I spent the weekend honing my action photography skills. The Llano Crawfish Festival is a local event. One of the highlights is a three-day team roping competition. I’ve long wanted access to a rodeo or any event featuring horses in action. I learned of the roping competition from my barber on Thursday and immediately went into planning mode. After searching the internet and studying the schedule in our weekly local, I awoke Friday morning and was in the Cowboy Camping Area before daylight. The first thing I learned was that cowboys are NOT the early risers I had assumed.They ARE big partiers.

In my professional past, I have had easy access to the events that I covered and to the competitors.My Press Pass or race credentials got me inside the action. This was different. I was just another citizen. I needed a way to get into that arena. The least I could settle for was a position by the fence.

Since there was no one present, I took a camera and several lenses with me as I circled the arena just to see what I would need and where I should be. With a bright sun starting its ascent to a high point in the southern hemisphere, I knew to expect very contrasty lighting. The roping wasn’t scheduled to start until ten o’clock. I chose a place with the sun behind me, putting most of the heavy shadows on the opposite side of the subject. My trusty 80~200mm zoom lens would get me close enough while keeping me at a safe distance. The spot was inside the arena.

I strolled through the cowboy camping area, killing time and looking for interesting pictures in the morning light. There were some beautiful horses but backgrounds were terribly distracting. Cowboys have lost a lot of their mystique. They’ve gotten “citified.”The area was like an RV park with motor homes and expensive self-contained horse trailers parked bumper to bumper.

When I returned to my parked truck the activity had picked up. Vendors were setting up their areas and officials were preparing for the ropers to register. I still had no idea how I would gain access to a primo spot in the arena but found someone who looked important and asked the question. “Where can I get to take pictures?” I was directed to an important person and told that I was welcome to take pictures and “where did I want to get.”She first said that I would not be allowed inside the arena. I told her about the light problem and requested a place at the far end of the arena, a long way from where the steers were released and the cowboys started their timed runs. She agreed. I was allowed in the arena and practically had the run of the place. They made me feel important and quite welcome.

The moral of this story is “Just Ask.” If you are serious about photography and want access you can probably get it. Most promoters or event officials are pleased to have your interest and might even ask to buy some of your pictures. The worst that can happen is they say “NO.” Even if they say no, they will likely offer alternative locations. So, gather your gear, choose an event, plan an approach and practice … practice you photography skills and your negotiating skills. You may surprise yourself.

I’ve selected several images from the Llano Crawfish Open to scroll the HomePage. I will allow them to scroll until the next blog post — or until I get tired of seeing them.

With the current price of fuel I can hardly afford unnecessary road trips.  After the previous photo safari produced so little in the way of wildflowers, I’m hesitant to go exploring again.  There are a few bluebonnets but they are sparse and spindly.  Bluebonnets usually predict the quality of other wildflowers, Indian paintbrush, black-eyed susan, Indian blanket, winecups, etc.  Unless we get a lot of rain soon there will be little to photograph along our highways, byways and meadows in coming months. 

I have a few wildflower pictures scrolling across the homepage.  They are from previous years and even from places other than the Texas Hill Country.  I enjoy my Big Bend Bluebonnets and the Lake Buchanan Lighthouse but would much rather be photographing huge fields of well saturated local bluebonnets to scroll across a computer screen.   It’s not just the photographers being disappointed.  The lack of wildflowers in the area is a bust for tourism, photographers and the local business people.  The weekend is due to be a large infusion of money into the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes Area especially.  Even the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival is likely to suffer.   Maybe the nice weather will attract crowds to the local air show.

We had some rain this week.  Hopefully, a little more will give us something to look forward to as the wildflowers change from blue to red to yellow.  Perhaps the cactus and yucca will produce some photogenic blossoms.  I hope we don’t have to wait all the way into June for sunflowers.  Keep your fingers crossed.

