Kiss the Day Goodbye

The light of day fades slowly as we begin to wind down for the evening.  The "Magic Hour or Golden Hour" approaches.  

In the deep south, folks sip mint juleps on the front porch.  The west coast signifies back-to-back cars driving home in thick traffic with sapphire blue views of the Pacific coast.  In west Texas' Big country, an evening horse ride under a rose-hued sky can gently close out the day.  In the Great Lakes Region, couples sit on the beach staring into periwinkle skies that melt into deep aqua water.

Softly Fading Sunset on the Leelanau Peninsula on Lake Michigan
Nikon 600, 24 - 85mm, ISO 50, 6/10 sec

The "Golden Hour" hues create magical moments for the photographer.  Harnessing the light and color correctly is part artistry and part skill.  A photographer who creates amazing magic with light is global photographer Richard Bernabe.  His recent image posting from Iceland "Picture yourself in a boat on a river....." on his Facebook page inspired me to buy his book Essential Light: Photography's Lifeblood.  

Rich in content along with camera settings used to capture specific images, the Essential Light eBook is  filled with facts that we know and facts that we 'forget' in the moment of the shoot.

Last Flight of the Day....one of my 1st sunset images.  ©Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 5100, 55 - 300mm, ISO 200, f/9, 1/800sec

Landscape, sunrise and sunset images can be readily captured with the Nikon or Canon lens that's bundled with the camera. For wider angle shots, wide angle lenses reign in big images that can surround the viewer.   Both Nikon landscape lenses (as well as Canon wide-angle lenses, other manufacturer's) offer multiple, diverse wide-angle options.  My personal next-to-buy item is either the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED or the AF-S-NIKKOR-14-24mm2.8G-ED.

Whether you are new or seasoned in photography, a sense of humor in exploring different settings, angles and lenses fosters an open mind to the possibilities you can take from real life to image.

The Sun's Evening Kiss by ©2013 Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 600, 24 - 85mm, f/29, 1/10 sec

There are so many sunset horizons to view, many evening moments in nature to share with others.  So little time.

Photographers not only chase the light.  Photographers practice creating images with the light and the focal points they been given with every press of the shutter.  Happy Shooting!

Finding The Photographer Within Us...

How many times have you said, "I wish I had a camera" or "I want to start taking pictures?"

What do you love to spend free time doing?  What energizes you to wake up early?  Stay longer than planned?  Answer these questions and you may find your inspiration.

Yellow Male Warbler "Hide & Seek"
Nikon 5100, 70-300mm f/6.3, ISO 500 1/1000th sec

For years I've studied birds through binoculars to get  close-up views of these spritely, colorful beauties.  On a few excursions, a friend brought her camera. Each time she did, I mumbled "I wish I had a camera."

It was Christmas 2011 when my husband surprised me with a Nikon kit that had 2 lenses.  I must have looked at him funny because he smiled and said, "You've been wanting a camera for years."  I was thrilled!

And yet, it sat in a box for three weeks.  In early 2012, I pulled my camera out and took five pictures of a chickadee.  It looked like a tiny bird on a branch.  Back in the box, it wasn't used it again for a few months.

So what in the heck was my problem?  A bird lover and nature enthusiast, I had always wanted a camera.

The reality was I didn't want to start at the beginning.  I wanted to capture bird images that reflected their details, their expressions.  Details of flowers, brilliant color hues, soft backgrounds were desired state.  The term 'depth of  field' was foreign but I wanted that soft, 'blurred look" complementing the focal point.

Chicory Flower
Nikon 600, 105mm, f/16, ISO 250, 1/50 sec

I started with Google Images by typing in bird species such as bluebirds, mockingbirds, warblers to see what other photographer's images looked like.  Then Google Images took me to tulips, roses, wildflowers.  Google Images continues to be a great place to see the possibilities.

A spring Easter trip to sunny Arkansas was a week away.  A trip to California was close behind.  Time to take out the manual to learn the camera.

The manual, while thorough in learning the buttons and menus, was still a manual.  Off to Amazon to see what ebooks were out there that would explain the features and when to use them.  Nikon for Dummies sounded just right even though I would have preferred that the title read Nikon for Smart, Impatient People.

