Enthusiastic members of the club outfitted with a variety of photographic equipment, ventured out to the Ocean Course for wildlife photography in September and October. The shoots were intended as a learning experience for photographers with any equipment and all skill levels. A few images were requested from those who were willing to share, either edited or unedited images for a slide production highlighting what was captured from the sessions.
On September 29th, stormy weather was impending, but the shoot was still on as scheduled. The weather allowed about an hour of photographing before the front rolled in. A generous flock of black skimmers, royal terns, and gulls flew into the wind as the surf coaxed them from the water’s edge. A bald eagle made a surprise fly over right in front of photographers!
The October 23rd mid-afternoon opportunity offered great weather with pleasant conditions for a lengthy shoot. There were fewer birds, yet there was a good variety of subject matter including gulf fritillary butterflies, solitary shorebirds, and waders that served as models, along with beautiful landscape compositions. An osprey circled the lagoon attempting to catch a fish but was unsuccessful after several tries.
Participants learned that extreme patience is an absolutely necessary trait of a wildlife photographer, with accurate sharp focusing being of utmost importance for quality images. Being aware of the light, and proper camera settings were emphasized. Bird biology, how to approach and position them at various vantage points, and how to anticipate action was also among the educational content. Many photographers took advantage of the expanse of the beautiful landscape as well.
