The eyes have it

Much like in meeting people, the first rule of photography is to focus on the eyes. By looking someone in the eyes, we show we are paying attention. When we get distracted we lose focus on the person and what they have to communicate.

In photography you have to focus in on the eyes, they have a lot to tell us. They convey emotion. They are expressive and can entirely change the way a face looks, even if nothing else changes in the expression. If the eyes are out of focus, the entire picture loses its clarity.

Eyes are beautiful. Arguably they are the most beautiful element in any frame — that goes for people, other mammals and even birds. Think about the most powerful photos you have seen and what you remember about them, invariably the ones I remember include a powerful gaze. Think about the stunning photo of a green-eyed Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic in the mid-2000s or your favorite portrait of Princess Diana.

The eyes bear power in animal photos too. In bird photography, we often talk about the color and beauty of the feathers, but the eyes of many birds are some of the most vivid you will ever see. The American Bald Eagle has piercing eyes. The Roseate Spoonbill has gorgeous colorful pink and yellow feathers, but their faces are set with warm red eyes. You definitely don’t want to miss out on the beauty in a bird’s eye.

And if you want to ensure your bird photos are sharp, you simply need to focus on the eyes. If the eyes are clear, you can be sure your photos will be as sharp as an Eagle’s gaze..

A good camera and lens combination are essential, like peanut butter and jelly.

A recent trip to Myakka River State Park started off with me hauling a 600mm through the woods chasing after deer and several wild pigs snorting and rooting in the rich mud. But I eventually traded in the long lens and monopod for a tripod and a 19mm PC lens to capture the ever changing light moving across the park’s vast landscape.

The Nikkor 19mm PC (Perspective Control) lens is a wonderful tool and magical in its images. The tilt and shift capabilities bring back the days of using a view camera in the field. The 19mm PC is all manual, sharp and begs for you to take your time as you set up to compose a photograph. The front element is large and protruding, and demands caution where ever you are traveling. This lens may not be in everyone’s arsenal, and it is expensive, but it is one of my favorites.

As a landscape photographer, it’s challenging to capture some scenes in one frame without the distortion of a super wide angle lens. But with the 19mm PC and its shift capabilities, I can “shift” the lens and take advantage of the full cone of light.

Back at home, I will “stitch” together multiple images using Photoshop’s Photomerge and create a seamless high resolution panorama. The landscapes below are made up of multiple frames stitched together using a Nikon 810 and the 19mm PC lens. Much like a peanut and jelly sandwich, the high resolution D810 and the 19mm PC just go together.

Get out of a rut by trying something different

I’ve written here before about my dog and his penchant for walks at Robinson Preserve. It’s practically a daily ritual now. We all get up, my wife and I have some coffee and breakfast and the dog starts talking to us. I mean that too. There are whines and yowls and some other vocalizations that I can’t quite describe. He’s not allowed to bark at us, although that happens too, but he has found other ways to let his demands be known.

So I grab my camera while my wife grab’s the dog’s leash and we head to the preserve. The ritual has brought me plenty of photo opportunities and I have great shots from Robinson Preserve, but the routine started to fill a little stifling. I felt like I was getting the same photos over and over and I was getting creatively frustrated. It’s what led me to grab an old 500mm reflex lens as I headed out to Robinson Preserve one morning last week. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, but it was “different.”

With the old lens over my shoulder we hit the trail. Our first encounter was a Bald Eagle…and about 7 other photographers with cammo covered monster lenses. As I struggled to see into the dark abyss of the f8 mirror lens to focus on an eagle i can barely see, a photographer beside me commented, “Oh I see you are using a 500 reflex…you need to look at this….it’s a new Nikon 500mm PF ED f5.6, it’s real nice.”

A little embarrassed, I quickly assured him I had other lenses, but I am not sure he really believed me. With frustration as my companion, I moved on to a less crowded part of the preserve and continued to search for something different. After a morning experimenting with the lens, I came home with my eagle picture and all the little doughnuts that a reflex lens creates. It was nice to have something different, but my wife saw me getting stuck and arranged for me to go out to Myakka State Park with a friend that weekend to get something different. It helped. And then the next time I visited Robinson Preserve a pair of hawks helped me get further out of my rut.

I learned too, that I am not the only photographer who feels that way. The Preserve is close by and it is rich with opportunities to photograph many beautiful bird species. I know how fortunate I am, but every photographer should know it’s ok to want a change of scenery or if that’s not possible to remember it’s a great time to think about experimenting with the equipment they have. Pull out an old lens every now and then and see if you can make some magic happen.

Street Photography draws attention to every day public life

I’m leading a workshop on street photography this month and as part of my preparation to the class, I went through some old feature photos I took during my 30 years at the local newspaper. it has been a fun trip through memory lane. It’s also been eye-opening to see the things that have changed in the landscape over the years.

