Shots from Cold Bay,AK

[NorthernFocus]

Here are a few more shots from my trip to Cold Bay last weekend. As I mentioned I was tagging along with a couple of goose hunters so had to take what I could get. A couple of the images are large so recommend clicking and using the slideshow function.


My first time ever seeing, much less photographing emperor geese. They are really pretty birds. No hunting of these as they are currently protected.







This ruddy turnstone just hung around so I shot it.



Black brandt were the sought after fowl by the hunters. We had some for dinner one night and it is understandable why. They taste like and have similar texture to high quality lean beef. You can see by the surface of the water how hard the wind was blowing. Camera shake was a problem under the conditions.





I already posted the fox but here it is again.



And I don't normally do people but sometimes you just can't help it.

[Donald]

Hugely enjoyable set of images to view, Dan.

But, for me, this one jumps out of the pack. I think it's the very limited colour palette that just adds to the impact and emphasises not only the lovely composition, but the technical skill involved in making such a crisp, clear image.

[Brownbear]

All lovely, but the first image is the one for me... So many beautiful birds, beautifully photographed and set off by a gorgeous background full of beautiful colours.

For some reason I really like the people shot, too. Same beautiful everything as in the first image, plus you captured a moment/story that I would likely never see.

[flashback]

My favorite is #2.
The last reminds me of a pre (post?) Dick Cheney hunting event.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, everone.

Donald, that one is my favorite of the group from the perspective of best representing the four days that I spent there and that species of bird. It was heavily overcast and drizzly nearly the whole time resulting in a mostly monochrome world. The only brant that I got close enough to shoot were flybys like that shot. And the impression one is left with overall is a tangle of flapping wings.

Christina, the emperor geese were the object of my desire after I saw how pretty they are. Unfortunately I never got close enough to get any good, tightly framed shots of individuals or pairs of birds. These couple of shots were taken during the best lit hours of the weekend so some color showed up in them pretty well. Same with the shot of the hunters. The sun almost popped out once or twice on them.

Jack, for a Cheney hunt, I envision much higher end attire (I'm pretty sure those waders came from Costco), sunshine, and people walking down a road or more likely sitting in the back of a vehicle.

[Mike Buckley]

It doesn't remind me of a Cheney hunt at all because nobody got shot.

Such a great set. My favorite is the last one. I immediately thought of Normal Rockwell because he used photos as a source of his illustrations and because I can easily imagine him using that one. Great job!

[Wavelength]

Well done images

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, guys. The two guys in the photo really appreciated the candid nature of that last shot. They both commented that the only photos they ever get are posed shots. I suppose I should shoot people images more often than I do...

[terrib]

These are beautiful shots Dan. I especially love the first few geese shots.

[Nancy Moran G]

Dan, those are incredibly beautiful shots!
Crystal clear and great lighting, so hard to pick a favorite for me.
Nancy

[Mike Buckley]

I really enjoyed seeing this photos a second time every bit as much as the first time -- and that was a LOT!

[FlyingSquirrel]

Shoot, I had a big reply typed out and my browser crashed The gist of it was, this is amazing work.

Dan, what f/stop and how much cropping did you use for the first photo? I ask because it looks like the majority of the birds are sharp and within DOF. I've had difficulty getting multi bird shots, even from a distance. Could you offer some tips on how you proceed with shooting flocks of birds?

And my comments on the shots:
The first shot would be something I'd hang on my wall at a large size. The hunting pals shot is superb and you should do more work like that. Looks like a Cabela's ad or something.


Thanks

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, guys. Wow, Mike, you really liked this set. You must be a hunter.

Matt, this was shot at f5.6. It is slightly cropped a bit on the sides as well as the pano format so I was a good ways off. Viewed at full resolution some of the birds on the back side of the flock are a bit OOF.

Shooting flocks with a camera is the same as doing so hunting. One must resist the temptation to point at the mass and shoot. Odds of success improve greatly if you consciously pick a single bird to focus on and track it. It is preferable to focus on one of the birds on the near side. IMO it is more acceptable to have birds on the far side fall out of the DOF than for those closer to do so.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Matt, this was shot at f5.6. It is slightly cropped a bit on the sides as well as the pano format so I was a good ways off. Viewed at full resolution some of the birds on the back side of the flock are a bit OOF.

Shooting flocks with a camera is the same as doing so hunting. One must resist the temptation to point at the mass and shoot. Odds of success improve greatly if you consciously pick a single bird to focus on and track it. It is preferable to focus on one of the birds on the near side. IMO it is more acceptable to have birds on the far side fall out of the DOF than for those closer to do so.

Thanks for the shot info Dan. The tips on shooting multiple birds are of extreme help to me. In hindsight, the advice seems rather common sense, yet it had not occurred to me before. Well, now I know! Thanks

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[AndrewMcD]

I really like these! Inspirational; meaning I'm now going to have to go out in the field and try to capture some bird images. No doubt this is going to be difficult but great fun.