Thursday, February 27, 2014

Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge

White tail deer in the meadow
Yesterday I discussed the snowy owl at Sachuest, but there is a lot more to see and photograph at this refuge. Whitetail deer are present and can be seen almost year round. In the fall the bucks have antlers and you could be lucky during rutting see a pair of bucks fighting.

Whitetail deer
In late fall to early spring the sea ducks are present including the harlequins. There are usually eiders, different varieties of scoters, buffleheads, golden eyes, etc.

American (black) scoters, including drakes, hens and a juvenile male along with a pair of bufflehead hens
Harlequin Ducks
Red Breasted Merganser Female
In the spring and in the late summer to early fall, the salt marsh is a great location to view migrating shorebirds.
Semipalmated Plover Preening
Semipalmated Sandpiper

Looking across the bay there is St. George's school and if there is a fog it makes for a great photograph.

Chapel at St. George's in the fog
All year round there is a variety of different passer rains and raptors that use the refuge as a home or a way stop on their migration

Northern Harrier searching for prey over the field
 Sachuest is located in Middletown Rhode Island at the intersection of Third Beach Road and Sachuest Point Road. The Salt Marsh is located on the right side of the parking lot at Third Beach. In the summer Third Beach there is a payment to park, however, if you tell the attendant that you are there to look for birds are to photograph the birds there normally should not be a charge. At Sachuest that you have added a new trail off of the ocean loop trail that takes you up to a high point on the refuge and gives you a good overlook over the entire refuge.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Sachuest Point Trail Map

So if you have never visited Sachuest, I recommend you give it a try. I believe you will enjoy it and get some nice photographs.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

More Snowy Owl Photos

Snowy Owl in the Marsh Grass at Sachuest Saltmarsh
Finally, on Tuesday after almost a month, Doug and I went out birding. We went down to Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown Rhode Island hopefully to see the barn owl and the snowy owls.

The snowy owl was very easy to find it was sitting in the marsh grass at the Sachuest Saltmarsh located at Third Beach. The snowy owl was taken life easy and intermittently preening giving me some interesting shots including some great wing stretches.
Because of the location of the snowy owl and the sun all the pictures were side-lit from the left..

Snowy owl fluffing its feathers

Snowy owl preening

Snowy owl preening

Snowy owl looking up during preening

Snowy owl preening

Snowy owl started to stretch its wings

Snowy all what a great wing stretch

Snowy owl preening
Later we traveled up to the main portion of the refuge and after talking to one of the volunteers and the refuge visitor center we traveled out to where the barn owls have been seen. As with looking for any creature in the wild, nothing is ever promised are guaranteed. Yes we struck out. We observed the Northern Harrier and a good number of different sea ducks.

Well, even though there was no barn owl it was great getting out with Doug again and we had a good time in the great outdoors.

To all my blog readers if you use the coupon code mborn you will receive a 15% discount on any of all of the Topaz plug-ins.


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The Artist within Me

The tree at Salisbury Beach State Reservation intrigue me and I decided to see what the artist inside of me could visualize the scene.

First, because I didn't have a ball tripod head with me I utilized the Puffin Pad, invented by two friends of mine Ken and Wayne, to support my camera on my car window. The great thing about the Puffin Pad is that it is very light and does not require any beans. You can find out more about the Puffin Pad at http://www.puffinpad.com/

I took three bracketed shots at 0, -1, +1 compensation, used Photomatrix Pro to create an HDR. Then I adjusted the settings in Lightroom.
-1 compensation

0 compensation

+1 compensation

Photomatrix HDR with Lightroom adjustments

Finally utilized some of the Topaz filters to adjust the scene. The first set of plug-ins I utilized was Clarity, Detail, and Adjust.

Picture number one
 For the second picture I utilized the ReStyle plug-in.

Picture number two
 Finally I used Simplify to create a ghostly painted effect.

Picture number three
Which one of my three artistic pictures do you like? Please let me know, also if you don't like them let me know and the reasons why.