Eastern Screech Owl
Nikon 5100, 55-300mm, f/8, ISO 320, 1/320

Now that I understood how to operate the camera, I needed to understand how to artistically capture the image.  Short, 'how-to photograph' eBooks. They're easy, quick to the points and inexpensive.

The eBook that was instrumental in putting it all together was Jim Harmer's 60-page book Improve Your Photography: How Budding Photographers Can Get Pro Results.

At the end of chapter two, I understood how to use my camera as a photographer.  By chapter five, I was engaged in wildlife photography.  And by chapter six?  Hello RAW, bye-bye JPEG.  Chapter ten, composition.

These thirteen game-changing chapters inspired me to dive in.  Instead of five images, I take many using different settings and angles.  Some subjects can easily consume one hundred plus presses of the shutter.  To draw out what captivated you to take the picture requires many shutter snaps from multiple perspectives.  Thank goodness for digital and a bit of evolving patience!

Northern Mockingbird April 2012, one of my first images as a photographer
Nikon 5100,  55-300mm,  f/5.6, ISO 500, 1/1000 sec

Since then, I've downloaded more ebooks, talked to other photographers, linked to photographer's Facebook pages and talked extensively with my local camera guys.   Dennis, Rick and Roy at Woodward Camera get involved with where I am at skill-wise and offer insight into decisions.  When your camera experts understand you, their suggestions and questions drive better outcomes.

Hint:  while there's a time to shop online as there are many diverse resources available, there's definitely a time to shop locally.  You are investing in more than a camera, you are investing in you!

Sunset in San Francisco, 2012
Nikon 5100, f/10, ISO 200, 1/320 sec 

Photograph what you love and you'll find the photographer within.  Happy Shooting!

Watching the World Wake Up...Sunrise Photography

Sunrise Sun-Puddles by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon D600,  24-85mm,  f/16 ISO 50 1/40sec

It's 5:30 a.m.  Your corner of the world is still chasing dreams.  Except for you.

The coffee is brewing while you're filling your cameras with fully charged batteries. You need to be out of the door and at your destination by 6:15 since sunrise is at 6:33.  Hurry up.

Hurry up only to watch, breath and wait.

Wait for the world to wake up.  Digital Photography Schools' 15 Minute Exercise to Improve Your Photography can be easily applied during the waiting for the sunrise window.  Our best, most creative images happen as a result of watching for the moments versus planning perfect shot.

Velvety hues of color drift in just before the sun rises. Midnight blue skies are mirrored on sapphire blue waters.  Colors of gold dance across the lake.  Cormorants fly across rosy blue waters.   Great Blue Herons stroll along the pier taking in morning's glow.

Synchronized Morning Wing Plan by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 7100, 70-300mm, f/5.6, ISO 250 1/1250sec

Your time and timing is crucial.  A few minutes of missed sunrise considerably changes color and composition.  Wunderground accurately tracks sunrises on your laptop or smartphone so you can set your schedule the evening before.

What you see and feel in the moment of capturing the photo is not always translated to the image.  Sunrises can look flat or simply like a yellow spot on a dark background. Boring!  Having a foreground focal point along with trying different exposures can quickly change sunrise images from "nice" to "Wow".

Great Blue Heron:  Watching the World Wake Up, Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 600, 24-85mm, f/9, ISO 250 1/100sec

Whether we're just beginning in photography or have a lot of experience, having your own mental tip checklist can make the difference from a nice picture to an image that draws the viewer in to the moment.

There are many articles and tips from talented photographers to help guide all levels.  A few standard must-haves include a good tripod, shoot in RAW and manual mode, use Lightroom or other high quality image processing software.

A reference page that's a quick read, filled with lovely images and their settings, tools of the trade and lenses used is Nikon's Shooting Spectacular Sunrises and Sunsets.

The sun has risen, many images have been captured and the beach chair beckons for a partner.  Time to rest as the sunset is just hours away.  Happy Shooting!

