Traveling Hearts Photography: nature

Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Life Cycle of a Butterfly {Days 26 and 27}

I did not get as many photos as I would have liked of the Chrysalis process as most of it happened while I was away on my work trip. However, I did get to watch the first butterfly emerge from her Chrysalis yesterday morning! Yep, she's a girl!

First Butterfly Emerged from Chrysalis

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/50 sec

Second Chrysalis Not Yet Ready

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/50 sec

And I found the most wonderful surprise! Moe made it! Yes, definitely a happy ending to her story. She is also a girl and was just released this morning. Two girl butterflies and one chrysalis remains.

Moe!! Or should I say Molly :)

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/320 sec

Molly Released

ISO 320 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/200 sec

And all those eggs I saw outside, yes they all hatched! I believe I counted 11 caterpillars at one point. They are very large and should by ready to form their chrysalis soon. I'm a little weary about leaving them outdoors, but the husband has had enough of the caterpillars indoors for now. So here's a thought and a prayer wishing those little guys good luck!

Happily Chomping Away!

ISO 320 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/125 sec

Capturing the Moment <3

Corrie

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Life Cycle of a Butterfly {Day 7}

I've named our three caterpillars "Eeny, Miney and Mo." They are chowing down and growing! I believe that 2 of the caterpillars have made it to the Second Instar, but I'm not sure. The tiny one (the one that came from the egg) is still in it's First Instar.

Second Instar (I think)

ISO 800 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/80 sec

Peek A Boo!

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.0 ~ 1/100 sec

What are Instars you ask? Well, they are the 5 stages that the caterpillar goes through as it grows and sheds it's skin. The larval stage lasts about 14 days. So if I calculate things right, we should have 3 nicely formed chrysalides (I had to google the plural of chrysalis, who knew?) by next Tuesday. That's a lot of chomping to do between now and then!

Milkweed for Lunch

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.0 ~ 1/60 sec

The Monarch Caterpillar has a 90% mortality rate of reaching adulthood (Butterfly). I'm just trying to do my part to help preserve this beautiful butterfly <3

This was From our Last Grouping of Monarchs

ISO 200 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.0 ~ 1/320 sec

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie <3

Monday, September 23, 2013

Rainy Fall Morning

I've been itching to get out and shoot with my camera for weeks, but learning my new job has been all encompassing. I've been using my days off to run errands rather than spend some one on one time with my camera.

Today I decided I was going to ignore my "to-do" list and go exploring camera in hand. Wouldn't you know, I woke up to the pitter patter of rain drops on my window. Apparently Fall in Northern Florida means it is just going to rain... all the time...

I brought my camera with me while dropping off the boys at school in case it let up. It eased to a light drizzle so I decided I would go explore a trail I've been wanting to check out. I didn't go very far, but was out there about an hour just poking around in nature... I've missed it so much <3

After watching a few wild bunnies scamper across the trail, I found these little bean pods. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but the bright green against the contrast of the gray sky was too much to pass up.

ISO 250 ~ 60mm ~ f/2.8 ~ 1/640 sec

ISO 500 ~ 60mm ~ f/2.8 ~ 1/160 sec

I had my DSLR, but I also took my film camera with me. I actually shot more with film than I did digitally, which surprised me. I've got about 9 exposures left on that roll, so I have to wait to see how they came out (torturous!!)

Shooting in Film

(Isn't the camera strap CUTE?!? I just ordered it from ETSY and am in Love <3 The shop owner was fabulous and helped me design a custom strap. She is also a fellow military spouse. Check out her store HERE.)

I am amazed at the wildlife here. They are almost oblivious to the goings and comings around them and just continue on in their own little world. I didn't run into any alligators though and for that I am grateful!

ISO 500 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/800 sec

ISO 500 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/80 sec

ISO 640 ~ 140mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/320 sec

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie <3

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday Morning

I woke up this morning with my 5 year old millimeters from my face. He proceeded to tell me he woke up because his brain told him it was time. (Yes mom, I know this is payback from all the times I woke you up)

I had to PRY my eyes open... As I am grumbling to myself about how my children must have not gotten the "sleeping in" gene, I stumbled to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. I looked out my back window and saw a white and black bird practically in my backyard. I grabbed my camera (knowing it probably wouldn't be there anymore) and went outside. He had meandered down a ways, but was still there. I wasn't sure what type of bird this was ~ first time I was seeing it. He was skittish so I was glad I had thought to change my lens to the big daddy (my 300mm lens). I sat down in the grass and just enjoyed watching him scooping through the water looking for breakfast.

Wood Stork Profile

ISO 400 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/640 sec

Wood Stork Flying

ISO 400 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/640 sec

After coming back inside I looked him up and discovered he is a Wood Stork. Apparently these guys are quite skittish and are more often in secluded areas. They are on the an endangered species list and more commonly in South America. So with all this information, I was quite surprised that he was in the lake behind my house. I do hope I get to see him some more and will take extra effort to keep my distance should I see him again.

Wood Stork and his Reflection

ISO 400 ~ 260mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/250 sec

Wishing you a pleasant and relaxing weekend.

