to focus on catch the birds feeding.The start I was lucky enough to pass a loon feeding near and old wharf which gave me a good hiding spot.               

 

A few days ago we had a snow storm which brought in a few birds close to the shore where I set up a few ice clampers to hide behind and had a few red breasted merganser feeding on sculpins while a seagull tormented them to his success.

stolen meal

snowy dinnertime

 The next morning I returned to the shore watching a few common goldeneyes,while I was shooting a goldeneye feeding on a sculpin to my right I was startled by a splash,as I turned I seen a eagle raising out of the water with a cod in his talons.This really pleased me but unfortunately drove all the birds away. 

common goldeneye with sculpin

eagle with cod

 Hopefully with the ice moving in I have better chances to get out and catch more birds feeding near the shorelines.Most photos were taken with the Nikon d90 and Sigma 150-500 hand held.

Five Favorite Photo Experiences Of 2011

    After going through some of my photos of 2011 and cataloguing them.I come to appreciate how many time I've been able to escape to photograph the past year.
    I'd have to say buying my Nikon D90 (Sigma 150-500,Sigma 70-200 and Nikon 18-105 lens)gave me the kick in the butt I needed to get out more.Really happy with the set-up so far,the 18-105 isn't bad for landscapes would like to pick up a 10-20 lens.the 70-200 2.8f is really nice and sharp,by far my favorite so far the 150-500 seems to work very well up to about 440mm and sweet spot at f9 does well with the wildlife.

     By far the most memorable photo shot was with the Eagle.I spent about 4 weeks feeding and shooting about 16 eagles in the winter months which brought me within 10 feet of these beautiful birds.I really would have to thank Wayne Gouthro(great feeder) and Larry Kelly(photographer)for taking me along and sharing in the fun.

    The most emotional shoot I've had came by find a young grey seal ashore after a storm seemed to be separated from the rest of the seals.I spent about an hour with the young pup,was hard to leave him alone on the beach at the end of the day,check later as the tide came in an found no trace of the little one hopefully he made it back with the group.

     The most peaceful photo shot would have to be the two weeks I followed 2 foxes as they hunted after the snow melted,they both had no concern that I was with them usually within 20 feet and running ahead to get better light angles.I've always love these animals and to spend 5 or 6 days so close to them was a dream come through,one was still around this summer and came around me for a morning while I chased some Loons ,hopefully I can find them back this spring.

    The most colourful shoot would have to be the trip out to Bird Islands in Cape Breton.I headed out to the Islands to shoot razorbills,black guillemont and the atlantic puffins.I made 2 trips out as the first was very rough seas but still worth the effort as seen many birds.Can't wait to re-visit the Islands this spring again.

    The longest coming photo shoot has to be the gannets,I've always wanted to get close to these beautiful birds and had tried a few years pass with little success.As the summer came on I was fortunate to be on the beach as the flock chased the fish ashore,then I made a trip to watch them soar along the rocky shore.Finally came within eye contact with these birds and was worth the wait.
  That was most of My year of shooting except for the week in the fall I spent shooting waterfalls in Cape Breton I had a terrific year shooting.Can't wait to see what 2012 brings

Happy New Years 2012

 Well it's been about 1 year since I've started this blog,Been a little lazy at it some time with working and no time to get out and shoot but definitely improved my attitude to get out and try and find new subjects to shoot.
  In the early winter of 2011 Eagles were my subject of choice and had a great time doing it(hopefully the next few weeks I'll get back after them). The spring brought me to the farms and my Foxes ,which I always wanted to do and am grateful I had some great encounters.The Summer I chased my Gannets and Puffins,with a little a bit of infrared shooting.In the Fall had great time with the waterfalls of Cape Breton,as well as my blackducks in the pond.
As for the year to come I hope to hope to chase more waterfowls this winter as well as my foxes.
Well its been and interesting year I hope to keep this blog going and hopefully start a website to share my photos with everyone.........Happy New Years 2012

Back In The Marsh

 After the trick or treaters headed out,sat down with the lap top backing up my photos on the external drive noticing I hadn't been out as much as I taught chasing waterfowl this fall.After getting my camo-suit out and boots made plans for the next morning.
 As I reached the marsh in the dark, I set up a few feet from the edge of the cattails just as the sun rose heard many geese flying behind the trees, unfortunately none came to the water.As the light came up I noticed a Grebe swimming around driving,to my surprise I watched her catch a small trout.
 Once a few birds flew by, a couple of blackducks  landed to my left side playing about,after about half hour few mallards started to pitch in for some great landing shots.
 As the sun came up and the birds stopped flying about I came to realize how much I missed my days following the waterfowl vowing to return in a few days.Here are a few shots from the morning:

blackduck settling in for a snack

male mallard dropping in

muskrat passing through

Mushroom Hunting

 With the approach of fall colors holding back a little,decided to head in the woods toward the old growth trees in search of mushrooms.
 As soon as the temperature drop a few degrees this morning,I headed in the woods,with a little searching came upon a little patch containing quite a few different  kinds of mushrooms,but unfortunately the rabbits and squirrels had been out having thanksgiving dinner before I arrived.
 I managed to spend some time capturing a few shots with my D90....unfortunately didn't have time to look up the correct names for all the mushrooms.....enjoy..I DID.