Cerulean Dreams

Cerulean Warbler Vertical, Dendroica Cerulea, Paruline Azurée Kingston, Ontario Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 800, F8, 1/125s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -3. PURCHASE A PRINT OR LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE

Cerulean Warbler horizontal, Dendroica Cerulea, Paruline Azurée Kingston, Ontario. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter, tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 800, F8, 1/320s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -3 PURCHASE A PRINT OR LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Environment Canada forecast heavy rain all day yesterday, with little chance of bright overcast conditions that would have been conducive to great warbler photography all day long. I decided to venture to the Kingston area of Ontario to give it a try anyway. Worst that could happen is a good birding day without images; sure beats being in the office.
My parents are visiting from Calgary, so I got them up early, loaded into the car and delivered to their friends home in Kingston before most are out of bed (did I mention it was a three hour drive?). From Kingston, I made my way to the Chaffey’s Lock area and spent a few hours in just about perfect photographic conditions. While there weren’t many birds, there certainly were great quality birds. The rain that did fall was light and misty, while it was mostly just dark and overcast. Considered a photographic nemesis bird by many, I had a blast photographing this gorgeous male Cerulean Warbler. I've photographed Cerulean Warblers many times there before, but Queen's University conducts research and most are banded - it was a dream come true to get a nearly perfect male without bands in Ontario. While using the Canon 1DsIII, I strive to keep the ISO under 400; however, there are times when I simply have to use a higher ISO. Properly exposing the image in the camera is the single best way to minimize noise.

The Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea, Paruline Azurée) gets its name from the vivid blue coloration of the male warbler's back and cheeks that makes this a difficult bird to find in the tree tops, where it lives and nests. Cerulean Warblers are forest-interior birds that require large, relatively undisturbed tracts of mature, semi-open deciduous forest. In Ontario, they are restricted to such habitats in the Carolinian Forest zone and the southern part of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Forest zone. These birds begin their long migration to wintering grounds in northeastern South America in late summer. A species of special concern both Provincially and Nationally here in Canada, and in the United States, it is considered a species at risk by many. Recent studies suggest its population is only 30% of what it was only 20 short years ago; dropping faster than any other North American Warbler. On the North American breeding grounds, the chief threat to this warbler is habitat loss resulting from forest fragmentation and degradation. On the South American wintering grounds, forested tracts in mountainous regions are preferred, and these areas are considered to be under a high degree of threat from logging. Nest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) may become an increasing problem as cowbird populations increase in degraded forest habitats. The Cerulean Warbler is protected in a Schedule under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

MORE KUDOS:

Point Pelee photography workshop participant, Michael Lyncheski (from Gladstone, NJ) emailed me this testimonial (thanks, Michael):

“I was impressed on how much Chris cared about making sure everyone was learning, engaged, and getting the most out of the trip. I look forward to my next workshop with Chris!”

Reflections of Pelee

Yellow Warbler Reflection Vertical, Dendroica Petechia (Paruline jaune) Point Pelee National Park, Essex County, Leamington, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II and 1.4II Tele-converters. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8, 1/80s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -2+2/3. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

It often takes only one bird to have a great photography day. I had a blast with this Yellow Warbler bathing in a puddle on the road that joins the two parking lots of the Sanctuary trail at the North end of Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario. I had ventured off along the seasonal trail on my own to try to find warblers for the group, when I realized that Tuma (pronounced Duma), Nick and Gill had discovered a Nashville Warbler bathing in this puddle. I missed the Nashville, but am thrilled with this Yellow. After working the bird with the 500mm and 2X tele-converter for a few frames, I added the 1.4X and the resulting images from the stacked converters were the money shots for me. Good technique is the key to getting sharp images when stacking converters. I lock both knobs on my Wimberley Head and plant my face into the viewfinder, all the while using my left hand to compress the lens, both converters and the camera body into my face. I find this technique eliminates any play between the camera body, converters and lens; resulting in a much higher percentage of sharp, usable images. A solid tripod and head are also vital to success. While auto focus will work very slowly with pro camera bodies from Canon, it is much faster to focus manually.

Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist first described the Yellow Warbler (Dendroica Petechia) in 1766. Often parasitized by the Brown-Headed Cowbird, Yellow Warbler nests can sometimes have up to six tiers; the result of them re-building their nest on top of the parasitized one. DNA based studies indicate that the Chestnut-Sided Warbler is their closest relative. Both sing similarly phrased songs. A group of Yellow Warblers are collectively known as a “stream”, “sweetness”, and “trepidation” of warblers.

Canon Enables Manual Exposure in Video on EOS 5D Mark II

This is HUGE news from Canon. I am going to predict that within 18 months, there will be no digital SLR still cameras available without HD video. Way to go Canon!

Media Alert
***EMBARGOED UNTIL 27th May 2009 03:00 CET***

Canon Enables Manual Exposure in Video on
EOS 5D Mark II


LONDON, UK, 27th May 2009: Canon announced today it will release a firmware
update for the EOS 5D Mark II allowing users to manually control exposure when
shooting video. The new firmware will be available for download from 2 June 2009 on
Canon Europe’s support web site.
Following the launch of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, Canon’s Research and
Development team has listened closely to customer feedback to develop additions to
the camera’s movie recording functionality.

Allowing EOS 5D Mark II owners to achieve even more stunning video results with the
camera, the firmware update will include the following manual controls when shooting
video:
• Full aperture selection
• ISO speed: Auto, 100 – 6400 and H1
• Shutter speed: 1/30th – 1/4000th second

The EOS 5D Mark II integrates full HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel
camera; opening a multitude of new possibilities for photo-journalists and news
photographers. Since its launch the camera has proved its appeal to professionals
working in diverse fields, from studio and wedding to nature and travel. Now,
following customer feedback, Canon has improved functionality for professional video
users, further unleashing the potential of the EOS 5D Mark II for cinematographers and
photographers alike.

- ENDS -

Indigo Buntings - Dauphin Island, AL

Indigo Bunting Vertical, Passerina Cyanea, Dauphin Island, AL

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F8, 1/500s Aperture priority (evaluative +1/3), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

I love photographing birds perched in the shade against a sunlit background using flash.

Indigo Bunting Horizontal, Passerina Cyanea, Dauphin Island, AL

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F8, 1/80s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Male Indigo Buntings are actually black; it is the diffraction of light through their feathers that make them appear many shades from turquoise to black. Using the pattern of stars nearest the North Star to guide them, Indigo Buntings migrate at night. In captivity, they will become disoriented if they can’t see the night stars in April/May and September/October.

Thinking back to Daulphin Island, Alabama, the southern hospitality shown by everyone we met was beyond kind. We met Mike Rogers on our first day there and he kindly showed us around Dauphin Island’s birding hot-spots, then took us to his gorgeous ocean-side resort home and cooked us an amazing crawfish, shrimp and crab dinner. Mike also introduced us to Terry Hartley and together they introduced us to Chris and Michele Steber who let us takeover their bird feeders and setup perches for Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and a few other great birds. Thank you Chris & Michele, Mike and Terry. After our first morning, Mike and Terry took us to the home of John & Jennie Stowers who were hosting a marvelous lunch for the Alabama Ornithological Society – what a great way to meet many wonderful birding folks!. I had my first (and definitely not my last) bowl of Gumbo, WOW!

I would like to say that photographing these birds at feeders was easy, but it did require quite a bit of patience. I wasn’t until our third session (and after an amazing smoked turkey beast dinner that Chris and Michele had made) that we were able to produce useable, full-frame images. Leaving the blankets that we had been using as a blind blowing in the wind overnight proved to be the key to acclimatizing the birds to our close proximity. I love the effect of flash on a bird in the shade, against a sunlit background. In fact, while photographing migrant warblers, I’ll take the birds in the shade over harsh, or dappled, sunlight any day.

