Tag: D700

May 12, 2012 Sun

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May 12, 2012 Sun, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved

I haven’t had as much time as I’ve wanted to practice using my Solar filter and I haven’t tried a time-lapse with it yet either. Too many gray days, and other
distractions have been in the way.
The Solar Eclipse is this week! I hope to get more practice before Sunday’s event.

Yes, even though I left home without my Teleconverter I did get the sunspots.

I’m using this Solar filter:

http://www.telescope.com/410-ID-Orion-Full-Aperture-Solar-Filter/p/7733.uts?keyword=solar%20filter

Don’t try to capture the Eclipse without using proper protection for both your eyes and camera! Get a filter made especially to view the Sun! Time may be running out for you pick up a filter I recommend calling around and if you find one jump on it. I bought one that fits the end of my lens hood.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200mm @ 200mm|
Costa Mesa, California, Afternoon, Sunspots, AstroPhotography

There is something about the stars that set the Gypsy blood astir…

Posted in Astrophotograhpy, California, Landscapes, Nature, Nikon, PhotographyTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I am inspired by William Bliss Carman’s thought about things that stir the Gypsy blood for the title of this piece. The stars do stir my blood and I wish I could travel up there. Perhaps someday we will.

This tree was absolutely gorgeous, and in a perfect location for shooting a star trail at the end of a day of shooting wildflowers, creeks, and a waterfall in Northeastern California. I’d gone up with some friends to meet more photography friends in a Meet-up group we’re in. While we set up for the shot and finished up we listened to little frogs croaking, and following them were crickets. A lovely round of natures music that I’m sure continued long into the night.

My battery died short of where I wanted it to for this sequence of star trails. A lesson learned! I will insert a fresh battery from now on.

Nikon D700 Nikkor 18mm AI-S| f5.6| 211 seconds| ISO 200| Manual Priority| Tripod| 29 frames stacked with Photoshop CS5

“You never listen to me!”

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Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

The most animated and noisy birds breeding and nesting in this rookery were by far the Cattle Egrets.
They were very amusing to watch.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@ 300mm| f11| 1/800 sec| ISO 500| Manual Priority| Hand-held

An American Badger

Posted in California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , 2 Comments

Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved

This was the first time I’d ever seen a Badger!
My friend Dali and I got together to do some hiking in Pinnacles National Park and on the way home we drove by one of our favorite Birding places. We were on the way out; heading home when Dali spotted this guy on a hillside. Check out those claws!

We also saw a Coyote. He was busy hunting Voles, and Ground Squirrels for dinner.

…and we saw a Greater Yellowlegs. The background is awful! I’d like to get a picture of one with a nice background one day.

and no country back roads drive would be complete without a Cute Cow.  I hope she wasn’t too disappointed that I didn’t bring fresh hay.

We didn’t see any Eagles, but it was another fun, and exciting day in the country full of wildlife.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@300mm| f8| 1/1000 s| ISO 800| Manual Mode| Hand-held

Western Kingbird

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac.  All Rights Reserved.

My friend Dali and I went on a hike in Pinnacles National Park last week, and on the way home we drove through one of the places we have seen Golden Eagles, and we’ve heard there is a pair of Bald Eagles that hunt here too.

We saw one Golden Eagle, but no Bald Eagles on this drive, but I did see a Bobcat. He was  close to the road, and I tried so hard to get a shot, but my camera wouldn’t focus as he was in the shade under a huge Oak tree, and this lens needs a lot more light to grab focus fast. In the nano seconds it took me to get lock focus we spooked the Bobcat and he took off. I saw it though. I’ll never forget it. He was a beauty. I am hoping he’s territorial and will be in that area again. I’ll be making the trip over there again soon.

While driving I spotted this little bird. He’s a first for me too. I’m so excited to see him. Isn’t this a pretty pose? I couldn’t wait to get home and look through my National Geographic Book of Birds of North America to find out what breed he is.
I’m pretty sure this is a Western Kingbird. What do you think am I right?

I had another first on this drive…Dali spotted an American Badger and he too posed for us. I’ll be sharing a photo of it soon.

Nikon D700|Nikkor 70-300mm @300mm|f8| 1/640 sec| ISO 640| Manual Mode| Hand-held

Camouflage it’s for the Birds

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This little bird was very busy pecking through all the dropped leaves, and twigs looking for worms grubs I think. I watched it for a little while but never saw it get a worm.

I’m not sure what breed it is. It looks sort of like House Wren or some sort of Thrush to me. Anyone know?

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@ 300mm| f5.6| 1/60 sec| ISO 640| Manual Mode| Hand-held