White-Tailed Deer

Another image from earlier this year that I have recently processed. While trying to photograph indigo buntings at the Fort Worth Nature Center back in May or June, I found this pair of white tailed deer feeding and got some images with the nice late afternoon light before they slowly made their way across the prairie. Enjoy.

Canon 7D | 100-400 | Fill Flash a possibility

* I do not have the exact shooting data right now because I am having issues with Lightroom, sorry! Click the image to view the larger size.

Great Egret in Habitat

Sorry for the shortage of posts lately, I have not had any time for photography which is really disappointing since most of the wintering ducks and sparrows as well as the goldfinches have arrived here and I have been very anxious to get out, hopefully that will happen soon. For now here is a image from earlier this year that I took at the Fort Worth Nature Center and just processed last night. I cloned out a small line of water in the upper part of the frame and cropped to pano.

Image Data:

1/640 | f/8 | ISO 200

click image to view larger size.

Another Wood Duck

Here is one more image of a wood duck that is probably one of my favorites I got a few weeks ago. There were about 3 wood ducks perched on this tree limb overhanging the pond at the botanic gardens and getting a clean image of one was a small challenge. This one turned out the best despite the not perfect head turn. I cloned out a small cluster of OOF (out of focus) leaves on the lower left corner and worked on the eye some as it suffered from steel eye caused by the flash. Hoping to get out for some duck photography very soon as I have just purchased a pair of chest waders that I am anxious to try out.

1/160. | F/8 | ISO 2000 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Another Wood Duck

Here is another image from last Thursday. I was happy when this one wood duck hopped onto a small rock overhanging the pond that he and the other 4 or so ducks were in and posed there for about 10 minutes allowing me to get some images. Once again, I was limited to a slightly higher than desired shooting angle due to garden rules, but actually it worked out in my favor as the water colors make for a nice background, I think.

1/200 | f/8 | ISO 1250 | Fill Flash

Some More Wood Ducks

1/50 | f/8 | ISO 800 | Fill Flash

On Thursday I returned to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens for some more wood duck images and this time I got some shots of them in the water. The lighting was difficult resulting in having to use slower shutter speeds than I would have liked on some of the images like the one above.

1/320 | f/8 | ISO 800 | Fill Flash

I think this one is probably my favorite so far despite being a little soft in the head area. I just love the color of the water and her pose. I will probably go back yet again sometime this week for more, cannot get enough of these great looking ducks especially when they are so cooperative!

Stay tuned for more to come.

Wood Duck

Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated this blog, I hope I still have a follower or two out there! After a busy summer where I had very little time for photography, it was great to get out and shoot for a bit yesterday. I went with my mom to the Botanical Gardens that are right on the outskirts of downtown Fort Worth, hoping to find some cooperative wood ducks and we were very pleased to find about 7 chilling out on a small island and very approachable. It was hard to get a perfectly clean shot since you are limited to where you can shoot from in the gardens, but I got a couple that I am pleased with. I am planning to go back very soon for some shots of them in the water. This one was taken while lying down on a concrete path with overcast skies.

Hope you like it.

Image Data:

1/60. | f/8 | ISO 800 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Black-chinned Hummingbird IV

The Black-chinned Hummingbird series continues with this image featuring the same bird and plant as in my previous shots posted. I thought the pose here was interesting with the dangling feet and wings pointing forward. Taken a week or so ago in my backyard in the morning.

Image Data:

1/2500 | f/8 | ISO 500 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Black-chinned Hummingbird III

I am sorry once again for the long gap in posts, the extreme heat here in North Texas has made it difficult to get out for any photography, we are on our 34th consecutive day of 100+ degree temps, not fun! I have still been working on the black-chinned hummingbirds in my backyard though and have not been having a ton of success lately. This morning has been the best in a while, although I have been unsuccessful in getting the hummers to any other type of flower than their favorite, which is the Fire Bush (Flame Acanthus) pictured here. I will keep persisting though, 108 degrees and all! Hope you like this one from this mornings shoot.

Image Data:

1/2500s. | f/8 | ISO 500 | 580EX II + Better Beamer

click image to view larger size.

Black-chinned Hummingbird II

Here is another shot from last Thursday of a female black-chinned hummingbird taken in my backyard. I spent a little more time this morning trying to get some more images, but the hummers were not cooperating. They spent the whole time I was out there chasing each other around, once one would get anywhere near my setup, the other would come swooping down from the tree and off they would go again. They are really fun to watch though, especially when they try to scare off the bigger yard birds.

