Wild Frog Photography - Steamboat Springs Colorado

Wharariki Beach Archway Islands New Zealand

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 16:40:00 +0000

Wharariki Beach and Archway Islands

Puponga - New Zealand

At the most northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand you have Cape Farewell and to the west you will find Wharariki Beach(top of the Kiwi's Head) A short 20min walk through Department of Conservation land (Puponga farm park) that was once owned by the Riley's. The walking track will bring you out at the top of a small sand dune with a view down the beach and the Archway Islands. Best time is at low tide and it can get very windy, seals can be found coming ashore to rest in some of the caves along the beach, Oyster catchers black and white and black ones can be seen feeding along the waters edge with other sea birds.

Archway Islands - Wharariki Beach

Seal resting on Beach

Archway Islands

Top of the Sand dunes, Wharariki Beach

Getting There:

From Collingwood follow the signs to Puponga, crossing a large single lane bridge over the Aorere River, through Ferntown and on to Pakawau, turn right after crossing the bridge, Ocean on your right. Once you reach Puponga you can drive up to the Farewell spit lookout (there is a good coffee shop at the end of the road) Back out to the main road turn right 20mins and you will of reach the parking area where the trail starts.

Top of the Hill above carpark, looking towards Beach

We stayed at the Collingwood Park Motel on the Main Street of Collingwood, very nice.

Red Fox on the Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 23:10:00 +0000

Red Fox hunting rodents under the snow

Watching this Red fox hunting for rodents was very interesting and entertaining moving his head from side to side, listing to the rodents movements under the snow (about 2 feet deep) and then jumping up and nose diving into the snow and catching it.

The Jump

The Dive

The prize

Mountain Lion at my door

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 04:58:00 +0000

Mountain Lion visit

Sunday afternoon visit from a mountain lion near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

We get Foxes, Coyotes, elk even Moose drop in from time to time to say Hi, but this is a first considering the open ground that is around us.

Thanks to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife for picking him/her up and relocating.

Mountain lion in the shadows

Not a happy kitty

Mountain lion walking passed the window

Water Drop Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 17:42:00 +0000

Waterdrop Photography

I have started to do a little bit of splash photography in my spare time, Once you have the setup that you like, Backdrops, water value, Pluto trigger, and a flash, Camera and lens. using deferent food colors and water thickness, liquid additives like Xanthan Gum (found on Amazon) Milk, Rise aid and the list goes on.

Water drop Cocktails

This process can be very addictive, using 1 drop to start, then 2 drops to start getting the collisions going, adding a 3 drop makes things interesting.

Two drop Heads

Watching the small screen on the camera to see what you getting after every shot and before you know it you have a total photo count of over 400.

Double Crown

Editing was done in Lightroom and/or Luminar

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 13:09:00 +0000

Lightning over Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Lightning near Steamboat Springs,CO

Lightning hitting ski field,Steamboat Springs, CO

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:50:00 +0000

Bald Eagles around Steamboat Springs, CO

We are lucky to live a place were you can see these eagles on a daily basis, flying over head, fishing out of the Yampa river or nearby ponds that have been stocked.

The national bird symbol of the United States

Doing his morning fly by

Resting after fishing

Winter time

One of the 2 local Bald eagle that are here all year round

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:21:00 +0000

Chicago, Illinois

I had to spend the day in Chicago in March this year and was surprise how much I enjoyed walking around this big city, it was a windy and cold day, coffee shops were on me list of stops to warm up and watch people go about their business (people watching should be a sport)

Down town Chicago

Hire bike stations seem to be everywhere

Face on Wall

Walkway under the road that ended up at the beach

Taco trucks, downtown Chicago

Something that I enjoy very much, Tacos, also check out the Tattoo show at the Field Museum (must see) to the end of April 2017.

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 02:23:00 +0000

Steamboat Springs - Colorado

Night Skiing in Steamboat Springs and Down Town - Colorado

Trout rising for an insect

Summer and Winter time in Steamboat Springs makes a great destination for the fly fisherman with the Yampa river running through town with easy access, or you can get one of the local guides to take you to some of the private sections of the river. Ice fishing can be done on Stage Coach Reservoir. For the none fisher person lots of hikes close by.