After the Sunrise by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 600, 24 - 85mm, f/22, ISO 80 1/10sec

Invading the Invasive

The bright buzzing bee tickles the chicory flowers as she moves from stem to stem in the abandoned, wild garden.  In the background, a red winged blackbird sings its' sharp screech while perched on a low branch.  The moment of making the big decision of the morning arises.  Do I use my telephoto for the audaciously loud blackbird?  Or, do I stay with my macro to capture the bees?

Sweet sweat bee enjoying some morning Chicory
Nikon 600, 105mm

Both wild and cultivated gardens have flowers, insects, birds and other natural gifts offering a changing pallet for the photographer.  The natural order and food chain that provides this pallet needs to be protected and preserved.  Our understanding of how native plantings, compatible plantings and invasive plants impact nature's gardens is necessary for balanced environments.

Native plants are adapted to the combination of water, soil, temperatures and nutrients.  As a result, they are energy efficient, require less maintenance and enhance the food chain.  Natives easily fill gardens, fields, roadsides with color that returns year after year.

The Lady Bird John Wildflower Center site has a quick guide to finding out if your favorites are considered native along with other event and conservation information.

Red-winged Blackbird
Nikon 7100, Sigma 150 - 500mm

Invasive plants do just the opposite.  They consume more water.  They require chemicals and potentially radical methods to destroy.  They can become aggressive and destructive weeds to the local habitat and ultimately, nature's order.  Natives are basically choked out of their habitat.  Invasive plants' resistance to local bugs and insects cause insect decline or disappearance.  When local insects decline, sadly, other's in the food chain follow.

Our call to action: invade the invasive plants and take them out of our gardens, landscapes by the roots!

Information and warnings of invasive plants can readily be found on the internet.  Check out Cornell University's Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program to see a listing of invasive plants and the research work Cornell is performing.

Going "native" does not mean that you get rid of your beautiful, well-tended compatibles. Compatibles coexist nicely with our natives.  Rose bushes, hydrangeas, hostas, annuals and other plants while require a commitment for care, do not tear down native habitats.  It's important to understand your non-native plants behavior before planting.

Today, more nursery's are carrying more native plant inventories.  A nursery that is leading by example is Four Season Nursery in Traverse City, Michigan.   They are very active members of organizations that promote native planting habitats including Saving Birds Thru Habitat.

So whether we are gardening, birding or capturing images...knowing and nurturing our native plants and what they attract will protect and enrich our environment.

Happy Shooting!

About the Birds and the Bees....the Pollinators

The 'birds and the bees' and the 'flowers and the trees' can have multiple meanings, depending on who you ask.  For nature photographers (and gardeners), they represent amazing wonders to be shared.

Lunching Goldfinch image
 Nikon 5100 55-300mm

Let's start with our birds.  They need protein-rich foods that come from seeds and insects.  When we plant native flowers and trees we are supporting and sustaining their food chain.   Learn more about Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants through the website and informational book.

The female goldfinch pictured to the right efficiently uses the thistle-seed for nutrition and the thistledown (soft fibers) for nesting material.  Thistle flowers are a beautiful, vibrant purple and their downy material provides wonderful, artful interest in the fall.  If you like goldfinches - plant thistle in your garden!

You and the birds will be rewarded with a frenzy of cheerful, colorful activity.  Since their food and nesting source blooms later in the season, you may also have another round of bird families in your own personal habitat.

Little bluebird of happiness, Nikon 70 - 300mm

Eastern bluebirds enjoy insects and
invertebrates. 2/3 of their diet comes from grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and beetles.  The other 1/3 is made up of wild fruits.  Pesticides, insecticides can take away their food sources quickly.


For additional insight into habitat trends and planting native plants visit Saving Birds Thru Habitat, where Kay Charter and the volunteer group live by example in "Helping to improve habitat for migrating birds one backyard at a time."

And now for our precious, life-sustaining bees.  There are many described species of native bees that pollinate wildflowers and crops.  The bad news is that the population, the honey-bee in particular, is on a serious decline.  The global impact to crop growers and ultimately consumers is and will continue to be costly.  National Geographic's article The Plight of the Honeybee shares our current state and actions being taken.

Honeybee savoring breakfast on spring morning
Nikon 105mm

There's a website where you can learn more about these colorful pollinators and how you can help including planting native plants in your garden and neighborhoods:  www.pollinator.org Also, check out 18 different species of bees on this Identifying Native Bees Poster.