Image Data:
1/2500s. | f/8 | ISO 500 | Fill Flash
click image to view larger size.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

After a very busy June and equally the same first half of July, things are finally starting to slow down a bit and for the first time in over a month, I was able to get out with my camera yesterday morning in the backyard to work with the hummingbird visiting the garden. This female Black-chinned hummer has been coming to my hummingbird designated garden for about a month now and up until yesterday I have not had the time to try and photograph it. So, I was very happy to spend a little time working on a simple setup. I cut off a small branch from the hummingbirds favorite plant in the garden, which is a Fire Bush, and attached it to a old cheap tripod using techniques from Alan Murphy's Guide to Songbird Set-up Photography and placed it right next to the bush but where I could get a good clean background. When the hummingbird arrived at the garden my branch was the first one she visited and I was able to get some pretty good images. It is feels great to be photographing again!

Image Data:

1/2500s. | f/8 | ISO 500 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Another Prothonotary Warbler

Sorry for the recent lack of posts lately. I have been much too busy for any photography these last few weeks, but I am hopeful that that will change soon. Here is another image of the prothonotary warbler taken at the nature refuge last month, cropped from horizontal to eliminate some very distracting sticks.

I hope that I will have some new stuff to share soon!

Image Data:

1/200 | f/8 | ISO 500

click image to view larger size.

New Look

How do you like it? I have wanted to redesign my blog for a while now, especially since the launch of my web portfolio earlier this year. I felt I needed a design that looked similar to my portfolio, so I just chose a new template from blogger and tweaked it to my liking. There is now a "share" gadget on the bottom of each post so you can share a post via Twitter, Facebook, e-mail and so on if you see something you like and want to share with others. Anyway, I hope you like the new look, and please feel free to comment on what you think about it!

Painted Bunting

One of my main goals this summer is to get some good images of painted and indigo buntings at the nature refuge about 15 minutes from where I live and so far it looks like it will be a promising endeavor. In just over two weeks I have come across some very cooperative individuals of the painted bunting on multiple visits to the refuge and have encountered quite a few indigos as well. I have gotten some decent shots of the painted so far, like the ones above, but still have not gotten the shot that I have in mind. But seeing as it is only May, I think I will have many more chances in the coming 4 months or so to get the images I want. One of these was taken on a cloudy day last week and the other this past Wednesday afternoon under some difficult late afternoon light and it did not help matters that I did not have the flash settings right...

Image Data:

1st

1/160 | f/8 | ISO 200 | Fill Flash

2nd

| 1/160 | f/8 | ISO 400 | Fill Flash

click images to view larger size.

Prothonotary Warbler II

Here is another image of the prothonotary warbler taken on the same day as my last post. This is a better looking perch than the one in the last image, but this is probably the best pose I got. I was out again this afternoon trying for some more images of this guy, the light was much better but the bird never gave me any good opportunities. I will for sure keep trying though. This was my last time out for about 10 days as I will be leaving for Connecticut on Saturday morning for a 5 day trip to visit family, I might post again before I leave though. For now I hope you enjoy this image.

Image Data:

1/160 | f/8 | ISO 500 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Prothonotary Warbler

My plan to visit the Fort Worth Nature Center on Wednesday was washed out thanks to some thunderstorms. So I changed plans and went on Thursday which was overcast and a little cooler. I had great success with the prothonotary warbler that can be found singing in the marsh along the boardwalk of the refuge every year. I love this little warbler and was happy to finally get some good images of it. There was also a indigo bunting along the marsh that was coming pretty close, but I had to leave and was not able to get any images of it. I will for sure be going back on Monday if the weather is good.

Image Data:

1/200 | F/8 | ISO 500

click image to view larger size.

Painted Bunting

Here is a shot of a painted bunting taken at the nature center on the same day as my last post of the indigo. Again using the iBird app on my moms iPhone, we were able to call this guy over to us for me to get some images. I wanted him to choose a lower perch, but he did not oblige. I was still happy to get this one though. I think I might have over sharpened it a bit for the web and will have to go and tweak it later. I am hoping to go back out tomorrow to see if I can get some better images of both buntings on cleaner perches and surroundings, wish me luck!

Image Data:

1/200s. | f/8 | ISO 320 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Indigo Bunting

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I went over to the Fort Worth Nature Center to see if we could locate the painted and indigo buntings that have just recently arrived for their summer stay. Last year we were able to get close looks of the painted but never got very near an indigo. So we were extremely excited when we found not only a few painted but also several indigos singing in the large prairie that borders a woodland. Using the iBird app on my moms iPhone, we were able to call a few individuals down from the trees and within photographing range for me to get some decent images. The lighting was not ideal and the birds were choosing bad perches, but I was just happy to get my first image of a indigo! I plan on going back soon when there is some better light to work with.

