Harlequin Ducks preening
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, LBI NJ
December 2018
When engaged in behavioral interactions, the Harlequin Duck gives distinctly unducklike squeaks, the source of one of its local names: sea mouse. More info on Harlequins –https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Harlequin_Duck/overview
Tamron USA SP 150-600mm VC + Lumix GH4
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this morning’s Protect Our Wetlands Water and Woods (POWWW) September Hawk Watch Hike and nice to see other friends and volunteers out this morning Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch!
All photos taken with the Tamron USA 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD All-In-One Lens.
Click on thumbnails below to view larger images.
We travelled approximately 6 miles round trip and began our trip on the Orange Trail on Old Beach Glen Road on Rockaway. We followed the Orange Trail for a nice riparian walk parallel to the Beaver Brook before making a waterway crossing via the Eagle Scout Bridge. We then walked across Meridan Road to pick up the Blue Trail within Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area.
We ascended the Blue Trail and turned onto the Red/Blue Blaze before finally connecting to the White Trail (Four Birds Trail) and heading to our destination at the Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch.
Wildlife sightings included: Northern Cricket Frog, Pickerel Frog, Pileated Woodpecker (2), Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black Bear!, Five-lined Skinks
About POWWW:
Protect Our Wetlands Water and Woods’ Mission is to protect wetlands, woodlands and potable water supplies throughout the Beaver Brook watershed in Denville, Rockaway and Boonton Townships. POWWW identifies and supports land acquisition and provides site stewardship and public education programs. POWWW is a charitable 501(c)(3) Denville-based non-profit open space organization. Founded in 1987, POWWW has partnered with local municipalities to preserve 650 acres of permanent open space for passive recreation.
Find POWWW on the web:
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectOurWetlandsWaterWoods/
For more information, upcoming events, or donations please email us at:
Opheodrys aestivus
Wharton State Forest, Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey July 2018
Not staged photographs, these are arboreal (tree dwelling) snakes that spend their time hunting for insects and spiders. This snake was extremely docile and tried its hardest to ignore the photographer (me) shoving a camera lens into its perch.
Photography equipment used:
Tamron USA 18-400mm VC + Canon SL2 Digital Rebel
More info on Wharton State Forest
A Rough Green Snake on the prowl for its next meal. Wharton State Forest in New Jersey, 2018, photographed by Dave Blinder.
A Rough Green Snake on the prowl for its next meal. Wharton State Forest in New Jersey, 2018, photographed by Dave Blinder.
A Rough Green Snake on the prowl for its next meal. Wharton State Forest in New Jersey, 2018, photographed by Dave Blinder.
Yesterday was my first spin out with Tamron USA’s updated G2 version of the acclaimed 150-600mm super telephoto lens. Though I purchased the optional Tap-in Console for lens updating and fine tuning, I did not have time to initialize the device yet. Hence, I unboxed the new birding lens, mounted it on my compact yet powerful Canon SL2 digital rebel, and took a drive to a nearby nature area, Great Swamp NWR.
Interestingly, I do not recall photographing a Gull of any sort before at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in the past. I have been doing bird photography there for years… go figure. Anyhow this handsome Ring-billed Gull was photographed from my car yesterday. I shut off the engine to take the shot (too many vibrations and who needs the extra CO2 emissions anyhow). In the caption for the photograph I have included specific camera settings.
Ring-billed Gull photographed with the Tamron SP 150-600mm VC G2 super telephoto lens + Canon SL2. 600mm, 1/640 f/6.3 ISO 200. Great Swamp NWR in New Jersey.
Below is a 100% crop from the above image.
100% crop of Ring-billed Gull Photograph. Tamron SP 150-600mm VC G2 + Canon SL2
Here is a Flickr link to view the full sized original 24 megapixel image of the Ring-billed Gull.
I find the results to be very good for keeping the aperture wide-open at F/6.3. I find that most lenses get sharper when stopped down a couple of stops. We might even see a bit more fine detail if I had taken this Gull image at F/8.0 versus F/6.3. Below is a look at the G2 lens, I shot this in my home studio.
Tamron SP 150-600mm VC G2 Super Telephoto Lens which replaces my trusty G1 version which I have happily toted around for a few years.
Any questions or comments on the article? Leave them on WordPress or email me at dave@daveblinder.com
Interested in spoiling yourself with this new lens?
Purchasing any of the equipment below through my Amazon Affiliate Links will help support my blog.
Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Digital SLR Camera Body – WiFi Enabled
This image is one of my favorite recent photographs. It was taken on November 4th 2017 mid-morning on a bright overcast day. This Autumn was not a colorful foliage season in my area but I was fortunate to come across a picket of golden hued Beech Trees whilst walking a wooded trail. The trail is situated within Jonathan’s Woods in Rockaway NJ.
Jonathan’s Woods in Autumn. A wooded trail meanders through a pocket of vivid American Beech trees in November. New Jersey Fine Art Landscape Photograph from Rockaway Township by Dave Blinder.
My goal with this image was to capture a frame which a viewer could easily place themselves into. I had quite an immersive nature experience on this pleasant walk with the fragrant smells of the deciduous forest, the earthy palette of the woodlands, and the slightest breeze on my face. If this image is successful the viewer should also have an engaging exploration within the frame with no coaxing of words or other cues. We shall find out when I print and exhibit the piece!
I should easily be able to make a 20″ x 30″ print from this full frame capture. This wide angle perspective is brought to you by the Tamron USA SP 15-30mm VC lens. A lens this wide gives an extremely broad perspective and will also make objects nearer to the camera appear larger. This characteristic can be utilized by the landscape photographer to simulate three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional capture. It helps the the Tamron 15-30mm is also exceedingly sharp. Camera utilized was the Sony A7R which produces highly detailed and vivid images of my treks.
Thank you for stopping by and be sure to get out and appreciate your local nature. Purchase the lens through my Amazon Affiliate link helps support my art.
Do you have any thoughts or questions about the image? Leave a comment on this post or send me an email to dave@daveblinder.com
When my friend and fellow POWWW board member Mike Leone (actually POWWW’s VP) asked for my help in producing a short beekeeping video I took little hesitation in saying yes. We created this short info video on behalf on Denville Community Gardens. The purpose of the film is to explain the great benefits of pollinators while discussing some trials and tribulations that may stump beginning beekeepers.
Initial filming took place at the Denville Community Gardens which is located on Diamond Spring Road just outside of Downtown Denville. I chose to film with my Canon SL2 DSLR which is a great compact and simple camera for clean 1080p video. For filming optics, I chose my Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens for the ability to film both broad scenes as well as close-up shots of the honeybees. Voice Over audio was recorded after-the-fact by wiring my R0DE VideoMic GO directly into my SL2.
Camera information aside, I was very pleased to help web-publish the invaluable information about the ecological important of honeybees. More pollinators = more fresh local food = less processed food with preservatives and refined sugar. Many green and sustainable practices do require a time investment, however the health benefits and feelings of self-gratification make for any easy offset. I also greatly enjoy creating outdoor education content as I can use my multimedia background while both teaching and learning.
If you have any beekeeping questions or video production questions please leave them in the comments and I will route them to the appropriate individual.
daveblinder 