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Heading South...
View in South Carolina
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A Visit to Skidaway Island State Park...
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Our wonderful friends Steve and Pamela live in Patterson, Georgia at Red Bird Acres, named of course after the ever popular Northern Cardinal. Pam, aka, Sparky, wants me to get back to their place to photograph more cardinals for her archive. Because of her interest, I’m always on the lookout for these birds and there were quite a few around the park this afternoon. When I returned home I emailed the group to her – they weren’t Red Bird Acres red birds, but they were from Georgia... Female Northern Cardinal - Skidaway Island State ParkCanon 1Ds Mark III/EF 600mm F/4L + 1.4X, 1/80 second @ f/8, ISO 1250 with extended flash. |
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We stayed in one area of the park observing birds and enjoying the afternoon. It was in the seventy degree range and it was nice to be outside. We left
as the sun dropped and headed over to meet our friends for the evening. Billy had arranged for a group of us to meet at a local restaurant so we got to visit
some other Skidaway Island friends out first night in town.
Wax Myrtle Berries - Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia...Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 1/500 second at f/8, ISO 200 at 70mm, EF 600mm + 1.4X with flash |
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We were up with the sun the following morning – not a big deal actually, sunrise is later here compared to Maine, and preparing to go into the Victorian District of Savannah for a meeting and property inspections. Because we were up early I asked Linda if she wanted to check out the state park before we headed into town, to which she readily agreed. It was another great day, like summer at home, and we were taking advantage of it. I’d worked in Savannah often over past years and seeing friends among the site staff again would be fun. Our friend Bill had taken care of the wood replacement and painting of four buildings recently and we met him to drive around the sites to check them out. We were done with the review by mid-afternoon so Linda and I took a drive to one of my favorite places, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. The newly opened Visitors Center is about seven miles from downtown Savannah in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The Savannah River serves as the border between Georgia and South Carolina and the refuge has locations in both states. I was looking forward to meeting my friends at the refuge – the last time we’d visited was in March when the new center was officially opened. Plus my friend Rob Wood from Oklahoma had recently relocated to Savannah with his wife KK (one of my all-time favorite people) and daughter Abigail. I’d spent Three Days in the Wichita Mountains Refuge with Rob in September followed by three more in December 2009, and looked forward to seeing him. Alas, this was not to be this trip… Rob, the district Fire Management Officer, was in the ACE Basin conducting a controlled burn. Later I learned that Ms. KK and Abigail had returned to Oklahoma to visit family and friends and weren’t in-state when we were there. Guess I’ll have to get back to Savannah soon… Late Afternoon Light - Lake Mayer, Savannah GeorgiaCanon 1Ds Mark III/EF 24~105mm f/4L at 58mm, 1/320 second @ f/8, ISO 400 handheld |
A Quick Session at Skidaway Island State Park...
There was barely enough light to obtain a focus lock when we got to the park. The sun was getting up but among the trees much of the light was blocked. I spotted a
Hermit Thrush posing on a bird bath. Because the bird was content to stay perched and look around, I
was able to take multiple exposures. It was just as well because
the shutter speed was too slow to prevent motion. I was able to wait a bit hoping for conditions to improve. The image at right will provide a good idea of what we were observing while
checking out this beautiful bird…
Hermit Thrush...Canon 1Ds Mark III/EF 600mm F/4L + 1.4X = 840mm, 1/250 second @ f/8, ISO 1250 with extended flash |
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We’d observed several wrens and thrushes flitting about and I hoped to get closer to them for identification and photography purposes. This curious but cautious Carolina Wren flew into the bushes not far from my set up and fairly close to a feeding station. Finally the bird made the dash into the feeders and I was able to obtain a few exposures… Carolina Wren - Skidaway Island State ParkCanon 1Ds Mark III/EF 600mm F/4L + 1.4X = 840mm, 1/500 second @ f/8, ISO 640 with extended flash |
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An Afternoon Stop at Lake Mayer - Savannah, Georgia...
We still had late afternoon light available as we headed back to Skidaway Island. I indicated to Linda we should stop by Lake Mayer. You just never know what can be
found at this interesting park, from nearly tame ducks, geese and gulls the locals hand feed, to a variety of migrant waterfowl that stop to fuel up and rest in
transit. We weren’t disappointed with what we found but the harsh light reflecting on the water was a challenge…
Lake Mayer Landscape...Canon 1Ds Mark III/EF 24~105mm f/4L at 55mm, 1/200 second @ f/8, ISO 400 handheld |
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One Last Session to End the Day...
