Chincoteague and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuges Slideshow Video

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

I have been experimenting with creating video slideshows of my photographs as a different way to present them. One such “experiment” is a slideshow video of the images from my recent trip to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Virginia and Blackwater NWR in Maryland.  If you have been following my blog, you may recognize some of the photographs.

To see the video in full screen mode, click on the double arrows in the lower right corner when the video starts. Be sure your sound is turned on.

Let me know what you think about this approach to seeing my photography and whether you liked the video.

Posted in Bird Photographs, Landscape Photographs | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Black Bear at Shenandoah National Park

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

A week ago, while at Shenandoah National Park, I saw a young adult black bear, but by the time I saw the bear, it saw me and quickly ran into the woods and out of sight. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to photograph the bear.

That same day, a couple from Maryland told me that they go to the park several times a year and had never seen a bear until that day, and they saw three black bears. Coincidently, a friend said that he has been going to the park for over 25 years and had never seen a bear until three weeks ago, and said he saw three bears too. And finally, a friend that I work with saw a bear in the park a few weeks ago as well. Obviously, there have been more bear sightings than usual this year. What’s with that?

Last fall, while in Shenandoah National Park, I photographed a black bear 50 feet or more up in an oak tree. The bear was searching through the tree for acorns. It was amazing how high up in the tree the bear went for acorns, and there were not many acorns in the tree to be found. The below photo shows (arrow pointing at the bear) how high up in the tree the bear was located.

The next image zooms in on the bear’s silhouette as it worked its way toward an acorn. Notice what is just above the bear’s nose, and how it was balancing precariously on the branch.

After switching lenses, the next image shows the bear “eyeballing” a tempting acorn, but the challenge was getting to it. Notice the thin size of the branch as compared to the size of the bear.

Finally, below is a close up of the bear.

Timing is almost everything to capture images like those above. I hope I am fortunate enough to time it right again this year. Also, lesson learned, do not ever climb a tree to flee a bear.

Posted in National and State Parks, Shenandoah National Park | Tagged , | 10 Comments

More Images from the Shenandoah Mountains

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Over the weekend, I posted an article about my trip last week to Shenandoah National Park with images of the sunrise and some of the early morning views of the clouds hovering in the Shenandoah Valley. In this article, I am including some of the other images taken later in the day–like the one above, which shows that the trees have started to turn at the higher elevations.  Looks like it will be a colorful autumn in the park!

After taking a break for a late breakfast and desperately needed coffee at the Sky Meadow Lodge, I drove north and south on Skyline Drive stopping to capture some of the park’s late summer/early autumn colors and beauty. It is amazing that such natural beauty is only 75 miles from Washington DC. Speaking of 75, the park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

If you click on the images, they will zoom in for a closer view. If you do that on the second image below and just below the clouds, you will see a red barn down in the valley. The last image below is of an old barn just outside of Sperryville. Old barns make great photographic subjects, and I could not pass this one up because of the path of yellow flowers behind it.

Posted in Landscape Photographs | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Shenandoah National Park

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Last Saturday, I went to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to shoot the sunrise from one of my favorite locations along Skyline Drive, as well as photograph some of the late summer foliage. When I left the house at 0430, it was obviously dark, and therefore, I could not tell the extent of the cloud cover. Clouds significantly improve the beauty of a sunrise, so I was hoping for some clouds.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very overcast morning and day. The sunrise was less spectacular than many I have seen from that location, but it was still beautiful. Regardless of the cloud cover, it turned out to be a great day in the mountains, and a day for some unusual views and photographs of the Shenandoah Valley. I also had a black bear sighting, which is always exciting. Last fall, I photographed a bear hunting acorns 75 feet up in a tree.  (Good subject for another blog article.)

In the above image (Nikon D700, 28mm, f/9, 30 sec), it was still very dark, but as the sun was beginning to near the horizon, it began to glow in shades of red while the clouds in the sky began to turn deep shades of blue.

In the above image (D700, 70mm, f/9, 30 sec), as the colors changed and intensified, I zoomed in for a closer exposure. (Below image: D700, 70mm, f/9, 2.5 sec)

After shooting the sunrise, I spent the day photographing Shenandoah Mountain landscapes and views from various overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley, which was covered in clouds that hugged the valley floor while the sky was very overcast. It was a scene that I am sure happens often, but one that I had not photographed before.

(Above images: Nikon D700, 62mm, f/11,  1/40; D300, 70mm, f/11, 1/40; D300, 70mm, f/18, 1/160; respectively) (Opening image: D300, 180mm, f/11, 1/100)

Later in the day, it did brighten up, and I was able to shoot some early fall colors. I will post another article tomorrow with some of those images.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. It is a season for dramatic photography with its brilliant colors and invigorating weather. The colors in the Shenandoah Mountains can be breathtaking, and I will definitely be heading back in October and November. In two weeks, I will be at Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania to photograph many of the 22 named waterfalls, hopefully framed by colorful trees. I was there in May and posted this article after the trip: https://stevetabone.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/ricketts-glen-state-park-and-its-waterfalls/?preview=true&preview_id=274&preview_nonce=09952adf79

Additional images can be seen on my website at http://stabone.com/p247200375

Posted in Landscape Photographs | Tagged | 2 Comments

Sunflowers in Jarrettsville, Maryland

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Stephen L Tabone

Last Friday, I drove two hours northwest of Baltimore to Jarrettsville to shoot a large field of sunflowers at sunrise. I left the house at 0415. I had never been to Jarretsville before so I was not sure where the sunflowers were located. Therefore, I left early enough to allow time to explore around to find the sunflowers. I had a good idea from researching the Web, but did not have an address–just a general location.

As I arrived in Jarretsville, the sun was beginning to rise. As the sun rose and it got lighter, I could see the yellow flowers becoming slightly visible in the dark. I was in the right location at the right time!  I quickly parked the car, grabbed my gear and went into the field. I wanted to photograph the sunflowers as they were lit by the first light from the sun.

It was definitely better than the average morning as I walked through the field of sunflowers photographing them as they seemed to be welcoming the sunlight. And, I had them all to myself. I was the only person in sight.

They all generally faced east toward the sun. The following are some of the many images from that morning.  More sunflower photos can be seen on my website at:  http://stabone.com/p330403191

It was a very large field of sunflowers.

It was a cool morning, around 55 degrees, perfect weather. The only thing that would have made it better would have been a hot cup of coffee.

The full moon, although small, can be seen in the sky.

There is always one that stands out in the crowd.

They looked beautiful against the blue sky.

Up close and personal.

Soaking up the rays.

A little detail.

Also pretty from the rear with the light of the sun illuminating the petals of the flower.

Before blooming.

Early stage of a sunflower bud.

Stretching out for the morning light.

That was Friday’s photography adventure and well worth the drive and early morning. Saturday, I also got up well before sunrise in order to be on top of Skyline Drive to shoot the sunrise from the mountains. I will post those photos this week.

Posted in Landscape Photographs | Tagged | 7 Comments