Uploads from DrgnMastr, with geodata

Red Fox (20130515-144317-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:26:15 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

Here I am, out in the country, in the middle of a lot of trees when I spot movement down in field way over yonder through the trees.

It isn't my best work, but it was a hard shot through all those branches and the distance to get this wild fox as well as I did.

Shot in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 15 May 2013.

Sneaky Eagle (20130515-152015-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:10:47 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

The morning was drizzly and cloud covered, but shortly after lunch the weather changed. I just had to step out into my 'backyard' for a bit of a walk and see what I could find.

Our mature bald eagles are wild, and they really are sneaky and uncooperative, at least to photographers. Being masters of the hunt, they know how to stay hidden from casual observers when they want to. I just had this funny feeling that I was being watched while out walking.

They really don't like cameras with long lenses. Here, I had spotted it perched, and knew exactly what would happen. The second one points a DSLR with a long lens at one of these majestic birds, they will take to the sky and hightail it away from you.

Taken in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada on 15 May 2013.

Reaching for the Sky (20130515-152613-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:15:48 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

The morning was drizzly and cloud covered, but shortly after lunch the weather changed. I just had to step out into my 'backyard' for a bit of a walk and see what I could find.

Our mature bald eagles are wild, and they really don't like cameras with long lenses. I had spotted it perched, and knew exactly what would happen. The second one points a DSLR with a long lens at one of these majestic birds, they will take to the sky and hightail it away from you. Luckily, he was reaching for altitude within range. :)

Taken in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada on 15 May 2013.

Great Seeing You, Cage_ee! (20130513-115642-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:51:06 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

One of my best friends, cage_ee, paid me a visit for several hours. It was really nice seeing him, and being able to spend the time chatting, walking, and of course, doing photography. Before I moved away from the Halifax area, cage_ee and I used to go shooting together fairly often, and I certainly missed our get-togethers.

We spent the better part of our time out shooting, and as luck would have it, a mature bald eagle came by to greet us.

Taken in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on 13 May 2013.

Dickson Falls (20130508-160259-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:40:25 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

Last Wednesday, my friend Julie and I were headed down to Fundy National Park, to photograph Dickson Falls. We left Moncton in bright sunlight, only to hit a bank of fog in Alma, and then sunlight again in Fundy National Park.

The main path to Dickson Falls was closed for Spring maintenance, so we had to take a much longer natural trail walk, carrying gear, such as tripods, filters, lenses, etc.

We had been told it is best to photograph the falls on an overcast day, and they weren't kidding. I had to struggle with neutral density filters, just to cut the light down enough to frost the water and even out the exposure some of the top and bottom halves. I spent about an hour there, seeing only one other couple, who stopped to take an iPhone shot. The park doesn't open until May 18th.

This is one of two shots of the Falls that I liked after reviewing all of mine. This particular one is of the 'upper half'. The 'full view' is presented here, and in the first comment following this description.

Taken at Dickson Falls, Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada on 8 May 2013.

Dickson Falls (20130508-150816-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:18:52 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

Last Wednesday, my friend Julie and I were headed down to Fundy National Park, to photograph Dickson Falls. We left Moncton in bright sunlight, only to hit a bank of fog in Alma, and then sunlight again in Fundy National Park.

The main path to Dickson Falls was closed for Spring maintenance, so we had to take a much longer natural trail walk, carrying gear, such as tripods, filters, lenses, etc.

We had been told it is best to photograph the falls on an overcast day, and they weren't kidding. I had to struggle with neutral density filters, just to cut the light down enough to frost the water and even out the exposure some of the top and bottom halves. I spent about an hour there, seeing only one other couple, who stopped to take an iPhone shot. The park doesn't open until May 18th.

This is one of two shots of the Falls that I liked after reviewing all of mine.

Taken at Dickson Falls, Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada on 8 May 2013.

Total Chaos in the Fog (20130508-135127-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:43:26 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

Last Wednesday, my friend Julie and I were headed down to Fundy National Park, to photograph Dickson Falls. We left Moncton in bright sunlight, only to hit a bank of fog in Alma. When I lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I rarely went out shooting in the fog, as I originally thought I would never get a decent shot. I was wrong, as the fog adds mystery and texture to nautical shots.

So here I am in Alma, in thick fog, and definitely cooler weather, with some of the fishing boats tied to the wharf. It was a good time for a break and some shooting, before continuing on to Fundy (which was in bright sunlight).

Taken in Alma, New Brunswick, Canada on 8 May 2013.

Being Watched (20130508-172628-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:49:19 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I had a wonderful afternoon out shooting today. At one point, while walking I had a feeling of being closely watched, and found this mature bald eagle watching me through a dense tree cover.

The eyes follow me around the room. :)

No blurring tools have been used. I could see the eagle's head occasionally though the blowing branches, and just knew there might be a chance.

Taken on 8 May 2013.

Junco (20130504-163504-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:02:02 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I spent Saturday Afternoon out in the country with my friend, Brian. Luckily, he is far better at identifying birds then I am, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue on this shot.

This Junco was flitting about on the trail, in really poor light, and finally stopped on a tree, which had a bit more light falling on it.

My first time seeing and capturing one. :)

Taken at the Hopewell Rocks in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 4 May 2013.

Angry Bird: Yellow-Rumped Warbler (20130504-145844-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:23:32 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I spent Saturday Afternoon out in the country with my friend, Brian. Luckily, he is far better at identifying birds then I am, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue on this shot.

The warbler was seated on a branch of a tamarack tree (thanks cage_ee).

