Out of desperation I decided to stay and make the best of this mediocre dawning. I reasoned that if I weighed anchor and charted a course to other destinations on my short list I might be travelling during sunrise and wasting what good light there might be that morning.

Shortly the sun began to add colour to the sky and peek through the fog. It was now producing sufficient definition in the shoreline trees to attempt landscape images containing discernable features.

The one picture element I thought might rescue this image was a lone Canada goose floating motionless near a small rock outcrop. Although small, it’s silhouette contrasted well with the fog. Likely the goose was behaving as a sentinel for his mate on her nest. As the sun rose a little higher the goose held its position. Soon the motionless goose commanded more of my attention as the sun turned the mist to a golden colour.

As the sun continued to rise above the mist I realized that I had better exclude it from the images as it was overpowering the digital sensor, even with the use of a graduated neutral density filter.

Fortunately I packed my long lens that morning and I began using it to isolate the goose in the sunlit fog.

By moving my tripod a couple of meters I could omit the sun’s direct reflection.

Finally, back to shorter lenses before the sun got too high.

Usually I am not much of an “animal photographer” but finding myself in an area with wide open skies and a pond teeming with birds and flocks of geese I pulled out my long lens and trained it to try and follow the patterns the birds were making.

Even with a 300mm lens I wanted to be zoomed in more.. so my next purchase may be a tele extender…

Places to photograph birds in California-
Point Reyes National Seashore-
Bolsa Chica State Beach near Huntington Beach CA I have heard is also good
birdwatchingdaily.com is also a good resource for Birding locations throughout the United States

Once again my iPhone camera came to the rescue Friday night.  Next time your trying to think of a place to get some interesting photographs I recommend checking out some of your local farm markets.  I’d love to see photos from different farm markets all over the world.  As a matter of fact, if you have photos from your local farm market that are interesting or unique please feel free to send them in to our Photo Journal series and we will feature them.
Submit Your Picture Here!

I was first introduced to Colditz Cove almost 25 years ago. A friend said it was a great place for a hike with a nice waterfall. I went out to explore and the first time there I was amazed to see many small Red Efts climbing around on the moss. This intrigued me and I have made numerous trips back in late spring to enjoy the area and to photograph the Red Efts. Writing about Colditz Cove was my first venture into writing for Outdoor Photographer magazine back in the middle 90s.

Colditz Cove  is a Tennessee State Natural area that has 165 acres set aside for preservation and recreational enjoyment. Located just off SR 52 east of Allardt, TN, it is just a few miles west of historic Rugby, TN. Beautiful Northrup Falls cascades 60 feet down into the gorge from the Big Branch Creek. The bottom of the gorge area contains rhododendron and mountain laurel along the edges of the creek. You can walk under huge stone outcroppings (“rock houses”) and actually walk behind the falls along the trail.

As far as the Red Efts I have found there, more are found down in the gorge along the mossy covered rock walls. They don’t move quickly, so once you find them, you can set up a macro lens or wide angle or whatever you want to use. I’m hoping to go back this year and shoot more video of them crawling across the rocks and moss with the D4, which will make things much easier.

The trail isn’t long, maybe a mile or so down into the gorge and the falls. It is cooler down in the gorge, also, even when the temperature is warmer up on the Plateau. If you head that direction from Oak Ridge and go through historic Rugby, there are several old houses and churches to photograph and a museum and a café if you are hungry. Have fun and take your time down in the gorge, it is beautiful.

I was in London yesterday and decided to take a detour through the Mount Street Park. This small park located behind the famous Mount Street in London’s Mayfair, is one of London’s undiscovered gems. It is peace and quiet in the heart of one of the worlds largest cities. Judging from the dozens of benches, and even a fountain, that have been donated through the years by others who have enjoyed the Park, I am not alone in my fondness for it.

Winston Churchill spent time in a Mount Street flat that overlooks the park as a young man when he had first been elected to Parliament. The street also houses some of London’s most exclusive clubs and eateries, at one end is The Connaught Hotel, again, one of London’s finest.

For Americans visiting London over Spring break or for the Royal Wedding, it is well worth a visit. For the photographer, it is a wonderful place to record unique pictures in a unique City.

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