(Last?) Winterscape and more birds in the low sun (SX50)

[VisionLight]

With local temperatures in the 40s and even 50s this passed week, the snow is melting quickly (with water everywhere). So it was out on a hike under bright blue skies along the Hudson River to search for one last (?) landscape of the season. Plus any wildlife I came upon, though once again the bald eagles remained elusive. Here's what I found:




Hopefully my last landscape of the Winter season. I really liked not only the strong colors and composition in this image, but the sense of movement from the high winds blowing off the river.




A combination of seascape and wildlife, I patiently followed this swan from the shore out to the rocks in the cove. I think it turned its head back to me to make sure I was happy with the position it was in.




One more cardinal in the low winter sun to add to my recent collection. I was surprised the SX50 was able to focus so easily through all the bramble.



[ATTACH alt="And finally, a hawk gliding toward the sun. The hawk surprised me, coming low over my head from behind. My lens was only set to 200mm (equiv.), so it was "acquire, focus, shoot" without chancing that further zooming would lose the opportunity. With good fortune, the single image was sharp enough for this crop."]media_3160934[/ATTACH]
And finally, a hawk gliding toward the sun. The hawk surprised me, coming low over my head from behind. My lens was only set to 200mm (equiv.), so it was "acquire, focus, shoot" without chancing that further zooming would lose the opportunity. With good fortune, the single image was sharp enough for this crop.

I hope you enjoyed this selection from my afternoon hike. Comments as always are welcome.

Ed

 

[Le T]

Love the sky and the tree in the landscape picture. I can feel the cold wind just looking at it. The cardinal is my second favorite.

Thanks for showing a beautiful set of winter images.

Le

 

[MurryG]

Ed,

Very nice series of winter photos. I really like the way the wind blurred the new yellow/green buds on the tree adding to such a strong composition. Did you manual focus of the cardinal or use AF? Either way it is a terrific catch.

We are seeing the sun for the first time in a week here after five inches of rain. There were some spectacular "God rays" this morning with the wet ground and fog and sun but none of mine turned out--back to the drawing board.

Murry

 

[Augustin Man]

Thank you Ed for that spring harbinger set, gathered with your unique talent!

Congratulations,

Augustin

 

[evancj]

Another great set Ed!!! I like the swan a lot, but I LOVE the weeping willow!!! You can see how the wind has shaped it throughout it's life.

Thanks for sharing these.

 

[VisionLight]

Love the sky and the tree in the landscape picture. I can feel the cold wind just looking at it. The cardinal is my second favorite.

Thanks for showing a beautiful set of winter images.

Le

I appreciate your thoughts Le. Nature in all her beauty calls out to be shared and I enjoy doing so.

Ed

 

[VisionLight]

Ed,

Very nice series of winter photos. I really like the way the wind blurred the new yellow/green buds on the tree adding to such a strong composition. Did you manual focus of the cardinal or use AF? Either way it is a terrific catch.

Thanks my friend. It was just a beautiful day to enjoy Nature, let alone try to capture images that do her at least some justice. The cardinal was auto-focus with the small center box. I never move it from the center, but move the center to the point of focus, lock it in with the "S" button, and re-compose. In this case I put the box right on the cardinal's eye. The second press of the "S" button nailed it. Terrific little camera.

We are seeing the sun for the first time in a week here after five inches of rain. There were some spectacular "God rays" this morning with the wet ground and fog and sun but none of mine turned out--back to the drawing board.

I can feel your disappointment. Catching "God rays" is exciting but many times so very difficult. I hope you get the chance again soon.

Ed

 

[VisionLight]

Thank you Ed for that spring harbinger set, gathered with your unique talent!

Congratulations,

Augustin

Thanks my friend. After your beautiful croci heralding the Spring, I had to thank Winter with a fond farewell (fingers crossed ). I always appreciate your thoughts.

Ed

 

[VisionLight]

Another great set Ed!!! I like the swan a lot, but I LOVE the weeping willow!!! You can see how the wind has shaped it throughout it's life.

Thanks for sharing these.

Thanks Evan. I think the swan may have been playing with me. Once it left the shore area, all I saw was the back of its head until it got to the position in the image. Only then did it turn its head back. Maybe to see if I was happy with its choice of where it wanted to be photographed . Or probably just to see if I went away :-( . Patience did pay off though.

I was really determined to get the treescape, such that I was standing in the middle of a slushy freezing stream, being careful that the depth didn't go higher than my boot tops. It was a long way to a warm place. As you are well aware, 'what we do for our art'. :-D

Thanks for looking in my friend. With your sense of artistry in Nature, I always appreciate your comments.

Ed