Space Coast Wildlife

ON1 New 2018 Beta available for PhotoRaw

2017-10-18T22:03:00.002-07:00

We are excited to see the new improvements to Photo Raw. Try it out below.

How things have changed!!

2016-05-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

2014-07-04T05:54:00.003-07:00

As seen on Laurie Excell Blog

Viera Wetlands AM

February 28, 2011 by Laurie

We awoke early and headed to Viera Wetlands for a quick morning shoot before heading back to St Pete. As we arrived the fog was lifting as the sun burned through giving the scene a mystical look. Wanting to emphasize the feel, I used NIK color Efex Pro 3.0 Midnight to finish the image…

While we were photographing my friend Robert Wicker, who volunteers at the wetlands, arrived to take us to a couple of his favorite locations. He knew of a spot where there were White Pelicans. In addition to their feet and bills becoming more colorful, the males “grow” a bump (“nuptial tubercle) on their bill which they shed after mating. This male was a particularly nice example in breeding plumage…

When the pelicans go into a feeding frenzy, the Cormorants move in to feed on the fish as well giving us some great opportunities for flight shots…

A pair of Great Blue Herons were there and whenever one of the woodstorks came too close he would raise his wings and his head in a territorial display and chase them away…

I was watching an American Coot as it was feeding nearby noticing that each time it dipped it’s head under water it would make circles. I liked the simple pattern…

All too soon the morning was over and it was time to head back to St Pete where I will be photographing with a great group of eager photographers this week. Stay tuned.

Images created with Nikon D3S, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II, AF-S 600mm f4 VR, TC-14E II on Lexar digital media

Recreate Looks of Time-Honored Darkroom Processes and Renowned Black and White Photographers on the iPhone and iPad

2013-04-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

onOne Software Announces First Mobile Photo Effects App:
Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad

Portland, OR – April 17, 2013 – onOne Software, Inc.,

the leading developer and provider of photo effects for everyone, has announced Perfect B&W for iPhone

and iPad

, its first mobile

photo effects app.

Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad gives users the ability to create and share

stunning black and white images wherever they are with their mobile devices, with one-tap
presets and photo editing tools.

The one-tap presets in Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad let you instantly get the looks of such renowned photographers such as Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson, add the clarity and sharpness of HDR images, infuse the romance of vintage Hollywood, and more. They match
presets available in onOne Software’s desktop version of Perfect B&W, letting users create the same look for their photos, regardless of the device. For mobile photographers who want finer
control, Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad has advanced options for adding or adjusting glows, sharpening, toners, vignettes and more. Once a user has dialed in that special look, it can be saved as a preset that can be used again and again.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this new app,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne
Software. “It allows simply anyone who loves to snap pictures with their iPhones and iPads the
ability to create beautiful black and white images, a craft that was once limited to trained and
experienced film photographers. Plus, it’s a milestone for us to design a mobile app that can add
effects to images that are as stunning as those created with our desktop photo effects software.” onOne Software Announces First Mobile Photo Effects App: Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad Key Features of Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad • One-Tap Presets: Start with a collection of 18 presets that mimic classic black-and white photo techniques and toning processes. These presets can be previewed and applied on an image taken with the built-in camera, or instantly added to an image from the Camera Roll with a single tap. These presets match ones also found in onOne Software’s desktop version of Perfect B&W, making it easy for users to get the same styling, whether they’re on their iPhone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer.

• Advanced Adjustment Controls: Users can create their own monochromatic look with
touch-sliders that adjust levels of brightness, contrast and detail; add the effect of color
filters; replicate the look of sepia, copper, cyanotype, and selenium toners; and add grain,
glow, vignettes, and more.

• Save a Personal Preset: If a user makes personal adjustments to an existing preset or
creates a unique look from scratch, they can save it as a preset, to use again and again.

• In-App Camera: The convenient built-in camera integrates essential iOS camera tools,
such as Auto Flash, AE/AF Lock, volume button shutter release, and utilizes both the
standard and front-facing cameras. The app also includes the following features to help
improve composition and image capture:
o Live Preview: See your scene on your screen in black and white so you can stylize it
on the spot. The Live Preview lets you see how a preset looks on your subject so you
can select your favorite look before you even fire.
o Rule of Thirds Grid: Select to show a 3x3 grid on your screen while you’re shooting
so you can align your shot and create the right composition.

o Shooting Modes: Choose between the Single Shot and Continuous Shooting modes.
The Single Shot lets you take a picture and immediately start editing, while the onOne Software Announces First Mobile Photo Effects App: Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad
Continuous Shooting mode lets you capture multiple shots, so you don’t miss a photo
opp.

o Auto Save Color: You can also keep a color version of each picture you take. Both
the color and black and white versions will be saved into your Camera Roll for
convenient, anytime access.