Early morning Balloon ride over Steamboat

Ballooning in Steamboat Springs

Early morning fog rolling over Steamboat Springs

In the winter season skiing and snow boarding are the main sports going on in town, with the ski field and lifts just a short ride up the road on local transport, or stay at one of the many condos that are on the hill. Great restaurants and Bars can also be found in town, sushi to pub food.

Don't ski, go cross country snow shoeing

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 15:16:00 +0000

National Bison Range, Montana

Bighorn Sheep, National Bison Range

This photo was taken from the road as the Bighorn Sheep look down on us from a rocky out crop

Bighorn sheep

American Bull Bison

If you find yourself in Montana and around the Flathead lake area, south of the lake you will find the National Bison Range, self drive, cost of $5. Best time to visit is first thing in the morning, less people on the road and the wildlife are more likely to be on the move, especially when the days are getting warmer. Take your time. Plus you will also get some great views of the area.

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 03:12:00 +0000

Winter Sunrise in steamboat Springs, Colorado USA

Galapagos Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:16:00 +0000

Quito - Galapagos

After flying in from Peru and spending only 1 night in Quito, 1 or 2 full days would have been be nice, as it's (be warned) an hour drive into town to accommodation from the new airport in good traffic, (tip) Next time we would fly into Guayaquil as accommodations are a lot closer to the airport,unless you were going to spend more time in Quito.

Quito City at Sunset

Day 1
The Next day it was up early to catch the transport back to the airport, through quarantine with plenty of time to catch our flight over to the Galapagos with AeroGal (great airline) we won't talk about American Airlines and their service and flight (never again comes to mind)
Coming in to land we had a great view of some of the islands and the clear waters that surround them, with images of Great Tortoises in my mind, but alas I was to be disappointed on this day. Baltra Airport is very new and modern, a short time later we were through customs and waiting to board the bus for a 5 min ride down to the pier.
As we waiting for the zodiacs to take us and our bags over to the ship, sea lions showing off around the pier and my first Marine Iguana making his way across the road, filled in the time.
Once on board we were under way to Sullivan Bay on Santiago island for a afternoon walk on the lava field and our first Galapagos sunset.

Lava Field

Lava Cactus

Sunset on Sullivan bay lava field

Gear For The Trip

Camera Gear that we took for the trip: Canon 7D sigma 50-500 (this lens is heavy)was my main lens that was on the camera most of the time(400mm would be just fine) for landscapes and some wildlife shots I use a Sigma 17-70 great lens,Tripod, Samsung NX300 with 200 zoom light and takes great photos also a GoPro hero3 for underwater video and stills. One thing to remember is the Wildlife is not that afraid, making it easy to get close to them.

Marine Iguana taking in the sun (Samsung NX300)

Check out more Galapagos photos at Wild Frog Photography - The Wildlife Around Us

Redwood National Park - California

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 14:57:00 +0000

After a long 12 hour drive up from Southern California I got into Crescent City to meet up with a friend that had driven south from Idaho and we were both glad to be out of our cars.
The next morning it was into Starbucks for the morning heart starter and a look around the town, first stop was Battery Point Lighthouse, sitting on a small island just of shore, the tide was in so the only way over would of been to swim, "note to self check tide table next time," would of been nice to get across, also check out the group of seals living in the harbor enjoying leftovers from the fishermen.

Battery Point Lighthouse - taken from the breakwater across from the island

Redwood National Park - Northern California

Making our way down the coast on a very misty morning, stopping at False Klamath Cove for a walk out to the point and a look around Lagoon Creek.

Looking down onto False Klamath Cove from the 101

Trees of Mystery is a self guided walk through the Redwood ($15pp) and a ride to the top of the hill on the Skytrail gondola very enjoyable (check out Paul Bunyan and Babe)

After the tress of mystery, Klamath was the next stop for fuel etc, just over the bridge (going south) turn right and take the Coastal Drive road that follows the coast for a few miles some great vistas of the coast and also a great spot to watch the salmon fisherman and seals competing for a feed (when in season) and the old WW2 radar station.