Image Data:

1/250 | f/8 | ISO 320 | Fill Flash

Click image to view larger size.

Red-Winged Blackbird II

Here is the look back pose I promised to upload. Taken at the same time as my last post. I am hoping to go over to the FW Nature Center this week to look for some warblers and other spring migrants. I am particularly hoping to find northern parula and black and white warblers and photograph them if possible! For now though I hope you like this image!

Image Data:

1/400s. | f/8 | ISO 200

580EX II + Better Beamer

Click image to view larger size.

Red-Winged Blackbird

I went to the reservoir on Monday evening in hopes of getting some coot or grebe images, but had no luck. Instead, I got some good shots of this juvenile (I am guessing) red-winged blackbird. I was happy to add a few images to my collection of this species, since I did not really have any great shots yet. I will post a look behind pose in a day or two. Spring migration is in full swing here with reports of painted buntings, dickcissel, warblers and shorebirds being seen around the metroplex, I hope I can get out to a few of the locations in the next week.

Image Data:

1/400s. | f/8 | ISO 400

580EX II + Better Beamer

click image to view larger size.

Pied-Billed Grebe

This is another image taken on the same day as my last post. Among the ducks that came close to where I was positioned, a pied-billed grebe was one of them and I was very happy to get a few images of it as I did not have any decent ones before. I was really kicking myself for not having my flash with me to help deal with the bright afternoon light. I seem to learn lessons the hard way, always be prepared!

Image Data:

1/640s. | f/8 | ISO 400

Click image to view larger size.

Blue-Winged Teal

I went over to the reservoir yesterday afternoon to photograph some of the ducks that are still around. I waded about 10 or so feet into the chilly water and positioned myself next to some reeds and covered myself with camo netting. I did not have to wait long before a flock of coots and some teal started to get close allowing me to get some images. Unfortunately the light was not at its best and by the time it was getting better, the ducks started moving to the other end of the lake. I got a couple of keeper images but want to go back and try again in some better light. Next time I will take some bread or corn to try and lure them close when the light is right.

Image Data:

1/800s. | f/8 | ISO 400

click image to view larger size.

Great Blue Heron Portrait

Here is another image of the same great blue heron that I posted last week, this one a portrait. I have still not yet been able to return to the botanic gardens where this was taken to photograph the wood ducks. I think I will have to wait until spring break is over to avoid the crowds that usually come daily for picnics and other outdoor activities at the gardens before I can get back there to photograph the ducks. Hopefully I can return there next week.

For now, I hope you like this image!

Image Data:

1/250 | f/8 | ISO 500

Click image to view larger size.

Great Blue Heron

Sorry for the recent lack in posts, I have been pretty busy and have not had much time for photography this past month. Thankfully, I was able on Friday to go to the Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth with my family, a spot I have been wanting to return to but have not been able to in over a year. I went mainly to scout out the best places within the gardens to photograph wood ducks. There are streams and small ponds throughout the 109 acre gardens and I found several pairs foraging in many of them. I plan to return this week or next to focus on the wood ducks and will hopefully get to go back many times throughout the year as it looks like a very promising location, I am excited for sure. For now, here is a photo of a very cooperative GB Heron in one of the ponds, who was not very successful in catching something to eat, so thus no food in beak images! I slightly blurred the background here to give the subject some pop. I like the sense of habitat in this shot. Hope you like it.

Image Data:

1/80s. | f/8 | ISO 500

Click image to view larger size.

Canon S95 Review

I have wanted to do a review of the S95 for a while now but have not had the time to do it and to tell the truth I am just not good at writing reviews. So, check out this nice basic review of this fantastic little camera over at the blog of Bret Edge here.

It really is a terrific camera!

Goldfinch II - High Key

It seems like we just cannot lose the winter weather here in north Texas! The temps are below freezing again with light snow and sleet falling as I write this post. So, I will share with you another image of a goldfinch taken last week during our other little winter storm. Since the skies were overcast, I went with a high key effect for this image. Once again, the goldfinch snubbed my perch for this drab tree branch, oh well.

Hoping to get out and make new images soon!

Image Data:

1/1600s. | f/8 | ISO 500 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.

