For the Birds

I just returned from spending the morning in the home of a very nice couple that happen to have over a dozen exotic birds. The purpose of my visit was to take portraits to add to my stock portfolio.

Today's featured image is the star of this morning's shoot, Dixie. I have a bit of a history with Dixie, since he lived with us for a period of time around five years ago. He is an extremely handsome Cockatoo and loves to be photographed. I set up lights and a backdrop in the couple's living room and then let the birds hang out while they took their turns being photographed.

One of the things I aim for in my stock image portfolio is diversity. With the addition of today's bird images, my inventory will definitely become even more diverse.

(The full set of images can be seen here)

Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens - 1/160 second, f/9, ISO 100

On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond, photographed in Sandy, Utah.

Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 f/4L with 1.4x extender - 1/200 second, f/5.6, ISO 160

Penguin Bowling

Here are my favorite zoo subjects striking a pose (awful pun intentionally used).

Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4x extender - 1/400 second, f/7.1, ISO 160

Using a Strobe in Daylight

One thing I do to make my daytime captures pop a bit is use a strobe. When I do this, my goal is to add to the presentation of the subject while avoiding an unnatural appearance.

Today's featured photo of a resting swan is an example of this technique. I came across this swan recently while driving to a client's home. It was just after lunch and the sun was directly overhead creating harsh shadows. The bird was relaxing in the shade of a tree with spots of sun peaking through while the pond in the background was in full sunlight.

To get the shot I put on the longest lens I had with me (70-200 w/ 1.4x extender) and attached a strobe (Canon 430EX) to my camera. My purpose in using the strobe was threefold:

1. Fill in the shadows to create more even lighting
2. Create a Catchlight in the bird's eye
3. Add separation between the subject and the background.

To achieve these effects without making the shot seem unnaturally lit, I dialed the strobe's power setting to -1/3 f-stop from the camera's metered exposure. Doing this allowed the natural light to combine with the strobe's artificial light, creating a natural appearance to the subject while accomplishing the three objectives. The setting of -1/3 worked on this scene, but I sometimes use more or less power from the strobe on other scenes depending on the light.

Using a strobe in daylight, especially bright sunny days, can greatly enhance your shots. Play around with your flash's power settings and see what works for you.

Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 f/4L with 1.4x extender - 1/100 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

The Rule of Thirds - Simplified

One of the first things to get emphasized to novice photographers by those who claim to be more knowledgeable is to "Follow the rule of thirds". While this is sound advice, the phrase can be confusing. Let's take a few moments and simplify this "Rule" so that we all can use it when making captures regardless of our experience.

Simply put, the Rule of Thirds is a tool to use when composing a photograph. The way I like to instruct it is this: Place four evenly spaced imaginary lines on your image, 2 horizontal and 2 vertical. I have even further simplified it to some (mainly children) by suggesting that they imagine a "tic-tac-toe" board over the photo. Once you can picture the lines, place your subject very near a line and, if possible, arrange the main focal point of the subject where two of the lines intersect. In doing so, you increase the odds that you will create a photo that is visually appealing to how the human mind interprets the image.

For today's image (above) I took one of my favorite hawk photos and added yellow lines to help illustrate the process. When composing the photo I placed the bird on the right most vertical line. The main focal point of the bird is the eyes and beak, but I found that if I placed them on an intersection the photo was a bit bottom heavy. Instead, I placed the bird's body where the two nearest lines meet. Doing so creates a pleasing composition since the birds head is close enough to an intersection to take advantage of the rule. Had I taken the same photo and composed it differently by placing the bird in the center of the image, the result would not be as pleasing.

Since I'm on the subject of image composition, the image above demonstrates another "Rule" that can be followed to make a shot more pleasing. In most situations it is desired to have the subject looking toward the center of the image. If the bird were looking to the right rather than the left, the photo would not be as pleasing to the viewer's eye. In fact, to many people it would just "feel uncomfortable". The same can be said for motion. If the photo is of a subject in motion, compose it so it is moving toward the image's center.

Lastly, remember the old phrase "Rules are made to be broken". There are plenty of times when a more pleasing image can be created by breaking the Rule of Thirds rather than following it. Try using this rule as a guideline and see if your work improves.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens - 1/500 second, f/4, ISO 100

Freedom

Freedom, photographed in Farmington Utah.