“Street Photography,” has a close relationship to documentary photography and photojournalism, It should tell a story, evoke an emotion and freeze a moment. It defines place and time. As I look at the street photography I have done before and since I left the newspaper, my favorite photos are the ones that tell a story in one frame.

First I should start with what I am talking about as “Street Photography” in this class. There are different kinds of street photography, but for me, it’s simply what I did as a photojournalist, to document every day life. It’s the stuff everybody sees, but don’t always pay attention to and a good photograph can make people stop and take notice.

Much of my more recent street photography has come from traveling. But you don’t have to travel to get great photos. Actually, by shooting photos locally, I have an intimate connection with where I live. Documenting local people and places can be eye-opening and Florida’s towns and its people have as much to offer in the way of storytelling as any other place in the world. Don’t miss out.

The things that make this type of photography interesting are universal. The first thing is people: their faces, their eyes, their actions. I love people-watching. We are interesting creatures. I also enjoy seeing people interact. Those moments tell stories and if you watch long enough, you are sure to see a story unfold.

The environment also is an important part of street photography — whether it’s the other people or animals around the action, or the colors, or the textures, the statues and art or the weather — these different elements add to the story telling and can make the viewer interpret what they see. I will admit I was surprised about what the photographers in my workshop saw in the photos and the questions they asked about each moment.

There is so much to consider when taking a photograph, that the more you take your time to watch, the better your photo will be. For me it is key to visualize, anticipate what could happen, and prepare for that moment. It all takes practice. But that’s the fun (and sometimes frustrating) part. The more you get out there and take photos the better your stories will be and the easier it will be to visualize and then anticipate your shots.

Also it is important to blend in with the crowd. If you want true documentary photos, sometimes you have to be part of the crowd that everyone sees but largely ignores. The more you go unnoticed the more you can catch people being themselves.

I believe It is ok to go up to people and introduce yourself and tell your subjects that you are working on a street photography project, especially if there are certain photos you want to get. Most people are flattered that you find them interesting. Yes sometimes you will get posed photos, but most times, people will eventually be themselves, even though you are there. Also if someone says they really don’t want you to take their photo, I would be respectful of their wishes.

I’ll be heading up to Ybor City with my workshop students and they’re going to test out my advice, and as always, if you have any tips or great locations for street photography, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.

Landscapes can take you places

I was recently showing a new client some of my work. She had visited the exhibit on imperiled birds at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature but was more enamored with my landscape photography. She was particularly fascinated with the black and white landscapes for what they reveal and what she saw in them.

We discussed the textures, the focal point, the mood, the sky, the horizon, the things you might miss in a color photo. We also talked about the memory of place, how a photo can take you to a certain time or event in your mind. She had grown up on Longboat Key and worked in Sarasota for decades. I showed her my photo titled Longboat Light and she immediately went back to her childhood and sitting under the trees at Beer Can Island reading books. Her story reminded me that there is power and emotion in place.

Because I have the exhibit on imperiled birds, I have spent much of 2019 more focused on my bird photography than my sea and landscape photography. In some ways birds are easier. They can be comical, they have personality, their colors are vibrant and they usually are active. While getting those shots can be tough, I always come back with something I am willing to share.

Landscape photography is a different sort of challenge. So much depends on the mood, the perspective, the light and the scene. It takes patience and care to find just the right shot. When I come back with a landscape or seascape photo, unlike bird photos, there is usually just one that stands out — only one I will print from a day of shooting.

I love landscape photography for several reasons. The first is that landscapes change, so I know that when I get that shot I want, it won’t be duplicated. The light will never be exactly the same against the plants and grasses; the water levels ebb and flow; there may be footprints next time where there were none. The second reason is that landscape photography is as much about preservation as my bird photography is. The birds are disappearing because their habitats are disappearing. Part of my mission as a photographer is to raise awareness about our environment so we all have the good sense to preserve it for the future. My third reason is that landscape photography evokes emotion. It can bring a sense of serenity, prompt memories and take you away from the chaos of the moment into some place wild and wonderful and can cause people to reflect on what’s important..

The conversation about landscape photography prompted me to think about what I love and it got me itching to go back out there and look around Florida for something I want to bring home and print.

The photograph below was taken in Myakka River State Park with a Nikon 810 using a Nikkor 19mm PC lens. It is two photographs stiched together using Photomerge in Photoshop. What you do not see is the mud that I am sharing with tripod.

The snowbirds are back and it's beautiful

In case you hadn’t noticed the snowbirds are back. I know you have probably experienced an uptick in traffic. And if you shop for groceries on a Saturday, certainly you have pushed through the clogged aisles and maybe even had to hunt for a grocery cart. But I’m not here to remind you of life’s little irritations. I’m here to tell you the snowbirds are back and it’s beautiful.