My first time seeing and capturing one. :)

Taken in the Lower Cape area of Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 4 May 2013.

Mature Bald Eagle (20130502-135450-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:15:53 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I was out for a drive, the other afternoon, and decided to stop on the back country road to have a look around. Like usual, I'll look at the sky and saw an approaching speck. The camera was ready, I was ready, and a mature bald eagle wasn't ready. Usually, they see the lens and high-tail it in the other direction. :)

Taken in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 2 May 2013.

Bald Eagle (20130502-141342-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:04:31 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I received my new copy of my 50-500 a couple of days ago, and did some preliminary testing along the riverfront.

It was a slightly cool, but beautiful afternoon, yesterday, so it was time for me to go for a drive and see if I could find a cooperative eagle to pose for me, to test the lens even further. Anyone photographing an eagle in the wild will know there is no such thing. lol!

I finally caught up with a mature bald eagle, and think that the lens passed this test.

Taken in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 2 May 2013.

Pigeon Flight (20130501-143139-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:20:50 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I only had a couple of hours in the afternoon, to allow me to test the lens replacement for my Sigma 50-500, so I went down to the Halls Creek Bridge along the Petitcodiac River just before the arrival of the Tidal Bore. Normally, this is the best time to be there, as there is usually some bird life other than the gulls and pigeons. Unfortunately, that would not be the case on this day.

My summer shooting skills aren't quite back to speed but all it will take is a few more excursions of shooting gulls and it should be fine. I just barely managed to capture a Canada Goose flying at me.

Pigeons are fast and fairly predictable, and this one did present itself in good light. :)

Taken along the Petitcodiac River, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on 1 May 2013.

Canada Goose Flight (20130501-142013-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:27:56 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I got called this morning that my big lens was back, so I scooted into the camera shop to pick it up. The lens had been replaced with a brand-new copy, so I knew I would have to get out to put it through its paces. I didn't have time to go back after eagles so decided to shoot for an hour or so waiting for the Tidal Bore to come up the Petitcodiac River.

While waiting, I didn't have long to capture to this Canada Goose coming at me while honking away. They were really moving along.

Taken in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on 1 May 2013.

Well! Hello, Old Friend! (20130430-173046-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:04:28 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

It was a beautiful Spring Day here with comfortable temperatures, and clear skies in the afternoon. I picked up my friend, Tom, and we were out until after supper time.

At one of many stops on our afternoon excursion, this mature bald eagle soared by to greet us. I recognize my old friend by the notches in its wing tip on the right. My first eagle of Spring/Summer 2013.

Taken in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada on 30 April 2013.

I've heard that they are replacing Bigma, and it should be back to me by the end of the week. It will be really nice have it back, as it is one heck of a sharp lens. I was shooting with my older 80-400 and it just is not in the same calibre.

Song Sparrow (20130423-092849-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:33:26 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I was out for a walk along the Riverfront Park, Tuesday morning, mainly for the walk and to see how the marshes had survived the winter. Along my way, I had seen an unusual sight, which I dedicated to my good friend.

There is an abundance of red-wing blackbirds, sparrows and swallows in the area, where the trail veers to bisect the marshes along with a covered gazebo to have a seat. I watched the marshes for about an hour, and only four Canada Geese arrived at the far end. Nothing exciting, so it was time to turn my attention elsewhere.

Besides capturing a tree swallow in flight, which was a first for me, this song sparrow was so nicely perched with the morning light and the breeze, that I just had to capture it too. Hope you like the shot.

Taken in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada on 23 April 2013.

Long-Tailed Ducks 2of2 (20130425-155029-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:55:51 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I was out shooting yesterday afternoon, with a friend, in what would turn out to be overcast and rainy weather. We ended the afternoon at a wharf in the Shediac Bay along the Northumberland Strait.

It is the first time I had ever seen this type of duck, so they definitely had my attention. Thank you to my friend, cage_ee, for helping with their identification. We believe that the ducks are Long-Tailed Ducks, formerly called oldsquaw ducks. Both male and female are shown in this image.

According to my Peterson's Field Guide, they are supposed to be fairly common and can winter in this area.

We may be wrong with the identification, so please feel free to correct me, preferably with sources.

Long-Tailed Ducks 1of2 (20130425-155219-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:57:19 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

Is This the Right Stuff, Dear? (20130425-145346-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:33:35 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

It wasn't a great day for shooting, as it was completely overcast and eventually did rain and drizzle. However, I had a few hours out in the afternoon checking on some osprey nests. Yes, it is nesting season here, and this osprey was just returning with some materials for the next.

Tree Swallow (20130423-092402-PJG)

nobody@flickr.com (DrgnMastr) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:35:08 -0700

DrgnMastr posted a photo:

I was out for a walk along the Riverfront Park, yesterday morning, mainly for the walk and to see how the marshes had survived the winter. Along my way, I had seen an unusual sight, which I dedicated to my good friend.

There is an abundance of red-wing blackbirds, sparrows and swallows in the area, where the trail veers to bisect the marshes along with a covered gazebo to have a seat. I watched the marshes for about an hour, and only four Canada Geese arrived at the far end. Nothing exciting, so it was time to turn my attention elsewhere.

I've tried to capture a tree swallow in flight in that area for over four years, but they are extremely fast and maneuverable, so I've never succeeded. The v1 80-400 is not a fast focussing lens, so i wasn't too hopeful I would succeed this day either, until I caught this one in flight.

Taken in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada on 23 April 2013.