Pic of the Day

     Black-billed Magpie – Moraine Campground; Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado:  I have many photos of Black-billed Magpie.  But, I was not happy with any of them.  While I was photographing wildflowers this Magpie flew to a nearby rock and landed.  I quickly gave up the flowers and began stalking the magpie.  I took photos at a distance just incase the bird flew, but it remained on the rocks and let me make a close approach.

     As I shot I became quite humored by the Magpies antics.  As I shot the Magpie would stretch its head under its body, and between its legs.  It appeared to be picking something from it feathers, perhaps parasites.  Whatever the reason, the behavior made for interesting photos.

     Oh, by the way, I am happy with these Magpie images.  Clear, unobstructed backgrounds and behavior always make the image more interesting.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4 VRII, 1/160 sec. @ f8, Gitzo Tripod with Arca Swiss B2 ball head 

Pic of the Day

Razor-billed Auk, Image A

Razor-billed Auk, Image B

       Razor-billed Auk – Les Iles au Perroquets; Mingan Archipelago, Quebec:  These images are just two of the many Razorbills I photographed at Les Iles au Perrosquets on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.  Just before landing, Razorbills, like all alcids, move their legs from a streamline position under their body (Image B), and bring them forward as they prepare to land on the islands cliff face (Image A).  Most of the Razorbills photographs I shot were of birds with legs and feet in a streamline position.  I was fortunate to get a shot just as the Razorbill was beginning its upward swing and bring its legs forward.  Luckily, I snapped this image as the Razorbill moved into an angle that placed a highlight in the eye as well.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm 2.8 VR, 1/2000 sec. @ f7.1, Handheld using custom made gunstock mount

Who's Looking

     Welcome viewers from Morocco!  You have made Morocco the 90^th country from which viewers have logged on to Bobby’s Photo Blog.  I hope you enjoyed the blog and will forward the URL to your friends.  I update the blog often so please come back…..Bobby

Who's Looking

     Viewers from Macau and the Isle of Man have made these two countries the 88^th and 89^th countires (respectively) from which viewers have logged onto Bobby’s Photo Blog.  Welcome to the blog.  I hope you enjoyed the images and if so, please log on often. 

     For all of you who log on, please let your friends know about the blog as well.  Just copy the URL and pass it on.  Thanks for your help in getting the word out about the blog……Bobby

Pic of the Day

     American Egret – Gatorland; Orlando, Florida:  In January a friend, who lives in Florida told me of the egret rookery at Gatorland.  Gatorland is a major tourist attraction who’s major draw is the American Alligator.  Yes, Gatorland host thousands of gators.  Some of the big ones live in the large natural (looking) ponds.

   In nature herons and egrets naturally nest above gator holes, as gators serve to protect the nesting birds from marauding coons, opossum and other predators.  The ponds at Gatorland provide the perfect nesting habitat for wading birds, and they come to nest by the hundreds.

   This American Egret, in its beautiful nuptial plumes stands over its nest and eggs to preen and adjust feathers before returning to incubation duties.  It was in a perfect location as the evening grew on.  The sun lighted the egret from behind rendering the delicate aigrette plumes in exquisite detail.  It was the delicate aigrette plumes that almost brought the American, and other egrets to near extinction a hundred years ago.  The fanciful plumes were in high demand at the turn of the twentieth century as a fashion accessory for women’s hats.  Fortunately the Audubon Society foresaw the consequences of the plume trade and dispatched wardens and legislation to halt the destruction of these elegant birds.

Nikon D3, Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8, Digital Capture @ ISO 200, 1/400sec. @ f5.6

For more information on Gatorland, log onto their website at:   http://www.gatorland.com

Pic of the Day

   Glassware – Studio Photography: I have been a wildlife and nature photographer for more than thirty-six years, and those who know me know that I am most passionate about birds.   However, my specialty in my undergraduate degree was studio photography, specifically portraits.  Before I started teaching full time, 19 years ago, I operated a studio and made part of my living shooting portraits and products.
   I spend so much time shooting birds these days that I do not get into the studio very often.  So, when I teach a studio class it gives me the opportunity to do demonstrations that allow me explore subjects and create images.  This semester I am teaching a studio photography class.  The first few assignment introduce my students to lighting and its effects through photographing simple subjects.  As the semester progress lighting and subject matter become more complex. 

   I shot this image as a demonstration on how to illuminate a simple object with a single light source.  The image is a close-up of a glass vase.  A single light shinning through seamless white paper illuminates the vase, creating a black line that divides the image with a graceful curve.  The simple object becomes a study in texture, form, shape, and tone; the essence of studio lighting.

   My students have already started shooting the assignments and are producing some very creative works. I will share some of their work on this blog in future post.

Nikon D3, Nikkor 80-200 f4, Digital Capture ISO 200,  1/200 sec. @ f22