I witnessed a traffic jam of epic proportions this morning as dozens of White Pelicans all tried to land at the grocery store known as the pond at Robinson Preserve. Seeing those elegant birds glide above the Preserve, drop down and lower their big feet like landing gear, and then ski across the water is something to behold. I could stand for hours watching — and taking photos of this wonderful phenomena. It was an amazing sight and it reminded me to be grateful for all of those who visit Florida for a week or for a season. This is the time of year that brings variety — whether in the people or the wildlife and sometimes there’s the combination of both. And yes, sometimes it tests our patience, but more often it brings wonderful opportunities.

I love the variety of birds that come in this time of year. I enjoy trying to identify the different ducks by their plumage. I relish the mix of colors, roseate spoonbills and yellow-crowned herons mixed in with the White Pelicans, with their black-tipped wings. I am thrilled with the different scenes across Florida. And the human snowbirds mean it’s the season for all sorts of activities. The restaurants are livelier, there are festivals and celebrations of all types, there is a variety of music as bands are playing throughout the region and there are parties everywhere. You certainly can’t claim boredom this time of year.

I have developed lasting friendships with a few photographers and birders who visit Florida during the season. I learn something from all of these seasonal residents and I enjoy their company here and even online when they are at their summer homes. I’ll even say something like, “I wish JoAnne (the most knowledgeable birder I know) was here to tell me about this bird I’m looking at.” So yes, I miss the snowbirds when they head north. And that means today, I greeted the snowbirds with a wide smile and my best lens.

Photography takes a lot of practice, and a little luck

As I headed out to Robinson Preserve with the dog and my wife this morning, I grabbed my 600 f4 telephoto lens. My plan was to shoot small birds. The small birds tend to be quick, so the long lens comes in handy.

I knew I was in luck when I heard the sound of a Belted Kingfisher soon after arriving at the preserve. I also knew I was in for a challenge. Kingfishers are among the fastest small birds out there. They can travel at 45 miles per hour and they can dive 20 to 40 feet into just inches of water. Trying to get a great photo of these birds in action is tough. Sitting on a branch is one thing, but as soon as they leave the perch all bets are off! That’s where practice and patience come in.

First the practice: I’ve been shooting photos for four decades (or so) now. So you’d think that was plenty of practice, but no. My subject matter has always been varied and I have had to learn how to shoot photos in various situations, sometimes with very little time or warning. Now that I am out taking photos in nature, I still have to practice constantly. I shoot landscapes, wildlife and birds — all sorts of birds and some are easier than others. So to stay proficient, I go out with my camera about five days a week and I purposely look for different subjects. And besides I like the birds doing what birds do, fly, fish, eat, flip, fight, dive or just do something besides sit there.

I love landscapes, seascapes, mangroves and still life. Making those photos come alive presents a far different challenge than trying to capture a Belted Kingfisher diving for his breakfast. There are different lenses, different camera settings, different shooting styles for those scenarios. I don’t want to get rusty, so I go out and make sure I’m looking for something different often.

Today’s skills test was all about quick action. With a bird like a Kingfisher, high ISO’s help with higher shutter speeds, tracking the bird is almost impossible as it heads to the water, so I take my best guess and hope I am close. The best advice: Be patient and shoot like crazy! Getting that perfect (or close to perfect) shot also calls for knowing your subject, observing behavior and habits can give you that extra edge, but remember it takes time, so be patient with yourself.

I came home with more than a few photos that weren’t sharp enough or not framed quite the way I wanted, or I just missed it completely. I could have stopped sooner, but I would have been disappointed with what I brought home because I didn’t take the time to wait for the perfect shot and to make sure I got it several times over.

My reward: I brought home a few photos that show just what a Kingfisher can do. It’s fun to see these little birds in action and it’s fun to share that with others — it just takes patience and practice.

Photography can make you forget about life's storms

Recently I took my wife’s family out for a day sail. Sailing with my wife and her sister in October is cathartic for them because October is a bittersweet month. It’s the month my wife’s sister was born, and the month their brother died. We always try to focus on the birthday celebration, but it comes the day after the anniversary of their brother’s death and in the quiet moments you can tell they are missing him. He loved being on the water and fishing and it seems like he should be on the boat with us.

He’s been gone seven years now and we continue the tradition of sailing on Torena’s birthday. This year was a little different. We had granddaughter Evelyn with us, so there are very few quiet moments — a four-year old just knows how to keep the party going. Plus Evelyn loves photography and works on getting pictures of everyone and every bird we pass.

Soon chaos ensued. Dolphins spotted off the starboard side! Torena and granddaughter Evelyn were calling to the dolphins to come to the boat. There were at least two dolphin calves, so that made for even more excitement. My nephew was taking video with his cellphone, I was trying to shoot photos and sail the boat, all the girls were keeping an eye on the dolphin pod. It was about 30 minutes of pure joy. Then I noticed the coming storm out of the corner of my eye. It was time to put the camera down and get serious about getting us back to the dock.

