Shayna's Photography

Shayna and I went to the National Zoo over the weekend to get back into our normal routines but I can't say 3 1/2 hours lugging around heavy pro cameras and telephoto lenses was actually normal. Backs and shoulders were aching when that excursion was done, but what photos we got! The Night Heron at the top of this blog is Shayna's shot.  I rented her a Canon 50D with a 70-200 f2.8 lens and a teleconverter that gave her a 400mm lens. I shot this photo a few weeks ago with her carrying my camera, but the camera and lens in this photo is similar she was using alone yesterday.

We shot over 1000 images together and I post-processed her raw work in Lightroom 3. To see the best of her collection, I'll be posting a link shortly. Here are a few favorites:

 Flamingo

 Blue-crowned motmot

 Hamerkop

 Mandarin Duck

Very sad day....

In remembrance of my daughter, Julie Rachel Golfer, who passed away Thursday, April 21, 2011.

New Images, New Birds

A green heron, one of two adults and a baby that have moved back into our lake community. These birds were hatched last year and I did a number of photos of them which you can see here: http://www.pbase.com/larrygol/herons

 

We saw a couple of robins from the deck suddenly chasing another bird in a loud squawking flurry. Turns out they were after a blue jay, which is known to steal robin eggs from the nest. A beautiful bird, these images show a different face of what you'd normally think of as a blue jay.

So Few Birds, but A Turtle on the Lake

I'm capturing images of local birds but there are so few around, it's scary. This American Robin above was described to me as a possible design for wallpaper or bedding. What do you think? In any event, I saw the turtle below relaxing on a stump so couldn't resist. The chirpy red winged blackbird was making such a fuss I had to grab a shot of him too! Listen to him here: http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=25

 

Monochrome/Black and White Photography

I photographed this heron holding his little frog for lunch in color but have been missing working in black and white, so I created this monochrome image and I think it works very well. I hope to be showing more monochrome photos in the days to come. I think color is fine for recording reality, but black and white images capture the essence of a subject. Consequently, I believe they are more artistic because they evoke an emotional response in the viewer. That response is one of the reasons I create art. I get that rush of emotion in seeing a particular image in black and white, and I want to share that feeling with others.

Spring Flowers

Taking an evening walk on a chilly Thursday evening, I couldn't help but marvel at a magnolia tree I saw. This blossom in particular caught my eye. By the way, any of my images are for sale in any size you like. Just let me know if you'd like to purchase one.

More Neighborhood Birds

Spring is bringing more birds to the area, but it's amazing that they are so few and far between...I seem to remember seeing and hearing many more birds years ago. I guess the 21th century world is taking it's toll. As early as four years ago, Science Daily posted this article on the subject: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614173737.htm

In any event, here are some of my recent shots:

Northern Cardinal. Note, his leg has been banded. Wonder by whom?

 Blue Heron on the Lake. Look closely: what is he standing on? A Beutyrest, separate coil mattress??? In my lake?

 "Lovey Dovey" (Mourning Doves)

 Tufted Titmouse 1

 Tufted Titmouse 2

 Downy Woodpecker (female)

 Downy Woodpecker (Male)

 American Robin

 American Goldfinch. This little guy moves around so fast it was nearly impossible to get this shot. This is a serious cropping job. Here is the original shot below (see his mate in the tree, over to the left?):

American Goldfinch (uncropped)

 

Correction: Osprey. This is not a hawk, as was pointed out by my fellow bird expert Rosanne. This guy (girl?)  was with two others hunting over our lake. A minute later, he swooped down into the water, grabbed something to eat and flew away with whatever if was in his claws. We couldn't see what it was because he was obscured by the shrubs around the lake as he flew away.

The Beauty of Neighborhood Birds

Do you take the time and look at the birds in your neighborhood? You may not know what you are missing. These birds are commonly found in the DC area.

 Mourning Dove

 Is this a House Finch? Let me know.

 Mourning Dove 2

Common Grackle

Correction!

Sorry, earlier posts labelled one of my birds as a "chickadee." My bird expert Stephanie corrected me -- it's an eastern song sparrow. Apologies to any bird lovers out there.  Larry

Birds of Spring

Sunday was a clear, blue sky day with birds all around. Amazing what you see in your neighborhood if you look carefully.

 

 House Finch

Red bellied woodpecker

Welcome Spring

You can start to feel it...spring is around the corner. Went out early and took some photos....air was fresh and clean...chill was invigorating...let me know what you think.