Rondeau Provincial Park Feeder Set-ups

Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Rondeau Provincial Park, Morpeth, Ontario Canada ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter ISO 400, F8, 1/800s Aperture priority (evaluative +1), Canon 580EXII Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

A member of the Picidae family, the Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, is a medium-sized woodpecker that breeds in sothern Canada and the northeastern United States of America. The adult males have a red cap that extends from the bill to the nape; females have a red patch on the nape and another above the bill.

While leading my recent Point Pelee Workshop, we made several hour-long journeys to Rondeau Provincial Park in Morpeth, Ontario. There are trailer campsites at Rondeau where many campers park RVs for weeks at a time. The campers have had bird feeders up for years, so the migrating birds are easy to “bait” to new feeder set-ups for photography. I had placed this perch on top of a picnic table (with carefully placed, out of sight peanut butter on it’s rear) with the hopes of attracting Red-Headed Woodpeckers. The Red-Headed Woodpeckers never showed, so this was a nice back-up subject. It does help to have good relations with the campers, I asked many to remove their feeders so the birds had fewer options.

Most who know me have noticed that I’ve been using Aperture Priority lately. I’m a huge advocate of Manual Mode while photographing in constant light. Knowing when and where to use the different tools available to us as photographers is crucial to making consistently well-exposed images. I was plagued with changing light levels and photographing from a set-up with a constant background – there was no better choice than aperture priority.

Point Pelee Workshop Report

Northern Parula, Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, ON

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F8, 1/640s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

One of the smallest warblers, the Northern Parula was originally named the blue Yellow-Backed Warbler, it is one of only a few birds that nests in Spanish Moss.

Photographing migrant warblers is often quite challenging; warblers are among the smallest, fastest and difficult birds to photograph. A sharp whistle, squeak, or noise sometimes gets them to sit still long enough to focus and capture an image.

On Thursday, May 7, I met the wonderful folks who signed-up for my Point Pelee workshop: Nicolaas Honig & Tuma Young from Halifax, NS; Gill Arden & Bob Zarnke from Waterloo, ON (many workshop veterans); Mike Milicia from Bedford, MA (who was out for Owls with me this past winter); Michael Lyncheski from Gladstone, NJ; Greg Hritzo & his non-photographer spouse Young Rang An; and Arthur Morris (who graciously co-lead my workshop – THANK YOU, ARTIE!). One of the greatest parts of this job are the people I get to meet and spend time with – a wonderful group!

Point Pelee can be an amazing place for photography during spring migration when the conditions are good, and a really challenging place when conditions are not good for migration. Our first few days were quite a challenge, so we moved over to Rondeau Provincial Park to work on feeder set-ups (more in a later post). Things had picked-up at Pelee by Monday, with good opportunities to photograph a few species of warbler that morning. We agreed he best strategy was to stay in the park all day. After lunch at the Visitor Centre, we headed for the Point and saw good numbers of warblers that included Northern Parula, so We decided to miss the last tram, knowing we would be walking all the way back to our cars. What a great end to the workshop. That’s the thing with Point Pelee, when it’s slow you vow never to return, then you have a great day, and you will have to return year, after year. The workshop was scheduled around the May 9-11 window, that’s when you are most likely to experience a “wave day”.

The total number of bird species recorded at Point Pelee is 372, of which at least 340 of these species have been recorded during the spring migration period. The stream of birds in the spring is not a steady flow from the south. The birds usually arrive in intermittent waves, a pattern unique to eastern North America. In some years these are well marked but, in others the fluctuations in numbers and variety is so meagre that a wave in difficult to detect. A "wave" occurs as a result of a warm weather front advancing from the south or southeast meeting a cold weather front from the north or northwest. Two situations will cause the birds to descend. One is when the two fronts meet at ground level. The other is when a warm front in which migrating birds are flying overrides a cold front. The rising warm air becomes cooler with the increasing altitude until it is finally too cold for the birds and they descend.

If these nocturnal (night-time) migrants find themselves over Lake Erie near sunrise they must continue onwards or drown. After flying perhaps hundreds of kilometres in one night, it is this extra 30 to 40 kilometres across the lake that really demands their last strength. This explains why exhausted birds are sometimes found at the tip of the Point. A similar situation, but on a larger scale, occurs when migrants cross the 800 to 1000 kilometres of the Gulf of Mexico. If the weather is good they continue inland in one continuous flight without stopping, but with a north wind and rain they descend on the coast in great numbers, often in an exhausted state.

