Today at lunch, I had the most incredible time. A 10-minute drive and short visit to Hills and Dales Metropark in Dayton resulted in some wonderful opportunities. I went the H&D to photograph dragonflies and damselflies around the pond - several damselflies were willing participants. Then the most beautiful Red-Tailed Hawk flew low in over the pond. After landing for a short stop at the picnic shelter, it quickly moved to a nearby limb - there it sat for 20+ minutes.
Happy Forth of July
Here is a small collection of my favorite images from the City of Dayton Lights in Flight Fireworks Festival and Centerville Americana Festival Fireworks. Also, don't forget to refocus your camera when you move it - otherwise you end up with abstract art (last image.)
Camp Mowana - Flemings Falls
Dropping Emma off for Senior High Week at Camp Mowana Sunday, I had the chance to run out to Flemings Falls and capture a few images. Camp Mowana is one of the great hidden gems of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio (LOMO). The staff at Mowana has been very nice about letting me photograph various landmarks on the property including the other smaller waterfall, Chipmunk Falls. This visit Chipmunk Falls was blocked by a newly fallen tree, so I decided to head further out to Flemings Falls. Learn more about the history of Flemings Falls here.
I can never decide when to go black and white, and when to keep it color?
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Saturday was July's quarter moon - a Waxing Gibbous, 55% illuminated. The following as a stack of 16 exposures in RegiStax 6 taken at 1200mm on the Nikon D750.
Bug Hunting
Captured a few insects at Cox Arboretum and Garden Metropark this afternoon (along with a few flowers.)
Mariposa and Moon
A check image from Cox Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio.
Summer Music Games in Cincinnati
Enjoyed a beautiful spring-like evening at Hamilton High School experiencing DCI's Summer Music Games. A great line-up of bands and amazing talent.
Bird "Studio"
Decided to set-up the speed lights near the bird feeders and see what I could catch. Here are a few of the images.
Revisiting Cox Arboretum
Today I experienced a first - we saw a Hummingbird Moth at Cox Arboretum. I was able to grab a couple snap shots of it - crazy cool!
High Speed Bird Photography
I've been working on mastering the technique of hummingbird photography. I finally have a complete set of speed flashes, which enables being able to stop the wings in flight. These shots utilizes the Tamron 150-600mm lens and set of four Yongnou YN560iv Wireless Speedlites powered down to 1/64 power. These images were taken early evening. I want to try again mid-afternoon when there ambient light, so I can slow the flashes down to 1/128 sec.
A Case of the Crabs
A big thank you to my wife for spotting this Goldenrod Crab Spider on a recent trip - she says it was an early father's day gift. A neon yellow color, I photographed it on some contrasting purple lavender. The Goldenrod Crab Spider is one of the few spiders in North America able to change its color depending on its surroundings.
Cox Arboretum Waterfall - Color Version
I've edited many of these recent waterfall images in Black and White to help minimize distractions, but this one holds together in color too.
More Waterfalls - Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark
Hoping that the ran brought some life to the waterfalls at Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark. Well. a little but not as much as we hoped.
Incidental Falls at Ceasar Creek State Park
I went out to photograph Horseshoe Falls at Ceasar Creek State Park this evening, but due to the record rainfall today, the falls were flooded beyond recognition. Fortunately I was able to save the trip when I discovered a wonderful incidental falls that would not have existed if it weren't for the rain today.
More Macro - Nikon D750 and the Tamron 90mm
Now that most of the birds have made the migration north, I'm switching my focus back to macro-photography. Here are some more samples from the Nikon D750 with the Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 MACRO VC and the Raynoc DCR-250 2X lens.
Macro Lunch
Couldn't find as many bugs at lunch, but I did find a few interesting subjects.
Nature Photographers Review of the Nikon D500: Sample Gallery
Spent the last 72 hours testing the Nikon D500 (courtesy of Jeremy Mudd.) While I work on writing the review, enjoy a quick sample gallery. The moon image is taken with the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD and a Tamron Teleconverter 2.0x. The paper wasp images feature the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD and the Raynox DCR-250 2.5x Super Macro Lens. The bird photographs are taken with the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD (utilizing a pair of Yongnou YN560iv Wireless Speedlites at 1/64 power for the hummingbirds.)
Back at It
It's been a busy, busy week - and not much time behind the camera. Very proud that my oldest graduated high school, sad that we lost our dear guinea pig, and tired and sore from prepping the house for the grad party. That is all done and behind us. Thankfully, the guys got me out to lunch today to visit Cox Arboretum. All it takes is one opportunity, one bug to have a good day.
Dear Wilbur...
We laid to rest our dear friend, Wilbur, tonight. You're always weary of becoming too attached to a pet, but Wilbur was a constant and gentle presence through a difficult time for our family - a comfort to all of us. Wilbur passed quickly following a short battle with bladder cancer. We will miss you. We love you. God bless you and take care of you. Here are a few of my favorite photos of my furry friend.
Another Tiny Visitor
Tan Jumping Spider by Peter Bartlett
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