Nature A Couple Randoms From The Wetlands

A Couple Randoms From The Wetlands · 09:35 AM

Here are a couple random shots from one of my favorite places to shoot.

[Very Large] Snapping Turtle - Wide Open @ f/4.0, ISO-6400 (was getting dark on the trail)

Osprey - Cropped quite a bit, he was pretty far away (and still saw me), still can't seem to get close(er) to them this year, very frustrating!

EDIT: Forgot to add the frog on the original post, I think this is what the turtle was looking for...

EDIT (2): Guess I can add this one also - a strange flare (I guess from the lens) is evident between his wings.
Boat-tailed Grackle

slowpez · 07-05-2012, 10:44 AM

Lovely images. That snapping turtle is something else. Thanks for sharing your wetlands.

joe.penn · 07-05-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by slowpez

Lovely images. That snapping turtle is something else. Thanks for sharing your wetlands.

Thanks Susan

...

**luftfluss** · 07-05-2012, 12:09 PM

These could be from my neck of the woods. Nice work, and I'm another one who can't seem to get close enough to ospreys.

**Dice** · 07-05-2012, 12:31 PM

The frog just popped out of my monitor! Man that snapping turtle is not pretty at all. Great work. Thanks for sharing.

charliezap · 07-05-2012, 02:57 PM

a nice varied series Joe.--charliezap

**jpzk** · 07-05-2012, 03:24 PM

Nice pictures, Joe !
the snapper sure looks mean ...

The osprey is very nice, even cropped as you mentioned. I would be happy to just see one, once in a while.
Wouldn't you just wished that Pentax would have this "upcoming" 560mm lens already?
Personally, I "long" for a longer focal to get a tad closer !

Cheers!

JP

joe.penn · 07-05-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Nice work, and I'm another one who can't seem to get close enough to ospreys.

Thanks luftfluss! We have the highest concentration of Ospreys in the country here where I am at, the Chesapeake Bay is on one side of me and the Patuxent River (with almost the entire river protected) is on the other side of me. It's frustrating as I will see 20|25|30 or more Osprey in one outing and can never get close enough to get those beautiful bird portraits I am after. I did get a portable camo blind a couple of months ago and have yet had a chance to take it out, I may do so as soon as the heat breaks, maybe camp out where I know they perch at and just wait for them to come to me...

@Dice | @charliezap - Glad you guys liked them, thanks for the compliments, very much appreciated!!!

Originally posted by jpzk

Wouldn't you just wished that Pentax would have this "upcoming" 560mm lens already?
Personally, I "long" for a longer focal to get a tad closer !

Thanks @jpzk, and yes the 560 is very tasty! I am trying to get my hands on a Pentax 1.7 to put on the 300 to make it 510 to hold me over for a bit, just can't seem to get one for a descent price.

8540tomg · 07-06-2012, 04:50 AM

Great series.

Nasty looking snapper. I saw one on the weekend but sadly didn't have my camera with me. The shell was the size of a large dinner plate.

Gave it a wide berth for obvious reasons.

Tom G

tessfully · 07-06-2012, 05:29 AM

Joe, I used to live close to moraine wetlands and they were my daily walking grounds, before I was into photography. I love your images and they remind me of the rich and diverse life I witnessed. The turtle and frog and awesome shots, and the Osprey is really giving you the eye! Great shot of the Grackle taking off... Do you have Bobolinks in the area? I have not seen nor heard one since moving up here. They are my favourite bird and they used to live on the outlying area of the wetlands. Reminding me too of the Harrier Hawks that were present.

Thank you for the wonderful series. I look forward to more!!!

joe.penn · 07-06-2012, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 8540tomg

Great series.
Nasty looking snapper. I saw one on the weekend but sadly didn't have my camera with me. The shell was the size of a large dinner plate. Gave it a wide berth for obvious reasons.

Thanks Tom! Not only does he look nasty, he was quite grumpy also. He had a twig with dead leaves on it's shell, for the picture I didn't want that to show so I picked up a long thin branch and used that to get the twig with the dead leaves off of his shell - as soon as the branch touched his shell, he literally "Jumped" with the quick "Hiss" spurt, the jump turned him about 45 degrees (scared that crap out of me as I did not expect that)...