Larry

 

Eastern sparrow and maple buds

Red-bellied woodpecker

Eastern sparrow in the branches

When in San Juan, no time for digital processing

Would you rather spend your vacation time hunched over a laptop doing digital photo processing or vegging out on the beach? I chose the latter, so there've been no postings after the rainforest till now. These are random shots for the last 3-4 days of one of the all time best vacations I've had.

This was where we spent much of our time:

 

View over San Juan Bay near Old San Juan.

 

Walking the streets of Old San Juan

 

Street Accordionist, Old San Juan

 

Walking along the old city wall, Old San Juan.

 

Sunset, San Juan Bay

Parque de las Palomas in Old San Juan has been surrendered to the birds. Paloma is Spanish for "dove", as in rock dove, the traditional name for the common pigeon. "Rock" refers to their native habitat, the rocky cliffs of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Pigeons love to roost in areas that resemble their natural, cliffy habitat including "pigeon holes", which are nooks and crannies man-made just for this purpose. Someone has dug pigeon holes into the ancient walls of Parque de las Palomas, and the pigeons love it.

 

La Cucina de Ivo, our favorite restaurant in Old San Juan. The freshest ingredients, so carefully prepared, and introduced by our server Ivanna, shown here with her sister, Iria and her brother in law, Omar. Their father the chef, Ivo Bignami, and these three run the restaurant.

  

Beachfront cemetery La Cementario Puerto Rico Memorial

 

Mango smoothies were cool and refreshing.

 

In Old San Juan.

 

Last days in paradise

So today's the last day here. Posting has been the lowest priority since being outside takes precedence to hacking away on the Mac. Here are a few photos from the last few days. More may follow while I'm here, or not. It's just too relaxing to do much more. Just check back to see more.

View over San Juan Bay

 

The vacationers in Old San Juan.

El Yunque National Forest Park [finally!]

Yesterday, spent the entire day in the only US designated tropical rainforest, El Yunque (pronounced "el joon-keh"). The tropical rainforest lies completely within the boundaries of the El Yunque National Forest, part of the U.S. Forest Service. It consists of a small crescent shaped band that lies over the tops of the peaks of the forest, located near the eastern end of Puerto Rico. At the top of the rainforest lies a narrower band of the forest in which plant life is stunted due to a thinner layer of soil at higher elevations on the rocky mountain, as well as higher winds. The photo in the title of the blog is of El Yunque peak in the fog and clouds.

I've posted a wide range of photos from the day's outing, below. We were led by the top rated guide on Trip Advisor for El Yunque, Luis Robles, who was recommended by, of all people, Carole's manicurist at the El San Juan Hotel, Sonia. It was only coincidental that I looked him up and found that he was top rated, and he did more that meet our expectations. A self taught naturalist, guide, former fisherman, Vietnam vet, and Puerto Rican-born, US resident, Luis was a friendly, knowledgeable guy who taught us more than we could ever remember.

Luis [or Louis, or "Louie", he said any of these names work for him], pointing out an Australian eucalyptus:

So here are the results of the day's excursion, not in any particular order except how I want you to see them.

Coca Falls

View from Yokahu Tower, looking down toward the rainforest. The sun poked through the mist for a moment here.

Yokahu Tower. It is basically an observation tower in which you can see marvelous sites from all directions.

 La Mina Falls trail. This is a 1.4 mile roundtrip trail under a tropical canopy of palm and other trees that winds steeply up and down to a waterfall. Was huffing and puffing on this hike, described as "moderate" but I was winded and drenched when I reached the falls, and low on water for the return trip.

La Mina Falls trail.  There are several rustic shelters to stop and take a breather.

La Mina Falls. I was just lucky I guess to get the pretty girl in the shot.

La Mina Falls.

 

Breadfruit Tree. The breadfruit tree is a majestic, dark leaved specimen that can reach heights of 85 feet (26 meters). The fruits appear at the tips of the branches in groups of three or less, starting out green and ripening to rich brown or lavender in some varieties. Native to the South Pacific, it was introduced to Puerto Rico. The fruit is edible.

White flowers, with lavender color leaves. 

Plantain and inflorescence (the large bud that opens as a flower. Bet you didn't know what that was called!)

Tree snail.

Anole. 

Anole staredown.

 

Matapolo Tree. Notice the roots that snake across the ground. These roots can grow to stand up to four feet high.

Taino indian face in the rock. Can you see it? We don't know if it was a natural formation or carved by the indigenous indian tribe, the Taino.

Australian eucalyptus.

I came across a recent news story: Ancestral Photo Discovered: Taino Queen Ananana. See any resemblance to someone you know?