Remember Simplify is on sale to the end of February at 50% off
http://www.topazlabs.com/aff/idevaffiliate.php?id=850&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopazlabs.com%2Fsimplify


Monday, February 24, 2014

Snowy Owl Quest Part Two

Sunrise at Plum Island Beach
On Sunday, I again join John Slonina on a Snowy Owl Quest along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire coast. Partly, I was there to help John and and obtain additional pictures for myself. We had five other participants and we started out the day with sunrise on the beach at Plum Island. I will include a sample of the pictures from the day.

The day was warmer then the last time we were up here and there was not the strong wind blowing. The people set themselves up and started taking pictures of the sunrise the water and the rocks.

The Group Photographing the Sunrise at Plum Island Beach

John instructing one of the participants in the workshop
After setting up our car pooling we slowly drove down the refuge drive at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge looking for owls and what ever else we could find. The road was closed beyond Hellcat. At Hellcat we walked out to the dike and search the area for owls but we could not find any. There was still a lot of snow on the ground.

Just after we left Hellcat, we came across four wild turkeys, two toms and two hens which allowed us close encounter and gave us a good opportunity for photographing these beautiful birds.
Wild Turkey Tom Reaching for a Berry on a Branch
Leaving the turkeys, we went and parked our cars at parking lot two and then walked out to the beach where the participants were instructed on how to think out of the box by varying their position that they were using in taking a picture and observing the different scenery around them.

Our next stop, was Salisbury Beach State Reservation where just outside the entrance to the drive sitting on one of the electric wire poles was a snowy owl. We pulled over and took photographs of this owl. It then took off and flew onto the snow on the marsh at the beginning of the drive into the reservation. We were able to get a very decent number of pictures of this beautiful owl.

Snowy Owl Surrounded by Electrical Connections
Snowy Owl Sitting on the Snow
Because the tide was down we drove around to an area across from the campground way you could walk down to the beach where we could photograph the harbor seals laying out on the rocks.

Harbor Seals Resting on the Rocks
Harbor Seal Resting on the Rocks

After checking around other areas at the reservation looking for owls and not finding any other owls. We drove up to Hampton Beach State Park, where we got skunked with no owls present. Since it was getting close to noon time, we stopped and had lunch at a great restaurant, the Castaways in Seabrook.

After lunch, we continued up into Rye where driving around the harbor we noticed a good number of common loons swimming. We all decided that we will continue up to Rye Beach State Park to look for the usually cooperative snowy owl that has been hanging around there for a few months. Everybody split up and searched all a rocks and side areas in the park and there was not any sign of the snowy owl. We checked out all the houses in the marsh on the other side of the road from the park and still no owl.

We then continued back to Rye Harbor, where the common loons were showing a change change into breeding plumage along with feeding on crabs that they were catching by diving near the dock. They came so close it was very easy to get full frame pictures of the loons. A drake common eider also put on a show by diving and catching crabs. The water was clear enough that we could follow the eiders dive down into deeper water. Both the loons and the eider did bathe and preen, then gave us some great wing flaps. We also had Horned Grebes, Buffleheads and Red-breasted Mergansers. Part of the time I stopped taking pictures and watch the activities of always birds in order to help me learn better their behavior. One interesting event was a great black-backed gull trying to catch a red-breasted merganser. As the gull would come down onto the merganser the merganser dove and came up some distance away and then the gull took off and didn't the event again and continued until the merganser was able to shake the gull away.

Common Loon Flapping

Common Loon
Common Eider Drake eating a Crab
A gentleman arrived at the dock and told us the day before the snowy owl at Rye State Park was sitting on a log for around five hours. However, today he was also unable to find the owl. Oh well, that is nature nothing is guaranteed.

We then did go back and rechecked the Rye State Park again to no avail. We then traveled back to Salisbury, with a snowy owl was sitting on a post in the marsh. After a while it flew across this street to the marsh on the other side. Part of the group went over to see where it was. Two of us stayed on the reservation drive because it was getting close to sunset and we wanted to capture the the tree against the sunset like I did the Sunday before. The sky had thicker clouds but a small area near the horizon there was clear and we did get color in that location. The pictures were much different than the week before.
Sunset at Salisbury Beach
Everybody did arrive before sunset and take the pictures of the tree with the sunset. We all at the end talked at all were very happy with the day's events.

