Category: Uncategorized
Thanksgiving at the Soggy Bog
by Susan
I had a choice this year. I could spend Thanksgiving with my camera at the soggy bog: Or I could force my way into the ubiquitous family dinner, which would, of course, require an additional wardrobe purchase: (Is this a trick question?) The choice was a no-brainer. Armed with my camera, lenses, and a lunch consisting of a Pink Lady apple, a piece of … Read More Thanksgiving at the Soggy Bog
In case you were wondering. . .
by Susan
THIS is why the managers at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge drain the marshes every spring. Once reduced to mudflats, the lands lie fallow over the summer, producing lush, duck-friendly vegetation. By refilling the marshes in late September/early October, there is enough water and vegetation to attract ducks to the refuge. Just in time for fall migration. And New York’s duck-hunting season. This guy was … Read More In case you were wondering. . .
Light
by Susan
I’ve been photographing for several years now, but I still feel like a novice. It’s not that I haven’t learned anything — I certainly have — but I don’t feel like I’ve learned enough of the right stuff. Recently I’ve noticed the difference between photography and good photography. Photography — anyone can do that (just ask Aunt Doris to show you her cellphone photos), … Read More Light
+ bridge camera, Coots, Crane, Ducks, eagles, Fish, gear, Geese, grebes, heron, Migration, mirrorless, Montezuma, muskrat, natural, swans, Uncategorized
Carnage Continued: Montezuma National Wildlife…Place
by Susan
Apparently little has changed since 2017, when the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge thought it might be a good idea to devote each spring and summer to cultivating duck-friendly vegetation, hoping to attract large numbers of the waterfowl during the fall migration. Sounds good on paper perhaps, but in practice this creates a wildlife nightmare. In order to provide sufficient acreage for their duck-food garden, … Read More Carnage Continued: Montezuma National Wildlife…Place
+ Africa, Andy Nguyen, baboons, Birds, Crane, eagles, egret, Fish, Geese, giraffes, hippo, Kenya, lions, Maasai Mara, mirrorless, monkeys, Naivasha, Nakuru, rhino, Uncategorized
(In and) Out of Africa
by Susan
Kenya, to be specific. It was a truly unforgettable experience in many ways, not the least of which was the sprawling Maasai Mara and the incredible diversity of the wildlife it sustains. I left the Olympus cameras at home. We really wouldn’t be doing much walking, so lightweight gear was not a consideration. Instead, I used the full-frame Nikon d850 and the Nikkor 200-500 … Read More (In and) Out of Africa
The Gulls at Dufferin Islands
by Susan
Just past the glitz of Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side) are the Dufferin Islands. These islands were created early in the 20th century during the construction of a generating station by Ontario Power Generating (OPG). The area has been a government-administered nature area since 1999, when power was no longer produced there. The islands are rather small and easily traversable. Paid parking is … Read More The Gulls at Dufferin Islands
Practice Practice Practice
by Susan
Been taking my camera out ss often as I can, experimenting with manual mode. And lighting. That seems to be my biggest problem. There was a particular grainy, 18% gray day this week, where everything came out fuzzy and monotone. Like this guy over here ———> I went back on the next day, which was bright and sunny, and did much better. Like that … Read More Practice Practice Practice
It’s Here! It’s a GO!
by Susan
The Wild Wings Photography Tour, Costa Rica 2022 is a GO! This is the kind of birds we will see — — and I am hoping that this is the kind of photos we will take! With Andy’s patient help and expert teaching we will no doubt bring lots and lots of good photos back home. So, get your passports updated and your … Read More It’s Here! It’s a GO!
Wild Wings Day 6: The (Final) Star
by Susan
If Saturday was SuperSaturday, then I would have to say that Sunday was StupendousSunday. I thought I was in photography heaven. When Andy said he was taking us to a rookery, I immediately thought of this: Which is a fairly typical example of a great blue heron rookery up where I live. You know, a stand of dead trees in the middle of a … Read More Wild Wings Day 6: The (Final) Star
+ about me, Andy Nguyen, Birds, Crane, Ducks, Fish, heron, mirrorless, Montezuma, osprey, Uncategorized, Wild Wings Photography
Wild Wings Day 5: The Star
by Susan
Today was SuperSaturday, so by definition The Star of the Day would be a SuperStar. And it was! No doubt about it, it was babies! Babies clearly were the Number One SuperStar of the Day! Our morning outing was delayed by thunderstorms, severe enough to prompt lightning warnings. But once they cleared we were off, looking for SuperStar candidates. It didn’t take long to … Read More Wild Wings Day 5: The Star
Wild Wings Day 4: The Star
by Susan
The Star of the Day today could have been the pelicans, which were quite photoworthy. Or it could have been any of the number of small waders that ran along the shore and entertained us by pestering each other. But The Star of the Day was none of these. It was definitely the wood stork. And not just *any* wood stork. It was THIS … Read More Wild Wings Day 4: The Star
Wild Wings Day 2: The Star
by Susan
No problem choosing The Star of the Day for Day 2, the uncontested winner was the reddish egret. “In the stately and dignified world of herons,” according to AllAboutBirds (Cornell University), “Reddish Egrets are the swashbuckling cousins.” And right they are! Anyone who has watched great blue herons or great or snowy egrets patiently stalking their prey will be quite surprised at the tactics … Read More Wild Wings Day 2: The Star
Seen by Susan: Fun with Flora and Fauna 
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