More Osprey Pics. These talons are sharp! Remember to keep your distance from this bird. Both parents will try and lead you away from the nest. If that doesn't work, they will take a stand to defend it.

Spoonbill Roseates-

They are graceful and brightly colored. The birds were quite animated on this beautiful early morning shoot. These were shot with a 300mm 2.8 to catch them in flight. On the flats, they were farther away and I really wished for a longer lens. If you only have a longer lens, then they will fly and be hard to follow. It is best to go armed with two cameras. On the tripod, have a 500mm or longer. The 300mm was on a monopod...mostly to keep the lens from wearing me out! We started shooting at 7:30 am and by 9:00 am, they had all flown away.

I find, when shooting birds with white or bright feathers, it is best to set your camera on -1 to -1.3 stops in order to avoid blowing out your highlights. When shooting dark birds (especially against a brighter sky) I usually set the camera on a +1 to +1.3 in order to get details in the shadows. These are only guidelines... evaluating the direction and quality of light is the real key and that takes practice. We spend several days in the workshop applying and discussing the results of these techniques. Join me next year, in Florida, for an amazing experience.

This is something you don't see every day....dolphins mating. Student,Sara Janes, was incredibly patient
and quick on the shutter button.
On our Florida Photo Safari, we also came across an Osprey nest.
You need a long lens. These birds can become aggressive when
threatened, so you want to keep your distance. They are a protected bird and often, large boats will be confined to one place if the Osprey decides to build a nest on it. This photo was also taken by Sarah.

During our Florida Photo Safari , we found a flock of Roseate Spoonbills.
They are one of the most interesting birds I've yet to photograph. Elegant
and graceful, it is a challenge to capture their image in mid flight. They
have a predictable routine. They will usually stay grounded if bathing
and you can get some really unique pictures as they dance around,
spreading their wings to dry. Watch closely when they are dry,
they poop and then fly.

Student, Barbara Hollweg (left) with Jane Goodall (center) and husband, Lewis Hollweg (right) during a conference to benefit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island in Africa. She was the official photographer during the conference and currently volunteers her services to help promote the organization. It is such a joy to work with someone who is so dedicated to helping a such a worthy cause. We are currently working on images of past adventures for her new website. For great picture taking opportunities for your next trip , visit her site first! www.phototracs.com

I had the opportunity to play with a Canon G7 that had been converted to infrared. The Dallas Zoo looks very "other worldly" as my student wanders.

The Pelicans at Whiterock Lake in Dallas are always good subject matter. You can practice action shots as they fly across the lake or take your time getting groups as they sun themselves. I am hardly ever in pictures...thanks Jeanette for letting me be part of this one.

If you like photographing birds, try Florida for a colorful variety. You could see Osprey, Egrets, Magnificent Frigates, Spoonbill Roseate, Cormorants, Ibis, Sandpipers, Herons and many more. Ask about my summer workshops!

In Florida, the dolphins seem to follow us everywhere we go as we cruise around the bay on a luxury boat charter. I found this great boat captain that has discovered the secret of calling these friendly creatures!

I took a few days in the fall to observe the Olney, Illinois annual Squirrel Count. The townsfolk get together every year to count white squirrels, gray squirrels and cats. There is a city ordinance to keep all domestic cats indoors and safe. The loose cats will eat baby squirrels. Olney boasts of over 150 white squirrels in the township. There was a colony in a park near the beautiful condo I had rented. Let me know if you 'd like to join me on this adventure workshop in the fall. This is when the leaves are turning and the colors are amazing.

While visiting a close friend who was living out his life in a long term care facility, I started making small posters, from my photographic stock images, to cheer him up and give him another point of view. This was intended to create a journey inward and to help him become and adventurer instead of a victim. Every visit, I would bring a new one with an inspirational message that I borrowed from the Bible or one that I wrote. I soon found myself giving the photo-posters out to more people. I've made these Photo-Mini-Posters available for FREE on my website to anyone who needs a little "Cheering Up!" Follow this link for a large thumbnail and just cick on any that you want: http://www.imagingtechnologytraining.com/Pages/posterthumbs.htm

Check out this article published in the Fossil Rim newsletter. Jeanette Bennett wrote about our Fossil Rim Fied Trips!
Just follow this link http://www.fossilrim.org/newsletter/Oct06/Photo_Ops.html


Thanks Jeanette!

Here we have a before and after scene at Farmers Market in Downtown Dallas. Collecting digital skies can come in handy when the day is not cooperating. I also keep digital images of sunrises, sunsets and foliage for those times when a picture could be made just a little bit better!