Best photos of 2011
It was a busy and productive year for my photography. I had the opportunity to photograph prairie chickens in Nebraska, grizzly bears in Yellowstone and White Sands in New Mexico. I showed my photos at 16 art festivals, began writing photography articles for Examiner.com and won a first place in the Third Annual Audubon Magazine Photo [...]
How to be prepared for winter photography
Winter in Colorado offers many great photo opportunities. From snowy mountain sunsets, to skiing action and wildlife, this is a great time to get outdoors and make pictures. However, the extremes of Colorado winter can threaten the safety of your camera gear and you. Before you go out in the cold, prepare yourself properly. Caring [...]
The light makes the photograph
Many amateur photographers see photos made by professionals and then try to shoot a similar picture for themselves. Can’t be that hard, right? However, when amateurs look at their work the images usually don’t look as good. What’s different — besides perhaps the price tags on the gear?
Birds of Yellowstone
Yellowstone is famous for its large mammals — bison, bear, elk and others. Often overlooked are the park’s winged inhabitants. Here are some of the large birds I captured there in action.
Lunchtime at the top of the food chain
Yellowstone spring: Part One On my recent trip to Yellowstone, I came across a newly deceased bison not far from the road in Lamar Valley. It was free of any visible wounds and appeared to have died from natural causes. Not interesting you say? Well, a dead bison may not be exciting to watch — until [...]
Clutch time in the trees
Springtime gives nature photographers the opportunity to photograph a variety of birds building nests and raising their young. The big cottonwood trees here in Colorado are still a few weeks away from fully leafing out, making it easier to spot birds and photograph them. Last year’s empty nests are a hub of activity. Hawks, owls [...]
The call of the lek
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a few days with photographer friend Rick Rasmussen in Grand Island, Nebraska photographing sandhill cranes and prairie chickens. Prairie chickens? Yes, indeed. Greater Prairie Chickens, (latin name Tympanuchus cupido), are members of the grouse family and are fascinating to watch and listen to. Prairie chickens are found in [...]
Taking wing
I’m happy to share the news that my photo “Mouthful of Feathers” recently won honorable mentions in a couple of annual nature photography contests. First is the North American Nature Photographers Association 2011 Showcase competition. The other is the National Wildlife Refuge Association. There were more than 3800 entries combined in these two contests. Being [...]
A little bird told me to get out and make pictures
Running a photography business by myself, I end up spending a lot of time indoors, away from the wild things I love to photograph. There’s a lot to do: accounting; photos to edit, tone, print, and frame; magazine submissions to send off; art shows to apply to; marketing — and so much more. With so [...]
Even nature photographers need to be ready for the “spot news” shot
Lessons learned as a news photographer pay off when pursuing images of nature.
