Pic of the Day

Sand Tiger Shark, Carcharias taurus: Tennessee Aquarium; Chattanooga, TN

     I had a great time at the Tennessee Aquarium today with the family.  Both the Ocean and River aquariums are fantastic.  I have only been to a few aquariums around the country, but I have to say that the Tennessee Aquarium is the best I've seen!  Shooting was not easy, low light required high ISO settings (3200), which increases noise, but the Nikon D800 handles noise extremely well.  I found the aquarium to be a photographers dream.  Where else can you shoot fish without getting wet! 

     

A few Facts:  Adult Sand Tiger Sharks can reach 6.5 to 10.5 feet in length, and can weigh 200 to 350 pounds.  The Sand Tiger is a coastal shark and can be found in U.S. waters on both the Atlantic and Gulf coast.  For more facts on the Sand Tiger Shark, click here.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 35mm f2, 1/80 second @ f3.5, Handheld  

Pic of the Day

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula; Fort Myers Beach, Florida

     This Snowy Egret with its spread wings was captured landing in a tide pool during an early morning feeding frenzy at the Fort Myers Beach sandbar.  Other birds feeding were Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelican, Willets, American Egrets, and Tri-colored, Little Blue and Great Blue Herons.  The feeding frenzy occurred for three mornings in a row.  I guess it took that long to deplete the fish trapped in the tide pool.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, 1/1250 second @ f7.1

Pic of the Day

American Coot, Fulica americana; Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area 

   This American Coot with its chick was photographed at the Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, just west of Bountiful, Utah.  Farmington is about forty-miles south of the popular birding hot spot, Bear River Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Brigham.  Though Farmington is smaller than Bear River, it is well worth visiting.  A number of trails traverse Farmington providing an intimate view of nesting waterfowl, avocets and stilts.  Farmington is well worth a visit for both bird watchers and photographers.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1000 second @ f7.1