Sweet Sweat Bee enjoying a native Chicory flower
Nikon 600 105mm

Nature photographers have the privilege of sharing birds, animals and insects in action.

Skills of patience, discipline, creativity and anticipation of the 'next move' are crucial for images that pull the viewer in to the environment.  

Before we capture an image, the fundamental element, our environment must be managed and protected by all of us.  Let's all do our part and plant native plants this summer and fall.

So What's in Your Camera Bag?

Whether new or established in photography, one thing is for sure.  What's in your camera bag is important.  No, we're not talking about Nikon vs. Canon, lenses, or other camera gear.  This is a bit more fundamental.  Outdoor photographers do not go out for a few minutes to take a few images and head back into the house.  We easily can spend one half hour on one tiny bird, bee or flower.

Wonderful warbler nest building discovery during 4 hour photo walk

This is about being able to stay in the field energized with the long term ability to focus on your subject and make snap (pardon the pun) decisions on f/stops, shutter speeds, ISO, aperture, etc.

This is about snacks.  Seriously?  Absolutely.

You wouldn't go out for a long hike without water and food.  With nature photography, hiking is a almost a given. Our equipment can be heavy - multiple cameras, lenses, tripods.  We exert a lot of energy before capturing our first image.

With many food products out on the market for endurance athletes, there are many snacks that are suited for endurance photographers too. They are tasty, fast to eat and help extend your energy without needing to drink caffeine multiple times per day.  Additionally, being easy to pack and not easily torn as to get ooey-gooey food on any of your gear is another important factor.  So here are some recommendations of products you can find just about anywhere.

Small compact snacks:
Sport beans are fun and you only need a few, Shot bloks - while chewy are also good. 1 or 2 will help provide sustained energy - both of these should be consumed with water to be effective.  Luna bars also work great and are a bit more fillling if you have that 'I need something substantial' feeling.  A new product ERG is a recent find, my current go-to bar  and one of my all-time favorites from a Michigan-based company - gluten free, natural ingredients, no preservatives and terrific flavors.

Female bluebird busy with her spring home

Pack your own snacks:
If you have a Trader Joe's or something similar -  there are buy in bulk fruit/nut snacks of all combinations that allow you to load your choices in a zip lock bag - reuse these whenever possible!  Dry cereal - frosted mini-wheats, your favorites - can work in a pinch.  Costco offers rice crackers that are gluten free and have a low glycemic index (which means our energy lasts longer check out Low Glycemic Information, Nutrition Data).

A snack that could defy Dr's Orders:
Beef Jerky while loaded with sodium is protein packed, comes in resealable packages and is just plain good.  Be careful, you could attract a bear or two.

And for those of us who convince our partners to join our journey for the day - a nice touch is to pack an ice-cooler of a light lunch and beverages for a surprise picnic to reward them for their patience with us.

Happy shooting!

Protect It....and They Will Come...Back...

Pure Sweetness , a Piping Plover photo by Sheen's Nature Photography on Flickr.

Nature photographers love to get up close and personal with their subjects. In addition to lighting and location there is one crucial element that has to happen before we even get started. The thriving and surviving of our subjects' habitat.

Many articles, documentaries and environmentalists have so much information that it can be overwhelming. Throughout all of their research there is a common thread - awareness and protection.

Let's take the precious Piping Plover which has been on the Michigan endangered list since 1986.  Natural predators are foxes, crows, gulls, etc. combined with human disturbance.

Additionally, to quote Kay Charter, founder of Saving Birds Thru Habitat "It's not only humans that cause problems, an increase in many other species that predate on these ground nesters take an incredible toll. We can all help by giving them their space and by keeping our pets away from their nesting and foraging areas." The Piping Plover's protection is their camouflage - with their nests being on the ground they are exposed to many hazards. If disturbed too much, they will abandon their nests.

The Piping Plover has not been seen in the Northern Leelanau Michigan area for 8 years. Yet this year there are 2 families about 5 miles apart with chicks being born just last week.

Nap Time - Piping Plover Chick,  Sheen's Nature Photography 

So what brought them back? Hopefully, it's the optimal environment for breeding for sustained livelihood on the peninsula!