John is having one more Snowy Owl Quest on Sunday, March 9, 2014 starting at 6 AM, if you are interested you can sign up on John's website at http://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photographers-New-England/events/168032922/?a=ea1_grp&rv=ea1

Friday, February 21, 2014

Topaz Simplify on Sale at 50% off until February 28 Plus a free Webinar

A reminder to everybody that Topaz Simplify is available to the end of February at 50% off. For those who already own Simplify there is a new upgrade available for free which can be downloaded on the Topaz website http://www.topazlabs.com/downloads.

Topaz Simplify allows you as a photographer to to transform your photos into artwork. You can make paintings, sketches watercolors etc. There are numerous presets available for you to start with and then you can adjust them to your own taste.

Topaz has a webinar on the use of Simplify


Exploring the Artistic Possibilities and Technical Uses of Topaz Simplify
Tuesday, Feb. 25 - 3pm CST (1pm PST, 4pm EST, 9pm UTC) Check Timezone »
Topaz Simplify is the ultimate toolbox for high-impact photo art effects. Using a specialized digital art technology, you can quickly create paintings, sketches, watercolors, cartoons, and more. Join Nichole Paschal as she introduces you to the new and improved Simplify v4.1 interface tools and explores both the artistic possibilities and technical uses of this creative program.
 

I took a picture of a Northern Hawk Owl and converted the photo into an oil painting.



You can obtain a copy of Topaz simplify by clicking this link: http://www.topazlabs.com/aff/idevaffiliate.php?id=850&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopazlabs.com%2Fsimplify

The link brings you to the page and the coupon is listed on the page.





Thursday, February 20, 2014

Down East Maine Coast Instructional Photo Tours and Workshops

Atlantic Puffin
Join John Slonina and me  on an instructional photo tour to the remote Downeast Maine Coast. http://www.sphotography.com/downeast-maine-puffins-seals-lighthouses-photo-tour/
We will travel by land and sea to photograph Puffins, Seals, Whales, Eagles, Lighthouses, and other coastal landscapes.  We will also visit Campobello Island in Canada. We will photograph some incredible landscapes including Quoddy Head Light which is the eastern most point in the US. This tour will involve wildlife, landscape, night, and macro photography. Sign up at http://www.sphotography.com/downeast-maine-puffins-seals-lighthouses-photo-tour/
old tree stump west quody state park

Pitcher -plant flowers

West Quody light

West Quoddy State Park in the fog

Razorbill 

Sundew

Atlsantic Puffin with fish

Atlantic Puffin
Washington County has everything except crowds, traffic jams, and red lights. The region has every northern forest habitat: mature hardwood, mixed growth, and thick stands of boreal softwood. It has fast and slow rivers, marsh and bog wetlands, rocky coasts and mud flats, grasslands and blueberry barrens. It has two national wildlife refuges and one of the best offshore nesting islands on the east coast. All of Maine’s most highly sought-after species are found here, sometimes in abundance.

