I'm still hammering away at long exposure shots of seagulls. It suits the time of year, and I wasn't able to get out in the brief period of sunshine we had in the middle of the day. So more blurs to puzzle over!
I promised a couple of surprises as well.
The first was in the pond just a few minutes ago. I noticed something moving on the surface. On closer inspection it turned out to be a dragonfly struggling to free itself from the weed. I helped it on to a small piece of bark (which it gripped) and transported to a bush so that it could dry off. It seems exceptionally late in the year, and I'm not sure of the species. I really don't expect to be photographing dragonflies at this time of year, but it says something for the unusually mild weather we've been having (despite the fogs).
The second surprise is from last night's trailcam. It's Shutterbug with a companion. They've been together several times recently. A promising sign for this time of year.. 😀
Last up is not so much a surprise, but a rarety for the blog. It's yours truly taken a few nights ago while I was photographing Shutterbug. The trailcam was set, and fired a few shots while I was doing the same. Not often that I get the wrong side of the camera!
Camera note: gulls taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Dragonfly and fox taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. Trail cam images by the Bushnell Trophy Cam.
derWandersmann
17 Nov 2011That last shot is a marvel!
And the dragonfly is a puzzler, isn't it? Awfully late in the year for such a thing … I hope it doesn't mean trouble for them.
The gulls are even more blurred than the last ones … I like the first one.
claudeb
17 Nov 2011Wow. The first one crosses over in abstract art territory. The good kind, which is rare. And the third… hard to believe it's a photograph. :eyes:
It was nice of you to save the poor dragonfly. And Shutterbug having a friend is definitely good news. (Also, funny how much he looks like a cat in the last photo.)
Last but not least, I love catching other photographers in a shot. Looks like your trailcam wanted to try as well. 😀
gdare
17 Nov 2011I feel sorry for a dragonfly because there will be no enough time for it to enjoy flying around. And even that, it will be a lonesome flight :awww:
Hmm, who is there trying to steal Shutterbug's food :left: :irked:
ICU109
17 Nov 2011OH! what a beautiful color of the fox at end!!!! thank you for cheering me up with it!!!!! and how and what …. the first 3 pics? explain, they are so lovely!!!! delicate. the dragon fly is so delicate and lovely too. i saw pics of many many different types of dragonflies I was stunned they were all so lovely!!!
anonymous
17 Nov 2011Wojtek writes:
If someone would tell me that I'd one day consider a blurry photo to be awesome, I would look at him baffled… but, this day has come now.
Otherwise, well, seems that Shutterbug's settling in… and wasn't amused by being woken up there. 😉
Words
17 Nov 2011dW, Shutterbug was on great form that night. Sometimes he's in a hurry, but just occasionally he'll relax and stay around for a long time.
Quite a lot of dragonflies are still around (I was asking on a wildlife forum). The mild weather is helping them. The one in the photo is a 'common darter' apparently, which makes sense as they were here earlier in the year. I was just thrown by it being here so late.
I'm becoming obsessed with blurred photos!
Words
17 Nov 2011Kathy, I love dragonflies and given that this one wasn't going to fly off in a hurry it was good opportunity to take a few shots. The first three shots are taken with a very slow shutter speed so that the sensor records the movement rather than freezing it.
Words
17 Nov 2011Wojtek, thanks! It's taken me a long time to realize it was possible to take shots like this, but it really does change the whole aesthetic of the photograph. I did darken the highlight on the third one to bring out the contrast, but other than that they are more or less straight from the camera.
Words
17 Nov 2011Darko, the dragonfly won't survive over winter, but I'm sure there are plenty of larvae in the pond so I'm looking forward to more next summer. Oddly, Shutterbug didn't touch the food. I think someone else must be offering a more lavish diet!
Words
17 Nov 2011Felix, thanks! I'm practising the blurred shots quite a lot at the moment. Today's subject was a heron, which I'll post later. I love the sense of movement, and it makes a real change from trying to 'freeze' the moment.
Over the years I've 'saved' quite a few dragonflies, usually from webs. You're right that foxes can be very cat-like, though they aren't as fluid when climbing trees (but they can do it).
I occasionally photograph photographers too.
cakkleberrylane
17 Nov 2011I LOVE these long exposure shots! Such a delicacy about them. I'm going to try this too.
Words
18 Nov 2011Lois, it's an excellent winter pass time!
Mickeyjoe-Irl
18 Nov 2011That first picture… it looks more like a piece of cloth blowing in the wind.
Words
19 Nov 2011Mick, my secret is out!
Mickeyjoe-Irl
19 Nov 2011😆
SittingFox
20 Nov 2011The first gull looks like it's engaging a cloaking device! :spock:
Self portrait by trailcam – I've done accidentally that once or twice :whistle:
Lovely shot of Shutterbug though!
Words
20 Nov 2011Adele, I'm learning more about how to take the gull shots, picking movement that will work, and trying to pan the lateral movement while keeping it in focus. Plenty of misses!
Shutterbug did himself proud that evening. Plus getting me in front of the camera. He deserves a Bonio!
ICU109
19 Dec 2011deserves a Bonio? he said bonio. no, that's what SHE said. I kid. just get my pills.
ICU109
19 Dec 2011you have any idea of the blood sweat and tears I'd go thru to get that blurry outcome in your 3rd pic?????? you just go ahead now and send to gramma all your blurry stuff and I'll make into artwork. that is an amazing shot. don't touch a thing.
Words
19 Dec 2011Kathy, I was astounded by that third shot when I saw it on screen. I really have no idea what they'll look like when I take them.
Words
19 Dec 2011Kathy, Bonio.
ICU109
21 Dec 2011I kid. anyway, you are astounded because you had captured an angel on the film! amazing amazing!
Words
21 Dec 2011I don't know about angels, but I did once photograph a faerie at the bottom of the garden.
ICU109
12 Jan 2012somehow I believe you. bout the faerie.
checked out the link. astounding.
Words
13 Jan 2012:wizard: