Daily Archives: July 26, 2024
New Mexico! White-lined Sphinx Moth
White-lined Sphinx Moth: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — As I mentioned a week or so ago, the plants at Randall Davey were attracting a lot of Sphinx Moths, certainly the most I have ever seen in one place at one time. I had a lot of fun trying to catch them in the frame of my camera. I found that I had to use the mechanical shutter on the Sony a6700, as the moths’ wings were just the right speed to distort with the silent electronic shutter. 🙁 Not a problem really…just a matter of switching shutters. As above, Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my flight and action modifications. Insect subject recognition and focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Such a pretty little thing
Least Tern (fledgling): York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — The Least Tern chicks are fledging the past few days…testing their wings in sort flights up and down the beach. This one was well outside the protected area, out on the open beach. I don’t know why, but there is something uniquely attractive about the Least Tern at this stage of its development. Subtly beautiful, with a hint of the elegance to come. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal and Bird subject recognition. Processed in Photomator.