Last Day of January

Thank goodness January is coming to an end. It has been an endless progression of snowstorms and cold temperatures. For those who think that man-made global warming is real think again. The average January temperature here was almost 6 degrees below average and snowfall is at a near record pace this winter.

Still not much to photograph this winter as far as scenery goes, so I am trying to get better with birds. Quite the day today. As I went out on my back deck with a bag of birdseed, a pine siskin landed on the bag which I was holding. Then, while photographing all of the birds suddenly flew off. One or two may have hit the window on the house. As I turned to look a hawk flew in. It was obviously looking for a meal from the injured birds. Just as quickly as the hawk flew in it flew off. I went to investigate and found a pine siskin face down in the snowbank. I picked it up and kept it in my warm mitts for awhile. Eventually, it got over the shock and flew off. I then saw another siskin in the snowbank. Unfortunately, it had been there awhile and was frozen. I caught a few good images off of the deck and then it was off to try again to photograph the snowy owl. After playing a game of cat and mouse with the owl not wanting me too close this is the best that I could get. The white at the bottom is the snow which is blowing in a fierce wind.

This may be my last time I see the snowy this winter. What a magnificent bird.

Newsletter Available Online

My January newsletter issue is now available online at http://www.tomhaxbyphotos.com/Newsletter/January_2009_Newsletter.htm

This is obviously free and if you wish to subscribe send an e-mail to thaxby02@yahoo.com

I have featured some of my new photos and a how to take better landscape photos.

Winter Birds

While I do not consider myself to be an expert birder, birds do sometimes make great photo subjects. Case in point the chickadees in my back yard. During the daytime hours on weekends they now flock around expecting sunflower seeds when I go to clear the deck of snow (which is everyday). I have also been able to feed them out of my hand. And of course, in time, I decided that they would be good photo subjects. Here is one that I took today.
The pine siskins not wanting to be left out, but not being as bold as the chickadees have let down their guard too.

Top Ten List

Top ten list of taking better landscape photos:
1. Read your manual and learn how to use your camera
2. Learn to see differences in light (intensity, color, direction)
3. Steady the camera with a tripod or other method
4. Use the manual settings on the camera
5. Learn how to understand and use a histogram to judge exposure
6. Do most of your shooting around dawn and dusk
7. Use the rule of thirds for better compositions
8. Simplify your images to allow your subject to stand out
9. Understand the relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture
10. Shoot what you like, enjoy and have a passion for.

South Carolina Scenes

The trip to South Carolina continues. Having a little trouble with a borrowed mac computer which is my only web access. Anyhow, went to Caw Caw Nature Center. Amazing place for wading and other types of birds. Also, another stop was to visit the "Angel Oak" near Charleston, SC. This oak estimated to be 1,400 years old is amazing and is a must see.

Hunting Island State Park on the Atlantic was another stop this week. The sunrises (pictured here) have been very cloudy though and the sunsets even more so. Well, it at least is warm. The Tricolor Heron in the upper left was very tolerant of my presence. The Little Blue Heron was a fortunate catch as it was trying to catch fish. One more day in the South. Then a flight back to Michigan, weather permitting.

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008: Merry Christmas to all. Spending Christmas in the south this year. Here are a few photos of the family from Christmas morning. Breakfast was on the back deck. Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas.

Winter Moonlight

One would never guess that this image was taken at almost midnight. The moon was full and although it kept dodging behind the clouds there was still enough for a 12 minute exposure to look like daylight. Was actually hoping that the light from Traverse City would cast an orange glow in the clouds - as it usually does in winter.

It did not actually feel too cold at first - it was about 16 degrees. But, eventually the fingers and nose started to feel a little nippy. Oh well, had to try it and although this may not be an award winner the light was just about right - moonlight that is.