Canon 30D, Canon 300 f/2.8 lens with 1.4x extender - 1/2500 second, f/4, ISO 100

Tastes Like Chicken?

Did you ever stop and truly examine how odd a turkey looks? I came across this guy standing in the middle of a rural road. It wasn't until I viewed the image full size that I truly appreciated the uniqueness of the bird. From the hair on his head and beak to the bluish color to the texture and bulges of his throat - this is one strange looking creature.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L with 1.4 extender - 1/200 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

Alone

a - lone [uh-lohn]
-adjective (used predicatively)
1. separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.
2. to the exclusion of all others or all else: One cannot live by bread alone.
3. unique; unequaled; unexcelled: He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4 extender - 1/640 second, f/8, ISO 100

Presidents Day

Today is Presidents Day in the U.S. so I selected this capture of a bald eagle in honor of the occasion. Why the bird? The bald eagle is prominently displayed as a symbol of freedom on the Seal of the President of the United States. But you already knew that, didn't you?

Enjoy your day off.

Canon 30D, Canon Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4 extender - 1/800 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

Lone Eagle

Lone Eagle photographed in Farmington Bay, Utah.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4 extender - 1/800 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

Perched

This capture of a bald eagle was shot in the Centerville area North of Utah's Great Salt Lake. The stately bird was perched in a tree alongside a road near the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The eagles are beginning to arrive in the area and will stay for most of the month of February. People have talked of seeing hundreds of the birds at the peak of the winter layover. On my recent visit, I was able to spot a couple dozen, though most were quite a distance from the road.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4 extender - 1/640 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

Northern Harriers

I captured these two Northern Harriers squabbling over a half eaten fish in the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (FBWMA) near Bountiful Utah. The area is located just North of Utah's Great Salt Lake and is filled with many different species of birds. I was actually looking to photograph bald eagles on this trip since this is an area where many of them spend the winter months. All of the eagles I spotted were too far away for a decent photo, so I spent my time watching the harriers.

For more information on the FBWMA, click here.

Canon 30D, Canon 70-200 f/4L lens with 1.4 extender - 1/800 second, f/5.6, ISO 100

In Flight

An in flight capture of a young Swainson's Hawk.

Happy Thanksgiving

Berry Eater, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

To those in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day with friends, family, turkey, pies & football.

Soaring

Soaring Hawk, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

I photographed this young Swainson's Hawk recently when my work took me to Eagle Mountain (Utah). On this particular day, I spotted seven hawks on a one mile stretch of road entering town. With fall approaching, this bird will soon be on his way to Argentina for the winter.

Balance

Balance, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

bal‧ance  [bal-uhns]

1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.
2. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
3. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
4. a state of bodily equilibrium: He lost his balance and fell down the stairs.
5. an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.
6. the remainder or rest: He carried what he could and left the balance for his brother to bring.
7. the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.

The Hawk of Eagle Mountain

Roadside Hawk, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

I spotted this serious looking predator perched atop a fencepost in Eagle Mountain (Utah). When I stopped to photograph him, he turned and stared directly into the camera lens with a very determined look. I imagine that this is the type of stare that places fear in the hearts of fieldmice everywhere (or at least in Eagle Mountain).

Remembering Fred

Huh?, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

The two ducks (aptly named Fred & Ethel) who took up residence in our front yard have finally left. They spent the better part of six weeks living in the yard, but recently vanished as abruptly as they arrived.

Featured today is a capture I made of Fred as he was enjoying some seed left out by a neighbor. Fred was (is?) very protective of Ethel and was checking out a nearby child in this photo.

Let Sleeping Ducks Lie

Let Sleeping Ducks Lie, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

About a month ago these two ducks appeared in my front yard. I suppose they were tired of all the hustle-and-bustle of the duck community down by the canal and opted for something a bit more relaxing. They spend their days hanging out in the grass and watching the neighborhood goings-ons.

Captured here is the pair relaxing in the remnants of the morning sprinkler cycle on the sidewalk in front of the house.

Baker's Dozen

Baker's Dozen, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured today is a group (flock?) of 13 penguins that I captured recently at Utah's Hogle Zoo. I particularly like the bird on the left that is staring directly at the camera.

