Baby Goose Series

[FlyingSquirrel]

It's been ages since I've posted. I decided to come back on the forums to check in with old friends and share what I've been up to since I last was on. I've been working on photography still - mostly wildlife, but some other stuff, too. I've created a few websites, a youtube channel, newsletter, etc. Anyway, here is my share...

I've been wanting some baby goose or duck images for a while now. I had a gut feeling that some babies would be at a particular spot, even though I hadn't been there in a very long time. Last weekend the weather was supposed to be poor, but friday after work there was some ok light, so I decided to head out there at the spur of the moment and take a chance.

Upon arrival I was pleased to see a flock of adult geese with goslings, but unfortunately they were at the far edge of the field in a 'safe zone' away from people. I put on my full camouflage clothing, gloves, facemask, and kneepads. Then I got on the ground with my 500mm + 1.4x on a skimmer pod and gimbal head setup. I made my approach slowly, crawling quietly and pausing often to allow the geese to adjust to my presence. After about 50 feet, I made my way down the dike slope by some bushes. There was a muddy ditch, and, realizing I had no choice, I walked right through it and let the swamp water and mud overflow into my shoes. Then I got on the ground again at the field edge and continued my stealthy stalking approach.

Meanwhile the adult geese kept a suspicious eye on me, but were not disturbed much, as they continued to feed and preen. They walked farther away to the opposite end of the field, then back toward my end, then away again. I used this to my advantage by moving more while they were away. I got to the rear corner of the field, after crawling another 50 feet or so, and positioned myself with a line of sight parallel to the shrubbery at the edge, so I had a clear view across the grass with a clean background. I backed into some tall grass to conceal myself more and waited patiently.

A while later, the entire flock came waddling straight toward me, adults, and babies playing, and feeding. The geese had no clue I was there so they came very close, to the point the babies were a decent size in the frame. I started to worry that they would walk right up to me and I would be in the midst of the flock and have to remain motionless until they left. Thankfully they stayed at the perfect distance. It was a great time for me and I enjoyed the nice views through my telephoto lens.

I stayed there while they left and came back a few times, and crawled around as needed for good views as they moved to the middle of the field. The sun was in and out of the clouds, not always at the ideal times, but the light was sufficient for some decent shots. When people would walk by the field at the trail side, the geese would waddle quickly back toward me. A small group of people came down the dike trail and ended up next to me. After a minute one of them spotted me and they proceeded to talk amongst themselves about me, my lens, my camo, and what I might be doing, in voices you could hear about a mile away.

After the people left, I carefully crawled back out of the field, tromping again through the ditch and overflowing my shoes with swamp water, then up the dike slope and made my way slowly back to the main trail. I was physically exhausted from all of the crawling and inching forward like a caterpillar with my gear, and I was pretty sore all over for the next few days.

Here are the resulting images that I would like to share:

1.



2.



3.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Stagecoach]

Beautiful !

[IzzieK]

Very pretty...all those ordeals for three shots? Do you have any more? And welcome back, Matthew. I am glad you are posting again. I love your dramatic, sitting-on-the-edge commentary...fun to read and absorb.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks everyone.

Izzie, yes, I have other shots. I just picked the 3 best ones. But honestly it would have been worth the effort (for me) to get just one of these shots. Thanks for your nice comments

[Mike Buckley]

The colors, smooth background and small depth of field work very well for creating a mood that is consistent with the babies.

It must have been an exhilarating experience! For once, the people on the trail actually became helpful, though unknowingly so.

Though it's probably too early to know, I have to ask if the websites and other stuff are beginning to generate the results you hope for.

[FlyingSquirrel]

The colors, smooth background and small depth of field work very well for creating a mood that is consistent with the babies.

It must have been an exhilarating experience! For once, the people on the trail actually became helpful, though unknowingly so.

Though it's probably too early to know, I have to ask if the websites and other stuff are beginning to generate the results you hope for.

Thank you, Mike, I appreciate your comments.

You're correct, it's too early to know how things are going with the websites and so forth. I do not currently offer any paid products or services officially. Everything I do, all of the videos, free ebooks, and newsletter, are free of charge and are simply to help other people improve their images. Of course over time I am trying to build up a following of people / fans and eventually release some paid products, but that is far in the future. My audience is much too small at this point.

