#600mmsniper

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Decided to do a test run on the panorama that I shot the other day, keep in mind that this is just a preview and this is only 62 photos of the over 100 that I have to use. The MacBook Air I have is by all intents and purposes antiquated. This test run took several hours and making any kind of changes to the file in Lightroom took over a minute to register. Still, I'm glad and excited that it's mostly coming together as shooting panoramas at 600mm is a bit of a gamble. Any kind of mistake can destroy a lot of work, the one I previously attempted down at the pier was ruined by the fact that I didn't realize I was panning by half a degree on one axis but a full degree on the other. Once I get back home I'll be able to attempt stitching together the full panorama. Enjoy! #hawaii #hawaiinei #kauai #kauailife #hilife #hawaiimagazine #hanalei #waterfall #stormy #panorama #MyRRS #nature #earthdayeveryday #natgeo #nikonusa #d5 #600mmsniper #explore #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #fatalframes #ig_vision #agameoftones #adventures #gardenisle #jaw_dropping_shots #discoverkauai (at Hanalei, Hawaii)

[fluxphoto33]

Along the northbound side of coast highway there is a small section where the hillside slopes down. At the bottom rain water collects and the ground remains soggy. This in turn allows cattails to grow and this draws red winged black birds. This small section by the highway seems to be a small sanctuary and breeding ground for them. I remembered seeing these little black bodies all of a sudden coming into view as I was driving, out of nowhere they would pop up. It wasn't until I caught a glimpse of the red shoulder that knew exactly what they were and I knew I had to come back here. I'm not sure what was more fun, photographing these birds or seeing people's reaction when they saw a big hairy Hispanic dude with enormous lens on the side of the road......the birds, they were more fun. It was a challenge to be sure, catching one of them in flight really took a lot of patience and tinkering. It truly is amazing the random places that wildlife can make their home and really how much they adapt to continuing their way of life just about anywhere. Definitely worth every second to see these amazing little creatures do their thing. #california #carlsbad #cbadmag #earthdayeveryday #explore #birds #wildlife #westcoast_exposures #ig_vision #FatalFrames #nature #natgeo #nikonusa #d5 #600mmsniper #redwingedblackbird #audobonsociety #fluxphoto #fluxphotography

[fluxphoto33]

Sometimes nature puts on a spectacle right in your own backyard....well in this case my neighbors backyard. Always a great privilege seeing the the next generation being brought up. I'm always amazed at the tireless efforts of a mama bird feeding and guarding her little ones. Always attentive and gently showing her little ones the way. Looking forward to seeing more of these beautiful scenes as spring continues to unfold. #california #earthdayeveryday #explore #birds #nesting #fluxphoto #nature #nikonusa #d5 #600mmsniper #parenting #wildlife #spring

[fluxphoto33]

Among the brush of the lagoon lurks a dangerous predator....a Snowy Egret. Through the smallest of this bird family don't let its small stature and seemingly delicate appearance fool you. This bird is a tenacious and relentless hunter. Foraging for its prey which ranges from insects to fish to frogs its is an amazing creature to watch. Cunning, patient, agile and merciless, it is a formidable foe to all that it counts as its prey. Aside from photographing raptors, Snowy Egrets have become one of my favorite birds to photograph. They employ a number of techniques when hunting for food, from the statuesque stance as it patiently waits for the right time to strike to the more animated approach were it shuffles its feet in the mud or runs back and forth with wings spread to wrangle its prey it really is a sight to behold. One of the things that I have come to appreciate is how emotive it can be, when something catches its attention the feathers on its head stand on end or it will tilt its head to the side to point an eye towards the water. That's usually one of my cues to be ready for what this bird will do next. Photographing wildlife is one of my great joys, but some animals just capture the heart and imagination more than others. You may be wondering why I have been photographing at the lagoon so much, for the past few months I have been working on a special project that is very near and dear to my heart. I've had to keep it under wraps but this Thursday I will be able to share with you one of the fruits of this labor and I hope that you all enjoy it. Make sure you stay tuned :) #california #encinitas #encinitasmag #encinitascoastlife #surfrider #sanelijolagoon #sanelijoconservancy #snowyegret #audobonsociety #nikonusa #nikon #d5 #600mmsniper #wildlife #socal #explore #spring #conservation #nature #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #outdoors #hunter #bird #MyRRS

[fluxphoto33]

A pair of female mallards searching the water with their bills. This was the last of the light yesterday and I saw these two ducks taking the long way around. Oh they took their sweet time and the light quickly dwindled, it was a bit of torture for me seeing this shot in my head but facing the real possibility that by the time they got to this spot the light would be gone. What can be done though, I can't force them to move faster and my impatience just leads to frustration. So I sat there in the mud surrounded by flies and waited. Wouldn't you know it though that as the light faded it became a deeper red and orange and the reflections in the water became that much more intense. Had they arrived even a minute or two earlier it would be a much different photo lacking that beautiful reddish tone. Often you just have to sit and wait for things to unfold, we convince ourselves that it's the end because things aren't working out the way we want them to. Yet there are times that things just work out even better then you could have ever hoped. There is something to be said for letting go and sitting in stillness. Life lessons from two quacky friends just cruising along looking for a meal in beautiful light.....go figure :) #california #carlsbad #cbad #cbadmag #ducks #mallards #audobonsociety #nature #birds #sunset #reflections #goldenhour #calaveralake #600mm #d5 #600mmsniper #nikonusa #nikonphotography #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #socal

[fluxphoto33]

@zaniac1 was putting on a show for everyone riding his standup hydrofoil before the start of @quiksilverwaterman yesterday. It was pretty amazing to watch his ability and control over that board. It was this moment though that really caught my attention. Zane has been an advocate for the reduction of plastics and the health of our oceans. He's put out a challenge asking all people who love the blessing that is our ocean to pick up trash you see in the water by filling up your pockets. Actions always speak louder than words and we live in a society where often times the people who dwell in the spotlight will say things to make themselves look better and more endearing to the public but their actions fall short. It was encouraging and refreshing to see this kind of follow through from a world renowned athlete. He could have easily passed it and not taken the time to get the balloon but he made it a point to pick it up pop it and put it in his pocket. Thanks Zane for being such a great example. Be sure to follow him to see updates and check some of the other great things he does for the community. For more SUP and @quiksilverwaterman photos be sure to check out my @fluxphotosup account. #california #watermanfestival #huntingtonbeach #paddleboarding #suphydrofoil #cleanocean #pocketofplasticchallenge #pocketofplastic #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #fluxphotosup #600mmsniper #nikon #supthemag #supconnect #sup