• Social Media Sharing: Share your black and white masterpiece with friends, family, and
fans by posting them directly to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, or send them via
email—straight from the Perfect B&W for iPhone or iPad.
Availability

Perfect B&W for iPhone and iPad will be available on the Apple App Store in mid-April. It will
be priced at $1.99.

About onOne Software
onOne Software, Inc., is a leading developer of photo effects software and apps for anyone who
enjoys making their pictures look great. onOne Software products include effects and presets that
enhance and stylize images with sought-after photographic looks of yesterday and today, and
powerful photo editing tools that allow users to fine tune effects to create personalized and
unique looks of their own. Our apps are designed to help users create amazing images wherever
and whenever they are taking pictures, on any device.
onOne Software solutions include a range of easy-to-use desktop standalone applications; plugin software for Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple
Aperture; apps for the iPhone and iPad ; and Lightroom presets.

Founded in 2005, onOne
Software is a privately held company located in Portland, Oregon. For additional information, Visit onOne Software.

visit

2013-04-02T13:46:00.001-07:00

Point of View- Low Angle

Before photographing your subject, take time to think about where you will shoot it from. Our viewpoint has a massive impact on the composition of our photo, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that the shot conveys. Rather than just shooting from eye level, consider photographing from high above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from a long way away, from very close up, and so on.

Below is an example of how to improve your photo with a different viewpoint:

These images above are shot from the prone position allowing a lower point of view. When shooting animals this is a popular position as it adds strength to the subject. I like to use my Puffin Pad to support the lens and I think I have used it in every possible position. I do not go shooting without my Puffin Pad. Puffin Pads are available from SGA Imaging or Hunt's Photo and Video.

Take Action

2013-02-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

The Florida Wildlife Corridor project is a collaborative vision to connect remaining natural lands, waters, working farms and ranches from the Everglades to Georgia, protecting a functional ecological corridor for the health of people, wildlife and watersheds.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Goals:

Protect and restore habitat and migration corridors essential for the survival of Florida’s diverse wildlife, including wide-ranging panthers, black bears and other native species
Restore water flow to the Everglades and sustain water supply to southern Florida
Continue to safeguard the St. Johns River and water supply for central and north Florida
Sustain the food production, economies and cultural legacies of working ranches and farms within the corridor
Bolster local economies through increased opportunities such as hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other forms of eco-tourism
Give wildlife and plants room to adapt to a changing climate and sea level rise

New for 2013! ACW Photographic Workshop Series

2013-02-01T10:19:00.001-08:00

Our pledge to you is to offer the best workshop experience with the most talented leaders in the industry.

We'll leave our egos at home and cater to what your individual photographic needs are with professionalism, generosity and good humor!

Our instructors and leaders are not only passionate about photography, but also equally passionate about teaching and sharing their photographic knowledge and life experiences with you.

We only offer workshops run by instructors who possess unwavering patience, determination and good humor to ensure an educational and enjoyable photographic adventure for everyone in attendance!

Join us, Robert Wicker and special guest instructor to experience one of the most majestic and amazing wildlife spectacles in North America. We are talking about Bosque del Apache, where you will find over 10,000 sandhill cranes, over 20,000 snow geese for their fall migration. Renown for the "Blast offs" of tens of thousands of birds in the morning, Bosque del Apache is one place you MUST experience.

Robert will guide you in making the most amazing images you can imagine. If you are a wildlife and/or nature photographer this workshop will inspire you.

Bosque is not only about the cranes and geese, there is lots of other wildlife on the refuge but one of the often overlooked aspects of the refuge is the spectacular landscape.

While the cranes and geese with the stars of the show, Robert will provide instruction and shooting opportunities on HDR, Panoramic Photography, and Wildlife Photography.

Don't miss this once in a lifetime trip. We are deliberately keeping the group small and the costs affordable so make sure to sign-up as soon as possible.

ACW's Photography Workshops are designed to take you to some of the best places in the world and to teach you how to make technically great images with a fine art flair.