What everyone hopes for in the spring is a major wave with a "grounding" of migrants. An incredible grounding of migrants occurred on May 9 to 12, 1952.

Estimates of some of the birds present included 1 000 black-and-white warblers and 20 000 white-throated sparrows. Another occurred on when 3 000 northern orioles were engaged in visible reverse migration off the Tip, while the day's tally for chimney swifts was 900. On May 15, 1978, in just the Tip area of the park, there were 80 yellow-billed cuckoos, 70 eastern wood-pewees, 250 scarlet tanagers and much more.

Other "big days" for certain species are tundra swan (2500), red-breasted merganser (100 000), whimbrel (500), northern flicker (250), bank swallow (12 000), white-eyed vireo (50), hooded warbler (18) and kentucky warbler (13).

More images to follow in future posts...

Olive Sparrow

Olive Sparrow, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F6.3, 1/320s Aperture priority (evaluative +2/3), Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Like Gulls, Sparrows are often overlooked by “bird” photographers, so I was pretty excited to photograph this secretive Olive Sparrow that only resides in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico. Also known as “Green Finch” and “Texas Sparrow”, it is the only sparrow with an olive back (as seen in the image). Truth be told, this is just one of those species that I was thrilled to see - the images were a huge extra! Thanks again, Roel!
I left home at 02:00 this morning and arrived at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Leamington, Ontario without incident. After a quick supper, I’ll be meeting the workshop participants and giving a brief slideshow. Artie made his huge trek safely, and we are both anxious to get out and photograph some Warblers in the morning. The weather forecast looks like a fallout might actually happen on Saturday, May 9; how I hope the weatherman is right for once. Time permitting, I’ll post some Warbler images during the next day, or two.

Long-Billed Thrasher and KUDOS

Long-Billed Thrasher, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F6.3, 1/200s Aperture priority (evaluative +1/3), Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

KUDOS:

Before leaving for Florida, Alabama and Texas, I gave a slide presentation to Bird Protection Quebec. Here's a note I received:

April, 2009

To whom it may concern

At our April monthly meeting we invited Christopher Dodds to gave a presentation on bird photography. There were about 60 people in attendance including numerous of our membership interested in bird photography.

It was evident very quickly that Chris has a complete command of his profession. He is clearly a gifted photographer, with an artistic eye, and considerable knowledge and interest in birds. He used his superb photography, detailed discussion of his photographic technques in obtaining his shots, and his engaging presentation style to gain the attention of all the audience, photographer and non-photographer alike. The crowd that gathered around him to ask questions after his presentation is testament as to how well it was received. I even had two people email me after about how much they liked his presentation, which is an unusual occurance.

I heartily recommend Chris to other organizations looking for a speaker on photography or nature photography.

Jeff Harrison (Vice-President, Bird Protection Quebec)

Thanks for your kind words, Jeff.

On the road again:

Ah, the glamourous life! I'll be hitting the road at two am tomorrow morning to make the twelve hour drive to Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario. I hope to get there with a few hours to photograph, before my workshop starts with a slideshow at 7PM. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to make posts here, but I'll pop in whenever I have something to share.

MORE KUDOS:

He's a note I received from Gill Arden (and Bob Zarnke) after my Eagles of Homer Workshop back in March (I look forward to seeing Gill and Bob tomorrow, as they are attending my Point Pelee workshop):

We have just returned from out third trip with Chris, it will not be the last. We enjoy being part of a small group and as there were four of us including Chris, and we got the attention and help we didn’t think we needed!

After months of anticipation, being delayed by a snow storm in Minneapolis, and the drive from Anchorage I was in a state of excessive excitement as we waited for the feeding of the eagles. Suddenly there were so many flurries of birds, swooping, diving and retreating every which way, that I became overwhelmed. Chris appeared alongside me, calmed me down, reminded me that we were there for 5 more days and suggested I just stand, watch and enjoy. Then return to my camera, not chase everything that moved but to pick a zone and wait for action. Still bewildered I followed his instruction and to my amazement took many keepers.