View from the Coastal Drive Rd - looking north

Elk Prairie was our camping spot for the next 2 nights, all I can say about it - it's great camping under these giant trees another spot is Mill Creek, these two are a must stay. From Elk Prairie you can do the Cal-Barrel road, drive over to Gold Bluffs Beach (the road is dirt) and do the short hike to Fern Canyon and check out the Beach, there is also camping there.

Gold Bluffs Beach - Redwood National Park

Also close by is Lady Bird Johnson Grove on Bald Hills Rd (great view at the top of Bald Hills Rd) Elk Meadows, watch the Elk feed in the afternoon/evenings.
Two of the Hikes I enjoyed the most were Damnation creek trail and Boy Scout trail both about 3 miles each way, there are also loads of smaller walks around if you just want to take is easy. Remember to put your arms around a tree and give it a hug (probably have to be a group hug unless you find a small tree) enjoy. Now for that long drive back to work.

Misty Morning hike on the Damnation Creek Trail

A misty morning at the end of Damnation Creek Trail

Redwood Sorrel(Oxalis oregana) at the base of a Redwood tree

Redwood National Park - Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Wildlife Around Us - People and Places

Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:42:00 +0000

The Conservatory in the Botanical Gardens

A Great way to spend the day around Los Angeles for Art Lovers and Botanical Garden fans.

Not far from Pasadena in San Marino you will find the the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens on 120 acres of well keep grounds. (not counting the work that is being done on the grounds)
First off I'am not the Library, Art collection type of person, however I did walk through most of the indoor exhibits, but at a faster pace than most stopping at the more well know bits "Gainsborough's Blue Boy and Lawrence's Pinkie, Gutenberg Bible on Vellum. (well cultured now you say)

Bamboo and Graffiti

The Botanical Gardens was the part that I liked the most, from the Chinese Garden to the Australian Garden, there was an abundance of wildlife to check out, from local resident birds to the hummingbirds buzzing around in front of us, and the lizards that were scurrying across the walkways and between the cactus, stopping for a quick look up and then carry on their way. Not a bad way to spend 4 hours or so.

Koi fish and lilies

Next time, and there will be one, I would go on a weekday (gates open at 10am) take a zoom lens for the hummingbird and Lizard shots, tripod and my Gopro for some time-lapse, the photos here were taken with a Sigma wide angle 17 - 70 that I was testing and using for the first time (very pleased with it)

The Wildlife Around Us

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 19:34:00 +0000

Over the last month we have had this Coyote coming into our back yard for the shade. As long as you are on the tractor or using the mower he just walks pass and takes his spot under the trees for the hottest part of the day.

California Coyote

Another visitor is the the Red Tail Hawk that can be seen in the mornings hunting squrriels around the property

Young Red Tail Hawk

Zanzibar: The Spice Island

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:17:00 +0000

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) You will find Zanzibar one of my favorite spots to hang out in. You have the resorts in the North (Nungwi) or you can stay in Stone Town, where ever you end up staying, swap around so you experience both places. You can catch the ferry from Dar es Salaam and enjoy an 1 1/2 ride across, inside with Air/con or outside on a bean bag, once you get there fill out the paper work, stamp the passport and you are in. To fly over it takes around 40 min great views of the islands, when we landed on this occasion they never looked at our Passports.

One of the Resorts Near Nungwi, Zanzibar

If you are going to be going to one of the Resorts in the north of the island you can catch a taxi van just out the front of the ferry terminal ask around, prices can very.
Once there you have beaches, diving, swimming Cold beer and great food, dinning next to the ocean you can look down and see lion fish in the clear water below. When you are tired of doing that GO AND DO a spice tour which I would recommend as this what Zanzibar is know for.

Stone Town

Staying only 10 min from the ferry Terminal at the Safari Lodge the place was clean handy to every thing and they do breakfast, With a Labyrinth of walk/bike ways, Stone Town was a great place to get lost in (in a good way) from the Spice market to the Fish and Meat markets too the Tinga Tinga paintings that can be found down every street.

Streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar

In the evenings you can find locals cooking seafood on the waterfront (try the octopus) cooked as you wait and watch, as you walk along the waterfront you will come across the road tunnel once through, there is a ATM to your left that can be used, take the next street to the right and walk down to the beach and you can find them making boats by hand, taking the street to the left, you will pass Freddy Mercury's birth place and some bigger shops (little park on you right has a ATM in it also) at the end of the street there is Africa House great place to watch the Sunset and have a cold one, check out the smoking room.

Catching a boat next to Mercury's Bar out to one of the local islands (Bawe Island) were you can feed some of the Tortoises they have there, ranging from the young and small to the big and old.

local Boy, Zanzibar

Things to Remember

Ladies look at what the local woman are wearing before you go out in your little shorts and tops it's ok in the resorts but when in the towns cover up a little and you wont get the funny looks.
Carry water.
Enjoy the Local People their culture and the great food.

Western Fence Lizard

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Male Western Fence Lizard

Western Fence Lizard

What ever you like to call these guys, ranging from Western Fence lizard, Pacific Fence or California Fence Lizard they make great subjects to photograph sitting on their tree stump or rock soaking up the the morning sun as the males do their pushups to impress the ladies. You can get quite close to them and over time they don't seem to mine you being around.
On this particular day he was out sunning himself trying to impress everything that walked passed, after setting up the tripod and camera this little guy seem to get more friendlier and came out for longer periods of time enjoying the spotlight.
I was using a Canon 7D and Sigma 50 to 500 zoom lens for these shots, photos taken in the morning around 8am, Setting ISO 800 | 500mm | f/14 | 1/400

Male Western Fence Lizard

Larger photos can be seen at Wildlife Around Us

Gorillas Of Rwanda

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Female Gorilla Rwanda

Mountain Gorillas Of Rwanda

If there is one thing that should be on your bucket list it is seeing the Gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. When you are sitting in the middle of a group of 25 Gorillas, that's the biggest buzz in the world, zoo's will never be the same again.

Starting here at Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi HQ, Rwanda. After check in, small talk, We were then divided up into groups of 8 put into 4WD's and taken to the group of Gorillas that were assigned to us, our group were lucky in that our drive was only around 40min before we reached the start of our hike, and were going to see the biggest group (some had up to an 11/2 hour drive) walking through farm land until we arrived at Volcanoes National Park boundary fence, a very long hand built stone wall to stop the Elephants from crossing over on to the farm land.
Climbing over the fence you enter a dark and wet Bamboo forest, hiking up hill on a muddy,stinging nettle filled animal trail we climbed steady for the next hour before we reached the armed guides that follow and protect the Gorillas every day. Stopping for a drink and a bit too eat we headed back in the Bamboo again, after about 10 min, rounding a corner there were 2 Gorillas sitting on the trail, walking pass them we come across the main group of adults with babies, feeding and playing, with one very big male Silverback in the middle.

Silverback Gorilla Checking Us Out

Once we started interacting with them they became very relaxed around us, coming in close and just sitting next to you, at one point a young female took a hold of my ankle and move may leg to one side so she could walk passed (mouth wide open) a baby was playing up in the bamboo making it bend over above our heads for a closer look.
Taking photos in the Bamboo, The light was not the best due in part to the overcast day and the thickest of the bamboo, but every now and then the sun came through for us letting you get in come nice shots. When we first got there (you only have 1 hour with the Gorillas) taking photos was on every one's mind which was great, but looking back now I wished I have spend more time just watching them "next time" After our 1 hour and 10min yes we got an extra 10min, it was nice down hill hike back out through the bamboo forest.

Bamboo Covered Hills Of Rwanda

and

Looking Up from the Trail

You can check out more photos of the Gorillas we used Africa-in-focus to get us there and back, small groups only,they also did all the bookings/payments for the Gorillas etc which have to be done well in advanced.