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The sun was gone for the day but Ms. Rosalie had asked if I would photograph a friend’s children on the island. They were seeking potential Christmas card images and of course we agreed. So upon getting back to the house I re-geared for some interior shooting and off we went. We arrived at a beautiful home with some adorable young ladies dressed in holiday cheer – twins and a younger sister. To them having us visit represented a great change of pace. They were quite active and not especially interested in sitting for photographs, but all in all it was an interesting and fun time. I’ll display a few of the images from the evening here. Daniel With one of the TwinsCanon 1Ds Mark III/EF 70~200 f/2.8L, 1/125 second @ f/4, ISO 1250 with flash on tripod |
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A Morning at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge...
The next day, a Tuesday, was the only day we left free just in case we had work related tasks pending, which we did not. I would never visit Savannah without going to see my friend Fitz Clarke, the
Bug Man of
Skidaway Island. Fitz, a butterfly/dragonfly aficionado, knew we were coming into town of course and we all struggled to make time to hook up. So, Tuesday it was… Because I’d also hoped
to see Pat and John Metz in this short timeline, we decided to drive south to Harris Neck NW Refuge as they lived nearby. Pat retired once the new
Visitors Center opened after multiple years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. I have really enjoyed meeting her and providing services for the
many photo assignments Pat had me do for the refuge - seeing her is always a pleasure. And it got better… I called our friend Steve, a good birder, and asked if he
wished to join us in our hunt for the elusive Sedge Wren at Harris Neck. Steve said sure but Ms. Sparky had things to do and couldn’t make it. We were
up bright and early, stopped for some breakfast at the Omelet House and soon Fitz, Linda and I were on the road.
Red-tailed Hawk Sunning at Distance - Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge...Canon EOS 5d/EF 400mm f/5.6L, 1/3200 second @ f/8, ISO 640 handheld |
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I took few shots at Harris Neck NW Refuge this day when compared to my normal digital capture habits. We spent the morning seeking Sedge Wrens and I got some outstanding observations at close range of this secretive and beautiful bird. So close in fact it was problematic… Sedge Wrens spend their time hiding in dense grass environments. We were in the right area and I carried my tripod/long lens and a handheld system through some difficult travel areas on our quest. These birds can hide nearly anywhere and should you spook one it would flush and immediately dive back into cover. You’d be nearly on top of it before you were aware it was there. As stated, I obtained some outstanding observations close up on Sedge Wrens – to close in fact to photograph them. There was little chance of getting the 840mm system on one of these birds. Even shooting handheld with the 400mm lens I found if you got close enough to see the subject you were too close to obtain a focus lock, around ten feet at minimum. The next time I do this I’ll have a short focal length lens mounted on my handheld body. From what I observed one needs to achieve focus at no more than five feet or so, probably better to figure two feet, standing right over the bird’s hiding place to locate it. I can state one thing with certainty… As Steve, Fitz and I were standing in the pucker brush watching and listening, Linda was pointing out Sedge Wren individuals all around us either through vocalization or observation. Fitz looked at me and shook his head – in essence, he asked that I never come back to Savannah without bringing Linda along for field work… Linda's power of observation is remarkable and sense of hearing acute! Sedge Wren Photographed by Fitz Clarke on A Previous Visit - Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge... |
Six-Exposure Vertical Composite View of Woody Pond - Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
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While we were out in the brush seeking wrens Pat called. She wished to find out where we were so she and John could meet up with us. I told her to meet us at Woody Pond because it
wouldn’t have been simple to tell her where we were in the field. So we packed up and moved on to the rendezvous. We spent time observing around the pond. John
was spotting eagles among the group of birds in flight and I was photographing them with the 600mm lens as they flew high overhead. I also took a series of sequence
shots around the pond before we left. Pat invited us to her home for lunch so we could talk and visit for a time before we left the area. We hadn’t been at
Harris Neck all that long, but Steve needed to get home and our group was tired enough that leaving shortly after lunch didn’t present an issue. The last
days had been hectic and we were a bit tired.