Wildlife
We will visit the world famous Machias Seal Island. We will be taking a boat trip to a remote island off the Maine coast to photograph puffins, lighthouses and seals. This is weather permitting.  This trip includes the boat ride for the puffins $120 value.
From the blind on the island we will target puffins, razorbills, and terns. Some of the birds are just a few feet away. Can you image having hundreds of puffins within 10 feet of you. On the boat ride back we will look for seals. The Boat ride is included in the tour fee. On the ride back to we will explore some hidden gems and quaint fishing harbors, lighthouses and seaside cliffs.
We also will be taking a second boat ride to photograph whales, eagles, seals, and lighthouses. This will be scheduled during the late afternoon light to sunset
This trip has other wildlife opportunities. Bald Eagles are seen everywhere. This is moose and black bear country. We will point out any wildlife we come across.
Landscape, Close-up and Night Photography
We will photograph coastal communities and fishing villages. This is an area of stark beauty and simple living. Lodging and dining opportunities are plentiful but not extravagant. Chain restaurants are few and far between. You won’t miss them.
We will visit several lighthouses including Word Famous Quoddy Head Light. This candy cane colored lighthouse is the easternmost point in the U.S. We probably will be the first people to see the sunrise in the US
This instructional photo tour will include several different types of photography. We will have several opportunities for Wildlife, Landscapes, and Macro photography.
We even plan to photograph at night. How many people have images of lighthouses at night? We will also photograph the milky way (if the weather cooperates).
We also will have time for classroom instruction including some lessons on Lightroom which is the go to program for photographers.
We will visit nearby Campobello Island in Canada. It is a beautiful island off the Coast of Maine but located in New Brunswick Canada on the Bay of Fundy.  Campobello Island is one of three of the Fundy Islands; the "Fundy sisters" as they are sometimes called with the other "sisters" being Grand Manan and Deer Island. Campobello Island will capture your heart with breathtaking views, unspoiled nature at it’s best. We will visit the summer home of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, and a great lighthouse.  To visit Campobello Island from the US, you must bring your passport.

We will maximize our time in the field shooting a multitude of subjects as well as incorporating classroom instruction, critiques, and photographic assignments each day.
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is one of our planned stops. The Refuge is a highly glaciated expanse of rolling hills, large ledge outcrops, streams, lakes, bogs, and marshes. A diverse forest of aspen, maple, birch, spruce, and fir dominates the landscape and scattered stands of majestic white pine are common.
We will photograph one of the last places in the busy eastern seaboard where you can get away by yourself in tranquil pine forests, or walk for miles on the salt-sprayed shoreline, exploring and discovering secluded tidal inlets, and the uncrowded pleasures of coastal life. Windswept coastal headlands, tidal flats, coastal islands, preserved peat bogs, beaches at low tide, boreal and northern hardwood forests, grasslands and meadows.
For an unforgettable walking or hiking experience come and enjoy the tranquility and outstanding natural beauty in such abundance in our area. These towns create an unforgettable experience for travelers who long to find the traditional Maine way of life.
When:
July 25 - 28, 2014
Price:
$1295 includes Hotel (3 nights stay), puffin boat ride ($120 value) and a Whale and Lighthouse boat ride. Weather permitting
Deposit: $300
Please register early. This will fill up.
PAYMENT:
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography.
We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
If you prefer to use credit card you can call our office at (508) 736-1167 or use the online shopping cart.
Lodging:
The Rooms are included in the price
Blue Bird Motel: 231 Dublin Street Machias, ME 04654
Telephone: (207) 255-3332
Please contact us for details.
Cancellation:
If you cancel before 90 days of departure you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 90 days you will lose deposit amount.
Unless we are able to fill the spot. Then there will be a full refund.
Skill and Fitness Levels:
Anyone with an interest in photography from a beginner to professional photographer who has a love of being outdoors and nature. There are several short hikes on this trip. All hikes are easy,
Group size:
Our groups are small in size and are limited to 8 people with two instructors. That will an excellent ratio. This group size allows for flexibility in our plans if interesting and unexpected photo opportunities present themselves. Also it will allow us to work with each participate to provide complete, informative, helpful lessons.
Goals:
The entire workshop is devoted to capturing the best images and have a great time doing it.

About us:
John Slonina is a professional nature photographer who has been photographing the nature for over 25 years. He has been published in multiple books, magazines, and calendars.  He has a love of natural history as well. You will receive education not just in photo technique, but also in the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.
Myer Bornstein –Photo Bee 1 has been involved in photography for many years and studied photography at the New York Inst. of Photography.  He is now retired and photographs the natural beauty of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island and other locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.  He also publishes a blog about his works natural history and includes, book and equipment reviews. He has won many awards including a Commended Image in 2014 Sony World Photography Awards. He understands the natural world around us and does volunteer at the Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary.