Reflections of Galway Book

I was recently approached by the Galway Central School District to allow use of three of my photos for a book project that some of the Galway High School business students are creating. The project will go to support the Galway Library as well as the students so that they might be able to continue creating projects such as this. I am happy to say that one of my photos was selected to be the cover image. More information about the book can be found here:

http://eaglesmediacenter.com/?p=7798

I urge everyone to take a look at the project and if interested in supporting the Galway Community contact Mr. Mark Swain at mcswain@galwaycsd.org to purchase a copy.

I Didn't Get Rooked at the Rookery

I Didn't Get Rooked at the Rookery, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

I went to the Ballston Creek Preserve for the first time tonight. I had read many people talk about it, figured it was close by, so I took a ride over.

I made the short hike to the rookery area and immediately spotted 2 Osprey. As I looked around I began to see multiple Great Blue Heron.

I was surprised to see how close this rookery was to the industrial park and all of the buildings on Route 67. I guess I would have expected a rookery of this expanse to be in a more secluded area.

Initially I wasn't concerned with getting a photo. I was just interested in looking at these great birds. When I raised my camera, with my 80-400, I realized I wasn't going to be able to get a great close up of any of the birds. I looked for some interesting framing in some of the trees and figured I might go home without a good shot. All of a sudden a Heron flew into sight from the left part of this frame and as I squinted into the sun I knew I had a nice opportunity. I would have liked to get this Heron in a better "pose" but perhaps I'll focus on that next time.

Again With the Boathouse

Again With the Boathouse, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

I have photographed this boat house many times. To me it is one of the most interesting structures on Galway Lake. More so, than the new and expensive Adirondack style "camps" that are going up.

Depending on the light at the particular moment the yellow on this boat house can take on many different shades. From a pale yellow when not immersed in golden sunset light, to this rich, almost golden color.

I shot it this time to include the red shed next door. I am going to continue to try and get this boat house shot to include a ripple free reflection but as of yet I have been unable to do so.

Shot with the D90 and 80-400mm.

Galway Lake Bald Eagle

Galway Lake Bald Eagle, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

My first attempt at getting a halfway decent shot of a Bald Eagle on Galway Lake. I went up there yesterday and observed at least 4 juvenile Bald Eagles feeding on what was left of the ice (they were on the ice feeding, not eating the ice haha). I went back tonight after work and immediately saw another juvenile on the ice and an adult flying overhead. The ice had diminished enough that I was able to get out in the boat. I hugged the shoreline and saw this beauty in a tree off in the distance. I managed to get quite close to him and he stood still like a sentry for quite some time. I made eye contact with the bird for a few seconds and eventually he took off.

By the time I came off the water, the ice was all but gone on the lake. The bird activity was immense and I noted numerous common mergansers, bufflehead, ring necked ducks, geese, mallards, gulls etc.

It's a thrill to see this population of eagles flourish on this small private lake. I have been seeing more and more eagles up there in the last ten years but nothing like I have seen so far this season.

The Living and the Dead

The Living and the Dead, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

I am trying to work on adding depth to my photos while creating a stronger sense of subject. Although this photo was taken in a cemetery, the subject here is really the black locust trees. Unfortunately at this angle, which is the angle I wanted to shoot the locusts at, the gravestones were not facing me.

I shot this with the Nikkor 20mm F/2.8D. Taken in the West Charlton Cemetery.

I Need a Little Space

I Need a Little Space, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

Male and female wood duck in a small farm pond in Charlton, NY. Shot with the rapidly aging (In technology years) D90 & even older 80-400mm VR.

I have wanted to get a halfway decent shot of a wood duck for some time now as I have always enjoyed their appearance more so than most ducks. This is a heavy crop, as even with the crop factor of 600mm it still isn't quite enough for most bird photography (and I am not that stealthy). I was happy to be able to get both the male and female in this photo.

EDIT: After closer inspection and a correction from a reader, I believe that these are hooded mergansers. Looks like I'll be continuing my efforts to get a shot of those wood ducks.

Pleasant View

Pleasant View, a photo by UpstateNYPhototaker on Flickr.

When I first started taking, or making pictures as many call it, this was the type of scene that piqued my interest. Rural scenes (usually containing a barn that has seen better days) depicting a simpler side of life. As time went on I got caught up taking photos that I thought would appeal to more than just myself. While maybe those photos do appeal to the masses, it was easy to get caught up in taking photos simply because I thought the largest audience would enjoy it.

Don't get me wrong, I would like people to enjoy the photos I post (otherwise I wouldn't bother). However, sometimes I would rather have 5 people tell me that a particular shot means xyz to them rather than have 25 people just say "nice shot."

There is a particular photographer and blogger I read who has been very vocal against making and those who make "clichéd photos." By that I think he means your typical fall color reflecting on a lake, slow shutter blurring a stream etc. Or, in other words, all of the shots that I have enjoyed taking. When I first read his opinion on the subject I was somewhat insulted. I felt that those photos were the ones that the majority of people wanted to look at, the ones that the majority of magazines wanted to print and the ones that the majority of photographers wanted to take. While I believe that to be true and will likely continue to make images of that sort, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to take a step back and realize that maybe he had a point.

Via Flickr:
Somewhere in rural Montgomery County, Upstate, NY

© 2011 All Rights Reserved. Do not use, or copy this image without my permission!