Why Use HDR?

GNC Frog Pond

We had a semi overcast sky the other morning.  I gave  nice diffuse light.  The sun was barely visible through the clouds.  I like such circumstances for landscape.  My first shot surprised me with all the "blinkies" on my LCD.  I quickly decided that HDR was in order.

GNC Frog Pond

The sky was an important part of the image, don't you think?  I captured five images ranging in two stop intervals from negative 4 to positive 4 exposure compensation.  I used Photomatix to combine them.  

I thought this an opportunity not to waste.   

GNC Vernal Pool

I liked this sky above the vernal pool also.  This was shot with: Canon EOS 7D, Sigma 10 to 20mm  f/4-5.6 lens at f/16.  Shutter speeds were 1/350, 1/90, 1/20, 1/6, .7.  I used a Manfrotto 3021 tripod.  I used my trusty double bubble level and mirror lock on the camera and a shutter remote.

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Mohican Outdoor Weekend

Red-tailed Hawk

I was shooting with a long lens but I think that a flash would have added to this and some other shots.  I wish for the catch light in the bird's eye.

Turkey Vulture

This is a favorite bird, although it is not what I consider beautiful.

In the next hour, after the birds of prey display, David FitzSimmons spoke in the main visitor's center.  He discussed his book, Curious Critters.  He had puppets and had the children help him act out some of the animals.  My grandsons, Lucas and Loudon, attended.

Lucas and Loudon

Afterwards, we looked at the other birds, still in their cages.  Their daddy, Chad, had to leave to play soccer.  Lucas, Loudon and I stayed and checked out the children's activities.  We made a friend while doing so.

Friend

The guys were pretty interested in his chair.  I think that they each wanted one.

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Ohio Bird Sanctuary and Mohican Outdoor Weekend.

Great Horned Owl

On Sunday of the weekend, The Ohio Bird Sanctuary displayed many of its birds of prey.  They are birds who live in captivity.  Some think that they are humans but all look like birds.

Barred Owl

They were held by staff members wearing thick leather gloves.  The birds where tethered to the gloves.  We could get close to view them but were not permitted to touch them.  I really wanted to.  

Barn Owl

Previously, I had only seen a barn owl sleeping.  

Harris Hawk

These hawks do not live in Ohio but instead Arizona.  It was especially meaningful for me to see this bird since I had recently seen a documentary about them.  They hunt in packs.

American Kestrel

These are small in comparison to the other birds of prey.  I believe they said that one can fly as fast as 65 miles/hour.

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Toads

American Toad

This is the toad that got me started on toads.  My step-daughter was doing some excavating for a new front step.  This little guy was displaced.  I happened to be there and saw him.  I ran home for my camera and light tent and made this shot.  It started me thinking about David FitzSimmons' book and the shots he made for it.

This toad, I borrowed from Merrill Tawse's classroom.  I may have blogged about it but when I showed it to Dave, he pointed out that it was not editorially correct to clone out his right big toe.  He also commented that my light on the toad's right side was too strong.  He also showed me how to select the toad without a knockout.  (David will be speaking at Gorman Nature Center May 31 at 7:00 PM.  If I understand correctly, he will discuss Curious Critters II, in the works, and reveal more of how he does it.)

American Toad Tadpole

This is a recent shot, about which I am excited.  I used David's techniques to create it.  This critter is swimming!

Toad Tadpole

They congregate in the shallow water by the edge of  the pond in the warm sun.  They avoid predators this way.  Wikipedia states that they mature in 30 to 40 days and may remain in the water as adults for a while before heading back to the woods.  

I have showed you toads mating and let you hear their mating sounds, a trill. in earlier blogs.  The sound is available at my web site, Larry's Images.  The link is at the bottom of the page.  I am pleased to have covered so many aspects of this creature and shared them with you.

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