Goldfinch

Well, just a few days after the DFW area was covered in a sheet of ice about a quarter of a inch thick, we received a good blanketing of snow on top of that last night. For the most part driving has been impossible except for short drives up to the grocery store and stuff like that. So I have been in the house most of the day, aside from a snowball fight with my siblings for a hour or so at the park and a few drives around town. In part it has been good since it has forced me to go through some old photos and do a lot of deleting, organizing and editing. I have also taken a few images of the Goldfinches at their feeder outside of my bedroom window, like the one above. Unfortunately, they prefer the dead branches of a small tree instead of my nice natural, self selected perches that I have set up, go figure! It looks like we will get above the freezing mark for the first time this week tomorrow which should melt the worst of the ice, so I am looking forward to getting out for awhile!

Anyway, I hope you like this image taken this morning.

Image Data:

1/1600s. | f/8 | ISO 400

click image to view larger.

Web Portfolio Launched

Hi Everyone,

This week I have launched a web portfolio with some of my favorite images. I have been wanting to start up a website for a while now and just have been too lazy to build my own or pay for one to be created. My brother told me about a free website creator with templates and some good features, so I decided to give it a try. With a lot of help from my brother (thanks bro!), we got up a site that looks pretty decent. It is not a permanent site, but will suit my needs for now. I am still in the process of adding images and tweaking the site design, but please visit it and let me know what you think!

www.landonstarnesphotography.com

Brant

The weather here is in the teens right now with ice covering everything. The bird feeders are very busy and I might try to force myself away from the fire indoors to the bone chilling weather outside and see if I can get some shots. Anyway, here is another image of a Brant taken last week at Sachuest Point NWR. I singled out one bird from the group and waited for a wave to raise it up to eye level. This is probably the best image I got of a Brant on the trip. I blurred the background just a bit here to try and make the bird stand out a little better.

Image Data:

1/500s. | f/8 | ISO 500

click image to view larger size.

Trip Report - Connecticut

We arrived back in sunny DFW on Saturday from a 6 day trip in Connecticut where there was never ending snow, or so it seemed! I had planned stops at Hammonasset State Park, Sachuest Point NWR and Bluff Point State Park. On my second day in CT I went to Bluff Point on a pleasure hike with some family and did not take along the camera, I really regreted that! I came across several sparrows, a red-breasted nuthatch, and a bird I was unable to ID on that hike, all within easy photographing distance. I never made it back to Bluff Point. On our third day, the rental car would not start because of a dead battery. All morning was spent on the phone with the rental car company, who were really rude, and all afternoon spent waiting for a new car. Day three was wasted. The next couple of days we were limited to how far we could go due to the huge snowing that was taking place. Finally on our last full day in CT with the temps warmer ( 30's ), we made it out to Sachuest Point, my target location. I had high hopes of seeing and maybe photographing the harlequin ducks, but only caught sight of one male and a few females way off shore. That was very disapointing, where were they? Maybe I was in the wrong spot. There was a large flock of brant fairly close to shore though and I spent most of my time photographing them.

I also photographed this song sparrow along the path.

All in all the trip was not very productive, but fun anyway. I hope that it will not be long before I go back to Sachuest Point, it was a beautiful little location and bet it is great in the summer!

Virginia Opossum

I went out to the Fort Worth Nature Center yesterday for a couple of hours. I saw a lot of white-throated sparrows on the riverbottom trail, but did not have any luck getting them in the open. I took this image of the captive opposum at the visitors center. I took this through a wire cage, and managed to keep the image clean except for it's right eye where it is noticeable a little. Tomorrow I leave with my mom and two of my sisters for a trip to Connecticut for a visit with some family. I plan on doing some shooting at Sachuest Point NWR in Rhode Island and Hammonasset State park if time. My main target species is the harlequin ducks and purple sandpipers and if lucky maybe a snowy owl. I will post when I get back and will give a trip report and hopefully have some photos to share as well.

Image Data:

1/30s. | f/8 | ISO 200

Click image to view larger size.

Yellowlegs

I took this image back in December at VCDB in Arlington. This lone yellowlegs was feeding alone in a small pond, I liked the ripples in the water so I took a few images. I am debating on the right crop, maybe less on the bottom? Taken from the car in late afternoon light. I hope that you like it.

Image Data:

1/1000s. | f/8 | ISO 500

click image to view larger size.

American Coot

Here is a image taken on a overcast Tuesday morning at a park. There is a large pond/small lake at this park that is host to a lot of scaup, shovelers and coots as well as geese and whistling ducks in spring. This particular coot jumped out of the water and walked around on the grass close to me, looking for bread handouts no doubt. I thought the grass was a great setting so I managed a few images of it before I got distracted with some gulls. I like the image except for the composition, I needed more room on the bottom and unfortunately I did not have any.

Note to self: compose in camera with more room all around!

Image Data:

1/160s. | f/8 | ISO 400 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.