Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 Favorites Series II


Here's round two of some of my personal favorites from this year. The main reason I like this first one so much is because it's the closest I've ever been to a hummingbird. I like the pose and the fine detail. The tip of the bill and the feathers on the back of his head are just out of focus, but that's okay because his eye is sharp. That's key to any wildlife portrait.




My daughter was my assistant for this shot. I like the colors and the open scene, but my favorite part of this photo is the fact that it's an illusion to an extent. The hill is not as steep or high as it appears. In fact, it wasn't very high at all and the slope was very gradual. I shot it prone on the ground with a wide angle lens and my daughter was far enough away to give the illusion of height.




Green Herons are secretive and don't spend a lot of time hanging out in the open, especially if there is human activity nearby. I was fortunate to catch this guy perched on a foot bridge. I love the colors and the long toes gripping the railing.




This is my favorite storm cloud shot ever. It was July and the rest of the sky was mostly clear with the exception of this storm system. The Weather Service said this cloud formation reached a height of 55,000 feet. For several days after this, there were photos of the formation all over social media and the local news.




What makes this shot for me are the water droplets on the goose's head and neck and the water running off the bill. The catch light in the eye fits in nicely with the water drops, too. Certain waterfowl are so common around here that it's hard for me to get excited about photographing them unless I can catch something like this. It doesn't hurt that this photo was chosen for a 2015 Ducks Unlimited calendar.




Sunrises mean having to get out of bed early, but I enjoy shooting them when I can. I like the sunburst through the silhouetted trees, the reflection on the lake, and the blue of the sky and water.




25 comments:

Joop Zand said...

Great shots and beautiful compositions Brian .... my compliments

I wish you a happy new year.

Greetings, Joop

thanks for all the lovely comments over the past year.

Carole M. said...

you keep coming up with SUPER shots Brian. I totally LOVE the hummer; it's amazing. The sharpness, detail and the fabulous colours. Each of these photos has great merit, and congratulations on your 2015 calendar duck!

Ramakrishnan said...

All of them are breathtaking - but the first one is incredible. Happy New Year !

Jan n Jer said...

as always...your photos are awesome. congrats on the duck shot.

Amy Burzese said...

The hummingbird shot is the best of your shots that I've seen. The clarity of the individual tiny feathers is magnificent. And congratulations on the Ducks Unlimited calender selection! Wow!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Brian, again...I am in awe of your skills. Your photos are always just fantastic. Congratulations on the Ducks Unlimited calendar- that just rocks!
Happy New Year!

TexWisGirl said...

i really, really like the last reflection shot. it is glorious. and the goose shot is definitely calendar-worthy. i do love the one of your daughter and remember when you first posted it. but it is hard to top that hummingbird. the feather detail is extraordinary.

making the ordinary extraordinary - you do that exceptionally well with your camera.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

These are all superb shots, Brian! All the detail in the hummingbirds feathers is wonderful. Congratulations on the Ducks Unlimited calendar photo!

Anonymous said...

Brian wat is dit weer mooi en met een heerlijke uitleg,fantastisch, wij wensen je veel geluk,liefde en gezondheid voor het nieuwe jaar. cobie en bas.

Nancy J said...

Ducks unlimited, I can see why this was chosen, and for each of the others, superbly wonderful, each one. The hummingbird, incredible finest detail. Cheers, Jean.

Gail Dixon said...

Amazing collection. I am loving the hummer for the same reasons you do, and your little girl on the hill. You are truly talented, Brian!

Debbie said...

oh brian, every picture you take is my favorite!! in this group, the hummingbird steals the show! everything about it is extraordinary!!

are any of your images published in magazines/books or calenders?? they are so much better then ones i see in books!!

Unknown said...

I can't get over the detail you captured in the humming bird! Absolutely fabulous.

Mersad said...

Thankfully I don't have to say which I like the most, because that would be an impossible task. Love every single one of these shots, and I can see why you would pick them in a best of!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

eileeninmd said...

Brian, these are all WOW images! Being a bird lover I do have to say the hummer and the green heron are both awesome!
Wishing you all the best in 2014, Happy New Year to you and your family!

Andee said...

All amazing shots and congrats on the Ducks Unlimited!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Nice pictures .. I wish you a happy 2014 .. Kisses from Spain

theconstantwalker said...

These are all fantastic Brian...
Happy New Year and I hope 2014 is a great year for you.

Tanya Breese said...

oh wow, love that photo with your daughter!! and i thought of you yesterday while at the movies...we saw epic and the little leaf people rode around on humming birds! have a happy new year!

barbara l. hale said...

These shots are all fabulous, Brian! I really love your bird shots but appreciate the one of your daughter. Very creative perspective. Have a very Happy New Year! Can't wait to see what you post next year!

TheChieftess said...

Beautiful shots Brian!!! I especially love the goose with the water drops off his beak!!! But where are your wonderful birds in flight???

Louisette said...

Gorgeous fotos
❊ * 。❊ 。 ❊ _█_ ❊ 。 * ❊
_Π_____ (•.•) * 5☆★☆★☆
❊ /______/~\ ( ♥ ) ❊ 2014 Happy Day ❊
|田 田 |門| ( ♥ ) Happy New Year❊
•♫♥♫*♥*♪♥♫•♪*♥♫•♫♥♫*♥*♪♥♫•♪*♥•♫♥♫*♥*♪
http://blog.seniorennet.be/louisette

Lindsjö taxar said...

Hi Brian!
Thanks for your nice comments. Yes its a lots of work....so I´m very proud of the succéss of our Young dogs.
Thanks for 2013 with your Lovely Pictures , its inspires a lot!!!
Looking forward to a great 2014 with you!
Happy New Year! Its 22.18 PM so only few hours.....
Majsan//

Pamela Gordon said...

I can see why these are favourites, Brian. I can't get over the detail in the hummingbird's feathers. Congratulations on having the Canada goose chosen for the Ducks Unlimited calendar. It is a beautiful shot. I love the storm cloud photo - amazing and so high. The sunburst and water reflection photo is stunning. Beautiful choices!

Kerri Farley said...

I can definitely see why these were faves! They are AWESOME!