Although Chris was only one of many photographers he carried on Jean’s legacy of respect for the birds and local people. He quietly suggested alternative parking spots to those who happened on private property, he organized helpers to unload fish and he called in help for an injured otter stranded on the beach.

He had suggestions for our down time and took us on several drives to enjoy the locale, he took us to excellent eating places and suggested great things to buy. Oh yes, he enabled us to raise our photography standards to yet another level. He’s answered many questions since we returned and is always ready to help. We look forward to our next trip with him.

If you want personal attention or just a guide who knows where and when to go, what to look for and the best way to photograph it then Chris is your man!

Shakin' off the Texas heat ...

Green Jay, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F6.3, 1/1250s Aperture priority @ +1/3, Flash with Better Beamer ETTL II -2+2/3

The Texas heat measured 95 degrees Fahrenheit or more during the day. I’m sure it got much warmer than that in the dark photo blinds (where we seemed to spend far too much time), as it seemed like sitting in an oven. All of our set-ups around the blinds included water, a vital ingredient in the desert. I love watching, and studying, my subjects while photographing them, so it was fun to see the Green Jays shaking-off the heat and enjoying the cool water. While doing their courtship display, Green Jays bob up, and down, while making a really cool cartoon-ish like spaceship sound.

I am in the mist of trying to prepare for my Point Pelee workshop, and putting together some fresh marketing material for my Bonaventure Island Gannets Galore workshops in June. I hope to make another post tomorrow, before I make the twelve hour drive to Pelee on Thursday morning.

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker & a prayer

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker, Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/800s Aperture priority at +1/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

The Golden-Fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) consumes about as much fruit and nuts as it does insects. During the summer in Texas, the faces of some woodpeckers become stained purple from eating the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.

TIP: You have probably noticed that most of the images that I’ve posted from the trip so far are vertical. I try to shoot verticals as often as possible, it’s sometimes rather difficult to make a cover with a horizontal image ☺

Please say a prayer for 15 month old little-man, Ronan, who is fighting for life and breath, and for his parents, Heather & Mike. Be strong and get well, little buddy!

Green Jay

Green Jay, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 800, F6.3, 1/1600s Aperture priority @ 0, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Green Jays have been observed using sticks as tools to extract insects from tree bark. A group of Jays has many collective nouns, including a “band”, “cast”, party”, and “scold” of Jays.
There was no shortage of these gorgeous, stunning Green Jays while at the Ramirez Family Ranch in the Rio Grande Valley near Roma, Texas. Artie kept calling the place “Green Jay Heaven”. As photographers, we often dream of golden light each morning and afternoon. While in Roma, we were blessed with cloudy, bright conditions each day; much like a huge soft-box in the sky. This allowed us to photograph well past when the light would turn harsh on a golden morning day, allowing us to maximize our time with the broad variety of birds there.

Painted Bunting - Home safe

Painted Bunting, Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F9, 1/100s Aperture priority at 0, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

One of the most brilliantly colored birds in the United States, the Painted Bunting is the only bird in the U.S. to have a blue head and red under parts. A group of Painted Buntings are collectively known as a "mural" and a "palette" of buntings.

After Artie dropped me off at the airport at 04:00 yesterday morning (thanks again, Artie), I slowly made my way from McAllen, Texas to Montreal, Quebec via Houston and Cleveland. The first two flights were un-eventful and the only noticeable difference flying with the threat of swine flu was the amount of refreshing fresh air in the cabin. I’m a seasoned flyer, and constantly complain of feeling deprived of oxygen on commercial flights since the price of fuel sky-rocked way back (airlines save a fortune by reducing the amount of fresh air intake).
Like most nature photographers who travel, I have a large carry-on (a Think-Tank Airport Security roller), and it’s usually fully packed with cameras and long lenses. I was un-able to talk my way on board with the bag, until I noticed the Scottish accent and enamel pin on the lapel of the lady at the check-in counter. It was two flags, an American, and a Scottish one, and they were crossed at the middle of the flagpole. I commented that I had a similar badge, but it was the Union Jack crossed with the Canadian Maple Leaf. She immediately proceeded to assign me the last three available seats on the regional jet, and asked me to pre-board, remove and stow my camera gear in an overhead bin (with blankets and pillows), and then gate check my empty bag. Thanks-you to the nameless Continental Airline lady with the crossed flag lapel pin.

