Where’s Rocky?Posted by admin on January 28th, 2009

A few years ago my wife and I took a two week trip to Glacier and Banff. It was a spectacular vacation and we saw an assortment of landscapes, weather, and creatures. We decided to take a short hike near a lake in Glacier where we saw a moose on the other side of the water. He started to move across the lake. Well, I hadn’t brought my camera and the car wasn’t far, so I rushed back to grab my gear. When I returned, I couldn’t find my wife or the moose anywhere. After a short time, my wife appeared and proceeded to tell me that not only did the moose not stop, but he sped up towards her. She decided to head into the forest and wait for me. I’m not sure what would have happened if she had stayed, but I am sure that she did the right thing.

Over time, I have found that one of the hardest large animals to photograph is the moose. All in all, I have seen maybe 5 or 6 in the wild, and they are usually shy and hide within minutes of me spotting them. They are a powerful, magnificent creature that can charge at a moment’s notice (obviously), so I tend to keep a pretty good distance when I do see them. This particular photograph was taken on my trip to Canada a couple of years ago. Hiding in the trees and just a bit off the road, this moose was eating the low foliage around her. She managed to stay for a few shots.

Technical Details:
Canon 20d, 300 f/4l + 1.4 tc, f/5.6, 1/200 sec.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada

Current and Upcoming EventsPosted by admin on January 27th, 2009

I will be having an showing at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge’s visitor center from April 1 until May 30, 2009. This is the second year for this event and I look forward to displaying about 30-35 framed images from my various collections. Some favorites and recent photographs will be exhibited. For more details and directions, visit the refuge website at http://midwest.fws.gov/desoto.

I have recently expanded the number of offerings on my webstore at Hamilton Color Labs. I will provide any image and size print requested, however, this website expedites the processing of some of the more popular images and sizes. It is also the featured gallery for the time being. Please visit the store at http://www.hamiltoncolorlab.com/cgi-bin/IFC/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Photography/Journey_of_Light.

A Wintry Day in May IIPosted by admin on January 27th, 2009

Taken the same day as the previous post, this is Mt. Cephron in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. I have obviously been in a black and white mood recently, as the winter tends to bring a monotone contrast to the landscape. Less than 2 hours after this photograph was taken, all of the snow on the grasses and trees had melted leaving behind a wet, damp mountain scene.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 35mm, f/16, 1/25 sec.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

A Wintry Day in MayPosted by admin on January 26th, 2009

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days trekking through Alberta on my own. I went during the last couple days of May and the first week of June and on one of those mornings I arose to some heavy snowfall. I decided to wait it out and so I went back inside to the warmth for a good couple of hours until the snow slowed. Later, I ventured out to the beautiful wintry landscape. The snow was especially wet and sticking to everything. I only took a few photographs in these conditions, but what came out was some images that were very conducive to being converted to black and white.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 40mm, f/11, 1/50 sec.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada

Slowed FlowPosted by admin on January 23rd, 2009

Today’s image was taken on a rainy, overcast day during my last trip to Alberta, Canada. Overcast days are optimal for capturing the movement of the water and slowing it to a silky flow. I felt that this technique gave this photo a feeling of a bit of motion, instead of a “snapshot of time” where everything is completely frozen. Through this I hope that this allows you to be drawn into the composition more, rather than being just a viewer.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 27mm, f/18, 10 sec.
Alberta, Canada

Chirping in the SunlightPosted by admin on January 20th, 2009

As I was returning the other morning when I ventured out to photograph the Platte River at sunrise, I heard an incessant chirping from a nearby tree. There I found a little red cardinal that was welcoming the day. Not wanting to disturb him for too long, I took only a couple of shots and then continued on.

Technical Details:
Canon 50d, 300 f/4l + 1.4tc, f/5.6, 1/500 sec.
Near the Platte River Connection Bridge, Nebraska