My wife, Toni, took note when I cranked up the engine. I pointed to the wall of clouds headed our way and she quickly lowered the jib. Still, the storm couldn’t rob us of our joy. We were still happily watching for the dolphins as we headed to safety. We nearly beat the storm in. We just entered the marina when the sky opened up on us. The rain was cold and drenching. Toni was soaked, but didn’t stop smiling. It was a wonderful day, she said.

It seems every October sail we see dolphins, but this year was special. There were so many, there were tiny calves and the dolphins stuck with us for a long while, swimming under and all around the boat. She was sure it was a message from her brother that he was doing well and that we should always take joy in our October sails. I was glad I brought a camera that day. We focused so much on shooting the joyous dolphin event, that we almost missed seeing the storm.

Know your equipment to get your best shots

There is nothing worse than getting your fingers tied up in knots when a great photograph is one click of the shutter away. A mere 1/1000th of a second and you would have gotten it! But the camera was set for a beautiful landscape you shot just 10 minutes ago, the f-stop is at f16, the shutter is at 1/60, everything is working against you, and at the same time, every correction was at your finger tips.

Knowing the camera can set a photographer free. It is not enough to read the manual. Unfortunately that fine piece of equipment won’t think for you either. (I know there’s an automatic mode, but that won’t get you your great shots). So take your camera off the automatic mode and learn everything it has to offer. Your camera has to be an extension of your eyes going all the way to your hands. Think of it as a riff on that old ditty: The eye muscle is connected to the hand muscle.

Practice as musicians do with their instruments. Knowing what to push, twist or pull can make or break an opportunity for a great photo. Feel and learn the controls without looking. Learn to adjust your controls in the dark. It takes time and some of us older photographers have a bit of a head start. Photographers in the film days could put together a jig saw puzzle in total darkness, loading roll after roll of film onto developing reels in the darkroom.

You may not use every feature your camera offers, and that is OK. But there are essential controls you should know. The exposure compensation control, for example, is one of the most important tools, but it is often overlooked. Learn it. And for all of the camera controls you use regularly, you should know those by muscle memory, so you can concentrate on that next great photograph and not have your fingers tangled up figuring out your camera.

If you have any questions about the optimal use of your camera, feel free to ask in the comments and I will share what I know.

Fall into Photography as the Migration to Florida Begins

Autumn is a great time to pick up your camera and hit the trails. While some people don’t take notice of Florida’s fall colors, I’m here to tell you they are everywhere and they are vivid. Forget about all those who go on about subtle fall colors and take a look around.

The most vivid sign of fall is the Painted Bunting. That’s right, in Florida one certain sign of fall are migratory birds, including the Painted Bunting, the Ruby-Throated Humming Bird and the White Pelican. Autumn is when those gorgeous birds start arriving in Florida. The timing couldn’t be better for photographers.

Several factors make fall the perfect opportunity to get into your Florida photo habit. The humidity here tends to drop mid-season, so there’s still plenty of warm days but they are generally drier. The sun rises later, so for those who like to sleep in, you could linger under the covers and still get good morning light from 8 to 10 a.m. The birds are most active as the sun rises between 7 and 7:30 a.m. but they are still out hunting for food until mid morning. (If you like to sleep til noon, try for the late afternoon light and some popular feeding spots).

If good light and less humidity are not enough to motivate you, consider the diversity of species this time of year. Migratory patterns bring the most amazing species through Florida. Monarch butterflies are on their way to Mexico, while ducks fill the skies and the ponds, including the redhead ducks, northern shoveler and green-winged teal. The Northern Harrier comes to hunt and orioles and buntings, indigo and painted, lend their beautiful colors to Florida in the fall and winter.

And if birds aren’t your thing, there are all sorts of other wildlife you can see on the move. Gators like to sunbathe on the shores during the cooler weather. The later sunrises offer better opportunities to get a glimpse of deer, raccoons and bobcats.

Florida’s fall plant life is as spectacular as anything you can see in the mountains if you keep your eyes open. Sea grapes are in abundance right now. wild flowers are blooming and attracting the butterflies and bees and star fruit and citrus are maturing and turning from green to bright orange and yellow.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get outside and enjoy the colors and beauty of nature without having to put on a jacket. And if you want a little help capturing the perfect photos, you can join me for one-on-one or group photo lessons by appointment. Look for my upcoming photo excursions for 2020. The first group excursion will be a morning in Robinson Preserve on Jan. 18 to learn bird photography. Gift Certificates are available for Christmas gifts.

