Archive for April 2008

3

IDS Crystal Court Escalator

I like an escalator because an escalator can never break, it can only become stairs. There would never be an 'escalator temporarily out of order' sign, only an 'Escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.' - Mitch Hedberg

6

Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor

An encore to bird week, I had to add this little guy that I managed to catch on Friday afternoon. He was standing on a nesting box and chatting away. They return to the nest 10 to 20 times per hour, so if you find a nest, usually in a dead tree (thus the name), or a birdhouse, camp out and you'll get the shot! Tree swallows have iridescent feathers on their back, and I was wondering if that looks different in infrared? I'll have to go back and find out.

1

Goose, Dog, Man - Cell Phone Sunday

The path around Lake of the Isles is heavily trafficed by all God's creatures, great and small. What's Cell Phone Sunday all about?

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Grab a Pepsi for your Saturday Moment of Zen

Tomorrow: Goose, Dog, Man

1

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator

After 200 shots, I managed to catch this male Red-breasted Merganser earning his breakfast. He was a ways out and it was very overcast, so this isn't that great of an image, but I wanted to show it off. As amazing as this snap was, it is still a consolation prize to me. I was out walking the day before and when I got down to Lake Harriet, there were 13 loons in one area. Everyone there was impressed, pointing, staring and talking about it. I was on a long walk and didn't have time to go home and get the camera and come back that day. When I returned the next morning, the loons were gone, so I hunted Mergansers. Tomorrow: Grab a Pepsi for the Saturday Moment of Zen

0

American Robin, Turdis migratorius

The true sign of spring is the American Robin. His little cheer-up cheerio song brings hope and a longing for summer. They stomp along the ground trying to get earthworms to move and thus give away their presence. The saying The Early Bird Gets the Worm is referring to the robin. Though I enjoy getting up early to go shooting, a squishy worm is not much of an enticement to me. Tomorrow: The Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator

7

The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

The monsters of the midwest have returned as bird week continues here on Mitchster.com. This big guy let out from behind a tree as I was photographing a loon. Luck was on my side as I quickly drew a bead on him and fired away. The high-speed focusing of the Nikkor 70-300mm VR is incredible, only three out of over twenty shots was out of focus. The Great Blue always makes me think of wise old men. They walk carefully on the shore inspecting as they go, looking as if their hands are folded behind their back. When they take off, they are so slow and deliberate. When I accidentally disturb one, I feel the need to apologize. Tomorrow: The American Robin, Turdis migratorius

1

Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapilla

These chipper little chirpers bring a little joy to the long winter, but now seem more plentiful and active. I have been able to get closer to them as well. Interesting fact: The chick-a-dee-dee-dee song is used to maintain contact and keep the flock together.

Shallow Depth of Field

This Chickadee was close enough for me to use a shallow depth of field. Depth of field (DOF) is the area that is in focus in an image. In the case of this photo, it is very shallow in that the chickadee is in focus, but not much else is, only a few inches of the branch he's standing on is in focus. The DOF is determined by the size of the aperture, the focal length and the distance to the subject. In this case I was able to push all three meters toward a shallow DOF. I used a 300mm focal length lens set to f/5.6 and was about 10 feet from the subject. The shallow DOF is the playground of the rich. Large aperture lenses are very expensive — go look up f/2.8 or f/1.8 lenses and you will see. The longer the focal length, the more expensive the bigger apertures. The one meter not affected by price is the distance to the subject. If you can focus close-up on something, you can get the shallow DOF effect with any lens. But if you want to get this effect on live wild birds, you need the big glass. Tomorrow: The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

2

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus

The birds are returning to Minnesota! This Red-bellied Woodpecker allowed me to take a few pictures before he vanished. By that I mean, I could hear him, but couldn't see him. He stayed in the same leafless tree, but I walked around looking for him to no avail. Do they do that squirrel thing where they walk around the tree to avoid you? Odd fact about the Red-bellied Woodpecker: they are named for a small patch of reddishness on their belly that is almost impossible to see in the field. To celebrate the return of the birds, I'm declaring this Bird Week! Kinda like shark week, only a bit more reserved. Tune in tomorrow for the Black-capped Chickadee.