Category Archives: Orlando

A Couple Composites

January 22, 2017Cameras and Photography, INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlando, Orlando Wetlandsbirds, Flowers, focus stacking, landscape, multiple exposure, panorama, techniqueEd Rosack

I went for another walk last week at Orlando Wetlands Park with Tom M. It was a pretty morning and in addition to the normal bird suspects, we also saw Soras, Purple Gallinules, and heard reports of Bald Eagles and many Black Crowned Night Herons.

In this post though, I want to discuss compositing. Wikipedia says:

“Compositing is the combining of visual elements from separate sources into single images, often to create the illusion that all those elements are parts of the same scene.”

Multiple exposures are a subset of compositing, and are much easier to produce in today’s world of digital photography. In addition to creating an illusion, they can be used to show things that are difficult for a camera to capture in a single frame and better show reality. Examples are panoramas, focus stacking, HDR, etc.

There’s a lovely Pink Trumpet tree on the west side of the main path into the park. It’s in bloom and that morning the moon was setting behind the tree. This snap from my iPhone shows how the tree looked against the sky and moon.

I wanted to isolate one bloom with the moon and clouds behind it, but the depth of field with my telephoto lens was too shallow to show both in the same frame. So I made two, with one focused on the flower and the second on the clouds / moon. Then in Photoshop it was relatively easy to combine the two frames to show what I wanted.

Moon, clouds, and flower

Here’s a second example:

Ibis flight sequence

This one is from a sequence of a single White Ibis flying by in a little under 2 seconds. I brought all 25 frames into Photoshop on separate layers and aligned them. Then I used the focus select function to mask the birds from each layer into a single composite. I ended up having to omit every other frame to avoid overlapping birds.

If you’re willing to dive into Photoshop or any other image editing software that offers layers and masking, you can do the same sort of work. Think about techniques like these when you’re out photographing. If you capture the source frames you need when you’re out, then when you get back to your computer you can use them to solve problems and enhance your creativity.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. Now, go make some multiple exposure photos!

A walk in the park

October 23, 2016INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlando, Orlando Wetlandsbirds, black-bellied whistling duck, landscape, Little Blue Heron, Palm Warbler, sunrise, wildlifeEd Rosack

I usually walk in my neighborhood several times a week. It’s a good way to get some exercise and say hello to folks. I did something different last Friday and drove over to Orlando Wetlands Park for my morning hike.

It was still dark when I arrived and I could hear owls and whistling ducks calling on the way out to Lake Searcy – one of my favorite landscape places. I didn’t like the view this time since the water was low and the appealing mirror like reflections were missing. I ended up moving to a new location for this:

Middle marsh mystery island

Morning color was disappointing, but I do like the image. After sunrise, I wandered around and made some bird photos. There were many Little Blue Herons:

Pretty little blue

And the Palm Warblers are here in force, bobbing their tails as they pose in the reeds:

Palm Warbler

And here’s one of the whistling ducks. I caught it mid-preen:

Black Bellied Whistling Duck

The last time I was at Orlando Wetlands was in February. It was good to get back and a lovely walk. And carrying weights (photo equipment) made it better exercise. Plus, I made some photos!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go make some photos yourself!

Happy Father's Day

June 17, 2016Gatorland, Orlando, VARIOUSbirds, Great Egret, nest, wildlife, youngEd Rosack

Yes, it’s been a horrific week here in Central Florida. So bad that some might question celebrating a holiday so soon after these terrible events.

We should keep in mind that there is danger and evil in the world. We should keep the victims and everyone touched by these events in our hearts and minds. But we should celebrate, I think Because there is also peace and goodness in the world, and there are vastly more good people than evil ones.

So, to all Dads out there: I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday and I hope you get to share it with your families. Celebrate the good in the world and help overcome the evil.

I wonder where Dad is? Mom said he would feed us this time. Two young Great Egrets, waiting for their next meal at Gatorland in Orlando.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

#OrlandoStrong

#OrlandoUnited

No photo post today

June 12, 2016Orlando, Plaza Theatre, VARIOUSEd Rosack

We woke up this morning here in Central Florida, to news of the worst mass shooting in US history.

Please take a moment of silence and direct your thoughts and prayers to all the people killed and injured in Orlando this weekend, their relatives and friends, and the first responders and medical people helping them.

#plazalive

#PulseNightclub

Handsome Bird

May 13, 2016Gatorland, INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlandobirds, Cattle Egret, wildlifeEd Rosack

Colorful Cattle Egret

You probably see these birds where you live. They’re common in Central Florida and throughout most of the warmer parts of the world. You can read much more about them in this article on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_egret.

Most of the time Cattle Egrets are ordinary looking, even drab. But when they dress up like this one in springtime breeding colors, I find it hard to resist photographing them. Especially when they pose so nicely in warm morning light.

Have you seen something recently that you just had to take a photo of?

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go make some photos!

Bird Moms

May 8, 2016Gatorland, INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlandobirds, Common Gallinule, Great Egret, Mother's day, wildlife, Wood StorkEd Rosack

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

We all love our Moms. They love us too, feed us, protect us, teach us, and make sure we go out into the world ready for all its challenges.

Bird Moms do the same. In celebration of all Mothers everywhere, here are three recent photos of bird Moms raising their young.

Great Egret Mom feeding chicks – That’s a large chunk of sushi – those baby birds will be full if they eat all that!

Common Gallinule Mom and Chicks – These hatch ready to swim. Mom protectively takes them around the local pond, very careful to avoid gators lurking nearby.

Wood Stork Mom and chicks

These photos were all made this year at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida. Wild birds nest there above the Alligator breeding marsh, where the gators keep many natural predators away from the nests. Spring is a wonderful time to see all the action.

Click on any of these photos to see them larger on Flickr. And look at this album for many more images from Gatorland.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go tell your Mom you love her!

Gatorland Update – 8 April 2016

April 9, 2016Gatorland, INSIDE FLORIDA, OrlandoAnhinga, birds, Cormorant, Great Egret, reflection, Tri-colored Heron, Wood StorkEd Rosack

I had a delightful visit to Gatorland yesterday morning. Tom M. and Jim B. were also there. I started following ~~Jim’s blog~~ (sorry, no longer available) years ago and we’ve been web friends for a while. I’m happy I finally got to meet him in person!

Anhinga gathering nest material

The nesting season is going full blast now, and this gives everyone a chance to see and photograph wild birds in breeding colors doing nesting season behaviors. Quite an opportunity!

We saw Anhingas, Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets, Cormorants, Great Egrets, Common Gallinules, Snowy Egrets, Tri-colored Herons, and Woodstorks all in various stages of breeding. Little ones in the nest are quite common and some of the baby Great Egrets have grown into “teenagers” already and will be fledging shortly.

Nesting Double-crested Cormorant – Can you tell where this bird gets its name?

The early entry program at Gatorland is perfect for catching the birds in good light on the west side of the breeding pond. They enjoy the morning light too.

I’ll be with you in a moment just as soon as my feathers dry… – This Wood Stork was soaking in the morning sun

Keep an eye out for backlit birds – they can also be beautiful.

Great Glowing Egret

Gatorland is an exceptional place to practice your “birds-in-flight” skills. Patient observation lets you figure out movement patterns and get ready. I waited several minutes with my camera in “BIF” mode (high shutter speed, continuous auto focus) until this Tri-Colored took off. I didn’t expect it to grab a little fish on the way, but I was glad it did!

Breakfast to go – A Tri-colored Heron scoops up a minnow on the fly

Click on any of these photos to see them larger on Flickr. And look at this album for many more images from Gatorland.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. If you haven’t been to Gatorland yet, go. And if you haven’t checked out ~~Jim’s blog~~ (sorry, no longer available) yet, go do that too. Then – go make some photos!

Anhinga portrait

March 20, 2016Gatorland, INSIDE FLORIDA, OrlandoAnhingaEd Rosack

Anhingas are large water birds common here in Florida. You often see them pose with wings spread as they dry out after a swim. You can read more about them in this article on Wikipedia.

For most of the year you might say they’re drab, especially around the head with plain black or brown feathers and eyes. But with springtime love in the air, their appearance changes – especially for males. They develop highlights in the feathers on the back of their heads, a lot of color around their eyes, and look like they wear red contact lenses. This fellow has the full style going.

Anhinga – full length portrait

Here’s a close up crop from this photo so you can better see the colors and detail (click for a larger version on Flickr).

