New Fine Art Gallery post!!!

Posted a new fine art gallery from the taking root gallery, called "Cypress fog" check it out and let me know what you think. The cypress fog gallery is now a limited print, fine art gallery.

Christmas Eve on The Beach!!

Tybee Island, Christmas Eve Morning. I made this photograph about 10 minutes before sunrise.
  It was a very cold and windy morning with the tide rolling in on the beach, leaving sea foam behind. A flock of pigeons kept wanting to be a part of this image but I had other plans and managed to keep them out of the image long enough to capture this shot. I had planned to capture the sun peaking over the horizon but was not able to because of a ship that rolled into the sunrise just as it peaked over the water.
  All sunrises are Absolutely beautiful, but on this morning I wanted to capture the essence of the bitter cold, clear, winter morning, from a little different angle than I have captured this beach before. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed shooting it.
Let me know what you think!

Mobile Shots...Sands pond and the Ogeechee River

A Coke Bottle floats in Sands Pond Reservoir near Claxton,GA in Evens County. Funny thing is, the trash can was only a few yards behind me. Sickens me to see people who just don't care about our natural resources or local parks either. If you carry it in please carry it out, and if even if you didn't take it in but someone else did...take a minute and pick it up. I have too often traveled to what used to be a beautiful place to visit and photograph, only to find that litter has now scarred the landscape with countless cans, bottles, plastic and paper, thrown into the lakes and along the trails as if someone where expecting their mother to come along behind them and pick it up. Hey guess what!!! she's not!! so do everyone that cares a favor...pick up after yourself. I am sure that most who read this is as aggravated as I and would never throw trash away anywhere except where it belongs, but there are a lot of people who do it everyday.

Ogeechee River, Close to Pembroke,GA
Imagine this scene with cans ,bottles and trash...not pretty huh. Thank goodness the people that come here still care.

Green Backed Heron.

I was watching This green backed heron in flight on the other side of a pond that I was set up at, when all of a sudden he came straight towards me, I didn't pick him up in the viewfinder until he was right on top of me. When you get a lull in the action its easy to let your mind drift...he snapped me back really quick LOL.

Cattle Egret Overhead!!

While standing, watching, waiting, for the pair of bald eagles, this cattle egret flew overhead. The morning sunlight reflecting a soft gold off his wings was definitely a bonus.
Hidden by the marsh and switch grass, there were times that I became a landing pad..lol. Twice I had birds almost land on me before they even knew that I was there. Two wood-storks almost landed on my head before noticing that I was there.
It happened so fast that all I captured of this cattle egret was two frames..the one above and the second one that missed him altogether because I was shooting almost straight up.
This bird was in its winter plumage which is white, spring and summer their plumage starts to display yellow/orange colors on the head and breast area.

Morning Sunlight on a Lesser Egret in Flight

These Lesser Egret's, the smaller species of the Great Egret, are beautiful birds especially in flight, add a little early morning sunlight and you have a truly magnificent sight.
This bird flew right overhead just as the morning sun peeked over the trees.

"Into The Light"

Blue Heron in Early morning Flight

Blue Heron In Early Morning Flight #2

In case you haven't noticed, I have been on a coastal bird kick for about a month now.
I have been pursuing a pair of bald eagles for quiet some time and they seem to elude me on every outing. They are however, wild birds who have a very low tolerance to human presence. On this particular outing I was set up waiting for the eagle pair to make their magnificent entrance to the pond and while awaiting, a beautiful Blue Heron that was perched nearby, caught my attention.
The sun doesn't hit this particular spot until late morning so just as the sun started to shine through onto this beautiful bird, he took flight. I underexposed the image by a couple of stops and was able to create the blacked out background as I captured his astounding flight.
I Decided to use both exposures of this Bird Because they both show his beauty in flight so well. Let me know what you Think!!!

Autumn Stroll

A White-Tailed Doe takes an early morning stroll alone the edge of a algae covered pond in search for food. There were three other does with her that later came out behind her to feed. By that time the sun was beaming down directly upon them and there was no chance for an exposure that wasn't blown out.

Blue Heron sits a spell.

