Yellowstone! Bugler
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, USA — a large herd of Elk have taken up residence right in downtown Mammoth Hot Springs, on the lawns and the central green and around the thermal terraces. This is the patriarch of the herd, bugling his dominance in the early morning light while the sun is still only on the tops of the mountains. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm. Close to full frame though we kept a respectful distance. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Sundown in the high country
Out looking for Grizzly Bears eating caraway roots in the high meadows. Sun just still grazing the peaks. Sony a5100 with Sony E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with HDR mode. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Grizzly
First shot from Yellowstone. We got here in time to go out this evening north of the park itself to a field where the Grizzlies come out at dusk to feed on caraway roots. We saw 7, three adults and 4 cubs. They were way too far away and in very challenging light, so this is the best I could do. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 1200mm equivalent (2x digital tele-extender). Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! lighting up
The Virginia Creeper is lighting up already along the Bridle Path in Kennebunk. This study in texture and light says it all. Sony a5100 with Sony E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Mode. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Red-bellied
Red-bellied Woodpecker: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — We have watched this immature Red-bellied Woodpecker “color up” over the past few months. When it first appeared at the feeders it was pale on pale, with just alight grey patch where the red is now coming in. Hard to tell it from the adult now…but the adult rarely comes to the feeders and the immature has been regular. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm through two layers of window glass. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! First of fall
There is an Oak sapling along at the edge of the marsh along the Kennebunk Bridle Path that is always one of the first of the trees to turn. It must be because it has its feet in the water. I am really enjoying the macro abilities of the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom. This is at 75mm equivalent with the Sony a6700 and my macro modifications to Program mode, program shifted to f18 at 1/8 second for maximum depth of field…and hand held. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Breakfast
Bald Eagle: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — I made a quick stop along the river on my way to do errands yesterday and found this immature Bald Eagle having breakfast on large fish on the bar on the far side. Still too far away but beggars can’t be choosers and, in fact, I felt blessed to be there at the right time. The crows were, of course, also very interested in the proceedings. While I was watching a fly-fisherman came walking down the stream and put the Eagle off its breakfast. I am sure it came back if the tide did not get to the fish first. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. This is a heavy crop upscaled and processed in Photomator.
Maine! Blue Dasher Art
Blue Dasher Dragonfly: Roger’s Pond Park, Kennebunk, Maine, September 2024 — One of our most common dragonflies in Southern Maine, but still worth a close look, especially when artfully posed on the September grass head. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Insect recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Not so strange frame fellows
Great Blue Heron and Great Egret: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — As I have mentioned before, this month we have been treated to mixed flocks of herons and egrets, probably staging for migration, in our river marshes. This is a manual focus stack…the birds were as they are in the frame but, of course, it was impossible to focus on both of them at the same time. I took two shots, one focused on the heron and one on the egret, processed them in Photomator, then merged them in Pixomatic, and finally touched the image up in Photomator again. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Highlight metering.
Maine! Marsh edge
Sitting at the edge of the lower Mousam River marsh in Kennebunk, watching herons and egrets on a beautiful September day. Sony a5100 with the Sony E 10-18mm f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Mode. Processed in Photomator.