Anhinga – head shot

They’re very handsome and I enjoy photographing them, especially when they’re as patient and tolerant as this one was.

I made the photo at Gatorland in Orlando on March 10th during my first visit this year. The breeding season is underway and hundreds of wild birds are participating. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see colors and behaviors of anhinga, egret, herons and other species up close. And Gatorland has an early entry program for photographers so you can photograph in the early morning light while avoiding crowds of tourists later in the day. Go see for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go make some photos!

Arlo Guthrie at the Plaza

January 24, 2016INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlando, Plaza TheatreAlice's Restaurant, Arlo Guthrie, concert, music, Plaza Live, Sarah Lee GuthrieEd Rosack

I’m sitting here this morning writing this while wearing the new t-shirt I got last night at the Plaza Live in Downtown Orlando.

During the Vietnam War, the US government required men to register for the draft. I suspect that many of these folks and their loved ones were and still are fans of Arlo Guthrie and his song “The Alice’s Restaurant Massacree“. He stopped by last night on his Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour to entertain a full house.

Arlo Guthrie

Sarah Lee Guthrie (his daughter) opened for him and she’s a wonderful talent too.

Sara Lee Guthrie

“Alices Restaurant” is a favorite tune of mine and one of the first fingerstyle songs I learned to play on the guitar. It was a special treat to see and hear him perform this and many other songs. It was also special to hear him and Sarah Lee talk about their life, family, and friends. Here are a couple of things I learned:

In the Alice’s Restaurant movie, Arlo, Officer Obie, Judge James Hannon and his seeing eye dog all portray themselves. Relations between Arlo and Officer Obie were frosty at first, but they became good friends.
The Alice’s Restaurant song is 18 1/2 minutes long which is the same length as the famous gap in Nixon’s Watergate tapes. Arlo suggested that Nixon listened to the song and that’s why he had to erase that section.

Arlo Guthrie and his band

Photography notes: These were all made with a Sony RX-100 III point and shoot camera. I took this one because I’m never sure what the camera policy will be at the Plaza – it seems to vary. The Sony only has a 24 – 70mm equivalent lens, but we had seats up front. I used it wide open (f/2.8) in aperture priority with the spot meter. I manually varied ISO between 800 and 1600. The shutter speeds varied between 1/60 and 1/200 seconds. I shot in RAW and used DXO Optics Pro to process the RAW files. This SW is excellent at removing noise and preserving sharpness – even with the smaller sensor in this camera. The camera’s auto white balance did OK, but I used the eyedropper to set it based on Arlo’s gray shirt.

Lynn and I really enjoyed the concert. And I like my new t-shirt too. We need more songs about social consciousness, activism, and protest. There’re certainly enough subjects to write about.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go support your favorite artists and make some photos!

Gatorland – June 4, 2015

June 5, 2015Gatorland, INSIDE FLORIDA, Orlandobirds, Cattle Egret, Tri-colored Heron, wildlife, Wood StorkEd Rosack

Once again, it’s that time of year: The Gatorland photography pass season ends soon – so if you want to get in early at 7:30am, you’ll have to hurry. After June 17th, they’re only open during regular hours.

I like to watch the progression of wild birds nesting in the rookery and usually visit several times. Check out this very handy bird nesting season reference guide on the St. Augustine Alligator Farm web page for hints on what you can see here in Florida and when.

A juvenile Tri-colored Heron, (with a typical “hair-do”). This one was waiting for Mom or Dad to return with some food.

Great Egrets start the year off, but this late, most of their eggs have hatched and the chicks have grown and fledged into nice looking juveniles. When I was there this week with Tom M., Wood Storks, Anhingas, Snowy Egrets, and Tri-colored Herons were still raising chicks and tending to nests.

Wood Stork – Bringing a branch back to Momma.

Several of the Wood Storks had found an abandoned Cormorant nest and were stealing branches from it. This one made several trips!

Cattle Egrets are taking over the starring roles and are busy attracting mates, building nests, and breeding.

Cattle Egret – posing in breeding colors

This was probably my last visit to Gatorland for a while but I’m looking forward to returning next year. It’s a wonderful place to get close access to a number of Florida bird species. I’ve posted a great many photos from there in this set on Flickr. You can read Central Florida Photo Ops posts about Gatorland at this link and posts about the St. Augustine Alligator Farm at this link.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now, go make some photos!