Baby Gorilla Playing on Male Silverback Gorilla

Or watch it on YouTube Here
Baby Gorilla Playing on Silverback Gorilla

Small Cameras are Great

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Swimming in the Clear water's off Zanzibar (fujifilm XP)

Small Cameras are the Best

Traveling for 6 months in Africa (Self drive and Tour Operator) We wanted a camera that you could carry everywhere, besides your main camera and this is what I came up with, a Fujifilm XP water/shock/dust and freeze proof, great for your pocket, I even carried it in my boot sock. walking around in towns/cities you stand out and scream rob me if you have a big DSLR hanging around your neck (with a group it's safer ) and I have seen this happen on a number of occasions and even warned one guy not to take his camera into town, he came back without it and had only just started his trip.
With this camera we only used 2G cards just in case it did get taken, so we wouldn't lose to many photos in one hit (cards are cheap)

The Sand Dunes of Sossusviei in the Namibia Desert (fujifilm XP)

Dune 45 in Sossusviei, part of the Namibia Desert was another great reason to have a camera of this type with you. SAND

Namibia / Angola river Float (fijifilm XP)

What ever brand you choose it is a must have camera on any big or small trip, the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Keep it in your pocket, your sock, or down the front of your swimmers
It's better to have something than nothing.

Burrowing Owls of Yuma, Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:08:00 +0000

Burrowing Owls of Yuma Arizona.

On my visits to Yuma, I alway take the time to find the burrowing owls that live close to to were we stay and get some photos, In November the little family group that lived next door were doing fine, but by Christmas they had moved out due to the work that is taking over their living space, after checking out another area close by we found 8 birds happily standing in front of their holes, willing to sign model releases. The only problem with this spot was the light, it would have to be an afternoon shoot ( I prefer the mornings, something about the light at that time) the light was not strong on this day due to low cloud, as I use a Sigma 50 - 500 light is important as I like to keep my ISO down, 800 or less.(Yes, I could go higher) On the Canon 7D you can set a maximum ISO (if you have updated your firmware) I like 800 and then use auto, using shuttler priority mode, this gives me a good working ISO range starting at 100 to 800 and a good shutter speed around 250 depending what type of wildlife I’am shooting,this is not everyone cup of tea just mine.

Burrowing Owls (Athene Cunicularia)

At this location they don’t seem to mind you been around if you move accordingly, After setting up my tripod and camera I got around 40 min of good -+ light before the sun hit the clouds and it was over. If you can’t take photos, hang around and watching these little guys can also be just as rewarding and give you ideas for the next time and there will be a next time.

Gear: Canon 7D sigma 50-500 and a tripod is a must.

Morning

Afternoon

Getting ready for 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Wild Frog Photography) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:36:00 +0000

THE WILDLIFE AROUND US:

The time has come for me to start a blog of sorts in the new year, never had one before so it's all new ground to be covered. Covering our travels around the USA and abroad, taking photos of the wildlife people and places that we come across on our travels.

Quiver Tree Forest - Namibia

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU and YOURS
Have a Fun and Save New Years

Wild Frog Photography - Steamboat Springs Colorado

Wharariki Beach Archway Islands New Zealand

Wharariki Beach and Archway Islands

Puponga - New Zealand

Red Fox on the Hunt

Red Fox hunting rodents under the snow Watching this Red fox hunting for rodents was very interesting and entertaining moving his head from side to side, listing to the rodents movements under the snow (about 2 feet deep) and then jumping up and nose diving into the snow and catching it.

Mountain Lion at my door

Mountain Lion visit

Water Drop Photography

Waterdrop Photography

Lightning over Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Bald Eagles around Steamboat Springs, CO

Resting after fishing

Chicago, Illinois

Galapagos Islands

Quito - Galapagos

Gear For The Trip

Redwood National Park - California

Redwood National Park - Northern California

Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens

A Great way to spend the day around Los Angeles for Art Lovers and Botanical Garden fans.

The Wildlife Around Us

Zanzibar: The Spice Island

Zanzibar

Stone Town

Western Fence Lizard

Western Fence Lizard

Gorillas Of Rwanda

Mountain Gorillas Of Rwanda

Small Cameras are Great

Small Cameras are the Best

Burrowing Owls of Yuma, Arizona

Getting ready for 2013

Red Fox hunting rodents under the snow

Watching this Red fox hunting for rodents was very interesting and entertaining moving his head from side to side, listing to the rodents movements under the snow (about 2 feet deep) and then jumping up and nose diving into the snow and catching it.