In case you're interested, the websites are:

free content site: http://www.naturephotographymastery.com/
personal portfolio site (need to redesign) - http://infiniteworldphotography.com/
youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-n...8kWmJC0dwHkAkw
newsletter signup and free ebook: http://www.naturephotographymastery....et-newsletter/

[IzzieK]

In case you're interested, the websites are:

free content site: http://www.naturephotographymastery.com/
personal portfolio site (need to redesign) - http://infiniteworldphotography.com/
youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-n...8kWmJC0dwHkAkw
newsletter signup and free ebook: http://www.naturephotographymastery....et-newsletter/

Thanks for these links. I am in the process of looking at other members' webpages to sticky beak and see their website designs. I will dive head on to your list above when the morning light take a little peak out.

[Ziggy]

Nice series of the little ones.

[FlyingSquirrel]

In case you're interested, the websites are:

free content site: http://www.naturephotographymastery.com/
personal portfolio site (need to redesign) - http://infiniteworldphotography.com/
youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-n...8kWmJC0dwHkAkw
newsletter signup and free ebook: http://www.naturephotographymastery....et-newsletter/

Thanks for these links. I am in the process of looking at other members' webpages to sticky beak and see their website designs. I will dive head on to your list above when the morning light take a little peak out.

Thanks, Izzie. Please do me a favor and send me an email after you review each site and content channel. I'd like to know what you think of everything that I'm doing, what you like, and how I can improve.

I would also appreciate that, if you feel anything I've done is truly valuable and helpful, you would share the links with other photographers that may benefit.

Thanks

[IzzieK]

I will do so...I started early yesterday morning looking at the links in your website especially the tutorials. I came upon a video one that the link went to the page but the video wasn't there. It is about edge sharpening. I think you should look into loading that one properly. What happened is that I decided to do a google search of the same topic. I became so engrossed in it that I got dizzy a bit and went back to bed.

I wasn't able to continue internet-ting until around noon as I am supposed to have a bed rest for 2-3 days as I just came out of hospital two days ago -- bronchitis. Now I am awake because I slept too long during the day while watching my medicine schedule intake, too much antibiotics I suppose... I will sure look some more at your gallery and all that and PM you, OK? I enjoyed what I saw so far just by pushing buttons but technical things I cannot comment on because they just go over my head.

[bnnrcn]

Nice set Matthew

[FlyingSquirrel]

I will do so...I started early yesterday morning looking at the links in your website especially the tutorials. I came upon a video one that the link went to the page but the video wasn't there. It is about edge sharpening. I think you should look into loading that one properly. What happened is that I decided to do a google search of the same topic. I became so engrossed in it that I got dizzy a bit and went back to bed.

I wasn't able to continue internet-ting until around noon as I am supposed to have a bed rest for 2-3 days as I just came out of hospital two days ago -- bronchitis. Now I am awake because I slept too long during the day while watching my medicine schedule intake, too much antibiotics I suppose... I will sure look some more at your gallery and all that and PM you, OK? I enjoyed what I saw so far just by pushing buttons but technical things I cannot comment on because they just go over my head.

Very very helpful, thank you Izzie!! I am looking into the invisible video issue now. Until I fix that, you can always go directly to my youtube channel for all of the videos.

I hope you feel better soon!

[FlyingSquirrel]

FYI to Izzie and anyone else who's been reading the recent comments about my websites.....

The NaturePhotographyMastery.com website should be fixed so now the videos show up.
Additionally, I added a link that allows you to view on Youtube if the video player on the current page is broken for any reason

Thanks

[IzzieK]

I will get on to this today when the sun is a little bit out and watch some, OK? I got your YouTube link but I was still browsing on the others...'Will get back to you.

[NorthernFocus]

Hey, Matt, I've been off-grid for a few days out on the water. Great images and commentary. You are definitely dedicated to your craft and it shows in some excellent results. As always your techs are awesome. And of course goslings are too cute. Nicely done.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Hey, Matt, I've been off-grid for a few days out on the water. Great images and commentary. You are definitely dedicated to your craft and it shows in some excellent results. As always your techs are awesome. And of course goslings are too cute. Nicely done.

Thank you, Dan, I really appreciate your feedback and kind words.

[terrib]

Funny that we both decided to drop back in at about the same time. I've also been away for a while.

I love these shots. I like the last one best although I can't say why. But as Mike says, the DOF and background are great and compliment the subject. And there's nothing like that low perspective. I'll definitely check out the websites and share with my friends.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Funny that we both decided to drop back in at about the same time. I've also been away for a while.

I love these shots. I like the last one best although I can't say why. But as Mike says, the DOF and background are great and compliment the subject. And there's nothing like that low perspective. I'll definitely check out the websites and share with my friends.

Hi Terri, great to hear from you. Thanks for your comments. The last gosling photo is my absolute favorite from the entire shoot that day. I just love that shot!

Thank you, I would greatly appreciate your feedback and sharing my websites with anyone that you think would benefit. Any help I can get to spread the word is immensely valuable.