This Handsome fellow parked his rear end atop a pine tree on the opposite side of the pond from where I was set up, trying to capture the pair of bald eagles in action.
For the entire morning he stayed in this spot...just chilled and took it easy..more than likely he had already eaten his breakfast when he came in and perched on the pine tree. I love his colors..dark blue, blue/grey, and the flowing neck feathers.
The pine tops and pine cones seemed to make the composition complete.

Wood Stork Shows off his beautiful Wingspan!!

A wood stork shows off his beautiful wing span while catching a few rays of the morning sunlight at Skidaway Island. Savannah GA.

This is one of more images to come from this weeks bald eagle photo shoot.
This beautiful wood-stork came in just after daylight and perched on a dead tree to wait on fishing possibilities. when he flew in, the eagles had already left early and it was too dark to make an image. I continued to watch him as he put on a wonderful display while sunning in the morning light.
Unfortunately Mr baldy eluded me on every occasion. I was not able to capture the images that I thought would truly show the beauty of this gorgeous raptor up close and personal, but was able to capture images of other coastal birds in their habitat.
This pair of bald eagles are wild and not very tolerant of human presence,so it has been very hard to get into a position that will allow me to capture a really nice image of them. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve though..lol
I have been setting up and quietly getting into position on this pair every morning since Wednesday. Trying not to disturb their natural day to day routine, I sat up quietly before daylight at the bend of a large salt/fresh water pond where they have been roosting and fishing early in the morning. Two of the mornings were so cloudy that I was struggling to get enough light to get a decent image. One of the mornings they left the roost for parts unknown right at daylight, the last morning...same thing. I know that they were feeling my presence, so I decided not to continue on Sunday, I will give them the week and then try again in a different spot this coming weekend. The absolute worse thing that a wildlife photographer can do is to pressure an animal or bird into changing it's natural pattern of movement...when that happens you are too close.
More images to come!!

High Falls and Indian Springs late autumn images.

The intensity of the water rushing over the rocks and downstream really caught my eye in this image.


The Beauty and grace of this waterfall with surrounding forest color is what I was after here.


This watershed waterfall is water from Mcintosh Lake that flowed into a small basin.


Sheer power runs over this rock formation into the Towaliga River below.


All Three falls captured together with late autumn color accents in the background.


A more intimate view of a fall shows the beauty of the water patterns flowing over the rock formations.


Mcintosh Lake in Late afternoon sunlight with really nice clou formations.


Indian Springs Nature Trail in Autumn array. This image almost made me feel like I was wrapped up completely in the beauty of the forest.


I managed to arrive early afternoon for this shoot and the sun was still way too harsh to even think about shooting waterfalls, so Karen and I hit the trails at Indian springs first. The sun filtering through the canopy of the forest is always a beautiful sight to behold. and also allows for some great compositions. As the sun set farther in the west I was able to capture some really nice images of the falls at High Falls State Park in Jackson GA. If you have not visited this state park I would recommend doing so. It is very peaceful and different from most waterfall sights that I have seen that are in close walking distance.
I still have a few images that I cut as seconds that I may post later on. I will let you know if it happens..lol.
Please feel free to comment on these and all of my images. Let me know your favorites and what draws your attention to a particular image.

Almost There!!!

Look for images from the High Falls shoot coming soon!! I promise lol!!

High Falls State Park Trip!! (mobile shots)

Here are a few of the mobile shots and a video all taken by Karen on our High falls trip.
I am processing the images and will have them up as soon as possible.

White-Tailed Beauty

MAMA WITH HER FAWN. the fawn has lost all of her white spots they have now turned brown and faded. She will be mature enough to mother her own next year.


MAMA ON WATCH. Keeping a watchful eye as her young wanders away from her. Mom is not quite as nervous now that the fawn is now about 4 to 5 months old but she will still bolt alerting her young at the first hint of danger. I was on the other side of the pond in complete camo from head to toe, including camera, lens and tripod, but she still keep checking me out to make sure i wasn't a threat.


WAITING ON A WOMAN. This small rack eight-point buck came in shortly after the Doe and fawn left. The rut is in, and things are starting to get heated up in the woods of South Georgia. But here at Skidaway Island the buck to doe ratio is severely skewed towards the doe's so there isn't much of a rut in this area. As a matter of fact several people have even reported seeing newborns two to three weeks ago. that means the doe's will come into heat very late again.


CROSSING. This yearling doe decided to cross the pond instead of going around it. She crossed about 100 yards down from where I was set-up. I think this might be the one that came up behind me and spooked me lol...because it wasn't very long after she crossed until it happened.



