The morning started out foggy and gave some great photographs.
Some things were hidden too though. If the sun hadn’t been low over the swamp and streamed through duck weed I would never have noticed them.
The first two images I leaned over the edge to get some branches to frame the big guy. I could see the sun in his eye so I grabbed these quick. In the shadows but some nice drama.
Buried In The Duck Weed, AlligatorBuried In The Duck Weed, Alligator
Next one I spotted I just went for the shape. He was buried in the thick weed.
Buried In The Duck Weed, AlligatorBuried In The Duck Weed, Alligator
American Alligator in a swamp filled with dick weed.
They get a path to the nest while building it. It’s not very clear while there are no leaves on the trees. In a few weeks you see why.
While raising the young these Egrets will make hundreds of trips through the branches of the nesting trees. They figure out an exact route in and out. A way to land without crashing into anything.
Sometimes a bird will head towards the nest, then turn off to circle around for any other try. They missed the path. It also gives us another try at an inflight shot.
Making A Delivery, Great Egret
Click any image below to view the gallery. If using WP Reader select the icon top right to view in a browser.
‘Baby spoonbills are colloquially known as “tea-spoons”. This nickname refers to their smaller size and underdeveloped, shorter bills compared to adult spoonbills. While officially classified as chicks, “teaspoons” is a widely used term among birdwatchers and photographers to describe them while in the nest.
It’s fun, like shooting a long while ago, but no chemicals or waiting a week for the prints.
I read that you have to learn to see in black and white, plan the contrasts. OK, but I have a perfectly good electronic view finder, much better than back in the day (like there were none).
The OM Systems OM-1 is very customizable, and easy, so I have taken advantage of it for monochrome shots.
Why I Shoot Monochrome JPG
I have my C1 dial set for ;
Monochrome (red filter, extra-sharp, high contrast)
Single shot mechanical (electronic shutter scans data to the sensor, mechanical hits the sensor in a single pass maybe sharper)
Half shutter focus
RAW + JPG (just in case I want color too)
Shutter 320 sec, not slow or fast, a good start
Why I Shoot Monochrome JPG
Editors can still work very well with JPG files. For years I made the mistake of believing an image was cast in stone unless in RAW. Certainly you can do less, but a good editor works fine. RAW editors (like DxO Photolab) only do RAW, but Lightroom, ON1, NIK, Topaz, all work with other file formats too.
Why I Shoot Monochrome JPGWhy I Shoot Monochrome JPGWhy I Shoot Monochrome JPG
Note; When an Alligator opens his mouth like this it is either a warning, or more likely just cooling off. They cool down by breathing through their mouth. Oh, if he’s not getting cool there will be a deep hissing sound…trust me you’ll know.
