DeSoto Show, Postcards, and Screen Savers

Today is the first day of my show at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. This is going to run until the end of May, if you get an opportunity to visit this beautiful refuge be sure to take in a few (39) photographs as well. In addition to the show, I have produced 2 postcard designs and a screen saver that will be sold in the gift shop. These are nice 5x7 cards as shown above.

Directions and more information on DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is available at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/desoto/

Flying High

Today's image was taken a couple of weeks ago when I went to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge to capture some sunset images. The sunset fizzled, but there were plenty of geese flying around overhead and I captured this when they flew directly over me. The pattern this creates in the sky is always different and always fascinates me.

Technical Details:
Canon 50d, 300 f/4l+1.4tc, f/6.3, 1/400 sec.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa/Nebraska

The End of 2008 and New Years Resolutions for 2009

Chilly DeSoto Sunrise

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/14, 2 sec., 3-stop Singh-Ray Hard-Step ND Grad

As 2008 draws to a close, I have made several changes to my website. First and foremost, I have added a search function that should make looking up specific subjects easier. This can be accessed from http://www.journeyoflight.com/journey06/search.asp. Another side benefit of this function is that I can keyword tag some photos in various collections and then create an easy access page. For example: http://www.journeyoflight.com/journey06/keywordsort.asp?Keywordselected=Omaha,Holiday will display all the images I have taken of the Holiday Lights Display in downtown Omaha. Hopefully, this will prove useful for those looking to narrow down choices for print or stock image options.

I have also refined the images on my website. I have removed several photographs from all the collections. They are still accessible through the search page using the "Extended Photo Set" option. Additionally, I have also added several new images and will continue to expand the collections with new images.

As for 2009 I hope to update my blog more frequently. Some times of the year are busier than others, but I try to photograph through every season. I also hope to explore some new terroritory and find some images in some new places. Keep checking back to my website and blog for new images!

Born Free

As many people know, I do not do a lot of bird photography. I find that there are quite a few good photographers who specialize in this and who have equipment that enables them to get in close for a shot. My equipment for the most part usually puts me too far away, especially from the easily scared birds such as herons. Recently, I have been visiting DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge since they have had quite a few birds fairly close. While driving around we came across a lone pelican. When I got out of my car to take a shot of him floating down the lake, he took flight. At first he started flying away from me and I thought that he was going to be no where near me, but then banked and came right in front of me. I was able to snap about 3 shots off as he continued into the distance.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 300 f/4l + 1.4 tc, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

Quiet Watch

I decided that since I had posted a landscape and an intimate nature scene, that it is only fitting that I post a wildlife photograph. About a month ago I went looking for deer with their winter full winter coats. It has been a particularly cold winter in Nebraska and Iowa this winter so I figured they would be especially wooly. This is a mule deer that hangs out at Lake Manawa State Park near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Feed is put out for the deer and several people drive slowly by to see these friendly critters. This was taken on January 20, 2008.

Technical Details:

Canon 5d, 300 f/4l + 1.4 tc, f/5.6, 1/200 sec.
Lake Manawa State Park, Iowa

To view other photographs, order this photograph as a print, or purchase licensing rights, please visit my website at http://www.journeyoflight.com/.