For many years, dedicated organizations like The Leelanau Conservancy are intentional about every action they take with regard to protecting land and the environment.  Over the course of time they have forever protected 10,000 acres of spectacular views, sensitive wetlands and working farms.

Members of  The Leelanau Conservancy have also been communicating frequently with Saving Birds Thru Habitat and the Department of Natural Resources on the recent return of the Piping Plover. It takes multiple organizations and individuals partnering to document activities, safeguard their environment to bring future returns.                                                                                                                

These little juveniles have a 30% chance of survival to adulthood - they need a lot of help!

Proud Papa Piping Plover, by Sheen's Nature Photography

The Not So Obvious Destinations....

Pretty In Pink Dragonfly, a photo by Sheen's Nature Photography on Flickr.

We all have our favorite go-to places for nature & bird photography. When seeking photo subjects it's also energizing to find new places through travel or local jaunts. What the years of birding (before diving in to photography) taught was that some of the best nature sights are not always in the 'destination wedding' locations.

Take the Pretty In Pink dragonfly....brilliant colors along side a beautiful blue water setting. Yet, this image was captured at the Hornsby Bend Water Treatment facility in Austin, Texas. Check out the Hornsby Bend Observatory website.

Of all the lovely places to visit in the Live Music Capital of the World...a few hours were spent amidst slightly odorous waters, muddy, buggy, yet very safe conditions. Other sitings here have included Glossy Ibis, Pintail Ducks, Yellow-headed blackbirds, Black Noddy, Sora rails and amazing insects and butterflies. A definite go-to spot for nature enthusiasts.

In a Marietta business park near Atlanta last fall, there were hundreds of monarchs just flitting and hanging out in the beautiful landscapes - tremendous photo opportunities. (Sadly, a business trip so no camera). Typically, we don't think of going to a business park on the weekend. Your neighboring business parks may have created nature friendly areas filled with flowers, shrubs that attract beautiful subjects. In Birmingham, Alabama it was a pleasant walk through another business park's landscaping watching Brown Thrashers and Eastern Towhee's flitting about closely as they are not shy of the daily influx of people.

Grooved-bill Ani's hang out in a "Dump" site in SouthTexas near the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.   Check out Friends of South Texas National Wildlife Refuges where you'll see Great Kiskadee's, Chachalaca's, etc..   On the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan, Snowy Owls are seen on farmlands in winter.  Now, that was an awesome, chill-bump experience!  I'll share that one in a later blog.

Recently at a baseball diamond beside Crescent Lake, Monk Parakeets fussed and groomed on the chain link fence in St. Petersburg, FL.

It takes a little detective work on the internet, networking with other photographers and reaching out to local birders and nature groups. Just this week via Google+ photography networking, I discovered a nature area one hour away that is on my radar for this weekend.

You can readily find new local gems where nature all but waits for the camera. Happy shooting!

Back to the Wild - One Rescue at a Time

Barn Owl Beauty, a photo by Sheen's Nature Photography on Flickr.

As nature photographers, it is a privilege to capture images of nature in the wild. Whether it is our favorite spots, a planned visit to a new location or a surprise sighting when you happened to have the camera handy - seeing nature first hand creates fast heart beats and draws out emotions.

We also get exposed to great organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting our subjects. The Castalia, Ohio Back to the Wild rescues over 2500 animals each year with a return rate of 60% back to their habitat.

In their journey, they provide the community with education and access to rescued animals. This image is from their education event at Magee Marsh during the Biggest Week in American Birding.

Every time nature photographers share an image - we are touching someone. It may be education (what type of 'bird' is that), inspiration (I want to go and see that 'bear' in the wild) and exposure (for those who cannot venture out due to health, etc).

So a special thanks to Back to the Wild and the many other volunteers and photographers who share their stories and images.

Shared Space

When we are chasing our subjects with the camera, sometimes we are so focused on the forest, we miss the trees. While processing this bee image, I noticed a 2nd very 'green' guest enjoying this lovely thistle flower too. A lucky moment!

Shared space by ©Sheen's Nature Photography, a photo by Sheen's Nature Photography on Flickr.