Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull photographed February 27 in Galveston. I'm not sure if this was a yawn or a squawk because of the irritating photographer nearby. As I recall, it was pretty loud so probably a squawk. And when there are 20-30 of these gulls around --- it does get loud. Nikon D200, 200mm, 1/3200 sec at f/2.8.

Great Egret

Here's another photo from the same location as the previous two posts of the pelican. This great egret was actually there first, but the pelicans ran him off pretty quickly. When I first came to this location I noticed there was a palm tree overhead, which caused some dappled light. And whenever I run into that, it never fails that the shadows and highlights fall exactly where I don't want them. In this case, however, the highlight fell right across the egret's head and shoulders. No flash or Photoshop here. This is all natural light. I also thought it was a bit early for the egret to have breeding plumage, and with the wind that day, it added a little visual kick at the bottom. Nikon D200, 200mm, 1/4000 sec at f/4.

Another Take

After Doug's good suggestion of including eyes in the composition of this brown pelican, here's one of the many I shot more traditionally -- profile and with a catchlight in the eye. Nikon D200, 140mm, 1/3000 sec at f/2.8.

Eye to Eye

This photo of a brown pelican was taken last Saturday in Galveston. Originally, I was taking photos of a great white egret at this location, but a couple of pelicans came along and took control of this spot near a seafood shop. I couldn't resist -- I sat down and started taking photos; 30 minutes later I realized I had almost filled up a 4 GB card with 200 images of an egret and a couple of pelicans. Sometimes you get caught up in the pursuit of the perfect picture. I've always admired Steve Mayeux's photo of a brown pelican looking straight into the camera. So as I worked this situation I realized I didn't have the great early morning or later afternoon light so I shot at f/2.8 to throw the background out of focus. Seems like the older I get the more likely I am to shoot at shallow depths of field. As the pelican turned, I kept firing hoping I'd get one where he was looking straight on. The background is the water and backs of a couple of shrimp boats. Nikon D200, 140mm, 1/2000 sec at f/2.8; sharpened and cropped in Photoshop.

Elissa Bowsprit

On Saturday I ventured down to Pier 19 along the Galveston Ship Channel. Before I began an epic search for interesting bird photos, I took this shot of the Elissa bowsprit. March in Galveston means Featherfest and Elissa Day Sails. It's a good time to be a photographer. Nikon D200, 170mm, 1/1250 sec at f/8; black and white conversion done with Nik Silver Efex.

Above the Trees

Bishop's Palace and Sacred Heart Church -- taken from the esplanade on Broadway about two blocks west. I see this scene every time I come into Galveston; and sadly with the oaks now cut down post Ike, there are new vantage points previously obstructed by trees. I found myself there Saturday morning so I stopped and took a couple of shots. I didn't have a tripod, so I handheld a couple of bracketed exposures. Ended up with some misalignment so I did a one-shot HDR merge of a couple of Photomatix tonemapped variations. I wish I could have gotten a bit higher to shoot above the treeline. And maybe at a different time of year and a little earlier in the morning there might even be a sunrise in the background. Nikon D200, 180mm at f/6.3.

Snowflake Vampire

Gotta love the Renaissance Festival. Although not seen in this photo, this woman had fangs to go along with her powder blue French maid's costume and snowflake make-up. Quite a sight. The greenery in the background was from some of the numerous trees with ivy scattered around the fairgrounds. Nikon D200 at 116mm, 1/160 sec at f/5.6. Light from small softbox from camera left provided by Doug Haass. I don't think Doug shot this woman, but somehow I managed about 10-12 shots of her -- probably my high for the day of any one person. She told us she made her own costume and did her own make up. She really did a nice job. I did a little touch up to the eyes in Photoshop -- highlighted the iris a little more, and added new catchlights.