photograph

All posts tagged photograph

Slaty Skimmer

Posted by Photonstopper on July 30, 2014
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Photo: Male Slaty Skimmer dragonfly. Photo by James Guilford.

Male Slaty Skimmer

I do love photographing dragonflies. Because they are relatively small, live by the water, and are very quick fliers, dragonfly photography can be frustrating. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be exploring a hotbed of dragonfly activity and, for the first time, got some images of a beautiful indigo-colored flier: a male Slaty Skimmer. In flight, the Slaty is so dark it appears black. When resting on a plant stem or flower head, the male’s deep blue body shows its true color. Clear wings make the Slaty, and some other dragonflies, hard to photograph unless against a featureless background such as the pond in this photo. I plan to get out a few more times, specifically for “dragon hunting” this season and maybe even shoot some video.

A closeup isn’t everything

Posted by Photonstopper on July 26, 2014
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Photo: Eastern Amberwing dragonfly perched on sunken log. Photo by James Guilford.

Eastern Amberwing

While it’s often possible to shoot closeup photos of insects such as dragonflies, it’s not always necessary or even the best approach. I spent an enjoyable time this afternoon along the edge of a pond seeking one of my favorite subjects: dragonflies! I had some very good luck and even got some very nice shots of a Slaty Skimmer — a big, indigo blue dragon I don’t believe I’ve captured before. As I walked along beside the pond I looked out across the quiet waters and saw a tiny Eastern Amberwing perched on the top of a sunken tree trunk protruding from the surface. The weathered wood was dark and in silhouette, its form reflected on the water, but the little dragonfly glowed in sunlight. I shot image after image ’til finally the Amberwing flitted away. It wasn’t one of those highly-detailed, super-macro insect photos we often wonder at; I think I actually like it better. ‘Turns out, it was my favorite picture of the day! A closeup isn’t everything!

Groomed sands, quiet waters

Posted by Photonstopper on July 17, 2014
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Photo: The day begins at Huntington Beach with freshly-groomed sands under a beautiful sky. Photo by James Guilford.

Beach Morning 5535

It may be some time before I get back to the shores of Lake Erie. Over the past many months, my travels have allowed me to regularly visit the lakefront. The view was different every time I visited. Colors in the waters change. Wave patterns constantly shift. And the sky… oh, the sky! I’ve stood on the sands to shoot photos while being pelted by freezing rain and snow driven by gale winds. I’ve walked the breakwalls when the lake appeared as a sheet of glass. Not once have I regretted visiting the shore. So it was this morning as clouds of various shapes moved across the big sky, waves criss-crossed on a quiet lake surface, and sands lay freshly groomed awaiting the day’s visitors. I’ll miss the visits but at least I have some pictures.

Feeling much better now

Posted by Photonstopper on July 6, 2014
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Photo: Dragonfly perched atop the green arch of a water plant leaf. Photo by James Guilford.

Arches

I was reviewing my recent efforts at photographing my favorite insects, dragonflies, and was growing discouraged. Recently it just seemed I couldn’t catch a break. Maybe my missing “luck” was due to a want of recent experience. Last year wasn’t a particularly good one for dragons though this year looks to be very good. Whatever the reason, I was deleting way more images than what I considered worth keeping. Until I came across this one. It was shot late last month in Lorain County on the edge of a pond abuzz with dragonflies. It all came together: a gorgeous dragon, perched atop arches of green leaves, against a nearly black background. I’m feeling much better now.

A morning of stars and gulls

Posted by Photonstopper on July 5, 2014
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Photo: Sunburst over Lake Erie with Gulls in Flight.

Stars and Gulls on the Water

Down at the Lake Erie shore the sun shown brilliantly over calm waters, the sky was clear and blue, and gulls gathered on the breakwall. Moving a bit too close for their comfort, I scared up half of the gathered flock. The birds took flight to the west but soon circled around to the east, then south, and into my shot of the morning sun and diamond waves. At first I was a little annoyed at the presence of so many little black dots. Quickly, however, I realized the beauty of the flock against the sky.

A lovely serene morning

Posted by Photonstopper on June 7, 2014
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Photo: Woman stepping on stones of breakwall with city in background. Photo by James Guilford.

Morning Stroll along the Breakwall

With clear skies and light winds from the south, Lake Erie this morning was a vision of placidity. Calm waters reflected morning sun and blue sky. People of early morning contemplated the scene, played on the sandy beach, or stopped to enjoy the moment. Here are two views from this day along the shore of Lake Erie on a lovely serene morning.

Photo: Kayakers on calm Lake Erie under a blue sky. Photo by James Guilford.

Kayakers Skim along on Placid Lake Erie

Spring lightning

Posted by Photonstopper on May 21, 2014
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Photo: A lightning-filled thunderstorm arrives overhead. Photo by James Guilford.

A lightning-filled thunderstorm arrives overhead.

In the waning minutes of sunset, a thunderstorm was moving into the area. As the leading edge of the cloud shield floated overhead, rumbles of thunder could be heard. Looking up, I saw the sky was alive with cloud-to-cloud lightning, much of it crawling across the cloud surfaces and readily visible, illuminating the coves and knolls of the storm. Fortunately I had my camera and tripod at hand and quickly set up in the parking lot behind my car. Quickly making rough camera settings I shot frame after frame, composing as best I could from a less-than-ideal vantage point. I would have shot a lot more images — there was lightning all over the sky — but my session was cut short by rain, threatening sky-facing lenses, forcing me into the car. It was quite the show, that spring lightning!

Photo: A lightning-filled thunderstorm arrives overhead. Photo by James Guilford.

Sunset and lightning usher in the night.