Jamie, Where are you?!

Wondering what I’ve been doing when I’m not here posting stuff?  I’m finishing my degree in Natural Resources.  Among the many papers and statistics that have been flooding my brain I had to create this fine work of art.. Enjoy.

I heart Cormorants

Lately, I’ve taken a special interest in some rather common birds.

I’ve found Cormorants to be a particularly photogenic species.  In fact, they are rather beautiful once you get over their rather odd shape.  I’ve been photographing them quite frequently lately.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I have yet to get a portrait that I really like, but watch out, it’s coming!

Shooting kids (with a camera, DUh!)

When I first thought of this subject, I was simply going to title it “Shooting Kids.”  I figured it would draw people in.  Then I thought harder and the dust began to fly.  Shooting kids huh?  I’d have all kinds of whackjobs reading my blog for the how-to.  So, I qualified it as with a camera, and added the Duh for kicks. So anyways… enough about the evolution of my blog titles and on to the real reason I’m here.

I love shooting kids. Please don’t make me explain that again… I have a D90 not a twenty- ott- six.  Technically It’s more like reflecting than shooting, I’m still not sure how it got that name.  Back to the subject.  Kids are fun for me to work with.  I enjoy the most when they forget I’m sitting there with the camera and let it all go.  I like it too, when they know I have a camera, and turn into little show offs.

I love “Lifestyle Photography.” Love it, Love it, Love it.  It’s so natural, so real, it’s a reflection of real life, not still life.  I thought I’d show off a few of my recent favorites (taken by me) here.

I shoot with a Nikon D80 and use either a Nikkor 50 mm 1.8 or a Nikkor 70-300 F4.5-5.6 G VR.  All of these are natural light, no flashes involved.  I used seamless white paper background for one of the photos.

Going Rogue on Feral Cats

As posted in Florida Today 11-18-2009 Link To the Original Article

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Here’s My Opinion–

I’m all for cats, but I think leaving them outdoors in feral cat colonies is ecologically and sanitarily unsound.  Watch  a cat colony for a year and learn quickly the harsh reality of disease, injury, and death for these supposedly domesticated animals. Top that off with a stiff decline in birds, bunnies, and lizards and then think about; Is it really ethical to leave them there?

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MEMO: Caregivers responsible for Brevard’s feral cats

Posted 11/17/2009 4:00 PM EST on floridatoday.com

 

By Matt Reed

So, who’s responsible when a feral cat from a nearby “colony” howls all night or does something unpleasant to your property?

Could the responsible party be one of those cat-loving registered volunteers who feed the animals and claim to control feline populations by getting them spayed and neutered?

Yes, says a legal analysis requested by Brevard County Animal Services.

“Brevard County Ordinances defines the term ‘owner’ to include caregivers,” says the September memo from the County Attorney’s office.  “In turn, the definition of ‘caregiver’ includes any person who cares for any animal, feral or tame. It is clear that a feral cat colony caregiver is responsible for exercising reasonable care to ensure that the colony does not cause injury to humans, other animals or property.”

 

Other interesting excerpts:

“Colonies must be appropriate, controlled and registered … Therefore, the county may choose not to return cats to a feral colony if that colony is not properly controlled. Animal Services and Enforcement has the right to immediately seize and remove all, or part, of any colony if the animals are creating a public health concern or a public nuisance.”

“Nuisance means: 1) Disturbing the peace and quiet of any person by … continually barking, howling, crying, screaming or making other bothersome noises. 2) Disturbing the peace of any person by … repeatedly destroying, desecrating or soiling public or private property … or other behavior that interferes with the reasonable use and enjoyment of the property.”

Today, Brevard County has an estimated 1,000 colonies.

The Animal Services Department’s feral-cat program works in partnership with the Space Coast Feline Network. Taxpayers help cover the costs of trapping, neutering and vaccinating captured feral cats, then returning them to registered feral cat colonies.

The county’s Web site for the program says: “A feral cat colony may be registered with the Space Coast Feline Network when a volunteer caregiver can assure that:  1) regular feeding will be maintained throughout the year,  2) adult cats and kittens over 8-weeks of age that can be captured will be neutered and vaccinated,  3) every attempt will be made to remove kittens from the colony before 8-weeks of age for domestication and placement.”