Homeward Bound

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/100s Aperture priority +1/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Once called the Cactus Woodpecker, the Ladder-Backed Woodpecker was first described in 1829 by German herpetologist Johann Georg Wagler. It is found in desert and arid environments in the United States, and in the pinelands of Central America.

Artie dropped me off at the airport in McAllen, Texas at 04:00 this morning (thank-you, Artie) and I am now in Houston waiting for my connection to Cleveland, en route home to Montreal. It's been an amazing trip, at a furious pace, for the last 19 days of photography and travel. We've had a blast, got many keepers and added many stories to tell. I have so much to be thankful for, but most important is the friends and people I meet along my path in life. I need to say Thank-You to Arthur “Artie” Morris for far too many things to mention here, but most important is his friendship. Artie will continue driving north, until I meet him at Point Pelee, Ontario (in only 6 days), where Artie will be co-leading my Pelee Songbirds Workshop with me. Travel safely, Artie. As great a trip as it has been, I look forward, very much, to getting home to Julie and T-Bone.
I have a massive amount of work to get done before heading off to my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop on May 7th, but I’ll make sure to post more images from this trip during the days ahead.

Did you know that a group of woodpeckers has many collective nouns, including "a descent", "a drumming" and "a gatling" of woodpeckers.

Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

Pyrrhuloxia, Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/640s Aperture priority +1/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Named from Greek terms describing its coloration and the shape of its bill, the Pyrrhuloxia is often called the "Desert Cardinal".

After an unforgettable morning on Tuesday, April 28 at the Ramirez Family Ranch, we drove the 50 odd miles to the Cozad Ranch in Linn, Texas. The 5,000 acre Cozad Ranch seems even hotter and drier than it felt while in Roma. The birding has been great, with many more keepers to edit and optimize (where will I find the time - smile). I have this afternoon, tomorrow morning and afternoon here, before flying home on Friday, May, 1. It's been an amazing trip with many images and stories to tell. I will be continuing to post images from the trip as I start to edit & optimize them.

Ramirez Ranch, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Bronzed Cowbird Displaying, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 800, F6.3, 1/250s Aperture priority +2/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Aperture priority is the way to go when the light is constantly changing.

On Friday, April 24, we had planned on one last morning session photographing at Los Madrones Ranch before driving the nearly 575 miles to Roma, Texas. Our hopes of golden light faded into light rain and a very dark sky. Those who know me know that I'm not afraid of photographing in the rain, but it was simply too dark to photograph tiny little warblers on speed that twitch, jump, shake or fly away every time you press the shutter release button (or 1/1000 of a second before you press the shutter button). As Artie took up his favorite position behind his laptop in the back seat, he endured yet another "Driving Miss Artie" from me; he's a great sport and we've been getting along famously for the more than two weeks we've been on the road trip. You can read Artie's version here
That afternoon, we arrived at the Ramirez Family Ranch where Artie introduced me to Roel and his son, Michael Ramirez. We got the grand tour of the ranch that we have had to ourselves, and made ourselves at home on the 1,000 acre ranch. Roel, along with Artie's help and guidance, have set-up a network of pretty elaborate morning and afternoon blinds over the years. We've enjoyed bright, cloudy skies most mornings and some phenomenal photography of many varied species.
Special thanks to the Ramirez Family, Roel and Michael, who have treated us like kings.

More from Los Madrones Ranch

Black-Crested Titmouse, Los Madrones Ranch, Dripping Springs, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F8, 1/500s Manual.