This is a gallery very close to my heart. I have been a deer nut since I was knee high to a grasshopper lol. I have studied these animals for a number of years extensively. This gallery is a small part to make up the whole "The Elusive" Fine Art portfolio. I have been working on this for about a year now and when I have all the images that I want, the ones that will tell the story of this beautiful animal and its life journey, it will then be complete. Many, many hours of studying, stalking, patiently waiting, braving the weather, and at many times, not even seeing a single deer have helped and continue to help make this happen. I am looking forward to getting it finished so that I can share it with you.
Alot of the images in this gallery are of Doe's, I want to save the boyz lol until the portfolio is finished.
All of these images are of wild deer, most of which I was hunkered down in full camo for hours, and trying not to get winded in the process...one good sniff of human and seeee ya!!! they are outa there, off with their white tails a flagging all the while blowing and making a scene.

While I was set-up on one occasion, I had a doe sneak up right behind me and when I heard a noise and turned my head slowly she blew loudly and bolted...I think in that instance she spooked me worse that I did her lol.

Ducks a splashing!!!

Here we are!!! finally!! lol
Had a blast and was able to capture some great ..in the moment images of Hooded mergansers and a wood duck drake flying. They came in about 100 yards from me and I had to work my way towards them to get into range. I took video of the trip but because of technical difficulties(user error) I wont be able to show the footage...maybe next time. check out all of the duck images from this shoot at ducks

Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Average length: M 18.1 in, F 17
Average weight: M 1.6 lbs, F 1.5 lbs

Description: The hooded merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species occurring in North America.
Breeding: Hooded mergansers breed from southeastern Alaska, central British Columbia and southwestern Alberta to southwestern Oregon, central Idaho and northwestern Montana; and from central Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south to Kansas, northern Louisiana and northern Georgia. Hooded mergansers prefer forested wetland systems, where they nest in tree cavities or nest boxes and lay an average of 9-11 eggs.

Migrating and Wintering: Of the three species of mergansers occurring in North America, the hooded merganser is the only one restricted to the continent. Forested wetlands, brackish estuaries and tidal creeks are preferred wintering habitats. Hooded mergansers winter along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts, mainly from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California, and New England to Florida and west to northern Mexico. The majority of wintering hooded mergansers occur in the Mississippi Flyway.

Population: Hooded mergansers are most common in the Great Lakes region and current information suggests a stable, possibly increasing population in some areas. However, data on population size and status are tenuous due to the secretive nature of this species. Historically, populations likely suffered from habitat loss.

Feeding Habits: Hooded mergansers dive in fresh water to feed on small fish, crayfish and other crustaceans and aquatic insects.
Parts of Duck Information Used from DUCKS UNLIMITED

Duck shoot a wrap for this week!!

Here are some mobile pics of the duck shoot this weekend... I hope to have the images processed and up this week.
It was a very good weekend...lots of wildlife showed up at my location, got some great captures. The Hooded Mergansers were in the pond where I was at and white-tailed deer also showed up to lend a hand. beautiful mornings added to the compositions and mood...it was awesome! This is why I do what I do, for days like this weekend. Sitting in a tick infested swamp in 30 degree weather with a camera and tripod is most likely not on most peoples to do list. But when I reap the pleasure's of watching the sun rise over the water and treetops, having a bald eagle swoop down for the kill as it skims the water for fish right over my head, and watching as a doe cleans her yearling's face or Merganser drakes fight over a popular female in the group, I know that this is God's work and I am blessed to be in the moment...knowing that this is where I am supposed to be...priceless.

DUCKS!!!!

My crude blind set-up last Saturday and
Some mobile shots of last weekend.
I hope to be setting up on ducks this weekend.....pintails and a few woodducks are coming in at skidaway and harris neck....haven't decided yet where to go. This is a part of an ongoing duck portfolio that I am working on...I will be working on this and the elusive portfolio for a while .....getting great opportunity but not the moments I want to capture....patience. and hard work...lol

Cypress Fog Gallery is on the web-site!!!

Maybe one of my favorite color with fog images that I have captured to date!! The morning was perfect...cool, heavy fog rolled across the lake onto the colorful cypress trees...fog just makes compositions happen.