Fleeting Moments Can be Frustrating for Photographers

I am living my dream as a wildlife and nature photographer. As a kid growing up in Palmetto, I used to pore over my Aunt Gin’s National Geographic magazines. I studied the nature photos, the landscapes and the wildlife. I loved those magazines and my aunt shared them generously. Back then I appreciated the photos for their beauty and for bringing me parts of the world I had never seen, but I never thought about how long it took to get those perfect photos.

I’ve learned over the years that you have to shoot hundreds of photos to get that one perfect one — the one you want to share with everyone. I expect an occasional out-of-focus shot, and sometimes the light’s just not what I had hoped and most of the time, I simply move on to the next photo. But there are times when something extraordinary happens in a fleeting moment and capturing that event can be thrilling. On the flip side, missing it can be frustrating, that moment sticking with you longer than it should.

I have learned to anticipate some fleeting moments, simply by watching animal and bird behavior. Their behaviors and habits offer so many clues. I can anticipate when birds are about to fly, I listen for their calls and growls, I can see when their demeanor changes for some reason and I know to watch for something to happen. That has served me well in capturing some surprising shots, such as two ospreys going at each other in mid-air. But sometimes, a moment happens so fast, you don’t get an opportunity to even frame the shot properly and if you’re using a manual lens it can take a second to focus, by then the moment may have passed. Nature is just that fast sometimes.

This brings me to my frustrating moment of the week — a battle between to tri-colored herons. I had my back to a mudflat when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned to see two tri-colored herons in what looked to be a pretty vicious fight. My lens had been focused on some birds up in a tree and when I turned, I realized I had to quickly refocus and frame the battle fast. In that split second, the moment was over. I got three off frames but none were sharp enough or in the frame enough to really keep. I usually don’t share my moments of frustration, but I know this happens to most photographers, so I decided to make an exception. Besides, I haven’t been able to get that moment out of my head — it’s like the fisherman with the one that got away.

Oh then there is that time the alligator jumped out of my frame…..oh there are too many…..

If you have one of those stories, please feel free to share in the comments below. And if you want to share that time you knew the thrill of victory by capturing that surprising moment, feel free to share that as well.

As a Photographer, No One is a Stranger For Long

One of the cool things about being a photographer is that you get to meet some of the best people. It’s rare that I go out in nature and not run into someone who is interested in what I am looking for or what I have found that day. They often have stories to tell of the sights they have seen and I get to know them a little as we share stories of nature and wildlife.

While I am mostly focused on landscape, nature and wildlife photography these days, I still can’t resist taking photos of unusual scenes or just going into a downtown area and getting photos of life in the city. On a recent trip to the Everglades, my wife and I decided to stop for lunch in Goodland, a small fishing village (pop. 267) off the beaten path on Marco Island. We met someone on the trail in the Everglades who suggested we go to Stan’s. She was a fellow photographer and had been documenting the 10,000 Islands area for a while.

We grabbed a table next to the water and ordered our lunch. I had my back to the bar and my wife nudged me to turn around. We hadn’t noticed when we walked in that there was a dog sitting at the bar. It was one of those photo moments I couldn’t resist. I grabbed my camera and headed for the bar. There I met Wilson, a terrier mix, who had been coming to Stan’s for 11 years. He was a fixture at the bar. So much so, that Wilson’s 18th birthday party will be held at Stan’s on Dec. 14.

I talked to Mark Bromley, Wilson’s traveling companion/bar mate/designated driver, who clearly enjoyed a bit of celebrity status thanks to his pup. Wilson had his own super-sized mug that he brings to the bar. It is filled with water these days, although at one point Wilson had a penchant for a bit of the hard stuff, but he had to give it up. A woman on the other side of Mark, delivered a treat for Wilson. The terrier wasn’t about to wait for someone to get around to opening the package so he helped himself.

Mark told me Wilson was famous around Goodland, his picture was hanging at several bars. The framed photo at Stan’s was a beat beat up after hurricanes and repairs and pressure washing but Mark was ready to print and frame a new photo for the new season.

We chatted long enough to get an email address and to score an official invitation to the Dec. 14 birthday party. If you don’t see us around that day, you can be sure we’re having some cake…I wonder if it will be peanut butter or carrot.

Protecting Florida's Swamps Saves Rich Resources and Amazing Biodiversity

Someone recently told me to take a hike, in the nicest way possible. The person offered me an opportunity to go on a Swamp Walk outside of Clyde Butcher’s photo gallery in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Naturally, I jumped at the offer. It’s not like I haven’t hiked through a few swamps in my lifetime, but I did want to see what a Clyde Butcher-branded swamp walk was all about. It didn’t disappoint.

The walk was for two people, so my wife came along. She had to overcome a fear of frogs to join me, but she didn’t want to miss the walk. Our guide was Scott Randolph, a certified Florida Master Naturalist, who clearly had studied the life in the swamp, both plant and animal. He was particularly knowledgeable about making medicines from the plants. Big Cypress Swamp offers myriad indigenous plants and Scott made sure we didn’t miss anything, from the tiniest orchids to the most voracious swamp plants. The freshwater trail was clear and cool, helping my wife relax and forget about her fear of swamp creatures.