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie <3

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Anniversary Celebration Giveaway ~ Winner(s) Revealed!

Thank you everyone who entered and shared the news regarding the giveaway. I've enjoyed reading about everyone's bucket list of places they would like to go photograph <3 They all sound wonderful <3 The giveaway has come to an end, but here comes the good news of who are the TWO winners! (yes, I decided to have two :)

1) Dan W.
2) Chanel S.

I will be in contact with you to see which puzzle you would like and to get your address so I can ship them out. The three puzzles pictured here are available and ready to ship. If you would like one with a different photo, just let me know which one and I will order it.

Silhouetted Bird just after Sunrise

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/1000 sec

Thank you all for entering and being a part of the giveaway. I am honored and blessed to have your support and involvement! If you are interested in purchasing a puzzle, they are $25 and can be made with any photo you see on ETSY or Facebook.

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie Avila

PS ~ I will do another giveaway when Traveling Hearts Photography FB page reaches 100 likes, so please share!!

PSS ~ The winners were randomly chosen through the Rafflecopter website. I had no part in it other then clicking a button that said "choose winner" :)

Sunday, October 14, 2012

American Bald Eagles and More...

Yesterday my plans were to take the boys to the National Zoo in Washington DC. When we were getting ready to leave the house I looked up into the sky and saw FOUR, yes FOUR bald eagles soaring high above. They were soaring in pairs of two, so I was unable to capture all four in the same photo ~ but it was absolutely magnificent to watch. I love this time of year when the leaves are changing color, the weather is brisk, the farmer's markets are filled with yummy pumpkin items (like pumpkin fudge <3), and the animals are all out and enjoying the weather just as much as we are.

Here is a photo of the first pair. Even with my 70-300mm lens, the eagles were too high to get a really good photo ~ but wanted to share.

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/11 ~ 1/250 sec

This next photo I took last month as the eagle was just getting ready to take off of his perch.

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/400 sec

There are many challenges to photographing birds and Bald Eagles specifically. You are at the mercy of the location of the bird and the sun. When the Bald Eagles come to visit and hang out on their perch, they are where they are. I can't ask them to turn around or move to a better position. I know that I can move, but all that does is make the Bald Eagle nervous and many times fly away. Since this is not what I want, I usually stay in the location that I am in. But what I am able to do, is observe the animal's behavior so that I can anticipate what the Bald Eagle's next move may be.

For example, I know where the Bald Eagles like to hang out. I know that many times (before nesting season) they will often be in a pair. I also know that once one takes off, the other will usually follow behind very shortly. I also know that once they take off towards the Potomac River, they will usually circle around and soar overhead for a little while. So I can plan my position and where I will direct my camera based on what I "anticipate" they may do.

Get to know your subject... observe, research, practice... and soon you will be getting better and better shots. Also remember, most of the time you will have many other chances to get the shot you are looking for. Maybe the subject will return a few minutes later (as many butterflies do), or even later in the day, or possibly another day. Get to know the pattern of your subject and you may be surprised at how predictable they really are.

Next week I will return to the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. I plan on bringing a chair and planting myself somewhere so that I can hopefully catch some Bald Eagles and other wildlife just going about their business. The trees should all be nicely changing color as well, so it should provide for some magnificent shots.

Happy Shooting!

Corrie

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

First Bald Eagle Sighting of the Fall...

Signs of fall in Northern Virginia include cooler evenings, the leaves starting to change, and American Bald Eagle activity.

I've lived in my house for two years now, but it wasn't until last fall that I noticed I had American Bald Eagles that liked to hang out in a tree behind my house. I live along an inlet of the Potomac River and it is mostly marsh back there. When I first saw the pair, I ran into my house, grabbed my camera, and took about 200 photos (no exaggeration). I think it was partly because I thought this was a one time shot. But I began keeping an eye out for them and was honored to see them often throughout the fall and the winter months (and of course had many photo ops in there too).

Last fall I saw the pair for the first time, and as the days shifted more towards the winter I usually would just see one. After researching more about them, I learned that they lay their eggs in the Dec/Jan time frame ~ so it makes sense that once the eagles are nesting, one of the eagles will usually always be on the nest. The thing I find most amazing about these magnificent birds is that American Bald Eagles mate for life with one partner. How amazing is that?!? In a society where divorce has become the norm, these beautiful birds stay with one another until one of them dies. Here is a photo of the pair I took in November of 2011.

Nature photography is different than portrait photography. Photographing in nature requires patience and precision. Many times you have to anticipate where your subject will be. Learn the patterns and habits of the creature you are photographing. Another tip I've learned is that if you miss your chance the first time, be patient, because many times you will get additional opportunities to get that perfect shot. Here are a few additional photos I've taken of the American Bald Eagles taken over the past year.

I had my first American Bald Eagle sighting of the season yesterday. There was one soaring up high over the trees. She was beautiful, carefree, and magnificent. I can't wait for more fall photography, including these beautiful birds.

Happy Shooting <3

Corrie