Originally posted by tessfully

Joe, I used to live close to moraine wetlands and they were my daily walking grounds, before I was into photography. I love your images and they remind me of the rich and diverse life I witnessed. The turtle and frog and awesome shots, and the Osprey is really giving you the eye! Great shot of the Grackle taking off... Do you have Bobolinks in the area? I have not seen nor heard one since moving up here. They are my favourite bird and they used to live on the outlying area of the wetlands. Reminding me too of the Harrier Hawks that were present.

Thank you for the wonderful series. I look forward to more!!!

Thanks Tess! This place is a jewel and gets visited by birders from up and down the east coast all year long. As for the Bobolinks, I have not seen any myself. I just found the bird list for this area and scanned it in, I think the list notes 219 species of birds spotted here (here being this particular place I got these shots). Jug Bay [Federally Protected] Wildlife Sanctuary is up the road from here on the river side and if I recall correctly the bird species count there is over 350 different species spotted.

**dadipentak** · 07-06-2012, 03:35 PM

Dang, Joe I gotta get down there! Nice osprey: not an easy shot.

joe.penn · 07-06-2012, 03:43 PM

Thanks Dave - I have been looking at different boats for a while, looking to get one to go up and down the river through jug bay, shouldn't have any issues getting close ups of osprey while boating it and also should be able to use the 200 2.8...

**jpzk** · 07-06-2012, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by joe.penn

Thanks @jpzk, and yes the 560 is very tasty! I am trying to get my hands on a Pentax 1.7 to put on the 300 to make it 510 to hold me over for a bit, just can't seem to get one for a descent price.

I tried, many, many times the combo DA*300/4 + the much-sought-after Pentax 1.7X TC and I have never been satisfied with the resulting IQ.

From using the DA*300 on its own, with its characteristic wonderful IQ, to using it with that TC: I'd say one out of ten shots would deserve a 8/10 rating (vs. 10/10 most of the time with the lens alone).
That 8/10 rating is when the exposure is perfect, the subject is contrasty and there is no distant haze.

I am waiting for a choice of longer focal and hopefully Pentax will deliver.
Otherwise, the Sigma 500/4.5 would be the best pick ... although very much more expensive probably.

JP

stormtech · 07-06-2012, 07:46 PM

Great capture of the Snapper! I've only seen a couple near that size in my lifetime here where I live - of course that was back when I didn't always have a camera at hand. For me they would be a great subject since they won't fly away as soon as I bring my camera up to me eye!

jpzk - I agree with your sentiments re the 1.7x TC - I've used one on my FA* 300 and while the images were "OK", they just weren't the same - the IQ from these lenses in their native form is just so beautiful, I can't settle for anything less even if it means not having the reach.

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07-05-2012, 10:44 AM	#2
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Lovely images. That snapping turtle is something else. Thanks for sharing your wetlands.

07-05-2012, 10:52 AM	#3
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez Lovely images. That snapping turtle is something else. Thanks for sharing your wetlands. Thanks Susan ...

07-05-2012, 12:09 PM	#4
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	These could be from my neck of the woods. Nice work, and I'm another one who can't seem to get close enough to ospreys.

07-05-2012, 12:31 PM	#5
Dice Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,122	The frog just popped out of my monitor! Man that snapping turtle is not pretty at all. Great work. Thanks for sharing.

07-05-2012, 02:57 PM	#6
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	a nice varied series Joe.--charliezap

07-05-2012, 03:24 PM	#7
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Nice pictures, Joe ! the snapper sure looks mean ... The osprey is very nice, even cropped as you mentioned. I would be happy to just see one, once in a while. Wouldn't you just wished that Pentax would have this "upcoming" 560mm lens already? Personally, I "long" for a longer focal to get a tad closer ! Cheers! JP

07-05-2012, 06:59 PM	#8
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss Nice work, and I'm another one who can't seem to get close enough to ospreys. Thanks luftfluss! We have the highest concentration of Ospreys in the country here where I am at, the Chesapeake Bay is on one side of me and the Patuxent River (with almost the entire river protected) is on the other side of me. It's frustrating as I will see 20\|25\|30 or more Osprey in one outing and can never get close enough to get those beautiful bird portraits I am after. I did get a portable camo blind a couple of months ago and have yet had a chance to take it out, I may do so as soon as the heat breaks, maybe camp out where I know they perch at and just wait for them to come to me... @Dice \| @charliezap - Glad you guys liked them, thanks for the compliments, very much appreciated!!! Originally posted by jpzk Wouldn't you just wished that Pentax would have this "upcoming" 560mm lens already? Personally, I "long" for a longer focal to get a tad closer ! Thanks @jpzk, and yes the 560 is very tasty! I am trying to get my hands on a Pentax 1.7 to put on the 300 to make it 510 to hold me over for a bit, just can't seem to get one for a descent price.

