jamesmcnamara

DSC_4739-1

NIKON D500

settings

Aperture f/11 ISO 3600 Shutter 1/1600 Focal Length 5000/10

upload_date

Feb, 2019

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Honey Bee at work. Point Vincente, San Pedro, CA, (12 JUN 2016)

She is hunting low over the wetlands at IRWD - San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary

Belted Kingfisher perched to sight the next meal at Bolsa Chica Wetland on Sep 5, 2016

At Bolsa Chica on flowering bush next to PCH Parking Lot.

Taken at Irvine Water District San Joaquin Wetlands on 11-4-2017.

Photographed from Pt. Vincente, San Pedro, this view of Santa Catalina Island was full of sparkles in the ocean and mists shrouded.

White-Tailed Kite at Harriet M. Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach, CA

Allen's Hummingbird resting. At South Coast Botanic Gardens, Torrance, CA on 11 DEC 2016

Kangaroo Paws at Huntington Library Gardens on June 2nd, 2013

Even the most dainty Anna's Hummingbird needs to take nature breaks. This was photographed on 14 DEC 2019 in the back yard of the Sugg's res

Acorn Woodpecker at Carbon Canyon Regional Park on 23 SEP 2016

Taken of fish close to shore in very clear water just west of dam.

American Wigeon at Madrona Marsh, March 25, 2016

Behind The Lens

Location

Photo of Great Egret stalking prey taken at Whittier Nature Center in El Monte, CA in the semi returned to wild adjacent San Gabriel River bed from the walking-biking trail.

Time

From the time stamp this was taken at 8:46 AM.

Lighting

This was a hazy kind of morning overcast light with photographer facing east so bird was backlit and practically screaming to be noticed. On this day sunrise was 7 AM and sun was not high in sky at time of photo (about 1:45 after sunrise).

Equipment

Camera settings: Manual mode, Auto ISO (~3600), F11, 1/1600 S, 500 mm. Handheld camera on BlackRapid shoulder belt. Do not normally use a tripod especially when I will be walking 2 to 5 miles each outing.

Inspiration

Bird was hunched over, ready to strike. Watched 10 minutes and bird eventually just relaxed and gave up the hunt. It was apparent the bird saw something that looked like food, some movement caught his eye. This type of bird is known to wait 30 minutes or more to capture snakes, lizards, frogs, and fish, so was hoping to get a photo of bird catching prey.

Editing

Cropped image to bring bird even closer and darkened image and found it instilled an anticipation of impending action. Worked in Classic Lightroom.

In my camera bag

For this image any camera, even a kit camera with kit lens would have taken a great photo since bird was close and light was uniform. I always keep spare batteries, spare memory cards, soft lens brush, and hoodman lens cleanse wet dry wipes for emergencies (mud splash) that rarely happen. I also keep a high fidelity sound recorder to capture the bird sounds.

Feedback

Get lots of practice. Give yourself opportunities to see what nature will show you today and tomorrow as frequently as possible. Play with camera manual settings in different light and get used to cause / effect of settings and image. You will eventually only need a few test shots to dial the camera in to the light you find at each location.

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jamesmcnamara

jamesmcnamara

DSC_4739-1

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow jamesmcnamara

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