New Released Collection

2012-12-31T16:08:00.002-08:00

Order your Prints from our just released Bosque del Apache collection.

As Seen On TV, Nikon Birding Adventure TV

2012-05-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure to shoot with one of my buds James Currie for his show, Nikon Birding Adventure TV. Take a look at the video and enjoy what we have here on the Space Coast.

2012-05-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

An Image To Remember

Some of you may have noticed the quote that has been on the website "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." -Ansel Adams

Well I was recently in New Iberia, LA working with the Gulf States Camera Clubs when I had the opportunity to get out one morning to photograph Spoonbills. The light was beautiful and I looked over my left shoulder and saw darker foliage and envisioned a Spoonbill rear lit in flight. I sat and waited about 10 minutes and low and behold there it was!! A spoony had left the nest and flew behind the rookery and that is when I knew it was time. As it came from behind the trees I knew I had that image I had envisioned and boy did I ever click the shutter. As I peered through my Hoodman Loupe, I knew it was time to stop shooting and get those files backed up. I had just captured one of my best ever images.

Come Experience Our Guided Tours

2012-02-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

Harris and Fran came down from Pennsylvania and wanted to see Barred Owls, so we took them to see Barred Owls!! They had a great time and said it was the highlight of the trip.

A Morning On The Water Looking For Owls

2012-01-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

On a slightly foggy day on Blue Cypress Lake in Vero Beach we set out at daylight to hopefully capture some breeding behavior of the Barred Owl. We tucked into the first cove and began to listen for our subjects to grace us with their song. It did not take long and the pair were out to greet us. The owls have already paired up for breeding and nesting will soon begin. As to not pressure the birds, we only spent about ten minutes with each pair before we moved on.

I was accompanied this morning by Arnold Dubin and his friend Susan. We all agreed that the guide and photographer that took us out this day was top notch. Ron Bielefeld from www.whistlingwingsphotography.com really knows how to put you on these birds for the best images. We all agreed that this will not be our last trip with Ron.

Arnold Dubin

The Weekly Reports: Come follow us as we are "On The Road"

2011-05-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

The Weekly Reports: Come follow us as we are "On The Road": "As a child I always enjoyed the CBS weekly report of Charles Kuralt 'On The Road'. Charles Kuralt Should Be Remembered . He gav..."

Beautiful Days Make Beautiful Images

2011-03-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Been real busy shooting the last few days and conditions we superb!! Below are some of my latest images.

Although the images above were captured, you don't always get the shot you want. Below is an example of the one that got away. Ok I admit it, I miss the shot sometimes.

I almost had another great shot but like Dad always told me close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

A wonderful morning with good friends, old and new.

2011-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

We spent the morning starting at the Viera wetlands where I met up with a good friend and fellow photographer Laurie Excell and her friend Joan. They were shooting the Great Blue Heron during nest building and then we moved on to see the White Pelicans at the Click Ponds.We also were blessed with several additional species including a immature Wood Stork.

As the day progressed we decided to move to some of my favorite urban native locations. That is the wonderful thing about Space Coast Birding, you never know where the migration will find you.

We found this pair of White Pelicans with others fishing one of the ponds in the Viera East neighborhoods.

Needless to say it was a wonderful morning and it was great to see Laurie again. If you ever have the opportunity she host some of the best Nature Photography Workshops on the planet and has a great book out on composition. For more info on her Photo Safari Adventures Click Here. Her book, Composition: From Snapshots to Great Shots can be found at Amazon by Clicking HERE.

Images were shot on Nikon D300s with the ever handy 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR with Hoodman 675x Compact Flash cards 16GB and slight enhancements with the Nik Complete Collection software.

Farewell my faithful friend- Kodachrome (1937-2010)

2010-12-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

I ask myself how would I use the last roll of Kodachrome? Renowned photographer Steve McCurry (below) clearly had something in mind last August when Kodak announced that it would no longer produce the slide film, the world's first successful and finest color film.

McCurry contacted his friends at Kodak and asked for the last roll, and spent the next nine months planning how he was going to use the last 36 frames. In June, he left on a six-week trip to capture the images, followed by a TV crew from the National Geographic Channel, which will be made into an hour-long documentary.

“I thought, what better way to kind of honor the memory of the film than to try and photograph iconic places and people? It's in (my) DNA to want to tell stories where the action is, that shed light on the human condition” said McCurry.