We were the only two people on the swamp walk that day, so Scott tailored it to our interests. I wanted to take photos and that means the pace is sure to be slow. He pointed out great areas for photos and stood back while I took the lead on the walk to get the photo I wanted without disturbing the water. He would let us stray off the path a bit to see interesting swampscapes. All the while, he told us the story of the Big Cypress Swamp and his relationship with the Everglades.

I mentioned Scott is a naturalist, but he’s also a photographer. He knows what it’s like to set up a shot and to take the time to get the perfect angle and lighting. He also was happy to talk about photography and places outside of the swamp walk to get photos. I asked Scott where I might be able to see a Snail Kite. I have been hunting for one for nearly two years. Scott admitted he had never seen one, but suggested a spot to look.

At sunrise the day after the swamp walk my wife and I trekked to the spot he suggested and within an hour, we spotted a raptor. I didn't believe it would be the Snail Kite, but in the 10-second fly by, I took as many photos as I could. Sure enough, I had seen a female Snail Kite. I wish I could say the swamp walk was the highlight of the trip. It was close, but because of that walk and our guide who pointed us in the right direction, I celebrated a highlight for the year.

Extra Eyes Always Appreciated

Recently a friend of mine called to tell me the Caroline C had sunk in the Manatee River. As a sailor, I knew exactly what they were talking about and where it was. I also learned that SeaTow was working to get the boat floating so that it could be moved out of the river. As a photographer, I knew the effort could make a great photo story.

I hopped on the sailboat with my wife well before sunset and we motored over to the Caroline C. When we arrived, SeaTow was already there preparing to raise the 90-foot trawler. She was still on her side, the barnacles thick on her bottom and possibly the thing that held her together for so long before the rusted-out ship finally gave way to the river.

The opportunity for photos was everything I had hoped. I was able to shoot photos of the ship on her side and as she was being raised. I was even able to get video on my phone of SeaTow pulling Caroline C up off the river bottom. The sun set right after SeaTow got her out of the water, so I used the light to my advantage to get some gorgeous images of a rusty old boat. I shared the video and images with Duke Overstreet, SeaTow’s owner, and he edited them into this video.

I was able to get all of this because someone let me know what was going on that afternoon. When I was working at the newspaper, we frequently got tips and we would gather information from public sources. Now that I am on my own, I depend on folks in the area alerting me to what they see. I can’t always make it out immediately, but knowing what’s out there allows me to make choices about where I should be.

People have alerted me to where plovers are nesting and great places to see a variety of birds. All of that information is valuable to me in finding and sharing my photos. It also helps me gather and convey information on conservation and related issues important to Florida. So if you see something you think I need to photograph, please don’t hesitate to call or text me at 941-773-8558. If you have suggestions on a great place to see wildlife on any given day, you can also leave them in the comments below. And if you can help me find a Snail Kite, I’d be eternally grateful!!!

Conservation is at the Core of The Bishop's Mission

In conservation, saving imperiled species is at the top of the priority list. At the same time there’s an ongoing effort to keep species from becoming imperiled. My exhibit at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is all about imperiled birds and their environment, but The Bishop has so many other conservation efforts going on, I think it’s important to make everyone aware of what’s going on there right now.

Probably the most visited area of The Bishop (my exhibit not withstanding) is the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat. The Manatees are a favorite for children and adults alike, but the Manatees are not there just for the public’s entertainment. The Bishop has a mission of rehabilitating sick, injured and very young Manatees. The Bishop has been rehabilitating Manatees since 1998, when it was known as the South Florida Museum, and it helped found the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership in 2001.

Manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill or even annoy manatees. Still, despite the protections, Manatees face many threats including watercraft strikes, cold stress, red tide, entanglement, entrapment, and habitat loss. That’s where the rescue and rehabilitation partnership comes in. That partnership offers a concerted effort to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor sick and injured manatees.

The Bishop’s role in all of this is as a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility. Manatees arrive at The Bishop after their critical health needs have been met. Two new young Manatees have recently made The Bishop their new home for now. Juveniles Felicia and Doscal are the 39th and 40th Manatees to be rehabilitated at the facility since 1998, according to The Bishop. Both are being monitored daily for signs of stress, but they seem to be calm and are both eating well, as you might notice in the photos I took.

Felicia, who hammed it up for the camera, is a female Manatee about 7 feet long and nearly 400 pounds. She was rescued April 22 from Ruskin Inlet with her mother who was hit by a boat. Felicia’s mother died from her injuries. Doscal, the male Manatee, is also about 7 feet long and weighs 347 pounds. He was an orphan who was found emaciated when he was rescued from the Orange River in Lee County on April 3. They will stay at The Bishop until they are old enough to survive on their own and healthy enough to be released.