"THE MIST" revealed!!

Finally!!! The monochrome portfolio I have been working on is on the website... I hope you enjoy viewing them!!
Also I have got this portfolio and new images loaded onto my new Fine Art Print an Managed License site...Check it out by clicking on the buy links above the images. I am having to add a few galleries along as I go because it is impossible to be in the field and set all this up at the same time>>>WHEW!!! slowly but surely I will get it.

Still going!!

This new addition of a stock and fine art print site has been crazy!!! hope to have it all together by next week!!! It will be really nice when it all gets up and running!! new images will be up soon I PROMISE!! lol.

almost there!!!

I have finished the post production of the images from the George L. Smith shoot but I have been in transition between two web-sites so bare with me and I hope to have the images up soon....They will be worth the wait I do believe!! I'm trying to get my stock and prints site up and running....crazy stuff!!!

Canada Geese

The geese had left a public pond and started feeding in an old field that used to be planted in corn. I was concentrated on the ones that were preening and stretching their wings in the afternoon sunlight when I looked over and saw three sitting down in the grass taking it easy...had to get the image ...beautiful birds!! Beautiful setting!!

King of the jungle!!

I captured this image of a beautiful African male Lion in captivity.
He used to be the man!!, King of the jungle!!, until an injury forced him to give up his reign as king. He was taken into captivity to be given medical attention and remains there because the caretakers feel if they released him back into the wild it would be certain death. He would no longer be accepted into the pride.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
"Lions live for ten to fourteen years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than twenty years. In the wild, males seldom live longer than ten years, as injuries sustained from continual fighting with rival males greatly reduce their longevity. They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. Lions are apex and keystone predators, although they scavenge as opportunity allows. While lions do not typically hunt humans, some have been known to do so.
Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia with a critically endangered remnant population in Gir Forest National Park in India, having disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times.
The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of thirty to fifty percent over the past two decades in its African range. Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern. Lions have been kept in menageries since Roman times and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoos the world over since the late eighteenth century. Zoos are cooperating worldwide in breeding programs for the endangered Asiatic subspecies".

I could see the longing for the wild in this lion's eyes, a chance to relive younger days perhaps, as he lay gazing off into the walls that are now his home and safety from the outside world.

as the clouds roll in!!

Clouds can make some very beautiful shapes!!! They are a wonderful work of art from God, The master himself!

Mr Osprey finally shows himself !!

An osprey is capable of reaching speeds of about 40 miles an hour while flying. They are primarily fish hunters and will dive straight down into the water toward their prey, reaching speeds of nearly 80 mph! Just before hitting the water they pull up, plunging in talons first, the unlucky fish that ventured too close to the water's surface has no warning.


Finally!!! after a lot of long hours and hard work I finally managed to get him to pose for me close enough to get a nice composition. It happened about 4:30 Sunday afternoon...I waited for the rain to clear out and set up a about four hours prior to this. he made a high pass earlier circling the river for fish then left. I had all but given up hope and was preparing to leave for the afternoon when he came out of nowhere... I only had seconds to respond...wow!!! it was exciting!!!

White-tailed gossip!!

These two girls were feeding side by side then all of a sudden they looked to be involved in some sort of gossip. Their darker color is starting to come in for the winter-time.

New fall images from the smokey mountains!!!

Here is just a couple of the new images on the website in the Mountain Bliss Portfolio!!! Ck it out!!! click on the first photo...it will take you to the website light room...click on the photo again and it will take you to the portfolio that these photos are in.



This past weekend I was at Townsend Tennessee shooting the fall colors....the colors were not in peak yet....a little late this year..east Tennessee had a dry spell that caused a lot of it's leaves to fall before time but it was still breathtaking as always. There are a few more images from this shoot to come.

Smokey mountain shoot

couple of mobile pics from the trip so far.
Always beautiful up here...but this year it has been dry on the east side of Tennessee so the leaves are falling way too fast, there is not a lot of color popping at this time..two to three weeeks most all of the leaves will have fallen. Still I managed to get some nice compositions of sunset color on the mountains so far. Going back up the mountain to shoot the sunrise this morning...then off to Cades Cove..then down to North Carolina... then on the way home. Plans are changing quickly because off heavy traffic. We got caught up in a traffic jam for almost an hour yesterday afternoon headed to newfound gap...had to turn around.