Does all that trapping and “fixing” work? That depends on the source.

A 2003 report by the University of Florida Conservation Clinic, an arm of the UF law school, says:  “An enormous and growing population of free-roaming cats exists in Florida, posing a threat to the state’s native animal species, and creating a serious public health concern. Proponents of trap-neuter-release (TNR) and maintenance of cat colonies have been pressing local governments to enact ordinances to permit establishment and registration of cat colonies in local jurisdictions. But TNR and managing large numbers of cats in colonies does not effectively control cat overpopulation.”

The Canaveral Locks

I often overlook my local spots to drive far away over to the Viera Wetlands, or up to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  I sometimes forget that there are places nearby that host a wide variety of critters.  Today, I decided to take a trip to the Canaveral Locks at Port Canaveral and was rewarded with some really cool stuff.

First, there were white pelicans, most of which hid on the far side of the locks where visitors aren’t allowed.  Second, I witnessed flyovers of Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Wood Storks, and myriads of other birds.

There were dolphins and manatees, and even the NASA ship Liberty Star went through.

All in all here is what I saw..

• Cooper’s Hawk (1)
• Bald Eagle (1st-2nd Year juvenile0
• Osprey
• Wood Storks
• White Pelican
• Brown Pelican
• Pigeons
• Black Crowned Night Heron
• Anhinga
• Snowy Egret
• Great Blue Heron
• Little Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Lots of Gulls

I think I’m going to be making an effort to photograph here on my little island of Cocoa Beach for the next week.  A challenge of sorts.  Know any hot spots?

 

The Ethics of Nature Photography

At some point last year I became disillusioned with the words “Wildlife Photographer.” I didn’t want to be associated with the words in that order, I didn’t want to be associated with the people that those words represented.  I began calling myself a “Conservation Photographer.”  Somewhere along the line I got tired of explaining myself, and reverted back to “Nature Photographer.” Now, after three years of real work in outdoor photography I think I am ready to take the leap back to include the word conservation.

I’m sure, by now, you are wondering what the difference is, and why does it matter to me so much; so I figured I’d lay it all out for you.  Here goes:

I’m tired of seeing people disrespect or neglect to follow natural and ethical guidelines when photographing animals and sensitive areas.  I have a 300 mm lens, and I get shots that show it.  Purposely photographing a baby bird in a nest is not an option for me, nor should it be for anyone else with 300mm or less.  There are limits to which a photographer should push things, and if you don’t have the lens power to not affect that nest, or the animals by getting too close, you shouldn’t.  If you can get that close, it doesn’t mean you should.

I’m tired of seeing people call birds in for the sake of photos.  It’s not so bad with songbirds, but I think that the birds even get bored with it.  It is plain wrong to use calls during nesting season, in high traffic areas, and for sensitive species.  The results are birds that get confused and get hurt; or worse, lose their nest because of distraction.

Quit feeding the animals.  Why does it appeal to people to go out to get pictures of wildlife and bring food for them to make make them tame.  It’s bad for the animals, it creates issues, and it ruins the challenge.  How can you call it wildlife photography, if the animal isn’t really wild anymore, if you can walk up to it, say hi, and feed it a sandwich… what is that really?  It’s bad behavior, that’s what it is.

People need to leave baby animals alone.  Baby birds included.  The less contact with the humans the better.  Especially in larger birds that often fall victim to vehicle collisions and intentional killings by humans.  The more skittish they are the better for their survival.

Notice a theme here… Survival.  I’m worried about the well being of our environment.  I go out to document nature and share it with others so that they might be inspired to take interest in preserving it as well.  I am not out there to control animal behaviors. If I want to do that, I have a dog at home. I am also not out there to win awards for my photography.  I just want to make nice, inspiring. photos, that inspire others to conserve what’s left of our natural world.  That’s the difference.  And while I’m not saying that every wildlife photographer is bad, I know enough bad examples to ruin my opinion of the title “Wildlife Photographer.”

Finally, I think it’s much more rewarding to see something naturally happen than to just try and make it happen. In comparison to those looking to get the lifetime shot, I enjoy nature.  I have a passion for it.  I’m happy to see one really cool thing and never take photos of it.  Can they say the same?

