IMAGE OF THE MONTH and ARCHIVES
*****Click On The Image For A Larger View*****
July 16, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR JULY "Tele-Zoom As A Macro Lens"
The Copper Country Of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
One of the often overlooked features of the Canon RF100-500 lens is it's close focusing capabilities. Amazingly sharp and contrasty, it focuses to about 36 inches (0.33X magnification) and when used with the 45MP R5 body, the image can be cropped to true macro lens quality.
So when I'm out photographing wildlife with this lens and happen to see a macro lens sized subject, I don't have to keep walking...
Canon R5, RF100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens at 420mm and cropped, exposure of 1/400 sec at f7.1, ISO 200, handheld.
May 29, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE "Ravens In Love"
Denali National Park, Alaska
For a very common and conspicuous bird, the ravens are quite secretive of where they nest. Since many areas of Denali are treeless and without power poles to build their nests, they tend to build on steep cliffs.
But when it comes to courting, any old tree along the Park Road will do...
Canon R5, RF100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens at 500mm and cropped, exposure of 1/1000 sec at f8, ISO 1000, handheld.
April 27, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR MAY "Pretty Invasive"
Near Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
What most people who love the bright colors that the Lupine adds to the landscape don’t realize is that Lupines are a non-native invasive species that is forcing out the native species of both plants and birds. Typically the lupines are found along stream banks, forcing out native plants and reducing the available nesting sites of birds.
On the other hand, many tourists plan their visits to this part of New Zealand in order to view and photograph them…
Canon R5, EF 24-70 f2.8 lens at 50mm, exposure of 1/160 sec at f11, ISO 100, handheld.
March 29, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL "Are You Sure?"
Along The Yellowstone River, Yellowstone NP, Wyoming.
Yup, I'm sure--no snacks for you. It is a shame that tourists insist on feeding animals in our Parks, turning them into professional panhandlers.
This coyote had found something to eat on a snowbank, and when finished, looked at me like he wanted more. Sorry, I don't feed wild animals!
Canon R5, RF100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens at 300mm, exposure of 1/1000 sec at f8, ISO 200, handheld out the window.
March 2, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH "What A Bison Looks Like At -40ºF"
Along The Madison River, Yellowstone NP, Wyoming.
Once almost hunted to extinction, the American Bison numbers have rebounded to sustainable levels. The Yellowstone herds number over 5 thousand, and during the winter they congregate near the warmer thermally active areas to graze on exposed grasses.
Well protected from extremly cold temperatures, they still look rather frigid at -40ºF!
Canon R5, RF100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens at 400mm, exposure of 1/800 sec at f7.1, ISO 400, handheld.
January 23, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY "Moeraki Boulders"
Koekohe Beach, Otago, New Zealand
Scattered along this sandy beach are large round (5-7' in diameter) boulders that are slowly eroding out of the mudstone hillside. They are called septarian concretions, a mixture of mud and clay encased in calcite, formed probably 5 million years ago in the Paleocene Period.
Lately they've become an interesting tourist attraction.
Canon R5, EF24-70 f2.8L II USM lens at 24mm, exposure of 1/500 sec at f16, ISO 320, handheld.
January 1, 2023
IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY "Rain Squall Over Fang Peak"
North Fork Pass, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
Actually I'm a century too late to name the peak, but Tombstone Peak (lower center) sure looks like it should have been named Fang Peak.
While I was photographing, a weather front passed through the Olgivie Mountains, creating a constantly changing combination of rain, clouds and sunbeams.
Canon R5, RF100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens at 100mm, exposure of 1/500 sec at f9, ISO 100, handheld.