Prairie Headstand

The choice for these Turk's cap lilies was a background of green or blue. Green was an easy shot from the knees. Blue meant getting low which took some flexibility and effort, a perfect excuse for a reward at the DQ on the way home.

Technical: fill flash at -2 stops, on camera flash Sony RX10ii

Blue

The last of this week's series on color and the last shot of cranes flying for awhile. I'm working on a video of crane activity in the morning, however it's currently twice the length of my usual minute movies so there is some serious editing to do before it is published.

Blue Morning

I am in Yellowstone Park for a few days and this morning I'm editing while sipping coffee before going out. The weather has been balmy during the afternoons, in the mid 30's. Sunrise yesterday was about zero degrees and I thought this shot of the footbridge over Soda Butte Cr. reflected the cold morning temperature.  WB at 5500K. 

Prairie Trail

Winter is a great time to see animal signs on the prairie. It may a longstanding deer trail or you may find a story in the snow showing recent wildlife activity. Unfortunately the only thing warm about the prairie in the winter is its color. The wind can be brutal!

Winter Blue

It is a joy to see blue sky again! This was shot about half an hour after sunset as the bitter cold was setting in. Daylight WB used with minimal increase in saturation. Foreground lightened with Lightroom shadow slider.

December Textures

It's another tough month to find shots, a real test of creativity. With the recent thaw and refreeze there are some interesting ice patterns on puddles and along creeks. White balance of 5500k was used to enhance the mood of the ice.

Clinging to Summer

Geese are in the air, cranes are gathering, and hunters are chasing bear but I'm not quite ready to let go of summer. A few asters and bottle gentian are the only flowers that remain on the prairie. There are a few more days to photograph them, I plan to make the most of the remaining time.

The Second Shot

The first decision is choosing the subject.  This is the most important decision in photography, a carefully considered decision can immensely improve the quality of your work. The second decision is easy.  Do you shoot a vertical or horizontal frame?  Shoot both and decide later which one works best.  When shooting wildlife there is an indeterminate length of time with the subject.  Shoot, shoot, shoot, and review later.

Time Flies

I taught a class on Saturday and afterward it was time for reflection.  The class is a basic DSLR class which has been given at least a dozen times.  Of all the classes I have given since 2006, this is my favorite.  Many classes are a struggle with the students never really grasping the joy of using their camera.  This class is different, each time there is a "lightbulb" moment for at least one of the students which makes it all worthwhile.

August Blues

As summer progresses the predominate flower colors change to blues with the bottle gentian leading the way.  This is a unique flower only pollinated by bumble bees who are strong enough to open the tight petals.  My dream shot is a bee coming out of the flower, maybe I'll see it this year.  Photographed in Burnett Co.

Silver Scurf Pea

These silver plants stand out in the prairie green.  Taken as a whole they seem chaotic but on closer inspection are elegant in their flowing lines.  Another name is Psoralea (think psoriasis, a scaly skin disease).  I have never seen the blue flower entirely open, maybe next year.  Taken at Kasota Prairie SNA, Nicollet County, MN.