Winter Birds 2024

A variety of birds hang around the local creek in the Winter when the osprey aren't visiting.  We enjoy watching them and their variety of behaviors.  There has been a huge flock of geese.  I was surprised to see a pair of swans two days ago since I haven't seen any on the creek for several years.

Canada geese

Buffleheads

Trumpeter swan

Winter Cold 2022

Here are a few photos that could symbolize the word COLD.  During my recent winter walks, I chose to photograph the current weather conditions along the roadside as a way of expressing the current time, Winter.  We haven't had a whole lot of snow, only an inch or two, while many of you have experienced far worse conditions.  Several feet of snow would have expressed COLD as well, but I am very grateful I didn't have to show that to express the Winter.

                                            Leaves below the ice

Icy Reflection

Cardinal in Snow now showing in the Photography Exhibit through August 14th

My most popular photo is included in the Photography Exhibit at the Lexington Park Library.  It is currently also for sale as a card and an 8x10 print.  This poor guy's face had ice on it from a nasty winter snow storm.  It was snowing pretty hard when I took the picture.

http://www.zazzle.com/cardinal_in_snow_photo_print-190051261254080832

Signs of Life in Winter

I took a look around our church property for signs of the coming spring.  Here is what I saw when I looked closely.

        Pink Heather Flowers

      Buds

    Red Berries

Life goes in, even in cold weather!

Winter Photography

I thought it might be interesting to share ideas about what to photograph in Winter.  I would really like to get some audience suggestions on this one, so please feel free to comment and add your own suggestions, no matter when you see this blog (next year, next month, etc.)

I did some internet searching and brainstormed about all the ideas I could remember, so from the perspective of a Maryland resident, here is what I came up with for interesting photography:

1. Wildlife is easier to spot in the winter.  Try Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge MD for birds, including eagles
2. Great Falls National Park sunrise
3. Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis WV for winter evergreens
4. Ice patterns on window glass or on water, ice on plants
5. Icicles (I even tried catching the melting water with a star filter, but it takes lots of patience)
6. Red berries on plants
7. Snow photos of buildings and snow in landscapes like mountains, with water, blowing snow (use +1 or +2 exposure or a gray card)
8. Storm photos right before or after a storm
9. Fog photos
10. Snowy buildings with warm light coming from windows
11. Cityscapes at twilight 30 minutes after sunset or before sunrise-see http://www.date-and-time.net/  for  a twilight calculator
12. Caves are usually around 50-55 degrees year round
13. Astrophotography when the sky is clear and less hazy
14. Bryce National Park or Yosemite in snow
15. Florida-Corkscrew Swamp, Big Bend boardwalk at Fakahatchee Strand, off Hwy 41 near Everglades city,  Anhinga Trail near the entrance to the Everglades
16. Indoor studio type shots with a photo tent or flash

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