While conservation is at the core of The Bishop’s mission in Manatee County, it’s also a great place for children to be educated about that mission while having fun. Today The Bishop celebrated its grand opening and ribbon-cutting for its new Mosaic Backyard Universe. It is designed to encourage exploration in fun and interactive ways and to discover a passion for lifelong learning about science and nature.

Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures recently opened. It’s an exciting exhibit that explains the roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythic creatures, such as unicorns and dragons. If you think about it, you can see what prompted those myths in nature even today.

And if you do go to The Bishop to take part in all of these new amazing opportunities, please stop by the imperiled birds exhibit on the second floor and let me know what you think. You can comment below or on my Facebook page.

My Camera Comes With Me Wherever I Go

My Camera sits in my office and practically shouts that old American Express slogan at me every time I head out: “Don’t Leave Home Without It.”

It’s rare that I leave without a camera, but when it happens, I typically see something that makes me regret not grabbing it. There are plenty of times I don’t have a tripod, the right lens or the right camera, but in those situations, I still can try to get a good photograph. When I don’t have my tools with me, it’s simply a beautiful, if frustrating, memory.

Fans of my Facebook page might notice a lot of photos from Robinson Preserve. That’s because I have a dog who demands a daily ride and a walk in the park. Robinson is a favorite for the whole family: It’s close to home, it’s beautiful and there is always something to see.

There are plenty of times I plan to go out shooting photos and most of my gear goes with me on those days. I have traveled all across the state in search of photos that show Florida’s wildlife, natural resources and its breathtaking beauty. I usually have a plan on those trips, but more often than not, a detour gets thrown in along the way. I also have a few favorite local places like Myakka River State Park, the Celery Fields, the Venice Rookery and Terra Ceia Preserve. I sometimes go out looking for something specific and even then I always come back with surprising scenes and wildlife photos I wasn’t expecting.

Still, there’s nothing like being rewarded for grabbing your camera on the way out the door with no expectations for the hours ahead. That happens plenty at Robinson Preserve and it happens lots of times in unexpected places. I recently went with some friends to look at a piece of property, I grabbed the camera before we left and just as we were coming up the driveway of the property, a red-shouldered hawk flew right in front of us. I wasn’t sure I would get his photo, but fortunately he stuck around long enough for me to get a couple of nice photos. I take my camera when my wife and I go out sailing. There’s never a guarantee of a great photo, but when the light is just right, the sky can offer a great opportunity to capture something unique — a reminder to take time to enjoy life’s moments.

Reflections in Nature

Growing up in Manatee County, I was out in nature all the time. You could find me in the woods or on the water. I ate fruit off of trees growing wild, crawled through mud in search of photos and searched for marine life on the sandy bottom of the river, the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It was a wonderful way to grow up.

I believe that nature offers serenity. It allows your mind to wander, along with your feet. I can truly appreciate all of God’s Creations when I’m in nature. As a visual person, I enjoy the colors, the textures and the light. Being outside also reminds me to listen for the different sounds the birds make, the rustle of the leaves, the sound of an animal running in the underbrush. I love the smells of nature and the feel of the air — yes even the humidity. Yes there are days I combat mosquitoes and yes, I do get hot, especially when carrying my biggest lens and a tripod, but at the end of a day I feel rested, my mind is calm and my spirit rejuvenated

The photos I bring home reflect that. I hope that’s what I offer to people through my images, a few moments of serenity, a time for quiet reflection.

I retired from the newspaper business after more than three decades of shooting photographs of everything, including crime scenes, fires, hurricanes, and all sort of unsettling things. There were days, weeks and years I couldn’t get the things I saw of out my mind. Coming back to nature, to my roots, has helped bring back the peace I enjoyed in childhood. Scenes of beauty help me to remember I am part of something much greater. That’s why conservation is so important to me. We have so many treasures in nature and we too often overlook those treasures in the pursuit of the money development might bring.

Next time you are out for a walk, venture into a preserve and spend some time in nature. Clear your mind and allow yourself to see, feel and hear what’s around you. If you stay out long enough, you’ll notice the tension falling away. You’ll appreciate the sounds and sights, even if they seem familiar (I mean who in Florida hasn’t seen a great blue heron). But you’ll probably see something you haven’t seen before, like a feather stuck in the egret’s beak after he’s been preening or the way he moves or that bug or fish he’s caught for supper.

I believe that preserving nature means preserving ourselves. Our souls need nourishment and there’s no better place to find it than in the great outdoors.