My friend Celeste has one of the coolest domain names around — RoadLessTraveled. I know, it’s a poem. But, she got there first.
Today’s adventure reminded me of that poem. I followed a road yesterday that I’ve always wondered about. I got lost in a maze of country roads that finally dumped me back onto State Highway 71. I wasn’t sure that I could retrace my steps but had seen a place that I was sure would make a great photo … if the light was right. By my calculation that had to be really early in the morning. I was on the road before sunrise. As a matter of fact, I found my focal point before sunrise. I was right. This old ranch building is fantastic with the morning sun reflecting off its weathered exterior. The old windmill was nice too. It still pumps water into a tank. I used the tank to capture the windmill reflection in the picture on the right. I was disappointed that the cattle that surrounded the building yesterday were gone. They did, however, leave evidence of their visit in the yard.
It was a fun morning, serving more than one purpose. I’m still breaking in that new diesel engine. The economical 14.7 MPG was from my light foot and some very slow going along a bumpy dirt road.

Wildlife was abundant. Deer were thicker’n fleas on a dog’s back. I saw turkey as well. One old Tom was even strutting for the ladies but I wasn’t close enough for a decent picture. A jack rabbit nearly commited suicide under my new diesel truck. He was just quick enough to escape before I got a picture or assisted in his suicide.
There were far fewer surprises than I had hoped for. I did accomplish the primary mission but really expected more. I finished off the excursion by snapping a few quick pics of the neighbor’s peach tree. Kim, the blooms are fantastic. I’m looking forward to stealing your peaches. Here’s hoping the blooms are still here for your visit.
Now, I have a long list of tasks. Jane is working and I am in charge. I’m in charge of mowing the lawn and getting my office cleaned up before Dillon gets here for Easter.
As usual, click the thumbnail image to see a larger version.

l8r

North Carolina — The Outer Bank

We’re home. We had a happy holiday with our family and a wonderful journey home. I know that I’m switching my emphasis again but can’t resist the temptation to write about (and post pictures) of that journey.

I spent a lot of time during the holidays researching the North Carolina Outer Bank and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Our daughter has friends in Nags Head but that had little to do with our decision to stay there. Nags Head is the gateway to some of the most beautiful seascapes and beaches I have ever seen. And, it is all a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Abundant Wildlife!!!

Our timing, however, was not perfect. We came into Nags Head with a chilling cold front that brought freezing temps and gale force winds. We barely had enough warm clothing to brave the weather. I managed by wearing sweat pants under my jeans. Jane managed by staying in the truck.

This picture is from the balcony of our hotel in Nags Head. I noticed it from our window the morning after our arrival. Even though it is very cliche, I ventured out into the morning chill for a quick pic.

Our first stop on the Outer Bank had been Kitty Hawk, the famed location of aviations first powered flight. Actually, the flight took place at Kill Devil Hill which is a few miles south of Kitty Hawk. We spent a couple of hours in the museum and drove around the Wright Brothers Monument on Kill Devil Hill. It was just too cold to enjoy the outdoors so we found our hotel and checked in early.

We prepared for the outing with a substantial breakfast, compliments of the hotel, and loaded the truck for an adventure to the southern environs of Hatteras Island. I’ve always been drawn to lighthouses and the Outer Banks is well-known for its shipwrecks and lighthouses. There are five lighthouses along this coast and a shipwreck museum at the tip of Hatteras Island. Plus, abundant migratory birds and waterfowl at Pea Island National Wildlife Reserve. Here, a flock of snow geese is silhouetted against the evening sky as they join others in their roosting area.

Our plan was to stay two days in Nags Head and leave the Outer Banks via ferry after exploring Ocracoke Island and its lighthouse. We were bummed to find that the only way to explore Ocracoke was via four-wheel drive. Many of the highway bridges were under repair. Only residents were taking the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke.

