I sometimes like getting up very early in the morning to travel out to Pungo Lake. Most of my photography consist of doing wildlife but every now and then I have to just look around and look for the beauty in landscapes. This was the case on this very cold Winter morning out at the Pungo Lake Wildlife Refuge on one of their many canals. The morning light was just breaking and the reflections in the water were beautiful.]]>
Yesterday was such a beautiful Fall day. A great day to be out photographing bears. As I approach a Sow and two cubs on a path, the sow went down and across the canal and into a field to feed. One of the cubs turned back and went up into a tree. This poor little baby was so upset at being separated from its mother it was crying for her to return. It broke my heart and I backed way off and watched. The mother and other cub returned and the cubs reunited.]]>
I must admit I do have a soft spot for the Black Bears of Eastern North Carolina. I spend a lot of time wandering the paths and roads of the wildlife refuges in hopes of seeing and photographing the landscapes and any wildlife I come across. I do love the outdoors and the exercise. There are those times when I am lucky enough to capture a wandering bear that to me makes for a great photo. I not only try to compose a photo and using the skills I have learned with the camera but also using post editing on a computer to enhance the picture to capture the beauty of the animal. To me it is turning a photo into an Artistic expression that is pleasing to the eye. ]]>
I have been interested in photography since high school. I started using a Pentex K 1000 and B&W film and learned to develop this film in a darkroom. Over the years I fell away from photography and it became a faint memory from my youth. In 2011 while shopping at a Sam's Club I saw kit cameras on display. A spark ignited a passion and after buying a camera package and a photography manual I once again fell back in love with photography. Reading eBooks and watching Youtube videos I was constantly learning news techniques in computer post processing. This photograph of the Washington waterfront taken in 2012 at sunrise and has been one of most commented on and viewed from websites I have posted this photo too. ]]>
Sometimes capturing a scene of wildlife far away rather than a close up makes a more dramatic image. These cubs play fighting at the end of a path gives this image a "Winnie the Pooh" feeling. I love these kind of images because of the mood they set.]]>
After finally having a chance to get back out to the Pocossin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, due to all the rain, I spent several hours on the roads and trials photographing the wildlife. On the way out of the refuge I came upon this sow just sitting on the edge of a cornfield. She looks exhausted! Her cubs are either in the corn or across the road in a tree waiting for her. I was surprised this sow just sat there and did not move for several minutes allowing me to take several pictures. I only spent a couple of minutes with her so as to not disturb her too much and allow her to get back to her cubs.]]>
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What do you do when its raining outside? You go through older photos and redo them. This big guy is Cauliflower ears. I named him due to his ears resembling a boxer's ears from taking a lot punches to their ears. Cauliflower is an old gentle giant that does not mind having his picture taken. This photo was taken last fall when the bears feast on corn to fatten themselves up. Bears can live up to 19 years. I don't know how old Cauliflower is but he looks ancient. Cauliflower is one of my favorite bears to photograph.]]>
I have taken an interest in doing more B&W photography lately. I started doing B&W way back in the mid 70's when I bought a Pentex K 1000. I was taking a photography class in high school and learned to develop my own B&W photos. I love using B&W for two reasons. First, it places more focus on the subject. Second, it reduces the distractions of a lot of colors in the photo. In this photograph there were several wild horses roaming down the beach and when I developed this photo I saw the look and detail in those eyes. Fell in love with this photo. North Carolina is so blessed to have these wonderful protected horses.]]>
I love the beauty of North Carolina. No matter where I go I find beautiful places to photograph. Eastern NC is no exception. The Pocossin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is just such a place. I spend a lot of time out there photographing wildlife especially the Black Bears. I find them so fascinating to watch. Sometimes I am so caught up looking for bears I forget to just take the time to enjoy the landscapes. This photo taken in "The Tunnel", North Lake drive at Pungo Lake. It is an incredible spot to sit and watch nature. Peaceful serenity in a time of so much drama.]]>
The weather has been so incredibly HOT the last couple of weeks with temps hitting 105 degrees with 90% humidity. COVID could not keep me confined to my house but the heat sure could. When I was younger I could tolerate the heat much better but at 62 its much harder for me. I find on days I go to Pungo Lake or Alligator River I can spend up to 8 hours in the sweltering heat but the days after I find myself so exhausted and rundown.
Yesterday afternoon I was so bored being inside I grabbed my camera and decided to go a few miles down the road to where I have photographed an old abandoned house in the past. I have become interested in doing more B&W photography so I took several photos of this house. I met and old friend on his way home and he stopped and we started talking. Soon after the storms came and it was time to head back home.
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Yesterday I called my bear photographer buddy Paul Harding. We decided to take a run out to the Pocossin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and see what we could photograph. Of course being July it was so very hot and humid. Within minutes I was soaked in sweat! That is ok. I am always so happy to be in the company of bears and other photographers who share their love for the wonderful wildlife in Eastern North Carolina. This photograph of a bear emerging from a cornfield was a perfect capture. The sunlight illuminating the cornstalks made for great backlit subject. In a lot of my photographs I like to use software to enhance the effects and give my subjects some extra glow.]]>
Today I got a very early start, up at 0400. Met my friend Paul Harding out at the Pocossin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge at 0600. Took our bikes off the racks and started out riding the trails and paths. We had many opportunities to photograph the bears this morning as they were out in abundance. One thing I love photographing more than bears is bear cubs. We came across several cubs this morning and it is so much fun watching them. It totally amazes me as how fast they can climb trees and with so much skill. The morning was great but as the sun rises so does the heat so by 1030 we called it a day and headed back home.]]>
One of my favorite subjects to photograph are old houses and barns. There is something about the contrast and textures seen only in well weathered barns. A couple of days ago I went out for a drive to look for subjects to photograph. I saw a old house with several barns on its land. Sometimes stopping in on someones property can be a little risky but never the less if you don't try you don't get permission to take pictures. I knocked on the door and met Oscar and Jessica. We ended up spending quite some time talking and they were so friendly. I got to learn some history of the property and they allowed me to roam around the property and take photos. Incredible day!]]>
Sometimes it's not how close and detailed you get with wildlife but rather capturing a moment that tells a story. As we were walking down a path a sow emerged with two cubs. We stopped and just watched and started taking pictures. I love how this sweet cub stands up to embrace its mother. Nature at its finest.]]>
I love being outdoors. When I am alone in the woods I am transported far away from the realities facing our country today, I am in my "Happy Place" at one with nature and free. Photographing wildlife is a challenge, being in the right place at the right time. Understanding where to look and the characteristics of the animals helps to capture the images I am looking for. Sometimes however, I happen on chance and spot an image that just strikes me. As I was walking down a path finishing photographing black bears and heading back to my car I turned around to look down this path and this is when I spotted this Sow and her two cubs crossing the path illuminated by the end of the path. What an opportunity as I grabbed my camera and quickly snapped some pictures. Sometimes its the unexpected shot I love the best. With this photo I edited it to make it look more like a painting.]]>
This morning I needed to get out of the house. I decided to go to a spot where I have been watching a mother Great Horned Owl sitting on her eggs for two months. It has been fascinating to observe the owlets grow and fun to watch their behavior. This morning as I approached in my car the momma and papa owls flew off. The papa owl flew to a pine tree about 40 meters away. He offered me a great photo opportunity. I set up a chair blind near the nest. The owlets hunkered down in the nest at first but within about 20 minutes they started to move around in the nest. It was challenging to take good photos due to the bright sky light behind them but still I think the photos turned out fairly decent.]]>