Photo of the Week! A Loon with Open Wings!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4 AFS @ ISO 500, f/7.1, 1/2500

A symbol of Minnesota and one of the prettiest birds you'll see, graced me with this beautiful photo opportunity this weekend. This photograph was taken in north western Minnesota on a calm summer evening.

The hardest part of photographing loons has been find them when the environment was just right and the environment was just right last weekend. I'm talking about a nice low sun angle, calm water, a clean background not to mention a cooperative loon.

With all of the elements in place I slowly approached this loon from my fishing boat. I used my trolling motor which I operated by remote control. Once the boat was in position with the sun to my bad I fired away with my camera lens resting on the calm edge of the boat.

Now if that was the end I would have been excited with an amazing experience and photographs but that wasn't it. The loon suddenly leaned back and stretched his wings and I let loose another burst of shots. I knew immediately that the focus and exposure were dead on and I was ecstatic!

Photo of the Week! Gull Gone Fishin'

Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500 OS, ISO 320, f/8, 1/1600

With all of the fishing Derek have been doing ourselves lately, this only seemed fitting. This Ring-billed Gull doesn't need a pole, lures or hooks though.

Photo of the Week! Grey Jay

Nikon D90, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, ISO 1000, f3.2, 1/1600

After a warm 4th of July weekend, I thought I would post a photo with a little snow in it. This was taken last winter in northern Minnesota on a very cold and windy day. I have found that I'm much more apt to sit out in cold weather than I am in warm weather. I'd rather be a little cold than sweaty and covered in mosquito's!

Photo of the Day! Tern

Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500mm OS, ISO 250, f8, 1/1000

The last couple of years Chad and I have gone out on his boat to photograph Yellow-headed Blackbirds. We would take a break and head to a rock point where gulls and turns would hang out. Check out our old blog post on Photographer Insurance. This photo came just before Chad's dip into the lake!

Photo of the Day! Sanderling

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/25000, +1/3ev, SB800 for fill

Once again, I wen back through my photos from Pensacola, FL. I was up walking the beach early in the morning when the temps weren't too hot yet. As I was walking along the beach, I would spot a group of Sanderings chasing the waves back into the gulf. I sat down and just waited for them to get into shooting range. The trick was to get my shots before someone else came walking towards me and scare them off.

Photo of the Day! Look What I Can Do!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/320, +1/3ev

I couldn't help but to laugh when these little guys would stand up to stretch and do some yoga moves. In this case all I could think of was this guy trying to show off to Mom while she was preening herself in yesterdays post (Momma Goose).

Photo of the Day! Momma Goose

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/250, +1/3ev

Momma goose took time for herself while the young ones were busy feeding. This goose sat in the same spot for almost 30 minutes while the youngsters were walking and laying in the grass nearby. It was hot late in the day when I was out shooting and the geese seemed relaxed and enjoying the warm weather.

Photo of the Day! Gosling

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 400, f8, 1/500, +1/3ev

Last night after them temp cooled off a bit, I grabbed my camera and headed over to the area were I had previously photographed the goslings. I was exactly 4 weeks ago I first came across this family. To my surprise they had the same number of little ones running around and feeding. I will keep me eye on this family so I can watch their feathers develop and eventually leave that location.

Photo of the Day! Gray Jay

Nikon D90, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, ISO 640, f5.6, 1/320

This photo was taken in northern Minnesota early last winter. This was one of the few photos I have used my Nikkor 300mm without the TC14 attach. The Gray Jays have little fear of people allowing to use shorter focal lengths.

Photo of the Day! Ruddy Turnstone

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/2000, +2/3ev, SB800

I really miss being on the beach with my camera right now, so I thought I would post a photo from my Florida trip. I only had one chance to shoot a Ruddy Turnstone, but I think I made the most of it. One thing I learned while shooting on the beach it to bring a flash and shoot at least +1/3 of a stop to get the nice soft colors in the background to show.

Photo of the Day! Tree Swallow

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 wTC14e II, ISO 500, f6.3, 1/1600, SB800

This was from a couple of weeks ago while shooting Eastern Bluebirds. The bluebirds would have to defend their nest from constant harassment from the Tree Swallows. I like this picture because it makes the story of the tree swallow "attacking" the bluebird nest better with the angry look in his eyes.

Photo of the Day! Gosling pt. II

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 400, f4.5, 1/1250, +1/3ev

What I like about this photo is that it shows the size difference between the adults and the goslings. These goslings couldn't be more than a couple of days old when I took the photo. I hope to have some more soon for you all.

Photo of the Day! Gosling

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 400, f4.5, 1/2000, +1/3ev

Here is part two of my trip to the local pond where I found three sets of goslings roaming around. I still plan to head back there ASAP before the fly away, but weather and my job has ruined those plans so far.

Photo of the Day! Female Wood Duck pt. II

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II, ISO 640, f6.3, 1/1000

Here is the second image from last week's wood duck adventure. I was lucky enough to have a wood duck pair to swim past me to get this shot. I hope to get to that spot again soon to see if I can photography the male.

Photo of the Day! Killdeer

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, ISO 400, f5, 1/1600, +1/3ev, SB800

I took this photo just a few minutes after I took the "Baby Goose" photo that I shared yesterday. There is a resident Killdeer pair in a field close to home that is accessible by vehicle. I'm interested in following them as they nest for the spring and summer months. As I was watching the pair a Coopers Hawk swooped at them halfheartedly.

Photo of the Day! Baby Goose

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14e II @420mm, ISO 400, f4.5, 1/1600, +1/3ev, SB800

In honor of the text I received at 0136 hours this morning from good friend that gave birth to a little girl, I thought I would post my first gosling photo of the spring. I was surprised to find 3 sets of families on one small pond close to my house over the weekend. I plan on going back to watch them grow over the coming weeks.

Photo of the Day! Field Sparrow

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 TC-14e II, ISO 500, f6.3, 1/2000, +1/3ev, SB800 for fill

This is from last weeks shoot with Chad at Hyland Park, MN. Chad and I were there looking for eastern bluebirds when this little field sparrow was chirping below the bird box. I quickly fired off a few shots while he was on the perch.

Photo of the Day! Ruddy Turnstone

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/tc14 @420mm, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/2000, SB800 for fill

Again I was up early walking along the beach looking for shorebirds. I found a single Ruddy Turnstone feeding in the early light. Luckily, it was cooperative letting me shoot for a few minutes before it flew off.

Photo of the Day! Mallard

Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500mm OS, f8, ISO 400, 1/1250

I took this image last spring at my favorite duck pond. I was hoping to go there this few, due to flooding I'll have to wait a few weeks.

Photo of the Day! It's your Tern

Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500mm OS, ISO 250, f7.1, 1/1000

Once again, I'm trying to think of warmer times ahead and open water. This photo was taken on Lake Waconia in western Hennepin County just south west of Minneapolis. I can't be for sure, but it could have been the same trip that Chad's boat almost sunk!