The Block Creek Natural and Turkey Hollow Bed & Breakfast hosted my first March workshop last week.  Some of the photographers wanted to try for “strutting” wild turkeys and March is usually the peak of turkey mating season.

Five photographers worked from all of the 5 photo blinds, the B&B’s spacious porch (for hummingbirds) and along Block Creek which flows through the property.  Most of the trees were just getting new leaves and the red bud trees were in bloom; blue birds were feeding young, turkeys were strutting, and hummingbirds were arriving daily.  Some of our images were captured at a nearby historic farm house; we even photographed the neighbor’s horse.

Here are some of my photos from the week of March 21-24: click on an image to enlarge and sharpen it for better viewing.

This shot was made from ground level with a Canon 5D mark II, 24-104 mm lens with polarizing lens, Feisol CF tripod and CF ball head, .8 sec. at f22, ISO 100.

 

** For Sale: Nikkor 80-200 mm lens, great condition, Not VR…make an offer.

** For Sale: Canon 300 mm lens, f4, IS, excellent condition:  make an offer

Photo taken with Canon 7D mark II, Canon 70-200 mm lens, hand held, 1/1600 sec. @ f8, ISO 400.

There are lots of subjects at Block Creek Natural Area, so I can’t wait to return in mid-April.

Larry

 

THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE!  SIGN UP NOW!

Click on photos to enlarge and sharpen for better viewing.

Share the excitement and fulfillment of fabulous wading bird photography on a two day, pre-festival (Galveston FeatherFest) photo tour with me at a rookery island near Rockport, Texas on Tuesday-Wednesday (April 12-13).  The $700 fee covers your share of the boat and captain for two mornings at the rockery island, professional instruction and assistance by me, and more fun than you thought possible.  Sign up immediately at www.GalvestonFeatherFest.com,  or email: FeatherFest@gintc.org ,or simply call 832-459-5533.

Hoping to see you there!

Larry

During a short trip to Santa Fe, I grabbed a few photos of landscapes to share with you.  The weather was great with clear, crisp (38 degrees in Santa Fe on March 10) days.  While it was raining across Texas, New Mexico was enjoying beautiful spring weather.

Almost everyone seems to appreciate the history and pueblo style architecture of New Mexico.  With some of these images, I tried to capture a sense of those qualities.

Click on an image to enlarge and sharpen it for better viewing.

Most of these images were done with the Canon 5D Mark II and 24-105 lens with polarizing filter, hand-held.

This blue window photo was a little difficult to compose since it was covered by a canopy of ugly fabric.

This apricot tree was blooming in the patio of the Georgia O’Keefe Museum at Santa Fe.  I decided to try it in black and white and color.  The shadows on those adobe walls were irresistible.

This petroglyph photo is my favorite of the trip.  By waiting until sunset on Sierra Blanca and painting the rock face with light during a slow exposure, I wanted to bring the face to life while capturing some color on the peak.

*** If your monitor isn’t properly calibrated, this image may be too dark or too bright to properly render the intended effect.  I strongly recommend that all photographers purchase and use a monitor calibrator and use it often.  I use Spyder3 Express software but several others are available.

As we reached Sanderson and Del Rio, Texas on the return trip, pools of water left by recent heavy rains were everywhere.  Thank you, Lord, for this sunset and reflection after the rain.

*** For sale, both in great shape:

Nikon 80-200mm, f2.8, looks new            $700

Canon 300 mm, f4, excellent condition $700

 

Enjoy spring break, everybody.

Larry