Carolina Chickadee Los Madrones Ranch, Dripping Springs, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F9, 1/800s Manual

Another Great day at Los Madrones Ranch in Texas Hill Country. We are off to another ranch in Roma, Texas after our last morning session here in Dripping Springs tomorrow. Thanks again to Michael and Julie Murphy www.losmadrones.com

Los Madrones Ranch - Texas Hill Country

Golden-cheeked Warbler (male) Dendroica chrysoparia (Paruline à dos noir) Los Madrones Ranch (Texas Hill Country), Dripping Springs, Texas. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 640, F8 1/800s Aperture Priority mode (-1/3 stop).

On Tuesday, April 21 at 03:30 we got an early start and drove the 675 miles to Los Madrones Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. After avoiding a collision with a rogue wheel early on, the drive was relatively uneventful. Micheal Murphy greeted us around four o'clock, and showed us around the gorgeous Casita that we will call home until Friday, April 24. We spent the last hours of light photographing Black-Crested Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee and House Finch in prime breeding plumage. We also had some great looks at five great Sparrows (more to follow in another post).

The highlight of the trip so far was when Greg W. Lasley www.greglasley.com (Texas' premier birder) arrived and took us to photograph the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler. It was an amazingly productive and satisfying morning.

Special thanks to Greg W. Lasley and to Michael & Julie Murphy @ Los Madrones Ranch. If you are planning a trip to Texas, be sure to look them up www.losmadrones.com (512) 264-1741 

The Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia Paruline à dos noir is an endangered species of bird that breeds in Central Texas, from Palo Pinto County southwestward along the eastern and southern edge of the Edwards Plateau to Kinney County. The Golden-cheeked Warbler is the only bird species with a breeding range confined to Texas. Golden-cheeked warblers nest in ashe juniper and live oak trees in ravines and canyons. They use bark and spider webs to build their nests. Females lay three to four eggs. Warblers eat insects and spiders and the adult warbler can reach a length of 4.5 inches. They winter in southern Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The warbler is endangered as many juniper and oak woodlands have been cleared to build houses, roads, and stores or to grow crops or grass for livestock. Other woodlands were flooded when large lakes were constructed.

Dauphin Island, Alabama - made it!

American Oystercatcher Fort DeSoto, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/1000s Manual

On Tuesday April 14, after seeing the closest thing to a tornado (that wasn't) at Fort DeSoto, we drove to St. Petersburg to pick up Artie's Sequoia. After only a few short minutes, we realized that we would be spending the rest of the afternoon waiting for the work to be finished. Our plans to start driving to Alabama would have to change, so we called our friend, James Shadle, who agreed to take us aboard his boat, the Hoopty Deux the next morning.

Roseate Spoonbill Tampa Bay, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F5.6, 1/1250s Manual

After returning the rental car the night before, we met James and ventured out into Tampa Bay to a Roseate Spoonbill rookery where we spent the morning photographing Spoonbills, White and Glossy Ibis, Brown Pelicans, Great Blue and Tri-Colored Herons, Willets, etc. Like all good things, our morning with James ended, and we started our drive to the hotel to pick-up our luggage. Shortly after we took a wrong turn (no, I wasn't driving), all of the dashboard warning lights started to flash and the engine stalled right in front of a Honda dealer, and about 200 yards from a different Toyota dealer than had done the work. I don't think there could have been a better place to realize that the first Toyota dealer hadn't put the radiator's bottom hose clamp back in place, next to the thermostat. The hose had come off, and we had lost all of the coolant. Another afternoon was wasted as we waited for a tow and arranged a rental car. After realizing that our plans to start heading to Alabama must change again, we started heading back to Fort DeSoto and called another friend, Jim Neiger, who agreed to take us out on his boat on Lake Taho the next morning to photograph Snail Kites. Conditions at DeSoto were great, and we photographed Marbled Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Dowitcher, Willet, and Semipalmated Plover until sunset.

After an early wake-up call, we hit the road and drove to Kissimmee where we met Jim and had an amazing day photographing Snail Kites, Limpkin, Least Bittern, Purple Gallinule, and Barred Owls. The afternoon proved to be a challenge, as we endured the second (out of three) afternoon with winds from the East. We drove back to the hotel in Brandon, and were pleasantly surprised to find our vehicle had been delivered there as promised.