We traveled south anyway, visiting the lighthouse at Bodie Island and catching some beautiful late-day light on the Pea Island wildlife. The beaches and sand dunes were most photogenic in this light. I managed to con Jane into taking a walk along the beach. I needed a focal point for my seascape. That’s Jane in the red jacket.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is probably the most photographed and well-known of all lighthouses. It also made national news in 1999 when it was moved 1600 feet from its original location to a more stable position. Most images that I have seen are from the original location. The new location isn’t bad. I took fifty pictures while Jane was staying warm in the museum. The one to the right is my selection for sharing. I probably should have spent more time waiting for better lighting.

On the return trip, the evening light provided enough warmth (or courage) to brave the elements in pursuit of wildlife pictures. There were birds I had never seen and may never see again. I learned a lot about ducks. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing but did manage to identify redheads, widgeons, coots, snow geese, canvas back and tundra swans. I’m sure there were many others. These are tundra swans — one immature and two adults. They were flying very slowly into a stiff north wind. The evening light gave them a warm, golden appearance.

I have no idea what these waders are. I’ll try later to identify them. It doesn’t really matter. It was those beautiful blue and gold colors that I was seeing. There is nothing in this world like warm evening light. I only wish we had had longer — and that it had been a little warmer.

I think I’ve written and displayed too much for one outing. I may post more later. It really was a great adventure, filled with many exciting scenes. We’ll do it again.

As always, clicking on a thumbnail will produce a larger image.

l8r

Fast Focusing, No Shutter Lag.

The new camera arrived Friday. I’ve been studying the documentation. It’s a bit intimidating. I’m overwhelmed.

I started to get a little more comfortable this afternoon. I was watching the evening light come and go. And, ducks were active. Most of my work with a camera is action; even the nature and wildlife stuff I do. I decided to put the D80 to the test. The ducks make an excellent test subject.

My problem with the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 was in focusing on fast action and with “digital noise” when the ISO (equivalent of film speed) was cranked up to 400 or above. The FZ30 is an excellent camera. I will continue to use it for many projects. It just is not quite a professional tool. The larger sensor and more sophisticated processor of the digital SLR cameras eliminates much of the digital noise issue. And, the interchangeable lenses with built-in focusing motors makes focusing and staying focused on a moving target much faster and more accurate.

I set the ISO to 400, mounted my 18-135mm “kit lens” and trudged down to the lake. I watched a gull drifting lazily overhead. I pointed and my D80 instantaneously locked on. I followed the bird and the focus adjusted as it flew away. It tracked perfectly but this was a slow-moving object. Just then, here came a flock of ducks, flying right over me. I pointed, pushed the shutter release to the half-way point, and the D80 locked on. It continued to follow as the ducks banked hard and set their wings to land. The light went wonderful and I completed releasing the shutter. Wow! Just like Henri Cartier-Bresson, I realized my “decisive moment.” I KNEW it was good — even with a high ISO setting and fairly short lens. I love this camera. I felt flushed from excitement. I just stood there in awe of my new tool. This is what I’ve been missing. With the FZ30, I would see the action coming, focus on the spot that I expected to be “the decisive moment” and hope for the best. I had to wait for the action to come into focus. If I tried focusing on the subject too soon, it could easily become blurred while I waited for the right moment, especially if it was coming directly at me.

Next test … here comes a single duck, right at me. Again, I pointed and pressed the shutter release to focus on the fast-flying duck. The D80 locked on and kept that bird so sharp that I could see its eyes. The light was beautiful and the duck banked and set his wings. Bingo! — another Cartier-Bresson moment.

Click on the images to see a larger, more detailed version.

Even though these are not the best photos that I expect to see from this outfit, the camera performed marvelously. This test is a success.

I can hardly wait to spend some more money … faster, longer, sharper. It’s all about the lens. But, that may not happen soon. I showed Jane the $179 Tamrac Backpack that I need to haul my growing inventory. She nixed it. I wonder what she will say when I ask about a $1600 lens? This may take some negotiating. She already has a new trailer. Hmmmm…

l8r