John was telling us about their local flock of Wild Turkeys and shortly after we arrived, the birds came out of the woods to forage. Fitz and I got our cameras out and went over to take some shots of the group. After a wonderful visit at Pat and John’s beautiful home and a great lunch, we headed back to Savannah… A Metz Wild Turkey - Belvedere Island, Georgia...Canon 1Ds Mark III/EF 600mm F/4L + 1.4X = 840mm, 1/160 second @ f/8, ISO 800 with extended flash |
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Wednesday and on to the Palmetto State with a Photographic Stop…
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Whenever I’m driving the route from Savannah to Myrtle Beach I always find time, no matter how brief, to swing into the Donnelly Wildlife Management Area in Green Pond, South Carolina, near Charleston. In early 2008 I was driving the grounds and came upon a young Golden Eagle foraging – a truly astounding sight… That morning I'd been photographing Clapper Rails and was in the field before the sun broke the horizon, so my primary camera was set at high ISO when I placed the tripod back in the truck. Later in the morning, when I observed the Golden Eagle I jumped out of the truck, quickly pulled the tripod out and starting photographing – in my excitement and not knowing how long the sighting may last, I just started tracking and taking exposures on the eagle. I got some great shots – all at 3200 ISO on maybe a once in a lifetime sighting - go figure… But I did get some decent images out of the group and a new species for my Bird Photography Index. Bill and son William had gotten up quite early to travel to Myrtle Beach, where William was golfing in a tournament over the next three days. William is an avid golfer and his folks take him to many venues in this pursuit. Bill asked if we’d mind driving his wife and second son, Ms. Rosalie and Daniel, to meet him so they didn’t have to get up so early. We agreed and certainly were pleased to help out of course, but this changed our plans somewhat. I would have left as early as possible to maximize the field time at Donnelly WM Area if left to my own devices. I talked with Ms. Rosalie about this indicating we planned to make this stop on the way through – she was okay with this and we could point out some gators to Daniel. Besides, Rosalie understands quite well what my behavior is like when I’m doing field work. She has observed me spending many, many hours at the computer reviewing/enhancing images at her home over the years… Belted Kingfisher & Catch - Donnelly Wildlife Management Area, South Carolina...Canon EOS 5d/EF 400mm F/5.6L, 1/3200 second @ f/8, ISO 500 handheld |
Views from Donnelly Wildlife Management Area - Green Pond, South Carolina
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One disadvantage I had during this stop was my 600mm lens, although mounted on the tripod, was stored and inaccessible in the back of my truck. This was because of the
plethora of baggage and other goods I was transporting for Billy’s four day visit in Myrtle Beach. Along with our bags and gear, most usually placed in the cab rear
seat in transit, there was little room to work out of the back. I placed the lens in a protected area surrounded by buffer material to prevent any mishaps on the
road. None of the shots from this stop were taken at longer than 400 millimeters.
The few hours we spent at Donnelly WM Area were packed with plenty to observe and photograph. I could easily have spent all the available daylight hours here I thought to myself as I walked around the rice trunks and roadway. I didn’t even get into areas where I’d located perching birds in past visits; we stayed by the water hoping to maximize the activity level. Eagles, gators, Double -crested Cormorants, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Brown Pelicans, Black-crowned Night Herons, White Ibis and more were in the area this day… I’m planning on taking two to four weeks to get into the field after the start of 2011, and definitely will spend a few days here if I can work this into my schedule. Soon enough we had to get back on the road for our meeting with Billy. We had a long way to go yet with lots of traffic and time was frittering away. American Alligator - Donnelly Wildlife Management Area - Green Pond, South Carolina...Canon 1Ds Mark III/EF 70~200 f/2.8L at 195mm, 1/250 second @ f/16, ISO 640 handheld |
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A South Carolina Thanksgiving - North Myrtle Beach…
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After dropping off our friends, Linda and I continued on the short distance to my mother’s place in No. Myrtle Beach. Except for a few family shots my mother hoped to obtain to include with her Christmas cards, I thought I was through with the cameras for this trip. However, my sister, who lives in the same gated community as my mother, reminded me that she was seeking a local landscape print in excess of eighty-one inches to place in her home. I hadn’t forgotten and did recognize the tree color in the area was about as good as it gets, now may be a premier time to find the right spot. Thanksgiving was great with what family could make it to Maryann and Peter’s home, and we enjoyed the day watching football, conversing and of course, eating too much. Thanks for all the hard work Maryann and Peter – everything was outstanding! Maryann and I planned to get out with the cameras on Friday, the last day before Linda and I headed north and home. I’m pleased Maryann came along because she had an excellent idea of what scene she was interested in obtaining, plus we visited a friend of hers nearby, whose home has a second story deck overlooking the grounds, which I used for an imaging platform. Please find posted below several panoramic views I took this day and stitched when I got back to my digital lab. The first image in this account, just below the header, was taken from this deck… Family Group Shot - 'A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever'... |
Panoramic Views around North Myrtle Beach…
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Below is a scene from the other side of the road from Hog Inlet. This nine-shot vertical composite was a scene I appreciated so photographed it. The ink size if printed for this view would be 19.5 X 52 inches and the detail would be outstanding.
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So ended our brief expedition... Our drive back to New England on the holiday weekend was longer than usual with a good deal of traffic to contend with, especially around the DC area. We
traveled north of Harrisburg before stopping for the evening the first day. My days of making the drive straight through are over unless I’m extremely
pressed for time. The second day wasn’t as hectic except for congestion entering and along the Massachusetts Turnpike. It had been a short trip and
active time. And it was good to be home…
Our New Kittens, Thena and Thor, Waiting at Home... |
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Kiro
January 2011
January 2011