I opted to process this shot in black and white for obvious reasons - penguins are black & white!

Visiting Ducks

Visiting Duck, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Last month this duck, along with his mate, showed up in our frontyard. The pair seems to have taken a liking to an area below a bird feeder, frequently snacking on the seed that has spilled out of the feeder. So far, they appear to be quite content. Even if they are scared away by disruptions such as a lawnmower or children they quickly return.

Will they stay all summer? Stay tuned...

Dixie the Umbrella Cockatoo

Dixie, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Dixie used to live with us, but has since moved on to my brother-in-law's workshop. She has such a vivacious personality and loves to show off. Here is a capture of her sitting atop an office divider recently as she was visiting a local scout troop.

Scouts and Birds

Scouts and Birds, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Michelle and I had the opportunity to bring a few of our birds to visit a local scout troop this evening. It was quite enjoyable to see the excitement of the kids when we walked in the room with the birds.

Dixie the cockatoo, featured in this capture, was definately the star of the show. She is so friendly and loves showing off in front of a crowd. Here she is asking for a kiss from one of the scouts.

More photos of the scouts with the birds can be seen by clicking this link:

http://flickr.com/photos/richlegg/sets/72057594117289233/

Taking Flight

Havasu Duck, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Michelle (my wife) made this capture of a duck taking off this past week while we were boating on Lake Havasu in Arizona. This particular member of the local waterfowl community had been following us as we drifted while eating lunch. I suppose he was hoping for a bit of bread or chip.

This was shot with a Canon 350D SLR and a 100-300mm zoom lens. If you've ever tried to make a shot like this, then you know how difficult it is to achieve the near-perfect timing and focus.

Ace the Cockatiel ::: 1984 - 2006

Ace the Cockatiel ::: 1984 - 2006, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

In the spring of 1984, as I was a senior in high school in Chugiak Alaska, a woman came into the store I worked at with a cockatiel on her shoulder. It began a converstaion that led to my finding out that she was a local breeder of these colorful birds. One thing led to another and soon my parents were in the posession of a recently weaned baby cockatiel named Ace.

Ace became my father's good friend. Having been hand fed since hatching, he loved hanging out with people and spent the majority of his time on the top of his cage. Early on, he learned to whistle for the dogs and got great joy out of calling the dogs into his room.

After spending the first 20 years of his life in Alaska, ace moved to our home in Utah in 2004. With my parents splitting their time between Alaska and Arizona, they felt that Ace would be better off in a stable environment. He joined our two cockatiels (Sunshine and Mattie) and quickly took over the senior status of the flock. It was exciting to see that after spending his whole life alone, Ace and Sunshine began a May / November romance.

Sadly, yesterday Ace passed away. He had just turned 22 years old. The average lifespan for a cockatiel is 12-15 years, so Ace defied the odds. My daughters created a nice wooden box for him and he is now buried in the backyard.

He will be missed.

S.U.D. (Sport Utility Dog)

Mountain Dog, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Here's a capture of my faithful companion, Ziggy. He never complains about having to carry his share of the load.

This was shot with an inexpensive point & shoot camera. The flash fired to serve as a fill light, otherwise his dark face would be in a shadow and the details would be lost.

March of the Geese

March of the Geese, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Displayed here is another capture taken this past Sunday when I came across the flock of geese feeding in a local field.

I felt that featuring this photograph in black & white adds dramatically to the mood of the shot. In addition to the tone change to B&W, I added a bit of effect to the background and a slight sepia type color.

Click HERE to view a similar photograph without the changes. Please feel free to comment on the differences of the two captures and your preference.

Liftoff

Geese in Flight, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

On my way home from church today I came across a cornfield full of geese. They were feeding on the remnants of last season's harvest. I stopped the car and decided to see if I could get close enough to make some interesting captures.

As I edged closer and closer to the flock, they became increasingly nervous of my being there. Moments before this capture, they decided as a group that it was a good time to leave. It is quite amazing to be in a field with 100+ geese as they take flight simultaneously.

Notice that the fellow on the right has a band on his leg. I imagine that this is a tracking tool put on by the game management people. This makes me wonder how many miles a typical wild goose logs each year.

As I last saw the flock, they were falling into formation and heading north.