In the United States, McCurry shot the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal and Robert de Niro, who represents the filmmaking industry. Paul Simon, despite the song he wrote about the film, declined to participate.

McCurry then went to western India where he captured Bollywood stars and the Ribari tribespeople in Rajasthan, which is said to be disappearing (like the film).

McCurry’s last shot was in Parsons, Kansas, the home of Dwayne's Photo, the last photo lab in the world that processes the elaborately crafted color-reversal film. Dwayne's will close that part of its business on December 30,2010.

He also included himself in one self-portrait, he posed next to a Kodak-yellow taxicab bearing the license plate PKR 36 -- the code name for Professional Kodachrome film.

Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away!

The slides will go, appropriately, to the George Eastman House in Rochester.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Associated Press

You can also view my Portfolio Here

2010-12-20T14:52:00.000-08:00

View my gallery

As a Member of NAPP I was able to post a portfolio on their site. You can always use free PR!!

Buy A Print or Take A Browse

2010-12-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

Take the time and view our Online Gallery CLICK HERE

Hope You Enjoy.

CCB

2010-11-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Canon 800mm f5.6

2010-11-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

I've had the pleasure to test the Canon 800mm f5.6 lens (MSRP $16,000.) and have really put it to work. I have been doing some Birds in Flight but with the Canon 5D it is very difficult at 2.5 fps. Now I want the 1DsMIV which shoots 10fps. The lens is really sharp with great color accuracy, no distortion.

I give it the thumbs up! It has made the SCW preferred list of equipment.

Eagles Are Becoming Regular Sites At The Wetlands

2010-11-24T05:28:00.000-08:00

The American Bald Eagle is the symbol of America. Once endangered, they have made an incredible recovery and are abundant on the Space Coast. This year they have been very active at the Viera Wetlands. I was out shooting with my friend Arnold Dubin when this Eagle decided to treat us with some striking poses with superb lighting.

Crested Caracara Starting Active Mode

2010-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

A common subject of folklore and legends throughout Central and South America, the Crested Caracara is sometimes referred to as the "Mexican eagle."

Their food source includes insects; small and occasionally large vertebrates, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals; eggs; and carrion of all types. This Caracara was waiting for fresh eggs being delivered by this Chicken Turtle. I checked the nest last evening and it had been robbed.

And You Thought You Were Having A Bad Day

2010-11-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

One Day you are the king frog and the next you are the meal. This Great Blue Heron was displaying it's catch in cell 1 at the Viera Wetlands. It was an adventure this evening as I am trying out the Canon 800mm f5.6 lens ($12,000.). I was able to capture a few unique images that would not be the same with my 300mm f4 ($1600.).

This Otter was kicking back after a tough day of scouting and hunting. They have a real personality once they trust you. River otters forage alone or in pairs. They are active during the day and at night, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, crayfish and turtles. Otters have a high metabolic rate, an adaptation for living in an aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost. They need to eat 15% of their body weight a day.

I also found this Pie-Billed Grebe trying out the Fu Manchu Frogstache. I have to admit I was traveling alone laughing my head off. If the men in the white suits would have seen me they would have taken me away, HA HA.

Last but not least, the Sora. Although Soras are more often heard than seen, they are sometimes seen walking near open water. They are fairly common, despite a decrease in suitable habitat in recent times. The call is a slow whistled ker-whee, or a descending whinny.

If you enjoy the post or photos, please follow my blog by clicking the follow button to the right. Thank you and Happy Birding.

Blue Winged Teal

2010-11-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

The Winter Waterfowl Migration has started with the Blue Winged Teal. Other than that it seems to be a little slow with migration this year. We are blessed to have a lifer for me, the Great Comarant which seems to be enjoying its visit.The bird to the right below is the Great and the one on the left is a immature Double Crested.

You may notice that the main ID is the beak color on the Great is grey and the Double Crested is Orange.

Rare Snail Kite Sighting In Viera Wetlands

2010-10-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Another day and the Snail Kite remains in the Viera wetlands. With the abundance of Apple Snails we may just have a happy camper or resident some may say. The food supply is a major effect on the Snail Kite which relys on water supply in the south Florida wetlands to produce the Apple Snail habitat. As habitat goes away so do the Snail Kites. Once known as the Everglades Kite the Snail Kite has had to search out new food supplies further north in Florida. To my knowledge we may have the most northern sighting as of now.