Devastating Report Shows 3 Billion Birds Lost Since 1970

I couldn’t let the weekend pass without writing about a report published in the journal Science and highlighted by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology showing that we have lost 3 billion birds in North America, that’s one-quarter of the breeding bird population since 1970. I have followed what has been happening with the shore bird population, but the numbers were still shocking. In the story covered by NPR, the estimates of shore bird losses reach about one-third.

According to the NPR story there was hope before the study was published that the net loss of birds in North America wouldn’t be as bad as it was. Ken Rosenberg, a leading conservation scientist, thought that some rebounding populations would offset some of the losses he knew about. Researchers, such as Rosenberg, collected data from long-running surveys conducted with the help of volunteer bird spotters, such as the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the longest-running bird research project by volunteer birders.

What the counts show is that more than 90% of the loss can be attributed to just a dozen bird families, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds and finches, according to the NPR report.

Common birds with decreasing populations include one of my favorites, the red-winged blackbird, that my father-in-law described as proof of God’s hand on earth. Grassland birds have suffered a 53% decrease in their numbers, and more than a third of the shorebird population has been lost, according to the NPR report.

The researchers cite a variety of potential causes for these devastating losses including habitat degradation, urbanization and the use of toxic pesticides. I have given several presentations on the threats to shorebirds and noted that the biggest threat here in Florida and all along the east coast, is the loss of habitat and the predators and activity that loss brings. To see photographs of some of the shorebirds affected, visit my exhibit, Florida Feathers: Birds in Peril, in the Environmental Hall at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

Why I Love Black and White

Recently I had someone make a comment about the inherent value of color over black and white photography. I was surprised at the comment because I consider both of them to be valuable with their own unique qualities.

I photograph most birds in color, because God made each bird unique, including the differences in their hues and markings. That is easier to see in color and a viewer can take his or her time examining what is unique about each bird. It also is often easier to identify the birds when they are in color. I want to see the red markings of a red-shouldered hawk or a red-winged black bird, the blues of a threatened Florida scrub jay, but even in bird photography there are times when a black and white photo takes the picture to a different level.

As with many photographers, a black and white takes me back to the many hours spent in a small bathroom or closet glued to a timer, tapping a film can filled with D-76 on the counter, and that magic moment when under a red light, an image appears through a mixture of Dektol. But even more, I love black and white for what it reveals. When the viewer isn’t looking at color, but at the texture, the contrast, and deeper into the world between deep black and glowing whites. It is a study of shadows, white space, a world that we do not normally see with “our eyes.” When I see a black and white photograph I tend spend time with the image, study it and look for what’s hidden. Black and white tends to draw me into a different space.

Then there is the mood and emotions they can illicit. One of my friends considers them “broody,” while her daughter loves them for the light and shadows. I want to reach out and touch the textures, or step inside the frame and walk through the mysterious landscape. I want to see everything it holds.

In portrait photography, taking out the color can prompt the viewer to look deeply at the face and see the emotion in each line. The viewer may see something in the way the eyes shine or the way it seems as if the subject is about to tell some secret. Black and white portraits reveal a face laid bare and often let the beauty shine through in a different way than color can.

Black and white photography allows the viewer into the photograph in a different way than color does. Sometimes it’s what the viewer brings to the experience that determines how they interpret the photo. But of course that is true for every photograph.

What My Students Have Taught Me

Over the past year I have been giving private lessons in photography. I knew I had plenty to share about photography and the places to find great art, but I have been surprised by how much I enjoy working with photography students and how much I have learned from them.

I have a student who knows more about birds than I may ever know. She can identify them from their songs without ever setting eyes on them. She gave me a lesson on birds and maybe even one in humility. (I thought she couldn’t possible be able to tell a scarlet tanager from just hearing a song in the woods. She and the tanager quickly proved me wrong). She has traveled the world and is well-versed on our feathered friends. It’s been nice to get to know her and to share her excitement about Florida’s birds and the migratory birds that visit the Sunshine State.

Another student has proven to me that the art of photography hasn’t died with the advent of the iPhone camera or the selfie — and that it will likely always have a future. A young student who was recently accepted into Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication, began developing her artistic vision through her incredible drawings. Now she is interested in photography. She has a great eye and has taught me young people are enthusiastic about photography. She is open to all sorts of photography, from taking pictures of her brother playing baseball to going out into the preserves of Manatee County to get photos of wildlife and landscapes.

Finally, I have a student who has reminded me what’s it’s like to be new to photography and to be passionate about it. She taught me how to nurture passion. She has also taught me patience. I guess that comes with the passion. Once she realized she had a talent for photography, she invested in some good equipment and her photos got dramatically better. I have seen this student improve tremendously in a short time. She has posted some photos that made me say, “I wish I had shot that.” She enjoys sharing her photos, so check out what she’s doing and like her page.

After a photography presentation, I took the Suncoast Camera Club out to one of my favorite Audubon spots for bird photography

A juvenile Night Heron gives his fans the once over.