Summary of Photo Work

In recent weeks, I’ve been working on so many things, it’s hard to remember specifics.  We were in the Davis Mountains of west Texas for two weeks, then we spent a week in Wichita Falls.  Much of the rest of the time, I’ve been getting ready for this winter’s and spring’s photo tours… obtaining permits, motel reservations, etc.  At last, it’s time to launch the photo season.

This week, I will lead photo tours at South Padre Island and in the North American Butterfly Association butterfly park for the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival.  Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico trips are coming up fast.

If you want to sign up for a trip, just check my Photo Tour schedule on this site.

Here are several images from the late summer and early autumn period:  Click on an image to enlarge and sharpen it.  If you click on the right side of a photo, you can advance to the next one.

Gray Fox sitting on a hillside in the Davis Mountains, Texas.
Gray Fox sitting on a hillside in the Davis Mountains, Texas.

These gray fox images were captured after sunset with my new Canon 70-200 mm f 2.8 lens with 1.4 teleconverter, hand-held.  I had read about its sharpness and the  quality is more than I’d hoped for.

Gray Fox begins its afternoon hunt in the Davis Mountains, Texas.
Gray Fox begins its afternoon hunt in the Davis Mountains, Texas.
Rufous Hummingbird male landing.
Rufous Hummingbird male landing.

Most of the hummingbird images were done without aid of multiple flashes.  These were done with a single flash used as a fill light.

Large, red flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds in the Davis Mountains, Texas.
Large, red flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds in the Davis Mountains, Texas.
This male black-chinned hummingbird shared a butterfly garden with several species of hummers during the fall migration in west Texas.
This male black-chinned hummingbird shared a butterfly garden with several species of hummers during the fall migration in west Texas.

By using the on-camera flash, I was able to photograph hummingbirds at relatively slow shutter speeds (1/125 – 1/200 second) to capture great light and wing blur.  Of course,  the blur gives a sense of motion to still image.  The trick is to keep the bird’s eye sharp.  For this capture, I used a Canon 7D camera, 500 mm lens with Really Right Stuff flash bracket and the Canon 580 EX flash.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird from the Ditto's front yard in September.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird from the Ditto’s front yard in September.

Dr. Beto Gutierrez and I had a good afternoon of photography in late September at his Santa Clara Ranch, one of the premier photo ranches in south Texas.  The next four photos were done from a photography blind at a water hole with year-round feeders.

Testing the new 70-200 mm lens on landing mourning doves at Santa Clara Ranch.
Testing the new 70-200 mm lens on landing mourning doves at Santa Clara Ranch.
On a warm, sunny afternoon at Santa Clara Ranch, everything is thirsty.
On a warm, sunny afternoon at Santa Clara Ranch, everything is thirsty.
Many migrating songbirds stop in for a drink at the Santa Clara ponds.
Many migrating songbirds stop in for a drink at the Santa Clara ponds.
Ample summer rains set off some late nesting for quail and doves.
Ample summer rains set off some late nesting for quail and doves.

 

An afternoon at the historic missions of San Antonio was productive.
An afternoon at the historic missions of San Antonio was productive.
Arches at the San Jose Mission convent in San Antonio.
Arches at the Mission San Jose convent in San Antonio.
Photogenic gate at Mission San Jose, San Antonio.
Photogenic gate at Mission San Jose, San Antonio.
Looking through a doorway at historic Mission San Jose, San Antonio.
Looking through a doorway at historic Mission San Jose, San Antonio.

Keep watching for fresh work in the coming weeks.

Larry