So, call me what you want, but in my heart, I’m a “Conservation Photographer” and I’m really enjoying explaining why.

International League of Conservation Photographers

North American Nature Photography Association

Conservation Photographers.com

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 11-11

On veteran’s day, my family loaded up and headed over to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It was kind of rainy, kind of windy, and a really long drive for an hour or two of midday shooting.  But we went, and here’s my list.  Also, beware the Pivot bridge ont he Titusville side.  It broke, we had to drive all the way to Oak Hill jsut to turn around back south.

• Osprey
• Bald Eagle
• Red Shouldered Hawk
• Black Vulture
• Turkey Vulture
• Pied Billed Grebe
• Great Egret
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Little Blue Heron
• Tri Color Heron
• Reddish Egret
• Snowy Egret
• White Ibis
• American Avocets (about 70)
• Willet
• Pin Tail Ducks
• American Widgeons (hundreds)
• Blue Winged Teal
• Green Winged Teal
• Roseate Spoonbill
• Wood Storks
• Belted Kingfisher
• White Pelican
• Anhinga
• Cormorant
• Palm Warbler

I’m sure there’s more.. but that’s what I remember right now..

Enjoy Nature, It’s Free!

Photo of the day

So I’m kind out of motivation to write any long list of what all I’ve been seeing the last few days.. but I thought I’d give you some eye candy just in case.

These were at the Viera Wetlands, the top is a group of cormorants, the bottom is an American bittern.

The meetup of the Flickr world at the wetlands was great!

More details to come later..

The Viera Wetlands 11-8-2009

This trip to the wetlands was a little different than my previous ones.  I met a group of about 20 something people that all use Flickr.

We chatted a bit then headed out into the wetlands. It was fun to be around so many enthusiastic photographers, but I think I prefer smaller groups and even shooting by myself.  I found it hard to concentrate and find things, and I talked a lot (just ask poor Heather, who volunteered to ride with me!)

We saw a lot, but it was windy, rainy, and cold

Here’s the list..

• American Bittern
• Northern Harrier
• Caracara
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Belted Kingfisher
• Northern Mockingbird
• Anhinga
• Cormorant
• Blue Winged Teal
• Hooded Merganser
• Limpkin
• Common Yellowthroat
• Palm Warbler
• Yellowrump Warbler
• Eastern Pheobe
• Savannah Sparrow
• White Ibis
• Glossy Ibis
• Mottled Duck
• American Coot
• Common Moorhen
• Pied Billed Grebe
• Northern Shoveler

and of course, probably more I’m forgetting!

 

Viera Wetlands 11-06

Today, I made the trip out the Wetlands again.  I only had a short amount of time, and two small children were with me, so observations were limited.

On my way there I noticed a flock of Grackles and Fish Crows attacking (technically called mobbing) what I thought was a Caracara by the Viera Mall (The Avenues at Viera).  I turned around and came back to find this gorgeous fully mature eagle.  Just a reminder that the area around the wetlands is still as amazing as the wetlands themselves. Sad to think that as little as ten years ago the whole place was a wonderland of nature.

Anyways, lots of warbler activity at the wetlands, some new ducks including a canvasback, and someone mentioned an American Bittern..

Here’s my list combined yesterday and today (about 2.5 hours observation between 9-11 am in very windy conditions)

• Coots
• Moorhens
• Blue Winged Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Ruddy Duck
• Green Winged Teal Females
• Marsh Wren
• Red Winged Black Bird
• Mottled Duck
• Glossy Ibis
• White Ibis
• Anhinga
• Belted Kingfisher
• Northern Mockingbird
• Red Shouldered Hawk
• Northern Caracara
• Black Vulture
• ***Caspian Terns*** (2)
• Northern Harrier
• Bald Eagle
• Boat Tailed Grackle
• Common Yellowthroat
• Limpkin
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Savannah Sparrow
• Palm Warbler
• Yellowrump
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Tricolor Heron
• Green Heron
• Cattle Egret
• two otters
• Snowy Egret
• unidentified swallows
• Eastern Pheobe
• Fish Crows
• Pied Billed Grebes

I’m sure I’m forgetting something but you get the picture.. 

As always – guide services are available at a rate of $150 for 2 hours (groups of 5 or less) starting at 7 am- 7 days a week. 321-258-7962