Snail Kite Kissimmee, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F5.6, 1/1000s Manual

On Friday, April 17, we again got an early wake-up call, and drove the 570 miles to Dauphin Island, Alabama, and are now enjoying some great birding and wonderful southern hospitality. Special thanks to all who showed us around, fed us and were just plain lovely people. There are far too many to thank, but you all know who you are; Thank-you!

Photography at Dauphin Island has been good, with a small fallout of warblers this morning. We'll be up before the birds to make the 12 hour drive to Texas early tomorrow morning.

The hardest part of the trip is editing, optimizing images, and staying awake long enough to make blog entries.

The great spring warbler chase road trip

On Monday, April 13, I escaped the lingering cold weather and fluffy snow that fell during my walk with Julie and T-Bone (our best friend) the day before. We were up at 3:30 and Julie dropped me off at the Airport for my flight to Tampa, Florida. I arrived in Tampa, rented a car and picked up my great friend, Arthur Morris at the Toyota dealer where he left his Sequoia for the 90,000 mile tune-up (more on that in my next entry), to be ready for the great spring warbler chase road trip. We are spending the next two weeks driving from Tampa to Dauphin Island, Alabama, then on to Texas. We went straight to Fort DeSoto Beach, realized all of the other photographers were photographing the wind-surfers and that the strong wind was from the East. Not only do birds reliably takeoff and land into the wind, they also sit facing the wind. Not the best conditions for bird photography. We both agreed that the best place to go was a sheltered little mud flat to the right of the footbridge. Photography was fun with co-operative birds and still water until the clouds obscured what would surely have been a great sunset.

Tuesday morning, despite hearing the tornado warnings, we ventured back out and photographed until the dark clouds that had been on the horizon moved-in and the wind kicked-up to some of the strongest I've ever felt. The temperature must have dropped about 30 degrees and we both looked out onto the near horizon to see the most amazing storm clouds, a dark featureless sky on the right, with a diagonal, layered formation that was the closest thing to a tornado shape that I've ever seen. There we were, two seasoned professional nature photographers without a wide angle lens between us. We ran back to the car and grabbed short zoom lenses, ran back to the beach only to find a really dark, featureless sky. I'm leaving out the hail that Artie remembers, simply because I can't for the life of me remember feeling or seeing hail (It might have been the adrenaline that affected my memory). Regardless, we both agree that no photograph could do justice to the image of that sky that will always be imprinted in my memory.

Lens Envy

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) Vertical PuffinScape latrabjarg, Iceland. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 17-40 F4 @21mm. 550EX Flash manual mode. ISO 250, F10 @1/250s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

I hear it all the time: "I could make some great bird images, if only I had a 500mm Lens" or "wow, look at that lens, I bet you get some great shots with that".

There's nothing better than the resulting dramatic storm clouds from bad weather to add drama to a wide-angle image of a bird in it's environment, and I love being out in the rain or snow to increase my chances of creating  artistic images. The problem during a recent trip to Latrabjarg in Iceland was that the better part of the first half of the trip was plagued with very heavy rain and a featureless, dark and less than pleasing sky. I first visualized this image shortly after arriving, so I was ready the moment the clouds started to lift, and become more appealing. Pre-visualization and planning is key when conditions are likely to change.

TIP:

Think wide, think different and think environment. The lens of choice among bird photographers is the 500mm F4, but don't limit yourself to close-up "bird on a stick" images. The lens you choose is probably the single most important decision you make while trying to create unique images. While out in the field, I strive to capture compelling, artistic images of birds, often including the environment that my subject lives in and the weather they often endure. Try to step back and visualize unique, wide images that give a sense of place to your subject. I love being out in foul weather, and stormy clouds certainly add emotion to wide-angle captures. Some of my favorite bird images were made with the Canon 17-40mm F4 and the 16-35mm F2.8 Lenses.

To learn about my Deluxe Puffins Galore Photo Tour, CLICK HERE.