07-06-2012, 04:50 AM	#9
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Great series. Nasty looking snapper. I saw one on the weekend but sadly didn't have my camera with me. The shell was the size of a large dinner plate. Gave it a wide berth for obvious reasons. Tom G

07-06-2012, 05:29 AM	#10
tessfully Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: S. Algonquin, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,860	Joe, I used to live close to moraine wetlands and they were my daily walking grounds, before I was into photography. I love your images and they remind me of the rich and diverse life I witnessed. The turtle and frog and awesome shots, and the Osprey is really giving you the eye! Great shot of the Grackle taking off... Do you have Bobolinks in the area? I have not seen nor heard one since moving up here. They are my favourite bird and they used to live on the outlying area of the wetlands. Reminding me too of the Harrier Hawks that were present. Thank you for the wonderful series. I look forward to more!!!

07-06-2012, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#11
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Originally posted by 8540tomg Great series. Nasty looking snapper. I saw one on the weekend but sadly didn't have my camera with me. The shell was the size of a large dinner plate. Gave it a wide berth for obvious reasons. Thanks Tom! Not only does he look nasty, he was quite grumpy also. He had a twig with dead leaves on it's shell, for the picture I didn't want that to show so I picked up a long thin branch and used that to get the twig with the dead leaves off of his shell - as soon as the branch touched his shell, he literally "Jumped" with the quick "Hiss" spurt, the jump turned him about 45 degrees (scared that crap out of me as I did not expect that)... Originally posted by tessfully Joe, I used to live close to moraine wetlands and they were my daily walking grounds, before I was into photography. I love your images and they remind me of the rich and diverse life I witnessed. The turtle and frog and awesome shots, and the Osprey is really giving you the eye! Great shot of the Grackle taking off... Do you have Bobolinks in the area? I have not seen nor heard one since moving up here. They are my favourite bird and they used to live on the outlying area of the wetlands. Reminding me too of the Harrier Hawks that were present. Thank you for the wonderful series. I look forward to more!!! Thanks Tess! This place is a jewel and gets visited by birders from up and down the east coast all year long. As for the Bobolinks, I have not seen any myself. I just found the bird list for this area and scanned it in, I think the list notes 219 species of birds spotted here (here being this particular place I got these shots). Jug Bay [Federally Protected] Wildlife Sanctuary is up the road from here on the river side and if I recall correctly the bird species count there is over 350 different species spotted.

07-06-2012, 03:35 PM	#12
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Dang, Joe I gotta get down there! Nice osprey: not an easy shot.

07-06-2012, 03:43 PM	#13
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Thanks Dave - I have been looking at different boats for a while, looking to get one to go up and down the river through jug bay, shouldn't have any issues getting close ups of osprey while boating it and also should be able to use the 200 2.8...

07-06-2012, 04:42 PM	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by joe.penn Thanks @jpzk, and yes the 560 is very tasty! I am trying to get my hands on a Pentax 1.7 to put on the 300 to make it 510 to hold me over for a bit, just can't seem to get one for a descent price. I tried, many, many times the combo DA300/4 + the much-sought-after Pentax 1.7X TC and I have never been satisfied with the resulting IQ. From using the DA300 on its own, with its characteristic wonderful IQ, to using it with that TC: I'd say one out of ten shots would deserve a 8/10 rating (vs. 10/10 most of the time with the lens alone). That 8/10 rating is when the exposure is perfect, the subject is contrasty and there is no distant haze. I am waiting for a choice of longer focal and hopefully Pentax will deliver. Otherwise, the Sigma 500/4.5 would be the best pick ... although very much more expensive probably. JP

07-06-2012, 07:46 PM	#15
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Great capture of the Snapper! I've only seen a couple near that size in my lifetime here where I live - of course that was back when I didn't always have a camera at hand. For me they would be a great subject since they won't fly away as soon as I bring my camera up to me eye! jpzk - I agree with your sentiments re the 1.7x TC - I've used one on my FA* 300 and while the images were "OK", they just weren't the same - the IQ from these lenses in their native form is just so beautiful, I can't settle for anything less even if it means not having the reach.